Thousands of entrepreneurs gathered inside the Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Illinois on March 21–22, 2025, for the 2025 Business Leadership Conference—a free two-day experience focused on faith, financial empowerment, and funding opportunities.
Hosted by Living Word’s Joseph Business School, the event brought together thought leaders, venture capitalists, and purpose-driven founders who are building businesses to create generational wealth.
“Dream so big that not even you can believe it,” said Friday night’s keynote speaker Dr. Trisha Bailey, who owns a dozen companies and is the wealthiest Jamaican-born woman in the world. “I continued to dream, and now I’m living in this ‘beyond’ that my grandma told me to live.”
Pitch Competition: Entrepreneurs Seek Money to Scale Up
One of the weekend’s highlights was the Scale Up Venture Capital Showcase, where entrepreneurs shared bold ideas with investors and community stakeholders.
Shaunta Gray, founder of AppraiserPro, is creating an AI-powered marketplace to streamline real estate appraisals. “This outdated, fragmented system is ripe for change,” Gray said.
Terrance and Dandria Williams of Shateria Beauty pitched their natural haircare brand. “Other companies are struggling to understand coils, curls, and textured hair—and that’s where we come in at,” they began. “Our ingredients are consistent with what your grandma used to tell you. We are not just a beauty brand. We are a movement.” Their pitch earned them 2nd place in the pitch contest —and a $3,000 prize.
Renita Gamble, Director of S&R Truck Driving Institute, took home the first-place prize of $5,000. “Our graduates are on the road,” she said, proudly training the next generation of truckers.
Felicia Williams of Seed2Fruit Education introduced a senior care solution and walked away with $1,000 as the 3rd place winner. “I truly give God ALL the glory for giving me the courage to step out in faith to enter and win 3rd place in the BLC Pitch competition during a most tumultuous time in my life,” Williams shared on LinkedIn.
Wisdom from the Wealth Builders
The event wasn’t just about raising capital—it was about raising consciousness.
In the session “Pyramids of Wealth”, investor and entrepreneur Stuart A. Taylor II outlined the layers of financial success, starting with a cushion, or emergency savings. “My cushion is two years. I need it because I don’t have anyone to go to. That cushion became my bridge,” he said, reflecting on life after corporate employment.
He challenged attendees to make retirement and children’s education a priority before spending on toys or luxury items. “If you can’t manage yourself, it is unlikely you will be able to manage a business,” Taylor said. “When you understand the power of compounding, you won’t even worry about excessive and frivolous spending.”
Another speaker, Edward Walters, led a session focused on Millionaire Mindset. “It didn’t take genius—it took discipline,” Walters said. “Say no to yourself. Live below your means. And open a brokerage account—it’s the path of least resistance.”
He encouraged attendees to start with small, consistent investments. “I made half my salary last year in securities. Apple stock paid for my daughter to go to the University of Miami.”
Faith Meets Finances
Dr. Bill Winston, founder of the Joseph Business School and host of the event, reminded attendees that faith is a foundational business principle. “Don’t forget to dream. It keeps you in the game,” he said. “In days of famine, our people will be fed.”
Conference sessions ended with powerful moments of prayer. “May we not get weary in well doing,” one pastor declared during Friday’s night session. “Pray for a fresh infusion of faith into every entrepreneur in this room.”
CBS anchor Adrienne added a personal note: “If we don’t have integrity, our success will be short-lived. The only thing that will allow you to scale is the power of the living God.”
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