Lauren Maillian Bias is the Founder and CEO of Luxury Market Branding, a strategic marketing and branding company. Previously, Lauren was the Chief Operating Officer of Sugarleaf Vineyards, a company she founded at 19 years old, making her the youngest self-made winery owner in the country. Lauren is a serial entrepreneur with a business development mindset that concentrates on the creation and implementation of innovative yet strategic plans that build brand identity and increase revenue. Throughout her entrepreneurial ventures, Lauren has been an active investor in real estate and natural resources. Her work has been featured in national media outlets including Forbes, American Express OPEN Forum, Fast Company, UPTOWN Magazine, and Black Enterprise. Lauren is a Mentor to Women Innovate Mobile, and has spoken about entrepreneurship and business development at The University of Virginia and The Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN). Lauren has a BS in International Trade and Marketing and is very active in various philanthropic organizations that affect youth, poverty, education and the arts and is a Lifetime Member of the Children’s Aid Society. In 2011, Lauren was recognized at The White House by the Kauffman Foundation as an Empact 100 honoree; a list that names the top 100 entrepreneurs under 30.