Story teller
striving to
For Joe Schmidt, shifting from metrics to meaning is a daily effort; he draws on his own messy journey to illustrate what it actually takes to try to build a purpose-driven life.
Three ways to work with Joe
Where can joe help?
01
Speaking
Keynotes on entrepreneurship, modern slavery, and the journey from success to significance. Joe has spoken at Delta, eTail, the UN, and stages across the country.
See topics02
Advisory
Strategic counsel for founders and operators navigating growth, customer experience, and the hard decisions that don't come with a playbook. No fluff, no theory.
Learn more03
Field Notes
Essays from the trenches — real stories, small bets, fast failures, and the kind of insight that only comes from actually doing the work. No LinkedIn polish.
Read field notesAbout Joe
30 Years Learning How to Build Businesses. Now Learning How to Serve Something Bigger.
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.
From the field
Field Notes
What people say
Having worked side-by-side with Joe Schmidt, I can tell you that he possesses a rare ability to present and transform a dark, complex topic like modern slavery into a story of hope, dignity, and collective action. When we partnered with Joe and Freedom United, it wasn't just talk — he inspired our team to see how enterprise leadership and frontline awareness can save lives. Joe is an extraordinary storyteller whose passion is contagious and whose impact is undeniable.
Allison Ausband
Executive Vice President & Executive Sponsor for Anti-Human Trafficking Delta Air Lines
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
Josef brought the perfect mix of humor, insight, and practical tactics that kept our audience engaged from start to finish. Josef is a great speaker, and I always learn something new when I hear him share. I would highly recommend him to any organization looking for a speaker who can educate, motivate, and connect with an audience.
Mihali Stavlas
CEO Mellonaid
Ready to work with Joe?
Ready to move your audience?
Book a Keynote
Conferences, corporate events, leadership summits — Joe brings the room to its feet and sends them out ready to act.
Start Advisory
Strategic counsel for founders and executives who are done guessing. Direct access, no fluff, real accountability.
Read Field Notes
Essays from the trenches — unpolished, direct, and free. The stuff Joe actually thinks about between stages.
Entremanureship — the unvarnished truth about building a business. Co-authored with Tom Lotrecchiano. Free download.