Zac Coughlin, Ilana Golan, Jake Clopton

Zac Coughlin

Zac’s Sweet Shop is a chocolate company creating high-quality, innovative bite-sized chocolates, likened to a modern See’s Candies with Zac Coughlin as the Black, Gen-Z Willy Wonka. Relaunched in 2024, the brand is preparing for a 2025 retail launch with upgraded packaging and strategic partnerships. A Pittsburgh native, Zac developed his passion for flavor and baked goods early on, influenced by his grandmother's expertise. By age 13, he launched Zac’s Sweet Shop, crafting desserts for parties and events throughout high school. He has since been featured in outlets like the LA Times and Entrepreneur, creating custom sweets for high-profile events, including Black-ish and The Oscars. His impressive client list includes Gary Vee, American Express, and Disney, all while giving back to the communities he supports as a proud adoptee.

Ilana Golan

Ilana Golan’s journey is marked by remarkable achievements and a relentless drive to break barriers. From her beginnings as an F-16 flight instructor in the Air Force and the first female commander in her squad, she rose to become a tech executive, serial entrepreneur of multiple 7-8 figure businesses, investor in over 100 companies, and board director. She founded Leap Academy to help ambitious individuals fast-track their careers and achieve personal and professional breakthroughs. Additionally, as the host of Leap Academy with Ilana Golan, she interviews top CEOs, thought leaders, and global role models, sharing their insights and journeys to inspire others.

Jake Clopton

Jake Clopton is a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and economist with a focus on real estate and finance. In 2009, he founded Clopton Capital to streamline debt and equity financing for commercial real estate. Through Clopton Capital, Jake helps clients secure financing in the $1 to $200+ million range, specializing as a commercial mortgage broker and financial intermediary. He also leads Clopton Insurance Services, a national commercial insurance agency, and owns several apartment properties in the Chicago area. Author of Commercial Real Estate Investing, Jake contributes insights to publications like Benzinga and National Mortgage Professional and shares his expertise on shows like Good Morning Chicago and The Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid.