Rise and Thrive: Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs

About the Session:
Come join three local women entrepreneurs for an exciting and practical panel conversation about thriving as a business leader in the Tri-Cities. Each panelist will share stories and strategies for their different businesses (a wealth management firm, an independent jewelry business, and non-profit for women survivors) but also explore what they have in common among their challenges and successes. No matter what type of business fires your passion for entrepreneurship, you’ll find wisdom, experience and inspiration here. Each panelist also has special takeaways that will resonate beyond the conference, so don’t miss it!

About the Speakers:
​Growing up in a small town in Idaho, Kamille Bloxham couldn’t wait to get out and experience the world. Following high school graduation, she enrolled in a private university on the island of Oahu. She expected her life to begin to bloom from there - what she wasn’t expecting was the wave of (nope, not water) depression and anxiety to enter her life. Over the last 10 years, while learning how to balance her mental health struggles, Kamille has navigated a career in healthcare and, 2 years ago, embraced the path of entrepreneurship. Along with her sister-in-law, Kamille co-owns and operates Banded by Bloxham, Tri-Cities’ biggest permanent jewelry company. Kamille has become a leader in her growing industry as she has focused on progress over perfection, emphasized connection & networking, and overcome the internal struggles that come with trying to be YOUR best.

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Michelle Clary built a financial advising firm in the TriCities from the ground up. She founded the practice that become Piton Wealth more than two decades ago, in order to realize a vision of benefitting clients with comprehensive financial planning, but embedded in a culture where client service, beginning to end, was oriented to their life goals and holistic wellness. Originating as a one-woman practice, Piton Wealth has become a $15M firm with revenue exceeding $6M and a dozen employees in two offices.

Michelle recently celebrated twenty-five years of marriage to her husband, Andy. Together they have raised two sons (born and raised in Kennewick), the older now in his second year at college and the younger will be starting college this year. Andy, an electrical engineer, now also works at Piton Wealth. With Michelle’s family roots including experience with her father’s financial advising, her career journey has been intimately intertwined with her family, faith and committed service to her clients and community.

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Amanda Lorraine, an overcomer of adversity in her young life, was inspired to mentor women and to train underprivileged women to gain work skills so they can secure a future for themselves and their children. Amanda diligently worked to launch Grace Kitchen in December 2020. Amanda’s biggest victories have been seeing women’s lives transformed and overseeing the renovations of the old Union Gospel Mission building into a job training facility and home base for Grace Kitchen. Grace Kitchen’s doors opened for our first outreach day, on December 3, 2020. The two years have offered nearly 30,000 hours of job training and mentorship to women survivors in the community. The goal of this growing nonprofit is to provide hope and opportunity for lasting change for women survivors of trafficking, addiction, homelessness, and poverty. Amanda spends time engaging with her family, reading books, and serving her community. In her spare time, she loves spending time hiking, backpacking, and doing everything outdoors.

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