Pine Belt Women Business Owner Summit

Inaugural Pine Belt Women Business Owner Summit

Thursday & Friday, August 10-11, 2023
9am – 3pm, (optional networking time until 4pm)
Lake Terrace Convention Center

Join us for the inaugural Pine Belt Women Business Owner Summit on August 10-11 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center! You can choose to attend one day or both days. This event is for both seasoned business owners and those just starting out.

Our mission is to connect women business owners with each other and also with information and resources so that both the owner and business thrive.

Topics and information will include sustainable growth, business finances, how mental and physical health affects your business and what you can do about it, business trends, marketing, and more!

Connect with fellow women business owners and learn about resources in our community that can help you succeed. You will also be able to find the accountability you need to help you move forward when you get stuck!

This event is offered as a pre-event to the Pine Belt Women’s Expo coming up on August 12. Your summit ticket includes tickets to the Expo!

THANKS TO OUR LEADING SPONSOR!

AGENDA

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Registration, Breakfast & Networking

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Inaugural WBOS Kickoff & Celebration, Jennifer Clark, Emerge Events

10:00 – 10:45 a.m., Session 1
It’s Time for a Self-Check, Danyella Berry Terrell, LCSW, The Boujee Boss

11:00 – 11:45 a.m., Session 2
From Ground Up in 90 Days While Juggling Life, Christy Amay, Amay Jewelry Designs

12:00 – 12:45 p.m., Session 3 & Lunch
Working for You and Your Business – Courtney M. Payton, Edward Jones

1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Session 4
Healthy Habits for a Balanced Body and Business, Amanda Morris, Balanced Body

2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Session 5
Crime Doesn’t Pay, but You Might: Avoiding Fraud – Lisa Salcedo, Hancock Whitney

3:00 p.m.
Day 1 Summit Closing & Door Prizes

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Networking (optional)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Registration, Breakfast & Networking

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
WBOS Kickoff Day 2 & Celebration, Jennifer Clark, Emerge Events

10:00 – 10:45 a.m., Session 6
Women are Pancakes, so your Branding Should be Too! – Grace Kent Johnson, BREAD and Blue Hen Agency

11:00 – 11:45 a.m., Session 7
The “Secret” to Behavior Change – Building Better Habits, Dr. Lindsey Lewis, iNGAGE Talent Development MS, LLC

12:00 – 12:45 p.m., Session 8 & Lunch
Sales Tax and Your Business, Kesha Smith, Mississippi Department of Revenue

1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Session 9
Start, Build, and Grow your Women-Owned Business! Rita Mitchell, USM Small Business Development Center

2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Session 10
Re-Emerging Stronger: Leadership, Life, and Lessons, Mavis A. Creagh, Mavis A. Creagh Consulting, LLC, We Women Ministries, Inc., and R3SM

3:00 p.m.
Day 2 Summit Closing & Door Prizes

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Networking (optional)

SPEAKERS & SESSIONS

SESSION 1
Thu., Aug. 10, 10 – 10:45 a.m.
It’s Time for a Self Check

Danyella Berry-Terrell
Owner of The Boujee Boss and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (and more!)

Come learn the importance of completing a self check and how it can positively impact your mental and physical health, your business, and everyone around you!

ABOUT DANYELLA BERRY-TERRELL
Danyella Terrell, LCSW, is a native of Pearl, MS, a 2-time graduate from The University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work and owner of 4 Businesses.

SESSION 2
Thu., Aug. 10, 11 – 11:45 a.m.
From Ground Up in 90 Days While Juggling Life

Christy Amay
Amay Jewelry Designs, Owner

From Ground Up in 90 Days While Juggling Life – this is the story behind the foundation and success of a local family-owned small business.

ABOUT CHRISTY AMAY
Christy was raised in Picayune, MS. She started her jewelry career as a full time jewelry sales associate at the fine jewelry department in Dillards. She moved up quickly in the company. By the age of 25 she was promoted to regional manager and moved to Tampa, FL. That is where she met her husband Roberto. She later joined the traveling jewelry restyle company with Roberto. They traveled together around the country doing restyle jewelry shows. After a couple of years, she was recruited by Zales. In 2008, they moved to Hattiesburg, where she became the manager for Zales in Turtle Creek mall for 3 years. Christy and Roberto were married in 2009 and now have two children, Carlos and Amelia. Christy was a stay at home mom for 8 years, until she and Roberto opened up Amay Jewelry Designs. She has 15 years of retail management and Roberto is a master jeweler, they make the perfect team.

SESSION 3
Thu., Aug. 10, 12 – 12:45 a.m.
Working for You and Your Business

Courtney M. Payton
Edward Jones

Working for You and Your Business is designed to help small-business owners understand the financial strategies and tools available to help run their business more effectively. Topics include:

Various banking, retirement plan and insurance options
Valuable strategies that can help you create value outside your business
Strategies for building and preserving your business

ABOUT COURTNEY M. PAYTON
In my practice, I take tremendous pride in learning what is most important to those I serve. Building strong relationships with my clients is at the core of my work. I strive to provide an ideal client experience by partnering with you throughout your life to help ensure that you reach your financial goals. Whether those goals are short- or long-term, we’re in this together. At Edward Jones, we want to understand what is most important to you, because understanding the things that you care about helps me to focus my efforts on ways to best serve you and your family.

For more information about Courtney read her full bio here.

SESSION 4
Thu., Aug. 10, 2 – 2:45 p.m.
Healthy Habits for a Balanced Body and Business

Amanda Morris
Balanced Body

Find out how healthy habits can benefit you and your business! As a business owner, so much depends on you. Learn tips to help you function optimally so you and your business can both thrive.

ABOUT AMANDA MORRIS
Hey! I’m Amanda Morris, E-RYT200, founder of Balanced Body Yoga, Health & Wellness. I am a holistic wellness service provider offering yoga, lifestyle coaching and healthy living education. My experience in the health/wellness field began with yoga teacher training in 2005 as a college student. In my studies, I focused on learning human development and psychology earning a BS in Child and Family Studies and a MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from USM. My mental health background helps me bring a deeper understanding of mindset and stress management to my yoga and coaching work! If you need help feeling more balance in your body/mind connection, that’s what I love to teach! I offer private sessions and small group classes at my studio space in Petal, MS as well as online coaching programs. Check out balancedbodyam.com to learn more!

SESSION 5
Thu., Aug. 10, 2 – 2:45 a.m.
Crime Doesn’t Pay, but You Might: Avoiding Fraud

Lisa Salcedo
Hancock Whitney

Lisa Salcedo with Hancock Whitney joins us to talk about how fraud can affect our businesses and what we can do to avoid it!

ABOUT LISA SALCEDO
Lisa Salcedo is a Vice President for Hancock Whitney and is currently the Retail Sales Leader of their Pine Belt Market. She is a single mother to active, 13 year old boys, Frank and Luke. Most days involve just trying to keep up, but this family loves to enjoy the outdoors every chance they get.

During her 17 years in the banking industry, she has accumulated experience in several specialized areas including real estate, small business & commercial, credit, operations and her personal favorite, financial education. Her role now is primarily focused on leadership and community involvement. She has a variety of job duties including, managing employees in accordance with company policies, overseeing daily operations, as well as setting goals and objectives to ensure business development and growth.

Lisa is active in the Hattiesburg community by serving in non-profit organizations such as the Exchange Club, D.R.E.A.M. of Hattiesburg, Inc., United Way Economic Mobility Council and the American Heart Association. In 2009 she became a founding member of the Pine Belt Young Professionals. In 2016, her Leadership Pine Belt group took on a project to light the Longleaf trace from USM to downtown Hattiesburg. She has also worked alongside numerous other non-profits to aid their fundraising efforts.

SESSION 6
Fri., Aug. 11, 10 – 10:45 a.m.
Women are Pancakes, so your Branding Should be Too!

Grace Kent Johnson
BREAD and Blue Hen Agency

ABOUT GRACE KENT JOHNSON
Grace is an accomplished entrepreneur passionate about brand building, healthy business development, and winning marketing strategies. With one of the fastest growing agencies in Mississippi, she is the owner of BREAD, co-owner of Blue Hen Agency, and co-owner of 107 West Park. With years of experience in the industry, Grace has developed a successful process of how to build strong brands, marketing strategies, and business cultures that positively connect with people.

She believes in finding and combining genuine truths with effective strategies. Grace’s inexhaustible creative energy, vision, and philosophy have helped shape BREAD and Blue Hen’s culture and made her a respected figure in her industries. She says, “Our companies exist to help people and businesses win in the most healthy way possible. We find joy in uniting people and businesses through a brand-first approach.”

SESSION 7
Fri., Aug. 11, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
The “Secret” to Behavior Change – Building Better Habits

Dr. Lindsey Lewis
iNGAGE Talent Development MS, LLC

Our success in any endeavor is rarely related to one singular action, but the output of a system of behaviors. Our daily behaviors or “habits” are the key to getting different outcomes. If you can change your habits, you can change your life. In his breakthrough book, Atomic Habits, James Clear provides a comprehensive guide on how to change your habits and get 1% better every day. In this session, Lindsey Lewis will help to take these proven techniques and apply them to your personal and professional goals.

Dr. Lindsey Lewis is an Instructor of Speech at Pearl River Community College and the owner of iNGAGE Talent Development, LLC. In her role, she helps organizations maximize their greatest resource- their people, through customized training and employee development interventions.

Over the past 18 years, Lindsey has designed, facilitated, and, delivered training and presentations across a variety of industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and higher education. Lindsey believes in the transformative power of education and always aims to make learning relevant, engaging, and FUN!

ABOUT DR. LINDSEY LEWIS
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications, a Master’s degree in Workforce Training and Development, and a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Lewis is a Certified Training Professional from the University of Southern Mississippi and a DiSC Workplace Personality Trainer and Authorized Partner. She is also a Certified “Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team” facilitator. Additional certifications include: Virtual Dementia Tour facilitator, Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Trainer and PAC coach. She was a member of the 2009 Leadership Pinebelt class and then served on the steering committee for several years.

She and her husband live in Hattiesburg with their two children.

SESSION 8
Fri., Aug. 11, 12 – 12:45 p.m.
Sales Tax and Your Business

Kesha Smith
Mississippi Department of Revenue

This may not be the most exciting topic, but it is important! Kesha has 20+ years of experience and will share with us how sales tax affects our businesses. Bring your questions!

ABOUT KESHA SMITH
Kesha Smith is the Southern Region Audit Manager with the Mississippi Department of Revenue. She has been with the agency over 20 years and has filled various roles throughout her tenure. In her current position, she manages the audit and customer service staff in the Brookhaven, Gulf Coast and Hattiesburg offices which includes the oversight of registration for new businesses and promoted events. Kesha received her bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College and is a lifelong resident of Brookhaven. She is married and has a 16-year old daughter. She loves reading, traveling, antique shopping and coffee!

SESSION 9
Fri., Aug. 11, 1 – 1:45 p.m.
Start, Build, and GROW your Women-Owned Business!

Rita Mitchell
USM Small Business Development Center, Center Director

Start, Build, and GROW your Women-Owned Business!

ABOUT RITA MITCHELL
Rita Mitchell is the director of USM’s Small Business Development Center. She began her career as a Counselor for the USM Small Business Development Center in 2015. Goals and team objectives have been surpassed each year and she was awarded State Star in September 2017. 2 USM SBDC clients were awarded STATEWIDE SBA “Businessperson of the Year” awards in 2022, and 13 clients were awarded Best of the Pine Belt by Signature Magazine polls, as well. Rita is also an Independent Consultant for retail specialty stores and independent small businesses, all outside Mississippi. As a consultant with Waldoff Group and We Know Pros Consulting, she produces consistent results and client goals achieved by financial analytics, hands-on assessments, re-branding, promotions, best practices of business enhancement, profit development, creative transitions, and positive efficiency. Also, Rita is the owner of Rita and the Fashionistas, a fashion and retail education, publication, and public presentation group.

Besides being the ghost-writer for a number of publications, Rita is a 50+ year retailer and advisor to “fine stores everywhere.” Home is between Little Rock, AR, and Hattiesburg. Rita’s husband is the Pine Belt’s retail consulting legend, the late Milton Waldoff.

Not an official part of the bio, but a side note from the Women Business Owner Summit: Ms. Rita is the ultimate cheerleader for small businesses in this area. If you don’t already know her, this is a MUST-attend session!

SESSION 10
Fri., Aug. 11, 2 – 3:00 p.m.
Re-Emerging Stronger: Leadership, Life, and Lessons

Mavis A. Creagh
Mavis A. Creagh Consulting, LLC, Owner
We Women Ministries, Inc., Owner
R3SM, Executive Director

Join us for an honest discussion about women, business, and life with Mavis A. Creagh!

ABOUT MAVIS A. CREAGH
Mavis A. Creagh is an advocate for Individuals with social, economic, housing, health, and educational challenges. She has dedicated over 20 years of dedication to service throughout Mississippi and beyond.

She is an executive director, 6X best-selling author, speaker, consultant, mental health proponent, community champion, women’s advocate, entrepreneurial strategist, columnist, and online show host.
Mavis currently serves as the Executive Director of R3SM, Inc. (Recover, Rebuild, and Restore Southeast MS) a nonprofit founded following Hurricane Katrina that specializes in restoration following disasters. Recently she established Mavis A. Creagh Consulting, LLC a brand that offers editing, writing, speaking, business consultation and most recently a boutique along with We Women Ministries, Inc. a ministry created to empower, enrich, and elevate women from all backgrounds.

One of her proudest accomplishments is being the mother to her amazing teenage son, Jordan!

Learn more and connect at www.mavisacreagh.com

HOST & SUMMIT CREATOR

Jennifer Clark
Emerge Events

Business ownership can be like a roller coaster ride, sometimes it is calm, sometimes you are holding on for dear life! It is not easy. It can be lonely. I created this Summit to bring women business owners together to discuss the realities of owning a business in this sped-up, post-pandemic world we are now living in. The world has changed so much so quickly and it is my passion to provide support, knowledge, camaraderie, and connections for women business owners so that they and their businesses can thrive!

ABOUT JENNIFER CLARK
I became an entrepreneur in 2009, the same year I became a mom! It has definitely been quite the roller coaster ride! I started my event planning company, Emerge Events, in 2011, with the Pine Belt Women’s Expo. Since then I have created several signature events and has also collaborated with other businesses and organizations to produce hundreds of events over the years. In 2020, the pandemic brought disruption to the events industry, but through collaboration and connection with fellow event planners around the world, I was able to survive and now not only produce events in our local community, but also globally.

Today I continue to coordinate my own events, like this summit, and I also work with businesses and organizations on their event planning needs, collaborate with other event planners, and facilitate event planning workshops, planning retreats, and other opportunities to share knowledge and information with other event professionals.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for the full summit are $150 and include:

Breakfast both days
Lunch both days
4 Women’s Expo tickets (August 12) to keep or give away ($20 value)
Goody bag
Door prize entry for both days

Limited spaces available, get tickets today!

Tickets are non-refundable but transferable.

Tickets can be purchased online by credit/debit card or Cash App. After Pay is also available, where your payment will be divided into 4 interest-free installments.

2-DAY TICKET

One-Day Only Tickets are $85 and include:

Breakfast
Lunch
2 Women’s Expo tickets (August 12) to keep or give away ($10 value)
Goody bag
Door prize entry

We would love for you to attend both days, but we understand that life is busy! If you cannot attend both days, purchase a ticket for the day you can attend.

1-DAY TICKET (THU)

1-DAY TICKET (FRI)

SPONSORSHIP & CONTACT INFORMATION

Do you want to get your products or services in front of an engaged group of women business owners? We have limited sponsorships available. If you are interested in sponsorship or if you have any questions about this event please contact Jennifer Clark, jennifer@emergeevents.com.

ABOUT US

This summit is presented by Jennifer Clark, the owner of Emerge Events, an event planning company based in Hattiesburg, MS. Jennifer has been a business owner for 14 years and has had the opportunity to connect with fellow women business owners through her events, like the Pine Belt Women’s Expo, through the Women Business Owners of the Pine Belt organization, and through her involvement in events around the world. Owning a business can often feel like you are riding a roller coaster! Connecting with others who are on the same ride and with those who have resources and information to help keep us on track is essential.