
Building a business can feel exciting, rewarding, and—at times—overwhelming. From navigating big decisions and finding the right resources to connecting with others who understand the journey, entrepreneurship is not meant to be done alone.
State Forty Eight Foundation’s signature Entrepreneur Speaker Series was created for Arizona business owners and entrepreneurs looking for the support, insight, and connections needed to keep moving forward. This immersive, two-day experience brings together Arizona’s entrepreneurial community for meaningful conversations, expert-led sessions, and opportunities to connect with fellow business owners who are navigating similar challenges.
Hear from Arizona founders, executives, and industry leaders as they share real stories, practical strategies, and lessons learned from building and growing their businesses. Beyond the sessions, attendees will have more opportunities than ever to build relationships through dedicated networking, our Vendor Village experience, and connections with organizations and resources designed to support Arizona’s small business community.
Whether you’re launching your first idea, looking for your next growth opportunity, or simply seeking a community that understands the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the Entrepreneur Speaker Series is a place to learn, connect, and grow.
Day 1: Saturday, Sept. 12th
Day 2: Saturday, Sept. 26th
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM


Building a successful business starts with understanding the numbers behind it. In this session, we’ll explore the financial habits, strategies, and decisions that help businesses build a strong foundation and stand the test of time.
Hear from financial experts and experienced business owners as they share real-world insights on managing cash flow, planning for growth, and navigating the financial challenges that come with entrepreneurship. We’ll unpack the unseen costs of running a business and tackle the questions every founder faces, from how much capital you really need to get started, to how to make smarter financial decisions as your business grows.
No matter where you are in your entrepreneurship journey, this session will provide practical tools, bring honest conversations to the forefront, and give you actionable takeaways to help you better understand the business of money.
Entrepreneurship requires resilience, adaptability, and the ability to navigate uncertainty, but building a successful business shouldn’t come at the expense of your own well-being.
In this session, hear from founders, business leaders, and experts as they share the realities of entrepreneurship beyond the numbers. We’ll explore the routines, habits, and mindset shifts that help entrepreneurs manage stress, avoid burnout, and continue showing up for their businesses and themselves.
From setting boundaries and creating sustainable practices to navigating the highs and lows of business ownership, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to build a business while staying grounded along the way.
Creating a great product or service is only half the battle—the other half is making sure the right people know about it. With more marketing channels than ever before, it can be difficult to know where to invest your time, energy, and budget. How do you reach the right audience? What marketing strategies actually work? And how do you turn attention into loyal customers?
In this session, hear from Arizona's leading marketers, founders, and business owners as they share the strategies behind building recognizable brands and sustainable sales pipelines. From brand storytelling and relationship-driven selling to content marketing, paid advertising, community partnerships, and grassroots marketing, you'll gain practical insights into what drives growth in today's marketplace.
You'll walk away with actionable ideas and a clearer roadmap for attracting customers and growing your business.
In today's competitive marketplace, your product or service is only part of what sets your business apart. The experience you create—from the first interaction to long after the sale—can be the difference between a one-time customer and a lifelong advocate.
Join Arizona business leaders, hospitality professionals, and customer experience experts as they share the strategies behind building brands people trust, recommend, and return to. Learn how to create memorable customer experiences, navigate difficult service moments with confidence, and build a culture where exceptional service becomes a competitive advantage.
Whether you're a team of one or leading a team, you'll leave with practical ideas for strengthening customer relationships, building loyalty, and creating experiences that keep people coming back.
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Lisa Charisse Matthews is an Emmy Award-winning reporter and former host for the Arizona Cardinals, where she delivered exclusive multimedia content across platforms. A proud ASU alumna, she launched her career with Fox Sports Arizona and other major outlets before shifting into entrepreneurship in 2020 with MONAT, where she now ranks in the top 1% of the company. A lifelong sports fan and dynamic host, Lisa continues to lead events, podcasts, and interviews, all while balancing life as a fire wife and mom of three active kids.

Sentari Minor is Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff at evolvedMD, where he leads initiatives across corporate strategy, growth, branding, culture, and business development. A passionate strategist and storyteller, he has spent his career helping purpose-driven organizations scale their impact through leadership, stakeholder engagement, and social innovation. Sentari also serves as President of the Board of Directors for the State Forty Eight Foundation, helping advance its mission to fuel Arizona entrepreneurship. A nationally recognized speaker and mentor, he frequently shares insights on leadership, strategy, marketing, and social impact, and was named one of the Phoenix Business Journal's40 Under 40 in 2022 for his contributions to Arizona's business and nonprofit communities.

Vendor Village brings together Arizona-owned businesses and entrepreneur-support organizations showcasing their products, services, and resources. This space offers opportunities for attendees to connect, discover local businesses, and engage with organizations supporting Arizona’s entrepreneurial community.
Interested in becoming a vendor? Please complete the form below and we will be in touch!
State Forty Eight Foundation is committed to helping entrepreneurs get their business ideas into our communities.
Because we stand by our mission to foster the entrepreneurial spirit, we’ve created a grant fund for business owners who join us live and fulfill the outlined requirements.
Eligible attendees will have the opportunity to apply and receive up to $10,000 from the grant pool.
Meet some of our 2024 Entrepreneur Grant Recipients
Attendees will be eligible to apply for a grant by fulfilling the following requirements:

In person or virtual livestream

Emailed to attendees after each session

All attendees will receive a grant information email on 9/27, which includes details on the process and a link to the application.
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Questions about the application process or how to best position your business? Join us for a virtual grant workshop session to learn more and ask questions!
Save the Date! Registration Links Coming Soon:
September 16th Grant Workshop
September 30th Grant Workshop
Attendance is not required for grant eligibility.
Revisit the live recorded Entrepreneur Speaker Series sessions from previous years:
Hear from Carly Figman of the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation on their experience as the major sponsor for our 2021 Entrepreneur Speaker Series.