Story teller
From Success
Joe Schmidt moves audiences beyond achievement — to purpose, impact, and the business of doing good.
Speaking topics
Four talks that change the room.
Entremanureship
A raw, witty, and deeply practical look at what it actually takes to build and scale market-leading companies — past the Silicon Valley myths, into the messy middle.
Hidden in Plain Sight
How digital enterprise and corporate vigilance can expose and dismantle modern human exploitation. Joe mobilized 8 million supporters and partnered with Delta to train 50,000 frontline employees.
The Significance Shift
What happens after you reach the top of the corporate mountain — and how to build a life that outlasts your career. Vulnerable, personal, and paradigm-shifting.
The ROI of Humanity
Conscious capitalism isn't CSR fluff — it's the ultimate competitive advantage. How CustomerHD won Best Places to Work while creating 500 high-dignity jobs in Belize City.
About Joe
30 years building businesses. Then building something that matters.
Joe Schmidt is a visionary growth executive, elite venture builder, and global humanitarian leader with a 30-year track record of scaling disruptive startups into market powerhouses. He co-founded Canvas on Demand — ranked #283 on the INC 500 — and served as CMO of CafePress overseeing $350M in annual revenue through its IPO.
In 2013, Joe made a deliberate pivot — turning his enterprise-scaling expertise toward the global abolition movement. He founded Freedom United, now the world's largest anti-slavery movement with over 8 million supporters, 70+ international non-profit partners, and 18 million recorded advocacy actions worldwide.
What people say
Joe did an excellent job in his presentation. He was engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate about the subject. His energy captivated the room and motivated the audience to take action. I would definitively recommend Joe for any speaking engagement on business, leadership, entrepreneurship, or human trafficking.
Michael Chen
Former President and CEO GE Capital and NBC Universal
I've heard Joe speak a few times in both a business and philanthropic context. He exudes passion and energy, holds the audience's attention, and is good for a few laughs too!
Jon Mark Baucom
President & Managing Director Peter Millar
"Joe has an ability to engage and capture an audience with his relatable approach and compelling storytelling. I have seen him speak in a variety of venues, and in each one he was able to connect with the audience and communicate his message effectively."
Geoffrey Krouse
Associate Dean Duke Law School
The book
Entremanureship
The unvarnished truth about building a business — no glitz, no glamour. Co-authored with Tom Lotrecchiano, this is the book Joe wrote before he took the stage.
Ready to move your audience?
Joe speaks at corporate events, leadership summits, and conferences worldwide. Inquiries are reviewed personally.