As founder of Ace Personnel, The Astra Group, and the mastermind behind both the Young Entrepreneurs Organization and the Alliance of Community Educators, Shane Jones has a lot on his plate. And although quite busy, Shane has become an advocate of entrepreneurship in the Kansas City community and will be speaking at TBKC 2011. In his own words, Shane tells us what he looks forward to most about presenting at Think Big Kansas City!

It has been almost twenty years since I formed my Advisory Board and without them, I am confident that I would not be in business today.  As a result of this support, we are now entering into our 22nd profitable year of business.  We have received a great deal of recognition and numerous awards that could not have happened without the commitment of our advisors.

I have an extensive network of mentors and advisors who assist me in responding to challenges that I have not previously encountered.  My advisors have put me in a position where I do not need to reinvent the wheel as well as have the opportunity to learn from their successes and failures.

I am looking forward to sharing what I have learned with other entrepreneurs at the Think Big conference that is coming up.  I am also very pleased that those who participate in the session will have the opportunity to engage in an advisory board session during the conference.  For those wanting to learn more about the advantages of an advisory board, I would suggest a review of the following links:

Why YOU Need an Advisory Board

How to Assemble a Board of Advisors

Think Big!

Shane Jones

Interested in getting involved in Think Big Kansas City this year? One of the best ways to become a part of our team is to become a sponsor. When you become a TBKC sponsor, you can advertise your company and receive some awesome benefits from Think Big Partners. Plus, being a sponsor will put you on the road to interacting closely with successful entrepreneurs and startup companies throughout the region!

With sponsorships ranging anywhere from $740 up to $25,000, there is a level for everyone!

Check out our sponsorship page to learn more about becoming a sponsor at Think Big Kansas City 2011.

Thanks for becoming a part of Think Big Kansas City!

Shelley Armato, President and CEO of MySmartPlans and its' parent company, Marathon Digital Services, is one of the most energetic speakers presenting at Think Big Kansas City 2011. With immense creativity and resilient courage, Shelley Armato tells us what drives her each and every day. Here is a taste as to what Shelley will discuss at TBKC 2011!

My adventure started in 1991. I was served the opportunity to be an exceptional single mom. I had little money, no confidence and the world had been serving me in a manner of scarcity. My first year as a realtor (after flunking the test three times), I was awarded Rookie of the Year. I sold 43 houses in my first year. You may ask the question, "How did she do that?" It's simple: I was willing to go the extra mile. I made a decision that my children would never know the scarcity I had lived and that they would life full of abundance.

Since then, I started a software company in a 700 sq foot garage with $15,000 and a mission to change the face of construction. We are now in our 4th year of business, operating out of a 10,000 sq foot facility. We currently manage 4.5 billion dollars in live projects. We are operating in a 2 trillion dollar industry and are on a growth plan to be global in the next 2 years. My business plan? A pink jet and the opportunity to stay in the castle at Disney World with my babies and grandbabies.

My burning mission in life is to share about courage. Courage is a unspoken word. It is contagious and free for all to take. Courage is the gift from God to stand in the face of fear for what is right. I live my life everyday to be the hands and feet of Christ.

I hope to leave the message of courage as it will change the world, one torch at a time.

President | CEO

Marathon Digital Services | MySmartPlans