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FEATURED LADIES:

Barbara Kavovit

Founder, Barbara K Enterprises, Inc
www.barbarak.com
There’s nothing quite like a lady with a hammer (or a screw driver, drill, level or sander.) Come on, admit it, the tool belt is an accessory that trumps even the latest “It” bag.
Read more…

Gail Goodman

President and CEO, Constant Contact
www.constantcontact.com
E-mail newsletters used to be toys of the tech-savvy. Then Gail Goodman came along.
Read more…

Amy Smilovic

Designer and Founder, Tibi.
www.www.tibi.com
We should all be so lucky to go to Paris to shop. For Amy Smilovic, Founder and lead designer of Tibi , it’s all in a day’s work.
Read more…

Kara Goldin
Founder and CEO, Hint Inc.
www.drinkhint.com
Here’s a hint. Look for the one that says, “drink water, not sugar.” Its all-natural ingredients are water plus the pure essence of your favorite fruit, veggie or herb – no sweeteners, preservatives, calories or artificial anything.
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Christy Turlington Burns
Philanthropist, Businesswoman, Parent, Author, Model
www.care.org
What we learned from Christy: From heartache can come balance. Measure the success of a project by the quality of the relationships.
Read more…

Geraldine Laybourne
Founder and CEO, Oxygen Media
www.oxygen.com
Geraldine Laybourne was into girl power way before it was cool. Born in 1947, a time when a woman’s place was in the home (not the headlines). Laybourne defied convention to become one of the most groundbreaking media moguls to ever wear lipstick.
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Erica Ehm
Founder, Yummy Mummy Club
www.yummymummysite.com
One of Canada’s most recognized media personalities, Erica was barely in her 20s when she became the first female video jockey on Canada’s MuchMusic cable TV station.
Read more…

Ann Crady
SVP of Consumer Experience, Baby Center, LLC and CEO/Founder of Maya’s Mom
www.babycenter.com
Where Ann Crady goes, online conversation follows. First Crady got people to dish about their favorite cars, while serving as the director of business development for Yahoo! Autos. But she knew it would be even easier to get people gabbing about the one topic that inspires more passion in people than cars: motherhood.
Read more…

Joanne Goldblum
Founder, The Diaper Bank
www.thediaperbank.org
Some people dream about changing the lives of children. Others actually do it.
Read more…

Josie Maran
Owner and Founder, Josie Maran Cosmetics
www.josiemarancosmetics.com
“After sitting in the makeup chair for so long I knew there was nothing out there that was glamorous AND really good for you. So I decided I’d just have to make it myself.”
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Romy Taormina and Carla Falcone
Co-Founders, Psi Bands
www.psibands.com
Many women know that pregnancy will ultimately give them a little bundle of joy, but for Romy Taormina and Carla Falcone, it also gave them a booming business venture.
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Tina Aldatz
President, Foot Petals
www.footpetals.com
Tina Aldatz Norris was more “Sex and the City” than Fortune 500 when she created her first Foot Petals product, an insole for women who were over the pain of wearing high heels but would never (gasp) go the sneaker route. She had built a successful fashion merchandising career, but her love of shoes had taken its toll.
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Lesley Hatfield
Founder, NiteSweatz
www.nitesweatz.com
The “runner’s high,” a rush of endorphins to the brain resulting in a peaceful or euphoric state, is a notion that’s often debated. And the idea of achieving clarity during a workout is sometimes dismissed as new age-y.
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Heidi Flammang
TopDog, Camp Bow Wow
www.campbowwow.com
When one of the country’s first doggy day cares opened next door to her dad’s business, Heidi Flammang and her husband, Bion, would sneak over to hang out with the dogs. They fell in love with the concept—and the dogs—and were soon making trades of services with the owner to have their own dogs stay there.
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Kim Kleeman
Founder, Shakespeare Squared
Shakespeare Squared: Named one of Inc.’s 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. Recognized as one of Working Mother magazine’s 25 Best Small Companies. Awarded the title of Illinois Family Business of the Year. Lofty accomplishments for company founder Kim Kleeman, a woman who just a few short years ago swore she would never own her own business!
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Katrina Markoff
Owner, Vosges Haut-Chocolat
www.vosgeschocolate.com
The internationally lauded Vosges Haut-Chocolat was launched in 1998 by world traveler and Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute alumnus Katrina Markoff. Inspired by the diverse flavors she sampled during her travels as well as a deep passion for bringing cultures together, Katrina bravely went where no chocolatier had gone before…
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Jill Blashack Strahan
Founder and CEO, Tastefully Simple
www.tastefullysimple.com
Sometimes life’s biggest challenges result in its greatest rewards. When Jill Blashack Strahan’s brother Mike was killed in a fire, she swore she would live her own life to the fullest. This vow gave her the courage to launch Minnesota-based direct sales company Tastefully Simple, which offers easy-to-prepare gourmet foods, sold primarily at home parties.
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Taja Sevelle
Executive Director & Founder, Urban Farming
www.urbanfarming.org
Did you know that if all of us planted food in our home gardens, in planters, on rooftops, within corporate landscaping, at schools, in vacant lots—anyplace where there could be a healthy growing environment—that we could eradicate hunger?
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Jennifer Boulden and Heather Stephenson
Co-Founders, idealbite.com
www.idealbite.com
What if you can’t afford a Prius? Is it better to choose plastic or paper at the grocery store? Ideal Bite co-founders and eco experts Jennifer Boulden and Heather Stephenson deliver daily eco-tips that draw subscribers by being hip, fun, and honest about the fact that no one’s perfect when it comes to being green.
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Liz Lange
Founder and CEO, Liz Lange Maternity
www.lizlange.com
How Liz Lange found success with chic maternity line by ignoring those who said she couldn’t
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Joan Barnes
Principal Owner, YOGASTUDIO and
Founder/Former CEO, Gymboree
www.yogastudiomillvalley.com
How the Gymboree founder redefined success, business, and her life.
Read more…

Sheri Schmelzer
Founder, President, and Chief Design Officer, Jibbitz
How this Jibbitz founder turned a kids’ crafts project into a million-dollar business with Crocs.
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Essie Weingarten
Founder, President, and Chief Design Officer, Jibbitz
www.essie.com
If you’ve ever had a manicure, you’ve probably used her products. The founder of Essie Nail Polish speaks up!
Read more…

Nina Zagat
Co-founder and co-chair, Zagat Survey
www.zagat.com
This mom and wife turned her love of dining out into every city’s culinary bible.
Read more…

FEATURED ARTICLES:

Keep Your Kids and Clients Happy: How to Do both

Strategic use of nap time, crayons, and broken-down laptops is key.

No Guilt: You Can Launch Without Letting Your Home Life Go to Pot
How to run your company and your household like a pro. You can do both!

My Husband, My Partner: How One Couple Makes it Work
It’s actually NOT impossible to work with your husband.

How To Work From Home Without Losing Your Mind
Why a home-based business is both a blessing and a curse.

28 Ways to Grow Your E-mail List
Build a relationship with clients and prospects via your newsletter—but first you must get them to opt in.

How to: Use Your Newsletter to Build Business
It’s all about personalization, engagement, and the occasional tempting offer.

10 Steps To Email Marketing Success
Read more…

How Giving to Others Can Help Grow Your Business
Invite more abundance into your life by focusing on what you can do for those around you.

How to Be a Greener Shopper
Be a greener shopper: Get rid of the plastic, for starters.

Staying Healthy While Launching
How to avoid running yourself down while ramping up your business.

Spiritual Food
Mariel Hemingway’s advice on feeding your body, feeding your soul. Your life depends on it.

Starting Your Own Non-Profit
Do you have a passion you want to launch? Consider starting it as a non-profit.

Dare To Dream That You Can Make a Difference
When bad things mean good news: Tragedies are often doorways to discovery and success.

10 Things You Should Know Before You Launch
Before you get lost in the minutia of business planning, forms and financial spreadsheets take a look at this simple list of Ten Things You Should Know Before You Launch.

Organizing Your Start- Up
Sandi Einstein Professional organizer Sandi Einstein shares some helpful tips for organizing your start-up business.

Have a Product Idea?
Three Easy Ways to Start it Now

Mompreneurs: Launching While Keeping Your Day Job
Don’t quit your day job: Mompreneurs, you can launch while still punching in.

What Is Twitter, and Why Should You Care?
Twitter is all about building community, sharing your expertise, and getting your name out there.

Social Media 101: Learning the Basics
Blog? Social-Bookmark? Use FaceBook? Share photos? Do it all faster with Flock.

Resources for Mompreneurs
Memo to moms: Keep these must-have resources for entrepreneurs in your Favorites menu!

No Prior Experience, Launching Moms? No Problem
Turn your passion into action by following these four steps.

Moms: How to Keep Your Sanity While Launching
Tips to help you balance your business and your home life.

The Business of Blogging
Contrary to stereotypes, blogging is not just for people who want to post pictures of their cats.

How Video Blogs Will Help Grow Your Business
Vlogging is easy. It’s immediate. And you can actually make money doing it.

How To: Create an Online Empire
Follow these 21 (sometimes surprising) steps and you’ll soon be on the road to success.

Make Your Small Business BIG Through Web Marketing
The true meaning of Web marketing is maximizing exchanges. Here’s how to do it.

Breathe Easy: Quick Tips To Help You De-Stress
What’s the #1 thing you should do to decrease stress? Eight health experts weigh in.

Feng Shui For Your Business
Is your desk blocking a big client from walking in the door?

8 Tips For Setting Up a Home Office
How to turn your home office into headquarters.

Promoting Your Book: It’s All About PR
Has your book been published? Great! Five percent of your work is done then!

How To: Become a TV Sitcom Writer
How do you break into TV writing? Ali Rushfield, who’s been there done that, offers some advice.

Home Is Where the Art Is: How to Inspire your Kids to Be Creative
Visual art is critical to a child’s development and fosters academic achievement throughout life.

No Prior Experience, Launching Moms? No Problem
Turn your passion into action by following these four steps.

Coping Strategies for the Frazzled Launching Mom
Freaking out about … well, everything? Follow these tips and you’ll be juggling your biz and kids with ease.

Mompreneurs: Real-Life Wonder Women
How launching moms are changing the face of entrepreneurship in the U.S.

How To: Work With a Factor
Need an infusion of cash but don’t want to go into debt? Then factoring may be right for you.

Are You QVC – Ready?
How to tell if your product is ready for prime time.

How To: Add Value To Your Jewelry
Make your artistic creations more valuable by putting more of yourself into them.

No Guilt: You Can Launch Without Letting Your Home Life Go to Pot
How to run your company and your household like a pro. You can do both!

When It Comes To Choosing Business Partners, Look Before You Leap
Don’t blind yourself to the weaknesses of your potential business partner.
Read more…

My Husband, My Partner: How One Couple Makes it Work
It’s actually NOT impossible to work with your husband.
Read more…

The Top 10 Issues Every Partnership Agreement Should Cover
Memorializing a partnership agreement in writing is the best way to cement a business relationship
Read more…

Top 10 Reasons Why Dating an Entrepreneur Rocks
Why a launching lady is the ultimate catch for any discerning bachelor.
Read more…

Are You QVC – Ready?
How to tell if your product is ready for prime time.
Read more…

How to Maximize Your Marketing During a Recession
Be a recession princess: Market your business smart no matter what the Dow says.
Here’s how …
Read more…

Sales Reps Who Rock! How to Find the Good Ones
Blow the doors off your sales goals by hiring rockstar reps.
Read more..

Make Your Small Business BIG Through Web Marketing
The true meaning of Web marketing is maximizing exchanges. Here’s how to do it.
Read more..

Is Anyone Visiting Your Site? Google Analytics Has the Answer
You’ve built your site, now it’s time to get yourself set up with a free and easy traffic-reporting service.
Read more…

Keeping Your Kids and Clients Happy: How to Do Both
Strategic use of nap time, crayons, and broken-down laptops is key.
Read more…

How to Maximize Your Marketing During a Recession
Be a recession princess: Market your business smart no matter what the Dow says.
Here’s how …
Read more…

Three Brand Traps: Have You Been Caught?
Do you want your brand to be more recognizable, memorable, and profitable? Then avoid these three traps.
Read more…

Balance—Myth or Reality?
Perhaps you’ve heard about the woman who has it all, but have you actually met her?
Read more…

No Guilt: You Can Launch Without Letting Your Home Life Go to Pot
How to run your company and your household like a pro. You can do both!
Read more…

Health insurance options for the self-employed.
Health insurance options for the self-employed.
Read more…

Moms: How To Keep Your Sanity While Launching
Perhaps you’ve heard about the woman who has it all, but have you actually met her?
Read more…

Resources for Mompreneurs
Memo to moms: Keep these must-have resources for entrepreneurs in your Favorites menu!
Read more…

How To: Create a Killer Business Plan
A killer business plan: The key to the financial kingdom.
Read more…

Rules Of Engagement: 10 Things To Know Before You Take On a Business Partner
Business partnerships are like marriages. They require constant work—and a prenup.
Read more…

Business Plan 101: Nailing The Basics
How to handle the two primary components of a business plan: the words and the numbers.
Read more…

8 Tips For Setting Up a Home Office
Setting up Your Home Office: It determines your organization, visualization, and imagination — make it a place you want to be!
Read more…

Start-Up 411: Your 10-Point Checklist
So you’ve decided you’re ready to start your business. Now what?
Read more…

Put Your Money Where Your Dream Is
Put down that designer shampoo: Are you taking real steps to invest in your own business?
Read more…

It’s Not What You Say…But What We See
Our brains believe the visual over the verbal. So don’t sabotage your message by chewing gum.
Read more…

How To: Use a Non-Disclosure Agreement
Tips on protecting your creation before it hits the general marketplace.
Read more…

What’s Your Dream? 5 Tips for Uncovering Your Hidden Talents
Investing in Your Dream: Get your idea off the ground with these financial keys to start-up success.
Read more…