If you have recently launched a new business or are thinking of turning your idea that you've been so passionate about into a business, but you're not sure exactly what steps to take, then you should seriously consider attending the Ladies Who Launch Live event in Los Angeles next Saturday. It's going to be a day of networking, learning and inspiration to fuel your vision and take it to the next level.
Ladies Who Launch LIVE is a series of events that are taking place around the U.S. and Canada, so if you can't make it to LA next weekend then definitely attend one of the other events taking place later this year in the following cities: Atlanta, Detroit, New York, Portland, San Francisco, and Toronto.
For those of you who know me, I'm a big proponent of women entrepreneurs and turning your passions into profitable businesses. The reason I'm excited about the LA event is because it’s featuring two women who I highly respect and am very inspired by. And they are Jane Wurwand and Patricia Handschiegel.
Jane Wurwand is the founder of Dermalogica, the leader and most-recognized brand in professional skin care. In 1986, Dermalogica was birthed out of Wurwand's desire to deliver results-driven skin care products, which at that time was seriously lacking in the skin care industry.
Being a skin care therapist herself and having already founded the International Dermal Institute, a post-graduate training facility for skin care professionals, Wurwand had the experience, insight, vision, and drive to create a professional skin care line that not only produced results, but changed an industry. Along with her husband, Wurwand started Dermalogica with a very small skin care line and has since grown the company into one of the most popular and widely-used professional skin care lines worldwide.
Today, Dermalogica offers an extensive collection of professional skin care products that address all skin types and many skin conditions. The company also opened Dermalogica on Montana, its flagship skin care treatment center Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, CA.
I was fortunate enough to meet Wurwand a year ago and had a great discussion with her about product evangelism and innovative marketing. In my opinion, she is the Steve Jobs of the skin care industry because she is a pioneer, evangelist, and a true visionary, not to mention one of the most well respected leaders in the skin care industry. Wurwand is a game-changer and I look forward to what she, and her team, bring us in the months and years ahead.
Patricia Handschiegel took her love of shoes and fashion and combined it with her background in technology and business and launched StyleDiary in August of 2004. She saw an opportunity to build a niche community of people who shared her passion for shoes and fashion and was able to grow it into a large and profitable community in only three years.
In November 2007, Handschiegel sold StyleDiary to Stylehive and is now the west coast bureau chief of Stylediary.net. Today, StyleDiary, according to its site, is an online community for shoppers, stylists, designers, store owners and fashionistas from dozens of countries around the globe, all who share a common love for fashion and style.
I briefly met Handschiegel this past April when I was in LA for the TechSet party at the Hotel Roosevelt in Hollywood, which was hosted by my colleagues (and boss) Brian Solis and Internet Geek Girl, Stephanie Agresta. I was there shooting interviews for bub.blicio.us, a blog covering the social economy and founded by Solis.
My bub.blicio.us reporter (and partner in crime), Alison McNeill, and I caught up with Handschiegel and interviewed her on what's new with her, how the site has changed since selling StyleDiary to Stylehive, and Handschiegel gives out a few fashion tips, too. To see the interview, watch below.
Handschiegel absolutely loves what she does and you can see it when you talk to her. She’s very passionate about StyleDiary and life in general. I’m sure both Handschiegel and Wurwand will continue to bring innovative ideas to life.
To learn more about Saturday's event, see the schedule, list of speakers, and to sign up visit: Ladies Who Launch Los Angeles LIVE
It's inspirational to see so many women pursue their dreams and goals and succeed as entrepreneurs. It's also great to see that successful women share their stories at events like this.
Posted by: Tovah | June 06, 2008 at 11:58 PM