Every November, an expansive and specialized group of entrepreneurs, accountants, and developers gather in Silicon Valley for QuickBooks Connect, a dynamic event where self-starters grow together.

Intuit Quickbooks first launched the annual event in November of 2014, and it has since grabbed attention with its all-star keynote speakers (ranging from Oprah Winfrey in 2015 to Lisa Ling in 2017), and its pressing breakout sessions.

The 2017 Quickbooks Connect takes place in San Jose, California from November 16-17. The lineup is stacked with big names: Shonda Rhimes, Tyra Banks, Nate Berkus, and the founders of innovative brands such as Warby Parker and Soulcycle, to name a few. The weekend also features meetups for the like-minded, such as millennials, Spanish speakers, female entrepreneurs, makers and Etsy sellers, food-based business leaders, and more.

One of the most dynamic facets of Quickbooks Connect is the breakout sessions led by a variety of thought leaders in different industries. On Thursday, November 16th, award-winning author and cross-cultural trainer Sharon Schweitzer will participate in a panel on the Top 5 Survival Tips for the Self Employed. Topics to be covered include legal, tax, and career management expertise to thrive in self employment and avoid some of the most common legal and financial mistakes made by entrepreneurs. Her fellow panelists are Randi Sorenson, CEO of Thriveal Network, and Alaia Williams, owner of One Organized Business. Kimmie Greene, Head of Communications, QuickBooks Self-Employed will moderate the panel.

Here’s where you can contribute–if you’re a small business owner, an independent contractor, or self-employed, fill out this anonymous 2-minute survey to inform the panelists on the pressing issues faced by the self-employed to request a topic for them to cover.

QuickBooks connect provides practical, top-tier discussion and highly beneficial networking opportunities. 2017 Registration is sold out, however you can participate in this growth-focused event, via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook by following Sharon @sharonschweitz on twitter, sharonschweitzer on Instagram, company’s Facebook page AccesstoCulture, and #QBooksConnect on all social media.


Sharon Schweitzer, J.D., is an award-winning entrepreneur, cross-cultural trainer, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she serves as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. She is regularly quoted by BBC Capital, Investor’s Business Daily, and Fortune. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, (3rd printing), was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2015. She’s a winner of the British Airways International Trade Award at the 2016 Greater Austin Business Awards.