Settling for Simple
Utilizing the theme of the conference, we will dive into capturing your idea, refining what problem you plan to solve with your idea, defining your customer base, discovering your niche in the market, and then developing simple pricing structures that are fair to you and your customers. All of this will be done by oversimplifying your ideas to then use as a framework for what will become your detailed business plans for investors, partners, or even just yourself! These principles are meant to be a guiding light for you to stay true to your goals, and how you can help the world be a better place to live.
Luke Shepherd has a passion for technology and helping people see how useful it can be! With nearly 15 years working across diverse sectors, including non-profit, legal, and media production, he has done just about everything in IT, specifically infrastructure design, SaaS applications, end-user support, networking, and system redesigns for various organizations, including Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations. Using his background in media production spanning 20 years and multiple countries, Luke has also worked with various aspects of media tech, like FOH engineering, film set production, and everyone’s favorite: the clapper! Currently, Luke is part of an executive team at a start-up and serves on the board of a non-profit dedicated to supporting churches in developing countries, in addition to running The Shepherd Network.
My company Path Unbound, a boutique UI/UX design school, is a challenger brand in a saturated market with many big named schools. We experienced a long slump in revenue in the first couple of years in business because we couldn’t find our product positioning. We offered products similar to our big competitors and tried to beat them with lower price only to have the opposite effect. People start doubting if we are bad because we were so much cheaper.
Last year, we discovered the magic formula to growth for us as a small challenger brand without big budget for advertising. We started to repackage our big product offerings into smaller ones that are ultra flexible serving mini segments of user personas. We started to see results within weeks of launching our new offerings, attracting more customers than we’ve ever have. In this talk, I’ll how we structured our product offerings according to customer personas and how other small businesses that are challenger brands to big competitors can thrive doing the same.
For years, product managers and other professionals have been conditioned to follow a linear career path—climbing the corporate ladder step by step, often constrained by company politics and rigid promotion cycles. But the landscape has changed. No longer do ambitious professionals have to wait for a title bump to advance their careers.
In this session, we introduce the "Career Lattice"—a dynamic and flexible approach to career growth that allows individuals to expand their skills, impact, and income beyond traditional promotions. We’ll share how product leaders, executives, and professionals can create new opportunities on their own terms—leveraging side projects, consulting, cross-functional collaborations, and strategic skill-building to shape fulfilling, financially rewarding careers without leaving the security of their full-time job.
Key Takeaways:
- Why career growth isn’t just about promotions—and how focusing solely on climbing the ladder can hold you back.
- The Career Lattice framework—how moving sideways, diagonally, or even taking a step back can open bigger doors.
- Real-life success stories—case studies of professionals who have successfully navigated non-linear career growth.
- Actionable strategies—three practical steps attendees can take to start applying the Career Lattice approach immediately.
Audience Engagement & Format:
Storytelling & Case Studies – Examples of individuals who have successfully built careers outside the traditional mold.Interactive Reflection – Guided prompts for attendees to assess their own career aspirations and opportunities.Actionable Framework – Attendees will walk away with a practical roadmap to implement the Career Lattice approach in their own careers.
This session is perfect for professionals looking to expand their career potential without sacrificing their current stability. Attendees will leave empowered with a fresh perspective, tangible next steps, and the confidence to take control of their career trajectory—whether through internal moves, side gigs, or passion projects.
Join me as I share my transformative journey with ADPList, showcasing how the platform enabled me to build a thriving coaching practice that transcends geographical boundaries. I'll detail my evolution from a traditional career path to becoming a location-independent solopreneur, highlighting how consistent personal branding and strategic side-hustle development led to a 5x return within two years.
Key takeaways:
- How to leverage digital platforms to democratize coaching access globally
- Building a personal brand while maintaining a full-time role
- Creating implicit revenue streams through coaching
- Strategies for scaling your impact across time zones
- The power of consistency in building a sustainable coaching practice
We'll explore how to uncover hidden opportunities through user research, use lean validation techniques to test ideas before scaling, and strategically position your business in a way that differentiates it from competitors. You’ll also learn how to break into niche markets effectively whether through emerging technologies like AI and VR, or cultural intelligence—can be your biggest advantage.
This talk will include real-world case studies, actionable frameworks, and lessons from startups that successfully turned niche ideas into thriving businesses. Whether you're an early-stage founder or looking to pivot your existing venture, this session will equip you with the tools to find your niche, innovate with confidence, and scale strategically.
