The next ACT CEO Summit will launch in January 2026

Melinda F. Emerson is the founder of SmallBizLadyUniversity.com and has been providing practical education and training for nearly two decades to help professionals start, grow or buy small businesses. Known in the industry as America’s No. 1 Small Business Expert, Emerson is a U.S. State Department speaker, podcast host, and bestselling author of Improve Your Business: A 90-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. Emerson has brought together some of the best experts from the business and franchising worlds for its upcoming event The next ACT CEO summita three-day virtual conference taking place from January 22 to 24, 2026.

The summit will mentor senior women leaders aged 45 and over to become entrepreneurs through acquisition: buying an existing business or franchise. The program focuses on the practical knowledge needed to become a confident owner on day one, including financing, legal, technology, training and essential services. “Women with decades of leadership experience are decisive and creditworthy. They don’t need another job in corporate America; they need a clear path to wealth creation through entrepreneurship,” Emerson explains. “This event will demystify entrepreneurship through acquisition and provide the tools, partners, experts and community to make ownership a reality.” The Next ACT CEO Summit is designed to meet this moment, providing direction, resources and vetted partners. Organizers are targeting 350 qualified participants from the US and Canada.

Over three days, conference participants will learn how to:

• Compare independent acquisitions versus franchise ownership and choose the right path based on budget, time and skills.
• Find and evaluate real listings (brokers, resellers, franchise consultants, marketplaces) with red flag checklists.
• Navigate the financing matrix (e.g. SBA, seller financing, franchisors, CDFIs, ROBS) and build lender-ready packages.
• Conduct due diligence on operations, people and finances.
• Build an ownership-ready technology stack (CRM, e-signature, invoicing, payroll) and understand the basics of legal and insurance.

Emerson shared with BLACK BUSINESS that now is the time for this summit because “a growing number of experienced women are actively looking for the next step beyond corporate roles. They want to own assets, not jobs. They want systems, teams, and revenue that they can scale with their business skills. And they don’t have time to build a company from scratch.”

Visit the website for sponsorship opportunities, event details and registration https://smallbizladyuniversity.com/nextactceosummit/

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