E-Talk Speaker Series, 10/1 & 10/2
Join us for our exciting two-day E-Talk Speaker Series featuring entrepreneurial minds from diverse industries and backgrounds! Immerse yourself in their inspiring stories, make connections, and expand your network.
Day 1 (10/1)
From Social Media to Storefronts: Dwight Peters on Growing Businesses
11:00 AM - 12:18 PM
Dwight Peters combines his love for commercial real estate with social media expertise to help food and retail brands open stores and grow their business. Learn how he turns ideas into thriving storefronts and online momentum.
Meet the Artist: Soumya Das on Creating Action Figures and Storytelling
2:00 PM - 3:18 PM
See how Soumya Das combined creativity and entrepreneurship to launch a company that transforms folklore into unique action figures and graphic novels.
Wellness Meets Entrepreneurship w/ Sheneka Dalmage FNP-C, M.Ed.
3:30 PM - 4:48 PM
Join Sheneka Dalmage, Nurse Practitioner and founder of Touchd Medical Spa, as she shares how resilience and vision helped her grow a small practice into a thriving business and community destination.
From Scratch to Success: Inside Ellen Sledge's Journey as an Ice Cream Entrepreneur?
5:00 PM - 6:18 PM
Join Ellen Sledge, founder of Penny Lick Ice Cream, as she shares how she turned her passion for food into a successful nut-free ice cream brand. Discover how she created allergen-free ice cream with simple, local ingredients and grew her business from farmers markets to multiple stores. Whether you’re interested in startups or just love good food, this E-talk offers inspiration and valuable insights into building a purpose-driven business.
Day 2 (10/2)
Building Community Through Play & Purpose with Kemesha Salmon
9:00 AM – 9:52 AM
Discover how Kemesha Salmon turned her passion for educational and inclusive toys into a thriving business and a platform for community change. In this E-Talk, she shares her journey of founding TP Toys and Kemesha’s Kommunity, showing how entrepreneurship and service can work hand in hand to create lasting impact.
Abe Kasbo on Storytelling That Builds Brands
11:00 AM – 12:18 PM
Abe Kasbo, Founder & CEO of Verasoni, a marketing communications advisory, consultancy and agency, reveals how powerful strategy and storytelling can shape brands, inspire action, and drive success.
From Journalism to Meta: Reshaping Storytelling with AI with Tamara Best
2:00 PM – 3:18 PM
Discover how Tamara Best built a career bridging journalism, technology, and entrepreneurship. Now at Meta, she explores how AI is reshaping storytelling and creative opportunities for diverse voices.
How to Attract Investors to Your Startup with Indaria Jones
3:00 PM – 4:48 PM
Want to turn your idea into a business people will invest in? Join us for this dynamic E-Talk as Indaria Jones shares her experience helping founders grow ventures, secure millions in funding, and turn their vision into reality.
Pouring Passion: The Manor Sangria Story with Bo DiBuono
5:00 PM – 6:18 PM
Bo DiBuono, Iona alum and founder of Manor Sangria, shares how he turned a homemade recipe into a growing small-batch brand. Learn how he applied his business experience to build a product rooted in passion, community, and local flavor.
Submitted on: September 22, 2025
Submitted by: Marisol Chappell