UK’s Great British Entrepreneur of the Year Delivers Show-Stealing Keynote at Iconic LA Venue

When Simon Hood took to the stage at the legendary Hollywood Improv for Top Talent Hollywood 2025, he didn’t just make an entrance. He made a statement. Dressed head-to-toe in a shark suit, the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year launched into a powerful, witty, and emotionally charged keynote that quickly became the talk of the event.

Hood is the executive director of John Mason International Movers, which represents a new wave of British business leaders on the global stage. But on this occasion, he wasn’t there to talk logistics; he was there to deliver a message about mindset, grit, and the boldness to challenge the rules we’ve been taught to follow.

His keynote, titled From Potatoes to Palaces: The Power of Asking Bigger, was a raw and engaging masterclass in self-belief and strategic audacity. Ripping up a “rule book” on stage, Hood asked the audience, “Who here has been told to be grateful for what they’ve got, when deep down they knew they wanted more?” Hands went up across the room.

Through vivid storytelling and sharp humor, he unpacked three deeply ingrained beliefs: don’t ask for attention, don’t ask for too much, and don’t ask for the impossible. These messages were brought to life through stories from his own unlikely journey—including a viral attempt to sign Brazilian soccer icon Ronaldinho on a shoestring PR budget, and developing a poker app from scratch that gained over a million downloads despite zero technical background.

He also spoke candidly about his early life in a struggling seaside town in the UK, raised by a single mother with few resources but big dreams. “I wasn’t trying to be famous. I just wanted a bit of breathing room. A chance to ask for something better,” Hood said. From potato fields to cinema floors, his path was anything but typical. Today, it’s taken him to boardrooms, international stages, and even Windsor Castle, where he met with King Charles III and presented with King’s Award for Enterprise.

Hood’s keynote was one of several standout moments during Top Talent Hollywood, showcase of leading speakers, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Sharing the spotlight were globally renowned motivational speaker Lisa Nichols, CEO of Motivating the Masses, whose message on purpose-driven living moved many to tears; Jeff Hayzlett, former The Apprentice judge and C-Suite Network Chairman, who brought high-impact insights on leadership; and Diana von Welanetz Wentworth, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul, who spoke on visionary collaboration and legacy.

Hollywood actor Micah Fitzgerald also took the stage, offering a compelling look into staying true to one’s creative values amidst the pressures of the entertainment industry.

The event was produced by a powerhouse team: David Fagan (President of the Top Talent Agency), Dani Wallace (Queen Bee Movement), Vince Caruso (Fox Business, Bloomberg), and Isabel Donadio (Founder of Top Talent Agency). Together, they delivered a world-class experience, curating conversations that were not only inspirational but deeply practical.

For many attendees, Hood’s “Sprinkle Test” became the defining takeaway. “The next time you’re at a coffee shop,” he advised, “ask for whipped cream and sprinkles, even if you didn’t order something that comes with them. It’s not about the coffee. It’s about getting used to asking.”

He closed with a challenge to the audience: “Don’t leave here and go back to being quiet, safe, and reasonable. Ask bigger. Ask bolder. Ask now.”

Simon Hood’s appearance at Top Talent Hollywood was more than a keynote. It was a reminder that bold questions lead to bold lives. For those in the room, it was clear: the rules had changed.

For more on Top Talent Hollywood and upcoming speaker events, visit TopTalentHollywood.com.