Suze Orman's business model

Suze Orman says that her goal is "to serve the needs the places and the times around us." That's her viable biz model. Put people first, she says.

She is firm in that you have to do the numbers. Don't spend money if you're not sure you'll make money. Always look for the payoff. The goal is to MAKE MONEY!

Suze Orman touts Avon

One of the best benefits of being an Avon Rep (Avon sponsored the Suze Orman conference call this morning) is that you run it like your own business, but you can return any unsold product. You don't have inventory issues.

She adds that it only costs $10 to become an Avon representative.

The company is launching a huge recruiting effort.

Avon plug

Avon is really reaching out to women to heavily recruit. They're saying Suze is the personal financial representative for Avon.

Talking with Suze Orman

I'm about to go live on a conference call with Suze Orman about women in business! I'll be posting blogs as the call unfolds. Avon is sponsoring the event and will soon be introducing a TV infomercial that makes me recall my early days selling Avon. Not a bad way to supplement one's income, but the commercial touts that you can do this full time and that you'll never get fired or laid off. Very true.

Suze is about to come on the line.

SBA names Cathy Daugherty of Trademark Insurance as a Champion of the Year

Cathy Daugherty, a Partner at Trademark Insurance in Anaheim, CA, has been named Region IX Women in Business Champion of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Santa Ana District Office. Region IX includes Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Hawaii and Guam. Her selection was announced by J. Adalberto Quijada, District Director who commended Ms. Daugherty for her valuable contributions to women’s programs. Ms. Daugherty was nominated by Barri Carian, former President of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Orange County Chapter.
Ms. Daugherty was selected for her untiring efforts to increase business and financial opportunities for women, advocacy of legislation that would benefit and protect women in business and her volunteer work to strengthen the role of women in the business community. She has seized every opportunity to make a difference. When Ms. Daugherty started her business as an independent insurance broker in 1991, she immediately became involved in her industry’s grassroots advocacy for health care. She began to travel annually to Washington, D.C. and Sacramento to explain the needs of employers and employees concerning the affordability and accessibility of health care. Ms. Daugherty took part in drafting legislation that has been mentioned in the State of the Union address twice and was adopted by both Presidential Candidates this past year. She is a passionate supporter of business issues at the local, state and federal levels, and is committed to the advancement of women in business issues.
In 1995, Ms. Daugherty became a member of NAWBO and quickly took on leadership roles and lobbied on behalf of women’s interests. As the President of NAWBO-OC in 2005-2006, her slogan was “The answers are here!” She works to encourage and support all women business owners with the answers and connections to grow their businesses. Under her leadership and direction, the membership grew 75% that year and increased revenues by 80%.
As a successful executive, Ms. Daugherty encourages her peers to utilize available resources. Five years ago, Ms. Daugherty purchased her office building with an SBA loan. She has spoken on several panels promoting the benefits of owning your own business and the support of the SBA. She has also taken advantage of SCORE classes and counseling and recommended those services to others.
Ms. Daugherty has held numerous board positions, has extended herself as a mentor to countless women and has advocated relentlessly for women business owners in the public policy arena. She serves as a Wishgranter for The Make a Wish Foundation and on the Anaheim Chamber Board to set an example of the importance of giving back to your community. Her two daughters are also very successful businesswomen.
Cathy Daugherty and other small business owners and champions will be honored at the 46th Annual Small Business Week Awards event on June 4th hosted by the San Manuel Band of Missions Indians in the Yuhaviatam Room at 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland, CA.
For more information contact, Jennifer Hoff at 951-781-2345, ext. 246 or jhoff@iesmallbusiness.com

National Assoc. of Women Business Owners Orange County is seeking 'Remarkable Women'

Do you know a remarkable business woman whose success story would serve to inspire others? NAWBO-OC wants to know. The National Association of Women Business Owner’s Orange County (NAWBO) chapter is among the most vibrant of all chapters nationally. Boasting a membership of more than 300 women, all who own or are seeking to launch their own business, the organization is now seeking to honor its own.
The group’s annual Remarkable Woman Event is one of the most attended women’s business functions held in Orange County. Some 800 have attended in recent years. The awards luncheon is held in October, however, the selection committee is currently seeking nominations. Nomination categories include Business Owner of the Year, Entrepreneur to Watch and Lifetime Achievement Award.
Qualifications for Business Owner of the Year include the nominee being in business for at least five years and that they have propelled their business to the next level during the last 12 months.
Nominations are due by April 30th. Submit by email to admin@nawbo-oc.org or fax (714) 632-5405.

Wonderland Bakery tapped by Newport Beach Film Festival for celluloid celebration

Newport Beach-based Wonderland Bakery has been tapped by the Newport Beach Film Festival to create the official cake for the regional celluloid celebration. The film festival runs April 23-30 and is expected to draw thousands.

Wonderland Bakery, founded in 2005 by mother-daughter team Sondra Ames (age 52) and Allyson (age 21), boasted sales of more than $1 million in 2006 and has been growing ever since. The destination bakery, which specializes in gourmet treats including cookies, cupcakes and chocolate treats has already been named the city’s “Official Sweet Ambassador.” Wonderland Bakery has experience with celebratory cakes; it designed the city’s 100th birthday cake (see photo).

The bakery is frequented by O.C.-based celebrities, including Newport Beach resident Kobe Bryant. What’s more, it has earned national media attention by supplying inaugural cookies for the presidential inauguration. Co-host of ABC’s “The View” Whoopie Goldberg conducted a nationwide search over the holidays for the best gingerbread cookie. Wonderland Bakery’s gingerbread men were named Whoopie’s favorite.

Beyond cookies and cupcakes, Wonderland has created a line of merchandise that rivals Disney in the fantasy factor. Teddy bears, storybooks and young chef merchandise have propelled the company from bakery status to retail destination.

More good news for Executive Chef Allyson Ames: the 21-year-old has been named one of OC METRO magazine’s “40-Under-40,” an annual special issue celebration of the young business talent in Orange County.

Urban Decay is sold for third time

Urban Decay, the edgy cosmetics company founded in 1996 by Orange County-based Sandy Lerner, Wendy Zomnir and David Soward, has changed hands once again. The company was acquired this week by Newton, Mass.-based private equity firm Castanea Partners, which claims it is adding to its portfolio companies with enterprise values of up to $250 million.
Castanea acquires Urban Decay, based in Newport Beach, Calif., from the Falic Group, a family-owned luxury products consortium that purchased the company in 2003.

Falic Chairman Simon Falic said in a prepared statement, “We are proud of the successful business we built with Urban Decay over the past six years. During this period, annual sales increased by more than four times. We know this brand will continue to thrive under Castanea Partners’ talented leadership.”

The Falic Group holds the worldwide license for the manufacturer and distribution of Perry Ellis cosmetics and fragrances, and reports that the sale of Urban Decay will allow it to focus on its portfolio of fragrances.

In 2000, just four years after its debut in cosmetics counters frequented by teens seeking alternative color choices, Urban Decay was acquired by the French conglomerate Moet-Hennessy Louis Vuitton, which held the company for just three years before selling to The Falic Group.

Urban Decay was the brainchild of Lerner, co-founder of Cicso Systems, and the team she partnered with to bring a new brand of cosmetics to an already cluttered marketplace. The trio launched their unconventional product line of nail polish and lipsticks with the slogan “Does pink make you puke?” Colors in the line include Smog, Oil Slick and Rust.

The company just released a unique new product consistent with its off-beat packaging. The Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss has special ink on the side of the tube that, when rubbed off, is said to emit pheromones that will attract men. Known for more than its unique color selections, the company has infused flavor choices as well. The Pocket Rocket line includes flavors such as crème brulee.

You've GOT to check out Skype

I have discovered yet another Web-based product I can tell I will soon not be able to live without. I just spent an hour on Skype talking to my neice and nephew -- I mean really talking to them. My niece is in Florida and my nephew (my Godson) is in Ohio. Thanks to Skype, I was able to see them and talk to them in real time. My nephew took me on a tour of his dorm room and I got to see my niece's new condominium. It was incredible.

I can see the applications for business, too. Real face-to-face (well, almost real) conversations with clients or prospects, without the travel expenses and time constraints. My previous blog was about our "high-touch" economy. Skype is one way to get there faster.

It's a high-touch economy

I wasn't able to attend the recent Women's Business Symposium held here in Orange County, CA, but some 200 other women did. They learned from a panel of experts in various fields what they need to do to grow their businesses. Much of the conversation centered on online marketing efforts.

Interestingly, though, in this economy in which consumers are being much more selective as to where they spend their money, online marketing MUST be supplemented with some human connection. Business owners must reach out to their existing customers to thank them for their ongoing support. And they must make the extra effort to convince propects that there is a real person behind their order.

The descriptor "high touch" was the take-away, according to Churm Media President and Publisher Steve Churm, who served as a panelist. Something to consider as we all continue to compete for business.