Entrepreneur Track Speakers

Dr. LaTeasha Gaither-Davis

CEO and Founder, Therapeutic Focus

Dr. LaTeasha Gaither-Davis is a dedicated advocate for children with disabilities and a successful entrepreneur who has devoted her career to providing high-quality therapy services. She founded Therapeutic Focus, an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic in 2011 and has grown her practice from a one-person operation into a team of over 28 professionals.

Throughout her career, Dr. Gaither-Davis has been recognized for her leadership and dedication. She was named one of Arkansas Business’ "40 Under 40" in 2023, a finalist for Small Business Executive of the Year by the Memphis Business Journal and one of Northeast Arkansas’ Women in Business in 2021. In 2022, she was invited to speak at the Arkansas Women’s Commission at the state capitol, where she highlighted the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and shared recommendations to create more opportunities for business ownership.

Gaither-Davis is a native of West Memphis, holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in health sciences from the University of Central Arkansas and earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Arkansas State University.

Moderator, Mille Ward

President, Stone Ward

Millie Ward leads Stone Ward, one of the most talented and committed agency teams in business. Ward was named to the Sam M. Walton Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2015 and is widely recognized as a business influencer, leader and speaker. Driven by a sense of optimism, gratitude and her daily eight-ounce Red Bull, Ward has worked with an abundance of highly successful business and community leaders across the country who have collectively inspired and informed her own approach to leadership. Over the years, Ward has been named Rotary Business and Professional Leader of the Year, SMEA Top Manager of the Year, Woman of the Year and Top 100 Women in Business. Today she sits on the boards of The Venture Center, Bridge2Rwanda, Baptist Health Foundation, Our House and the Arkansas Executive Forum, and she is the former chairman of the Little Rock Federal Reserve Board of Directors. Her competitive spirit in tow, she still finds time to cheer on her granddaughter at softball and volleyball games with the same passion and enthusiasm she brings to work every day.

Brandy Thomason McNair

Founder, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry

Brandy Thomason McNair launched Bella Vita Jewelry in 2008 at local art fairs, retail craft shows, and online at bellavitajewelry.net. Thirteen years in, Bella Vita Jewelry can be found at 200+ brick-and-mortar stores nationally, internationally, and in her brick and mortar shop in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Brandy lives and works in downtown Little Rock. All of her jewelry is made by hand in the Bella Vita Studio, which is housed in a beautifully restored century-old building. Bella Vita Jewelry is known for being made in small batches and one of a kind runs of personalized & hand stamped charms, natural stones, hand cast bronze & sterling pendants, and vintage baubles.

When she isn't tending to her growing small business, Brandy enjoys spending time in the garden with her husband, perusing local flea markets, traveling, and hanging out with Chester aka #littlerockshopdog .

Rebecca Yan

General Manager, Three Fold Noodles + Dumpling Co.

Rebecca Yan is the general manager at Three Fold Noodles + Dumpling Co. She has a B.A. in media and journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a foodie raised in the Chinese heritage and has a deep understanding of Chinese cuisine and Chinese home cooking. With these backgrounds, Yan has led Three Fold in an innovative direction over the past 10 years, growing the company from a hole-in-the-wall lunch spot in downtown Little Rock to a local favorite with two retail locations and a central production kitchen. Three Fold has become not only a crowd favorite in Little Rock, winning best-of awards from multiple local publications year after year, but has also had numerous franchise requests across the state of Arkansas and other cities in the U.S.

2025 Presenting Sponsors

DELTA DENTAL OF ARKANSAS

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THE HATCHER AGENCY

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