Page 31 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2025

The Face of Sock Enterprises
KAREN SOCK, CEO
A career in the gaming and hospitality industry taught Karen Sock many things. “I’m grateful for having worked in such a high demand and dynamic environment,” she says. Now as the CEO of Sock Enterprises, she loves the flexibility to do work with clients across different interest groups, businesses and organizations. Cottage baker is also one of her titles as the producer of MS Karen’s Gourmet Oatmeal Kookies.
She is the creator and owner of the CEO Talent Show, which has benefitted the United Way of South Mississippi for nine years. She
is also co-founder and project manager of Pathways2Possibilities, an interactive, hands-on career exploration experience designed for eighth graders and for Opportunity Youth for ages 16
to 24. P2P has served over 122,000 Mississippi youth since it started in 2013.
Sock is chair of the board of directors at
the National Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute, board member of the Renaissance Loan Fund, and an advisory board member for Lighthouse Business & Professional Women.
“The people and their commitment to making our community stronger by helping others and the diversity of cultures, business, industry and the arts,” she says are what she likes most about South Mississippi.
Last year, Sock was honored with the John R. Blossman Humanitarian Award, which honors an individual who has made a positive impact along the Coast each year. Proceeds from the banquet support the YMCA’s Open Doors Scholarship program and in 2023 enabled 501 children and adults to experience the benefit of Y programs and services.
Her husband of 37 years, Fred, and their daughter Kristan, always inspire her. “We love to spend time together, international travel, entertaining, cooking and exploring new things. My grand dog Simon is the cutest!”
Living with stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer since 2015 makes Sock passionate about the importance of managing stress, living a healthy lifestyle and the impact of a positive attitude. She is grateful for her support system of Dr. Allison Wall and the team at Memorial Health System.
SOCK ENTERPRISES, INC.
P.O. Box 8821, Biloxi 901.651.7167 karensock52@gmail.com
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.ne
“Keep going, keep growing, keep living, keep giving.”
— Karen Sock
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January 2025 | 31
ABOVE: Karen Sock with her husband Fred.
LEFT: Sock receives the 2024 YMCA Humanitarian Award from Ted Hearn.