Emily O'Brien

Speaker & Entrepreneur Emily O’Brien is the founder of the booming social enterprise Comeback Snacks. Her evolution from prison to a successful small business startup is a story that helps individuals and organizations find inspiration to transform challenges into opportunities. Emily’s keynotes recount her struggles and wins, addressing painful lessons, resilience, determination, forgiveness, and the ability to find strength within oneself to build positive opportunities from hardship.

While in Federal prison, Emily’s entrepreneurial spirit motivated her courageous decision to make a powerful comeback. Inspired by the unique seasonings her fellow inmates used on their popcorn, she founded Comeback Snacks (Cons & Kernels). Relying on hand-written letters to communicate with people who would assist her with market research, branding and business strategy, Emily laid the foundation of Comeback Snacks while still in prison.

After her release, she hit the ground running, building her social enterprise by offering her popcorn snacks at various events and networking with local business owners to boost sales. Comeback Snacks is now available at major groceries, independent stores, and online retailers across North America.

Emily uses her business and voice to advocate for prison reforms and eliminate the stigma attached to people with prior convictions. She provides formerly incarcerated persons and those in need of a second chance with employment and mentorship opportunities to lead them down a new pathway of confidence and new opportunities.

Emily partners with several organizations, including the Elizabeth Fry Society, a non-profit social service agency in the Canadian justice system. She has raised funds through her business to support great causes like The Yonge Street Mission to help at-risk youths. Emily was recognized for her efforts by receiving the 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Business Leadership & Entrepreneurship, The 2022 Women Empowerment Award as the Entrepreneur of the Year, and also the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Community Service Award in 2022.

Emily O’Brien has been featured on Global, CTV, CBC, Vice, SiriusXM, CHCH, The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Life, and many more.

Emily O'Brien's Speaking Presentations:

Leaders Never Leave

Emily O’Brien’s journey as the founder of Comeback Snacks is a testament to the true spirit of leadership, using strength and commitment to overcome adversity. From launching her business in federal prison to growing it into a brand that supports rehabilitation and second chances, Emily embodies the principle that leaders never abandon their purpose or the people they aim to uplift. This topic highlights the importance of leaders to be resilient, accountable and dedicated to their team. Emily story helps leaders be inspired to embrace their responsibilities, their roles and authentically lead with compassion and purpose, no matter the obstacles.

The Comeback Blueprint

It’s easy to be told to recover or rebound after a difficult circumstance in life, but this is far easier said than done. Emily O’Brien, CEO and Founder of Comeback Snacks, brings you on the ‘comeback blueprint’, designed after successfully navigating low points of her life and eventually the criminal justice system. She shares the opportunities within hard times and the mind set she established to navigate uncertainty, new circumstances and to turn hardships into prosperity.

Profits With People

As a female entrepreneur in the male-dominated food retail industry, Emily O’Brien has defied the odds, transforming challenges into opportunities. Emily O’Brien as she takes you through the trials, tribulations, and life lessons acquired after starting her successful business in federal prison and elevating it to new heights after her release. From forgiving one’s past mistakes to helping others in need, Emily discusses how the real ‘profit’ needed to succeed in business in tough circumstances and how to keep going after missed opportunity or mistakes on the journey in and out of prison. She shares how when the focus of the business or your work is to make a difference in your life or in others, the business and its people become empowered to drive through any set back with support that flows in from all angles.

Resilience for Redemption

As a female entrepreneur in the male-dominated food retail industry, Emily O’Brien has defied the odds, transforming challenges into opportunities. From launching her business, Comeback Snacks, while in federal prison to thriving in Canada’s competitive food industry, Emily’s journey embodies resilience, authenticity, and purpose. Her experiences highlight the core pillars of successful entrepreneurship: self-belief, kindness, and giving back. Emily inspires others to focus their energy and love on building a strong personal belief system, aligning actions with values, and cultivating resilience to overcome past barriers. She demonstrates how a mindset rooted in growth and self-reliance can create opportunities for redemption and success. Through her teachings, Emily shows how embracing these principles allows individuals to break through limitations and pursue outcomes that reflect their true potential.

Radical Accountability: Owning Your Path to Success

Emily O’Brien’s journey with Comeback Snacks exemplifies the power of radical accountability—taking full ownership of one’s choices, actions, and outcomes. From confronting her past while in federal prison to building a thriving business that gives back to others, Emily demonstrates how accountability can be a transformative force for personal growth and professional success. This topic explores how embracing accountability fosters resilience, empowers decision-making, and drives meaningful change. Emily inspires audiences to take charge of their lives, own their mistakes, and use them as stepping stones toward a brighter future. 

Emily O'Brien is represented by K&M Productions Speakers & Shows.

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