West Georgia Technical College Student Life Hosts Women in Entrepreneurship Forum
Panelists at WGTC’s Women in Entrepreneurship Forum share insights on business ownership and professional growth with students on the Douglas Campus. Pictured (L-R): Melinda Hofius, Dean of Students; Dr. Tonya Whitlock, VP of Student Affairs; Elena Hudson, Founder and CEO of The Hud Food Truck and Owner of Hudson’s Hickory House BBQ; Rhyne Owenby, SVP of Operations for the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce; Leslie Nelson, Founder and CEO of Pivotal Connections, LLC; and LaToya Cotton, Director of Student Life.
Douglasville, GA – In observance of Women’s History Month, West Georgia Technical College’s (WGTC) Student Life department hosted a Women in Entrepreneurship Forum on the Douglas Campus, providing students with the opportunity to engage with industry professionals and gain valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship.
The forum featured a panel of women business leaders and chamber of commerce representatives who shared their experiences and guidance on starting and maintaining successful businesses. The panelists included:
Leslie Nelson, Founder and CEO of Pivotal Connections, LLC, located in Douglasville, Georgia. Through adult and youth leadership development, parenting and family coaching, and personal development coaching, Pivotal Connections provides life-changing experiences for individuals, teams, and families committed to growth. Nelson is also the author of Giving, Recklessly, a book that inspires readers to embrace generosity in their lives.
Elena Hudson, Founder and CEO of The Hud Food Truck and the third-generation Owner and CEO of Hudson’s Hickory House BBQ in Douglasville. Hudson is also an elected official, serving on the Douglasville City Council for Ward 2, Post 2. Her leadership roles include serving on the Board of Directors for the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce and as Chairwoman of the Douglasville Downtown Development Authority. She has been recognized as a Top 10 Young Professional in Douglas County and received the Community Spirit Award and the Chamber of Commerce’s CelebrateHer “Disrupt-HER” award.
Rhyne Owenby, Senior Vice President of Operations for the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. Owenby works to advance the Chamber’s mission of fostering economic prosperity by serving as the voice of business, building cooperative partnerships, and supporting the success of chamber members.
Each panelist shared powerful insights with attendees. Nelson emphasized the importance of growth through challenges, comparing it to the tension in a rubber band—necessary for effectiveness and success. Owenby encouraged students never to give up on their dreams, despite obstacles, and to surround themselves with a strong support system. Hudson urged students to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and embrace learning, reminding them that perseverance and vision are key to success.
“We are incredibly grateful to our panelists for taking the time to share their wisdom and experiences with our students,” said LaToya Cotton, WGTC Student Life Director. “Their insights and encouragement will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on those who attended, inspiring them to pursue their own entrepreneurial paths with confidence and determination.”
The Women in Entrepreneurship Forum was developed to bridge the gap between students and industry professionals, providing an in-depth exploration of careers in which women are making an impact. WGTC’s Student Life Department plans to continue this annual event each March to encourage professional growth and development among students.
For more information about future Student Life events, visit westgatech.edu/student-life or contact LaToya Cotton at latoya.cotton@westgatech.edu.
West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson, and Troup counties and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties, offers more than 120 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is one of the largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges. For more information, please visit www.westgatech.edu.
