Ladies Who Launch

Rocket Launchers: Ladies Who Launch In The News

Writer and BlogHer founder Jory Des Jardins speaks about her experience as a panel member at a San Francisco LWL event.  This is a really enlightening read as it is written from a guest point of view who is stepping into the LWL realm.   When she was asked about her experience in transitioning to the entrepreneurial realm and making her vision happen, she says, “I brooded and complained once a quarter about not being utilized fully [prior to embarking on her dreams].  Be warned: expect to be utilized on the entrepreneurial journey, OVER-utilized, in fact.”  How true that is!  http://www.jorydesjardins.com/pause/

Check out a recent clip from The View from the Bay in San Francisco, ABC7 News, where our LWL Live San Francisco is captured. The video includes a fashion show of Incubator member’s designs and products, as well as an interview with guest speaker Mariel Hemmingway. Love it!  http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=audrey&id=5727868

LA Incubator Christine Saunders, Designer and founder of The Spiraled Stem Floral Design, was recently published in Event Solutions Magazine.  In the article she talks about environmentally-friendly floral designs and is quoted on upcoming trends for fall events.  Six images of her designs are included in the article.  http://www.event-solutions.com/magazine/september_2007/the_flowers_of_fall

NYC Incubator Desiree Naccarato, founder of Perceptions Image Management, was just featured in the quarterly newsletter of the Association of Image Consultants International.   In the article, “My Experience on “The Isaac Show,” Desiree shares how she was selected to be a “style expert” in a taped shopping segment for the Style Channel, a division of E! Entertainment Television.  How did this opportunity come about – through Ladies Who Launch!  It’s a real fun read.  You’ll see how Desiree was given a mystery clothing piece (which happened to be a black corset) and stylishly integrated it into a look for a "Polished Professional".  http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe621573746400797d1c&m=ff00167276640c&ls=fe0111757c66047c75177276&jb=ffcf14 (Scroll down to the fourth article after the editor’s note.)

Boston Incubator Lynn Toomey is making waves in the business world!  She was just selected as one of three finalists in Mount Wachusett Community College’s 3rd Annual Business Plan Competition. The final presentation is coming up on November 19th and we wish her the best!   In addition, Lynn was a featured writer in Real Women Press where she talks about “Women Who Launch Business,” http://www.realwomenpress.com/RWP10-2007.pdf (page 12).  Check her out in Thestreet.com, “Artfully Entrepreneurial,” http://www.thestreet.com/newsanalysis/sbmanagement/10386755.html ,  and the Worcester Business Journal, “Group for Women Raises Eyebrows,” http://wbjournal.com/j/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2694&Itemid=139       

Rocket Launchers: This week's Ladies Who Launch News

Baton Rouge Incubator leader CHRIS RUSSO BLACKWOOD, Publisher for InRegister magazine and General Manager of Blacktie-Louisiana, was instrumental in the printing of the first “Featured Lady” article in InRegister.  KIM BRECHEEN and her company, Slumber Parties, are highlighted for their continued phenomenal growth!  (Starting only as a party guest in the early 90’s to now running a company generating $62 million in revenues in 2006.)   It’s a very impressive article! Additionally, a full page ad was included that highlights this weekend’s “Feathering Your Entrepreneurial Nest” seminar at LSU.  The seminar is targeting women who want to start their own business.  Check it out: http://www.inregister.com:8080/rrserver/browser?title=/InRegister/InRegisterOct07&page=68  (Skip to page 68 for the article.)

New York Incubator JULIE HAMILTON, founder of Buddha Belly, was just featured in UrbanBaby.com for her clever, yoga-inspired tees and onesies for tots!    

San Francisco Incubator, NICOLE KIDD, handmade jewelry designer, was the feature of a super article in the Contra Costa Times this week.   The article "Group Helps Entrepreneurs Launch" highlights Nicole’s career transformation that followed her Incubator Intensive; she went from tech industry guru to custom jewelry extraordinaire.  In the article Nicole notes, “I never had a group of imaginative, hardworking women think on my behalf and create a vision for me … [the LWL Intensive] confirmed my most deeply held hopes and desires for my business that I wouldn't even dare to speak."     http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_7135457?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com&nclick_check=1

Atlanta Incubator, BRITT MENZIES, founder of StinkyKids had the chance to share her story on CBS Better Mornings very early this morning (5 and 6am).  View the segment on www.cbs46.com under the Better Mornings tab.  Additionally, next week on Oct 17th at 11:30am, Tory Johnson from ABCNews.com is going to interview Britt LIVE in streaming video on her show Home Work on ABCNews.com … to top it off, she is also including Britt’s story in her upcoming book.

LA Incubator ALEXIS M NEELY, founder of the Family Wealth Planning Institute, was just interviewed on Fox TV’s national news show, the Mike and Juliet Show.   In this interview she shares her viewpoint on nursing and a special mother named Sophie Currier.   Family Wealth Planning Institute’s mission is to teach parents and grandparents how to prepare their children to receive wealth and use that wealth to positively impact the world. http://www.mandjshow.com/videos/the-treatment-of-nursing-mothers/

Atlanta Incubator leader TRACI LONG and On-Going member LYNNE FAIR-HOMRICH, founder of UptownScoop.com, were featured on the Georgia Public Broadcasting network. @ Work is a monthly call-in show focusing on workplace issues. Traci and Lynne, along with hosts Valarie Edwards and HR expert Emory Mulling, answered listener questions and offered strategies for dealing with the myriad problems and challenges that can arise when trying to “Find Your Dream Job”.  www.gpb.org

Sacramento Incubator BETH RITCHEY, founder of My Best Moves, was recently featured in the Sacramento Bee.    Entrepreneur Brings Pole-Dancing Parties Home tells how Beth, a mother of three, started teaching pole-dancing for private parties to help women get in shape, express themselves in a new, fun way, and do it in a private setting where participants don’t feel inhibited.   Sacramento Incubator leader WHITNEY ROBERTS is quoted in regards to Beth’s growing success with My Best Moves, “Any time a woman gets to be creative, have flexibility and make some money at the same time, then she's in the element."   

CYNTHIA SUTTON, Houston Incubator, launched her newly designed website,  Haute Home Style ,with an appearance on  Houston's KHOU-TV morning show, "Great Day Houston" (www.greatdayhouston.com -- See segment called “Green With Style”).  Sutton, in two on-air segments, showed audience members and viewers some of the latest environmentally friendly products.   Haute Home Style is a website offering information on the latest products, services and resourcing information for anyone who is building or remodeling a home.  Sutton promotes items from the sites on news & entertainment shows across the country.  The site, was designed by fellow LWL member EMILY KOTEFF.

Rocket Launchers: Ladies Who Launch In The News

• Massachusetts MetroWest/West Incubator leader, Lynn Toomey, founder of Art to Gogh, was recently featured on WCRN radio broadcasting out of Worcester, Massachusetts. On the popular Saturday morning talk show, "Dining Out MetroWest", Lynn was interviewed by hosts Christina Andrianopolis and Allan Eisenberg about Ladies Who Launch and Art to Gogh.  Lynn was able to plug the new MetroWest region and her upcoming Incubator Intensives in October and November.
• LA Incubator, BROOKE BAROUSSE, founder of Lexington Nannies was just featured on UrbanBaby.com.  Brooke is a former professional caregiver who started a nanny placement agency in LA.  Brooke shares some great advice for working parents who are facing the daunting task of finding the perfect nanny.   
• New York Incubator, GALIA GICHON, founder of Down-to-Earth Finance  was just featured on SmartMoney.com again in a very insightful interview about managing your finances, “Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt.”   
• LA Incubator, LISA GACHE, founder of Beverly Hills Manners (http://beverlyhillsmanners.com/ ) was just featured in Cool Mom Picks.com. The article gives a small but enticing slice of the skills and manners that your kids will learn from attending a variety of programs, camps, or even a private tutorial at your home. 
•   Portland Incubator LINDY BARTELL, designer of the infamous Piggy Platter and founder of Smarty Parents (SmartyParents.com ), was the business highlight in a recent issue of the Oregonian.  Not only are the products highlighted, but also a profile of how Lindy and her husband started the business – from product design to funding.  (Little Michael and Josiah Bartell are also shown eating their Mickey-Mouse pancakes on their own piggy platters.)  http://www.smartyparents.com/assets/oregonian_bizcoverage.pdf.
• Incubator LINDA ZIMMER is scheduled to speak at the upcoming Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) Women in the Know conference.  Linda is known as “The Jewelry Industry Coach.” http://www.womensjewelry.org/events/WITK_Midwest.htm

Rocket Launchers: Ladies In The News

New York Incubator Galia Gichon, founder of Down-To-Earth Finance, was featured in the NY Times this past weekend.  Galia speaks to the importance of saving for your child’s college education, but not to the expense of one’s own savings and retirement.   Galia notes, “When you are considering how much you should be saving for your children's college education, make sure you are saving enough for your own retirement and have a big enough emergency savings account.”   Read the article by M.P. Dunleavey, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/22/business/yourmoney/22instincts.html

Toronto Incubator, Kim Drosdick, upscale jewelry designer and founder of Kim Drosdick Jewelry and Flux+Form Design Studio (www.fluxandform.com ), has been receiving great reviews after recently launching her new boutique, Flux+Form Design Studio.  Toronto’s edition of Sweetspot spoke very highly of Kim’s designs in an article entitled, Triple Threat.  Check it out:  http://www.sweetspot.ca/article.php?id=2330   Kim also had a mention in September’s Fashion Magazine.  As a result of the recent buzz, new clients are coming in for custom engagement and wedding rings.

Seattle Incubator, Laura Leist, a certified professional organizer and founder of Eliminate Chaos, LLC, is currently featured in Entrepreneur Magazine in an article entitled, Keeping Order  - Rescuing Offices in Disarray is Big Business for Professional Organizers.   As Leigh points out, there isn’t a right or wrong way to go about organizing – it’s about creating a system that is efficient and functional for each individual.  As businesses become more streamlined and employees are crunched for time, the value of being organized continues to increase. http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2007/september/182966.html

New York Incubator, Michelle Madhok, founder of SheFinds.com and MomFinds.com, is dedicating part of her fashion site to fight Ovarian Cancer this month.  SheFinds.com is currently featuring unique designs from a variety of designers where a portion of the proceeds (up to 50%) will go to fight Ovarian Cancer.  The great news is that She FOUND our own Lea McWhorter, founder of Sophisticated Beads (www.sophisticatedbeads.com), is one of the designers supporting the fight for Ovarian Cancer with her own bracelet designs. SheFinds.com is an online publication distributed via email & blogs that helps busy women shop the web for the latest beauty and style finds.  http://shefinds.com/blog/index.php/weblog/index/

New York Incubator, Bara Sapir, founder and director of Test Prep New York was highlighted on CNN/Fortune magazine online.  The article highlights Test Prep NY’s results-driven methods for helping people prepare for the LSAT, GMAT, and other major standardized tests with great results. Bara’s approach is not always the conventional one … her program includes a preliminary discussion where she helps the candidate evaluate whether or not their test plans (aka career plans) are best suited for him/her, (i.e. Is Law School really your passion or are you pursuing it for the wrong reasons?)    “Being relaxed during the test preparation process is key,” says Bara.  http://thegig.blogs.fortune.com

Atlanta incubator leader Traci Long and On-Going member Lynne Fair-Homrich, founder of UptownScoop.com were featured on the Georgia Public Broadcasting network. @ Work is a monthly call-in show focusing on workplace issues. Traci and Lynne along with hosts Valarie Edwards and HR expert Emory Mulling answered listener questions and offered strategies for dealing with the myriad problems and challenges that can arise when trying to “Find your Dream Job”.  www.gpb.org

How to Unleash your Inner Sexpot

Would you like to unleash your inner Sexpot?
Pole dancing is the latest trend in workouts it is true. It is Audacious. It is bold.

And fun.

It makes me feel juicy, bodacious and empowered. It trims my waistline and causes me to think differently about who I am being in the world. All that from 2 hours in a very intense and pleasurable workout?

Yes.

So consider this.
If all matter is energy and the Law of Attraction says that like
energy attracts like energy, then imagine the kind of gorgeous
energy you can create by giving the pole a whirl?

There is much to be said for my pole dancing classes and I have
noticed a change in how I approach everything in my life.

As Sheila Kelly, the founder of SFactor has said, "Soak in the
pure, unadulterated flow of your life. Breathe it in and exhale
everything in your mind until your entire being is just bliss. Let
your body float with soft, languid moves that are simply organic to
your being. When you step outside into your day you will notice
something has shifted."

I think I am (finally!) becoming the exquisite creature I was meant to be.
When you uncover your inner sexpot you also uncover your creative
center, which helps you to think of great new ideas for your
business and gives you the lift-off to actually complete what you
start!

Imagine that?

One of my coaches, Andrea J. Lee of Vancouver, British Columbia often speaks about doing activities that open you to your most sensual and creative self. For me it comes from movement and there is nothing like gathering the courage to dance with a pole...and do it gracefully. And also not be afraid to flop on the floor and try again.

If you are looking for a way to shape up your body, mind and spirit
then the Sfactor may just be the thing for you. They have intro
classes and studios are opening all over the place.

Even Oprah loves it.
You will too.
It's Pure Audacious power.

Go on check it out. You know you want to.

http://www.sfactor.com

Nancy Mindes, Chief Audaciousness Officer
Audacious Ladies Coaching Company
http://www.NancyMindes.com

Rocket Launchers: Ladies Who Launch In the News

Fashion designer Kathlin Argiro was on The Today Show.

Laurel Denise's beautiful jewelry was chosen by Eva Longoria herself as the gift she’s giving to her bridesmaids in her upcoming wedding to Tony Parker. You can see all of my jewelry at her site, Laurel Denise. Here is the specific necklace that she and stylist Robert Verdi chose: http://www.laureldenise.com/shop/simplystated/wish.html.

Holli Ehrlich, co-founder Wedding Podcast Network  was recently a guest on Karen Salmansohn's Be Happy, Dammit! radio show heard on SIRIUS satellite radio.  Wedding Podcast Network was featured on WNBC-TV.  Sree Sreenivasan, the tech reporter, cited Wedding Podcast Network as one of the best wedding websites.

You can read Tali Gillette's numerous press mentions in the press section of her jewelry website, Tali Gilette.

Amy Holbrook's  AMH Design needlepoint kits was featured in the Hamptons Magazine.

Author Karen Salmansohn is featured in an article in the New York Post.

Danielle Scherman of Soiree Events was featured in Hamptons Magazine for her summer events at The Hamptons.

Rocket Launchers: Ladies Who Launch In the News

• Kim Ima of Treats Truck, is in Time Out New York this week. Her dessert truck will be rolling around the city selling brownies and cookies very soon.
• Lindsay Mure, of Adfemme.com was featured in Crain's New York in an article about entrepreneurs under 30.  Here's the pdf of the issue.
• Marci Alboher interviewed Nichelle  Stephens for her new small business column in the New York Times, and is featured in her column, "When The Entrepreneur Has 2 Faces".
• Robin Wilson was featured in the New York Post as one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in New York".

Kudos: Jenny Kraft

Jenny Kraft for Crate & Barrel
Originally uploaded by candiedyams.

New York Incubator member Jenny Kraft has designed a project for Crate & Barrel. According to her email things are going quite well:

I did a tradeshow in January that went really well; made some good
contacts with a lot of fashion, home decor and stationery companies.
Sold more at that show than at the past 2 combined, so things are
going well.

Congrats to Jenny! You can see her work and purchase Verde Dinnerware by clicking here.