EPIC CEO Roundtable Connects Students with Local Business Leaders

Last month, the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation’s EPIC program hosted its annual CEO Roundtable, providing students with a unique opportunity to hear directly from local entrepreneurs and business leaders about the realities of building and leading a business. This year’s panel featured a fantastic range of expertise and perspectives, including:

• Tim Lower, SimpliHOM Alabama

• Janel Hawkins, Sandcastle University

• Nick Cantrell, Cantrell Studio

• Chrissy Clay, Entrepreneur and Consultant

A major theme of the afternoon was the power of branding, and it’s safe to say each of our speakers knows a thing or two about standing out. Students learned how a strong identity can shape a business's direction and create lasting recognition within a community and beyond.

Janel Hawkins shared how Sand Castle University leveraged creative and strategic online

marketing to secure partnerships with major national brands, proving that a strong digital presence can open big doors. Chrissy Clay offered insight into building “Beach Girl Coffee,” a brand so clearly defined by her vision and high standards that it continues to thrive even after she sold the company.

From learning how to market your own creative work, to becoming “the go-to person” everyone in your community recognizes, to building a brand inspired by the sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast—students saw firsthand how carving out a niche and telling your story well can lead to real opportunity. The message was clear: when you build a brand with intention, people remember it—and that’s where the magic happens. What makes this event so special is the intimacy of the setting; it’s far more than just a presentation, it is a genuine conversation. Our students had the floor to ask their own questions, getting a rare, first-hand look at what it truly takes to build and sustain a business from the ground up. The EPIC CEO Roundtable remains a vital bridge between the classroom and the community, sparking the next generation of local business owners by connecting them with the mentors who are already leading the way.