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Archive for the ‘Collaboration’ Category

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EVENT: Making Profitable Connections – 9/14/10

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Summer is winding down. School is back in session for some and soon will be for others. For many moms, the start of the school year also presents an opportunity to start fresh! New routines and schedules, new ways of working, and new opportunities. So, let’s seize this opportunity as a time to engage with The Enterprising Moms and grow connections that will help your business flourish!

  • Who do you need to meet?
  • What do you need to help your business grow?
  • How can The Enterprising Moms help your business reach it’s goals?

Join us for a networking event with a focus on forming meaningful connections and lasting relationships that will have a positive impact on your business life, your personal life, and your bottom line!

The Enterprising Moms is teaming up with the new co-work working space, ‘Connect113‘ in Alexandria, VA to bring you an event you won’t want to miss. In addition to exploring first-hand the fabulous facilities and learning about the services offered at Connect113, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with Connect113 members, along with members of the TEM community (including a couple of members who are already working out of Connect113).

Leading up to this event, we’ll share tips, tools and resources for managing the shift from networking to relationship building on the discussion list and blog.  And, as a registered attendee, you’ll have the opportunity to let us know who it is you want or need to connect with, and we’ll do our best to help facilitate those connections.

Register today and take advantage of two opportunities to save (including a bring-a-friend discount)!

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Posted in Collaboration, Connecting, Events, Networking, Opportunities, Small Business | No Comments »

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): What Does It Mean for Your Biz?

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

The following is a guest blog post by Jane Meier of Full Circle Partnerships on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Jane will be presenting at our upcoming workshop, Doing Well While Doing Good: Demystifying CSR on Tuesday, May 11th.  Get details and register at The Enterprising Moms.

To a small business person, CSR can feel nebulous and intimidating, and therefore end up way down on the long list of to do’s!

While there is no one definition for CSR, here’s a good working definition:

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is operating a business in a manner that balances the social and environmental impact created by the business with the expectations of its “stakeholders.”

CSR is a big “umbrella” definition for many business practices.  It covers the gamut — from fair treatment of employees, to monitoring and maintaining safety standards of products, to minimizing natural resource consumption to volunteering and community partnerships.

At The Enterprising Moms’ upcoming event, “Doing Well While Doing Good: Demystifying CSR,” we’ll narrow the focus on two areas of CSR vitally important to a small business owner: Community Partnerships and Sustainability.

Community partnerships are an effective way to engage with non-profits and governments to accentuate and strengthen shared values.  A non-profit gets the benefit of donated time, services, and/or financial resources; and as growing business you form relationships and business contacts to build, strenghten and maintain your brand.

Sustainability should be a priority to all businesses, small and large, for many reasons, including that having a vibrant economy with enough natural resources is important to staying in business.  As business owners, it’s important to look at the resources we are using critically and make choices to minimize our impacts. 

We’ll discuss these topics and more at next week’s event.

In the meantime to jump-start your process, you could …

meier headshot Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): What Does It Mean for Your Biz?Jane Meier is marketing consultant who loves helping businesses integrate marketing with Corporate Social Responsibility.  Whether seeking to build partnerships with non-profits, developing marketing strategy, or planning or implementing special events, clients hire Jane for her skills in partnership building, her attention to detail and passionate commitment to corporate social responsibility.

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Posted in Business, Collaboration, Doing Good, Environment, Events | 1 Comment »

EVENT: Doing Well While Doing Good: Demystifying CSR

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

PrintDoing Well While Doing Good: Demystifying Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Tuesday, May 11 @ 9:30am
Busboys and Poets @ Shirlington

Corporate Social Responsibility … What is it? And why should you care? Simply put, it’s creating business value by incorporating your values.

If you donate a portion of your proceeds to a worthy cause, you’re integrating CSR. If you partner with an organization-in-need to collect food, books, clothing, etc. on their behalf, your integrating CSR. If you sponsor an event for a non-profit, if you donate your products or services to an under-served population, you’re integrating CSR.

While many of us are already doing some level of CSR, is it being done in a planned and strategic way?

Whether your already integrating CSR or would like to do so, you’ll want to be at this event where you’ll learn about:

  • The business case for CSR—why it’s important &  why you should do it
  • Considerations for developing a CSR aspect to your business
  • How to align your CSR goals with your business mission
  • How to market & communicate CSR—and why marketing is crucial
  • Self-Assessment for your business—what are you doing & ways to align business with CSR

The event will feature Jane Meier of Full Circle Partnerships, a marketing consultant who loves helping businesses integrate marketing with Corporate Social Responsibility.  Whether seeking to build partnerships with non-profits, developing marketing strategy, or planning or implementing special events, clients hire Jane for her skills in partnership building, her attention to detail and passionate commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Jane previously worked for Whole Foods Market for four years as a marketing & community liaison.  While at Whole Foods Market, she created successful partnerships resulting in positive publicity, business growth, and awards for the company.  She has a B.S. Family & Consumer Sciences Education and a M.S. in Housing and Consumer Economics.

Door prizes: A choice of a communications review (assess your current communications and provide recommendations for ways to articulate your commitments) or a partnership assessment (whether refining existing partnerships or starting new ones, we’ll take a look at your business model, mission, and partnership goals and make recommendations). Each valued at $300!

Early bird rate ends on April 30th. Get details and register at http://events.theenterprisingmoms.com.

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Posted in Business, Collaboration, Doing Good, Events, Networking | No Comments »

DC Volunteer Event: Casserole Cook-Off to Benefit S.O.M.E.

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

As busy entrepreneurial moms, sometimes it’s a challenge to find the time to grow our businesses, maintain our relationships, and give back to the community. Want a fun and easy way to do all three? Then join us for another networking event with a twist … A Casserole Cook-Off!

On Wednesday, April 28, members of The Enterprising Moms will come together to support So That Others Might Eat (SOME), a non-profit organization that has helped thousands of people get off the streets, transform their lives and learn to live independently. Moms will prepare casseroles assembly-line style, and then volunteers and staff from SOME will distribute the casseroles to those in need.

We did this event last November, and it was a blast! It was great to connect with fellow business-owner moms and build relationships in a fun way while contributing to the greater good.

Steering Committee Member Marilyn Nowalk of Intelligent by Design has made it incredibly easy to give back to the community this way:

Nothing to buy. Nothing to bring. Three easy ways to get involved:

  1. Donate & Participate (Contribute funds for food and supplies AND join in the fun!)
  2. Donate (Can’t participate? Contributions for food and supplies are welcome.)
  3. Participate (Can’t donate? Come on out to provide hands-on support!)

However you plan to get involved, register and/or donate today!

If you participated last fall, please chime in and share your experience. Testimonials go a long way in encouraging others to do the same.

Speaking of giving back, also check out our May 11 event, “Doing Well While Doing Good: Demystifying Corporate Social Responsibility.” Get details and register at the early bird rate!

Carolyn
Chief Enterprising Mom  |  @EnterprisingMom |  @ApplyWithin

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Posted in Business, Collaboration, Doing Good, Networking, Work-Life Integration | No Comments »

Celebrate Mama: Sign on by 4/2 for Special Offer

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Time is running out to sign on with Celebrate Mama before fee increases go into effect. If you offer a product or service for moms, you’ll want to be represented at this event!

What is Celebrate Mama?
It’s a family friendly festival for moms of all ages and stages festival that had more than 3,000 participants the past two years. The goal of Celebrate Mama is to provide small businesses the opportunity to reach a large audience for a small cost. You register for the event and all of the marketing is done for you.

If you offer a product or service for moms and/or their families, you’ll want share your ware at Celebrate Mama, and here’s good incentive for you to do so now … 10% off registration for Enterprising Moms who are first time participants. Rates increase after April 2nd, so be sure to sign up by 4/2 for the best rates.

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL OFFERS:

Two Ways to Increase Your Exposure at No Additional Cost:

Take advantage of the following opportunities to be entered into a special drawing, the winner of which will be able to include a promotional item in 300 goodie bags for attendees at no additional charge (a $100 value!).

  1. Sign-up by the close of business on April 2nd
  2. Refer vendors – Any participating member who refers a new potential vendor who becomes a paid vendor (and is one who has not already been in contact with Hillary regarding Celebrate Mama)

Take a look at who’s already on board … And join us!

  • Apply Within
  • Buggy Bonnets
  • Handmade by Amanda
  • Health Quest MD
  • Love Life Images
  • Photography by Marirosa
  • Preschool Palettes
  • Rebecca Weiner Photography
  • Stamp 4 Life
  • Stella & Dot
  • Why Wait, LLC
  • Zetta Handbags

For details or to sign up, contact Enterprising Mom Hillary Berman, the mom behind the Maryland event directly at Contact Hillary directly at hillary@bermanevents.com or  240-342-2164.

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Celebrate Mama! Why You Need to be There

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

CelebrateMama logo1 Celebrate Mama! Why You Need to be ThereTime is running out to register as a vendor or sponsor at the Celebrate Mama Festival on May 1st. This family friendly festival for moms of all ages and stages festival had more than 3,000 participants the past two years. If you offer a product or service for moms and/or their families, you’ll want to be represented here.

The goal of Celebrate Mama is to provide small businesses the opportunity to reach a large audience for a small cost. You register for the event and all of the marketing is done for you.

Here’s a sampling of what you can expect:

Advertising and promotion …

  • Washington FAMILY Magazine (already in the March issue), April and May issues
  • Our Kids
  • DC City Mommy
  • The Enterprising Moms
  • Giggles on the Go (full page ads in April and May issues).
  • Stroller Strides Montgomery County membership of over 300
  • Mommy and Me and Daddies Too membership (Mommy and Me events at Congressional Plaza and Rockville Town Square; over 3000 people total).
  • In addition, many Celebrate Mama vendors promote the event to their lists.

Who’s on board?

Along with the numerous TEM members who are returning to Celebrate Mama this year, here are some Enterprising Mom-owned businesses that have already signed on for the first time this year:

  • Buggy Bonnets
  • Handmade by Amanda
  • HealthQuest MD
  • Love Life Images
  • Preschool Palettes
  • Stamp 4 Life
  • Stella and Dot
  • Photography by Marirosa
  • Plus several friends of TEMs

General registration closes on April 2. While late registration will remain open for an additional two weeks, it will cost you more, so sign on today

There are many ways to participate:

  • Reserve a vendor table
  • Place inserts in goodie bags
  • Provide a performance or entertainment (this opportunity is reserved for registered vendors only)
  • Come as an attendee (free!)

LEARN MORE

You do not need to participate in a call in order to register for the event, so if you’re ready, go for it — contact Hillary directly!  She’ll be happy to talk with you and take care of your registration. Be sure to tell her that you heard about Celebrate Mama through The Enterprising Moms!

Carolyn
Chief Enterprising Mom
@EnterprisingMom |  @ApplyWithin

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Posted in Collaboration, Events, Small Business | 1 Comment »

Special Opportunity Targeting DC Metro Moms

Thursday, January 14th, 2010
Print CelebrateMama logo1 300x49 Special Opportunity Targeting DC Metro Moms

The Enterprising Moms is teaming up with Celebrate Mama! to share a special offer being made to first time participants in this fun family festival that had more than 3,000 last year! If your target market is moms, you’ll want to be a part of this event on May 1st.

There are many ways to participate:

* Reserve a vendor table
* Place inserts in goodie bags
* Provide a performance or entertainment (this opportunity is reserved for registered vendors only)
* Come as an attendee (free!)

Opportunities are limited, so act quickly for the best opportunity to secure a spot and to take full advantage of the extended marketing campaign over the next few months.

We’re having an information session via phone tonight at 8pm, so put the kids to bed and plan to join us to get the full scoop. A second telephone information session is planned for next Wednesday,  January 20th at 10am.

Get more details and register today!

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Posted in Business, Celebrate, Collaboration, Home-based Businesses, Small Business | No Comments »

Member Spotlight: Donna Memmo

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Learn more about this Enterprising Mom of three and owner/operator of Spill the Beans Organic Coffee and Chat House, the host venue for our upcoming Holiday Biz-aar on Wednesday, December 2nd. Come out and enjoy Donna’s wonderful hospitality along with one-stop shopping featuring a variety of offerings from local entrepreneurial moms.

mario and donna Member Spotlight: Donna Memmo

Name: Donna Memmo
Title: Owner/Operator
Business: Spill the Beans – Organic Coffee and Chat House
Location: Alexandria, VA

Type of Business: (B2B, B2C, B2G): B2C
Industry: Food Service
Product/Service: Coffee/Bagels/Pastries/Lunch/Dinner
Years in Business: 1

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals: Everyone!

Personally speaking

Home life:
My husband (and support system) Mario (above), my daughter, and two little boys and I live in Hollin Hall, a cozy neighborhood in the Mt. Vernon area of Alexandria.  We happened to find a property less than two miles from home, and are fortunate to work with and for her neighbors, friends, even her kids’ teachers and coaches!

Childcare situation:
My children are all school-aged, which was a requirement before we could embark on this adventure. My boys attend Ft. Hunt Elementary, which happens to be literally down the street from Spill the Beans!

Motivation for starting your business(es):
In this era of coffee house play dates, I saw a need for proper accommodations. Toys for the tots to play with enables mom an entire conversation or email written without interruption! I also saw a need for delicious foods without sacrificing quality or wholeness.

Greatest challenge you faced in starting your business?
Time is truly the greatest challenge. I love dealing with the public and pouring lattes for my
patrons, but am constantly trying to strike the balance between that and the management side of my work.

How you overcame it:
Still trying! I have been blessed with a super team, and they are all supportive when I need to “hide” in the office to churn out
a newsletter, plan an event or catch up on email!

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
Being with my kids almost as much as if I did not work….It’s also brought out a bond with my husband that was unexpected. We’ve joked for years that we never, ever agree on anything, but having the exact same goals for this business has finally put us on the same page!

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you
celebrated it:
Spill the Beans celebrated its One Year Anniversary this past Halloween! We had an all day celebration complete with entertainment … fun!

On your nightstand:
A notepad for when the wheels in my brain will not stop turning late at night. Three or four books which I have been trying to read since opening Spill the Beans … to no avail!

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
Blackberry and Google Calendar. I utilize the google calendar because I can manage all my calendars at once: sports, school events, Spill the Beans events, family appointments, etc.

Last purchase for self:
I honestly do not remember. Guess I should schedule a shopping day!

Favorite way to unwind:
Glass of wine with my husband.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
The support system! I love women helping women! This is what it’s all about!

Connect and learn more: Web Site |  Blog | Facebook

Contact: Spill the Beans, Organic Coffee & Chat House  |  703-780-3561

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The Enterprising Moms Holiday Biz-aar

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

spillthebeanslogo1 The Enterprising Moms Holiday Biz aar

Join us for The Enterprising Moms’ first Holiday Biz-aar on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 hosted by Spill the Beans Organic Coffee and Chat House – owned and operated by fellow Enterprising Mom, Donna Memmo.

The event is two-fold opening with a networking and shopping event for mom-business owners from 6-7 pm followed by a public holiday shopping event from 7-9 pm.

All will enjoy light appetizers and a cash bar while indulging in fun and convenient one-stop shopping, just in time for the holidays!

The purpose of this community-focused Holiday Biz-aar is to:

  1. Encourage the patronage of local small businesses
  2. Invest in and give a boost to the local economy
  3. Provide an opportunity for mom-business owners to build relationships while building businesses.

The Biz-aar will feature local entrepreneurial moms selling many unique and eco-friendly products lines, including:

  • children’s apparel and accessories
  • organic home organizational solutions
  • handcrafted jewelry
  • children’s hand-print keepsakes
  • artwork preservation solutions
  • creative stroller covers and more
  • botanically based skincare products
  • home goods and accents

    • Patrons will also be able to book sessions with a professional portrait photographer and a wine consultant.

    When:
    Wednesday, December 2, 2009
    6 – 7 pm    The Enterprising Moms Networking and Shopping Hour (Enterprising Moms: Registration Required)
    7 – 9 pm    Public Holiday Shopping Event

    Where:
    Spill the Beans Organic Coffee and Chat House
    Fort Hunt Centre, 1900 Elkin Street, Alexandria, VA 22308

    Spill the Beans, a locally owned coffee house with a loyal following,  embraces moms and tots and general community, offering free wireless access, some organic and healthy lunch and dinner options, loose leaf teas and beer & wine. Spill is also a frequent host of parties and community events. If you haven’t been, you simply must – and let Donna know when sent you!

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    Posted in Collaboration, Connecting, Events, Networking, Small Business | No Comments »

    The Enterprising Moms is Coming to Fairfax County

    Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

    TEM_Logo_ColorFairfax County business-owner moms shared a morning full of great ideas for fostering the growth of a community of The Enterprising Moms in the area during our Meet & Greet last week. We did lots of brainstorming and sketched out a path for moving forward that will foster a sense of community and provide opportunities to share, learn and grow. Planning is now underway. If you’d like to stay in the loop as things develop, please get in touch.

    And, save the date for our next gathering on Thursday, November 19th. Details and registration at The Enterprising Moms.

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