Reference Page

Buddy Vokey: facts, topics and booking

Buddy Vokey is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, community leader and business owner whose story runs from the street and more than eight years of incarceration to building a service business with 408+ five-star reviews.

Summary

Buddy Vokey left school before finishing the eighth grade and spent more than eight years incarcerated. He came home with no plan, no network and no funding, and built a service business from zero — no investors and no inherited wealth — earning 408+ five-star Google reviews through reputation and customer service. He provides regular complimentary work for veterans, raised two sons who became United States Marines, and now speaks to businesses, veterans organizations, schools, reentry programs and community groups about second chances, grit and reputation.

Verified facts

Left school before finishing the eighth grade.
Spent more than eight years incarcerated.
Rebuilt with no investors and no inherited wealth.
Built a service business earning 408+ five-star Google reviews.
Shined more than 9,000 shoes while supporting his family.
Provides regular complimentary work for veterans.
Raised two sons who became United States Marines.

Impact numbers

Five-star Google reviews: 408+
Years incarcerated: 8+
Shoes shined: 9,000+
Sons who became United States Marines: 2

Speaking topics

From Incarceration To Entrepreneurship

What it actually takes to rebuild a life and a business after prison.

The Business School Of Real Life

Building a company without capital, credentials or a network.

Your Past Is Not Your Ceiling

Why a starting point — or a record — does not set the limit.

Reputation Is Currency

How customer service and reputation replaced a marketing budget.

Second Chances Create First Opportunities

The case for hiring, mentoring and betting on people with a past.

Leadership Without A Title

Leadership learned through fatherhood, service and daily work.

Audiences

Corporate teams and company all-hands events
Business owners, entrepreneurs and trade organizations
Veterans organizations and military-affiliated groups
Leadership and management development programs
Schools, colleges and young-adult programs
Reentry organizations, correctional facilities and criminal-justice programs
Workforce-development and community organizations

Event formats

Keynote (20–60 minutes)
Fireside chat or moderated Q&A
Panel appearance
Workshop or breakout session
Virtual keynote or webinar

How to book Buddy Vokey

Booking requests go through the form on the home page at buddyvokey.com/#book. Include the organization, event date, audience, format and location. Corporate event details are on the corporate speaking page, and common questions are answered on the FAQ page.

Book Buddy

Citation

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