Sharifah Hardie’s Radio Interview of Startup Princess Founder Kelly King Anderson

Sharifah Hardie interviewed Kelly King Anderson, the Founder of Startup Princess on her Blog Talk radio show Ask Sharifah on June 29th. Enjoy listening to the one hour interview about how Startup Princess was started and what’s next on the horizon. Please note that half way through the show there was a technical difficulty, so there is a pause for a few minutes, but hang on because we resume our conversation.  Sharifah Hardie is a new Fairy Godmother for Startup Princess and we’re excited to have her! Follow Sharifah on Twitter @asksharifah

Introducing Heidi Ryder of Heidi Ryder Photography

When reading through Heidi Ryder’s interview, you can tell she really loves what she does and her pictures speak for themselves – she is a talented photographer. I also love her positivity and enthusiasm, which shines through when you talk with her, even over email and Twitter. Even with the rough economy, Heidi has managed to meet and exceed her goals so far this year, and I can tell with her attitude and talent she is going to have a great rest of the year and future!

Hometown: all over Southern California

Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA

Education: Bachelor’s of Arts in Print Journalism from California State University at Fullerton

Professional Background: Worked as a writer and copy editor for a newswire service before venturing into the world of professional photography.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A music journalist for Rolling Stone magazine.

What you are: A wedding photographer.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Armed with a camera and my creative take on the world, I capture a very important day in people’s lives.

Company Website? www.heidirdyer.com and www.heidiryder.net

What inspired you? Other wedding photographers! I always had a love for photography but thought the only way to make a living at it was by spending years at a photography school and shooting fashion or commercial work. That didn’t seem very approachable to me. I had no idea wedding photography could be so creative and artistic until I started looking for a photographer for my own wedding and found wedding photographers who were throwing cliché poses and cheesy processing styles out the window and creating images from people’s wedding that looked like they were taken straight out of magazines. I was hooked instantly and knew that’s what I wanted to be doing.

How long have you been in business? This is my wedding studio’s first full wedding season.

How did you fund it? My business was completely funded by myself, with a little help from my parents and my husband’s income after we were married. I didn’t use a credit card or take out any loans. I approached this venture cautiously because I could not afford not to. I saved slowly, purchased the most important equipment when I could afford it, and rented the things I did not yet own when I needed them for shoots. I have spent zero dollars on advertising because in this business word of mouth is what counts, so I’m letting my reputation and my images do all the selling. When it came to branding my business, I got creative with the resources available to me and bartered a deal with a graphic designer friend of mine- she designed my logo, website and other branding elements and in turn I am taking the photos for her new letterpress business.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? There are a handful of wonderful wedding photographers who I have met over the past year who have offered advice, encouragement and even helped kick start my season by referring clients to me when they were already booked.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Yes! I belong to a social networking group for photographers called The [b] School (www.thebschool.com). It was started by a very successful wedding photographer, Becker, who wanted an easy way for photographers to connect so they can teach, encourage and guide one another through this crazy business. It’s where I’ve met most of my peers and has been an amazing business and networking tool for me. Aside from that, Twitter has gotten me jobs and helped me meet other wedding vendors!

Current Business Challenge? It’s the same as it is for most everyone else these days: the weakening economy.

What are you doing about it? I am staying focused. I give my current and prospective clients the attention they deserve and hope that hard work pays off in the form of referrals. Also, I think people panic and begin to devalue themselves and their product my slashing prices. I refuse to do this, which I think will help keep me in this business for the long run.

Favorite motivational quote: “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart

Family? My family consists of my wonderfully supportive husband, Chris, and our curmudgeon of a dog, Frasier.

If so, how do you balance family and business?

That’s something I’m still working on. I’m an over-achiever by nature which has turned me into a bit of a workaholic. Because my studio is home-based it is far too easy for me to spend every waking moment working. My husband has even had to ask more than once when he would get his wife back. That is not okay. So, I have been trying to force myself to take breaks – even when I have work piling up. It’s not an easy thing for me to do, but I don’t want to miss these precious years when it’s just my husband and me. Also, I know I’d better get used to the fact that once we have kids, all bets are off and it’s not MY schedule that matters anymore!

Favorite book? Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. His ability to poke fun at himself and his friends and family while making them all seem absolutely endearing is so great. I love curling up to a good book and laughing until my sides hurt.

What do you do to relax? My husband will tell you I don’t relax. But, every once in a while I will put everything aside and just lounge on the couch with a bowl of ice cream and some terrible reality television. That’s my idea of a good time – love me or hate me for it!

What do you want to change most about your world? My world is pretty great the way it is, but ideally my goal is to grow my business to a comfortable size and outsource my editing and album design processes so I can focus on my family, my clients, my photography and myself. So, in short, more time for my husband and my trashy television.

What are you most proud of?

Taking this leap in the first place! I am not a risk taker. I am a planner to a fault. I was very scared to take the plunge and begin this business because I didn’t know if I could handle failing at it. I’m so glad I faced my fear because it feels wonderful to have a job that fulfills me artistically and emotionally. And even if I do fail, it’s ok. I’d rather fail at something I love than be successful at something I hate.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses?

Make sure your start up enables you to do what you love. Being your own boss is only a fantastic thing if you can truly see yourself doing what you do day-in and day-out.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My blog. I use it to showcase my work and market myself. It allows my potential clients to get to know me a little even before we’ve met. In my business it is really important that you click with your clients since you’ll be spending a very important day with them. My blog is also a great tool for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) so I get higher ranks on Google searches, which enables potential clients to find me quite easily!

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Peridot. Love the color.

Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother and writing articles or speaking at Startup Princess events?

Sure!

What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in?

Attracting the clients that are right for you and Marketing Tools that Won’t Cost you a Dime.

Meet Bridgett Edwards of Perideau Designs

As a business owner also working full-time, a wife and mother, Bridgett Edwards is a busy woman. While wearing all these hats, she maintains a great outlook and a strong belief in her business and herself, even when doubts creep in. I admire her for her tenacity and positivity and love the pictures of her products. She has a great business and with her hard work and determination, she will go far!

Hometown: Chantilly, VA

Current Residence (City, State): Cromwell, CT

Education: Bachelors of Arts from Furman University; Masters of Science from Springfield College

Professional Background (brief, please): Currently work at a local cable network full-time and run my own stationery business part-time.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A lawyer

What you are: A designer and commercial coordinator

Brief Summary of your Start Up: I create modern stationery, favor tags, and prints.

Company Website? www.perideaudesigns.com

What inspired you? Nature, modern architecture and vintage items.

How long have you been in business? 4 months

How did you fund it? Myself

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Not one person but I look to others for advice.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? www.twitter.com/perideaudesigns

Current Business Challenge? Being new to the market I’m always second guessing myself.

What are you doing about it? I’m always trying new things and constantly expanding my product lines while being proud of what I do.

Favorite motivational quote: Life is a journey, not a destination.

Family? Yes. A husband and 21-month old daughter.

If so, how do you balance family and business? It’s difficult but I couldn’t do it without the support my husband. I try to limit working to late night hours and only a couple of hours on the weekend but if I have a lot of orders that need to get out he will step in and watch our daughter while I work. It’s hard not to be with them but I know it will pay off in the long run.

Favorite book? The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks

What do you do to relax? Sad to say but ‘relax’ isn’t in my vocabulary right now but if I can sneak away for an hour or so, I like to take a hot bubble bath or get a pedicure or massage. I’m a big fan of spas.

What do you want to change most about your world? The ability to run my stationery business full-time and staying home with my family.

What are you most proud of? My daughter. She is turning into a beautiful, intelligent, and comical woman who is full of joy and happiness.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Have faith in your ability. You can can’t please everyone and once you realize that everything will begin to fall into place.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My laptop.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds

Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother and writing articles or speaking at Startup Princess events? Yes.

What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? Start up and juggling different hats.

Get to Know Kaira Sturdivant Rouda of Real You

Kaira and I met of all places-TWITTER! She reached out to me and I knew that she’d be a great Fairy Godmother…or rather she already IS one as an entrepreneur, author, speaker, consultant, and more. She’s clear about her mission to support women entrepreneurs and has dedicated her career to encouraging them. I love her new website and while we’ve never met in person, I know we’d be great friends–she’s authentic, funny, loves Visions Boards and understands that the power is in personal branding! Enjoy getting to know her!

Hometown: Born in Chicago, parents from California, lived in Austin and Boston, and now Columbus, Ohio

Current Residence (City, State): Upper Arlington, Ohio

Education: BA in English from Vanderbilt University

Professional Background (brief, please): I started out as a reporter at a business newspaper, then I moved into public relations and advertising. From there, I was the first female executive at an Inc 100 franchisor. Along the way, I’ve always kept a writing and marketing consulting business on the side: Hobson Communications. To me, it was important to have my own business to fall back on for work-life balance while my kids were young, or for freedom when the corporate world got too, well, male. When my husband asked me to join the family business, and help brand a roll-up of three companies creating one of the largest privately held real estate firms in the nation, I jumped at the chance. I created and launched Real Living in 2002. Inspired by the 4,000 real estate entrepreneurs I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and the many other women entrepreneurs I’ve admired and met through my life, I wrote Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs and founded my new company, Real You – created to inspire women’s lives.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: I wanted to be Darrin Stevens in “Bewitched” and write the great American novel.

What you are: Entrepreneur, Marketer, Author, Speaker, Mother of Four, and lucky to be married to my best friend.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Real You’s goal is to energize women’s lives through writing, speaking and consulting services for entrepreneurs.

Company Website? www.KairaRouda.com and www.RealLiving.com

What inspired you? I wrote the book because I was inspired by the amazing entrepreneurial women I met through the real estate industry. These women are strong and passionate about what they do. I am passionate about empowering women because I want the next generation – my daughter’s generation – to have even more opportunity.

How long have you been in business? The book was published in February 2008, and I refer to that as the start of something bigger. The start of Real You. The launch of the real me.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I’ve had many mentors along the way, some I refer to in Real You Incorporated, and some who just know who they are. The most important cheerleaders in my life are my good girlfriends.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? NAWBO, eWomenNetwork, International Women’s Forum, Women Presidents’ Organization. I’m a big supporter of the Women’s Council of Realtors. I am a volunteer for Bright Futures, a program for high school girls offered by the YWCA (and I’m a former board member), and I’m a sustaining member of The Women’s Fund, a board member of The Women’s Book, and well, I guess you could say if it’s a cause to empower women, and I can help, I will.

Current Business Challenge? Continuing the momentum behind my book and securing more speaking engagements. It’s so important to tell the story of women entrepreneurs. It’s my passion.

What are you doing about it? Building a team to help me spread the word. I just launched my new website, and I’m really proud of it. I also am a big believer in social networking. I think I may be addicted to Twitter! I’m also a member of Savor the Success, Shine and other women’s online communities. I also write the Real You Incorporated blog and send out a free Tip of the Week! To sign up, go here: http://www.kairarouda.com/tip-of-the-week-signup.php

Favorite motivational quote: This is a tough one, as I have so many favorites. Here is one: “At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” ~ Lao Tzu. I open Real You Incorporated with that quote because it’s true, it all starts with you. The Real You.

Family? My husband, Harley, and I just celebrated our 19^th wedding anniversary. We’ve been working together since 2002 at Real Living, and that has been full of challenges and blessings. I am so lucky though. I have four great kids, a dog, two cats, a bird, and I couldn’t ask for anything more!

If so, how do you balance family and business? One of my favorite sayings is: Balance is something I swing past on the way to something else. What you finally realize, at some point I hope all women do, is that balance is internal. And that your balance and my balance may look completely different and that’s OK. We really need to support each other’s choices – and if we did, women would truly rule the world.

Favorite book? Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

What do you do to relax? I do yoga, pilates, talk to my family, and I love to read.

What do you want to change most about your world?

I would like to have an ocean out my back window. I know that’s a bit hard to accomplish in the middle of Ohio, but you asked!

What are you most proud of? My family.

What advice would you like to offer other Startup Princesses?

Don’t go it alone. When life gets crazy, reach out and ask for help. You can’t do it all by yourself. It takes a great network of supporters to fulfill your dreams.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My iPhone. I would be lost without it!

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Blue Topaz. The color reminds me of the ocean, the one that isn’t in my backyard. (See answer to my world. ) Oh, and Diamonds, of course.

Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother and writing articles or speaking at Startup Princess events? Absolutely!

What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? Entrepreneurship, putting the real you in your business, building a culture, vision boards and uses, getting involved in the community, marketing, advertising, digital advertising, working with your spouse, and, well, I love helping other women succeed in work and life.

Introducing Angie Trelstad of Solerra

Angie Trelastad and her company, Solerra recently sponsored sunless tanning products at The Startup Princess Academy at Disneyland for the speakers and attendees, so I’ve had the chance to learn about Solerra and try their products firsthand.

I’m getting ready for my first triathlon so I thought it would look nice to look a bit sunkissed, fortunately there’s products out there like Solerra to help fair skinned-skin-cancer-proned girls like me. I was really happy with the natural look of Solerra and thought the products were easy to apply and the color has lasted for several days. The products felt smooth and wonderful on my skin.

I love that Angie and her company are promoting healthy skin care and are involved in the campaign to help increase awareness about the damaging effects of the sun. This month is Skin Cancer Awareness month and Solerra is active in the campaign through http://www.skinaf.org. Congratulations Angie for creating a great product and for raising your voice for a good cause! Here’s more about Angie and her company:

Name: Angie Trelstad

Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO

Current Residence (City, State): Colorado Springs, CO

Education: High School Graduate followed by the University of hard knock entrepreneurship. While my high school graduating class was hitting the books, I was starting my own business.

Professional Background (brief, please): Restaurant owner (I owned 2 restaurants before the age of 30) Writer, short stories, articles, book Queen of the Urban Jungle. Personal protection instructor to women as a passion, but have worked with men and women, celebrities, law enforcement and civilians. Started in cosmetics, sunless tanning, eight years ago and have enjoyed creating the latest technologies for the perfect self tanner and working with the Skin Cancer Awareness Foundation www.skincaf.org .

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A librarian

What you are: Writer and cosmetic executive

Brief Summary of your Start Up: The company was started with the patented Invisicare® tanning formulation and the patent pending tanning mitt. These two new technologies brought a perfect blend of beauty and science to self-tanning. I started with company after they had worked on the mitt technology for two years and was recruited to come into the company and help to perfect the manufacturing process and build the brand.

Company Website? www.solerra.com

What inspired you? As a red head, I have never had great luck with self-tanners. I had pre cancer removed from my face at the age of 17, and my sister was diagnosed with melanoma 2 years ago. I was working in the self tanning industry and developed a passion for being a part of creating the “perfect” self tanner that was affordable yet luxurious and could be used in the privacy of your own home.

How long have you been in business? Solerra® was incorporated in 2004 and I came on board in 2006

How did you fund it? The majority partner recruited me to come in and add my expertise to Solerra; the founder is funding the company.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? My mom has always been an inspiration to me. If there is someone I aspire to be like it would definitely be my mother.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Linked In and Plaxo are the two I use most. I am starting to use twitter, but am still learning. I serve on the advisory board of the Skin Cancer Awareness Foundation

Current Business Challenge? When building a new brand the biggest challenge is market penetration. It is a challenge to get stores to stock an unknown brand. In the current economical situation, rather than being the first to carry a brand, stores want to wait until you have notoriety, and to get notoriety, you have to have penetration.

What are you doing about it? We are doing more online marketing and have been very fortunate in the “buzz” and “word of mouth” advertising. Once people try Solerra, they love it and come back again and again. We are blessed with loyal customers and really appreciate the fact that they share with all of their friends, who then become loyal customers. Celebrity branding, creating a customer base to create a demand in the mass retail sector. Creative marketing and advertising.

Favorite motivational quote: “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.” Helen Keller

Family? Yes! Two daughters 24, and 29 two sons 27 and 31 and 3 beautiful grandkids…2 girls and 1 boy.

If so, how do you balance family and business? Very carefully, I feel it is important to maintain priorities, God, Family and business.

Favorite book? The Bible, and of course, I have to plug my book, Queen of the Urban Jungle

What do you do to relax? Spend time with my husband who happens to be my best friend. I like to ride dirt bikes, write and read.

What do you want to change most about your world? I would like people to care more about one another.

What are you most proud of? My son James, has served two tours of duty in Iraq and I am very proud of him and very glad to have him back in the US.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Whatever you do, do it with passion. Don’t ever feel like a failure, when something doesn’t work out the way you thought it would, consider it a learning process. If you fall down seven times, get up eight.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? The internet, what did we ever do before the internet?

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? If I were to design a tiara I would use rough coal, hematite and diamonds, set in sterling silver. Reasons? The most precious diamonds start as rough coal and at the mid-point of perfection I imagine appear as hematite (often called black diamonds) and upon completion transform into beautiful, sparkling diamonds. Sterling silver is beautiful when shiny and clean, however, if not maintained, it will tarnish. This Tiara to me, seems to be a true reflection of life and success. Life, like success, is achieved through pressure and polish and the sterling silver, if not maintained, will tarnish.

Thank you Angie, and welcome to Startup Princess! Leave a comment or question for Angie here.

Meet Allison Yrungaray of Plugin 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, PluginPR 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. traditonal 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 @pluginpr  or contact her at 626.841.1640 or allison <at> pluginpr.com

Get to Know Vana Chupp of Le Papier Studio Ltd.

The one thing that stood out to me about Vana while interviewing her is how she is following her dream and really believes in her business. Her products reflect her love of her family and, as she says, appreciating the little things and small moments that mean the most. Vana’s enthusiasm and passion show in her products and in her interview – she is definitely one to watch!

Name: Vana Chupp

Hometown: Saranda, Albania

Current Residence: Mount Prospect, Illinois

Education: Master of Architecture (M Arch)

Professional Background:
After graduation from college I worked as a Project Manager for a woman owned Architecture firm. After the birth of my son (now almost 4 years old) I switched doing consulting work as a Project Manager for another Architecture firm. I am happy I was able to work part time while being home with my son. Since March 2008, I have focused primarily working on developing my own business, Le Papier Studio Ltd.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: a writer

What you are: architect and designer

Brief Summary of your Start Up:
The story behind is quite simple: the need of a mom to find a creative outlet at the end of a busy day led her to achieve a dream, running a business from home while enjoying the beauty of motherhood. I find inspiration in the simple moments in life (that being my son blowing bubbles on a summer day, or from a picture taken of him by the beach). My desire to capture the innocence of childhood is captured on the unique line of personalized artwork, stationery, invitations and announcements (for all of the occasions) utilizing custom, one of a kind elegant silhouettes.

Company Website: www.lepapierstudio.com

What inspired you? My son and the moments spent with him

How long have you been in business? A little over a year

How did you fund it? My own savings

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I don’t know if she is a Fairy Godmother by title but she is a great source of information and advice to me. Her name is Sarah Jane Wright (a lovely, genuine person, a mother and an artist).

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups?
Start Up Princess, Assocation for Women in Architecture, http://twitter.com/lepapierstudio

Current Business Challenge? Marketing my business, hiring some part time help

What are you doing about it? Researching different possibilities

Favorite motivational quote: “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thinking.” By Mother Teresa

Family? Yes, my hubby of 6 years, and our precious 4 year old boy

If so, how do you balance family and business?
My son still naps for a good 2-2.5 hours each day. I work while he is asleep and when my husband comes home from work. Unfortunately this has become a routine for us. I try to work only a few nights a week and spend time with them the rest of the nights. I would like to see this happening more in the future. I don’t work on weekends.

Favorite book?
Don’t really have a favorite, I like reading a book that has received good reviews.

What do you do to relax?
Draw, cook, and take a walk with the family

What do you want to change most about your world?
The stressful life. If I could wish for one thing it will be to slow down the time and enjoy each moment of the day. I feel as if we don’t pay enough attention to the little/simple things in life.

What are you most proud of?
My little boy – his development from a baby to one of a smart, adorable and kind little person.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses?
Start developing your dream today no matter how unreal it may feel right now. If you believe in that dream, you have already surpassed the greatest obstacle. Make a list of steps towards your goal and try to accomplish one step at a time. Sooner or later you will get to the bottom of the list and eventually achieve your goal.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)?
Twitter and my blackberry (it allows me to send an important email even when I’m away from my computer)

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use?
Pearls and diamonds because they are timeless.

Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother and writing articles or speaking at Startup Princess events?
yes

What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? Starting up

Meet Kimberley Jones of Vérité

Michelle McCullough, Startup Princess Business Development Director writes, “Kim Jones is one of the most business savvy women I have ever met. I’ve worked for three advertising agencies, a number of media outlets and other businesses, and Kim Jones’ company is the most efficient and productive company of them all. Additionally, Kim diligently keeps up with changing markets and trends and adjusts her company accordingly, without losing its identity. Vérité is a company to watch and Kim Jones is a business owner who proves every day that companies can grow even during the trying times of entrepreneurship.”

Name: Kimberley Jones

Hometown: Toronto, Canada until 10 and then the Bay Area after that

Current Residence: Sandy, UT

Education: Law Enforcement Major in College

Professional Background: 12 year background in sales and marketing of technology organizations prior to Vérité

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Movie Star

What you are: CEO of Vérité

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Vérité is an interactive agency that focuses on communications for sales marketing and training org, produces creative services for both traditional and online campaigns as well as web tools.

What inspired you? I moved to Salt Lake from Silicon Valley in 1990. The economy in Utah was flat, and I went to work as a reseller for Sony Broadcast which gave me a segue out of tech and into media production. I worked in a studio filming for corporations. I went to the president and said that they could put videos on CFrom and they could appeal to a more technical audience and organization like Novell and iomega, etc. The president thought I was crazy and that it would be another 5-6 years before the industry would be ready for that. So I decided to do it myself. I started Vérité on my own in 1993. After a year I hired an assistant. And over time quality programmers and designers. We worked out of my house for the first six years with employees coming and going at all hours. I bought my first office in 1999. And then after we grew to over 15 employees I bought the building we are in now in 2004.

How long have you been in business? 16 years

Company website? www.verite.com

How did you fund it? Self-Funded (and starving)

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? My husband

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Yes. Women’s Tech Council, Westminster MBA Advisory Board, People Helping People Board, USTAR Digital Media Initiative, Westminster College Business Plan Competition, BYU Business Plan Competition, U of U Business Plan Competition

Current Business Challenge? Trying to stay viable and strong

What are you doing about it? Really take a look at your company, what new ideas do you have to come out with? How are you communicating them to customers? Keep up with the internal tasks of communicating your ongoing value proposition. I’m also a nazi when it comes to customer service and I surround myself with employees who are dedicated to giving all they have to customers and their projects.

Favorite motivational quote: Tomorrow is another day.

Family? Married, 2 kids, 1 cute cocker spaniel

If so, how do you balance family and business? First 10 years there was no work/life balance. It’s hard to achieve it with a startup and with a self-funded startup at that. I have more work/life balance today 15 years later, but only within the last 4 years I felt like I could go on vacation without taking conference calls or checking emails.

I have a wonderful team, and I allow them to do their jobs, and I trust them to get the work done and done right, and that helps too.

Favorite book? Gone with the Wind

What do you do to relax? Golf and ski

What do you want to change most about your world? I would like to see more people focused on win-win opportunities rather than the success at the expense of others.

What are you most proud of? I am most proud of our company’s organizational processes and the 15 years it took to get it where it is. We’ve spent a lot of time defining processes for jobs that ensure customers have the same experience with us with each job they do. Processes and organization are made possible by hiring and keeping good people. I’m proud of the people who work for me and for the time they spend to produce quality work time and time again.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Have the utmost tenacity and constantly make your value proposition clear. The tenacity part is the reason why Gone with the Wind is my favorite book. “Tomorrow is another day,” even if today sucked. You get up early to get things done, if necessary. Even though there is new competition, you keep going. See yourself through to the good times. As far as defining and sharing your value proposition, tell people what you bring to the party and why you are valuable. It’s so important to constantly evaluate your value proposition and change the times change – without sacrificing your company’s identity to begin with.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Google

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds with a big Sapphire (my birthstone)

Interview conducted by Michelle McCullough, Business Development Director for Startup Princess.

Get to Know Gabrielle Krake of Shop Wise Bags

Here’s a woman who knows what it takes to be successful! I loved that I could feel her confidence oozing from every answer she gave. What a great reminder to all of us! As women we want to be great moms, great wives, great providers for our families and great business owners, but since we all struggle to find balance, we make excuses and apologize a thousand times a day.

Not Gabrielle Krake. Her extensive retail and business experience has helped her feel confident in her efforts to start Shop Wise Bags, a business that has only been running for four months. Her bright colored and well designed products are sure to put a smile on your face! What I also loved is that she also confidently shares that her success and her future lie in the hands of a Higher power. Though she admits there is still a long road ahead (don’t we all feel like that?!), she is relishing in making her dreams come true. Thanks, Gabrielle, for the reminder to continue to be positive through the Startup process and all the best to you!

Name: Gabrielle Krake

Hometown: Boise, Idaho

Education: 4 years of University (BFA)

Professional Background: Lots of retail, organizing large volunteer groups & several personal businesses, including a cafe, organizational service, landscaping, outfitter, & presently Shop Wise Bags.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: a veterinarian, a tycoon, an industrial designer, and an artist.

What you are: AN ARTIST, mom, wife, writer, seamstress, designer & NOT a tycoon.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: It was a whirlwind 9 days, in that time we developed our initial website, created a branding solution, applied and received our business license, created our shopping cart, started the trademark process, got 3 downtown stores to commit to orders, developed the prototype, and went to work. It’s been 80 days since creation and the business feels like it’s been around for years. Our team is fantastic!

Company Website: www.shopwisebags.com

What inspired you: Beauty, FORM & FUNCTION

How long have you been in business: 3 months with Shop Wise Bags

How did you fund it: Out of pocket, one CC and an investment loan from an uncle.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor): My mom!! (she works with me)

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups: Not yet, but soon.

Current Business Challenge: Space

What are you doing about it: Praying for the ability to add a second story to our home, so that the studio can be “just the studio”

Favorite motivational quote: With effort, we can do anything!

Family: Husband, 4 children that we home educate, my mom

If so, how do you balance family and business: Precariously! I have to write everything down and stick to a plan.

Favorite book: Bible, Count of Monte Cristo, Watership Down, The Power of One

What do you do to relax: Think

What do you want to change most about your world: That we share more.

What are you most proud of: My husband – his ability to keep going out into our depressed economy and press on to provide for his family.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses: Plan, Plan, PLAN. You have to have your business plan, your design plan and your work plan in place and follow it or you will simply flounder.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource): Prayer, whenever I am truly stuck, I take time to just pray and think until things loosen up.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use: Coffee colored diamonds, funny I really have never had or wanted diamonds.

What else do you want us to know: I believe in a community effort, I believe that if we would pull together and truly help one another with our endeavors that our society would be richer for the efffort. I have been writing a book about Seeking Proverbs 31, how if each of our households would come together to complete the big tasks of life, such as garden planning, remodeling, spring cleaning and event planning, that as the “household community” we could accomplish and bless one another so much more! We have been practicing this for several years and it is fantastic! Our business is a result of this vision.

Utah Pulse Video Podcast Interview with Kelly King Anderson, Startup Princess Founder

Utah Pulse, a top business site interviewed me recently about Startup Princess. I talked about why and how I started StartupPrincess.com, the BYU Home-based Business Plan competition that I helped start, the future of StartupPrincess, Twitter, my internet cleanse and more. Take a look and see my cute pillows by the talented designer/entrepreneur Heather Bailey

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