Womentorz Members Give Back

I'm so proud to be associated with not only some of the most talented, creative and entrepreneurial women I've ever met, but also the most giving!!!  Many of the Womentorz members give a percentage of their sales back to worthwhile charities.

Lizzie Lou Shoes for the Cure

Sheena Edwards, the creator of Lizzie Lou Shoes, has a new flip flop design that's not only providing high style, but also the fight against breast cancer.  You can feel good about purchasing such a work of art for your feet knowing that a percentage supports CTRC at the UT Health Science Center  in San Antonio, TX  http://www.ctrc.net/.  

Add a little bling to your outfit with the new Texas Pink for the Cure: http://lizzieloushoes.com/store/0037-new-texas-pink-4.html

The Goddess of Hope

Marianne Impal, the creator of The Goddess Box celebrating the gift of young girls becoming women, has also created The Goddess of Hope.  A feminine disease deserves a feminine gift~ The Goddess Of Hope is a gift box dedicated to Women with Breast Cancer.  Inside this gift holds well thought out treasures to help nurture the feminine from within.  All proceeds donated and will be split amongst two local hospitals/researchers: The Healing Consciousness Foundation and Fox Chase Cancer Center.  For more information visit: http://www.raecole.com/Goddess_of_Hope.html

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation

Linda Lewis, the inventor of The Breast Chek Kit, is also the founder of a non-profit organization called NABCAF-The National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, Inc. that provides free mammogram's and other health screenings completely FREE to uninsured and under-insured women annually.  www.nabcaf.org

An annual event, Our Passionate About Pink Community Health & Wellness Expo is dependent on the donations and contributions of our sponsors, both big and small. See some of the pictures from this event here...http://bit.ly/buBdKA

While the mammogram's and all the services are free to the women, NABCAF has to pay the hospital for the mobile unit, etc. at an average cost of $135 per woman. While they raised funds last year, her company still had to provide additional funds because of the enormous amount of women that showed up!! Linda is very proud to know that she is providing such a life saving service to women who normally wouldn't have this opportunity.   

They also give a portion of sales of the Breast Chek Kit   to various breast cancer research organizations. 

To make a donation please visit: http://thebreastchekkit.com/about-nabcaf/community/

To purchase the life saving Breast Chek Kit please visit: http://thebreastchekkit.com/shop-here/
 
Pieces of Me By Cindy

Cindy Mpasiakos, the creator of Pieces of Me, gives $50 per piece and $10 per stainless steel piece ordered on the website to the charity of the customer's choice! When you order just name the charity in the comments section and she will do the rest. Spread the love beyond your 6 and donate to your favorite charity!  

 Here's a list of the charities buyers can select from:

• Juvenile Diabetes.
• American Cancer Society.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
• Grace Cares.
• Wounded Warriors.
• Salesians Missions.
• St. Jude.
• Autism Awareness.
• Feed the Children.
• NYC Rescue Mission.
• A-T Childrens Project.
• Safe Homes.
• Idol Gives Back.
• Alzheimer's Association.
• Arthritis Foundation.
• American Cancer Society
• Autism Speaks
• Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
• Grace Cares
• Wounded Warriors
• Idol Gives Back
• Walkathon for Arthritis 

To purchase Pieces of Me please visit: http://www.piecesofme.net/webpages/products.aspx

Womentorz also supports Sacred Heart Shelter, which is a local charity in the Pacific Northwest providing a safe home for women and children.  We will be selling a cookbook coming soon to the website where 100% of the proceeds will support this charity.  

It's important to give back, and the women of Womentorz are doing their part! 

Using Video to Promote Your Product

Video is hot right now. In fact, if you want to capture the attention of women today, a brief video showcasing the enthusiastic endorsement of believable "real people," is one of the most effective ways to do it.

Recently I met mother-daughter team, Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson. They are known not only for their book, Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, but for the amazing PR they have generated over the last two years. One of their most effective vehicle is the videos they produce for products in which they believe.

They post the videos not only on their blog and YouTube and in their Open Sky online shop, but use them to teach and attract a following to their ideas about celebrating green.

They're so convinced of the value of this method of generating enthusiasm for products that they have developed a special offer for Womentorz members. If they like your product and feel it's a good fit for them, they will make a video for you. (Your product does not have to be green although it helps!)

You can use the video in any way you choose for a long as you choose. You might want to show it in a loop on a laptop at a tradeshow, on your website, on a DVD for the media and of course, on Womentorz!

Cost of a 2-minute video is $500. This includes everything--writing the script, approvals, shooting, "acting," editing and the final file.

Take a look at some of Lynn and Corey's videos and see what you think. Their style tends toward the light hearted as you'll see here and here, but they  also can do more straight-forward videos like this if you prefer.

Then, if you're interested in talking with them, email Lynn@CelebrateGreen.net

10 BIG BENEFITS OF BLOGGING FOR SMALL BUSINESS YOU WEREN’T AWARE OF

By Shlomit Haller owner of www.BabyAnywhere.com innovative products for babies
 

The search market continues to grow fast every year, and blogging is a search engine marketing activity. But there's still a lack of businesses willing to take up the “challenge” of running a blog. Why???

Did you know that the cost of generating traffic from search engine marketing is much lower than traditional media? Search engine marketing has the lowest cost-per-lead and the highest return on investment. It is estimated that the cost per lead is $0.29 for search, $0.50 for e-mail, $1.18 for the yellow pages, $2.00 for banner ads, and $9.94 for direct mail.
 
10 big benefits of blogging:

1 - Quick And Easy
Two words that every business owner and manager loves. A blog is simple to set up even for the technologically challenged. There are a number of free blogging services, and while these aren’t ideal for a business blog they offer a way to start. Setting up a blog isn't like setting up a Web site. In the worst case scenario you'll have to install a software application on your Web site and tinker with a few settings.
 
2 - Inexpensive Setup
The only word more popular than quick and easy is inexpensive. To integrate a blog into the page of your site costs little, especially since someone within your organization can usually do it. Even outsourcing the task will cost only a couple hundred dollars. A blog could become one of the most powerful marketing weapons you have in your arsenal and the money you spend might just pay a salesperson for one day’s work.
3 - Provides Easy Access To Company News
A business blog can be written in one of numerous styles, or a combination of these. One huge benefit is the ability to inform your customers of any changes, new products, latest offers and much more. This, in turn, can lead to direct sales. People love to frequent blogs and pass their time reading the same ones on a regular basis. Captivate your audience with compelling content and you'll receive a growing list of market leads. Remember that individual blog readers generally prefer a personable style but if your operation is a business-to-business one then you'll need to vary your style accordingly.
Typically, companies have used newsletter and e-newsletters to offer this kind of regular contact with their customers and potential customers. Using a blog is easier and it can be updated more regularly than when offering a weekly or monthly newsletter.
4 - Search Engine Friendly
Search engine optimization is a particularly beneficial form of online marketing. It can be used to gain search engine traffic for given keywords or search terms. Your blog offers the opportunity to promote your Web site for hundreds or even thousands of different keywords. Search engines particularly like promoting blogs because they offer a large amount of content that is updated and added to on a regular basis.
5 - Appear Accessible
It doesn’t matter whether you are not, but you and your company will appear to be more accessible especially if you allow freedom for all your visitors to post comments. Accessibility is often a stumbling block for many potential customers that still prefer to deal with companies offline. A blog makes you more approachable and so alleviates this concern.
6 - Appear Authoritative
The appearance of authority is also important to online businesses. Customers will be much more likely to use your service or purchase your goods if they see you as an authority on a particular subject. Give your views on the latest events in your industry, offer reviews of related items and comparisons of several items. Do anything, within reason, that makes you look like an authority on your topic area.
7 - Brand Awareness
The more a customer hears the name of your company the greater the chance of remembering it. It takes, on average, around seven items of direct communication between you and your customers to make a sale. A blog with hundreds of posts gives you the opportunity to mention your company name and ensure that your readers think of you next time they're looking for a particular product or service.
8 - Relationship Building
Another difficult aspect of building a relationship with your customers online is building a rapport with them. A blog enables you to speak more freely and in a more informal and personable style than your Web site does, and your readers will soon feel like they know you. The more they know, like and trust you the more likely they are to visit your main site, click your links and purchase your product.
9 - Gain An Insight Into Your Customers
A business blog enables you to gain insight into your customers. It does this in several ways. Predominantly, by allowing your customers to leave comments on your posts, you get a sense of how they react to what you say. You can also track which posts are being read more often and which generate a greater number of clicks, emails, and much more. As far as market and customer research goes this is important information.
10 - Reduce Calls And Emails
You can use a blog to pre-empt questions that customers might have. By sending readers to your blog you can gain all of the above benefits and you may reduce the amount of niggling questions that you get asked by customers. Of course, you might also receive a lot more orders by email, but nobody wants to reduce those emails.More Benefits for Womentorz Members :
11 - No need to set up your own blog system. Just write and send to Melinda!
For us, the womentorz blog is up and ready to use. No need to pay to have a blog installed or to technically straggle. Just write and send to Melinda! Womentorz blog is your tool!
12 – Womentors blog has many followers that read the blog on a regular basis
Womentorz blog gives you ready made large audience! Use it and write blog posts on a regular basis. If we all write interesting articles, together we will build up even more exposure!
Tips to Maintaining A Successful Business Blog
Regular content is imperative to the success of any blog. This content needs to be informative, accurate, and written in a way that will appeal to your visitors. Every blog demands different content and by producing the right content on a regular basis it will pay dividends.
In some posts you should try to find an opportunity to link to at least one page on your main Web site. Try not to get carried away by placing too many links or linking from all your posts but if you mention a particular product, link the name of that product to the corresponding page on your site. Alternatively include a paragraph at the bottom of the page that includes a link to a related resource, your website’s home page, etc.
Don’t forget to add pictures and videos!
Good luck in growing your sales with blog posts!
 
Shlomit Haller, Owner
www.BabyAnywhere.com
Innovative products for babies

Our Summer Adventure

Over the past year I have put some very long hours into growing my business and supporting Womentorz members.  Many of these hours have cut into quality family time, so it's time to make up for that over the summer now that I'm on a workable schedule.

Prior to summer I would lie awake at night worrying about how I was going to juggle work and my motherly duties once my son wasn't going to be in school.  I'm used to having my two year old at my side, but having both of them needing much deserved attention was going to be a challenge.  I've always made a point of getting up and using the early morning hours to finish important projects and leaving the time the children are awake for running back and forth between them, the computer and phone. 

One of our members, KT Steppers, has a wonderful new blog dedicated entirely to this subject called Master of Multistasking (M.O.M).  This will be a great blog to follow to celebrate all of the Moms who make it happen!

Now that summer is here I have compiled a plan to have at least one full day every week where we get out of the house and spend quality time together.  I've asked my older son Payton to select one town on a Washington map where we learn everything we can about that town during our visit.

Our first road trip will be this Friday, June 25th, where we will be visiting Coupeville, WA on Whidbey Island.  It's about a two hour drive from where we live, which is Edmonds, WA.  Click for more information about Coupeville.

I plan on documenting our fun adventures as some lighthearted and entertaining blog postings in between all of our informational content.  LET THE SUMMER ADVENTURES BEGIN!!!

Questions to Ask Web Developers and Designers Before Hiring Them

I've learned so much over the past year about working with web developers and have shared my experiences with fans of Womentorz.  One of the Facebook postings on this subject became such a hot button that I decided to post the suggested questions developers were leaving on the Fan Page.  I wish I had these questions in the beginning of the development process.  It would have saved me a lot of heartache and money!!!  I know have an amazing developer www.bearcreekweb.com who has completely revamped the Womentorz site, but it was a long road to get to them.  If you are a developer or have experience working with developers please feel free to post comments with additional questions.  

Questions below provided by Revvell P. Revati
http://www.bodaciousliving.com/

Question 1 - Do you do the work or do you send it overseas?

Question 2 - Give me names of at least three people you've worked with and their websites as referrals.

Question 3- Will you be teaching me how to use the back office so I or my assistant can update?

Questions Below Provided By Richard Weiss
www.dmpros.com

Question 1 - Are you the designer and developer of my site? Do you do it all, or will there be others involved? Is your expertise in design or do you consider yourself a developer first and a designer second?

Question 2- Have you built sites similar to what I am looking for?

Question 3 - Who will own the designs after you are paid? (Without a contract, the designer legally owns the design. You must have a contract that gives the design over to the "buyer" once the site is completed.)

Question 4 - Will I have full access to everything related to my site build? For example, will I have ftp access, can I go into the server control panel and work with the database (if any) or setup my own email accounts?

Question 5 - How familiar are you with SEO? Do you know how to build a site that focuses on SEO, or do you build the site and let SEO specialists do that part? Will I be getting a lot for my money if building with you - BOTH the site and the SEO as a combo pack?

Question 6 - How locked in is the price you quoted me? What factors will cause the price to increase? Are there any factors that could decrease the cost? After the site is built, and online, do you charge for any "fixes" that I see now but missed before? What do you charge for further additions and/or edits?

Question 7 - Am I getting any type of Content Management with my site so that I can make my own edits or changes (even add new material) without having to pay you?

Baby Bath Ring – Bathe More Than One and Keep it Fun!

Every parent knows the satisfaction of getting two kids clean at once. It leaves more time for bedtime stories and snuggling! But bathing two can be tricky, especially if one is a baby. Your little one tries to wriggle out of his bath seat while you struggle to give your older child a bath. Enter the Papillon baby bath ring, the soft bath ring with the unique design that lets infants move safely and freely while you bathe another child!

Traditional baby bath rings can be no fun for baby, especially as he begins to sit up and move more independently. Not only is a hard plastic bath seat uncomfortable against his body, it restricts him from reaching for toys, splashing bubbles and exploring the watery spaces around him.

Shouldn’t the bath be a place for baby to stretch his little arms and legs, develop muscles and become more coordinated? He should be splashing and playing in the bubbles, not sitting or writhing in a restrictive bath seat!

Of course, safety comes first during bath time. That’s why you strap baby into a bath ring or bath seat in the first place. But once baby starts moving and exploring, a traditional bath seat doesn’t quite do the trick. Lots of parents can recall a time when baby boldly tried to stand up from his bath seat, only to tumble into mom or dad’s slippery, soapy hands. Imagine how stressful that experience would be if you were bathing another child while your little one was busy trying to escape from his bath ring!

The Papillon is a terrific product that keeps baby safe and stable, but also lets him explore and have fun. Make bath time more fun for baby and relaxing for you with the Papillon. Simply tie the soft, floating bath ring around baby’s waist and let him splash and play while you bathe your older child. Get two kids clean at once and enjoy all the soft snuggling to follow!  For more information click here.

Step It Up For Alex's Lemonade Stand ~ ebay auction

SUPPORTING ALEX's LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION for CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH. For direct donations visit Lily's Lemonade Stand Page: www.alexslemonade.org/stands/9214

Raising Awareness for Alex’s Lemonade Stands Foundation for Fighting Childhood Cancer, Kt Steppers Introduces Another Charity Stepper, The Lily Stepper!  Designed and Inspired by our 4 year old friend Lily Adkins: http://www.alexslemonade.org/hero/lily-adkins

 
20% of the proceeds will be donated from each Lily Stepper order to Alex’s Lemonade Stand through our site.   Not only does the stepper show support for such an amazing cause, but is fully functional in any house with kids to step up to independence!
This Lily Stepper is up for Auction during Lemonade Days (June 10-13) where 100% of proceeds will be donated : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120578142714 .

We need your voice to help reach her donation goal!
Link to purchase one of our Charity Steppers is on http://www.ktsteppers.com/utilitysteppers.html

Greening Up Baby Showers

Written By: Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson

No one deserves more to be celebrated in an earth-friendly way than moms-to-be and their babies. After all, everyone wants the best for their children and the best, as we now realize, is to make healthier choices for people and the planet.

Throwing a "green" baby shower doesn't take extra work, just planning. Start by thinking about the various aspects of a shower and how you can apply the 3Rs--reduce, reuse, recycle. For instance:

• Reduce the amount of decor you buy, the amount of food you purchase, the amount of disposables, whether for wrapping, plates or table covering.
  
• Reuse by repurposing items for decor. For instance, if you're giving the mom cloth diapers, hang them on a clothes line strung along one wall. Intersperse with colorful pieces of cloth, cute dresses or tops or pre-used ribbons. After the party, she takes everything home (including the clothes line).
  
• Recycle everything from the event. Pass on decor items, compost what leftovers cannot be sent home with guests. 
  
  Most showers involve food and maybe some games. But almost inevitably, the focus is on opening gifts. While everyone loves giving and receiving, especially when it comes to adorable baby items, how about a little more emphasis on mom and a little less on "stuff?"
  
  Showering mom (and dad, if he's present), with loving, thoughtful gifts from the heart costs almost nothing and will help her (and him), feel amazing. Some ideas (note that these are alternatives--not every parent or group of guests will be interested in every one):
  
  
• Create an calming atmosphere by dimming the lights, perhaps lighting some beeswax candles, settling mom into a comfy chair, offering her socks or slippers if she'd like. Ask someone to create a CD of mom's favorite relaxing music to be played during the event, then gifted to her.
  
• Offer mom a rosewater footbath or a massage for hands, feet or neck. If the guests are comfortable with this (as well as mom), each one can take a turn offering mom a "touching" gift.
  
• Prepare a selection of drinks--made from fresh organic fruit in summer or organic tea in cooler weather.
  
• Have everyone bring a bead. Guests sit in a circle and string the beads one at a time explaining their choice as they do. Perhaps the color reminds them of the mom's eyes, or a place she loves. Maybe the bead came from a broken necklace inherited from a beloved grandmother. Guests also can write their explanations on a piece of paper that mom can keep with the bracelet or necklace. Encourage mom to wear the item or keep it nearby when she gives birth, or if she's adopting, when she receives the baby, as a reminder of the love that surrounds her.
  
• Make mom a special plate of food. Each item can represent something about being a mother. (Remember to choose local and organic when possible, and of course, respect mom's tastes and/or allergies.) Some ideas include: a carrot representing family "roots," a mushroom representing "shelter," a cluster of grapes respresenting "closeness," blue cheese or another "smelly" one representing some of the distatesful things moms have to do etc. The items can be brought out on a plate, an example of what one represents offtered, then guests can toss out their own ideas.
  
• Ask everyone to bring a stone from where they live. They can write a wish for the mom or baby or write their names in permanent ink. Add the stones to a pot in which a small live tree has been planted. If appropriate, parents can plant the tree with the stones around it as a lasting memory of the event.
  
• Be sure to make laughter a part of the event. Maybe guests will recount cute things their kids have said or the silliest thing they ever did as a parent, or the time they "lost it."
  
• Ask the mom and/or dad-to-be, to bring a piece of clothing, baby book or photo from when they were babies and talk about their childhood memories, how they perceived their parents, and/or the most important things they want to do for and with this baby.
  
• If the parent-to-be's mom or dad is at the shower, encourage them to share memories or humorous anecdotes about the expectant parents as kids.

Eco-tips for choosing green baby shower gifts 

• Select clothing items without chemicals (which are readily absorbed by a newborn's thin skin). Look for organic cotton, hemp, wool or silk.
  
• The safest toys are made from natural, pesticide-free materials such as untreated wood or the fabrics listed above. Seek out products made locally, and/or that are handmade and that will last.
  
• Give a gift of yourself such as preparing meals for the family, driving or doing errands weekly for the first months after the baby is at home, offering to rent a movie and preparing a "parents night in," along with babysitting, or doing a year's worth of car washes.
  
• Choose to wrap your gifts in items that keep giving--baby blankets, crib sheets, towels, scarves or other reusables.
  
• Here's a freebie that would be wonderful to include with any gift. It's a pdf of a brochure, Simple Steps for a Happy Baby, a Healthy Home and a Better World. Download, print out one copy (on recycled paper of course.)

To learn more tips on how to "Celebrate Green" purchase the Celebrate Green book!  It's packed full of green information!!! www.celebrategreen.net/buy/

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net 

Womentorz is helping businesses across the nation grow their Facebook Fan Page

I spent weeks racking my brain on how I could market Womentorz on Facebook while helping other businesses in the process.  Finally, it occurred to me that sharing and suggesting a Fan Page is such an easy thing to do and most people are willing to do it since it only takes a matter of seconds.  If only a few people suggested a page to their friends asking them to share that same page to their friends that it would be like a Domino effect.  I would make sure to only promote a page a week so it wouldn't be an annoyance suggesting and sharing a new page on a daily basis.  This would also allow 5 days for the "Likes" to come rolling in with the final numbers being posted on Friday.

In my head this scenario would work, but I had never seen it done.  I'm sure I'm not the first to think of and implement this idea since I'm nothing special.  Still, I shared my plan and the requests starting piling up.  Before I knew it I had over 22 weeks booked up and a lot of excitement and buzz over the "experiment".  

The first Monday finally comes where I can start the my first Womentorz Fan Page of the Week for Rooibee Red Tea.  Their beginning "Likes" were at 451.   After just 48 hours they have increased their "Likes" to over 528.  If you know Facebook and how fast your "Likes" increase you know that this is a much faster fan surge than even advertising on Facebook to millions can bring you.  The best part is it's free!!!!  The only request is that the owner of the Fan Page "Like" Womentorz and post a reply under "Notes" with the name and link of their business fan page.  Click here to go to the Womentorz FB Fan Page.
This service is for ALL businesses on Facebook!!!  Happy Social Networking!

Inventor Showcase: Banana Blossom Press - Greeting Cards For Runners, Walkers, Everyday Athletes & Fitness Enthusiasts

I have had so much fun getting to know Maria Millsap, Owner and Founder of Banana Blossom Press.  Not only does she reside from Seattle, which makes her cool already, but she also has the most awesome personality and outlook on life.  I love the message she brings to the average person wanting to get fit through her beautiful greeting cards and clothing line.  Here's her story:

Q. How did you come up with the idea of your product?

Nine years ago, I was a heavy smoker.  I started running while still a smoker.  I would have a cigarette at the parking lot after each run; that was my "reward" for exercising.  Eventually I quit smoking and decided in 2006 that I would train for a marathon.  I joined a local running group called Seattle Fit who helped me train for two marathons and a number of half marathons.  After finishing the first, I was on a fitness high and searched for another challenge and that's when I found mountaineering. I've lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life and not until I became fit that I started to think about climbing Mt. Rainier, which I did in 2007.

When training for an endurance sports, there are so many components involved including having a great support system. I was able to run and climb because of the support from my husband, son, family and friends and I wanted a way to acknowledge them.  I started to research and look for greeting cards specfically for runners/walkers and other fitness enthusiasts and found two or three companies but their cards didn't appeal to me. Together with my business partner at the time, we started to think about the $7 billion greeting card business.  We figured if we were going to be a greeting card company, we needed to be a niche greeting card company and that's when we decided to form Banana Blossom Press.

Q.  What makes your product unique?
The fact that they are fitness related greeting cards makes them unique. Couple that with a simple, minamalist design brings them to another level.  Our cards are text-based only, focusing on the message. I also love that they have rounded corners, it completes the look of beautiful simplicity. If you were to walk in Oblation Papers & Press, a popular stationery store in Portland, OR, you would easily recognize BBP cards.  That's difficult to do with thousands of cards in the store.  If you don't stand out, your product will get lost in the crowd.

Q. What was your experience like in the actual design and manufacturing of your product?
The actual design has been less work that I had imagined.  I don't have a design background, but I do know what I like.  Our protype looks exactly what we have out in the market now.  We come out with new cards as we retire old ones and experiment with different fonts.

I've worked with several printers for the cards and designers for our t-shirt line since we've started, and all I can say is that I work better with some people than with others.  It's been a big learning curve with the printing business and the t-shirt industry is a completely different ball game.  I'm still learning.

Q. How do you balance launching a new business with family?

I'm so thankful for my husband who is a very kind and patient man. He has been a great sounding board for me since I am now without a business partner.  It also helps that my son is older and less dependent on me at this stage in his life which gives me a little more time to focus on the business.

Q. What did you do prior to launching your business?

I stayed home when my son was younger and started to work and still work full-time after he started Kindergarten.  My day is dedicated to my day job which makes me more focused when I work on Banana Blossom Press business during my off hours.  I like being in both worlds, they complement each other and the skills I learn in one world I certainly use in the other.


Q. What fact would readers find interesting about you?

Two things...first: I am a ham!! I have a great sense of humor and don't take things too seriously.  I love to laugh and I love to make people laugh.  Second: I love dessert.  I mean, I LOOOVEEEEE dessert.  Cakes, cookies, ice cream, you name it, I'm going for it.  Once in a while my husband and I do a bakery crawl where we visit 3 to 4 different bakeries on a Saturday :) Not good for someone who is currently not running. If you're ever in the Seattle area I highly recommend Old School Custard Ice Cream on Capitol Hill. Bliss.

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur

The tell-it-like-it-is guide to cleaning up in business even if you are at the end of your roll!

When I was first introduced to Mike Michalowicz I knew he was an expert in providing resources and inspiration for entrepreneurs across the nation, but I didn’t realize how much I was truly going to enjoy and ultimately rely on his book, The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, during some the growing pains of my own business.   Throughout those challenging times I found myself being inspired through his hilarious stories of self awareness and historical accounts of true toilet paper entrepreneurialism.   It’s true….the longer you just sit on the pot and don’t be creative with the three sheets you’ve been given the less likely you are to achieve success.

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is a book filled with
countless life lessons and advice that anyone at whatever level of business experience would greatly benefit from reading.  I’ve read numerous business “self help” books and usually come away with MAYBE one piece of advice I can use if I’m lucky.  They’re usually filled with a bunch of fluff and the same information said over and over….just in a different way.  This book is the complete opposite and is why I read and reread many sections of the book and have filled it with sticky notes for future reference.

Mike is an invaluable resource and supporter of the women entrepreneurial movement.  I strongly advise all of you to hurry and purchase his book and follow all of the projects he is involved with.  You can buy a copy of his book at along with other valuable resources at http://toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/store/store.html  I’m grateful to have met Mike and thankful for his generosity to not only me, but also to my Womentorz ladies who he so graciously gave signed copies of his book to.  Thank you Mike!!!

Pieces of Me by Cindy has a new design that's great for kids!

Pieces of Me by Cindy is proud to announce they are now making hearts out of Silicone for just $5 instead of $90. Preorder today and the
first batch will be done in about 4 weeks. Pink and Blue are available.
This 6 piece heart breaks up into 6 puzzle piece charms to be worn on achain, bracelet, key chain or attach to your... SillyBandz. Give a piece ofyour heart today! Preorder here http://www.piecesofme.net/.

Inventor Showcase: BabyAnywhere

I was so pleased when I received a call from Shlomit Haller, owner of the BabyAnywhere product line expressing her interest in becoming part of the Womentorz community.  Not only was I extremely impressed with the product, but their product development and personal story are very inspiring.  Plus, Shlomit lives in Seattle, so I knew I would like her!!!  I'm pleased to introduce BabyAnywhere to the Womentorz community! 

Q. How and why did you come up with the idea of your invention(s)?

Michal First, an Israeli mom of two girls and an artist, invented her first baby bath product when she had her first daughter, Tommy. Michal couldn’t find a product that will help her wash her newborn safely and at the same time provide a warm, soft and cradled environment for such a small baby. She created the first Batya: a soft infant bather. Tommy was so relaxed nestled and floating in the Batya, that bath time became the most pleasurable time in Michal’s family day. Friends and family wanted the Batya too, and soon it became a best seller in Israel and Europe, and the brand Pomfitis was born.

Q. You have several inventions.  Can you tell us more about all of your products?

When Tommy grew up and was too big for her Batya infant bather, Michal invented the Papillon- Baby Bath Ring. The Papillon was such a great alternative for the classic plastic baby bath seats, that it soon was known as “the Batya’s big brother” with buyers all over the world. The Shibaba toddler bath seat was invented when Tommy was 18 months old and became Tommy’s best bath friend. Watch the clips of how the products work at www.BabyAnywhere.com.

Q.  What makes your product so unique to the baby product industry?

All three products, Batya (0-10 months old), Papillon (10-18 months) and Shibaba (18 months – 3 years +) are made of soft fabric and they float. This is so unique and make a great alternative to cold and firm baby bath plastic seats and baths. The fact that they float enable baby to develop his sense of movement, balance and independence and at the same time hug and safely secure the baby. There are no other products in the American market that has those qualities!

Q. How does your product keep babies safe?

All three products have special ergonomic shape and unique sewing that makes baby safe in the water. They are safe to parents too: no more holding your slippery baby in one hand and wash him with the other! More specifically for each product: The Batya adjusts itself to baby’s shape and nestles infant’s body while supporting his head safely out of the water.

The Papillon is even safer than a plastic baby seat since it supports baby that tries to stand up and fall back to the water. A plastic seat doesn’t support a baby that stands up in it.  Older babies, 18 months and up, like to ride on the Shibaba instead of floating around in the tub with no support.

Q. What was your experience like in the actual design and manufacturing of your product(s)?

Shlomit Haller, (myself), a mother of 2 girls, an online entrepreneur and the owner of www.BabyAnywhere.com based in Seattle,  was using the Papillon for my 2nd baby and fell in love with the product. I was sorry I didn’t know of Pomfitis’s products with my first daughter. I contacted Michal and started to import the Batya, Papillon and Shibaba to the USA and sell them online through BabyAnywhere.com and soon it became an online great success. Michal and I decided to cooperate and now I am the marketing manager of the brand- Pomfitis. The orders for these unique three bath products are growing and expending around the world.

Q. How do you balance running a business with family?

Raising a family and a business is not easy BUT I L-O-V-E doing both! While my kids are at school, I am working as Pomfitis’s marketing manager AND also: cooking, doing the laundry, doing the shopping… I try to finish all my duties before I pick up my girls from school so I can be with them in the afternoon. Since Pomfitis has clients around the world with different time zones, sometimes I have phone conversations after I put the girls to sleep.

Q. What fact would readers find interesting about you?

Born and raised in Israel, I was obliged to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces. I took it far and volunteered to a top secret unit. I got to demonstrate for the commander-in-chief when he was visiting the unit!

It's a Small Online Community After All

Since starting Womentorz I have been amazing at how small the online community is within the women entrepreneur and inventor world.  It seems the more people you meet the more everyone is somehow connected.  There is definitely a very clear degree of separation between all of us.  Here’s a picture after throwing an Twitter Party where Kleen Slate was one of the prizes given away.  It shows how the partnering of two companies online can help promote both entities.

I’ve found that networking is one of the most important things you can do for your business and for the success of your product.  I never knew how true it is, but in many cases your success is all about who you know…..and who that person knows…..and so on.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on the phone with someone I just met and we can keep going back and forth with all of the people we mutually know and groups we have in common.

This also holds true with keeping the peace with everyone in the online community.  As many of you know, email and tweets can come across wrong.  If you think you’ve offended someone it’s important to apologize and not burn a bridge.  Even though the people you meet online are all across the country and sometimes in other countries, the Internet brings them right into your room. 

Huggies Mom Inspired Grant Program - Receive Up To $15,000 To Get Your Invention to Market

The Huggies® brand introduces its MomInspired™ Grant Program, an exciting new product innovation generating concept providing inventive moms with the seed capital they need to help transform viable product ideas into successful new businesses. The program will award up to $15,000 per grant to help fund business startups based on innovative baby or child care products inspired by motherhood.

This grant program presents a new open innovation path for the Huggies® brand as well as Kimberly-Clark Corporation. In 2010, the Huggies® brand will invest $250,000 in these mom experts as a different way to capture, support and potentially bring to market real-world solutions for parents.

In order to be considered for a grant, inventive moms must submit a unique baby or child care product idea that addresses an unmet parenting need for the chance to receive seed money as well as expert business resources from one of the world’s most trusted baby and child care brands among moms.

Applicants must be: 

• Women 21 years of age or older
• Currently reside in the United States 
• Are not employees, or related to employees of Kimberly-Clark Corporation or the Huggies® brand 
• Submit original, innovative and viable business/product ideas for pre-natal care up to 6 years of age, designed to help make life easier for parents so they can better enjoy everyday moments with their little ones. 
• Ideas do not have to be diaper or hygiene-related.

Dates & Deadlines
Moms have from April 28 to June 9 to submit their ideas online. Winning grants will be awarded by late summer.

Visit www.HuggiesMomInspired.com for more information and the full application.

Women Invent Best Gifts for Mother's Day

Sure, mom appreciates cards and flowers. But we also know that loving husbands and children everywhere will be looking for that extra special gift to surprise mom. Not to worry, Womentorz has got you covered with unique and innovative ideas sure to wow the special lady in your life!  Here are some options available on the site by our talented inventors:

Open Stems Dangle-link Earrings
A fabulous addition to your wife or mom's earring collection! This is the invented alternative to the hook earring that not everyone can wear.  Easily interchange the dangle component by simply linking dangles or charms over the open end of the Open Stems dangle•link.


Cutie Pa Tutus Super Mom Tee
Super Mom Tee - $28 Let Mom know she's SUPER in every way with our "blinged out" ladies’ SuperMom tee!!! Short sleeved, crew neck tee is pre-shrunk, 100% combed ringspun cotton. Tee has a contoured fit for a feminine--not boxy--look.

Esse Reusable Bags
Give the gift of fashion, functionality, organization, convenience and the knowledge that you're making the Earth a greener place.  Esse Reusable Bags makes grocery shopping fun for your wife or mother.
 
Give The Gift of Fitness

Banana Blossoms Press makes high-end, stylish greeting cards customized for any occasion, but all having a message of fitness and health for the "average" person to help motivate and inspire.  They also carry amazing T-shirts for adults and children.

Mommy Mittens is a fun gift to give to the woman who loves to jog with her little one and wants to keep her hands warm.   Mommy Mitten is a stylish hand warmer (aka: mitten) that easily secures around the handle bar of your baby stroller.  It will keep your hands protected from the elements without having to deal with clumsy easy to lose gloves or mittens.
 

Pieces of Me
Why not give a piece of your heart??? What a great way to show her how much you love her so she can show others her love!!! Pieces of me is on SALE, $40 OFF the original price of $90, Total cost of just $50 for all 6 pieces, plus 6 jumprings, 6 boxes, and 6 explanation cards!!!

Lizzie Lou Shoes
Every woman loves bling, bling on her feet.  Lizzie Lou Shoes are the perfect gift when presenting a wonderful getaway for a pedicure.  These fashionable shoes are incredibly comfortable and are embellished with genuine crystals

Suitable Pajamas
Give the gift and comfort and the ultimate in convenience.  Now women have the ultimate outfit: loungewear good for anywhere!  At home, on a plane, carpooling, answering the door, dashing down to the hotel lobby, running errands, overnight group functions, staying overnight at your mother-in-law’s. . . One simple suit to be practical, presentable, sophisticated.  And YES! you can even sleep in it.

Breast Chek Kit
The Breast Chek Kit is one of the most important gifts you can give.  The Breast Chek Kit is a 4 piece self breast examination kit consisting of the "Patented" Breast Chek Shirt a unique reusable knit spandex & nylon shirt with a superb fit for any breast size from an A cup to KK cup and above. A fabric maker, an annual calendar and instruction card are also included.


Bra Barrette
The Bra Barrette is a practical, comfortable, beautiful solution to stop straps from slipping off shoulders.  No woman (especially a busy mom!) has time to deal with her straps slipping off her shoulder all day.