Arrive, check in, and start your day by connecting with fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders. This is the perfect time to grab a coffee, meet new people, and set the tone for an inspiring day ahead. Don’t forget to check out our raffle prizes and, if you're one of the first 25 registrants, claim your exclusive gift bag!

Kick off Strike Up 2025 with your hosts, Michelle MacLeod of Michelle MacLeod Photography and Sarah from Timberwood Designs.

Michelle and Sarah will welcome you to this inspiring live viewing event, set the stage for the day, and share what you can expect. Get ready for a day of learning, networking, and empowering conversations designed to help you grow personally and professionally!

In her presentation, Jillian shares her journey to business success, emphasizing the value of leading with the heart and pursuing joy, not approval. Through lots of trial and error, her unrelenting resiliency led her to discover this principle, which has helped shape her approach. Her path, from various roles to entrepreneurship, has been all about embracing this mindset. The creation of the Jilly Box, a curated quarterly subscription box which focuses on supporting small, minority-owned businesses, while keeping sustainability top of mind, demonstrates her heart-driven method. Jillian's venture into the Jilly Academy aimed to share her business insights and resilient spirit with others. She underlines the importance of authenticity and transparency while acknowledging the challenges of balancing growth with remaining true to her heart.

In this session you will learn:

• Practical AI Tips for Entrepreneurs: We’ll talk straightforward techniques and tools that business owners can implement immediately to level up business operations.
• Buying Back your Time with AI: How AI can free up valuable time for entrepreneurs by serving as your second brain, and team member. You’ll also learn how to work with ChatGPT to conduct a time audit.
• Leveraging AI in your Personal Life: Understand how AI can extend beyond professional use to improve personal efficiency and lifestyle. We will walk through a demo of how to use AI to hyper-simplify repetitive personal tasks like meal planning and grocery shopping.

Enjoy a catered lunch while experiencing a live recording of the Fearless Entrepreneurs Podcast! This is your chance to step into the hot seat and share your business journey, insights, and challenges.

Whether you're looking to gain exposure, practice speaking about your brand, or simply listen to inspiring conversations, this interactive podcast session is the perfect way to fuel up and stay motivated for the rest of the event. Don't miss this unique opportunity to have your voice heard!

Key Takeaways:

• Building Connections: Learn how to identify and cultivate meaningful relationships with your financial advisor and your support network to align with your goals.
• Finding the Right Fit: Gain insights on selecting mentors and financial partners who understand your vision and can guide you through challenges.
• Resilience in Networking: Discover how women entrepreneurs can leverage their networks creatively and strategically to navigate financial challenges and achieve success.

Join moderator, Lora Rigutto, CITP®, Partnerships and Community Lead, Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) as she helps you build a resilient foundation and guides you through:

• Practical direction on crafting effective strategies to tackle market challenges, adapt products and services, and manage export transactions
• An opportunity to create your own export vision with the help of a step-by-step template you will receive
• Hear first hand insights from inspiring women entrepreneurs who are actively growing their business in new markets

Take a break, grab some refreshments, and refuel for the rest of the event! During this time, Michelle MacLeod will share the power of professional branding photos and how they can elevate your business presence.

Learn how a mini branding shoot on March 1st can provide you with the high-quality headshots needed for your website, social media, and marketing materials—all at an exclusive discounted rate for Strike Up attendees!

Enjoy your break, connect with fellow attendees, and don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your personal and professional brand.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to differentiate between good stress, bad stress + stress vs. burn out
• Five techniques to help neutralize stress, overwhelm and navigate through the mental clutter keeping you stuck
• How to use the modality, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) to change your physical and emotional state

Join us as we wrap up StrikeUP 2025, provide additional resources and let you know what is in store for the rest of the year.

Join hosts Michelle & Sarah as we wrap up the day with final thoughts and gratitude for an incredible event. Then, get ready for the raffle prize draw—have your ticket handy for a chance to win!