Michael Levin is a seasoned executive leader, consultant, keynote speaker, and #1 best-selling author whose career has been defined by a passion for empowering people and organizations to reach their full potential. With more than four decades of professional experience spanning corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, consulting, and public speaking, Michael has dedicated his career to helping companies create cultures where innovation, ownership, and collaboration thrive. His work centers on a powerful philosophy: when employees closest to the challenges are empowered to lead change, organizations become more agile, engaged, and successful.
Michael’s professional journey reflects both a deep understanding of business fundamentals and a commitment to helping others grow as leaders. Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation as a trusted advisor to senior executives and business owners who seek meaningful transformation in their organizations. Through keynote presentations, consulting engagements, and leadership development initiatives, Michael has guided companies in improving communication, strengthening culture, and aligning teams around strategic goals that deliver measurable business results.
Currently serving as President of Custom Solutions Inc., Michael leads a consulting and speaking practice focused on leadership development, sales strategy, and communication excellence. For more than three decades, his firm has partnered with organizations ranging from Fortune 50 companies to small and mid-sized enterprises. Through this work, Michael has helped leaders navigate complex organizational challenges while fostering environments that promote accountability, collaboration, and innovation. His approach blends practical business insight with proven frameworks that empower employees to take initiative and lead positive change.
Central to Michael’s philosophy is his concept of “Creating an Entrepreneurial Workplace,” a leadership model that encourages organizations to move beyond traditional top-down management structures. Instead, he advocates for empowering individuals at every level of the organization to identify opportunities, solve problems, and drive improvements. By fostering a sense of ownership and accountability among employees, Michael helps companies cultivate stronger engagement, improve operational efficiency, and achieve more sustainable long-term growth.
In addition to his leadership consulting, Michael is widely recognized for his work in sales training and collaborative business development. Through his proprietary methodology outlined in his book Sitting on the Same Side of the Table: The Art of Collaborative Selling, he teaches organizations how to transform traditional sales dynamics into partnerships built on trust and mutual success. His approach emphasizes creating shared outcomes that benefit both the client and the organization, ultimately leading to stronger relationships and more profitable, long-term business growth.
Michael’s influence extends beyond the consulting room and into the broader leadership community through his writing and public speaking. As a #1 best-selling author and contributor to Jack Canfield’s book The Road to Success, Michael has shared his leadership philosophies with audiences around the world. His chapter in the book explores the principles behind building entrepreneurial workplace cultures and earned him the prestigious 2016 Celebrity Press Author of the Year Award among more than 250 contributing authors.
Before establishing his consulting firm, Michael developed extensive corporate leadership experience during his tenure with the Pepsi Bottling Group. Starting as a sales representative, Michael quickly demonstrated his leadership capabilities and advanced into roles managing multi-million-dollar fountain and vending operations across Northern California and Nevada. His final role as Training Director saw him designing and implementing comprehensive sales, operational, and management training programs that strengthened performance across the region.
Michael’s entrepreneurial spirit also led him to co-found and lead Detail Solutions Inc., a specialty service company supporting automobile dealerships across Northern California and Denver. Under his leadership, the company grew from a startup concept into a multi-million-dollar enterprise serving approximately 160 dealerships. This experience provided Michael with firsthand insight into the realities of building and scaling a business, an experience that continues to inform his work advising entrepreneurs and executive teams today.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Michael remains deeply committed to making a positive impact in the communities he serves. Together with his wife, Joanna, Michael recently launched the Levin Animal Rescue Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting animal rescue efforts throughout California. The foundation provides financial contributions and raises awareness for organizations doing critical work in animal welfare, reflecting Michael’s belief that leadership should extend beyond the boardroom and into meaningful community service.
Michael’s life and career are also shaped by his commitment to personal growth, empathy, and service to others. Earlier in his life, Michael volunteered for nearly a decade with the Contra Costa Crisis Center, where he supported individuals in crisis through suicide prevention, homelessness assistance, and crisis counseling. This experience profoundly influenced Michael’s leadership philosophy, reinforcing the importance of listening, empathy, and guiding others toward their own solutions.
A graduate of California State University, Chico with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Michael has continued to expand his professional impact through speaking engagements, consulting partnerships, and leadership development initiatives across industries. His work has taken him internationally, with engagements across Australia, Europe, England, Asia, and Africa through virtual presentations and consulting collaborations. Through every stage of his career, Michael has remained focused on helping leaders create organizations where people feel empowered to contribute, innovate, and succeed.
Today, Michael continues to bring his experience, insight, and passion for leadership to organizations seeking meaningful transformation. Whether advising executive teams, delivering keynote presentations, or serving in advisory capacities, he remains dedicated to helping companies unlock the power of their people and build cultures that drive sustainable success.
Character:
Michael demonstrates a deep commitment to integrity, empathy, and service in both his professional and personal life. His years of volunteer work supporting individuals in crisis reflect a leader who values compassion and human connection as essential elements of effective leadership. Through his nonprofit work and professional mentorship, Michael consistently shows that true leadership is rooted in trust, responsibility, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
Knowledge:
With more than forty years of experience spanning corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, consulting, and executive coaching, Michael brings a comprehensive understanding of how organizations grow and evolve. His expertise in leadership development, collaborative sales strategies, and organizational culture has helped companies across industries improve performance and strengthen their teams. As an author, speaker, and consultant, Michael continuously shares insights that help leaders adapt to changing business environments.
Strategic:
Michael approaches business challenges with a strategic mindset grounded in real-world experience and proven frameworks. His concept of creating entrepreneurial workplaces encourages organizations to empower employees to take initiative and drive meaningful improvements. By aligning leadership, culture, and operational strategy, Michael helps companies build stronger systems that support sustainable growth and long-term success.
Communication:
A highly accomplished keynote speaker and leadership trainer, Michael excels at communicating complex ideas in ways that inspire and motivate audiences. His presentations combine practical insights with compelling storytelling that resonates with executives, managers, and frontline teams alike. Whether through public speaking, consulting engagements, or written work, Michael consistently helps leaders develop stronger communication skills that drive clarity, collaboration, and impact.
