Over 100 entrepreneurs and small business owners gathered at Southwestern Family of Companies last week to attend the fifth annual Nashpreneurs Conference. Each year, the Nashville Area Chamber gathers creatives together for an interactive conference to provide resources and support to those looking to grow and scale their business.

This year’s theme was Capital Catalyst: Driving Small Business Success through Venture Capital and Banking. Attendees heard from panels of experts in the areas of angel investing and venture capital, higher education, banking, small business support, and more! Each panel provided tangible takeaways for those looking to access capital and provided information on alternative funding streams that they may not have been aware of before.

To kick off the day, attendees heard from Mignon Francois, Founder and CEO of The Cupcake Collection. She is also the new author of Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe. Mignon shared insights on her motivation to start her own business, and some of the challenges she faced when following her dream. Mignon was then awarded 2023 Nashpreneur of the Year. Sam Davidson, 2022 Nashpreneur of the Year, presented the award. ‚”Entrepreneurs are defined by their ability to turn dreams into realities, and the Chamber has always been a great partner in supporting and uplifting Nashville’s entrepreneur community,” said Francois. ‚”Being awarded the 2023 Nashpreneur of the Year award is a testament that the values of faith, vision, and perseverance can help each of us to unlock our full potential.” Mignon was joined by her friends and family to accept the award.

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce aims to support small businesses and entrepreneurs by creating a community where they can connect and prosper, learning from each other and succeeding together. Thank you to all that attended, and we look forward to next year!