The road to entrepreneurial success can be really hard especially for those who have little knowledge on how things in the chosen business or industry work. But even for those who have the knowledge and experience, this journey can still be daunting. There are times that we need to be constantly reminded of why we are on this journey. Reading or hearing the success stories of established entrepreneurs is great source of motivation for many. Read more to know about the Top Leadership Entrepreneurship Expert Speakers to follow.
Like most of aspiring entrepreneurs today, most of the public figures people on this list also started with almost nothing but worked their way up to what they have now. These people are not only successful in their own businesses but are also inspiring budding entrepreneurs through their seminars and other events.
Top Leadership and Entrepreneurship Expert Speakers
In my effort to sum up the relevant expert speakers of our time in the field of Leadership and Entrepreneurship, I have summed up together each of these influencers search value, their website assets link influence scores, social media values and came up with the initial list of experts in my list.
I have taken the liberty of adding their online assets so that you can easily check them out.
(20) Susie Wolff
image source: mercedes-benz.comSusie Wolff might be very different from the rest of the people included in this list. She doesn’t have an intensive background on entrepreneurship but she is not naïve in this field either. Her parents own a motorcycle dealership business and her husband Toto Wolff is the founder of two investment companies, Marchfifteen and Marchsixteen which focuses its investments on internet and technology companies.
Susie is a race car driver and was one of the few women to ever compete in Formula 1. She is the ambassador for FIA Women in Motorsports and Wings for Life. She shares her inspiring story as a keynote speaker motivating her audience to always set goals and dream big, and that passion and character is what defines us and not gender.
Website: Susie Wolf | Facebook: Susie Wolff | Twitter: @Susie_Wolff
(19) Karren Brady
image source: thetimes.co.ukKnown as “The First Lady of Football”, Karren was the former managing director of the Birmingham City Football Club. She is also a successful businesswoman, novelist, journalist, broadcaster, media personality, and politician.
She is currently the Vice Chairman of West Ham United and regularly writes for The Sun and Woman & Home Magazine. She has published four books in which two of them are novels. Her latest book, “Strong Woman” which is a Sunday Times bestseller aims to inspire women in business.
She was named Woman of the Year by Cosmopolitan Magazine in 2006 and one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Britain” by the Sunday Times in 2010. She was also 10th in The Guardian’s “50 Most Influential Women in British Sport”.
Website: KarrenBrady.com | Facebook: Karren Brady Twitter: @karren_brady
(18) Kim Kiyosaki
image source: herbusiness.comWife to the very famous Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki, Kim is equally successful as her husband. She is the author of “Rich Woman”, and “Good Deal Bad Deal”, she is also an internationally renowned keynote speaker, investor, entrepreneur, and radio show host.
She is also the founder of Rich Woman.
She is an advocate for financial education especially for women and helps them make their dream towards financial freedom a reality.
Facebook: Kim Kiyosaki Twitter: @kimkiyosaki
(17) David Meltzer
image source: danlokshow.comHe was previously the CEO of PC-E Phone and Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, one of the world’s most notable sports agency. And now the current CEO of Sports 1 Marketing, a sports marketing firm which he established with Hall of Fame Quarterback Warren Moon. David Meltzer is also an author and has published two bestselling books, “Connected to Goodness” and “Compassionate Capitalism”.
He was named the “Sports Humanitarian of the Year” by Variety’s Unite4:Humanity awards in 2016. He is also one of the “Top 10 Keynote Speaker” by Forbes in the same year. He is known to speak passionately about achieving success and being able to live a good and meaningful life. He was already featured in different respected business and national publications like Forbes, Bloomberg, ESPN, Yahoo, CNBN, Variety, and SB Nation.
Website: David Meltzer | Facebook: David Meltzer Twitter: @davidmeltzer LinkedIn: Dave Meltzer
(16) Suze Orman
image source: aarp.orgFamous for her show The Suze Orman Show, Suze is also an author, motivational speaker, and financial advisor. She founded the Suze Orman Financial Group in 1987 after resigning as vice president of investments at Prudential Bache Securities.
She has published several books such as the “The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom”, and she has also created non-book instructional materials about various financial services. She writes financial advice column for The Oprah Magazine and contributes to Lowes MoneyWorks, and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Website: SuzeOrman.com Facebook: Suze Orman Twitter: @SuzeOrmanShow LinkedIn: Suze Orman
(15) Barbara Corcoran
image source: entrepreneur.comBarbara is the Chairman of the Barbara Corcoran Inc., and Founder of the Corcoran Group and Forefront Venture Partners. From a $1000 loan she and her boyfriend made in 1973, they started a real-estate business called The Corcoran Group. And from that, she managed to grow her business to what is now multi-billion dollar company.
Her rags-to-riches story of how she built one of the most successful real estate brand in New York, is often the front lines of her keynote speeches. Her refreshing speaking style and tell-it-like-it-is attitude is what sets her apart from other speakers. She can make her audience laugh, cry, and motivated at the same time
She has authored three bestsellers including the famous “If You Don’t Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons on Your Pigtails”. She is also one the “sharks” in the reality TV series Shark Tank.
Website: Barbara Corcoran | Facebook: Barbara Corcoran | Twitter: @BarbaraCorcoran
(14) Mark Cuban
image source: businessinsider.comMark Cuban started in the business industry at a very young age of 12, selling garbage bags door-to-door. And from selling garbage bags, he is now one of the most successful entrepreneur and investor. He is well known for being the owner of NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. He also owns Landmark Theatres, Magnolia Pictures, and Chairman of HDNet. He is also one of the “shark” investors in the very popular TV series Shark Tank
He has written his own e-book in 2011, How to Win at the Sports of Business, and is one of the most sought-after keynote speaker. He was named GQ Magazine’s “Men of the Year” in 2006 and part of New York Times Magazine’s “Year in Ideas”.
Website: Blog Maverick | Facebook: Mark Cuban | Twitter: @mcuban | LinkedIn: Mark Cuban
(13) Darren Hardy
image source: darrenhardy.comDarren Hardy is a famous keynote speaker, business adviser, former publisher of Success Magazine, and author of two New York Times bestseller, “The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster”, and “The Compound Effect”.
He was an executive producer and master distributor at two personal development TV networks, The Success Training Network (TSTN) and The People’s Network (TPN). In 2015, he announced leaving Success Magazine to pursue other opportunities.
Website: DarrenHardy | Facebook: Darren Hardy Twitter: @DarrenHardy LinkedIn: Darren Hardy
(12) Chris Gardner
image source: answersafrica.comChristopher or Chris Gardner is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, and a single parent whose life and works are being recognized by respected organizations. He experienced being homeless while solely taking care of his son and worked at various jobs before finally founding his own brokerage firm in 1987.
His life was published as an autobiography, “The Pursuit of Happiness” in 2006. It became Washington Post and New York Times #1 Bestseller and was the inspiration for the movie of the same title. His life story makes him an effective motivational speaker inspiring his audience to achieve their full potential. He is a frequent guest on CNN, Fox News, and CNBC, and has been featured in various publications like The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, People, Fortune, etc.
Website: ChrisGardner.com | Facebook: Chris Gardner | Twitter: @CEOofHappYness
(11) Tim Ferriss
image source: forbes.comA self-proclaimed “human guinea pig”, entrepreneur, public speaker, Tim Ferris is the author of the famous 4-hour books; “The 4-Hour Workweek”, “The 4-Hour Body”, and “The 4-Hour Chef”. He also works as an advisor to huge companies like Facebook, Twitter, Evernote, Uber, Evernote, StumbleUpon, and many others.
Tim is often referred to as the “Oprah of Audio” because of the success of his podcast “The Tim Ferriss Show” wherein he talks about personal and character development, venture capitals, exercise routines, and even metaphysics. As of 2016, his podcasts has already 80 million+ downloads. It was voted as The Best Podcast Episode of 2015 by Product Hunt during their Golden Kitty Awards.
He was named the seventh most powerful online personality by Newsweek Digital Power Index 100 and one of Fortune’s “40 Under 40”. His books “The 4-Hour Workweek” and “The 4-Hour Body” were among the 10 Most Highlighted Books of All Time on Amazon Kindle.
Website: Tim.blog | Facebook: Tim Ferris | Twitter: @timferriss | LinkedIn: Tim Ferris
(10) Stephen Covey
image source: thinkers50.comStephen Covey was an educator, author, keynote speaker, and businessman. He authored several books including the very popular “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, “The 8th Habit”, and First Things First”.
He established Stephen R. Covey and Associates in 1985 which was renamed the “Covey Leadership Center” in 1987. He then merged with Franklin Quest in 1997 to form FranklinCovey, a global firm providing professional services, training, and productivity tools for individuals and organizations.
He then launched the Stephen Covey’s Online Community in 2008 which provides online courses, webinars, and social networking to help people struggling with the economic downfall at the time. He was a professor at Utah State University – Jon M. Huntsman School of Business before his untimely death in 2012.
Website: StephenCovey.com | Facebook: Stephen Covey | Twitter: @StephenRCovey
(9) Tony Fernandes
image source: skift.comTony Fernandes is the founder of Tune Group of companies and the current Chairman of Queens Park Rangers Football Club. His company is the one who introduced the first budget airline, AirAsia which he purchased in 2001 amidst its downfall.
He also started a hotel chain, Tune Hotels, with properties in Australia, Far East, and Britain. He also founded the Caterham F1 Formula One team which raced in 2011 as Team Lotus. As of 2017, his net worth is at $345 million, making him one of the Malaysia’s richest.
He was Forbes Asia’s “Businessman of the Year” in 2010 and No.52 in FastCompany “Top 100 Most Creative People in Business” in 2011. He was also awarded as the “Brand Builder of the Year” at the World Branding Awards in 2014.
Website: AirAsia.com | Facebook: Tony Fernandes |Twitter: @tonyfernandes | LinkedIn: Tony Fernandes
(8) Marcus Lemonis
image source: aol.comCurrently the CEO of Camping World, Gander Outdoors, The House Boardshop, and Good Sam Enterprises, Marcus is also a TV personality, investor, philanthropist, and politician. He hosts his own show The Profit which is about saving small businesses.
He was named as the “Newsmaker of the Year” by RV Business Magazine in 2007 and was featured in Crain’s Chicago “40 under 40” in 2005. He was also named as the “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young in 2008.
Website: Marcus Lemonis | Facebook: Marcus Lemonis | Twitter: @marcuslemonis
(7) Robert Kiyosaki
image source: richdad.comWell-known for his very famous book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” which sold over 27 million copies worldwide, Robert is one of today’s most sought-after keynote speaker. He is the founder of the Rich Dad Company which provides business and finance education to people through videos and books.
He has authored more than 26 books and conducts seminars all throughout the US and Canada in collaboration with Elite Legacy Education. He also conducts high-priced seminars about financial and real-estate education with admission price ranging from $12,000 to $50,000 per head.
Website: RichDad.com | Facebook: Robert Kiyosaki | Twitter: @theRealKiyosaki
(6) Gary Vaynerchuk
image source: hollywoodreporter.comGary began his career working for their family wine business and from that, he launched America’s first wine e-commerce site making their business worth shoot up to over $60 million. He then launched VaynerRSE which invests in start-up technologies and world-changing companies. In 2009, he founded Vayner Media together with his brother and most of their clientele are part of the Fortune 500 companies.
He has written four New York Times bestsellers and hosts his own show #AskGaryVee where he answers viewers’ questions about entrepreneurship, business, and marketing. He is one of the top keynote speakers in the entrepreneurial field and has appeared in various TV shows like The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, CNN, CNBC, ABC News, and Bloomberg TV.
Website: Gary Vaynerchuck | Facebook: Gary Vaynerchuk | Twitter: @garyvee | LinkedIn: Gary Vaynerchuk
(5) Grant Cardone
image source: cnbc.comInternationally renowned sales and business expert, author of the New York Times bestseller book “If You’re Not First, You’re Last” and six other business books, and a business mogul, Grant Cardone built everything that he has and he is now from scratch.
He is the creator of the customized sales training program used by Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. He is also a highly-sought international speaker well-known for his engaging, informative, and entertaining speaking style. His books, seminars, and audio packages provides the necessary knowledge and tools for anyone who wants to build their own path towards business success.
He founded the Grant Cardone Sales Training University, providing sales training for business minded individuals and the like. He also regularly appears on TV like CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News, and contributes for business publications like Entrepreneur.com and Huffington Post.
Website: GrantCardone.com | Facebook: Grant Cardone Twitter: @GrantCardone LinkedIn: Grant Cardone
(4) Jim Rohn
image source: wealthygorilla.comEmmanuel James Rohn, well known as Jim Rohn was an author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. He started working as stock clerk for Sears and later became a distributor for AbundVita and NutriBio where he was mentored and became a vice president when the company expanded to Canada.
After the venture went out of business in the early 60’s, he was invited to speak for their Rotary Club meeting. This started his countless public speaking engagements and began presenting seminars throughout the US and all over the world sharing his story and teaching about philosophy and personal development.
He also mentored Mark Hughes, founder or Herbalife International, and Tony Robbins in the 1970’s. He was also credited by other successful authors and entrepreneurs like Mark Victor Hansen (founder of Hallmark Conglomerate), Jack Canfield (author of Chicken Soup book series), Brian Tracy, and many others. In 1985, he was awarded by the National Speakers Association the CPAE Award for his excellence in speaking. He peacefully passed away due to pulmonary fibrosis on December 5, 2009.
Website: Jim Rohn Blog | Facebook: Jim Rohn | Twitter: @OfficialJimRohn
(3) Richard Branson
image source: cnbc.comSir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an official Knight Bachelor for his “services to entrepreneurship”, he was knighted by Prince Charles of Wales in 2000. He is business magnate, philanthropist, investor, keynote speaker, and the owner and founder of Virgin Group which controls over 400 companies.
He began his first business venture at the age of 16 with a magazine called Student. He then set up a mail-record business in 1970 and opened a chain of record stores in 1972 known now as the Virgin Records – the world’s largest independent record label. He has published a number of books under his own publishing company – Virgin Books, he has also starred and appeared in different TV shows and Films
He had countless awards throughout his career including The Sunday Times “Most Admired Business Person in the Last Five Decades” in 2014, number 1 in Richtopia’s “100 Most Influential British Entrepreneurs”, and one of Time Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2007. Forbes listed Branson’s net worth at $5.1 billion in their November 2017 issue.
Website: Virgin.com |Facebook: Richard Branson | Twitter: @RichardBranson | LinkedIn: Richard Branson
(2) Tony Robbins
image source: cnbc.comAn author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a life coach, Tony Robbins is best known for his infomercials, self-help books, and live seminars. He is the author of the very famous “Unlimited Power” and “Awaken the Giant Within”, both being a New York Times bestseller.
He began his career as seminar promoter for the motivational speaker and author Jim Rohn when he was 17. He released his first infomercial in 1988 and an estimated 100 million Americans have seen his infomercials by 1991. He began his Leadership Academy seminar in 1997 and was a featured speaker at the TED conference in 2007.
He owns several business ventures with an accumulated annual sales of $6 billion. He was named one of the “Top 200 Business Gurus” by Harvard Business Press and one of the “Top 50 Business Intellectuals” by Accenture. He was also listed in Worth Magazine’s Power 100 list for two consecutive years.
Website: TonyRobbins.com | Facebook: Tony Robbins | Twitter: @TonyRobbins | LinkedIn: Tony Robbins
(1) John Maxwell
image source: en.wikipedia.orgJohn Maxwell is a well-respected speaker, pastor, and author known for his books focusing on leadership like “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” and “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader”.
He is the founder of INJOY, Maximum Impact, ISS, The John Maxwell Team, and EQUIP which is an international leadership development organization. He speaks annually to Fortune 500 companies, organizations like the National Football League, United States Military Academy, and international government leaders. He also serves as one of the Board of Trustees at Indiana Wesleyan University.
He was awarded the Golden Gavel Award by the Toastsmasters International in 2012 and was named the No.1 Leadership and Management Expert in the World by Inc. Magazine in 2014.
Website: JohnMaxwell.com | Facebook: John Maxwell Twitter: @JohnCMaxwell LinkedIn: John Maxwell
Any Other Leadership and Entrepreneurship Experts in Mind?
Will this list be limited to 20? NO. Every year, will update the list to include the most relevant and most influential expert speaker in the field leadership and entrepreneurship.
Did I miss someone? Please feel free to comment below and we can add them in the list to be checked and will update this list as soon as their numbers qualify.
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