The Book. The Keynote. The Real Story.
The Un-Sexy, Behind-the-Scenes Truth About Building a Multi-Million Dollar Business
Discover how two guys bought a struggling company with no cash, navigated the mess, and built an Inc. 500 powerhouse sold for tens of millions.
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About the Book
Building a Business Is Messy. Be Willing to Shovel the Manure.
Society glorifies entrepreneurship as a lavish, celebrity lifestyle. The reality? It's messy, unglamorous, and full of tough choices.
In Entremanureship, co-authors Josef Schmidt and Tom Lotrecchiano break down the raw, honest, and often hilarious journey of building Canvas On Demand. From starting with zero capital and pivoting through failed ideas, to reaching the "10 and 2" benchmark ($10M in revenue, $2M in profit) and executing a massive acquisition, this book is a practical roadmap for anyone who isn't afraid to do the dirty work.
What You'll Discover Inside
- Make Small Bets: How to test "low-fidelity" ideas and let the right business model choose you before risking everything.
- You Make Your Own Sandwich: How to intentionally build an authentic workplace culture — and why you have no right to complain about a sandwich you made yourself.
- It's Not the Splenda: Why brutal self-honesty about stress, debt, and operational flaws is the ultimate superpower.
- Find Your Meghan: How defining a customer muse transforms transaction-based buyers into lifelong brand advocates.
- The "10 & 2" Principle: The key metrics needed to turn a "cute" business into an irresistible acquisition candidate.
Speaking & Keynotes
Keynote Topics for Conferences, Corporate Events & Summits
Josef Schmidt delivers high-energy, humorous, and deeply practical presentations that strip away corporate fluff and empower teams to innovate, lead, and execute.
Entremanureship – Embracing the Mess to Build Something Great
Best for: Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, Corporate Leaders, Franchisees
Learn how to foster "IntraManureship" within large organizations, navigate pivot points without losing momentum, and cultivate an unshakeable, risk-tolerant mindset.
"10 and 2" – How to Build a Business That Buyers Beg to Own
Best for: Scale-ups, Founders, Executives preparing for growth or exit
Unpack the financial, cultural, and operational focus required to take a company from $5 million to $10+ million in revenue. Discover how to eliminate distractions and say "no" to ideas that don't scale.
Finding Your "Meghan" – Building an Obsessive, Customer-Centric Culture
Best for: Customer Success Teams, Sales Conferences, Marketing Leadership
How to humanize an online or B2B brand, empower employees to solve customer problems on the fly, and turn routine service interactions into powerful referral drivers.
Podcast Guest
Bringing Real Talk, Big Energy & Zero Bull to Your Podcast
Josef is a seasoned, high-velocity guest who brings storytelling, humor, and actionable business strategies to every interview.
Popular Podcast Conversation Angles
The Myth vs. Reality of Entrepreneurship
Why true founders shovel manure instead of posing for celebrity photos.
Bootstrapping to Exit
How Canvas On Demand navigated near-disaster to land on the Inc. 500 list and complete a major buyout.
Culture as a Growth Engine
Why traditional corporate holiday parties fail, and how "fostering wonder" drives employee retention.
"Doing Well By Doing Good"
How cause-driven campaigns (like Operation Hi Mom!) build brand loyalty and deep community impact.
Ready to Work Together?
Book Josef. Download the Book. Start the Conversation.
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