08/16/2026
It was such an honor to be a part of the Pine Belt Women’s Summit this year!
Alana D. Tanner brought us “Your Setback Is Not Your Story,” sharing a message about resilience that came from personal experience. At just 40 years old, Alana suffered a stroke that changed her life and spent three years relearning how to walk, followed later by brain surgery.
Her challenge to us was simple: prepare for interruption.
Instead of asking, “Why me?” shift to “What now?”
We may not be able to control what happens, but we CAN control our response, communication, preparation, priorities, and leadership.
She also challenged every business owner to think about what would happen if we suddenly had to step away. Are our systems written down? Who could step in? Have we built relationships and created margin BEFORE we need them?
One of our favorite reminders:
“Emotion is information. It doesn't have to be instruction.”
And the perfect way to end it:
“Our setbacks don't define us. Our comebacks do!” - Alana D. Tanner
Thank you, Alana! ❤️