CBEX - Business Owners – Overcoming a Lonely Planet

Charlotte Business Exchange (CBEX) Speaker Series

Since 2014 CBEX has presented insightful business topics and developed an impressive group of business leaders who are regular attendees. In 2024 we continue our series and are excited to announce our next event that continues our “Growing Your Business in 2024” theme!

Thursday, November 21st - Business Owners – Overcoming a Lonely Planet!

Come join us for an exciting event where you'll learn how to take your business to the next level with valuable insight from other local business owners and those that help those owners succeed!

CBEX is delighted to have Perry Pacheco, David Kostmayer, and Julia George join our panel of powerful local business leaders. Each of them in their own way and within their own organizations, have experienced the ups and down of being a business owner. And each has learned valuable lessons along the way from advisors and coaches, along with fellow business owners.

Whether you're a business owner, leader or advisor, this event is perfect for anyone looking to boost their business growth. Network with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights, and discover new strategies to propel your business forward. Don't miss out on this opportunity to grow your business with Charlotte's Boom!

Join us to hear our panelists share:

• How They Got to Where They Are
• Why Success Takes Many Detours
• The Impprtance of Peer to Peer Groups
• Growth strategies for small and medium businesses
• Addressing challenges in Charlotte’s business landscape
• Important Insights Into Navigating the Lonely World of Business Ownership

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024.

Location: Suffolk Punch Brewing South Park 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC · (704) 397-3904 (between Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Container Store – back side of Southpark Mall)

Time: Networking - 7:30 AM- 8:00 AM | Event - 8:00 AM- 9:00 AM

PANELISTS:

Perry Pacheco - President & CEO, Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry -Hadley has been a leader in the retail jewelry industry. Hadley came into her current role as CEO at Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry in July 2023 following the unexpected passing of her father, Co-Founder of Perry’s, Ernest Perry.

David Kostmayer - Member GBK Peabody, PLLC - David has a passion for strategic financial consulting, value growth and M&A services.

Julia George - CEO of Heartwood Tree - Part tree whisperer, part business strategist!

Moderator:

Brandy Milazzo - Founding Partner, Co-Owner, Managing Partner, and Corporate Law Co-Team Leader at Erlenbach & Milazzo Law, PLLC d/b/a Summit Law - Brandy has recently decided to concentrate on what her and her co-founder love to do and do well: – transactional law – mergers & acquisitions, finance, commercial real estate, supply chain, technology, and general corporate work –and to restructure so that they are more equal partners.

Cost to Attend: $35.00

Includes Full Breakfast Menu: Smoke bacon, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, toast with butter and jelly, coffee and juice.

Join us for an engaging and informative session that will leave you motivated and inspired.

Register Now!

PANELISTS

Hadley Perry Pacheco - President and CEO - Perry's Diamonds & Estate Jewelry

Hadley graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004 with degrees in political science and international studies. She went on to obtain her law degree from Roger Williams University in 2008. Hadley completed the Applied Jewelry Professional program in 2020 and Graduate Gemologist program in 2022 with the Gemological Institute of America.

Prior to joining the jewelry industry, Hadley had a brief career as an attorney in Boston, MA working in litigation defense. Her background in the legal field has helped shape her previous roles as Vice President and General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer, and in her current role as CEO.

For over twelve years, Hadley has been a leader in the retail jewelry industry. She began her professional career in retail jewelry in 2010, joining her parents Ernest and Priscilla Perry in the family business, Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry. Hadley came into her current role as CEO at Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry in July 2023 following the unexpected passing of her father, Co-Founder of Perry’s, Ernest Perry.

Hadley has been recognized by Charlotte Business Journal as a “40 Under 40” (2013), the Mecklenburg Times 50 Influential Women (2012), the recipient of the Gold Stevie Award, Female Executive of the Year, Consumer Services (2012), Enterprising Women of the Year (2021), and most recently 2024 Vistage Impact Award, among other awards.

Additionally, Hadley has been a member of the Rotary Club of Charlotte South since 2011, serving as President in 2017-2018, and was honored as the Club’s Distinguished Rotarian for the 2018-2019 Rotary year. Hadley currently serves as the Secretary of the Charitable Foundation of Charlotte-South Rotary. Hadley has also served since 2021 on the Board of Directors of the Allegro Foundation, a nonprofit organization that combines movement instruction with medical and educational expertise to teach children with disabilities and enhance their quality of life.

David Kostmayer - - Member GBK Peabody, PLLC

David is committed to helping growth-oriented businesses meet their short- and long-term business goals. Beyond traditional accounting and tax services, David has a passion for strategic financial consulting, value growth and M&A services.

David has been helping privately held companies make smart financial and tax decisions since 1994. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, David received his credentials as a Certified Value Growth Advisor (CVGA), as a Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor (CMA&A) from the Alliance of Merger and Acquisition Advisors and as a Certified Valuations Analyst (CVA – inactive) from the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA).

David’s expertise has been recognized by the academic community. In association with the Alliance of Mergers and Acquisition Advisors, David is an adjunct professor responsible for lecturing and maintaining course content for the tax section of the Certified Mergers and Acquisition Advisor Credentialing Program.

David received his Bachelors of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern Mississippi and his Master of Tax Accounting from the University of Alabama.

David lives in Charlotte, NC. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his six children and collaborating with his fellow entrepreneurs in the Charlotte chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization.

Julia George - - CEO of Heartwood Tree

Julia is a part tree whisperer - part business strategist

As the CEO of a 45-year-old family-run tree business in Charlotte, I’m passionate about transforming nature’s challenges into sustainable solutions. When I’m not overseeing tree care operations, I’m diving into the art of preventative maintenance or helping clients ensure their trees outlive them. Growth—whether in trees or business—is what I love most, and I aim to make complex solutions approachable for everyone.

Since joining the business in late 2018, my journey has been shaped by the support of Renaissance Executive Forums, which has been instrumental in helping me grow my career and build a company I’m proud to represent every day.

MODERATOR

Brandy Milazzo - Founding Partner and Co-Owner of Summit Law

Founding Partner, Co-Owner, Managing Partner, and Corporate Law Co-Team Leader at Erlenbach & Milazzo Law, PLLC d/b/a Summit Law.

Brandy has recently decided to concentrate on what her and her co-founder love to do and do well: – transactional law – mergers & acquisitions, finance, commercial real estate, supply chain, technology, and general corporate work –and to restructure so that they are more equal partners.

Brandy had the honor and privilege to serve on several boards and in leadership positions, including the Girl Scouts Hornets’ Nest Council, NCDT (now The Charlotte Ballet), Rotary, church, the Mecklenburg County Boy Scouts Council Executive Board and Freedom Communities Board. She currently serves on the Catapult Board. As for her academic background, she earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of South Carolina,along with her M.I.B.S. from the Darla Moore School of Business. She also attended Campbell University, receiving a B.A., summa cum laude.

Host or Publisher Charlotte Business Exchange (CBEX)