Our V.I.P. Featured Guest Kimberly Mitchell is a mental health advocate, veteran, and transformational leader dedicated to empowering individuals and small businesses. Growing up in a household where independence was a necessity, she excelled academically, earning numerous awards, including the Citizenship Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her resilience was tested when she lost her father at 16, but she channeled her determination into service, enlisting in the Air Force. As the only woman in her Vehicle Maintenance training class, she set a new standard by earning the highest test scores and later served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, achieving the rank of E-4 Sergeant.

Transitioning into civilian life, Kimberly pursued a career in training and leadership development, working across multiple industries, from technology rollouts to government initiatives. She played a pivotal role in the 2010 Census Project, leading the development of training materials for the first-ever digital data collection. Her work with the Rochester Schools Modernization Program led to the creation of an innovative small business training initiative, impacting local entrepreneurs and serving as a model for other municipalities. Simultaneously, she explored entrepreneurship, running event planning and photo booth businesses before pivoting to a thriving six-figure training business.

Despite professional success, Kimberly faced personal challenges that led to a transformative self-discovery journey. Seeking answers through the VA health system, she was diagnosed with mild depression, which became the catalyst for developing the Journey to Joy Personal Transformation System. This breakthrough allowed her to reclaim her happiness, reinforcing her belief that joy is a powerful force for change. Now, she dedicates her time to helping others break free from limiting beliefs and external dependencies, ensuring they recognize their own potential.

A founding member of the Greater Rochester Black Business Alliance and an active board member of ROCEDC, Kimberly is deeply committed to community development. She believes that self-sufficiency and joy are the keys to transformation, a message she amplifies through her training programs, mentorship, and advocacy. Living in a community once defined by industrial success and now marked by economic struggle, she is determined to inspire others to reclaim their power and create the life they desire. Her personal mission remains simple yet profound: to make a positive impact on people she may never meet.

Our V.I.P. Featured Guest Melissa Franks is a seasoned business strategist, Fractional COO, podcast host and speaker, and transformation leader with a track record of scaling businesses and driving operational excellence with a people-first approach that mobilizes teams for unprecedented results. A former Fortune 500 executive and OnCon Icon "Top 100 COO" Winner (2022-2024), she has led billion-dollar IT transformations, M&A initiatives, and revenue growth strategies, blending corporate expertise with small business agility. As the founder of On Call COO, she empowers female entrepreneurs by optimizing operations and increasing profitability with her knack for helping business owners break through growth plateaus, implement scalable strategies, and build profitable, sustainable companies. Passionate about women in leadership and business innovation, Melissa is also an advocate for high-performing women, helping them design lives they love while achieving balance and success. She is a strong voice for domestic violence awareness and family court reform. When not strategizing, she enjoys running, traveling, and cheering on her three sons at their sporting events.

Our V.I.P. Featured Guest is Brittney Lincoln, Franchise Connector, is the VP of Limitless Franchising and the CEO and Founder of Females in Franchising, a dynamic platform dedicated to empowering women in the franchising industry. With over 13 years of experience spanning home services, beauty, and medical franchises, Britney has built a reputation as a connector, educator, and strategist in the franchising world. She is passionate about providing a space for women to collaborate, learn from industry experts, and grow both personally and professionally. Her expertise lies in helping business owners understand franchising, scale their brands, and take their locations from one to 100.

As a seasoned business person, Britney brings firsthand experience to the table, having owned her own retail business before transitioning into a successful corporate sales career. She specializes in merging and launching brands, developing scalable franchise strategies, and ensuring responsible franchising that benefits both franchisees and the industry at large. With her extensive background, she is a sought-after expert on topics such as how to develop a franchise, scaling from five to 50 locations, and setting franchisees up for success.

Beyond her professional achievements, Britney holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Business and Management. She is a firm believer that teamwork makes the dream work. A competitive swimmer and avid skier, she thrives on an active, outdoor lifestyle. Most importantly, she is a dedicated mother to two children, ages 11 and 5, and cherishes time spent traveling and creating lasting memories with her family.

Britney's mission is to educate and support business owners looking to scale through franchising, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to succeed. Whether guiding founders through the franchising process or advocating for responsible franchising, she continues to make a significant and unprecedented impact on the industry.