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After years as a leader at Google, Caren took the ultimate leap: leaving Silicon Valley to build a vinyl record factory from scratch in Austin, Texas. In this talk, she shares how to recognize the signs that it’s time to bet on yourself — and how to plan for the uncertainty that follows.

Drawing from her journey bootstrapping Gold Rush Vinyl, Caren offers practical frameworks for turning big ideas into grounded action.

Audiences learn:

• How to tell whether you’re running from something or toward something when considering a major career move.

• How to balance ambition with realism when resources are limited.

• What the business world gets wrong about start-ups — and how to challenge the norms.

• Alternative financing to get your business off the ground.

Ideal for audiences interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and small business growth.

Believe it or not, vinyl record sales are back to where they were over 40 years ago. But this isn’t just a story about nostalgia — it’s about the deep human desire for connection and the economic realities of creating art in the digital world.

In this talk, Caren explores the cultural, emotional and economic forces behind vinyl’s comeback and what it reveals about the future of “super fans” and commerce.

Audiences learn:

• Why the resurgence of vinyl signals a larger shift toward physical experiences in a digital age.

• How brands can build loyalty by giving customers something to hold onto.

• Lessons in patience, craft and storytelling from the vinyl manufacturing floor.

• Why authenticity still matters — and how to make it scale.

Ideal for audiences in music, consumer goods, retail, marketing, and creative industries.

True innovation doesn’t come from playing it safe. Caren shares how to embrace smart risk as a strategic advantage — whether you’re launching a company, leading a team or shaping creative culture. Drawing on her own (bumpy) journey as an entrepreneur, she reveals how the most resilient leaders build organizations that plan for the worst but bet on the best.

Audiences learn:

• How to distinguish healthy risk from recklessness — and make risk part of your company’s DNA.

• Why fear of failure quietly kills innovation, and how to dismantle it.

• Practical frameworks for taking bold bets while protecting your downside.

• How women and underrepresented leaders can redefine risk-taking on their own terms.

Ideal for conferences on leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation or women in business.

AI doesn’t have to be scary — or expensive. In this talk, Caren shares how she’s used simple software to make a 1960s-era industry more efficient, creative and human. By treating AI as a teammate instead of a threat, she’s cut labor costs by over 10%, reduced burnout and freed her staff to focus on the work only people can do.

Audiences learn:

• How to introduce AI tools and workflows without disrupting your team.

• Simple automations that can save hours each week—no coding or tech team required.

• Real-world examples of how small businesses can use AI to scale faster and smarter.

Ideal for business owners, managers, and teams ready to innovate without losing their human touch.