On Nov. 7, Birmingham-Southern College and the department of business welcomed four female entrepreneurs for a panel on the food industry. Not only are the women small business owners and founders, but they also bring fresh and innovative food and drink concepts to Birmingham.

Andrea Snyder, co-owner of Urban Cookhouse and Farm Bowl + Juice Co., led the panel of trailblazers — LeNell Camacho Santa Ana ’91 of LeNell’s Beverage Boutique, Jennifer Senske Ryan of BlueRoot Co., and Tanesha Sims-Summers of Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co.

The three featured panelists shared their personal stories, challenges, and the meaning behind each of their businesses.

Sims-Summers took a leap of faith five years ago, hoping that starting her own business would help her stand up for causes that are important to her.

“I was fueled by a desire to have a platform that allowed us to connect to the community and stand for economic equality. You’re supporting something that stands for more than dollars,” she says.

Snyder says that the best word to describe Sims-Summers is “hustle,” which is clear in the hard work behind Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn. Sims-Summers sells her handcrafted popcorn online and at events around town. The wide range of creative flavors includes the “Birmingham Mix” of cheddar and French toast popcorns.

Sims-Summers was a finalist and second-place winner at REV Birmingham’s 2015 Big Pitch, an annual competition designed to provide mentoring to Birmingham’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs. At the Nov. 23 event, Ryan will be a 2019 finalist with BlueRoot Co.

Though she moved to Birmingham for her husband’s job, Ryan, a southern California native, approached Birmingham as a quick stop and experienced as much as she could in a few months. She fell in love with the city and decided to stay.

“I truly believe that this town is on the precipice of something, and I see that as an outsider,” Ryan says.

What was missing from her lifestyle in Birmingham was a nutrient-rich, farm-to-table meal outside of fine dining. After “writing manifestos” to convince West coast restaurants to open in Alabama without reply, Ryan decided to launch a business herself with a two-time James Beard award-winning chef. She now sells products in businesses around Birmingham.

Santa Ana, named Garden and Gun’s “First Lady of Liquor,” returned to Birmingham after opening two award-winning businesses in Brooklyn, New York, and La Paz, Mexico. She opened her retail beverage store, LeNell’s Beverage Boutique, last year in Norwood and has played a crucial role in the neighborhood’s revitalization.

“Every neighborhood is worthy of investment and a good shopping experience,” Santa Ana says.

Within her store, she offers hand-picked, sustainable, and organic wines and spirits from a diverse range of makers. Santa Ana finds female producers and producers of color in an industry that often forgets them. On the panel, she discussed her journey from bartending to national success as well as her background growing up in Alabama.

Santa Ana also expanded on her purchase of the 1905 J.R. Copeland House, which is next door to her store. She plans to open a New Orleans-style café in the space, one that promotes a community of “hope and healing,” by 2020 or 2021.

Students, many of them business majors, had the chance to hear about three different stages of being a business owner and three personal ideas. The women provided valuable insight and encouragement to those who could soon become entrepreneurs themselves.