Sample Speeches

Recovery Hardware

The world needs more businesses to give second chances. With over 300 employees from all walks of life, Gina loves to share her favorite business inspirations with her audiences and highlight how, with these inspirations, her team has created a culture of second chances in her hardware company. Interwoven with stories about combating big competitors like chain stores and on-line retailers, Gina shares how a strong company culture and calculated community involvement can help an underdog succeed.

Audience member takeaways include: 1. Looking for inspiration around the globe 2. Creating a culture of inclusivity 3. How to have fun in retail when the competition for customers and employees is tough

Audiences: business owners, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, non-profit organizations, franchisors, and franchisees.

Build A Strong Culture

Building a positive corporate culture takes dedication and nurturing. It starts from the top and permeates through an organization when it is given the proper attention. Gina and her team of leaders have perfected several steps throughout the years that businesses of all sizes will find effective tools to grow their own culture.

Audience member take always include: 1. Knowing what data to measure and how to act on the results 2. How to infuse trust and transparency into your organization

Audiences: business owners, entrepreneurs, non-profits

Buying Local Isn’t a Slogan—It’s the Future:

The resurgence of mom-and-pop shops is happening across America for good reason. It’s easier, cheaper, and important for the environment and economy to shop locally. “Retail stores rely on the folks in the neighborhood to support them, which is good for the entire community,” Schaefer insists. In this speech, she takes a deep dive into the trends and economics.

Audience member takeaways include: 1. How to engage your community to differentiate and outcompete the big box 2. Meet the full potential of your business and local community 3. Leverage local for business success

Audiences: business owners, non-profits

The Return to Main Street: Shop Local

Nicknamed “Chief Localist” Gina has worked tirelessly in her hometown of Washington, DC to spotlight urban growth and how that translates to the rebirth of Main Street USA. American migration back into urban centers has opened up countless opportunities to serve the city dweller. Gina and her team have put a spin on the traditional field of hardware to create 13 mini-DIY oases in DC and Baltimore. Gina also shares both her team members and her own stories about success and second chances.

Audience member takeaways include: 1. Ways to connect with a local customer base 2. Methods for determining where to plant business roots 3. How and where to look for inspiration

Audiences: entrepreneurs, business owners, corporate executives, boards, franchises, co-ops, and more.

Grab Your Drill, Ladies. It’s time to do business:

Gina’s message resonates strongly with a female audience defying the odds or seeking entrepreneurial endeavors. She believes strongly that all fields are “male and female fields” and has helped lead the way in the hardware world for more women in leadership and ownership roles.

Audience member takeaways include: 1. Finding your inspiration and voice 2. Learning how, when and WHY to self-promote 3. Balancing what you do know with what you DON’T

Gina caters this message to female audiences as well as any audience trying to engage female entrepreneurs, women business owners, a more diverse customer or employee base, and more.

From Software to Hardware

By following her gut, Gina Schaefer went from translating tech-speak into Portuguese for IBM to owning 13 Ace Hardware stores in DC and Baltimore. And, she met her husband and business partner in the process. In this speech, Schaefer shares insights into how you too can let intuition be your guide.

Audience member takeaways include: 1. Overcoming fear to make a business dream come to life 2. Why you shouldn’t take no for an answer 3. How to focus on learning - there are no dumb questions!

Audiences:  Anyone who wants to start a business, jump start a career change, or just be inspired to do something new

Past audiences include:

Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association
Retail Shipping Associates/Package Hub
Ace Hardware – International Retail Group
Tire Pros
Junior League of Washington
Dog Tag Inc. Fellowship Program
Red Team Consulting/ The American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council
USAID – Bosnia
Leadership Greater Washington
Women’s Foodservice Forum
UVA Darden School of Business Network of Executive Women
The Package Hub
Hannaford
Independent Jewelers Organization
Women in the Mechanical Industry
National Co+op Grocers