Jess Belfry: Empowering Purpose-Driven Leaders on Magnum Magazine’s 2025 Cover
In a world where entrepreneurship often values hustle over heart, Jess Belfry is redefining what it means to lead with purpose, power, and authenticity. As the co-founder of Rooted In Savannah, a consulting and mentoring firm based in Savannah, Georgia, Jess graces the cover of Magnum Magazine’s July 2025 edition as one of the Top 5 Influential Personalities to Watch — and with good reason.
A serial entrepreneur, mentor, and community advocate, Jess’s career spans diverse industries including real estate, storage management, retail, and business consulting. But her ventures share a common thread: every business she builds is rooted in community, legacy, and transformational leadership. From Buckhead Storage to her role with Southbridge Greater Savannah Realty, Jess approaches each endeavor with a strategic mind and an open heart.
From Grit to Growth: The Entrepreneurial Journey
Jess’s own story is as powerful as the businesses she builds. A single mother by age 20, she entered entrepreneurship at just 24—not with funding or connections, but with determination, clarity, and vision. Her journey began in real estate investing, where she leveraged limited resources to secure her first property, setting a foundation for long-term wealth.
Over time, she launched and operated a retail store and salon, and eventually purchased Buckhead Storage, transforming it into one of the most recognized and resilient storage solutions in Richmond Hill, Georgia. These ventures were not just profitable—they became vessels for mentorship, growth, and community building.
Jess co-founded Rooted In Savannah alongside Dr. Valerie Reynolds to provide strategic guidance for established business owners. The firm works primarily with entrepreneurs who have three or more years in business and are ready to scale, pivot, or exit with intention. Through personalized consulting, operational refinement, and visionary goal setting, clients receive not just business advice, but a path to legacy. The company also maintains a vibrant presence on Instagram where it highlights local entrepreneurs and Savannah culture.
Courage, Challenges & Community Impact
Jess’s leadership style is grounded in transparency and resilience. Her career has been punctuated by extraordinary moments of courage, including a high-speed pursuit of thieves who stole from her storage facility and a bold whistleblowing act against unethical practices within a nonprofit organization she once served.
These moments illustrate what truly sets Jess apart: she leads fearlessly, stands up for what’s right, and turns setbacks into teachable moments. Her strength is matched by vulnerability—a quality she regularly shares with her followers via her lifestyle brand @thebelfrybiscuit.
Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders, Entrepreneurs & Ethical Growth
Jess is especially passionate about empowering women entrepreneurs and mothers building legacy-driven businesses. She mentors rising leaders across Savannah, often helping them transition from idea to impact. One of her proudest achievements? Supporting a teenage salon employee in becoming a salon owner herself by the age of 22.
Her accolades reflect this impact: a Grow with Google Silver High Impact Partner, 2025 Marquis Who’s Who Honored Listee, Presidential Gold Service Award recipient, and former Chair of the Savannah SCORE Chapter. She’s also been featured in Rising Tide Society’s “20 on the Rise” and led Savannah’s Best Fundraising Event for four consecutive years.
Building Brands with Purpose
Jess’s consulting model stands out in a saturated market because it’s anchored in lived experience. She helps clients reduce overhead while increasing profitability through strategic decisions, not shortcuts. Her method is personal, customized, and based on walking the entrepreneurial path herself.
Clients of Rooted In Savannah range from restaurateurs and e-commerce founders to real estate developers and creative professionals. The firm has quickly become a sought-after name in Georgia’s business consulting scene.
Rooted In Savannah: More Than a Brand
What started as a consulting firm has grown into a community movement. Through events, digital storytelling, and real-world connections, Rooted In Savannah bridges the gap between local businesses, community values, and long-term success. It embodies Jess’s belief that entrepreneurship should be both profitable and purposeful.
Her firm’s influence is amplified through community engagement, speaking events, and her commitment to giving back. Rooted In Savannah regularly collaborates with nonprofit initiatives, hosts growth workshops, and creates platforms for underrepresented voices in the Savannah business ecosystem.
A Legacy Still in Motion
As Jess continues to evolve, she remains deeply committed to Savannah’s future. She’s helping shape the city not only through real estate and business but also through mentoring the next generation of changemakers.
With the spotlight from Magnum Magazine’s July 2025 cover, Jess Belfry is more visible than ever—and rightfully so. She is the embodiment of bold leadership, rooted values, and visionary entrepreneurship.
To learn more about Jess and her work, visit:
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Instagram: @rootedinsavannah | @thebelfrybiscuit