Meet the Community
As a brand photographer who partners with visionary entrepreneurs, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the day-to-day rhythm of building a business. That’s why spaces like Women Connect feel so special—because they remind us that growth happens best in community.
Women Connect is a professional women’s networking organization with chapters across Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Huntsville, Cullman, Knoxville, Louisville, and Memphis—and it’s still growing. Every event, retreat, and conversation centers around connection, collaboration, education, and fun—helping women grow together in both business and life.
The Journey to Franklin
This year’s Women Connect LIVE 2025 Conference was held at The Factory at Franklin, about an hour and a half from Huntsville. With an early start and Nashville traffic to consider, I turned the trip into a mini getaway with friends from our Huntsville, Alabama chapter. We made it a girls’ trip—staying overnight Thursday so we could arrive refreshed and ready for a full day of inspiration on Friday.
The event promised to deliver:
- Motivational and business-focused speakers
- Women-centric conversations and networking
- Actionable strategies to grow personally and professionally
And it absolutely delivered.
The Experience
From the moment the doors opened, the energy in Liberty Hall was contagious—driven by ambitious, growth-minded women ready to connect and learn. The speaker lineup included an incredible mix of visionaries, from business leaders to Olympians:
- Julie Solomon — Personal branding coach, author, and host of The Influencer Podcast
- Coach Micheal Burt — Business coach and founder of The Greatness Factory
- Chari Hawkins — Olympic heptathlete and motivational speaker
- Heather French Henry — Emcee and advocate for veterans
- Tammie Osborne — Founder of Bridgemore IT Consulting
- Lieutenant Commander Kellie Sbrocchi — U.S. Naval Officer and motivational speaker
- Juliana Balinbin Stachurski — Founder of Mercer Franklin
- Panelists: Amy Lynn Green, Dr. Lorraine Charles, Dr. Michelle Montville, Pamelyn Rocco, moderated by Neisha Rogers
Each brought something powerful and distinct, but a few lessons stood out most for me.
- Chari Hawkins shared about noticing fear—asking, “Is this fear realistic?” and reminding us that courage is the practice of moving forward anyway.
- Kellie Sbrocchi encouraged us to have “delusional confidence”—the kind that lets you act before you feel ready, and to audit who (and what) you’re investing your time in.
- Juliana Stachurski reframed strategy and creativity, reminding us that every business needs a strategist, an artist, and an implementor—and sometimes, we wear all three hats. Her advice to “stop posting just the pretty” hit home; the strategic content matters just as much as the aesthetic.
- Julie Solomon spoke about communicating from the highest version of yourself and your client, emphasizing brand clarity and identity before bringing AI into your messaging.
- Coach Micheal Burt challenged us to identify our primary skill, understand what problem we solve, and choose the right vehicle to fulfill our purpose.
