DOMINATE Entrepreneurial Summit Equips Entrepreneurs to Thrive in a Changing Economy

In an economy that’s more unpredictable than ever, small businesses remain a vital part of America’s foundation. Yet they also face some of their biggest challenges to date — rising costs, tighter credit, and slower consumer spending.

The DOMINATE Entrepreneurial Summit, which will be hosted in Tampa Bay on October 14, 2025, is stepping in to help.

The event brings together some of the nation’s top business leaders to share strategies, insights, and tools to help entrepreneurs not just survive, but thrive.

Helping Small Businesses Overcome Real Challenges

There are about 36.2 million small businesses in the United States, and they account for nearly half of all private-sector jobs. These businesses are the backbone of the economy, but many business owners say it’s harder than ever to stay competitive.

That’s why Jeremy Knauff, creator of the DOMINATE Entrepreneurial Summit, says this event is focused on giving entrepreneurs the skills and strategies they need to grow.

“History has shown us that while economic slowdowns may close doors for scared, hesitant, and rigid entrepreneurs, they also unlock massive opportunities for the bold,” Knauff says. “Every single previous recession gave rise to industry leaders who reshaped entire markets, and today’s fragile and declining economy offers the same opportunities for those willing to think bigger, move faster, and dominate their space.”

“But in order to capitalize on these opportunities,” he adds, “entrepreneurs need to make the right connections, and know what strategies are working today, as well as which tools, platforms, and resources will give them a competitive advantage.”

A Summit Built for Real-World Results

The summit is designed to be more than just another conference.

It’s a hands-on event featuring nine proven business leaders who will share what’s working right now in three key areas: marketing, artificial intelligence, and mindset.

The schedule includes networking sessions, expert panels, and live Q&A sessions where attendees can get personalized advice. Participants can attend in person or virtually, and the event is structured to deliver actionable takeaways that business owners can use immediately.

Bridgette Bello, one of the speakers and CEO of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth, says, “I’ve made plenty of mistakes and faced more than my share of challenges in business, and I always love to share my stories on that because it can help newer entrepreneurs avoid making the same mistakes.”

Bello knows firsthand how to succeed in tough conditions. She grew TBBW into a leading media brand when many other outlets were closing, and had previously led another media company through recovery from the 2008 recession faster than any other in its market.

Building a Powerful Brand and Reaching a Larger Audience

Marketing is a major theme of the summit. 

Speakers will explain how to use public relations, branding, content creation, and social media to connect with customers, build a powerful brand, and grow revenue.

“Entrepreneurs today have more power in their phone than most Fortune 500 companies had access to just a few years ago, but most don’t use even a fraction of that,” says Trish Leto, CEO of Press Live with Purpose. “My mission is to change that by showing more people how to leverage content creation and social media to reach their ideal audience and convert that into revenue.”

Remso Martinez, a fractional CMO, sees a common problem with marketing execution, saying, “One of the most common marketing problems I see entrepreneurs face is overwhelm. There is so much to do, so many channels we need to use, and that drives many to either stick to one thing or simply bury their head in the sand. That’s why I’m so passionate about showing business owners how to do it all without it becoming overwhelming.”

Simply having a great product or service isn’t enough today. Entrepreneurs need to be more effective than ever at cutting through the noise and building trust in order to earn their clients’ business.

Harnessing the Power of AI to Do More, Faster

One of the most discussed topics in business today is artificial intelligence. It’s transforming everything from marketing to finance to operations, and the summit’s speakers will explain exactly how entrepreneurs can use it to gain a competitive edge.

Francis Ablola says, “I’m excited to share how to use AI in business because I know how much of a game changer it can be. This budding technology can give entrepreneurs a massive competitive advantage that helps them to outperform much larger competitors.”

Ablola is a leading expert on AI, who is regularly cited in the media and asked to speak on the topic, and he also runs an AI community with over 48,000 members. 

Bob McIntosh, another speaker, emphasizes the importance of adapting to technology: “Technology is moving faster than ever, and the entrepreneurs who adapt and stay ahead of the curve will thrive, while those who don’t will fade away into obscurity.”

Adam Peters, CEO of Allset Technologies, adds, “AI is leverage, and entrepreneurs who fail to utilize it will be gobbled up by the ones who do. It’s not a decision — it’s a necessity today.”

Forging a Resilient Mindset and Unshakable Confidence

The summit also focuses on the human side of entrepreneurship — overcoming mistakes, building resilience, and staying motivated through tough times.

This is critical because entrepreneurship comes with a heavy dose of challenges.

David Bell, CEO of USA Mobile Drug Testing, says, “When I first became an entrepreneur, I had to figure it all out on my own, and I made a lot of mistakes along the way. Now that I’ve built two successful companies, I always look for ways to share my experience to help other entrepreneurs avoid mistakes and build more successful companies. That’s why I was so excited to be asked to speak at this summit.”

Another speaker, Tatiana Zagorovski, CEO of Trio Realty Partners, knows exactly how devastating these mistakes can be. 

“Shortly after transitioning from my previous software development career into real estate investing, I was conned for over $100,000 and that almost destroyed my business,” she says. “Since then, I’ve been committed to not only building a successful business, but also teaching other entrepreneurs how to identify and avoid costly mistakes like the one that nearly derailed my own business.”

Delivering a Roadmap for Entrepreneurial Success

The summit will feature three main panels, including marketing, artificial intelligence, and mindset, each featuring top leaders in their fields. Attendees will also have the chance to network with other entrepreneurs both before and after the event, and to ask questions specific to their businesses.

Event Schedule

• Networking: 11:30 – 11:50 a.m.
• Panel 1: Public Relations, Branding & Marketing (12:00 – 12:50 p.m.)
• Panel 2: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (1:00 – 1:50 p.m.)
• Panel 3: Mindset, Resilience & Overcoming Adversity (2:00 – 2:50 p.m.)
• Networking: 3:00 – 3:30 p.m.

There are several attendance options, including in-person and virtual tickets. VIP packages offer added benefits like access to digital resources, panel recordings, and exclusive networking opportunities.

The DOMINATE Entrepreneurial Summit is more than just a business event — it’s a chance for entrepreneurs to learn from those who’ve been in the trenches, overcome obstacles, and built thriving businesses despite the adversity they faced. 

In a challenging economy, the right knowledge and connections can make all the difference.

For more information or to register, visit the website.