Up
next in basically a Jeopardy board, let's see who's paid next.
So, the regional leader of importance is our next award.
I'm extremely excited to share this with you.
And let's get inspired with a little video first.
Viridian Dynamics.
Doing the right thing.
It's important.
What does it mean in business?
We have no idea.
We know what wrong is.
Actually, no, we don't.
Because we're a successful company.
Not some boring ethics professor.
Viridian Dynamics.
Right and wrong.
It means something.
We just don't know what.
We're working on it, though.
We have scientists at Viridian Dynamics that are actually working on helping us understand what it is.
Please join me in welcoming Susan Van Toskington, founder of Quantum Tasks, to the stage.
I have a lot of text to read.
Amazing.
A self-made visionary who transformed a modest $5 million family loan into a tech empire.
The force behind Quantum Tasks.
She has revolutionized AI, blockchain, and has paid for me to read the rest of this phrasing.
A thought leader in disruptive innovation known for keynoting conferences like this one.
Delegating everything except credit.
She believes success is 90% networking, 10% buzzwords, and 0% user feedback.
When she's not optimizing synergies, she's enjoying collecting first-edition NTFs, sailing on her 7G-enabled yacht, and mentoring young entrepreneurs, reminding them that she had it way harder.
Her motto?
Pivot first, ask questions later.
Welcome to the stage, Susan.
Wow.
Thank you.
First of all, I just have to say what an honor it is to be here.
And Chris, I mean, I felt the same way.
It's about time.
Thank you.
I'd also like to thank CypherCon, Michael, the Academy, my personal trainer, my chef, my chauffeur.
Thank you.
Without all of you, I wouldn't be who I am today.
But that being said, I am a self-made woman.
I built this empire from nothing, nothing but grit, determination, and that humble $5 million loan from my parents.
Mom, Dad, I promise I'm going to pay that back as soon as I'm financially solvent.
It's been a long journey to get here.
From the garages in Appleton, the boardrooms in Green Bay, and then one co-working space in Sheboygan.
You know, where everyone's pretending to work on their startup.
But they asked if I would share some gems with you.
Because you are the future.
You are the tech leaders of the next generation.
So allow me to share just a few of those hard-earned lessons that have come in my journey.
First of all, the best ideas are the most vague.
That's right.
You don't have a product?
No problem.
The less people know about what you have to offer, the more they're going to invest.
Second, embrace failure.
People will tell you to fail fast.
I say fail fast, but have an exit strategy.
And I mean not the one where you have to update your LinkedIn with looking for new opportunities.
I'm talking about that failure that lands you on the TED stage.
Fail fast and embrace it.
Lesson three, AI will solve everything.
Or at least give you a really good excuse.
You know, product didn't work?
AI.
Late for a deadline?
AI.
Accidentally set fire to the server room?
AI, baby.
Lesson four, your team matters.
Hire great people, pay them something.
But remember that your personal brand is still more important than all of that.
That's why personally, every single day on all my social media, I make sure to post an inspirational quote.
And my LinkedIn, my headline is simply visionary, followed by seven rocket emojis.
Because even if your company fails, if your thought leadership is on point, you still win.
Lesson five, work-life balance.
People will tell you all day long that it's crucial.
But I say, earn that company first, build it up, then worry about balance.
Work 120 hours a week.
Neglect your family.
Work around the clock.
Then when you've built your empire, sell it.
Then you can go work from Bora Bora and advise startups.
So to all the dreamers, the innovators, the tech disruptors in your $600 hoodies, you are the future.
You drinking your Nos in your mom's basement.
You getting the triple foam caramel macchiato with two shots of activated adaptogens and a side of existential dread.
You are the tech future.
So just remember, be vague.
Embrace failure.
Blame AI.
Work around the clock.
And you, too, can be a tech influencer.
Thank you.
Three sashes on stage.
What more could you ask for?
Thank you, Susan.
Beautiful.