Lunchtime Lightning Talk: Building Mental Toughness + Avoiding Burnout

Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint, and maintaining mental and physical well-being is crucial to long-term success.

Join us for real talk with 3 local entrepreneurs, here to share their entrepreneurial journey, including all the highs and lows, the roadblocks they’ve encountered, and the support that has made a difference.

This month we're diving into what it really means to be a 'resilient entrepreneur', including hard earned lessons about how to best build resilience, manage stress, and avoid burnout. Whether you're facing the pressure of launching a new venture or managing a growing business, hear from fellow business owners here to share their thoughts on developing mental toughness, establishing sustainable self-care practices (is that actually possible?!), and staying energized through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Come ready to listen, learn, find new inspiration, and reflect on ways to keep yourself from burning out, whether you have a retail or service-based business. Leave your ego at the door, and engage in authentic conversations from peers who are in the trenches and 'doing the thing', battle scars and all.

Informal conversation and networking begins at 11:30am. Lightning Talks begin at 12pm and end promptly at 1pm. BYO lunch!

Join us on May 01, 11:30AM, Rice Fergus Miller in Bremerton

AGENDA

11:30 am- 12pm Mix, mingle and network

12:00pm - 12:30pm Lighting Talks x 3

12:30pm- 1:00pm Discussion, debate, Q&A

ANNA CHOI, Social Entrepreneur, 2x TEDxSpeaker, and Performing Artist
Anna Choi, 2x TEDx Speaker, Bestselling Author, and Performance Artist is Founder & CEO of Soljoy a social enterprise serving high achieving, impact driven leaders to find peace in chaos, tap into boundless energy, and embody their soul’s joy.

Distilling ancient wisdom into modern day mindfulness practices, SolJoy serves thousands of students through signature courses, classes, and retreats where meditation, martial arts, and music merge. Anna founded the not for profit Peaceful Warriors providing wellness programs and scholarships for underserved community leaders. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/annasunchoi

BRETT CLARK, Owner, BC Fitness & Tech Fit Studios | Personal Trainer

Brett Clark is the owner of BC Fitness & TechFit Studios, specializing in strength-based training and data-driven performance. With a passion for helping clients build strength, longevity, and confidence, Brett combines science-backed strategies with a personalized approach to fitness.

MAUREEN JANN, Co-owner, Spark Commons
Maureen Jann is a lifelong entrepreneur who launched her first business at age nine. With a legacy of business ownership running through her family, she’s spent the past 15 years building marketing departments from the ground up and solving tough growth challenges for brands. As co-owner of Spark Commons, a thriving coworking space in Bremerton, Maureen brings her passion for community, strategy, and scrappy innovation to every venture she touches. 

Matchstick Lab is dedicated to making Kitsap the go-to place to launch and grow businesses that benefit the region and bring value to the world. By partnering with regional, national, and international sponsors, Matchstick Lab delivers education, investment, and storytelling resources that ignite the full potential of startup and business development in Kitsap, and celebrate our distinct heritage, resources, and talents.

Thanks to fiscal sponsorship through the Kitsap Community Foundation, Matchstick Lab operates as a 501(c)(3), ensuring accessibility and support for startups, small businesses, and social enterprises. Learn more at matchsticklab.co.

Thank you to our funders and partners:

Executed by Matchstick Lab, the 2025 Micro Business Accelerator is generously funded by the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) with funding provided by the Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA), thanks to a grant made by the Washington State Department of Commerce.