Born in Middle Tennessee and raised in a successful family owned and operated retail business (now in its 43<sup>rd</sup> year), Mitzi understands the mind-set and strong work ethic of the small business owner. In college Mitzi worked as head cook in a Nashville catering company and waited many tables while studying Food Systems Management and Music at Nashville&rsquo;s Lipscomb University. Her career has focused primarily on sales and marketing in the Retail and Healthcare industries as well as in corporate fund-raising and project management in the Music industry - where her work has earned international acclaim. Mitzi lives in the Nashville suburb of Dickson, Tennessee.