What's the SCORE

Dr. Laine Powell is the founder and CEO of Tech Sassy Girlz, a non-profit organization dedicated to 
building the future workforce by transforming the lives of adolescent girls to pursue science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields through career readiness, mentoring and entrepreneurship.
Taking on the challenge head-on of addressing the notable shortage of girls and women in STEM fields, Dr. 
Powell created the organization in 2012 to address the critical shortage of women and minorities being 
represented in high-tech STEM careers. She firmly believes that leveraging technology is an opportunity for 
girls to be content creators, makers and entrepreneurs. To date, Tech Sassy Girlz has served over 3,000 
girls. 
Dr. Powell is also the vice president for AceApplications, LLC, a technology solutions provider for 
businesses, schools, and government agencies. AceApplications delivers custom software, systems 
integration, mobile app and web development, data analytics and reporting, training and IT staff 
augmentation. 
Dr. Powell is also the Host and Producer of the podcast, Microdoses of Joy, a podcast and lifestyle brand 
emphasizing tiny moments and big joy.
In 2026, Dr. Powell received the Linda Landman Gonzalez Leadership Award and the University of Central 
Florida College of Business Entrepreneurial Knight Award. In 2025, Dr. Powell received the Frost 
Luminary Award presented by Congressman Maxwell Frost. As part of this distinguished 
acknowledgement, Dr. Powell’s name has been officially entered into the Congressional Record. Also in 
2025, Dr. Powell was recognized by Winter Park City Magazine as a Woman of Influence. In 2024, she 
received the Education Pillar Award from the Central Florida Black MBA Association, was recognized as 
one of Orange Appeal Magazine’s 2023 Woman of the Year, 2022 Heart of Florida United Way Change 
Maker, Onyx Magazine’s 2022 Woman on the Move, Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Women Who Mean 
Business, 2021Orlando Magic Social Justice Game Changer, Orlando Magazine’s 2020 Woman of the 
Year, WESH 2 News and Orlando Magic Community Champion and received the 2021 WTS International
Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership award, African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida Eagle 
Award, i4Business Magazine Spirit of Collaboration award, University of Central Florida Trailblazer 
Award, featured on PBS, NPR, ABC, Fox and received a host of other community and professional awards.
Dr. Powell has been published in the Orlando Sentinel and the Orlando Business Journal. 
Dr. Powell was featured in the Legacy of Excellence: Phenomenal Black Women in Central Florida 
Exhibit at the Women’s History & Cultural Center. Created to highlight the lives and legacies of AfricanAmerican women who have significantly contributed to the Greater Orlando area, this exhibit featured
women from a variety of professional fields who have shattered glass ceilings and laid the foundation for 
generations to come. 
In the community, Dr. Powell is a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, a life member of 
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the University of Florida Alumni Association, and serves on the 
board of Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, and the Women’s Business Center at Seminole 
State College. Dr. Powell recently completed her four year term on the board of Florida Polytechnic 
University.
Dr. Powell received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Florida, Master of Education from 
the Pennsylvania State University, Master of Science in Management from the University of Central Florida 
and her doctorate in Instructional Technology and Distance Education from Nova Southeastern University. 
Dr. Powell is married to her college sweetheart, Courtney

Jaylen Christie 

Author, Cartoonist, Sociologist and PR Practitioner 

Jaylen Christie is an award-winning PR practitioner overseeing day-to-day execution of ongoing publicity initiatives that generate media coverage. He has worked with brands including The Walt Disney Company, American Heart Association, NAACP, Massey Services, Baker Barrios Architects, Sodexo, and The Salvation Army. Jaylen is the creator, author, and illustrator of the comic book “Stink Bomb Man and The Brain Kids,” and has been featured as a guest speaker at San Diego Comic-Con, which has become the focal point for the world of comic book conventions with attendance topping 130,000 in recent years. He has been recognized by Black Enterprise as a B.E.

Modern Man, an initiative honoring the essence, image, and accomplishments of today’s man of color. Additionally, Jaylen is a two-time international Hermes Creative Award winner, and has received a MarCom award, the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and Florida A&M University's 40 Under 40. He was named Trailblazer Professional of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America’s Sunshine District chapter in 2022. Jaylen has a master’s degree in communication from the University of Central Florida, where he is currently earning a PhD  in sociology with a research focus on representation in comic book literature; a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Florida A&M University; and he is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated

Jaylen Christie
Writer | Cartoonist | Actor | Speaker | PR Pro, Superfly Nerd, LLC

Ebony Russ  
HR Leader and Expert Educator 

Ebony Russ is a Human Resources Business Partner with 20 years of experience in HR and management. She began her career in the insurance and financial services industry and later worked in aerospace and defense, leading policy development, employee relations, investigations, and performance management. 
She also serves as an Adjunct Professor, teaching Human Resource Management and Training & Development. Ebony earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bethune-Cookman University and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. She also holds certifications in Human Resource Management, Human Resource Development, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Drawing from firsthand experience navigating corporate culture, Ebony helps professionals—from entry-level employees to executives—understand performance, perception, and opportunity. 
She is the author of Tea, Tactics, and Tenacity, a guide inspired by the lessons she learned and now shares to empower others. Originally from Miami, Florida, Ebony is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and enjoys family time, cooking, traveling, and life as a proud dog mom to her Yorkshire Terrier, Creed.

BOYD KARREN
Business Broker, OTRO FINANCIAL

Boyd is a serial entrepreneur. He loves the world of small business and believes deeply that small business ownership is the key to strong communities and wealth creation. 
Boyd has earned two master’s degrees in business: an MBA from Indiana University, and a Master of Global Management degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
He became a business loan broker and started Otro Financial after experiencing his own difficulties in finding funding for his small business opportunities. He saw a serious gap in the marketplace seeing that it was very difficult for start-ups and new businesses to get the funding they need. So, Boyd specializes in finding funding for start-ups and new businesses. 
Boyd and his wife, Kristi, just celebrated 31 years of marriage in August. They are the parents of four adult children and are enjoying their lives as empty nesters. In his free time, you will find him and his wife enjoying tacos, road trips, or finding yet another business to buy.

Karol Guevara
Business Loan Broker at OTRO Financial

Karol Guevara is a Business Loan Broker at OTRO Financial, a driven Latina, entrepreneur, and soccer mom, passionate about connecting with people from all walks of life and helping them succeed.
She is an honors graduate in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia, with entrepreneurial experience operating a LATAM e-commerce business. She moved to the United States in 2005 and became a U.S. citizen in 2013.
Karol is known for her strong problem-solving skills, approachable personality, and ability to quickly understand clients’ needs—creating trust from the very first conversation. She is a patient, positive, and dependable funding partner, capable of performing in high-pressure environments while guiding clients through customized financing solutions.
Today, she specializes in supporting startups, small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and Spanish-speaking clients, helping them access strategic funding options at every stage of their business journey.
📧 [email protected] | 📞 321-750-8413

Nequosha Anderson, Esq.

Nequosha is a Small Business and Intellectual Property Attorney dedicated to helping entrepreneurs protect and grow their brilliance. With over a decade of experience, she guides creatives and small business owners across the U.S. through the legal side of building a business — from forming entities and drafting contracts to securing trademarks, copyrights, and brand assets — so they can focus on monetizing their genius and building lasting legacies.

ABOUT ALF:
Anderson Law Firm, or “ALF” was founded in July 2013. The firm's practice areas include business law, business consulting, and intellectual property. The firm is based in Orlando, Florida, but services clients nationwide. 

Law Firm Website: 

•    https://www.andersonlawfl.com 

JONATHAN DESOUZA

(215) 820-1357 [email protected]

Distinguished, growth-minded, and resourceful business consultant with extensive experience providing strategic guidance focused on

the customer interface and brand strategy. Skilled leader with proven track record of creating new business opportunities, growing

existing business, and increasing revenue. Goal oriented professional, skilled at establishing strategic partnerships and strong client

relationships that consistently yield positive returns.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

DreambigU LLC, Philadelphia, PA & Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2018 – Present

Principal / Managing Partner

CONSULTING

• Appointed as president and managing partner of multiple LLCs, providing business expertise and guidance focused on increasing

revenues through strategic branding as well as organizing investors for all companies.

• Developed, designed, and directed restaurant & craft brewpub 2312 Garrett in Suburban Philadelphia – negotiated purchase of a

distressed building and revamped bar in building to make it to one of the most successful in the area.

• Conceived and built out a brand for HairTV/Doo-It-Yourself videos and acquired the products for an online retail business.

• Designed, built, and managed multiple beauty establishments which included retail components. Several of the designs received

award recognition in industry publications.

• Former Partner at both Echo Salon & Spa and the Wilton Manors Escape Room – served as an investor and strategic advisor.

• CEO and Founder at My Pool Boys – pool cleaning services company – served as an investor and strategic advisor.

• Partner with Azmi Agency – company providing in-home private styling services (hair, massage, make-up, light therapy, Reiki).

REAL ESTATE

• Created a financial system that quickly evaluates potential profit of real estate investments and successfully mentored over 100

real estate investors to achieve their desired business objectives.

• Teach students/apprentices this system of evaluation of real-time estimation of rehabilitation cost and a system to purchase

property with very little risk formula to purchase investment property offering no more than 80% of retail value minus fix-up

costs to ensure their success.

• Recognized as a real estate expert and interviewed on local radio show – Bob Diamond Show on B101 Radio.

• Developed, managed, and grew a Philadelphia-based real estate business by 60% cutting costs and increasing revenues by adding

amenities such as concierge, welcome, and cleaning services to improve tenant base. Took quarterly cash flow from $38K to

more than $73K in 3 months.

• Successfully coordinated with sub-contractors to complete residential and commercial sites for rental use. Partnered with Neil

Rogove Builders acting as co-general contractor and project manager of more than 20 buildouts of university of campus housing.

Historic Lansdowne Theater, Philadelphia, PA 2011 – 2016

Elected Board Member

Raised funds as a board member at the Historic Lansdowne Theater, to renovate 1920’s theater to its glory. Raised $16.4K at first

event hosted at home, in a matter of an hour and a half and secured money from producers of the Silver Linings Playbook film to use

as theater back drop for the movie starring Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper.

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD

Held Principal / Managing Partner at the following organizations:

33 Street Cabana LLC, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

My Pool Boys, LLC, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

AIJon Management, LLC, Philadelphia, PA

HairTV, LLC, Philadelphia, PA

Paradisio, LLC, Elkins, PA

Vog Saloon LLC, Philadelphia, PA

2310 Garrett, LLC, Drexel Hill, PA

EDUCATION & LICENSURE

Real Estate License, State of Pennsylvania – 2004

Business Coursework, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Business Coursework, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Hebron Academy, Hebron, ME

Paolo, is a global strategic executive and business advisor with over 20 years of leadership experience across North America, Europe, and Asia. He has a proven track record of leading large, multi-billion-dollar organizations in the automotive, industrial, and consumer goods sectors, having held senior roles including President & CEO, Executive Vice President, General  
Currently, Paolo is the President & Founder of Vannini & Associates LLC, an international advisory firm that supports European companies entering and expanding in the U.S. market, and is also President of Boosting Roi LLC, a C-level business coaching company focused on the learning and delivering of Blue Ocean Strategy projects, where he helps executives and organizations unlock new market spaces and drive profitable growth. His advisory work spans startups, corporations, institutions, and private equity groups, with a focus on strategy, leadership, communication, and business growth implementation.
Earlier in his career, Paolo served as President & CEO of Fiat USA, where he led the North American operations of the Fiat Group, overseeing 23 companies, 17,000 employees, and $13 billion in revenue. During his tenure, he streamlined operations, supported major M&A initiatives, and expanded the company’s regional footprint. He also held senior leadership roles in corporate communications, playing a key role in raising the global visibility of the Fiat Group through high-profile media, IPOs, and institutional engagements.
In addition to his corporate career, Paolo co-founded Alta Cucina Inc. in New York, a pioneering marketing platform promoting authentic Italian food and wine, successfully launching large-scale campaigns and events and achieving strong commercial growth.
Paolo began his international career managing joint ventures and market expansions in Europe and India, demonstrating early expertise in global business development, market entry strategies, and operational leadership.
He holds a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing and is fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French

Tadar Muhammad
Chief Operating Officer, First Vice President of CareerSource Central Florida

As Chief Operating Officer and First Vice President of CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF), Tadar Muhammad delivers strategic oversight on administration and workforce operations for all federal, state, and local workforce development programs and grants. He spearheads all operational aspects of the organization that invests $30 million to serve more than 38,000 career seekers with career development opportunities and nearly 3,500 businesses with skilled talent annually. He helps forge new partnerships within CSCF’s five-county footprint in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Sumter counties.  

Prior to joining CSCF, Tadar was the Chief Development Officer with the Heart of Florida United Way where he was responsible for driving and growing revenue for the organization and creating new partnerships. 

Tadar’s success comes from his commitment to understanding the community he serves through his Board service and active participation in many Central Florida organizations.  

He is a member of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) and Evans High School Giving Back programs. He serves on the Board of Directors for Sunshine Charter High Schools in Orange and Osceola County, The Poinsette Foundation, Route 7 Orlando and Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida.
A native Chicagoan, Tadar moved to Orlando in 1983, after receiving a scholarship to attend Valencia College. He has a B.A. in Organizational Management from Warner University and earned his Executive MBA from Rollins College's Crummer Graduate School of Business. 
He lives in Orlando with wife Gina along with four children Elijah, Ciera, Mariyah, and Malik.  

Ashley is a web designer and the founder of Endgame Design Co., helping small business owners turn their websites into clear, client-converting tools. With a background in art and design, she blends creativity with strategy to build sites that not only look good but also support real business growth.

She earned her art degree in Virginia and got her start in the digital world through a design internship working on websites for construction machinery companies. Not long after graduating, a former mentor invited her to join a new web company and encouraged her to learn coding on the job. She quickly taught herself to code the sites she designed, kicking off a career that combined both design and development.

After several years in the industry and a move to Miami, Ashley found herself doing more coding than creative work. Feeling burned out, she made a bold pivot during the pandemic—leaving her job, enrolling in interior design school, and starting her own interior design business while relocating to Orlando. While networking for that new venture, she kept meeting fellow entrepreneurs who were frustrated with their websites and unsure how to fix them.

With her mix of design and technical experience, Ashley realized she could genuinely help. What started as small website fixes turned into full redesigns, ongoing support, and real results for small business owners. That momentum led to another pivot and the business she runs today, where she helps service-based owners feel confident in their online presence and excited about their growth."

Chauniqua "Major" Major

Founder of Whatever’s Good PR + Marketing & Major’s Project Pop

Chauniqua "Major" Major is a values-driven communications strategist who helps good brands thrive.

She is the founder of Whatever’s Good PR + Marketing, a woman-led agency specializing in nonprofits, retail and restaurants, and corporations on a mission to do good.

Her team works with organizations across the country to craft authentic, ethical messaging through their proprietary framework, Communicating with Dignity.

With nearly 20 years of experience in media relations, strategy, influencer marketing, community engagement, and crisis management, Major has partnered with startups, nonprofits, and global brands including Carnival Corporation and Amazon.

She is also the founder of Major’s Project Pop, a nationally recognized popcorn company featured in Forbes and Business Insider, with partnerships including Netflix and more.

Major lives in Orlando and is training to become a pilates instructor. 

Eloise Benoit

Author, Speaker, and Entrepreneur

Eloise Benoit is a dynamic and inspiring author, speaker, and entrepreneur whose journey as a Haitian immigrant has profoundly shaped her mission to empower others. With a deep commitment to creating nurturing and transformative spaces, Eloise is known for cultivating intimate, powerful environments where hope, light, and love flow freely, reminding others that they are beacons of possibility.

She is the author of Unwired, a book rooted in identity, healing, and purpose, and the founder of Made for More, a purpose-driven platform and movement dedicated to helping individuals unlock their God-given potential. Eloise’s work is anchored in her belief that everyone is truly made for more.

With a professional background in healthcare and an entrepreneurial journey rooted in the financial services sector, Eloise brings a holistic perspective that bridges faith, wellness, purpose, and practical empowerment. Whether through her writing, speaking engagements, entrepreneurial endeavors, or advocacy for health and healing, she serves as a catalyst for new beginnings.

Eloise firmly believes in God’s healing power to transform lives and is passionate about guiding others to embrace their identity, walk in purpose, and step boldly into all they were created to become.

Heather Siskind: Executive Coach 
With over thirty years of extensive leadership experience across various industries, Heather is a seasoned executive coach dedicated to empowering leaders to achieve their fullest potential. Known for her strategic vision, insightful guidance, and profound understanding of organizational dynamics, Heather has helped numerous individuals and teams navigate complex challenges and drive sustainable growth.
Throughout her career, Heather has held prominent leadership positions in many organizations, leading teams through periods of transformation and expansion. Her hands-on experience in executive roles provides invaluable insights into the realities of leadership in today's dynamic business landscape.
As an executive coach, Heather leverages her wealth of experience to offer personalized coaching programs tailored to the unique needs of each client. She has a deep understanding of human behavior to facilitate meaningful insights and foster lasting behavioral change.
With a passion for continuous learning and development, Heather stays abreast of the latest trends and best practices in leadership and coaching. She is a credentialed Professional Certified Coach(PCC) with the International Coaching Federation and has a master’s degree in social work. She is committed to helping leaders cultivate the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving business environment.
Heather is renowned for their empathetic and strength-based approach, unwavering commitment to client success, and ability to inspire transformational change. Whether working with C-suite executives, emerging leaders, or high-potential individuals, Heather is dedicated to unlocking full potential and guiding others towards achieving their professional goals.

Penney Fox

I understand where you’re struggling with developing your social media content. 
Because I know that all women entrepreneurs don’t all fit in the same mold and we can’t all use the same template downloads to write our social posts. I know this to be true because I know what i feels like to wonder why I can’t get this content stuff to work for me. 
Who am I and why do I know that being creative works to help you develop your content? 
I’m a marketing specialist who focuses on content development/strategy for over 20 years. Within my consulting work, I discovered my superpower – teaching small business owners how to fit social media marketing into their already crazy busy weeks. {I’ve taught 100’s of classes at the National Entrepreneur Center in Orlando} 
What do I teach in the Create Your Business program? 
I don’t force you into a cookie-cutter process where you’re required to follow steps in exact order. In fact, one of my biggest sayings is “There’s no right way or wrong way to do this. Just your way.” 
You’ll learn a new creative process to unlock the parts of your brain to work through the gap from where your customers are right now to where they want to be. The Create Your Business program gives you the tools to get your customers from Point A, being in the problem to Point B, having the problem solved. 
The Create Your Business program is about learning how to develop a marketing strategy for your business that works for YOU, your OPENNESS to new ideas, and your PRIORITIES for your business. You’ll finish this program with a process to help you learn creative problem-solving techniques and worksheets to help you expand your marketing messages to reach more customers and to see tangible results. 
You’ll stop saying, “I’m stuck and I don’t know what to do with my marketing messages.” You’ll start believing that you’ll know what to do to come up with your marketing messages and see results. You’ll find your confidence to reach your customers online. 
Seriously, if a self-study program and subscription box had a baby, it would be the Create Your Business process – Content Development Marketing in a Box for women entrepreneurs who are tired of the cookie-cutter approach to content creation. 
Specialties: Content Development Process Pinterest Management and Consulting Programs Growth Marketing Strategy Time Management and Productivity Coach Social Media Marketing Campaigns Social Media Training

Shaping the future through the intelligence of nature has been my lifelong mission.

I am an executive leader in innovation and industrial design, holding more than 70 patents across healthcare, mobility, luxury, consumer electronics, and sustainability. My work integrates biomimicry, strategic foresight, and human-centered design to create solutions that are both practical and transformative.

I have led global innovation initiatives at Pininfarina, Motorola, Herman Miller, Gillette, and Masimo—delivering award-winning products and systems ranging from the Maserati Birdcage 75 to advanced medical wearables. My approach bridges engineering, design, and sustainability to build products that endure.

As an academic at institutions including the MIT Media Lab, the Université de Montréal, and the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, I have mentored the next generation of innovators now leading breakthroughs across industries.

Today, through my strategic consultancy, I advise organizations seeking to solve complex challenges by harnessing nature’s intelligence—bringing foresight, regeneration, and long-term competitive advantage to innovation strategy.

I currently serve as a Councilor of the World Design Business Organization (WDBO), a global leadership body shaping the economic and strategic role of design across business, technology, and policy.

Design is an evolution. The most advanced solutions already exist in nature—if we learn to observe, translate, and apply them.

Dr. Mouriño is an experienced professional with many years of leading, supporting, and

consulting on areas focused on Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, and

Workplace Strategies.

Dr. Mouriño is an Air Force veteran and brings broad industry experience that include

Aerospace, Government, Utility, IT, Military, Higher Education and Fortune 100

companies,

He is founder and president of Human Intelligent (HI) Workplace, an organization

focused on helping leaders help themselves through leadership, human capital trends,

and executive coaching emphasizing the area of Human Intelligence (HI) in the era of

Artificial Intelligence (AI).

He has spoken at numerous professional venues in the U.S. and internationally and

presented in Spanish. He has written numerous articles on human capital trends with

implications for organizations and its leadership. He is the author and co-editor of

several books and numerous articles on related topics.

Natalie Citarelli 
Broker / Owner, Citarelli Realty Group

Natalie Citarelli is a lifestyle influencer and real estate professional dedicated to helping those ready to heal, level up, and build peaceful, financially secure lives. 

Through her content and business, she encourages others to stop settling, raise their standards, and create a life aligned with their worth—emotionally, physically, and financially. 

She has been in real estate since 2003 doing mortgages and running teams enjoying her boutique brokerage. She knows about getting good deals and building wealth as she has become a self-made millionaire. 

She now likes to help others understand financial value with invest investing in real estate.

Elgin Fedrick

Born in Orlando Florida, and raised in the kitchen from a young age,cooking eggs for the first time at 8 years old to cooking for some of your favorite athletes he has done it.

He learned at an early age from his mother, grandfather and father the levels of hospitality it takes to make everyone apart of the experience included in  every aspect from planning to execution.

A private chef who focuses on a wholistic hospitality approach to not just provide 5 star meal but 5 star quality experiences throughout your interactions with him and his company.

His background comes from earning his degree from Kieser university and studying hospitality at FSU ,along with learning under French master chefs along his journey and executing culinary arts and hospitality from collegiate dinning experiences like student dinning and athletics, to restaurants, country clubs and retirement resort style living.

Clean healthy eating starts with a chef who has a passion for locally sourced produce and meats and only the best quality ingredients, it is his mission to serve and lead with love which he does with every client he has.

Elgin also enjoys mentoring young men and helping guide them on life’s journey by being an example to them that possibilities of life are endless through sharing his story and providing support and encouragement along the way.

He lives by two mantras !

MIs En Place- a French culinary that means everything in its place. Which intuitively means having proper planning and execution of every aspect of life.

Be the leader you needed. Meaning always do your best to pay it forward no matter what was done for you.

Amazing Bead -A- Rama: Our Story

The inspiration for Amazing Bead -A- Rama started right at our kitchen table back in 2009, born out of a mother’s necessity and a daughter’s curiosity. When I began homeschooling my daughter, Cheyenne, who was struggling with math, I needed a way to make counting and patterns click. Enter the bead room! We turned stringing beads into a hands-on math lesson. Counting the beads on a headpin became addition; taking them off became subtraction. What started as creative tutoring quickly blossomed into a shared passion for crafting unique, handmade jewelry.

The turning point from hobby to business happened when Cheyenne copied her first pattern and turned it into a beautiful pair of earrings. She made several pairs that day, and I contacted our local farmers market owner. Cheyenne set up a small table, sold every pair, and the business took off from there. Our journey since then has been incredible:

· In 2014, we met Kevin Harrington from Shark Tank, who loved our mission.

· In 2015, Cheyenne enrolled in Warren Buffet’s Secret Millionaires Club, where she won a $500 check to invest in the business.

· In 2020, we had the immense pleasure of taping our pitch for Shark Tank after being invited back by Kevin.

Over the years, we’ve come to realize that every bead has a story to tell, connecting our past, present, and future. We owe everything we do to my Grandma Ann, our first mentor, who taught me how to work with beads when I was just five years old. She always said that this skill would ensure I would never be without pocket change. Grandma Ann passed away in 2002 before Cheyenne was born, but her legacy, patience, and entrepreneurial spirit live on in every single piece of jewelry we create today at Amazing Bead -A- Rama.

Alan Bernstein, SHRM-SCP is owner and Chief Human Resource Consultant of HR Office Savers, Inc. Alan advises small business clients on employment practices and Human Resources solutions related to staffing, compliance, employee relations, compensation, outplacement, and more.        
Alan serves on the Executive Committee of SHRM Florida State Council as Council Secretary. He is a Board Member of LEAD Brevard, past president of the Space Coast Human Resources Association, and teaches the HR Certification preparation class for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP at Eastern Florida State College. Additionally, he has been voted Best Consultant on the Space Coast, HR Florida Volunteer of the Year, and Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year. Alan is active with his local community and provides free resume writing and job search seminars to local non-profits virtually and in-person.
Prior to launching his business in 2018, Alan held a series of Human Resource leadership positions of increased responsibility. He has worked across many areas of human resources, with extensive experience in delivering strategic staffing and retention plans for both small and large organizations throughout his career. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Buffalo, is Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, and is a Senior Certified Professional with SHRM. Originally from New York, Alan and his family have resided in Central Florida since 2016.

SCORE mentoring is a free, confidential service for anyone starting, running, or growing a U.S.-based small business. Work one-on-one or in a small group with an experienced business mentor who will listen to your goals, ask thoughtful questions, and share practical advice based on real-world experience.

You’ll be matched with a mentor based on your business needs and can meet virtually, by phone, email, or in person. Together, you’ll tackle specific challenges - from starting up and managing cash flow to hiring, marketing, or planning your exit - and create an action plan for your next steps. You can return to your mentor as often as you need, for the life of your business.