How I Built This: Wes Kogelman

Description

The Connector Effect: How to Build Businesses People Actually Want to Support

Some people just have it—that rare ability to walk into a room and instantly make things happen. Ideas flow. Opportunities surface. People lean in.

Meet Wes Kogelman, a serial entrepreneur whose superpower isn't just building profitable businesses (though he's done that multiple times)—it's his ability to connect, engage, and move people to action.

Wes saw the future of the internet in 2000 when most people were still figuring out email. While finishing his degree at University of Tampa, he launched BuyaTimeshare.com—and turned it profitable in two months. By year two, the company was generating over $1 million annually. By 2010 and 2011, it landed on Inc. Magazine's prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies.

But Wes didn't stop there. He brought that same entrepreneurial vision to the Lakes Region with MI-BOX, making moving and storage easier for families and businesses across Central and Western New Hampshire. Along the way, he's built a reputation as a community leader whose energy and authenticity create opportunities wherever he goes.

In this high-energy session, Wes shares what it really takes to build businesses that don't just succeed on paper—they thrive because people believe in them. From spotting opportunities early to building teams that care, creating customer experiences that stick, and showing up as a leader people want to follow, Wes will break down the mindset and strategies that have fueled his success across multiple industries.

Expect straight talk, infectious energy, and actionable insight on what it means to be the kind of entrepreneur who doesn't just build companies—you build community.

If you've ever wondered how some people just seem to make business look easy, this is your chance to learn their playbook.