The RISE Summit for Entrepreneurs and Innovators on Thursday, August 27, 2026 in Danville, VA will include networking opportunities and breakout sessions featuring amazing speakers to support entrepreneurs at each stage of business, from ideation to starting, growing, and scaling.
About this Workshop
Marketing Funnel Challenge: Is Your Message Moving Customers to Action?
Description:
The session focuses on helping entrepreneurs refine their business messaging and better understand how potential customers move from awareness to interest, consideration, and ultimately conversion. Rather than a traditional presentation, participants would actively engage in a live demonstration where audience members become “potential customers” and physically move through stages of a marketing funnel based on the effectiveness of a participant’s business pitch. The exercise creates immediate feedback, sparks discussion, and helps entrepreneurs identify what is and isn’t resonating with their target audience.
Speaker: Crystal Hairston, SocializeMe LLC
Crystal Hairston
About the Speaker
Crystal Hairston
TECHnista/MEERA, Founder and CEO
Crystal Hairston is the Founder and CEO of Socialize Me, LLC, a digital marketing and consulting agency serving businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs throughout Virginia and South Carolina. With more than a decade of experience in marketing, communications, public relations, event management, and business development, Crystal specializes in helping organizations increase visibility, strengthen their brand presence, and connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.
In addition to leading Socialize Me, Crystal serves as a marketing consultant for the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce, where she supports strategic communications, major events, and member engagement initiatives. She is also a Certified Career Coach and workshop facilitator who has delivered training on social media marketing, artificial intelligence tools, branding, and digital engagement.
After successfully launching Socialize Me in her hometown of Martinsville, Virginia, Crystal expanded the business to the Grand Strand region of South Carolina in 2026. Her entrepreneurial journey has included winning a startup pitch competition, building a growing client base across multiple markets, and helping fellow entrepreneurs develop practical marketing strategies that generate real results.
Register TODAY for the RISE Summit
The 3rd annual RISE Summit for Entrepreneurs and Innovators will be held Thursday, August 27, 2026 at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research in Danville, VA. Don't miss out the unique opportunity to connect with peers and resources designed to help you start, grow, or scale your business in Southern Virginia.