Emily O’Brien

Accomplished Social Entrepreneur | Founder, Comeback Snacks | Prison Reform Advocate

Entrepreneurship Activists Female Speakers Motivational Speakers

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Motivation & Inspiration Resilience Social Justice & Human Rights

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Book Emily O’Brien, Entrepreneurship Speaker

About This Speaker

Emily O’Brien offers a powerful narrative on transformation that is as compelling as it is instructive. As founder of Comeback Snacks, Emily built a social enterprise that began in the most unlikely place: a prison cell. Her journey from incarceration to becoming a celebrated entrepreneur is a masterclass in resilience, determination, and the ability to turn life’s greatest challenges into meaningful opportunities.

While serving her sentence, Emily O’Brien refused to let her circumstances define her future. Inspired by the creative seasonings her fellow inmates used on popcorn, she began laying the groundwork for her business. Using hand-written letters to coordinate market research and branding from behind bars, she demonstrated an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit. Upon her release, she scaled Comeback Snacks into a brand now available in major grocery chains and independent retailers across North America.

Beyond her business success, Emily O’Brien is a leading voice in prison reform advocacy. She uses her platform to eliminate the stigma surrounding prior convictions. As a result, this helped provide employment and mentorship to those in need of a second chance. Her work with organizations like the Elizabeth Fry Society and her fundraising efforts for at-risk youth highlight her deep commitment to social impact.

Her expertise and leadership have been recognized with numerous accolades. This includes the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Business Leadership, the Women Empowerment Award for Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Community Service Award.

As a speaker, Emily O’Brien connects with audiences by blending raw honesty with practical business insights. Her keynotes explore the “comeback blueprint,” focusing on forgiveness, kindness, and the “emotional profit” required to succeed in both life and the competitive retail industry. Emily is the ideal choice for organizations looking to inspire their teams with a story of relentless resilience and courageous reinvention.

Videos

Speaking Topics: Emily O’Brien

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. Join Emily O'Brien, CEO and Founder of Comeback Snacks, as she walks you through her own 'comeback blueprint' that she has designed after successfully navigating the criminal justice system and the world of entrepreneurship.

Business Success and Emotional Profit

Starting a small business is tough. Can you imagine what it's like starting one behind bars? Join 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 and life is not simply financial, but emotional..

Resilience is more than a buzzword. It's a state of mind.

As a female entrepreneur in the male-dominated food retail industry, Emily O'Brien has learned how to survive in a tough market while facing constant pressure. From starting her own business in federal prison to navigating the peaks and troughs of Canada's food industry, Emily's experience and lessons learned while successfully growing her company, Comeback Snacks, are shared through two crucial components of successful entrepreneurship today: kindness and resilience.