Orange County Chapter: Marketing, Sales & Networking Thursday, November 18th at 6:30 Lumberyard in Laguna Beach

Women Entrepreneurs!

Join us on Thursday, November 18, 2010 for a Marketing & Networking event like never before. Startup Princesses are letting our hair down to enjoy a casual evening of dining and having a drink or two while learning about Marketing & Sales at the Lumberyard in Laguna Beach from 6:30-10pm. By now you are probably just as excited as we are!! If you have not been to the Lumberyard, you are in for a treat. The Lumberyard is quickly becoming OC’s IT place to dine. Register here!

We are happy to say that in addition to our casual evening we will continue our discussion from the last meeting on Marketing and hear from Jodie Palumbo. Have you met Jodie yet? Pure marketing brilliance!! She has given invaluable advice to several of our Startup Princesses and will do so again on November 18Th. Marketing is her specialty and she’ll share with us how to translate marketing efforts into sales. The holidays are here and if you have a product or service business and want to make BIG sales this quarter, THIS event is one you don’t want to miss.

Jodie Palumbo is an expert in the field of marketing and advertising. With over 20 years experience in an array of industries including manufacturing, services, retail, publishing, and property, hotel and restaurant management, she is sought after by companies who know the value of having an experienced, reliable and creative marketing professional on their team. From start-ups to mid-sized companies, her expertise is working with business owners who want to grow their companies to the next level but realize the difficulty between “running” their business and “being” the business. In today’s complex business environment, it is almost impossible to do both successfully.

As Director of Marketing and Communications on the NAWBO-OC Board of Directors (National Association of Women Business Owners), Jodie increased their exposure at various trade shows, exhibits, and conferences assisting the Orange County chapter in reclaiming the ranking of Largest Chapter in the nation with more than 380 members. This was done in the midst of a recession with no fiscal budget available and through building and utilizing strong relationships and alliances with other businesses and community organizations, viral marketing and social networking.

Yes! She is that good.

Jodie will give us practical advice on how to measure our marketing goals from planning to implementation and translating our marketing efforts into sales. Plus, we’ll have tips for last minute holiday sales to boost your income!

Afterwards, stay for some live entertainment at the Lumberyard. This particular evening we will be treated to an acoustical guitar performance – think Jack Johnson!

Mark your calendars ladies and join other women entrepreneurs on Thursday, November 18Th for an evening of marketing, networking & FUN!

REGISTRATION

If you have any questions about this event please contact Heather Cowdell atheather@swankypaper.com

Introducing Debbie Svay Savage, Founder of Baby Emi Jewelry

I first met Debbie Savage from our mutual friend, Heather Ledeboer of Mom4Life.com about
3 1/2 years ago.  Debbie was just starting her jewelry business and was excited to network and learn everything about business and how to distribute her product.  Debbie’s been a constant friend and supporter of Startup Princess.  I’ll never forget how she helped us get our Orange County Chapter off the ground in 2009 with some other top notch ladies I adore. And above all it’s been a pleasure to watch Debbie soar with Baby Emi Jewelry and share her love for her Cambodian culture.  Just 3 years ago she was struggling to get her first boutique and now she’s sharing her jewelry with Celebrities galore, been featured in dozens of magazines, and is being featured this month in the Sundance Film Festival gift baskets.

I love hearing what celeb baby is wearing her Cambodian ankle bracelets and how that has translated into massive sales for her company. Way to go Debbie! Enjoy her story here… she is truly a Startup Princess who understands what it means to “Make a Wish, Make it Happen.”

Hometown: Sandy, UT

Current Residence: Laguna Niguel, CA

Education: B.S. Brigham Young University, M.S. Utah State University

Professional Background: Cancer Control Specialist for the American Cancer Society, Sherman Oaks, CA.  I loved this job because everyday I went into schools to teach children how to live a life being cancer free through sound nutrition, regular exercise and staying smoke-free.

What you wanted to be when you grew up:  Miss USA

What you are: A happy mommy, blessed wife and successful entrepreneur.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Baby Emi Jewelry launched in 2006 just a few weeks before my second daughter was born.  Thank goodness!  My online home business is named after my first daughter Emi.  Baby Emi Jewelry celebrates the love of motherhood and family through our Jingle Bells Jewelry.

Company Website? www.babyemijewelry.com

What inspired you? The birth of my daughter Emi and my Cambodian culture of jewelry gifting inspired me to start a business that honors a tradition that has been passed on for generations within my family.

How long have you been in business? 3 years.

How did you fund it? We funded our business with personal money.  Thanks honey!

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Yes, so many and I wish I could name them all!  The two that stand out to me and that I admire greatly and know will be there for me at any given moment are Kelly Anderson and Heather Ledeboer at www.mom4life.com

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Yes, Startup Princess Orange County Chapter.  I do enjoy networking and wished I had time for me.  Networking within Facebook and Twitter has proved to be beneficial as well (especially for stay at home moms like me who are often in their PJs!).

Current Business Challenge? Wow, I could go on forever!  My two are finances and lack of time.

What are you doing about it? I am praying!  This is what I do in times of challenge and blessing.  I am praying to be inspired to get new ideas, contacts, and leads to increase my sales.  In addition, I am praying and actively searching for a virtual assistant to help me with social media/marketing.  I have fantastic things happening with Baby Emi Jewelry (celeb/press for example) but lack the time and skill set to adequately promote and share the sweet successes.

Favorite motivational quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Marianne Williamson

Family? Husband, Albert of 7 years and going strong, Emi who just turned 6 on Christmas day and Chloe who is 3 ½ years old.

If so, how do you balance family and business? It is not really balancing for me.  I look at it a different way and it works for me.  I have tried to “balance” that and failed miserably.  When I evaluated my role as mother, wife and business woman, and started to frame my life around those priorities coupled with prayer, I find that I am much happier and at peace.  It’s a good thing!

Favorite book? Umm…It is the Twilight series!

What do you do to relax? Exercise and watch kids shows with the girls snuggling on our couch.

What do you want to change most about your world? Honestly, it is me.  Don’t misunderstand me this is not a self-hate thing but an empowering proactive realization that my world becomes a better place through me first.  I want to be a more loving, patient, easy going mother to my girls and a more cheerful, helpful, kind wife.  I find that if I want to see change in the world – I need to start with me.

What are you most proud of? Just recently, we have been invited to participate in Park City TV’s Celebrity Swag Bag for the Sundance Film Festival 2010 and we are so excited!  It was stressful to figure out how Baby Emi Jewelry would gift 300 celebrities but we figured out a method and I’m so proud of the result. Thank you Start Up Princess for the connection! Also, my relationship with my sweet husband and our beautiful daughters are the things I am so proud of.  I am so blessed!

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Believe in Yourself.  Never Give Up. Surround Yourself with exceptional people.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My mentors and my support network.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Lots and lots of diamonds!

Visit Baby Emi Jewelry and use coupon code SUP15 to save 15% on your purchases when you checkout!

Thank you Debbie for the wonderful interview!

Startup Princess Orange County Chapter Mtg October 6th

We all need inspiration, and vision boards are your answer…

Please join us for another fun and educational night of Startup Princess Orange County Chapter.

We are excited to hear from our very own Chapter President, Kelly Lewis, and former designer for Oneill, Michelle McGrath, on the benefits and how-to-do’s of vision boards.

Hope to see you soon!

October 6th – 7pm

Flintridge Village Clubhouse

28112 Roanoke Drive

Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 US

$15 check at the door or paypal to Kelly (at) startupprincess (dot) com

Join us for *FREE* Startup Princess Event in Orange County August 4th

Let’s face it… times are a just a *bit* tougher these days. And trying to run a business (especially a startup) can be a little discouraging. But never fear, Startup Princess is here!

Please join the Orange County Chapter of Startup Princess on Tuesday, August 4th for that end-of-summer pep talk you’ve been needing to hear! The inspiring Shay Olivarria (www.biggerthanyourblock.com) will be speaking & working with us on goal setting & motivation… teaching you to “Think Bigger Than Your Block.” Come ready to be motivated & uplifted as Shay, a long-time professional speaker, encourages us “to believe in yourself and take the time always to put your best foot forward.”

It’s been six months since our last *FREE* event & we thought it was time to offer another…and as a thank you to all of loyal members who have attended our events throughout the year. We hope to encourage a few “new” Startup Princesses to join the fun! Don’t miss out because we’ll have time for networking and awesome giveaways including a free ticket to Touchpoint in SLC, our Startup Princess annual conference Sept. 11!

As always, please, feel free to pass this invite along to any women you feel might be interested in participating in our OC Startup Princess Chapter.
Don’t forget to bring along pleny of business cards to pass along!

Flintridge Village Clubhouse
28112 Roanoke Drive
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 US
Tuesday, August 4, 7:00PM

evite: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/KLKCDKPFKPLZOCGZLFIB/august

Meet Allison Yrungaray of Notice PR

Allison Yrungaray was featured at the May 5th Startup Princess Orange County Chapter with the topic “Do it Yourself Marketing”. Here’s more about Allison:

Allison Yrungaray’s company, Notice PR is a boutique public relations agency that has been building brand awareness and obtaining publicity for small businesses for the past 10 years. They specialize in a variety of services from a simple press release to a national press tour. They can create a customized public relations campaign designed to maximize your budget. They target print, broadcast, and online media to reach your target audience – and as the news industry constantly changes, they keep up with the trends and specialize in new and social media.

How long have you been doing PR, Allison? 10 yrs.

What made you decide to get into the field? It was the right fit as a college degree, because I loved writing, speaking, and the variety of the clients.

What was one of your favorite projects? One of my clients is Startup Princess Fairy Godmother, Rachael Herrscher and her company, Today’s Mama. I enjoyed our marketing campaign when we did the Sittercity Partnership and received a lot of national press- CNN, Wall-street Journal, evidence that the power of a good partnership with national trends and relevant news gets good press.

How you balance work with running your home? After I had my twins I started to use a sitter part-time, 4 hrs a day, it’s perfect. (She has a 5, almost 3 yr old twins).

We’re going to be talking about “Do it Yourself Marketing” on May 5th, give us an insight to a tip you will be sharing: I suggest to first take the time to create action plan for how make time for marketing in your schedule with just 30 minutes a day.

How much focus should be on social media vs. traditional PR? Depends on your target market, if you’re finding the people you want to reach are on social media or not. I suggest 50% on both.

Another PR tip to share? Choose 1 publication or website you want to get press with and focus one at a time. Reach out to them and create a really good relationship with them and then move on.

How would you create a good relationship with the press? Social media, calling, emails have to be personal (not a mass email or press release). For example for a blogger, “I read an article on your website about… I’d like to share …. I think it’s relevant to your audience and would like to see if you’d be interested in featuring… ”

Tell me about your services:

Public relations planning and campaign development

Press releases, media alerts, press kits

Custom media list creation

Pitching and establishing long term relationships with media

Analyst relations

Award and speaking opportunity outreach

Copywriting including byline articles, case studies, and newsletter content

Web content

Media training

Thank you Allison for speaking at our event, the OC Startup Princesses are fortunate to have you! Follow Allison on Twitter @Allison_Y  or contact her at 626.841.1640 or allison <at> noticepr.com