Skip to main content
Logo
Logo
  • About
    • Global
      • About GEN

        Operating in 200 countries to make it easier for anyone to start and scale.

      • Board + Staff

        Leading the strategic direction and daily execution of the GEN mission.

      • Our Partners

        A range of organizations contributing expertise, experience and energy.

    • National Leadership
      • Managing Directors

        Individuals leading GEN chapters and all aspects of national engagement.

      • Global Leaders

        Individuals contributing to national engagement in GEN programs.

    • Compass Awards

      Celebrating excellence and honoring those making a difference.

    • Contact GEN

      Reach out to our team with any questions.

  • Our Work
    • Our Pillars
      • GEN Ecosystems

        Stronger and more globally-connected entrepreneurial ecosystems.

      • GEN Founders

        Empowering innovators from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential.

      • GEN Invest

        The right capital in the right hands – at the right time.

      • GEN Policy

        Evidence-based ideas for smart policy design to help entrepreneurs thrive.

    • Our Work
      • GEN Programs

        View a list of all our programs.

      • GEN Events

        Flagship events + ongoing event series driving connectivity.

    • Our Impact
      • Impact Reports

        In-depth look at GEN’s impact each year since it began in 2008.

      • Impact Stories

        Examples of GEN’s impact on individuals and ecosystems around the world.

  • Resources
    • GEN Connect
      • Ecosystem Connect

        Connect with ecosystem builders + community leaders worldwide.

      • Founder Connect

        Connect with founders building the next generation of startups.

      • Investor Connect

        Connect with angels, VCs + other investors aligned to your stage + goals.

      • Mentor Connect

        Connect with experienced mentors across our global network.

    • Policy + Research
      • GEN Atlas

        Collection of public sector policies + programs to drive economic growth.

      • GEN Research Library

        Collection of the latest research strategies, reports, data sets + more.

    • More Helpful Tools
      • Events Calendar

        Find events advancing entrepreneurship near you + around the world.

      • GEN Speakers Bureau

        Commission-free directory of speakers for your next entrepreneurship event.

      • GEN Community Directory

        Searchable directory of GEN members representing 200 countries.

      • Builders Studio

        An AI-powered platform that guides entrepreneurs from idea to launch.

      • No Bad Ideas

        Card game designed to help turn your ideas into great ones – no mistakes.

  • Events
    • Overview

      Brief summary of all GEN events + gatherings

    • Global Entrepreneurship Congress

      Global gathering of delegates shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

    • GEC+

      Regional or sector-specific deep-dives built off the GEC model.

    • Global Entrepreneurship Week

      Join the movement of 40,000 events around the world each November.

    • GEN Exchange

      Virtual webinars for GEN community members to explore timely issues.

    • GEN Meetup

      Open-source model to hold your own ecosystem event.

    • Startup Huddle

      Chapters crowd-sourcing advice + support, one entrepreneur at a time.

    • Startup Nations Summit

      Gathering of policymakers on regulatory issues + innovative programs.

    • GET Forum

      A global forum connecting Latin America and the Caribbean's ecosystem leaders.

    • Events Calendar

      Find an entrepreneurship event near you.

  • News
    • Global Newsfeed

      All of the unfiltered news + updates from the GEN community.

    • The Startup State

      Major entrepreneurship announcements, reports, commentary + features.

    • Press + Media Kit

      Official GEN assets and information for journalists, partners, and storytellers.

    • Subscribe

      Sign-up to receive important updates, event invitations + more.

  • Countries
Join GEN

User login

Enter your email address.
Enter the password that accompanies your email address.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
  • CREATE NEW ACCOUNT
  • Reset your password

Become a Global Entrepreneurship Week Partner: Join organizations around the world — and activate the next wave of problem solvers in your community.

Profile picture for user laura_2
Founder and Chief Positive Person
notes to self LLC
Prairie Village, Kansas, United States

Log In to Connect with Me

Laura Schmidt

Bio:
Enthusiasm takes on a whole new meaning when you meet Laura Schmidt. Operating at speeds of fast and faster, Laura always dreamed of starting her own business and making an impact on our world.
Originally intending to pursue a medical career, Laura earned a pre-med Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University. Life had its own ideas and Laura shifted gears to pursue a successful career in business. While sharing her gifts in roles in Systems Engineering and Sales at AT&T, Laura also earned a Masters in Management from Baker University, after which, she developed a successful direct sales business that spanned over two decades.
As a mentor, entrepreneur, and mother, Laura learned firsthand the importance of speaking with positivity and encouragement to others. In her free time, she sought out books, advice, and mentors who would help her become the best, most positive version of herself. As her belief in the power of positivity grew, Laura wanted to share her message with the world: that words make all the difference®.
So when an idea struck in 2011 to put positive affirmations on the toes of socks, she took off running. 14 years later, with hard work and the help of her family and community, Laura has built notes to self®, which her children call, “a sock empire.”
Starting with high-quality athletic socks, Laura’s products went through dozens of prototype phases in search of the perfect sock. And though many will tell you these are the most comfortable socks you will ever own, the socks’ true impact comes from the words. Made exclusively in the U.S.A., notes to self® products are sold on notestoself.com, in hundreds of stores nationwide (Hallmark stores, hospital gift shops, boutiques and airports to name a few), and to companies for corporate gifting.
To date, notes to self, llc has donated over 154,000 pairs of notes to self® socks to homeless shelters, women’s shelters and children in great need.
As notes to self® continues to grow, Laura hopes the dreams and confidence of people of all ages grows so they know they can accomplish great things!

Global Entrepreneurship Network
Join GEN

Connections, opportunities and resources to help you build – your startup, your ecosystem and your economy.

Log In

Join

  • About
    • About GEN
    • Partners
    • Impact Report
    • Countries
    • Compass Awards
    • Contact GEN
  • Resources
    • GEN Atlas
    • GEN Community Directory
    • GEN Event Calendar
    • GEN Research Library
    • GEN Speakers Bureau
  • GEN Connect
    • Ecosystem Connect
    • Founder Connect
    • Investor Connect
    • Mentor Connect
  • Our Work
    • GEN Ecosystems
    • GEN Founders
    • GEN Invest
    • GEN Policy
  • Events
    • Global Entrepreneurship Congress
    • GEC+
    • GEN Exchange
    • GEN Meetup
    • Startup Huddle
    • Startup Nations Summit

Global Entrepreneurship Network © 2026

Terms + Conditions

Privacy Policy

  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • X