Education has always been a part of my personal development, past and present. This year is no exception for me and I have four different events on my calendar. First up is the Southern C Summit (my third year) that took place in Sea Island GA at The Cloisters.

I am not sure how I found The Southern C but when I did I knew that I had come across a smart, talented and energizing group of women. Initially I followed them through social media, admiring their members, events and speakers they would attract at their annual Summit. In 2020 I became an entrepreneur I found many smart and creative women to look up to as virtually. My favorite, Libbie Summers, she is smart, creative and authentic, someone I wanted to emulate. In the Spring of 2020 Libbie posted on Instagram that she was going to be sharing with The Southern C membership about Brand Storytelling. I reached out to Libbie and asked if I could attend the call even though I was not a member of The Southern C and she graciously invited me to attend. After that call I joined the Southern C and have been an active member since.

After being let go from my company and my 28 year career in sales I needed The Southern C and the members more than they could imagine. My career had been all about connection and that is exactly what the Southern C offers, the connection of like minded women , all hustling daily to grow their business. In January 2021 and I attended my first Southern C Summit and I have committed to attending this annual event to further my education and connection with other female founders.

This year I took some time before the summit began officially on Wednesday morning to take a day for myself, enjoying the Spa at The Cloister and all the amenities it offers. I choose to have a massage on Monday and Tuesday before the Member Party a manicure and pedicure.

Tuesday nights Member Party was my official kick off to the Summit. The party was held at the beautiful home of Elizabeth Carmichael, an Interior Designer in St Simons GA. Elizabeth’s beautiful home was filled with other members, reconnecting with one another after a year of Zoom calls. We were back together once again. After the party of group of us went to dinner at Dorothy SSI, a magical cocktail and oyster bar.

The Swag Market is a favorite event of all attendees. Businesses showcase their products and services and in addition give a gift to each attendee. When we check in we are given a bag to hold all of our treasures. This years Swag Market was epic, Nacre Watches gave each one of us the most beautiful watch, Match South took the time to learn about each attendee and gifted a match book print specific to the member. I was gifted Kentucky Fried Chicken print, perfect and so thoughtful. My bag was filled to the brim with so many amazing products, we all felt spoiled.

The sessions covered a variety of topics my favorites including SEO from Cobble Hill, Leading with Confidence, moderated by Lydia Fenet , Kelsey Ogletree moderated an editor panel that discussed how to pitch national magazine and freelance writers.

A big part of the Summit is the connections that are made during the event. I was excited to reconnect with Grace Hamlin, Megan Roth, Carrie and Louise from Pappy and Co and meet Christy Cotton from El Quapo Bitters. I am confident that we can work together in some capacity this year, highlighting one another business through blog post, giveaways and gifting opportunities.

It is always bittersweet at the end of the Summit to leave but I am so thankful I can connect with my friends on a weekly basis on the Southern C Member calls. Membership offers a deeper connection to like minded women, access to a video vault filled with content from industry leaders and friendship.

In April I will be heading to NYC to attend the Cherry Bombe Jubilee, a one day event celebrating on women and creatives in the world of food and beverage. These are my people and I am so excited to attend for the first time. In June I will be attending the FAB event in Charleston, another women in food and beverage conference in Charleston. Super excited to be a scholarship recipient, the conference and my hotel is covered, such a honor to receive this gift. And in June Steve and I will be attending the Fancy Food Show, we will not be showcasing our products but looking to the future and what may be for In the Curious Kitchen.

I am making 2023 my year of learning how to be a better founder from those I admire. It’s the year of investing in myself and my business. Do the same for yourself and invest in your professional development too.