Makers, Micros and Mentors gathered on April 18 for a Valdosta-based development conference. Perfectly Priscilla, the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber, the Quitman-Brooks Chamber, and the UGA Small Business Development Center at VSU partnered on Valdosta’s first M3 Conference.

Seasoned business professionals shared their wisdom and experiences with a group of nearly 50 entrepreneurs travelling from Tifton, Quitman, Moultrie and Jennings, as well as Valdosta. Each presenter discussed the challenges and the benefits of entrepreneurship, sharing their struggles and successes, too.

Presenting sponsor for the 2018 M3 Conference, Deidra Thompson of Perfectly Priscilla Boutique, is an online fashion sales expert. Perfectly Priscilla Boutique exploded into a million-dollar business in just three years through thoughtful use of social media, and now boasts more than 820,000 likes on her Facebook page alone. Thompson covered topics pertaining to major social networking sites, the importance of a website, and how to show up first in Google searches (a process called Search Engine Optimization).

Have you ever heard that in marketing, you can’t go wrong with dogs and children? Well, 2018’s M3 Conference covered the “dog part” with Shannon Jones of Southern Pawz, who spoke about branding through quality packaging. Jones soon learned that the dog treat industry is highly competitive, and quality packaging is a major part of what distinguished her from her competition.

Heather Abbott and her husband began SouthLife Supply Company after both suddenly lost their jobs. Abbott disclosed the growing pains SouthLife experienced and how the company accommodated, making their leather products a known commodity in boutiques and stores across the southeast.
The afternoon session began with well-traveled photographer (and might we add, hilarious speaker) Javon Longieliere of Longieliere Photography. “Seriously, if you haven’t heard this guy speak, it is truly a treat,” says Chamber communications director Kaitlyn Redish. Longieliere provided down-to-earth, realistic tips-and-tricks for using great photography to market small business products.

Having a business is nothing if people don’t remember your name. Steven Heddon of Fusion Creative Marketing presented a branding workshop by taking a psychological perspective when it comes to a company’s logo and creating a “brand promise” to capture your audience and determine what your product means to them, setting you apart from your competition.

With comments like “…real issues discussed by real people,” and “…these speakers get it, they’ve been there,” the 2018 M3 Conference was a perfect fit for startups and veteran businesses alike. “After talking with many of the other attendees, I learned that we each walked away with so many ideas that we could go back and implement into our businesses immediately, and that is so valuable,” said Sally Sutton, SEO specialist and owner of Anchored Media Marketing.

“The M3 Conference is here to stay and you’re invited to join in on the fun!” said conference organizer and Chamber Vice President for Business Development Betty Morgan. “It’s all about providing the information, resources, and mentorship that nearly every small business wants and needs.  Keep an eye out for the next conference in April 2019!”