Eddie Speed – Founder of NoteSchool

An entrepreneur’s whole thing in life is to go find an industry problem and solve a problem.

Eddie Speed is the founder of NoteSchool and a recognized pioneer in the seller financing and real estate note industry. Since beginning his career in 1980, he has dedicated his professional life to developing innovative strategies that have influenced how note investing operates today. Starting with limited resources and relying on determination and practical judgment, Speed built a successful career that includes completing more than 50,000 note deals and helping shape modern note investing practices. In 1999, he founded NoteSchool to empower aspiring investors with practical education and real world opportunities in buying performing and nonperforming mortgage notes. His teaching approach is grounded in firsthand experience, and he has served over 2,000 mentoring students while fostering access to institutional level deal flow through relationships with hedge funds and private investors. Speed is also the owner and president of Colonial Funding Group LLC and a principal in a family of private equity funds focused on acquiring bulk note portfolios. Over more than three decades, Speed has remained a leader and innovator in the note business, earning industry recognition such as the Collective Genius Award for Thought Leadership in Real Estate. Known for his commitment to education and knowledge sharing, he continues to help investors pursue financial freedom while advancing the broader landscape of note investing. Emily LaRusch – Founder of Back Office Betties

I learned the riches are in the niches.

Emily LaRusch is the founder and CEO of Back Office Betties, a company she established in 2014 to help law firms overcome administrative challenges through legally trained virtual receptionists and assistants. Guided by a strong belief in exceptional customer service, she built the business to give attorneys back valuable time while improving client experiences. LaRusch’s entrepreneurial drive began early, showing initiative as a child with neighborhood ventures and later developing a service-focused work ethic through her first jobs. The idea for Back Office Betties was sparked by frustration after repeatedly reaching voicemail while calling local businesses, inspiring her to create a solution that supports small law firms with reliable, high-quality administrative staffing. A passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and leadership, LaRusch has volunteered with Inmates to Entrepreneurs, served on the board of the Entrepreneurs Organization, coached accelerator groups, and guest lectured at Texas A&M. Her mission extends beyond business growth, focusing on empowering entrepreneurs, fostering strong company culture, and helping professionals achieve greater balance and freedom in their work and personal lives.