On November 8th and 9th, I had the pleasure of hosting our 8th annual Platform Builder® Summit – an all-VIP, exclusive gathering that, once again, proved the power of women entrepreneurs coming together. This year’s theme, “Collaborations and Pivots,” resonated with our audience, as we explored how strategic partnerships and adaptive thinking can fuel marketing, growth and revenue.

Held over two days at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, our summit brought together a dynamic mix of small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and visionaries ready to elevate their impact and platform. From strategic marketing insights to personal branding and the nuances of government contracting or non-profit success secrets, each session and speaker inspired action and meaningful mindset shifts.

Setting the Stage for Impactful Connections

From the moment attendees stepped into the venue, there was an undeniable vibe. We kicked off with a Millionaire Mindset session with Euronda Travis and transitioned to the Marketing State of the Union, where I shared the current consumer climate, the latest trends, and insights shaping marketing. This session set the tone for our summit, emphasizing the importance of staying attuned to market shifts while staying true to our unique brand values.

The rest of Day One was filled with empowering talks and workshops, including sessions on creating a powerful personal brand with Holly Byrd Miller and doing a dream storm with Jean Tillery. One key takeaway from Day One? Collaboration will boost your profits.

Day Two: Diving Deeper into Strategy and Growth

Day Two continued with a powerful lineup, including topics like scaling businesses with government contracts by Latasha Brooks, Power Dressing with Tanya Russell and nonprofit success strategies from Dr. Shantell Chambliss. The day continued with business spotlights on DeLinda Carter & Marcea Marsh. The Money Panel, featuring financial experts Shan-Nel D. Simmons, Dr. Tamara W. Dias, and Charese Chambers, brought practical advice on financial planning, money mindset, and tax planning.

The summit closed with reflections, takeaways, and a commitment to action. Every attendee left with a renewed vision for their business.

Our theme: Collaborations and Pivots

This year’s theme reflected our shared journey as entrepreneurs. Collaboration opens doors and expands our reach, while the ability to pivot allows us to adapt and thrive in change. Throughout the weekend, we heard stories of proof that building your platform works—testaments to what’s possible when business owners partner and remain open to new directions.

Thank You to Our Incredible Speakers and Guests

This summit was made extraordinary by each speaker and participant. The knowledge, experiences, and shared wisdom left an impact on everyone in attendance, myself included. Thank you to every guest who came ready to lean in, engage, and transform. And to my fantastic event team and all those who helped bring this summit to life—thank you for your excellence and dedication.

I am grateful for the journey of hosting The Platform Builder® Summit and look forward to the next steps to make more money.

During the 8th Annual Platform Builder Summit, Mitchell Productions awarded one of our clients the 2024 – The Platform Builder Award. Here is what Dana had to say:

“At The Platform Builder Summit – The VIP Experience, I had the humbling honor of receiving a Platform Builder Award. To say it was surreal would be an understatement. Every day, we work hard privately—pouring our hearts and energy into our dreams—and to have that effort recognized publicly was both unreal and deeply humbling.

I’ve always been drawn to wisdom, and it’s no surprise that many describe me as an old soul. There’s something so powerful about being in the presence of those who openly share their experiences to help others along their journeys. This award is a reminder of the value of being coachable and committed to growth.

A heartfelt thank you to Sharvette Mitchell for seeing my hard work and recognizing it in such a beautiful way. You make it easy to rest under your umbrella of leadership because you lead by example. Your guidance, wisdom, and encouragement have been instrumental in my journey, and I’m so grateful to have you as my coach.

This moment is a reflection of the incredible support system I’ve been blessed with and the dedication it takes to keep showing up. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Let’s keep growing, learning, and building platforms together!”