Biography

Rob Lawless is a man on a mission to spend 1 hour, 1:1, with 10,000 different people. Since starting his project in November of 2015, he’s met over 5,400 people from 90+ countries, and has documented their stories through his Instagram, @robs10kfriends.

He’s also been featured by press sources, including the Kelly Clarkson Show, the TODAY Show, and On Air with Ryan Seacrest, and has been invited to meet by media figures like Drew Scott and Zach King. Using his experience from over 4,500 conversations, Rob is now educating corporations and universities on his approach to meeting new people. He runs a seminar through which he explains the FORD (family, occupation, recreation, dreams) framework of conversation and immediately breaks attendees out into pairs to practice the techniques and form new connections.

To date, he’s been invited to speak at places, such as Amazon, TEDx, BCG Digital Ventures, Pepperdine, the University of Washington, Emory University and many more.

Rob is originally from Philadelphia, PA, holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Penn State University and worked for Deloitte Consulting and the venture-funded RJMetrics before taking his mission of connection full time.

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Testimonials

Thank you, I loved the session! We are getting a lot of positive feedback! Someone sent me a message: ‘This is the best DEI session in the last 2 years.
– Mariovy Gonzalez, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team, Amazon
This virtual workshop was a great balance of learning from Rob while also learning from other participants. His session helps frame the way we think about conversation, ourselves, and learning about others. What a great experience for students from around the world!
– Nedda Soleymani, Program Manager, University of Washington
After your Zoom event, I couldn’t stop telling my roommates about how much fun I had connecting with people and I wanted to show them more of what I learned. That has been one of the most engaging and refreshing Zoom meetings that I have ever been a part of.
– Jana Merca, Student Ambassador, University of Washington
Rob’s journey to tell other people’s stories is something everyone can relate to and it empowers others to see the world as a one large community where we just haven’t met everyone yet. His stories on meeting different people and how it open doors you didn’t even know could open is impactful and worth hearing.
– Leimkuehler, Social Media Coach, Charles Schwab
It was so great to work with you over the past few months, and I really appreciate all of the work you put into your talk. So many members of TEDxEmory and students on campus told me how much they enjoyed hearing you speak.
– Emily Silver, TEDx Club Member, Emory University

Blog Posts

Charismatic Storytellers: The Social Wonderbringers of Happiness

✨ Striving for constant happiness is unrealistic and unsustainable, depriving us of the rich tapestry...

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Striving for Financial Security or Seeking Life Well-Being?

💰 Money is a sensitive topic, often reflecting our sense of success. But today, we're...

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Celebrating Reaching the Summit in Hawaii

Last week, I was privileged to support LPL Financial's top advisors affiliated with banks and...

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5 Rules to Be Smart With Your Money

In today's uncertain world, financial security isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity. Dealing with money...

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Feeling Zapped by Technology? Try This Simple Solution!

🤳 If you're feeling drained by constant exposure to technology, here's a quick fix: get...

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Job Security and Growth Mindset

✨ When it comes to job security in today's ever-changing professional landscape, cultivating a growth...

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