Day 2 NAWBO Powering Your Dream Conference

Day two of high energy, informative speakers, and great comraderie with other women business owners promises to be electric! The National NAWBO Convention here inChicago has opened my eyes even wider recognizing the challenges and celebrating the successes of other women as they lead their business forward. Each of us a business owners have dreams and the network NAWBO represents offers a foundation to lean upon as a pillar of support. Personally, I am attending as this year's president of the Central Illinois NAWBO Chapter, representing 75+ fine diverse businesses spread through out our region. Learning best practices on membership retention, public policy, and developing corporate partnership is just the short list of topics already discussed. I am looking forward to the program today gathering more tools to bring back to the chapter. Stay tuned!

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN CHICAGO

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN CHICAGO
June 5, 2009
Join me to experience the power of women joining together to grow their businesses….
- The Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE Joins the National Association of Women Business Owners at the “Power Your Dream” Conference -
Chicago, IL– May, 2009 – Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence today announced that its Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE (M3 RACE) will host a live event on the first day of the NAWBO Power Your Dream conference. Over a thousand women business owners will converge at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers on June 24th for 3 exciting and information-packed days of inspiration, education and power networking, to help them grow their businesses to the million-dollar level and beyond.
Day 1 is the M3 RACE Day. Participants will hear from powerhouse presenters: Stacey Schieffelin, for Ford model, HSN TV retailing veteran and CEO of the $150 million YBF cosmetics and apparel line; Ellen Rohr, high-energy financial whiz, author and president of Bare Bones Biz, a business training and consulting company; and Nell Merlino, founder and president of Count Me In, author of the new book, Stepping Out of Line, and the creative genius behind the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE and Take Our Daughters To Work Day. “The Count Me In experience has changed my life. I know I can make a million dollar business happen. Thank you for all you do to inspire women.” Maggie Weldon http://www.maggiescrochet.com/
Other confirmed conference presenters include organizational expert Peter Walsh, and noted journalist and author, Suzy Welch.The conference also features one-on-one business coaching and financial counseling hands-on workshops and expert panels, a business pitch competition, the chance to win valuable business-building prizes and the opportunity to network with other women business owners.
Participants can register for one or three days of the conference, and thanks to a generous grant from an anonymous donor, the one-day M3 RACE Day registration is now $199!
To register for the conference, visit www.makemineamillion.org/events.
The M3 RACE, a program of Count Me In, is a unique, year-long, online business growth marathon for women entrepreneurs. Participants register for the M3 RACE, and declare a business revenue target of Walker ($250,000), Jogger ($500,000), Runner $1million) or Sprinter (Multi-millions). They then receive a variety of business-building tools including a personal and financial assessment, a private dashboard to monitor their progress, a public Facebook-like page to profile their business, access to a top sponsors such as American Express OPEN, Reader’s Digest, Dell Fedex and Sam’s Club, participation in live events, a Business Resource library, coaching, webinars, promotions and publicity, peer meet-ups, and the opportunity to win valuable prizes including a grand prize of $100,000.
For More Information contact Stacey Straughter, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Count Me In. 212-245-1245, ext. 215. sstraughter@countmein.org
June 5, 2009
Join me to experience the power of women joining together to grow their businesses….
- The Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE Joins the National Association of Women Business Owners at the “Power Your Dream” Conference -
Chicago, IL– May, 2009 – Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence today announced that its Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE (M3 RACE) will host a live event on the first day of the NAWBO Power Your Dream conference. Over a thousand women business owners will converge at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers on June 24th for 3 exciting and information-packed days of inspiration, education and power networking, to help them grow their businesses to the million-dollar level and beyond.
Day 1 is the M3 RACE Day. Participants will hear from powerhouse presenters: Stacey Schieffelin, for Ford model, HSN TV retailing veteran and CEO of the $150 million YBF cosmetics and apparel line; Ellen Rohr, high-energy financial whiz, author and president of Bare Bones Biz, a business training and consulting company; and Nell Merlino, founder and president of Count Me In, author of the new book, Stepping Out of Line, and the creative genius behind the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE and Take Our Daughters To Work Day. “The Count Me In experience has changed my life. I know I can make a million dollar business happen. Thank you for all you do to inspire women.” Maggie Weldon http://www.maggiescrochet.com/
Other confirmed conference presenters include organizational expert Peter Walsh, and noted journalist and author, Suzy Welch.The conference also features one-on-one business coaching and financial counseling hands-on workshops and expert panels, a business pitch competition, the chance to win valuable business-building prizes and the opportunity to network with other women business owners.
Participants can register for one or three days of the conference, and thanks to a generous grant from an anonymous donor, the one-day M3 RACE Day registration is now $199!
To register for the conference, visit www.makemineamillion.org/events.
The M3 RACE, a program of Count Me In, is a unique, year-long, online business growth marathon for women entrepreneurs. Participants register for the M3 RACE, and declare a business revenue target of Walker ($250,000), Jogger ($500,000), Runner $1million) or Sprinter (Multi-millions). They then receive a variety of business-building tools including a personal and financial assessment, a private dashboard to monitor their progress, a public Facebook-like page to profile their business, access to a top sponsors such as American Express OPEN, Reader’s Digest, Dell Fedex and Sam’s Club, participation in live events, a Business Resource library, coaching, webinars, promotions and publicity, peer meet-ups, and the opportunity to win valuable prizes including a grand prize of $100,000.
For More Information contact Stacey Straughter, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Count Me In. 212-245-1245, ext. 215. sstraughter@countmein.org

Moving business forward

Where does the time go? So much is written about time management and efficiencies for small business to follow during these challenging economic times. I must comment that the staff of Apple's Bakery just doesn't seem to ever slow down. With May half over, it is absolutely amazing the Holidays will be upon us shortly! Two points of interest have developed. Our operational hours on Saturdays have been adjusted to fit the season. We are now open 6AM - 2PM on Saturdays. This gives our staff the opportunity to enjoy more outdoor activities as well. For those corporate clients out there, remember a 20% discount on our logo tin program is in effect until June 30, 2009. This is a perfect time to organize holiday gift giving off your desk now. Hope you all are well and thank you for your business. Mary and Staff

Dating and Food Intolerances

You have a date! Yikes it is for dinner at a restaurant you have not eaten at before. Do you tell your date that you have allergies or intolerance's before the date? What if you get there and the staff is clueless as to what you can eat? You don't want to appear to be some sort of high maintaince nightmare...LOL

Well having done this I have some simple ways to make it easier for all parties involved. Ask your date the name of the restaurant and what they enjoy about it. This gives you the name and some of what they serve in advance! Then I look them up on line. Read the menu thoroughly. Call the Chef and let them know I AM ON A DATE and do not want this made into an ordeal...
This saves a great deal of stress on me as I know 2-3 things I can eat so I can focus on the date! The Chef knows that I am there and is aware. My date does NOT have to feel awkward for picking a restaurant.
So next I was asked when do you tell your date you have food sensitivities or intolerance's? Hummm....Good question. If I have just met them I will wait until the 2nd or 3rd date. This way they can see that I have a good grip on my situation. Which keeps us both at ease. Then from the 3rd date on they are either aware and supportive if not then I will no longer dating them...LOL.

With the tremendous awareness of allergies and intolerance's now in the news, schools and dining establishments are prepared to assist you in some way. Below is a list of Chicago restaurant's that have Gluten Free menus.

The Wildfire Restaurants present six opportunities for dining in Chicago and a few more elsewhere. Click here to see their gluten free menu posted on line.

The Adobo grill offers two restaurants, one in “old town” and the other in Wicker Park. Both restaurants post gluten free menus on-line. Both menus include the location of the restaurant.
Bottom line is to get out and enjoy the company of others during this fabulous time of year and enjoy the frivolity!
Let us know of any restuarants you would like us to feature in the future. Estelle and I love to sample our way through life because it really is all about food, friends, and laughter! Enjoy!

Apple's Bakery Gluten Free Kitchen goes to the City

Who ever knows just how our businesses will grow! This has certainly been my experience since becoming a Make Mine a Million awardee in 2006. It was then, I first drafted an elevator speech. Purpose and passion for cookies and a love for people were the foundation of my drive. Then I met Nell and the Make Mine team. There I found an effort that believed in me more than I believed in myself. Apple's Bakery entered into the M3 community as a traditional Midwestern retail bakery. Well, that was almost 3 years ago. Now, confidently fueled with the resources of Make Mine a Million coupled with new found goals and dreams, Apple's Bakery embarks on a new journey tomorrow. The show is going on the road! Apple's Bakery will be an exhibitor at the Thrive Allergy Gluten Free Expo in Chicago held at McCormick Place. Now this is HUGE!
I remember back to the M3 competition and conversations about not only can you but are you willing to scale your business in order to grow. To be honest with you, at the time, I do not think I really understood just what that meant. Today, as I write, I am smiling, because now I do and am excited for the opportunity to stretch. Our gluten free division developed as a result of M3 and now it is this division which is ready to launch.
Bottom line is ... we may know what we think our business is, but sometimes it is our business that will tell us what it needs to be. You just never know what opportunity is around the corner. Wish us luck this weekend.

Join me tomorrow on Ms. CEO Show, a national radio show, simulcast on www.msceoshow.com 1PM Central

new blog site: applesbakery.wordpress.com

A Mother's Work / Life Balance Gets Off Center

Everywhere we turn there are abundant articles on work, life, balance. It continues to be one of the hottest topics for us, as women, to explore, examine and attempt to implement. Some of women are able to position their days in the ebb and flow of life's demands with barely raising and eyebrow. Then there are others who live under with the constant barage of everyday stress as if it is a battle field. I like to think my life work equation has been one of fairly consistent balance fueled by positive outlook. Looking back, my imbalance crept on the scene just before Christmas. Our college son was to drive home after finals from Northern Iowa. What a joyous event! Holiday spirits were high with the anticipation of my son's hug as he entered the door. Alex is a fun guy to have around and the entire staff looks forward to his arrival on the baking scene. It is similar to having the calvary arrive when high school and college kids when released for break saunter in as only young people can, to fill in as temporary Holiday help by offerring the seasoned crew some relief and youthful laughter. You know it is just plain fun! Well, as it turned out Alex was to be delayed an extra day due to a blizzard. Oh well, my favorite helper would still be home for Christmas. He and I have spent numerous December Sundays together baking and sharing great conversations. It is somewhat like when your children have yet to get their driver's license and they are captive audience in the car! We laugh, sing and generally goof off calling it work. Well, I digress.... at any rate the Holiday baking season wrapped up...Christmas day was spent enjoying family and friends ... and Alex spent the night with friends. You may be wondering how this is going to relate to work / life balance. Well the next morning, Central Illinois had a terrible ice storm which most of us were not expecting, especially groggy eyed college boys as they were doing a good deed by taking out the garbage for a freind's mother. Sure enough Alex's feet slid out from under him causing him to crash to the ground resulting in a broken ankle. Needless to say what a lousy way to spend break and yes it would be a better story for him if it had been a skiing mishap! In one fell swoop a self sufficient college young man became completely reliant on others. Fitted in a non weight bearing cast for the next 4-6 weeks, unable to drive...even the simple pleasure of carrying a glass of milk and cookies to the couch in front of the TV required the assistance of another. The first 2 weeks were an adjustment for the entire family. This is an example of how a twist of fate for one family member impacts the entire unit. It has given me pause to reflect on my own life/balance equation while sharing with Alex the the principle there is good that rises from everything when approached with a positive attitude even in the darkest moments. As a mother, it has been difficult to return him to school on crutches in the middle of winter. I admit to having been consumed with my love and concern to best guide Alex through his newly found emotions. Coaching him that there is nothing wrong in asking for help and that someday he will have the opportunity to help another. Now that Alex is back at school, and yes my mother's concern is still intack, I appraoch my day with warmth in understanding and great appreciation for the tools which are available by the Make Mine program. These tools have been an assistance not just in my business but now in my home. And you know....the work side of my equation just went humming right along.... the staff confident in their abilities continued to guide the business forward making it easier for me to be a mom! I encourage every woman business owner right now to visit: http://www.makemineamillion.org and join our community today! Being a part of the Make Mine community just makes life even better!