WOMEN IN BUSINESS

The Greater Blu ton Chamber of Commerce hosted its inaugural Women in Business Luncheon, Presented by Beaufort Memorial, at Venue 1223 on Thursday, October 13, 2022. The inaugural event captured the attention of more than 125 individuals who came together to empower, support, develop, and connect with fellow professional business females within the Greater Blu ton Community.

The keynote speaker of the inaugural event was Joy Baldridge, Baldrige Seminars International, a Top 41 globally sought-after motivational speaker and Author of three (3) books: The Joy in Business, Innovative Ideas to Find Positivity and Profit in Your Work Life. At the young age of 19, Joy performed her first speaking engagement at the White House! You can imagine how captivating Joy was to the audience.

The highlight of the luncheon was honoring and recognizing finalists and the recipient of the 2022 Inaugural Women in Business Award, Sponsored by Simply Stated Retirement Solutions. The award was created to recognize women in business who have demonstrated exceptional growth, change and impact in the Greater Blu ton area. Eleven (11) outstanding females were nominated to receive this prestigious award, which were each vetted by individuals in the Chamber of Commerce industry from Florida, South Carolina, and Kentucky.

Leslie Rohland, the founder and owner of a number of Blu ton’s most established local businesses including The Cottage Café, Bakery & Tea Room, The Juice Hive and May River Co ee Roasters, was honored as the 2022 Inaugural Women in Business Award recipient.

Rohland has been committed to growing and impacting Blu ton since she first opened The Cottage Café in 2009. At that time, and with no restaurants on Blu ton’s “main drag”, she decided to use her culinary skills to open a unique restaurant – restoring Blu ton’s historic cottage built in 1868 by J.J. Carson and transforming it into what today is one of Blu ton’s most historic community landmarks. Since 2009, she has employed more than 400 local residents through her growing businesses and is tied deeply to the community – serving on several Boards and giving back to many community non-profits. In addition, she has won many local and national awards for her cuisine, which has generated positive publicity for the Greater Blu ton Area.