A sea of hands went up when attendees were asked the question, “Who knows someone that has been laid off because of the economy?” The journey from challenge to success was the theme of the The Hot Mommas Project panel on July 20, 2009. Four inspirational female entrepreneurs shared the real deal on personal AND professional fronts.   Below please find a summary of major takeaways. Here a five minute video of the event from Kelly Watson. Checkout our photobucket roll by cool photographer Adam Payne. Here is a sneak preview:

The venue was great (Thanks to Bean, Kinney and Korman) and the food was delicious (from Piola in Arlington Virginia). The silent auction items were literally vultured over. We were one step away from a brawl.  Thanks to our amazing sponsors. Sponsors is not even the word…they are true supporters. They are people, at companies, that get it. We recommend that – given a choice – you patronize these sponsors all of which are all Hot Mommas-tested: Bean, Kinney & Korman, Beijo Bag, Best Cellars – Arlington, Chesapeake Bay Hyatt, Laura Lee Designs, Momentum Coaching, Paper Source, Relaxed Tan and Spa, Tranquil Space Yoga Studios & Kimberly Wilson-Author of Hip Tranquil Chick, TranquilT clothing line, Yes! Circle, and Zentan – The hot new restaurant in the Donovovan House hotel. Please scroll down for a more detailed sponsor listing. I would like to thank Hot Mommas Project sponsors Tenley Carp, Esq. of Cohen and Mohr and Luke Chung of FMS, Inc.. Hot Mommas supporter Jill Foster of Women Grow Business and Hot Mommas Project case writers Kelly Watson of WomenWise Marketing and Bonika Wilson of  Wilson Capital Management were in attendance. Here is Kelly’s video of the event.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1ISe_VLRLE]

HOW TO GET INVOLVED. Many of you have asked how to get involved – virtually – with the Hot Mommas Project. Here are three ways.

• Contribute virutally, get value. Every $25 helps archive a role model’s story or “case”  for use by women, girls, and educators. You will also recieve free membership in the Hot Mommas Project community entitling you to VIP discounts on events and access to downloadable case study discussion guides and action templates which are designed to raise self-efficacy (“I can do that”) by a minimum of 10%. See case study library here.  Pay Pal link is here.
• Nominate a Role Model. Know a dynamic woman over the age of 18, yourself included? Nominate them with a brief personal and professional description + contact information.

SPEAKERS AND TAKEAWAYS:

Kimberly Wilson is the founder of an impressive cadre of yoga and lifestyle products which which grew from her well-known Tranquil Space yoga studios. Kimberly is the author of Hip Tranquil Chick, and has created a TranquiliT clothing line as well as a foundation. Kimberly noted that her biggest challenges faced are the everyday things: Namely, involving herself in business lines that are inspiring to her versus the typical entrepreneurial knee-jerk of fighting fires. Kimberly establishes personal and professional goals, and evaluates them on a regular basis so that as an entrepreneur she is doing well in addition to her business.

Laura Lee Williams – founder of Laura Lee Designs – is a Fortune 500 golden girl gone entrepreneur. Her highly-distinctive bags are carried by many celebrities and she was recently tapped by the Alzheimers Association – the hottest up and coming health cause – to design their bag. Laura Lee’s biggest challenge arose during the Tsunami. A majority of her manufacturing took place in Thailand and was wiped out by the Tsunami. It took her three months to replenish lost supplies relocate her manufacturing. She also had to personally approach clients and ask for their flexibility in delivering promised orders. The business has not only recovered, but is thriving.  She told the audience not to put all your eggs in one basket and is happy and proud to say “Made in the USA” on her bags.

Julie Silard Kantor – Vice President at The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship – is one of DC’s best-known social entrepreneurs. She founded the DC office, one of NFTE’s most successful offices, and also serves as the Vice President for Governmental Affairs. She is the author of I Said Yes, which describes an inspirational journey in social entrepreneurship. Julie’s comments were personal and profound, and meant only for the audience there that night. However, we can share the following: Julie managed to build a successful organization while also encountering a life-altering personal challenge. Today, personally and professionally Julie is successful.  This is largely attributable to her acute understanding for priorities and “must haves” in her personal and professional life.

Susan Apgood is the founder of News Generation, one of the nation’s largest radio PR firms (Clients include: Microsoft, Discovery).  Visit www.NewsGeneration.com. Susan’s business and personal story is published in a Prentice Hall textbook for which I wrote last year in partnership with Dr. Norm Scarborough. The topic of the case study: Finance. Susan runs a tight ship and is known for her fastidiousness. Imagine her surprise when she was audited by the IRS for a generous profit sharing plans established for her employees. While Susan and her business ultimately prevailed, the experience made Susan re-think the role between the government and small business. She emphasized the importance of having a legal, tax, and benefits experts who work with your before a crisis ever happens.

SPONSORS:

Below please find our event sponsors, and why we LOVE them. If you’re going to invest your dollars in this down economy, at least do it with the folks below who support the causes you love.

Piola –Piola really set the tone for the event. Their pizza was vultured-over almost as much as the silent auction items.  This is Italian food you’ll never forget. Those of you who studied or traveled abroad will recognize the taste of the pizza. I thought there would be a lot of leftovers because Piola sent over so much food.  Here were the leftovers: none.  I officially have a new favorite pizza place on this continent.

Best Cellars – Arlington – This is so cool. Best Cellars is a well-known wine store in Arlington. I never realized they did wine tastings. This was one of the most fought-over items: A wine tasting for 25. Isn’t that the best idea? Have a bunch of friends meet for a wine tasting? So different.

Bean, Kinney & Korman – As seen in the Washingtonian Best Lawyers. Lori Murphy is an estate planning attorney who really gets it. She shocked me with the story of a single mom who designated her child as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. “Stop right there!” Lori said. It is a gift to the next generation to think of them, not just a legal transaction.

Beijo Bag– If you don’t know Beijo bags, you should. They are sleek and have the most amazing silhoettes. I literally get a compliment every time I carry one. And, shockingly reasonable price-wise.

Chesapeake Hyatt – I can’t think of one place that does it better for families. We went on a Disney cruise years ago, and that was AWESOME. However, it is really for the kids. This was a place I could get into, my husband could get into, and our kids were enthralled. There is nothing like an occupied child to make a parent happy.

Laura Lee Designs– All you need to do is see the bag. It is like carrying around a beaded Van Gogh painting that has been transformed into a purse. With a touch of Miami.

Momentum Coaching –Katie Mattson is wonderful and a full-on Hot Mommas Project supporter. While there are many coaches, not all “get it” the way Katie does. She is entrepreneurial, not just full of advice.

Paper Source in Georgetown –  “Lovely” as my friend Helena says. What a sensory experience it is seeing their website and walking in the store. For the writer, thank you-er, artist, scrapper, you’re set. Paper Source products are my official go-to host/hostess gifts and gifts for people who have everything.

Relaxed Tan and Spa –Started by a George Washington University student, growing and successful. A favorite place of stressed DC urbanites. If you are so pale that you could audition for Twilight, but don’t want the UVs, this is your place. Maybe a little massage after?

Tranquil Space – One of world’s best yoga studios. Tranquil Space has many instructors, but it is really an actual EXPERIENCE going to one of Kimberly’s classes. There are candles, pillows, lavender bags for your eyes, little welcome treats when you sign up. Good lord I may move in.  To complete the relaxation of this yoga package, Kimberly included a signed copy of her fabulous book Hip Tranquil Chick.

TranquilT– Eco Luxe clothing line for yoga and beyond. The TranquiliT clothing line is delicious and addictive. This is addictive. It is gorgeous, and like wearing your p.j.s outside. All you need to do is wear it once and you’re a goner.

Yes! Circle – A vibrant community of energetic, passionate, innovative entrepreneurs in all stages of business development, based in Washington, D.C. Margarita Rozenfeld is at the helm and I’d pay just to have HER in my corner.

zentan

Zentan – The hot new restaurant in the Donovovan House hotel. A food-snob friend of ours went there the other day and said “You’ve GOT to go here.” Rave reviews, famous chef, incredible boutique hotel setting.

The Hot Mommas Project tests all products and services of our friends/sponsors – to be a sponsor for our next event or 2009-2010 case study competition, please contact us.  If you are a fan of our work, and want to sponsor a woman to write her case, donate $25 below.