By the age of 25 Marcus Taylor Founded and is CEO of Venture Harbour, a digital innovation studio that has built a multi-million dollar portfolio of highly-automated online businesses with ZERO outside funding. Marcus also developed the World's first scientifically-valid method of measuring human comfort zones and has been featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30. Marcus wants to show budding entrepreneurs how they too can build a profitable business without taking investment!
Michelle Ison is a Northern Virginian native with an M.S. in Communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. She recently left her career as a television producer and host to help people celebrate special moments with Picnic & Peonies, a luxury picnic and micro-event company in D.C. & NYC. Michelle is an expert in all things style, design, and attention to detail, which is apparent in every event she hosts.
Marcia Maxwell left the corporate world to pursue her passion of fashion and design. She founded her brand in her namesake, but it is also known as MBM Swim. Her first swimwear collection was in January of 2019 and has already gotten the attention of Victoria’s Secret, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, and many others. Through faith and grit, Maxwell is working to grow her brand to be the next big name in swim and resort wear.
Matia Johnson is a native Washingtonian, strategic communications specialist, visual design guru, screenwriter, and newlywed! She has an undergraduate degree in English and Communications, and a masters in Producing Film and Video. With over 10 years of experience in publications, program development, and communications in both the government and nonprofit field, she has developed a niche for branding and has established Innovative Minds Media, DC’s premier branding agency for small business start ups. “IMM” specializes in digital branding, marketing, and small business tools for Creatives, those who are looking to open their own business, or take their business to the next level. As a rising entrepreneur herself, Matia continues to trust in GOD, determination, skills, and passion to see her dreams, and other people’s, take the shape of reality.
Michelle L. Perry established herself as a subject matter expert over the course of her career as a clinical social worker in the field of child welfare that spanned over 20 years. She then transitioned into the corporate world where her leadership and coaching skills were refined, producing results in all that she works with. As an Empowerment Coach, Podcast Host, Speaker, #1 international best-selling Author, and Online Course Creator, Michelle contributes to the journey of others by supporting them to see results, and experience an increase in confidence and momentum in their lives.
After going to school to become a computer engineer, Matt decided to follow his passion and start a food blog and youtube channel with his wife 6 years ago. Their content focuses on living a healthy lifestyle through a low carb diet. They grew their website to more than 1 million monthly pageviews in less than 1 year and currently have close to 1 million youtube subscribers. They are now working on acquiring, building and operating a portfolio of content websites.
Marshall has been involved in online marketing for over 12 years. He has been living and traveling in his RV for over 6 years. In 2017 he and his business partner (another full-time RVer) created an RVing website called Camp Addict. Over the past 3 years, Camp Addict has grown to be the premier website dedicated to informing RV consumers.
Michelle Pellizzon is the founder of Holisticism, a wellness-tech company providing affordable, accessible holistic wellness care. A former professional dancer-turned-tech founder, she started Holisticism after overcoming an epilepsy diagnosis at 17 using holistic medicine. After spending 6 years in Silicon Beach working at various startups like Thrive Market and Laurel & Wolf, Michelle started Holisticism as a passion project and has quickly grown it to a community of over 45k people.
Former Professional basketball player (6'8" 240") turned Sustainable Health & Fitness coach (I'm also vegan and have been for some time now) Ended pro career in 2011 and opened my first gym in 2013 and onto my second gym in 2016. Lots of highs and lows. From a massively growing gym and community, to losing my vehicle & going days without eating. My passion is sharing the happiness that being healthy and fit can bring to anyone of any journey. Currently i've transitioned to mainly online systems allowing me to reach and support even more people.
Marcia Moran has written over fifty business plans and helped entrepreneurs strategize over how to differentiate their companies in changing environments. Her twenty-plus years of experience helping other entrepreneurs caused her to found her own firm, Performance Architect, in 2012 and co-founded Positive Business DC that same year. After suffering a major stroke in 2014, Marcia applied her skills in planning and strategy as she strived to become whole. Over time she learned to walk again, but Marcia struggled with aphasia, a language disorder. She joined Toastmasters International hoping to regain her speaking abilities, and it helped some, but in August 2017 she discovered a technological breakthrough that minimized her speaking disability. Let's hear from Marcia what coming back from the stroke was like.
