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Elizabeth Gordon interviews emerging entrepreneurs Judi Gerhardt, Owner of Career Fashion Consignment and Karen Robinovitz, who just launched the new beauty brand Purple Lab

CIMG3087Today on the Chic Perspectives Show we shined the chic spotlight on 2 women entrepreneurs with inspirational stories of success.  They triumphed over obstacles, remained resilient in the face of fear and disaster and building thriving businesses with powerful value propositions.

First up was Judi Gerhardt, Owner of Career Fashion Consignment and an expert on professional image and non-verbal communication

Judi Gerhardt is a former political powerhouse, survivor of 2 hurricanes, a nasty divorce, chemo, & a spinal tumor. After her surgery and deciding that she’d had enough hurricanes, she moved back to Atlanta. In August of 2009, Judi launched Career Fashion Consignment. CFC is an extremely high end career clothing consignment store for men and women in Atlanta. Judi is committed to social & financial responsibility and helping Atlanta’s business community benefit from the retail excess of the last decade.

Judi Gerhardt is an incredible woman who was one of Maynard Jacksons campaign managers for mayor. She served as a political consultant for years in both Atlanta & DC until her travels took her elsewhere. She ended up in New Orleans where she owned a large equestrian farm for 16 years until Hurricane Katrina came in and destroyed everything she had built, including her 20 year marriage. Determined to stay in New Orleans and help rebuild, she was set to open another business when Hurricane Gustav came in and blew away that business, too. And, in the middle of all of this, her doctors discovered a tumor on her spinal column.

After her surgery and deciding that shed had enough hurricanes, she moved back to Atlanta. In August of 2009, Judi launched Career Fashion Consignment. CFC is an extremely high end career clothing consignment store for men and women in Atlanta. Judi is committed to social & financial responsibility and helping Atlantas business community benefit from the retail excess of the last decade.

Judi talked about what got her started in this business, what the company does and who their customers are.  Her business model actually serves two populations – those who bring in clothes for consignment sale and those who buy them.

We talked about how she came up with the idea to start Career Fashion Consignment (CFC)

Judi talked about some of the road blocks she has faced in her career and how she overcame them.

With such an interesting career with many twists and turns, Judi explained how she has been able to reinvent herself so many times.

We also discussed the green elements of her business.

Judi recommends women:

  • Shop Responsibly by Shopping Consignment
  • Pay attention to the impact of non-verbal communication & professional dress
  • Use consignment to get a return on your fashion investment   – I just love this way of looking at it
  • Understand the importance of social responsibility and the role consignment plays

For more check out the website @ www.CareerFashionConsignment.com

Become a friend of Career Fashion Consignment @ http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Atlanta-GA/Career-Fashion-Consignment/253100746996?ref=ts

And follow on Twitter @  http://twitter.com/jrgerhardt

Judi’s story is an amazing example of how resilient people can be, not to mention the art of reinvention and the business of social responsibility.Shes truly persistent, resilient, and the queen of reinvention. Judi is firmly committed to taking personal responsibility for her life and her happiness. She is truly an inspiration and a great example of someone who bounced back! Additionally, her commitment to helping Atlanta’s business community be more socially and financially conscious is a great story for the times we are living in.

Thanks also to Judi’s PR rep – Andrea Rizk, Founder & CEO of Rizk Public Relations

andrea@rizkpr.com Twitter: @andreahrizk

Next up – another chic entrepreneur – Karen Robinovitz, Creatrix of Purple Lab Beauty.

Check out this awesome new beauty brand and start enjoying its multiple benefits @: www.purplelabnyc.com

www.thefacebook.com/purplelab

www.twitter.com/purplelabnyc

www.youtube.com/purplelabnyc

purple labKaren Robinovitz is an acclaimed fashion/beauty insider/journalist/author/media vet turned marketer turned creatrix of the new beauty brand Purple Lab where she merges insider tips and tricks with ground-breaking ingredients, cutting-edge delivery systems and trend-setting style.

Karen launched a beauty brand Purple Lab, www.purplelabnyc.com in small, high end boutiques last May. The company have recently expanded the brand and launched on Home Shopping Network with five new products. Karen called in from New York City to share her story of success – She talked about how all of the stages of her career (journalist, marketing consult, brand and social media strategist) and using her chic network prepared her to build a successful line that fills a high value niche in the marketplace.  She talked about knowing her customer base, doing market research, taking risks, overcoming fear, and the personal growth that comes with business growth.

Karen talked about how she discovered Purple Lab and how do they market the products. Karen explained what makes Purple Lab different than other beauty brands out there and what it was like to launch on HSN.  She also shared how to successfully market a brand via social media, why Purple Lab is changing the way people think about beauty  and how to launch a business during a rough economy.

Find our more about Purple Lab @ www.purplelabnyc.com

Follow Purple Lab on Twitter

Follow Purple Lab on Facebook

Find the products & on HSN

You don’t want to miss the Chic Tips either of these amazing women had to share.  Thanks so much for listening and thanks to my wonderful guests.

Until next time wishing you all Chic Success,

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Gordon interviews Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) – on the Chic Perspectives Show – Samantha Lueder of Ant Hill Communications, Carolyn Saffold Wilson of Womble Carlyle and Tonya Creekmore, Vice President of General Growth Properties

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It was my pleasure this week to have on 3 fabulous businesswomen from CREW Atlanta, Commercial Real Estate Women.

First up was Samantha Lueder of Ant Hill Communications. For more than fourteen years, Sam Lueder has been managing consumers’ perceptions of brands through integrated marketing and Public Relations programs.

With a supportive and collegiate management style, Sam’s strength lies in being able to work and secure substantial results for brands within both the corporate atmosphere, some of the worlds best-known agencies and now with her own boutique agency – Ant Hill Communications.

Her love of the actual work of Public Relations and marketing drove her to start her own company, Ant Hill, in 2009, with a corporate mandate of providing big brand experience, ideas and contacts to small, entrepreneurial companies looking to do some good and to make a difference.   In this vein, Ant Hill aims to partner with new companies and people, who are excited about their brands and willing to make loyalists out of their supporters and brand ambassadors out of their customers – the sweet spot of all that Ant Hill can achieve.

Sam started her career and secured the fundamental knowledge of Public Relations with Hill & Knowlton in London. Past credits include Corporate Communications Manager for Philips Consumer Electronics, and Marketing Manager for Song, Delta Airlines low-cost, high style airline.  She’s done marketing and PR worked with clients including Motorola, Cheerwine, Applebee’s restaurants, Earthlink and Mansfield Plumbing, Publix and Sports Authority.

Sam talked about what CREW is doing in terms of programing and events and why she was attracted to the organization, as well as her unique perspective on why an organization for women in commercial real estate is so necessary.

Next up was Carolyn Saffold Wilson of Womble Carlyle

Carolyn Wilson advises banks, companies and individual clients on commercial finance transactions and real estate matters.  She specializes in commercial loan workouts, evaluation and enforcement of lender’s rights and repayment/recovery efforts to maximize the client’s return. Her practice includes resolution of problematic unsecured loans, as well as loans secured by business assets, special purpose buildings, offices, shopping centers, condominium and other multifamily complexes, residential developments and industrial projects. She also has experience in identifying and solving title issues that might adversely affect the value and marketability of real property collateral.

Carolyn is a a CREW past president and has been active for many years as an officer, board member, legal counsel and speaker for the Atlanta Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network, a national organization of executive women in the commercial real estate industry. She is a recipient of the CREW Distinguished Achievement Award and has been named to Atlanta Magazine’s 2008 and 2009 Georgia Super Lawyer lists.

Carolyn is a magna cum laude graduate of  Duke University and Washington & Lee University School of Law.

Carolyn talked about what a impact CREW has made on her career and her advice for other businesswomen.

Tonya Creekmore, Vice President  of General Growth Properties was my next guest.   Two years ago Creekmore joined General Growth Properties as Vice President responsible for securing catalyst anchor retailers for re-development of regional malls throughout the Southeast. Prior to joining General Growth Properties, Creekmore was Partner at North American Properties where she was responsible for development and retailer relations throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Creekmore spent ten years as a Senior Leasing Representative at Ben Carter Properties before North American Properties.

She currently serves on the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network national board representing over 8,000 commercial real estate professionals and has consistently volunteered for International Council of Shopping Centers nationally and locally.


Tonya’s career includes an impressive list of awards, professional affiliations and accomplishments, including being a 40 Under 40 Atlanta Business Chronicle 2007 Up and Comers in Atlanta and Commercial Real Estate Women – Atlanta (CREW):  Past President 2006 (the year Atlanta hosted the National CREW Convention).  She was the CREW Representative on Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s Grant Making Committee, an active member and Co-Chair of yjr International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) 2004 Southeast Conference and Chair 2005 Southeast Conference (approximately 4,000 attendees). Tonya is also a CREW Network National Board Member.

Tonya has spoken at a variety of conferences and CREW events talking about Re-Development Trends and Opportunities, Retail Development in Atlanta,  Growth in North Seminole County and has also a frequent panelist at CREW meetings over the years.

Tonya talked about her experiences with CREW and the substantial impact the organization has had on her professional development and network.

It was such a pleasure to get to know these amazing and accomplished women and to shine the Chic Spotlight on all that CREW is doing for the women in commercial real estate.


Thanks for tuning in, be sure to check out the Chic Perspectives Aftershow of this episode on the Chic Entrepreneur Facebook Fanpage http://www.facebook.com/TheChicEntrepreneur

Until next time, wishing you all Chic Success,

Elizabeth


Elizabeth Gordon interviews Jennifer Shields Founder & President, Posh Tot Events and Susan Rae and Gale Middleton of roam Atlanta on the Chic Perspectives Show, co-hosted by Laura Scholz of Scholz Communications and CRAVE Atlanta

Susan Rae, Gale Middleton, Elizabeth Gordon, Jennifer Shields, Laura Scholz

Susan Rae, Gale Middleton, Elizabeth Gordon, Jennifer Shields, Laura Scholz

Yet another fabulous line up on the Chic Perspectives Show this week.  Laura Scholz of Scholz Communications http://www.facebook.com/scholzcommunications and CRAVE Atlanta was my guest cohost this week on the Chic Perspectives Show.  So we got to chat about all that’s up with CRAVE and the great events going on around Atlanta.  For more on all that go to  http://thecravecompany.com/atlanta/

Our first guest was Jennifer Shields Founder & President, Posh Tot Events

After a 12 year corporate career in marketing Jennifer Shields left corporate America, (and all the perks) behind, to follow her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. She turned her passion for planning events into Posh Tot Events, a full service event planning company that specializes in children’s birthday parties and baby showers

Jennifer talked about why someone would hire an event planner for a kids birthday party.

  • Posh Tot Events provides a niche service for busy moms that want to throw a great party for their children but are short on time, creativity or both!
  • Posh Tot Events takes ALL of the stress out planning a party making it fun and relaxing for the moms
  • We are offering a summer Princess Camp this year for girls that is targeted towards 4-6 year olds with an emphasis on manners and etiquette. Registration info available at poshtotevents.com
  • We have several themes for boys as well as girls and many of our clients come back year after year and always get something fresh and new.

Be sure to check them out @ www.poshtotevents.com

And become a friend of Posh Tot Events @ Facebook.com/poshtotevents

Keep up with the latest @ twitter/jenshieldsATL

Next up were the wonderful women of roam Atlanta, a one-of-a-kind business cafe and meeting space that is open to the pulic located at 5815 Windward Parkway Suite 302, Alpharetta, United States, 30005

www.roamatlanta.com

Susan Rae, roam writer and Marketing Director and Gale Middleton, the Director of Membership @ roam Atlanta joined me in the studio.

Suan and Gale talked about how members and patrons enjoy free wifi in the cafe and can order breakfast, lunch, coffee, wine & beer.  They also have access to 8 small, medium, and large conference rooms for private meetings, seminars, and networking events.

Susan promotes roam sponsored & member events as well as launching roam’s marketing programs.  Gale provides support to members to help them grow their businesses.

I can speak from experience and say that roam offers “insanely great” meeting experiences.  f you are the kind of person who wants to maintain a professional image without paying for expensive office space or meeting clients in coffee shops, roam is the place for you.

  • roam is the only co-working and meeting space that is open to the public.
  • roam serves its patrons as a co-working spot, its members as a private meeting space and corporations as an off site meeting space, and the community with seminars, special interest groups and education.
  • roam members get marketing support as part of their membership.  They promote their events via the roam newsletter, website, social media sites and with flyers and inhouse marketing and through the Georgia Alliance of Private Clubs.
  • roam patrons meet other entrepreneurs in the cafe and at events to network, share experiences and make new connections.

Susan and Gale told us all about a new program roam just launched called the “Get a Room” campaign.  They are offering 2 hours free in a small conference room with free coffee service of their award winning custom blend – Just mention that you heard about it on the show – and stop by roam Atlanta and take advantage of this great free offer to try the place out – and get a room!

roam has also formed a relationship with Steelcase Corporation and is test driving their media:scape collaboration furniture from April 13-May 1.  They also have a new series especially for women call WE @ roam: Women Entrepreneurs, Women of Excellence and Women’s Events – Check out what’s coming up:

  • The One-page Business Plan Workshop is Wed. April 21 from 9-11am
  • Shop the Swap: Clothing & Accessory Swap – Sat April 24, 2-4pm, with dropoff 11:30-1:00pm
  • And I’m speaking there at an after hours mixer on May 6th at 6pm  – so you know that will be awesome : )

find out more about roam atlanta @ www.roamatlanta.com and become friends and followers @ facebook/roamatlanta and twitter.com/roamatlanta

Thanks again to my co-host Laura Scholz of CRAVE Atlanta and Scholz Communications and to Pink Payments the Merchant Services for women providing Commerce with a Conscience.

Thanks to you all for listening.

Until next time

Wishing you all Chic Success,

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Gordon interviews Kimberly Wilson, Designer, Yogini, & Entrepreneur, Tranquil Space Foundation & Dallas author & CEO Shama Kabani author of The Zen of Social Media Marketing & President of The Marketing Zen Group

Today on The Chic Perspectives Show I had on Tranquilista, Kimberly Wilson from D.C. and Dallas author Shama Kabani as my guests.   Kimberly Wilson, Designer, Yogini, and Entrepreneur, Tranquil Space Foundation and Shama Kabini is the author of The Zen of Social Media Marketing.

Thanks for today’s show goes to our sponsor – Pink Payments, Merchant Services for Women, by Women and Supporting Women www.pinkpayments.com .

Kimberly Wilson is the author of Tranquilista and Hip Tranquil Chick. She is also the designer of eco-fashion line TranquiliT, and the founder of the Tranquil Space Foundation, which promotes yoga, creativity, and leadership in women and girls. She lives in Washington, DC. Visit her online at http://www.kimberlywilson.com

Kimberly talked about what a Tranquilista is – and why creative women of today want to embrace this philosophy.  A Tranquilista blends mind/body philosophy, creativity, and entrepreneurship to help women live a life full of extravagance grounded in mindfulness. Kimberly Wilson aims to help women realize — and revel in — their unique potential to make a difference through enlightened work and mindful play.

Kimberly explained what enlightened work looks like and feels like and how to use mindful play to make yourself more productive and more joy-filled.

Enlightened work is about forgoing spreadsheets and stodgy office politics to forge ahead with a new way of designing our lives as self-defined entrepreneurs who care about blending balance, bliss, and beauty. Kimberly uses the word entrepreneur, to  refer to today’s woman who wants to leave a legacy through her daily actions, whether working for a nonprofit, launching a vegan cafe, or being a full-time activist.

Mindful play allows the incorporation of art, creativity, style, and dreams into one’s spiritual journey. Kimberly says to think of play as the icing on top of a yummy cupcake – it makes the whole experience more enjoyable and balanced. Mindfulness allows one’s playful spirit to remained focused on the world-at-large and making a difference.

Kimberly focused an entire chapter of her book on style – so you know I was all over that.  We discussed how style ties into work and play.

Looking good and feeling good often goes hand in hand. “When I don a flattering outfit with a dash of the perfect of accessories and hint of make-up plus dab of eau de parfum, I hold my head high and put my best self forward.”  Here here sister!

In addition to fashion, Kimberly’s book also addresses decluttering, communicating clearly, home décor, beauty rest, bathing rituals, nourishment, exercise, and entertaining. Style plays into how you present yourself to the world in fashion, communication, home and office environment, and more. It’s a defining aspect of who you are and how you express your creativity.

Kimberly explained how she finds balance while wearing so many different hats

She says she no longer sees a distinction between my work and play. During down time you’ll find her reading business books, practicing yoga, or thumbing through fashion magazines – all of which are applicable to her career and professional life and fuel her passion. During work she’ll be sipping tea, engaging in social media, and blogging about her latest adventure. Her work and play commingle in a coherent, holistic way. She admits she’s also a sucker for self-care: regular massage, oodles of sleep, yoga, and journal writing.  – What a different world it would be if businesswomen had more pride in self care and a little less in being a workaholic or a Type A personality  – I talked about this very thing at a Panta Rei meeting recently.

Lastly Kimberly and I got into the reasons why she emphasizes spirituality and do-gooding as lifestyle essentials.

Kimberly holds that spirituality and do-gooding are foundational building blocks to launching a career and life mindfully. By taking time to feed your spiritual self through simple acts such as time in nature, meditation, journal writing, and yoga, you’re able to know yourself better and find your center. Similarly, by giving back to others and striving to let your thoughts, words, and actions have a powerful impact on those around you, you are able to make better decisions, be a leader, and, ultimately, leave a legacy.

It was such an awesomely Tranquil experience having you on Kimberly thanks so much for sharing your story and your tips with our listeners.

Find out more and keep in touch with Kimberly

www.KimberlyWilson.com

@Tranqulista; Twitter

and on the Tranqulista Fan Page on Facebook

Next up on the Chic Perspectives Show was Shama Kabani.  Shama is President of The Marketing Zen Group, a full service online marketing firm that serves clients around the world. She has been dubbed a “millennial master of the universe” and “online marketing shaman” by Fast Company magazine. In 2009, Business Week honored her as one of the Top 25 Entrepreneurs Under 25 in North America.

Shama holds a masters degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and prides herself on being a constant learner. Her website, http://www.MarketingZen.com, has turned into a high-traffic destination for people looking for advice on how to successfully market businesses online. Companies around the world have hired Shama and her fast-growing digital media agency to guide them through the world of social media marketing. She also hosts a popular web TV show on new media marketing at http://Shama.TV, and is regularly quoted on marketing and technology trends by broadcast, print, and online media.

Shama shared some valuable perspective on social media strategy and how businesses can leverage the tools to build customer relationships.

Shama says to remember that social media marketing comes LAST – after you have a great website, a solid product strategy, and a clear product direction.  Nobody “starts tweeting today” and makes a million.

It was interesting to here her talk about how traditional marketing tools are almost certain to fail in the world of social media – because social media is a consumer-driven environment, not a marketing platform.

Even if you don’t have a social media plan – Shama says social media is already influencing your customers.  It’s the great equalizer, that amplifies every opinion (positive or negative), where a college student in Austin can have as much impact as a magazine reviewer in New York City, depending on their network and their relevance to your target market.

A good rule of thumb – remember your mother’s advice:  treat people with respect, and don’t try to hide who you are.  (There are multiple case studies, and admonitions in the book, about this because one of the most common mistakes newcomers to social media make is to forget basic etiquette, or try to hide their identity to create “false positive” reviews or comments.  Two short examples:  you’d never run up to a stranger at a trade show, shove your business card in their hand, and then run away without saying anything – but people will sometimes do just that by posting their contact info or a product pitch on someone’s blog, Facebook page, or Twitter DM, without realizing that it’s the exact same thing.  Businesses that enter social media through the back door after a negative review on a site like Yelp, often try to “Googlewash” the negative reviews with positive reviews they write themselves under false names.  That ISN’T the way to handle negative consumer postings.)

Shama shared that for most businesses, it isn’t a question of whether or not they are going to make social media a part of their marketing efforts at some point.  It’s a question of when they are going to enter the conversation, and take charge of their online reputation and brand.  So what we do for our clients is show them how to get into the game, and use the Zen-like secret of success:  go with the flow, instead of trying to swim upstream.  By that, we mean using social media as a way to communicate with, educate, entertain, and open a dialog with people who may become customers (now, someday, or never) – instead of always trying to sell.  Yes, we do make money for our clients and our own business through social media marketing – and we do get customers that way.  But it is often an indirect process – someone who reads my blog, or follows me on twitter gives my name to their cousin who is looking for a web design firm, or they put our name into consideration when their company is looking for an agency, or whatever.  It’s not always a direct sales process – but is can be very profitable.

Find out more about Shama’s work, clients, book and solutions @ www.marketingzen.com

Be sure to keep in touch with Shama as well – she really knows what she’s talking about and is one of the leaders in this space.

http://Shama.Tv

twitter: @shama

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shamakabani

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shamahyder

Thanks Shama for coming on and bringing some much needed zen into the social media world – I love your unique perspective.  It was such a pleasure getting to know you and we look forward to hearing more from the first “live book” on social media.

Thanks again to our sponsor – Pink Payments, Merchant Services for Women, by Women and Supporting Women. www.pinkpayments.com

Like to pitch a guest for The Chic Perspectives Show?  Visit www.chicentrepreneur.com for media contact info.

Thanks for listening.  Until next time… wishing you all Chic Success.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Gordon interviews Megha Rodriguez, Technology Consultant & CEO of Hire Humanity, LLC

Elizabeth and Megha

Elizabeth and Megha

Megha Rodriguez was my guest on the Chic Perspectives Show.  Megha is a business strategist and technology consultant with over 11 years experience as an entrepreneur.

She is the CEO of Hire Humanity, LLC, a business services company that helps small business owners and solo-preneurs bring their dreams to reality.  They do this by providing small businesses with the additional human resources needed to make their business grow.

In her consulting work, Megha is committed to helping women business owners identify how to align their heart’s calling with their business objectives. She trains people how to use technology (e.g. social media, web-based software, etc) to sustain their growth and provides hands-on management support to help put great ideas into action.

http://www.MeghaSuccess.com

http://www.HireHumanity.com

Megha works with clients on taking their core authenticity and harnessing it in their social media – and we talked all about how to do just that during the show.

Megha offers tons of great advice on how to leverage social media properly to grow your business and expand your reach as well as develop more powerful and trusted relationships with clients, colleagues and all of you business associates.

Here are a few of her words of wisdom to remember:

  • Be Authentic in building your online social relationships
  • Beware of over-automating your technology and losing your personal touch
  • Take the time necessary to identify your target market and make it SPECIFIC
  • Don’t try to be everything to everyone in your messaging
  • Be considerate by be honest
  • Transparency is king – people like those who are willing to admit their mistakes
  • Identify your core purpose it will make a difference in how you are perceived
  • Know where your target market lives and go there well, rather than being everywhere poorly
  • This all goes back to the old adage that is even more true today than ever before  – people do business with people – so being authentic is keep to getting and keeping good solid and profitable relationships.

    What truly motivates your business activity – money? power? social impact? being a change agent?

    This is not an idle question but rather an all encompassing power center that permeates all of your business actions.  Who you are matters and why you do what you do matters too.  People want to know you and the essence of your life and business philosophy that makes your business different.  Your authenticity can’t be copied and it will help you create a business of inherent value.

    Keep in touch with Megha @

    http://www.MeghaSuccess.com

    http://www.HireHumanity.com


    http://www.Facebook.com/MeghaSuccessPage

    http://www.Twitter.com/meghab

    http://www.linkedin.com/in/megharodriguez




    Elizabeth Gordon interviews Karen Hughes of Image Assets on the Chic Perspectives Show

    Wondering what’s in style this season?  Well you’ve come to the right show.  Today I talked with Karen Hughes who is a Certified Image Professional and the President of Owner of Image Assets.

    www.ImageAssets.net

    Early in her life, Karen knew she loved clothes, having learned how to sew at the tender age of 10, but she had a passion for teaching.   Spending a decade in corporate America honing her presentation skills she found herself again drawn back to fashion and clothing – she has a degree in fashion merchandising. Taking time off to raise her 3 children she began to formulate her vision for a new role as an entrepreneur.

    It was with a passion for education and love of fashion that Image Assets was created. With a mantra to help women “look good, feel great and have FUN doing it”, Karen creates workshops and events that teach you how to build a wardrobe for the lifestyle that YOU lead, whatever your stage of life!

    By enhancing your image through better style and dress, you can enhance your career progression whether its up the ladder or out on your own as an entrepreneur.

    On the show today we talked about the 3 F’s of Fashion (Fit, Flatter, Feel-Good),

    as well as the 3-Keys to Building a Wardrobe (Core-Accent-Accessories).

    Karen revealed the biggest mistakes women make in purchasing clothes and she also explained why alterations matter.


    For more about turning your image into an asset, keep in touch with Karen @

    Check out Image Assets’ Trends with Friends Event on Tuesday the 2nd of March and the StyleCAMP at the end of the month.


    Twitter: www.twitter.com/imageassets

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/karenhughes

    Facebook Fanpage: www.facebook.com/pages/Style-YOUniversity/188572746337?ref=sgm

    and of course check out her site as well @ www.ImageAssets.net

    Thanks Karen for all the great ideas and advice for a creating a winning look that speaks our style.

    Elizabeth Gordon interviews Casey Dawes – Founder of Wise Woman Shining

    In this Chic Perspective, I talk with Casey Dawes – Founder of Wise Woman Shining

    Casey Dawes helps women business owners step into their power as women business leaders through consulting, training and coaching, using teleclasses and workshops that focus on practical, hands-on experiences to lay the organizational foundation for business, including finance, marketing and other systems.

    Casey has personally consulted for organizations such as AT&T, Verizon, Principal Financial and UPS.

    Casey reveals the biggest mistake that she sees women business owners make, along with how to write a business plan and the best way to approach this often intimidating task.

    She also assesses the current economic conditions as it relates to small business owners and gives suggestions for how women business owners can continue to grow.

    Elizabeth Gordon interviews Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, President of Real Living, Inc. and author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs

    Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, President of Real Living, Inc. and author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs

    Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, president of Real Living and creator of the Real Living brand, is passionate about entrepreneurism, marketing and the power of women in the workforce and beyond.

    A published author, journalist, marketing executive and business owner, she built her career by working in marketing for national brands and large regional advertising agencies.

    While maintaining her own writing business, she became the vice president of marketing for an Inc. 100 national franchisor, where she found her passion for franchising as a means to entrepreneurial business ownership.

    In 1997, she entered another field filled with entrepreneurs – residential real estate. She launched the nationally award-winning Real Living brand in 2002, now among the fastest-growing franchise companies in the country and making a dramatic impact in an industry in flux.

    Kaira was recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Led Companies list. Real Living was also recently named one of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in central Ohio.

    In this Chic Perspective, Kaira talks about putting the Real You in your business, bringing your authentic self and thus your joy to work with you and creating a business through vision, strategy and culture that allows you to achieve your dreams.

    Elizabeth Gordon interviews Michelle Briody, author of 16 Weeks to Your Dream Business: A Weekly Planner for Entrepreneurial Women on the Chic Perspectives Show

    Today on the Chic Perspectives Show, I got to chat with Michelle Briody, author of 16 Weeks to Your Dream Business: A Weekly Planner for Entrepreneurial Women.

    Along with her co-author Nada Jones, Michelle founded an innovative fashion business in 2001 that showcased emerging women designers and their products in the fashion, beauty and lifestyle markets and gave women outside of NY and LA access to the latest trends.

    Having worked with hundreds of emerging women-owned companies, Nada and Michelle decided to write a book to empower other women to go after their dreams and do so in a smart and organized fashion that would lead them to success, while bypassing some of the common mistakes.

    In this Chic Perspectives interview, Michelle talks about their 16-week plan for getting started, how women tend to start, build and manage growth differently than men, how this serves as an advantage as well as how it can be a hindrance if they are not careful. Michelle recounts successful strategies of the top performing companies she has observed over the years and gives tips on marketing and public relations.

    We also talk about the all important topic of cash flow, how to create, grow and maintain it.