Entrepreneur of the Year

Carl Gould is a distinguished entrepreneur, author, and keynote speaker renowned for his expertise in business growth and strategy. By the age of 40, he had successfully built and sold three multi-million-dollar businesses, laying the foundation for his future endeavors.

In 2002, Gould founded 7 Stage Advisors, a global business coaching and consulting firm. The firm is built around his proprietary "7 Stages of Business Success" methodology, a comprehensive framework designed to guide businesses through various growth phases. This approach has been instrumental in launching over 5,000 businesses, including collaborations with major organizations such as Allstate, American Idol, the USA Olympic Track team, IBM, McGraw-Hill, and the U.S. Army.

Gould's influence extends to education, having trained, certified, or accredited over 7,000 business coaches and mentors across 35 countries. His commitment to business education is further demonstrated through his role as a visiting lecturer at esteemed institutions like MIT, Rutgers Business School, and the Wits Business School in Johannesburg.

An accomplished author, Gould co-authored "Blueprint for Success" alongside Stephen R. Covey and Ken Blanchard. He also penned the best-selling "The 7 Stages of Small Business Success," offering valuable insights into business strategy and leadership.

As a sought-after keynote speaker, Gould has delivered over 1,200 presentations worldwide, engaging audiences with his dynamic and practical content. His expertise has been featured in more than 100 news and media appearances, and he has been a guest on over 300 podcasts.

Beyond his professional achievements, Gould is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying activities such as yachting, hiking, and running. He has completed the New York City Marathon twice and values spending time in nature.

Through his multifaceted career, Carl Gould has made significant contributions to business development, education, and community engagement, solidifying his reputation as a leading authority in the field.