Good Business Summit 2025
Schedule at a Glance
Thursday, March 6, 2024 / 8 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. — Doors open. Coffee, breakfast and networking
9:00 a.m. — Creative Kickoff & Welcome
10 a.m. — Keynote on Main Stage
10:45 a.m. — Coffee Break
11:00 a.m. — Panel discussion on Main Stage
12:00 p.m. — GoodEats Lunch hosted by Verde
1:30 p.m. — Breakout workshops at nearby venues (pick from 3 options)
2:45 p.m. — Breakout workshops at nearby venues (pick from 2 options)
4:00 p.m. — GoodDrinks Happy Hour hosted at Sharehouse
2025 BREAKOUT SESSIONS:
- Aligning Values with AI: Purpose First Marketing in a Digital World (offered in Spanish translation)
- Advocacy in Action: Amplify Your Voice for Small Business Success
- Beyond Burnout: Practical Strategies to Boost Morale, Reduce Stress and Cultivate a Thriving Team (offered in Spanish translation)
- Belonging at Work: Building a Culture of Inclusion
- Storytelling with Brand Loyalty: Building Attachment Through Your Values
- Unconventional Capital: Finding Funds Outside of Big Banks
2025 SUMMIT SCHEDULE:
- Click through the expandable menu below to read descriptions and meet the speakers for each session.
March 6, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Get checked in, grab your and agenda and then join us for coffee + breakfast in the Charleston Music Hall.
Breakfast and coffee provided by Tinto y Provisions
Opening remarks and special creative kickoff performance:
Speakers:
Sarah Williams-Scalise – Co-owner, Sarah’s Dumps
Sarah Frick – Founder, The Works
“Dr. Key,” is a mission-forward visionary celebrated for developing an economic vehicle that empowers the Black community through collective wealth. Since founding The Village Market in 2016, she has served over 1,440 businesses and facilitated $8.3 million in direct sales to Black-owned enterprises. Her innovative “Village Model” integrates grants, mentorship, technical assistance, and a retail platform, setting a new standard for Black-owned business success.
Speakers:
Keynote: Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon– CEO/Founder, The Village Market
Enjoy 15 mins of stretch and refill time.
Beyond Burnout: Practical Strategies to Boost Morale, Reduce Stress and Cultivate a Thriving Team
In today’s fast-paced world, workplace burnout has become a pressing concern, affecting employee well-being and organizational success. This engaging panel discussion will explore actionable strategies to address burnout, foster resilience, and create a supportive work environment. Learn from industry leaders and experts as they share insights on reducing stress, boosting morale, and building a thriving team culture. Attendees will leave equipped with practical tools to enhance team dynamics and sustain productivity without compromising well-being.
Panel:
- Austin Dandridge, CEO of Cobble Hill
- Becca Schusler, Wellness Director at Atlantic Packaging
- Ben Towill, Co-founder and CEO of Basic Projects
- Techa Smalls Brown, Educator
Moderator:
- Lyn Tally, Sustainability Educator and Advocate for Atlantic Packaging & A New Earth Project
Lunch provided by Verde, outside in Hutson Alley (to the right of Charleston Music Hall front steps)
1. Aligning Values with AI: Purpose First Marketing in a Digital World (offered in Spanish language)
Location: Charleston Music Hall
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- Emma Giglio, Co-Founder, GCM, Moderator
- Michael Gasser, Co-owner, Squeeze Marketing
- Zac Streelman, Chief Technology Officer, REV
2. Advocacy in Action: How you can influence change at every level
Location: Upstairs at Rue de Jean, 39 John Street
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- Jordan Amaker, Director of Advocacy and Communications, Lowcountry Local First, Moderator
- Lauren Gellatly, Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, The Institute for Local Self Reliance
3. Belonging at Work: Building a Culture of Inclusion
Location: The American Theater 446 King Street
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- Dr. Shawn Edwards, CEO, Solutions by Shawn Edwards, Moderator
- Michelle Summers, Owner and Lead Designer, Michelle Summers Designs & Herby’s Flower Shop
Storytelling with Brand Loyalty: Building Attachment Through Your Values (offered in Spanish language)
Location: Charleston Music Hall
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- Darcy Shankland, Editor in Chief, Charleston Magazine, Moderator
- Carter Foxworth, Co-founder, The Works Cycle
- Gabrielle Nalbone, CEO, Bazaco Projects
- Sirena White-Singleton, Brand Photographer and Strategist, The Aneris Collective
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Unconventional Capital: Finding Funds Outside of Big Banks
Location: The American Theater, 446 King Street
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- Casey Berry, Owner, The Paper Canopy
- Jacquie Berger, Executive Director, Lowcountry Local First, Moderator
- Jenny Ferrara, Co-owner, Philosophers & Fools
- Nadine Johnson, Educator, Speaker, and Author, Your Mobile Tutor LLC
- Scott Hanson, Founder, Maverick Brands
Join us for happy hour across from the Charleston Music Hall at Sharehouse to connect with your fellow do-gooders.
* Sessions listed here are subject to change.