Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency, Adversity, Addictions

Synopsis

Speaker:      Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency    

Topic Title:              

1. Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency, Change, Adversity, Mental Health and Addictions, Social Change, Safety, Sales

    Professional Fees:  subject to change without notice

• $ = under $10,000
  
• Expenses:    As incurred  for Travel, (air and ground) Accommodations, Meals, Traveling Companion, and Incidentals are not included in the above fees.
  Travels from:      Travels From: Vancouver, BC
  
• Discounted Fees:  Under rare and special circumstances speakers may discount their fees at their discretion. i.e., booking multiple events with the same client.  Non profit organizations may also qualify for a discount.

 

Biography- Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency  

Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency  is an award-winning Inspirational Keynote Speaker armed with unwavering determination and 20+ years of speaking experience. His mission has been, is, and always will be to instigate a ripple effect of positive change everywhere he goes by reminding people of their unlimited potential.

Undefeated by addiction, homelessness and poverty, Joe learned to take responsibility for the countless changes in his life. Based on his lived experience and his remarkable achievements, organizations now seek his insight and proven strategies.

Since 1989, Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency   has acquired two college diplomas, became the CEO of one of Vancouver’s leading multimedia companies and achieved more success than he could have ever imagined before he was 35 years old. Before becoming an inspirational speaker he was recognized by MacLean’s Magazine as one of “10 Canadians who have made a difference,” won the BC Courage To Come Back Award and received The Ontario Premier’s Award for Business.

When Joe was homeless in Vancouver he made a promise if his life was spared, he would pay it forward. He did just that in the form of triumphantly pushing a shopping cart a staggering 9,064 kilometers across Canada in the name of youth homelessness prevention. This very act birthed a national awareness campaign called The Push for Change, inspiring fellow Canadians to create ripple effects of transformation in the lives of at-risk youth throughout the country.

Ultimately, Joe’s deep resonating “WHY” is to empower people to step into a life of infinite possibility, to understand
“there is truly more to each and every one of us than what we see”

Enrich your next conference or convention with one of the most unique professional speakers on the circuit today. Walk in the shoes of a former penniless drug addict. Learn the attitude and philosophy that changed one man’s living hell into a classic Rags to Riches story of success.

The most effective leaders in society are those rare individuals who can inspire their audience with a passion that can only come from personal experience. As the former President and CEO of an extremely successful multimedia company, Joe Roberts has faced and overcome key business challenges, which confront every modern organization.

With a track record of proven business success, Joe formed his own multimedia company, Mindware, and in less than four years, he led the company to a phenomenal 800% increase in business.

Joe’s business solutions have made millions of dollars for his clients, across a variety of business sectors. It is from this experience that Joe draws when addressing Fortune 500 companies, professional associations and organizations internationally.

What is most amazing about Joe is that in 1989 he was living on the streets of Vancouver as a homeless skid row addict. Through perseverance, determination and his resilient human spirit, Joe pulled himself out of the darkness and despair, to become a highly respected business and community leader of today.

Today Joe Roberts (aka The Skidrow CEO) is an award-winning Inspirational Keynote Speaker armed with unwavering determination and 20+ years of speaking experience. His mission has been, is, and always will be to instigate a ripple effect of positive change everywhere he goes by reminding people of their unlimited potential.

When Joe was homeless in Vancouver he made a promise if his life was spared he would pay it forward. He did just that in the form of triumphantly pushing a shopping cart a staggering 9,064 kilometers across Canada in the name of youth homelessness prevention. This very act birthed a national awareness campaign called The Push for Change, inspiring fellow Canadians to create ripple effects of transformation in the lives of at-risk youth throughout the country.

Since 1989, Joe has acquired two college diplomas, became the CEO of one of Vancouver’s leading multimedia companies, walked across Canada and achieved more success than he could ever have imagined. Joe has been recognized by MacLean’s Magazine as one of “10 Canadians who make a difference,” won the BC Courage to Come Back Award, received The Ontario Premier’s Award for Business, was given an Honorary Doctorate from Laurentian University and was recognized by the Senate of Canada with their Canada 150 Medal.

Ultimately, Joe’s deep resonating “WHY” is to empower people to step into a life of infinite possibility, to understand “there is truly more to each and every one of us than what we see”.

Topics – Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency  

From Skid Row to CEO Keynote

Every one of us is confronted by adversity, challenge and change. We face it in our families, health, finances and at work. We all get our share of the tough stuff!

In this keynote, Joe demonstrates how anyone anywhere can overcome perceived limitations and live their dreams. As you walk with Joe through the tough streets of East Vancouver in the 1980’s you will experience the depths and degradation of a former hopeless, homeless drug addict, to the heights and triumph of a successful entrepreneur.

Participants will leave with tools they can use immediately to reframe life’s challenges and “think differently” about how they can push for change in their own lives.

Joe’s is a treasured Canadian whose life story embodies the resiliency of the human spirit. His deeply inspiring and masterful delivery combined with high energy and self deprecating humour will have you shed a tear while making you laugh ‘til it hurts.

In the keynote you will learn:

• How to stay inspired and motivated despite the world around you
• Why people disengage and how to connect to “purpose”
• The courage to be vulnerable – weak is strong
• How failures become your assets
• The legacy of mentorship

The Push For Change Keynote – Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency  

The notion of walking across Canada pushing a shopping cart initially seemed impossible. But after four years of planning, 17 months and 9064 KM of walking, The Push for Change was successful.

In this Keynote Joe takes you through the planning stages, the brutal pre trek training schedule, and the campaign logistics up to the launch day. On May 1st, 2016 Joe and Team Push for Change hit the road traversing the entire Trans Canada Highway from St John’s to Vancouver. Joe will share the extraordinary experiences of walking 24km every day in the rain, snow or shine. He will discuss meeting icons like Walter Gretzky and Pinball Clemons, inspiring over 100,000 students during 453 community events to even having a private meeting with the Prime Minster Justin Trudeau.

In the keynote you will learn:

• The Power of Possibility Mindset
• How to build resiliency one step at a time
• How to overcoming mental and physical roadblocks
• How to create inspired engagement strategies
• How to tackle large “bucket list” items
• Lastly, Joe will share The A.I.R. Model a simple, yet powerful tool he used to walk 11,375,000 steps across Canada, proof that anyone can achieve anything!

“50 years in the making we were looking for a motivational story that could connect with our delegates. We got that and a whole lot more! Your energy, humour and honesty resonated with our group. There were moments when you could hear a pin drop. The feedback we have received has been incredibly positive. Our delegates left viewing life from a new perspective. Well done Joe! Highly recommend you to anyone planning an event.”
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producing Accountants

“I want to personally thank you for the excellent work you did on our recent 11 city cross Canada road tour with Primerica. Finding the perfect speaker for our annual tour is never easy. Rarely do we find individuals whose personal life experience has the power to motivate and move people like your story did. The way you delivered with consistency night after night and the impact you had on each room was reflected in the high level of engagement and feedback that we are still receiving. Your message was perfect for our sales group and I want to thank you for inspiring, educating and empowering all of us.”Vice President Strategic Accounts, AGF

Workshops – Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency  

Our workshops are designed from Joe’s personal experience and research. We craft and customize breakout sessions and workshops based on what you need, tailoring them to your conference theme, specific learning objectives and most requested topics.

By complimenting your keynote with workshops we maximize the adult learning process. We find that following Joe’s keynote with a workshop dramatically increases the take home value of the tools and strategies shared.

We bundle Keynote and workshop services together to save money and bring higher value.

The topics highlighted below are some of Joe’s personal mantras and expertise. These strategies are often included in his keynote speeches, workshops and breakout sessions. We’ve created short videos to summarize each concept.

Push for Change
Building Resiliency and Mental Toughness

(re•sil•ience): The ability to become strong, healthy, or successful after something bad happens / an ability to recover from or adjust easily to change.

Learn from someone who earned a PhD in resiliency; from getting off the streets, building business success to walking across Canada!

Tools you’ll take home:
* Reframing the tough stuff
* Focus and commitment
* How to take that next step
* The Accountability Game

Strength through Vulnerability
Dealing with Mental Health and Addiction

“The only way to survive addiction and mental health is to have the courage to get transparent and vulnerable.” Joe Roberts

Vulnerable leaders inspire, are more authentic, and build bonds that lead to increased performance. It turns out that the popular perception of vulnerability is a myth.

Tools you’ll take home:
* Weakness is a strength
* You are not alone
* Collapsing stigma
* Everyone is effected

Human Roadblocks
What’s stopping you?

We all face adversity, challenge and change. Each one of us has our share of the tough stuff!
Delve into the psychological and situational roadblocks that get us stuck. Whether you are trying to lose 20 lbs or have huge aspiration for that next level of success, roadblocks are a reality we all face.

Tools you’ll take home:
* Blast through mental roadblocks
* Action in the face of negative emotion
* What are you telling yourself?
* Success or Failure is in your head

The A.I.R. Model
The Science behind High Performance

Success is in the A.I.R. we breathe.
Learn the formula used by elite coaches, pro level athletes, and successful business leaders.

Lucky enough to have been coached and mentored by Dr. Sean Richardson, an elite sports psychologist, Joe was able to walk 9064km across Canada using a powerful human behaviour model designed by Sean.

Tools you’ll take home:
* The Psychology of Excellence
* Overcoming Roadblocks
* Effort Based Thinking: Failure is feedback
* How to Achieve Literally Anything!

Difference Makers
Employee and Community Engagement

Canadian statistics state that only 27% of employees are fully engaged!

Learn how to inspire team members to get off the bench while creating community impact. The Push for Change walk across Canada was an engagement success because people were inspired to become change makers.

Tools you’ll take home:
* Tap into individuals strengths
* How to engage on PURPOSE
* Impact Community
* Build Legacy Projects

Street Smart Selling
It’s not just a clever title.

Learn what Joe learned living on the streets which he translated into sales mastery.

Participants will leave with tools that can be applied immediately to shorten sales cycles, eliminate wasted time, and make fewer calls while building customers for life.

Tools you’ll take home:
* Stop selling and start solving
* Avoid the mistakes made by 80% of all salespeople
* Learn how to identify opportunities from “Time Burglars”
* How to build customers for life

Sales: Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency  – How to Hit Presidents Club

How do you teach sales people to be “hungry”?

How do you keep them motivated and target driven?

How can you squeeze more out of each player’s performance?

Every one of us is confronted by adversity, challenge and change in our profession. Tough markets, ugly competitors, shrinking margins and a hundred other excuses!

Ultimately it’s what’s between our ears that determines success or failure.

In this keynote, Joe teaches how anyone anywhere can hit “presidents club” by overcoming their perceived limitations. Joe’s mastery in selling came from an unlikely place. In the 1980’s he lived on the tough streets of East Vancouver where his “gift of the gab” was his only weapon for survival. Joe will take you from the depths and degradation of a former homeless drug addict, to the heights and triumph of a successful career in sales and beyond.

Joe Roberts, Skid Row CEO, Resiliency  unique style of inspiration combined with his legendary dark humour will have you shed a tear while making you laugh ‘til it hurts.

In this session you will learn:

• What activities make you the most sales
• Why cold calling sucks – and how to overcome it
• How to close one new deal in 7 days
• How purpose is the key to long term success in sales
• How every lost deal is worth dollars
• How it doesn’t matter how you feel – it only matters what you do!

Safety 

The Distractions That Hurt Us “It’s about the little things”

Understanding WHY human beings make mistakes and unsafe decisions is one step closer to building safer work environments and communities.

• What role does mental health and addiction play in safety?
• How do we connect personal purpose to safer behaviour?
• Why do we think the rules “are for everyone else but me”?

In this keynote, Joe teaches why we do dumb things and the consequence we pay. Walk with Joe as he takes you back to his first poor choice and how that lead to a journey filled with degradation and despair. Dangerous step after poor choice landed him on the streets of East Vancouver in the 1980’s homeless and broken.
• Why the little things matter so much

• Mental health and safety

• How mentorship and leadership changes lives

• The importance of paying it forward

• The importance of advocating for prevention

• How the right example is our greatest weapon

Testimonials

50 years in the making we were looking for a motivational story that could connect with our delegates. We got that and a whole lot more! Your energy, humour and honesty resonated with our group. There were moments when you could hear a pin drop. The feedback we have received has been incredibly positive. Our delegates left viewing life from a new perspective. Well done Joe! Highly recommend you to anyone planning an event.

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producing Accountants

When we were selecting our speaker to tour the country with us we needed someone who could speak with authenticity to our group. We needed someone that understood the nuances of sales and could deliver not just a talk but tangible value and tools our reps could take to the streets to generate new business. From Victoria to Halifax you blew audience after audience away. As an entrepreneur I LOVE your story and so did each participant at DLC University.

President and CEO, Dominion Lending Centres

Your presentation was absolutely thought provoking, powerful and very moving. It was very motivational for the group to hear what happens when “things go right.” I heard personally from numerous officers in attendance that they were emotionally impacted by your message and so very proud to be a police officer.

J.V.N. (Vince) Hawkes
Commissioner, Ontario Provincial Police

Joe’s ability to connect with hearts and hold the attention of the audience is outstanding. A great example of the power of choice, while honouring the medical field. A very compelling and inspiring close to the conference.

Director of HR, Fraser Health Authority

I want to personally thank you for the excellent work you did on our recent 11 city cross Canada road tour with Primerica. Finding the perfect speaker for our annual tour is never easy. Rarely do we find individuals whose personal life experience has the power to motivate and move people like your story did. The way you delivered with consistency night after night and the impact you had on each room was reflected in the high level of engagement and feedback that we are still receiving. Your message was perfect for our sales group and I want to thank you for inspiring, educating and empowering all of us.

Vice President Strategic Accounts, AGF

When he spoke to audiences in both Ottawa and Toronto on behalf of The Salvation Army, the response was immediate. Joe was able to hold the crowd captive with his own personal tale of triumph and then inspire them to donate in support of The Salvation Army, an organization that had helped him along his own personal journey.

Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development, The Salvation Army

I want to thank you and Marie on behalf of Canada. I can’t express how inspired and proud I am of the example you have set to make our country a safer place for young Canadians.

Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada

Joe did an excellent job in closing out our conference; our CUMAM members were very impressed with his story and would definitely recommend him as a conference speaker. He also brings great insight on leadership and has a whole learning program that he does around that as well.

Executive VP and ACEO, Credit Union Managers Association of Manitoba

We are exceptionally pleased with having chosen you for our closing keynote address; it was a formidable task indeed. You took us on your life journey that was filled with energy, humour and moments of tears. Far more than a “motivational speech” your authenticity rang true to all and spoke to each of us at a personal and professional level.

CEO, The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

Your speaking engagement was very inspiring and we have received nothing but positive feedback. Once again thank you and we look forward to working with you again.

CEO, Verico Financial

Joe’s presentation exceeded our expectations at our 2014th Leadership Conference. His story captivated the whole audience for the full 80 minutes that he presented. Sharing his personal life story resonated with each participant at some level and Joe was able to tailor it specific to our needs. In talking with Joe prior to him presenting he asked us what we needed for him to “knock it out of the park”. Suffice to say, he hit a Grand Slam!

Director HR , SaskTel

Joe Roberts’ inspiring story is one of determination, courage and overcoming adversity that reminds us of the power of believing that anything is possible. It is testament to the strength of the human spirit and what you can achieve when you set your mind to it.

Rick Hansen
Canada’s Man in Motion

The Skid Row to CEO message fit so well with our program and what we set out to accomplish through the event. Joe’s understanding of audience was obvious. He perfectly tailored his story to touch the hearts of all of us in the room. His delivery was fluid, punctual and inspiring. He also demonstrated incredible skill in tying his story to our story. Since Habitat Day I have had an increasing number of people explain to me how they were touched by Joe’s story and message.

President and CEO , Habitat for Humanity

This year you raised the bar at our annual Recruits Conference! Your story of transformation was riveting. How you overcame living on the streets of Vancouver to becoming a multi‐million dollar sales professional is amazing. In fact, David, one of our top managing directors from Ottawa said that you should be speaking at Million Dollar Round Table, and he is no push over!

VP Sales, Desjardins Financial

Your story Joe had such an impact with the people in our audience. I saw corporate donors, who don’t regularly have the chance to hear such a personal story of transformation and impact, spellbound with eyes wide open. You spoke so personally, helping the community volunteers and community agencies understand that there were 10,000 people behind your story of transformation. All United Way staff heard unsolicited feedback like that from agencies, donors, and volunteers alike. We cannot say thank-you enough for the way that you opened yourself up, built an emotional connection with our audience, and paid such careful attention to the points and messages that we needed our stakeholders to hear.

COO, Untied Way

CSAE’s Education Committee had many choices but decided to have Joe Roberts (aka The Skid Row CEO) be our closing keynote speaker. Joe’s remarkable story from the streets of Vancouver to corporate success resonated with our group and left an impact that will not be forgotten. With so many changes facing our members today we wanted a speaker that would put things in perspective and help convey the message that anyone can overcome perceived limitations and live their dreams. Great job Joe!

President & CEO , Canadian Society of Association Executives

Your message was inspiring and motivating. The “buzz” from our participants continued through the entire weekend. You clearly knocked it out of the park and provided us exactly what we were looking for as a kickoff.

Canadian Independent Adjusters’ Association

Joe Roberts’ inspiring story is one of determination, courage and overcoming adversity that reminds us of the “You took us all on a journey that left us inspired, motivated and refreshed.

Ken King
President & CEO , Calgary Flames Enterprise

Joe was outstanding. His story resonated with the audience in a deep way. He spoke to everyone in the room and leveraged his story of resiliency and redemption in an authentic and masterful way to touch the hearts and minds of all who experienced this keynote.

Executive Director, Manitoba Association of School Business Officials

We wanted them leaving feeling great about being in real-estate sales. You did this very well! With a combined 250 years of sales experience in the room I was wondering how you were going to connect and bring something new to our team of seasoned professionals. Not only was the sales training on point, it was exactly what we wanted to reinforce. SELL VALUE! You managed to break down and give our group real tools they could apply immediately to help them do their jobs.

President, Homelife Realty

I have over the years had the opportunity to attend and host many keynote speakers with, and for my team of real estate sales associates. I can, with confidence tell you your message was the most impactful I have experienced and led to the strongest enthusiastic feedback I have received from our group. I will be in touch to discuss future sessions I would like to conduct.

CEO, Dexter and Associates

Your message was a lot deeper than that. It was really about the positive impact our police officers are making in the community, you are living proof of that. This message will definitely be with our people well after this conference is over.

Western Canada Police Leadership Conference

WOW! What an impactful event Joe! We had one attendee tell us he had attended every event we have had at AMM for the last 13 years and told us this was the best keynote he has ever experienced. Your story of “Brilliance lost and reclaimed” spoke and resonated with our group in a deep way. You spoke to everyone in the room and leveraged your story of resiliency and redemption in an authentic and masterful way to touch the hearts and minds of all who experienced your keynote. I would highly recommend you to any meeting planner looking to produce a conference with confidence knowing their group will be not only inspired but will have a forever experience.

Association of Manitoba Municipalities

Joe provided a very powerful and memorable opening keynote to our conference. As an Association of municipal staff from across Ontario, our requirements, when it comes to speakers, are multi-faceted. Joe’s address brilliantly motivated the audience, spoke to their needs and provided inspiration for improvement, and outlined some lessons, both personal and professional, that remained as topics of conversation among our members throughout the conference and well beyond. Great speaker, great message, great results. I was very pleased and highly recommend him.

Director Education and Professional Development , AMTCO

Your moving presentation was heartfelt and well received by our audience. The inspiration you left us with will provide the push that we need in moving forward with our plans for the City of Brandon.

Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council

Video