Thu, Aug 20
|1717 E Cary St
VASFA Quarterly Forum: Lessons Learned
Learn from Hannah Pollack (Nightingale Ice Cream), Grace Mittl (Absurd Snacks), and Hope Lawrence (former owner of Hudson Henry Baking Co. and Program Director at Venture Central) as they share the lessons, challenges, and decisions behind building and growing successful food businesses.
Time & Location
Aug 20, 2026, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
1717 E Cary St, 1717 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23223, USA
Guests
About the event
Every food and beverage business has a unique journey. Along the way come difficult decisions, unexpected challenges, costly mistakes, and lessons that can only be learned through experience.
Join the Virginia Specialty Food Association for an honest conversation with experienced Virginia food and beverage leaders as they share the lessons they wish they'd known earlier, the obstacles that challenged them most, and the advice they would offer to other business owners working to grow their own businesses.
This forum's panel features:
Hannah Pollack, CEO and Co-Founder of Nightingale Ice Cream
Grace Mittl, Co-Founder & CEO of Absurd Snacks
Hope Lawrence, former founder and owner of Hudson Henry Baking Co. and now Program Director at Venture Central
Together, they'll offer perspectives from building, scaling, exiting, and supporting food and beverage businesses across Virginia.
Panelists will reflect on pivotal decisions, overcoming setbacks, finding the right opportunities, and the importance of surrounding yourself with trusted advisors, mentors, and professional partners who can help accelerate growth.
Attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow producers, retailers, service providers, and industry partners from across Virginia before and after the discussion.
Food will be provided by Sophia Marie Patisserie, featuring products from VASFA member businesses.