3rd Annual Pine Belt Women Business Owner Summit
Thursday and Friday, August 14-15, 2025
PRCC Woodall Center
906 Sullivan Dr., Hattiesburg
2025 SUMMIT ATTENDEE GUIDE
Check out all the Summit details, including agenda, session descriptions, speaker bios and more!
Our mission is to unite women business owners through connection, collaboration, and shared knowledge—empowering them to thrive personally and professionally.
We envision a thriving network of women entrepreneurs who uplift one another, drive economic growth, and create lasting legacies in their communities and beyond.
2025 SUMMIT THEME
Building business.
Building community.
Building legacy.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
If any of the following apply, this Summit is for you!
- You own or co-own a business, or plan to start one.
- You are new to business seeking guidance.
- You are an experienced business owner looking to level up.
- You are part of a family business where you have or will have a significant role in running the business.
WHY ATTEND?
- Get practical strategies you can immediately implement in your business and your life.
- Learn about new business trends and resources you may not otherwise find out about.
- Spend time working ON your business instead of always working IN it.
- Find motivation and accountability to keep you going.
- Find a safe place to share both struggles and successes with fellow women entrepreneurs.
- Be inspired with new ideas and solutions for your business.
- Get information, great swag and beneficial connections through our community partners.
- Enjoy delicious meals and treats prepared by fellow women business owners.
- Showcase your business card or promotional materials on our attendee resource table
TICKET INFORMATION
One and Two-Day Summit Tickets Include:
Breakfast and lunch from local women-owned businesses
Keynotes, breakouts, and connection-building
Chances to win great door prizes
Opportunities to visit sponsor tables for information and fun swag
Complimentary ticket to Meet & Greet – Thursday, 4:30-6:30pm
Ticket Rates
Two-Day Summit Ticket – $180 (best deal!)
One-Day Summit Ticket – $100
Meet & Greet-Only Ticket – $40
Register below. Payment options include credit/debit card, Cash App, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Square Pay, and After Pay (dividing payment into 4 interest-free installments).
Tickets are non-refundable but they are transferable.
AGENDA
Thursday, Aug. 14
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Visit Sponsors, Networking & Breakfast by Latresa’s Treats
Add your business cards, flyers, etc. to the attendee resource table!
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
You too can be self employed.
Lee Anne Venable, Little Dog Consulting
9:15 – 9:45 a.m.
Building Business – Building Community – Building Legacy – at this Summit
Jennifer Clark, Emerge Events
9:45 – 10:00 a.m.
The Power of Photography: Boost Your Brand, SEO & ROI
Amanda Kyrie, Amanda Kyrie Productions
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Structure Before Scale: The CEO Mindset for Financial Clarity & Growth
Caitlin Chancellor, Chancellor CPA
10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Break, Visit Sponsors & Networking
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Mississippi’s Entrepreneurial Advantage: How Women Can Lead the Way
Janet Parker, Innovate Mississippi
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Building Business. Building Community. Building Legacy – in Downtown Hattiesburg
Moderator: Emily Gallaspy, Downtown Hattiesburg Association
Panelists:
Erin Little, The Author Shoppe
Allison Neville, Live at Five
Jacqueline González Wooton, Nuestro Arte Gallery/Mississippi Latinx Art Association
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Empowered Lunch: The Story Behind the Food
Enjoy a delicious lunch by a women-owned business, and hear the story behind the food!
Nicole M. Jones, The Shoppe
AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
Faith, Family, and the Freedom to Flourish: Building a Business Without Losing What Matters Most
Nicole M Jones, Maximize Your Eight
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
Media Tips for Business Owners
Lici Beveridge, USA TODAY Network
Hailey Lanham, WDAM 7 News
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Flow, Focus & Flourish: Finding Your Calm in Business and Beyond with Yoga and Meditation
Dr. Charkarra Anderson-Lewis, Just Fine — Fitness, Health & Wellness
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
From Vision to Reality: Building, Growing, and Protecting Your Business
Annie Williams, The Elegant Designs Experience
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.
Building Beyond Business Basics
Mavis A. Creagh, Mavis A. Creagh Consulting
3:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Day 1 Closing & Door Prizes
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Meet & Greet
The Grove Venue
Delicious food & beverages provided by women-owned businesses. Professional headshots, chair massage, demos and more!
Friday, Aug. 15
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Visit Sponsors, Networking & Breakfast Provided by From Scratch Bakehouse
Add your business cards, flyers, etc. to the attendee resource table!
9:00 – 9:20 a.m.
Building Business – Building Community – Building Legacy – at this Summit!
Jennifer Clark, Emerge Events
9:20 – 9:30 a.m.
The Power of Photography: Boost Your Brand, SEO & ROI
Amanda Kyrie, Amanda Kyrie Productions
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
The Business of Building Community
Reona Burnett, Boots on the Ground by Project GAP/ MS HUB Complex
Didi Ellis,Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center
Jason Niblett, Domestic Abuse Family Shelter
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Estate Planning for the Business Owner
Shakita Taylor, Shakita Taylor Consulting
10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Break, Visit Sponsors & Networking
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
The Mississippi AI Collaborative presents AI 101: Useful Frameworks and Tools for Your Business
David Collins, Mississippi AI Collaborative
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Laughing All the Way to the Bank
Lisa Salcedo, Hancock Whitney
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Empowered Lunch: The Story Behind the Food
Enjoy a delicious lunch by a women-owned business, and hear the story behind the food!
Jackie Munn, Catering by Jackie Munn
1:15 – 1:45 p.m. – Breakout Session
The Mississippi AI Collaborative presents AI 101: Useful Frameworks and Tools for Your Business – PART 2
David Collins, Mississippi AI Collaborative
1:15 – 1:45 p.m. -Breakout Session
Building Community while Building Business
Christy Amay, Amay Jewelry Designs, Pink Ribbon Fund
Melissa Saucier, Mississippi Made & More, Shop Local Mississippi, Southern Cork & Barrel
2:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Breakout Session
Community and Your Legacy
Jessica Delrie, Hands UP! Coaching Services
2:00 – 2:30 p.m – Breakout Session
Sales Tax and Your Small Business
Kesha Smith, MS Department of Revenue
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.
Beyond the Brokenness: Dressing the Mind and Body for Resilience
Danyella Terrell, LCSW, Berry Boujee Boutique, Inc.
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Summit Closing & Door Prizes
THANKS TO OUR SUMMIT SPONSORS!
Thanks to our sponsors for supporting women-owned businesses! You can visit their sponsor tables at the Summit.
Join us as a sponsor and help us celebrate and empower our local women business owners!
Email Jennifer@EmergeEvents.com for information.
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
PRODUCED BY
CONTACT
ABOUT US
This summit is presented by Jennifer Clark, the owner of Emerge Events, an event planning company based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Jennifer has been a business owner since 2009 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.