Morgan Pettigrew, CEO, founder, and managing partner of Pettigrew Firm and Pettigrew Adventures, shared her path to success with students at the University of Memphis.
On January 28, Pettigrew hosted a Lunch and Learn at the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship, where she discussed her early career, challenges, and transition into entrepreneurship.
“You don’t grow this massive business overnight—you have to grow it and develop it,” Pettigrew said.
Pettigrew’s journey began at the University of Memphis, where she prepared for law school and formed lifelong connections.
“When I was three or four, I was a master negotiator, so my parents would say, ‘She needs to go to law school.’ When I was choosing my career and applying to the University of Memphis, I already knew what I wanted to do,” Pettigrew said.
However, while practicing law, she felt something was missing—human interaction.
“I love connecting people and socializing because that is just who I am at my core,” she said.
Her perspective on life changed drastically when her best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. Pettigrew put her legal career on hold, quitting her job to spend four months making memories with her friend.
“I had never thought about how fragile life is,” Pettigrew said.
This experience, combined with her desire for more meaningful interactions, led Pettigrew to pivot toward entrepreneurship. With guidance from her grandfather, a former home builder, she pursued her passion for interior design and founded Pettigrew Adventures.
“My grandfather had a rental portfolio, so I grew up knowing the ins and outs of managing properties,” she said.
Unlike traditional Airbnb businesses, Pettigrew Adventures focuses on luxury stays with carefully curated interior design.
“The thing that set me apart was the interior design of the houses,” Pettigrew said.
Initially, she managed self-owned properties, but as her business expanded, she transitioned into both ownership and property management, creating a thriving enterprise.
Pettigrew’s journey from law to entrepreneurship demonstrates the power of adaptability, passion, and prioritizing what truly matters in life.
