Running a small business is lonely & hard
Don't Grow it Alone!®

It's time to stop trying to figure it all out on your own. Get in the room with a committed, small group of smart and engaged small business owners looking to collaborate and grow together. This is your chance to experience a two day immersion with
Networking, Workshops, Panels, Speakers, Reflection and Planning on Critical Topics for 2025 including:

SALES | MARKETING | AI | FUNDING | MINDSET | DELEGATION | AND MORE...

Conference Ticket Sales Have Ended

October 16 & 17, 2024

Miller High Life Theatre

Downtown Milwaukee, WI

What if you had an unfair advantage to help your business win?

Imagine the power to sell faster, the ability to get more done in less time and the freedom of hitting your revenue goals to make your family's needs a reality.

This unforgettable two-day experience will give you that edge with inspiring talks, practical workshops, and the feedback and collaboration with hundreds of other small business owners ready to help you build your small business dream.

It's your chance to do the hard work to ensure your success
The alternative is to coast and end up working for someone else

Remember - Life is too short to build someone else's dream

Protect your dream by participating at this one-of-a-kind event

It’s always the people. I had the opportunity to have deep conversations, many which changed the trajectory of my business and life, this past weekend. Invest in people - and that includes you. It’s the greatest ROI you’ll ever get.

Kiley Peters

Every minute is specifically planned
to move you forward...

As a small business owner, it can be easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed. Especially for those finding themselves in the "messy middle!"

Think about it. There’s tons of help out there for people just getting started. By the time you’re making millions you’ll have a big team. But right now, you’re making big decisions and important choices to shape your future success and you’re probably doing all of that by yourself. This conference and community is focused on those of you that know how to make money - but now you need help learning how to take your business from "started" to SUCCESSFUL.

At the SBOC Conference, we’re not only going to address the real issues you are facing on a daily basis, we’re also going to surround you with a collaborative community of give-first entrepreneurs that want to walk with you on your journey. No spammy offers, no sharky connections…real small business owners that believe in collaboration over competition.

And, to make sure that you’re not lost in the crowd, we’re capping the number of guests that can attend so every attendee gets time to feel seen, heard and connected so our guests become connections. The 2024 conference will be capped at 300 guests.

Here's a look at what's in store for you at the 2024 Conference:

This isn't a conference, it's your community waiting for you

We put collaboration over competition so you can meet new people, share ideas and experiences, and build lasting relationships - the ones you truly need to navigate your small business journey and help your business grow.

No pay to play speakers - we only put the BEST on stage

Learn from those that lived it - our sessions cover crucial topics like sales, audience growth, mindset, effective marketing strategies, and leveraging the latest digital tools such as AI and automation, all tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small businesses.

Reset your intentions and get ready to grow

Return to your business with a clear action plan and recharged energy. Our focused sessions will give you the inspiration and the strategies needed to get moving.

Celebrate Your Achievements:

Celebration is a core value because it kills Imposter Syndrome. At the conference, we're recognizing excellence with the new “SBOC Awards” event - a special awards ceremony that recognizes and celebrates the achievements of small business owners like you. And, we will also enjoy our Celebration Dinner gala for you to raise a glass and reflect on all you’ve achieved in the past year. This isn’t just an event; it’s a recognition of your hard work and a chance to shine among your peers.

Look at Our Action-Packed Agenda

Two Days & Two Nights to Move Your Business Forward

Tuesday: Gather

Early Bird Welcome Happy Hour
Community Conversation: Meet the attendees and get ready for a big two days together

Wednesday: Create

Welcome Address from Pat Miller
Marketing Made Easy with Lisa Raebel
The Big Discussion with Pat Miller
Lunch
AI Productivity Workshop with Amy Calder
"Buy Back Your Time" Delegation Masterclass with Dan Martell

Wednesday Night

SBOC Small Business Awards Ceremony

Thursday: Cash & Profit

Practical Mindset with Geeta Nadkarni
Get Real Conversation about Money
Luminary Lunch with Thaime Nanez
Sales KEYNOTE sessions with Carl Gould

Thursday Night

Celebration Happy Hour
Celebration Dinner to reflect on all our progress!

Friday: Farewell

Reflection discussion over coffee
Farewell brunch for our out of town guests

Meet Your Inspirational Guides

Keynote: Carl Gould - Sales and Growth Expert

Unlock the potential of your business with Carl Gould, a celebrated entrepreneur and sales guru. His sessions, "5 Ways to Increase Your Revenue" and "How to Build Your Obnoxious Offer," will provide you with actionable strategies to escalate your business success immediately. Learn more about Carl here.

Thaime Nañez - Business Strategist and Creator of the Sales to Profit System

Hear from Thaime Nañez, a Venezuelan native who made Milwaukee home 18 years ago. She is the co-owner of two incredible businesses, the Farmhouse Paint Bar and Chuchos Red Tacos. During her interview, she’ll share her strategies and secrets to go from launch to scale. (Hint - execution, sales, systems and more.) Thaime is a decorated entrepreneur, she received the 2020 Wisconsin SBA Small Business Person of the Year award and the the 2023 Women of Influence Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal. She’s also the first bilingual business coach for BizStarts. Learn more about Thaime here.

Lisa Raebel - Founder, Speaker and Chief Storyteller of Rebel Girl Marketing

Lisa has a gift for making complex marketing concepts simple. You’ll appreciate her approach during her marketing talk: "Super Market - How Your Grocery List can Power Your Marketing." You’ll understand your marketing tasks in a new way as she cuts through the clutter to help you focus on what truly drives results. In 2023, she released “The Rebel Girl’s Guide to Marketing: Stop Committing Random Acts of Marketing,” and her next book is scheduled to be released by the end of 2024. Learn more about Lisa here.

Dan Martell - Time Management and Delegation Authority

Learn the art of buying back your time with Dan Martell, an expert in productivity and delegation. His talk, "Buy Back Your Time - The Art of Delegation," will teach you how to effectively manage your workload and empower your team. Discover how delegation isn’t just a skill but an essential business strategy that can free up your focus for high-impact activities that foster business growth. Bonus: Every attendee will receive a copy of the book in your welcome bag! Learn more about Dan here.

Precious L. Williams - SBOC Awards Emcee

Precious L. Williams is the #killerpitchmaster and the founder and CEO of the Perfect Pitch Group. She is hired regularly by Top Fortune 500 companies, successful service based entrepreneurs and speakers to #slayallcompetition through a powerful pitch, communications skills and speaker training services. Learn more about Precious here.

Amy Calder - AI Practitioner and Owner Golden Innovation Group

Who cares what AI will do someday...what can I do with it RIGHT NOW?
AI is standing by to help you save time and make money. But where do you begin? In this workshop, Amy Calder will show you exactly how to save hours of work each week along with ways to deeply understand your ideal customer and speak directly to them about how you solve their problems. Walk away from the session with step-by-step instructions for how to use your new AI assistant! Learn more about Amy and Golden Innovation Group here.

Geeta Nadkarni - Coach and Mindset Speaker

Geeta’s talk “Practical Mindset: The actual steps to follow when nothing is going as fast as you would like and the money is running out,” is a real, actionable look at how to stick with it when things aren’t where you want. Leave the “woo woo” mindset behind because Geeta is going to arm you with powerful techniques, frameworks and actions we can take while we’re caught in the “in-between.” Learn more about Geeta here.

Pat Miller - Founder of the Small Business Owners Community

Pat is a broadcaster, coach, advocate and visionary for small business owners. Through his content, conferences, and the Small Business Owners Community, he serves to support entrepreneurs that are working to build their business dreams. In addition to his expertise as a facilitator and host, you'll also appreciate his gift for making people feel seen, heard and appreciated during the conference and in the community. His mission is best understood by our community tagline: It’s your dream, don’t grow it alone® Learn more about Pat and the SBOC here.

I showed up. I took notes. I talked. I listened and then I started to feel the weight lift. I started to feel my energy return to ME. Energy & drive, I lost months ago. Thank You isn't enough Pat Miller. I'll make you proud - I promise.

Pamela Polyak

Dive Deeper: Workshops and Breakout Sessions

Unlocking Business Funding

Navigate the complexities of funding and discover various avenues for financial growth, including SBA loans, grants, and fintech solutions. This session will provide you with practical advice on preparing your business for funding, understanding what lenders look for, and securing the capital you need to scale your operations.

Idea Slam Brainstorm Lunch

This dynamic workshop is the signature event inside the Small Business Owners Community. Together, we’ll brainstorm for participants that share a challenge or opportunity. We’ll give them new perspectives and actionable solutions from some of the brightest minds in the room - including YOU! You'll not only gain insights into your own business but also contribute to others' success, embodying our conference's spirit of mutual growth and support.

AI and Small Business Productivity

Explore the transformative potential of Generative AI for small businesses in this forward-looking panel session. Understand how AI can automate operations, personalize marketing, and create new service opportunities. This workshop will demystify AI technology, offering you a clear path to integrating these tools into your business effectively and ethically.

Panelists for these events will be announced soon.

What Small Business Owners Are Saying

The energy in the room was palpable as members of the SBOC took to the stage. The expertise shared the amazing speakers was invaluable. This event was a simple, yet powerful reminder that respect and kindness go a long way in business and life.

- Michael Creed

What a welcome relief for my heavy heart, worn down by war and politics!Attending the Idea Collective Small Business Community 2023 retreat in Lake Geneva. Surrounded by sane and supportive people who come together to learn and grow, and laugh until we cry. Pat Miller⚡️ and his crew make this function the highlight of my year.

24 hrs in, I was already losing my voice from connecting with so many people and laughing so hard. My brain was on fire from all the amazing resources and experts who shared their wisdom so we could get better at what we do, and grow our small businesses. Shout out to my featured fellow entrepreneurs, don’t grow it alone!!

- Karyn Youso

I’m still collecting my thoughts from The Idea Collective Small Business Conference that I attended last week. The 3rd annual conference was a chance for me to re-connect with small business owner friends from years past AND meet new ones. We often say, if you are new to this group - you won’t be “new” for very long - and that is one of the things I love about it. This community embraces the “Don’t Grow it Alone®” concept that Pat Miller founded it on.

-Theresa Wilmot

What Your Ticket Gets You

Full Access: Entry to all keynote sessions, workshops, panels and networking events.
Meals Provided: A happy hour, two lunches and our Celebration Gala Dinner
Coaches Row Access: Book two (2) free one-on-one laser coaching sessions with our featured coaches
Conference Materials: Two (2) books from our featured speakers, our welcome bag full of goodies and more.

$699

SILVER EVENT SPONSORS

EVENT SPONSORS

AWARDS

The first-ever SBOC Awards for Small Business presented by Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative will be presented on Wednesday night, October 16.

Any entrepreneur may compete in one of our five (5) categories. Nominations are open now until August 30. Click HERE to enter!

I love the Small Business Owners Community for so many reasons, but this week the Idea Slam is my favorite one. Recently, a dozen small business owners rallied around me to help me mastermind a name to clarify my proprietary business process! I've been brainstorming for months, but couldn't nail it down to something I could get excited about.I brought this challenge to the Idea Slam, and this community helped me create something meaningful in 10 minutes! There is so much power in like-minded people cheering each other on and helping each other navigate the struggles of entrepreneurship. It's truly special.

Jenna Piche

Calling Small Business Owners:

A Letter from Your Event Host

I'm thrilled to welcome you to the heart of Milwaukee this October for our 4th Annual Small Business Owners Community Conference.

This gathering is a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and passion that drive small businesses like yours.Four years ago, we started our community and conference with a simple belief: no small business owner should have to navigate their journey alone.

This conference is a testament to that belief. Every speaker and panelist was hand-picked to ensure we're focusing on your success by getting your questions answered while offering motivation to push and challenge you. Over two action-packed days, we'll share successes, tackle challenges, and lay down strategies for future growth.

Our goal is simple: to help you leave energized, equipped, and ready to take your business to new heights.Join us as we connect, learn, and grow together. Because when we unite, there's no limit to what we can achieve.

Looking forward to meeting you in person,

Pat Miller

Founder, Small Business Owners Community

HAVE QUESTIONS? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS.

Are there accommodation options available near the conference venue?

Yes, our conference hotel is the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee - we have a discounted, but limited, room block available >> CLICK HERE

Will the sessions be recorded?

Yes, our sessions will be recorded but they will only be available to our Small Business Owner Community members inside our premium community. If you’re not in the group, you need to be there in-person. Learn more about joining the group here.

Is there parking available at the venue?

Parking garages and lots are recommended as street parking has a time limit. Parking garages are conveniently located within walking distance - the closest one is in our Conference Hotel - the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee. A full list is available here.

NOTE: This is a third party website provided for your convenience and the SBOC cannot guarantee accurate information - use at your own risk.

Are meals provided during the conference?

Almost all of them! We will provide lunch on Wednesday and Thursday and a fancy pants dinner on Thursday night (Steak, champagne toast, the good stuff.) We’ll also offer coffee breaks during the event. The only meal you’ll need to cover (outside of breakfast) will be your dinner on Wednesday night.

Can I bring a friend?

Yes! Conferences are more fun when you have a “wingman.” Once you purchase your ticket, you’ll unlock a secret discount code for a second ticket with a $50 savings!

Can I join the SBOC Community?

The SBOC is a tight-knit collaborative community for small business owners. Our members quickly form deep relationships by putting collaboration over competition. If you’re ready to step into the group and be surrounded by others ready to work together, click HERE to find out more.

Join Us in October!

The Small Business Owners Community Conference is more than just an event—it's a catalyst for growth, a source of inspiration, and a gateway to a thriving community committed to mutual success.

Spaces are limited, and our community grows every year. Secure your spot today to benefit from all that the Small Business Owners Community Conference has to offer.

Running a small business is lonely & hard Don't Grow it Alone!®