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In "Designing Resilience: Crafting a Business That Withstands Adversity," Kelly shares her transformative journey from surviving an abusive marriage with no savings or education to building an Emmy Award-winning creative agency. After discovering $20,000 hidden in a garage wall—half gifted from her future husband that would become the seed money for her business—she launched VMG Studios from a small garage office, eventually growing it into a successful agency with clients like Coca-Cola. Through her story, Kelly reveals three essential strategies for designing resilience into any organization. Her message powerfully demonstrates how resilience, when intentionally cultivated, can transform both personal adversity and business challenges into stepping stones for extraordinary achievement.

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Peace by Piece International and KNow Research will present to other women-owned businesses on the benefits of partnerships and collaborations. They will highlight how KNow's annual pro bono program differentiates the company and inspires new collaborative opportunities. Peace by Piece will share about the need, as a small social impact business, how through collaboration, they have grown their business and strengthened their messaging and customer connections. The presenters will emphasize that WBENC connections lead to collaboration, sparking mutually beneficial partnerships, which in turn create a rising tide that lifts all small business boats. The presenters will stress the power of vulnerability and proactively seeking partnerships, even for resource-constrained enterprises. They will explain how collaborations can help small businesses access new markets, expand capabilities, and overcome limitations by leveraging complementary strengths. The presenters will highlight WBENC's crucial role in facilitating authentic regional connections that foster camaraderie and support growth through shared expertise and resources. The core message will be that collaboration is essential for small, women-owned businesses to collectively achieve more than they could individually.

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Join us for an engaging workshop led by two industry experts: VMG Studios's Kelly Sparks and MODE Studios' Bob Bonniol. Together, they will reveal how Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) can leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to build their marketing efforts and compete on a level with much larger companies. This interactive workshop will introduce practical AI tools that empower small business owners to optimize strategies and gain the edge of having an in-house marketing guru without the high costs. Bring your questions and get ready to engage!Kelly and Bob will guide you through essential AI applications perfect for WBEs, covering everything from building a marketing plan and personalizing image content to building your own custom GPTs. You’ll discover cost-effective AI solutions that can streamline your marketing efforts and allow you to focus on building meaningful connections with your audience. Whether you're just beginning with AI or looking to deepen your knowledge, this workshop offers an invaluable opportunity to learn how to use AI effectively to drive growth, increase visibility, and stay competitive in a fast-paced digital world.

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From a stay-at-home mom to founder of Spirit Sox USA, Lisa Riggs shares her journey of turning a school fundraiser idea into a thriving business. After leaving her corporate career at NetApp, Lisa faced the challenges of starting her own business head-on, using WBENC certification to access resources that fueled her company's growth. Today, Spirit Sox USA is making strides in B2B and B2C markets and is featured in retail giants like Sam's Club and Hudson News. Lisa's story is a testament to resilience, resourcefulness, and the power of community support in building a successful woman-owned business.

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KELLY SPARKS - KEYNOTE

FOUNDER & CEO AT VMG STUDIOS

I’m proud to lead VMG Studios, a women-owned, multi-Emmy Award-winning creative marketing and branding agency specializing in video, animation, and design. I love working with my hand-selected team of artistic visionaries who creatively translate your culture and message to your audience.

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VANEESE JOHNSON - EMCEE

THE BOLDNESS COACH

I help women to amplify their brand, grow their business and change the world! As a Business Growth Coach, Personal Brand Strategist and Professional Speaker, I bring a keen ability and an intuitive approach to help you brand out loud daily (BOLD), brand in your gifts (BIG) and become branded and distinctive (BAD).

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JANICE R. GREENE, PH.D.

PRESIDENT AND CEO - WBEC PACIFIC

I am an experienced leader with demonstrated ability to successfully design, integrate and align economic development and strategic work placement into enterprise strategic business objectives.

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STACIE HARWOOD

SR. PROGRAM MANAGER, SUPPLIER DIVERSITY - T-MOBILE

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LISA RIGGS

SOCK QUEEN - SPIRIT SOX

Are you looking to stand out from the crowd? How do you stay top of mind and memorable with your clients?I can accomplish all of that for you in one word - SOCKS!

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KATRINA NOELLE

PRESIDENT - KNOW RESEARCH

I opened the doors of KNow Research in 2003 with energy, determination and focus towards the goal of consistently delivering quality insights. Over the years, that goal has driven the expansion of the agency with a continued focus on methodological innovation.

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LAURI PASTRONE

FOUNDER & CEO - PEACE BY PIECE INTERNATIONAL

I'm a social impact entrepreneur who believes in creating pathways for second chances... because at one point or another, we've all needed a second chance.

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BOB BONNIOL

CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER - MODE STUDIOS

I have served as Chief Creative Officer at MODE Studios for 25 years, working with clients like Walt Disney, General Motors, NBCUniversal, Activision, Marvel Studios, Live Nation, AEG, JMW, GPJ, and countless producers, recording artists, and brands to create moments that CONNECT audiences, create community, and elevate joy.

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JOEL GILLESPIE

GROUP PROGRAM MANAGER, SUPPLIER DIVERSITY - MICROSOFT

As a Group Program Manager at Microsoft, I am responsible to develop and implement strategies to increase the participation of diverse owned suppliers in our supply chain. I have over 18 years of broad experience in supply chain management and procurement roles.

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COURTNEY FRAGA, P.E.

REGIONAL SUPPLIER DIVERSITY MANAGER - SKANSKA

I serve the diverse business community as an active listener, problem solver with an engineering background, and passion for the construction industry. I thrive on continuous improvement initiatives, creative methods of maximizing opportunities for small, diverse firms, and using data to be a catalyst for change.

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