‘We need to encourage each other ... find your spot’
The Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Luncheon celebrated local businesswomen and their contributions to the community.
The March 27 event was held at Butler Hall, sponsored by Delong’s Gizzard Equipment. Sixty women attended the luncheon.
Local businesswoman and Gray Downtown Development Authority Chairman Sherri Rollins gave the welcome and opening remarks. She talked about the role of women.
“We are all born as leaders,” she said.
Rollins spoke of her family and the leadership role she had found as part of a family that has made a huge impact on the City of Gray and Jones County.
“We need to encourage each other to be involved; find your spot,” she said.
The keynote speaker for the luncheon was Jessica Walden, president of the Macon Chamber of Commerce. She talked about her Jones County roots and her father Alan, who was part of the music scene with his brother Phil Walden, one of the founders of Capricorn Music.
Jessica told the history of Southern Rock from the perspective of her front row seat. Her uncle discovered and worked with entertainers such as Little Richard, Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers, while her father was in Florida finding talent of his own, including Lynyrd Skynyrd.
She said she left Macon to go to college and returned for a position with the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Her company, Rock Candy Tours, was formed after the hall of fame closed, which all led to her current position.
Jessica said she enjoys promoting Macon and its history. Her final remarks were a crash course in how to tell a story to promote the brand of a business or a city, a key component for economic development.
“The goal is to resonate and capture imagination,” she said. “Begin with the end in mind.”
In the absence of a chamber director, Main Street Gray Director Ashley Roberson and Jones County Development Executive Director Haley Watson have been sharing the role. They were responsible for the event’s success.
Watson said the Women in Business Luncheon was a vision she and Roberson shared for over a year.
“Seeing it come to life was truly inspiring. To gather so many dynamic, driven and influential women in one space was nothing short of powerful,” she said.
The director added the event was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when intention meets action.
“I am grateful to have been part of it.”
Roberson said she felt the luncheon presented a great atmosphere.
“Having all of those amazing women in one room,” she said. “I enjoyed hearing Jessica’s story, and I look forward to doing it next year.”
