More Than a Brand.
A Hive That Gets Things Moving.
About Hive Sugar.
Hive Sugar was built from 25 years spent inside one of the country’s longest-running jewelry shows — years of high-stakes operations, complex logistics, shifting expectations, and the kind of behind-the-scenes pressure only people who have lived it truly understand.
I didn’t just watch businesses struggle — I lived the strain of systems that were messy, outdated, duct-taped together, or stretched beyond their limits. I saw how much weight owners, teams, and leaders quietly carried while trying to grow something meaningful.
And I knew there had to be a better way.
Hive Sugar is that better way.
I help businesses simplify what’s heavy, steady the ship, and build systems that actually work in the real world. No fluff. No corporate jargon. Just clear strategy, clean execution, and support that feels human — not overwhelming.
Meet Libby
Welcome!
I’m Libby Brown — mom, wife, strategist, and founder of Hive Sugar.
I spent more than two decades building the Atlanta Jewelry Show from the inside out. I started as a college student stuffing envelopes and eventually became Executive Director. Along the way, I created programs like Bench Fusion, AJS Kids Jewelry Camp, Next GEM Academy, and The AJS Loupe — turning big ideas into meaningful, memorable experiences that exhibitors and attendees truly loved.
I’ve always been equal parts big-picture thinker and roll-up-your-sleeves operator. Give me a complex problem, and I’ll build the system that makes it run smoothly.
Hive Sugar is where all of that experience — the strategy, the grit, and the heart — now lives.
Before the Hive
For 25 years, the jewelry industry was my home. I worked with independent retailers, manufacturers, reps, vendors, and the most loyal staff you could ever ask for. We weathered recessions, market shifts, supply chain chaos, and the evolution of B2B buying habits.
I handled logistics, built floor plans, negotiated with venues, created educational programs, secured sponsorships, and juggled thousands of moving parts twice a year. It was grit, guts, and a whole lot of late nights — and I loved it.
When COVID shut the industry down, I helped lead one of the only trade shows in the country that managed to keep going. When others canceled or went virtual, we found a way to show up safely, serve customers, and keep the industry moving without missing a show.
That season taught me exactly what resilient operations look like — and what strong leadership really requires.
The Turning Point
Over time, it became clear the direction the organization was heading no longer aligned with the values that matter most to me — transparency, collaboration, and putting people first.
When it became clear I couldn’t do my best work in that environment, I made the difficult decision to step away.
It wasn’t easy, but it was the right one.
I left with gratitude for what we built, pride in how we showed up, and clarity about what I wanted to build next — something that reflects how I believe business should be done.
I didn’t leave to disappear. I left to build something better.
What I Am Building Now
Hive Sugar is my way of using everything I’ve learned over 20+ years to help businesses, trade shows, leaders, and teams navigate growth, crisis, change, or transition — without losing their soul in the process.
I became the person I always wished I had — the one you call when you’re not sure what to do next or who to turn to. Someone who understands the pressure, sees the whole picture, and can make the path forward clear because I’ve lived it myself.
I help:
Events and trade shows stuck in survival mode
Small businesses overwhelmed by outdated or tangled systems
Leaders stretched too thin to think straight
Event teams ready for modern, sustainable strategy
Organizations navigating leadership transitions
Sales teams shifting into new models
Any business doing “all the things” but not seeing results
I’ve lived the chaos. I’ve fixed the systems. I’ve carried the weight. Now I help others build businesses that function, flow, and flourish — with strategy and sparkle.
The Hive Behind the Honey.
No one builds a great show, a thriving brand, or a business rescue alone — and I never pretended to.
Over the years, I’ve been blessed with a circle of former team members and independent experts who know how to make magic behind the curtain.
When I stepped into this new chapter, they didn’t scatter — they stayed close.
Because great teams don’t fall apart. Great teams stick together.
Today, I have a trusted bench I can call in when a project needs extra muscle: logistics minds, creative brains, marketing support, registration specialists, customer-care queens — each with years of experience.
I lead the strategy.
They support when needed.
Together, we deliver big-show results without big-show headaches.
Why You Should Work With Hive Sugar.
Where Strategy Meets Sparkle.
If your business feels heavier than it should — or if you’re doing all the things and still not seeing the traction you want — you’re not alone.
Maybe you’re overwhelmed.
Maybe you’re under-resourced.
Maybe you’re facing a high-stakes project that can’t drop.
Whether it’s a last-minute scramble, a stalled system, or a strategy that just isn’t working anymore, I’m the person you call when you need to get clear, get steady, and get it done.
If you’ve ever thought:
I don’t have time to figure this out.
I need someone who can just jump in and handle it.
I can’t afford to drop the ball on this.
You’re in the right place.
I’m not here for fluff or politics — I’m here to solve real problems, build systems that work, and help good people do great work without burning out.
If you're ready to make things simpler, smoother, and more sustainable, I’d love to help you steady the ship and build something that feels as good as it grows.
You can learn more on the Services page or reach out through the Contact form.
Let’s make it lighter — and better — together.
Contact Me
Interested in working together?
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We can’t wait to hear from you!