Inaugural Moms in Business Unite Conference Declared Success

Winners Announced for Inventor Showcase Award, Mompreneur Grant, My Man of the Year Award

(September 17, 2009: SAN DIEGO) Today, following a successful inaugural conference, Moms in Business Unite (MIBU) officially announced the winners of its three awards: Karen Kart with Prodigi Kids won the Inventor Showcase Award, Judith Habert with San Diego Woman Magazine won the Mompreneur Grant and Lt. Earl Collum won the My Man of the Year Award. The MIBU Conference, brought to you by SPE Solutions, was held at The University of San Diego, Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice on Sept. 16, 2009.

Over 100 current and hopeful mom and women business owners gathered for the day-long educational event, including Emcee and TV Host Maria Bailey, keynote speakers The Boogie Moms®, educational breakout sessions, new inventor showcase, award ceremony and resource marketplace. Award entries were submitted in the months prior to the event to offer participants a comprehensive conference that provides education, recognition and networking opportunities.

"We received quite a few quality entries for each of the Moms in Business Unite Conference's awards. On behalf of the MIBU committee, I would like to congratulate the award winners," said Randa Cote, Moms in Business Unite chairwoman, mother and founder of SPE Solutions. "Although the awards brought out the competitive spirit in many of the participating moms and women, it was also wonderful to see everyone interacting together, sharing advice and personal experiences at the conference."

Karen Kart was among the 9 San Diego women inventors selected to showcase their "new" product or service at the conference. Her product has yet to be named so she gave attendees the opportunity to help with this effort. Her invention was selected as the "best" new product of the year by attendees. She has invented the first-ever "toddler tray" that sticks to the table and will not budge! It is a plate that is affixed onto the table by the easy push of a button. You can take the most active child and they absolutely cannot get it off the table. With one finger, it can come off the table in such a manner that an adult can release it but a child cannot. After the child is done eating, you can place a cover over the plate which can then be used as a surface to draw on with safe markers.

The Mompreneur Grant was created by MIBU to award a cash prize to a mom business owner with an innovative business idea who is in need of capital to take her business to the "next level." Judith Habert with San Diego Woman Magazine was selected as the most deserving entrant by a panel of judges. Judith is the Editor-in Chief of the only women's magazine in San Diego. This magazine provides a place for San Diego Woman to share their hopes, dreams and issues. A special thanks to Mom Business Associates and NAWBO San Diego for additional funds available for the Mompreneur Grant.

The MIBU Conference also recognized that many mom and women business owners would not exist without the support of their partners. To honor these extraordinary individuals, MIBU created the My Man of the Year Award, where women were asked to nominate the one man in their life who truly makes a difference in their life through inspiration, support and a proactive willingness to be her equal partner. Lt. Earl Collum is the recipient of this award for his unwavering support of Michelle Collum, Certified Life Coach, while she started her new business.

One of the highlights of the conference was the keynote address from Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens, co-founders of Little Busy Bodies Inc.® and inventors of Boogie Wipes.® And some of the most popular educational breakout sessions from this year's conference included "Logo, Website, Strategic Marketing Plan - Your Corporate Identity: Where To Start and How Your Brand Can Grow Your Business" by Kyoko Tanaka and Marcia Gravette; "Momventor Momentum" by Doney and Pickens; and "Fatal Distractions – Three Common Practices for Extinguishing Your Motivation and Annihilating Your Possibilities" by Susan Fowler.

"I want to say a tremendous ‘thank you' to every person and business who helped us take the idea of the Moms in Business Unite Conference from ‘concept to cart,'" Cote added. "The conference's success is a testament to the determination and strength of mom and women entrepreneurs throughout San Diego. Here's to next year!"

 

Moms in Business Unite Conference interview on NBC!

September 10, 2009

 

Moms in Business Unite Announces Conference Speaker Line-Up

Day-long Event Scheduled for September 16

(July 14, 2009: SAN DIEGO) The Moms in Business Unite (MIBU) Conference, brought to you by SPE Solutions, announces an amazing panel of speakers for their inaugural educational conference to be held at The University of San Diego, Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009.

"We could not be more pleased with the line-up of over 18 amazing presenters we have gathered for our inaugural conference," said Randa Cote, Moms in Business Unite chairwoman, mother and founder of SPE Solutions. "Attendees are sure to gain exceptional information from this very talented and diverse group of speakers."

Moms in Business Unite is bringing together women and mom business owners in an all-day educational conference, complete with a keynote address from The Boogie Moms®, panel discussions, breakout sessions, new inventor showcase, networking, award ceremony, resource marketplace and childcare —  all to support and promote the growing number of women- and mom-owned businesses.

The Moms in Business UniteConference's 16 educational breakout sessions include:

• Keynote speakers: Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens, co-founders of Little Busy Bodies Inc.® and inventors of Boogie Wipes.®
• Fatal Distractions – Three Common Practices for Extinguishing Your Motivation and Annihilating Your Possibilities; and Achieve Leadership Genius
• Susan Fowler, one of the foremost experts on leadership development and personal empowerment in the world today, author of Overcoming Procrastination, and Mentoring — How to Nurture the Most Crucial Relationship in Your Career and co-author with Ken Blanchard of Self Leadership and the One Minute Manager.
• How to Build a Million Dollar Database™ - There's Power in Who You Know & How Well You know Them
• Michelle Bergquist, the author of How to Build a Million Dollar Database and President of SBR Inc.

– more –

• Living Your Life in Balance: Mentally, Physically, Spiritually & Financially
• Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat, a board-certified gynecologist, hormone expert, medical intuitive, perimenopause specialist and director of theDr. Carolle Wellness & Retreat Center for Women in San Diego.
• A Public Relations How-To: Traditional to New Media Communication
• Sandra Fong Young, a public relations/marketing communications consultant, freelance writer and account executive at JWalcher Communications. 
• Giving Your Business Wings
• Speaker: Marcy Morrison, a career strategist and owner of Careers with Wings.
• Logo, Website, Strategic Marketing Plan - Your Corporate Identity: Where To Start and How Your Brand Can Grow Your Business:
• Speakers: Kyoko Tanaka, an award-winning San Diego-based graphic designer and owner of Tanaka Graphics and Marcia Gravette, an experienced marketing executive and owner of MGNetworks LLC.
• Understanding Business Owner Taxation
• Laura Stees, a CPA and business strategist at Cobb, Stees & Company LLP.

Visit www.momsinbusinessunite.com for the full list of speakers and session information.

 

 

Moms in Business Unite Conference Now Accepting Award Applications

Entries Due July 31, Conference on September 16

(June 30, 2009: SAN DIEGO) Think you've come up with the next must-need baby item? Ready to start your business, but need some extra funds? Want to publicly thank your leading man? The Moms in Business Unite(MIBU) Conference, brought to you by SPE Solutions, is now accepting applications for the Inventor Showcase Award, Mompreneur Grant and My Man of the Year Award.  The inaugural conference is scheduled on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 at The University of San Diego, Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. Award applications are available at http://www.momsinbusinessunite.com and should be submitted by Friday, Jul. 31, 2009.

"The Moms in Business Unite Conference's unique awards allow us to highlight deserving moms and women in business, along with their supporting partners," said Randa Cote, Moms in Business Unite chairwoman, mother and founder of SPE Solutions. "These awards are part of a comprehensive conference that provides education, recognition and networking opportunities."
Helping advance the careers of women in business, the MIBU Conference awards include:

Inventor Showcase Award: Moms in Business Unite will select 10 San Diego women inventors to showcase their "new" product or service that has been brought to market after January 2008. Conference attendees will select the "best" new product of the year.

Mompreneur Grant: MIBU will award a cash grant to a mom business owner with an innovative business idea who is in need of capital to take her business to the next level.  

My Man of the Year Award: MIBU will also honor an extraordinary man who has supported a working mother while she pursues her entrepreneurial endeavors. This award recognizes a man who truly makes a difference in a working mom's life through inspiration, support and a proactive willingness to be her equal partner. 
Moms in Business Unite brings together women and mom business owners in an all-day educational conference, complete with keynote address from The Boogie Moms®, panel discussions, breakout sessions, new inventor showcase, networking, award ceremony, resource marketplace and childcare to support and promote the growing number of women and mom‐owned businesses.

– more –

About Moms in Business Unite
The Moms in Business Unite Conference (MIBU) is the vision of five women entrepreneurs who united together to empower and educate the growing number of women in business. Through their combined 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, MIBU recognized a need for a forum that provides both business education, as well as solutions for establishing a balanced work and family life. Upon recognizing this need, MIBU created the Moms in Business Unite Conference to bring together accomplished instructors, relevant life and business topics and a truly unique learning environment. The Conference will help women and mom business owners pursue their entrepreneurial endeavors by providing tools, resources and guidance through the various stages of business ownership. Conference committee members include: San Diego residents Randa Cote, Kyoto Tanaka and Cristen Lebsack; Sherry Nouraini of Vista; and Elizabeth Dang-Samuel of Oceanside.

For more conference information, visit http://www.momsinbusinessunite.com

 

 

The Boogie Moms®, Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens, Selected as Key-Note Speakers for Moms in Business Unite Conference

First Annual Conference to be Held September 16th, 2009 at The University of San Diego, Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice

(April 13, 2009: Portland, OR) The co-founders of Little Busy Bodies, Inc.® and inventors of Boogie Wipes®, Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens, have been selected as the key-note speakers for The Moms in Business Unite Conference to be held at The University of San Diego, Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice on September 16th, 2009. This conference is the vision of Mom Business Associates (MBA), a networking group for mom business owners who are looking to join a group that is sensitive to their needs and understands the challenges of being both a business owner and mother. MBA provides support, training and resources for moms who already own a business, as well as a Mom‐to‐Mom mentorship program for new entrepreneurs. The full day educational conference will include the key-note address from The Boogie Moms®, panel discussions, breakout sessions, networking, award ceremonies, a resource marketplace, and on-site childcare to support and promote the growing number of women/mom‐owned businesses.

"When we heard about the Moms in Business Unite Conference, we knew we wanted to get involved to exchange ideas and help be a resource to moms," said Mindee Doney, VP and Director of Marketing for Boogie Wipes. "We've been offering individual consulting to fellow mompreneurs trying to get their businesses off the ground. Being able to directly reach so many moms at the conference will be an amazing experience," she continued. "We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to share our experiences and knowledge, both as moms and business owners, with fellow budding mom entrepreneurs," said Julie Pickens, President and CEO of Boogie Wipes®. "Hopefully our insight and advice will help bring these women the success they deserve," she added.

In addition to the key-note address from Mindee and Julie, educational break-out sessions will be divided into four tracks: GETTING STARTED, the ideal sessions for women who want to learn how to start her own business; RUNNING EFFICIENTLY, the perfect sessions for women who have established businesses but want to learn how to run them more efficiently; NEXT LEVEL, a jumping off point for those who have a thriving business and want to get ahead of the curve; and INVENTOR FAST TRACK, taught by the The Boogie Moms®, where attendees will benefit from real-world knowledge and learn how to take their inventions from "concept to cart". More conference details are available at www.momsinbusinessunite.com.

"As the Key Note Speakers and facilitators of all four Inventor Fast Track sessions, The Boogie Moms® will provide exceptional value by offering tangible, relevant knowledge to our attendees, who represent the fast growing segment of women/mom business owners," said Randa Cote, Moms in Business Unite Chairwoman, mom, and founder of SPE Solutions, a growing management consulting company.

About Boogie Wipes®
Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens, often referred to as The Boogie Moms®, developed Boogie Wipes® in 2007 as a solution for their kids' runny, red noses. After trying to use saline spray, bulb syringes and regular dry tissue, they became certain there had to be a better way to treat a stuffy nose. Months of market research resulted in an answer as plain as the nose on their face -a saline-infused moist wipe that soothes chapped, sore noses while dissolving mucus. After an extensive development and manufacturing process, and keeping their noses to the grindstone, Mindee and Julie shipped their first order of Boogie Wipes® in December, 2007. Since then, Boogie Wipes has found the smell of sweet success selling in 30,000 retail stores nationwide. The Boogie Moms® are thrilled their innovative idea helps parents and kids boogie through cold season without missing a beat!

Doney and Pickens project 2009 sales to hit $6 million. The brand includes Fresh Scent, Great Grape, and Magic Menthol scents. The wipes come in 30 count packs and have a suggested retail price of $3.99. The Fresh and Grape scents are also available in handy individually wrapped packs of 10, known as Boogies on the Run™ and are ideally suited for backpacks, lunchboxes or purses, and have a suggested retail price of $2.99. Boogie Wipes and the Boogie Moms,Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens, can be reached at their corporate offices: Little Busy Bodies, INC. 7874 SW Nimbus, Beaverton, OR 97008, and by emailing info@boogiewipes.com. News media interviews with the Boogie Moms may be coordinated or additional information/artwork /samples provided through Mary Blanton or Heidi Raker by emailing mary@rakergoldstein.com, heidi@rakergoldstein.com or calling 201-784-1818.

About The Boogie Moms®
Julie Pickens – Co-Founder – President & CEO
After 12 years in the beer and wine business working as a sales manager for a Gallo and Miller distributor, Julie moved into the franchise business, opening and developing for two franchise chains, Cold Stone Creamery and Wetzel's Pretzel's. She owned and operated six different locations and implemented many successful sales and operations programs that Cold Stone and Wetzel's took to their franchise communities. Julie has worked closely with several non-profit organizations including Boys and Girls Aid Society. A graduate of University of Oregon, Julie lives in Tigard, Oregon with her husband Dean and her three daughters, McKenna (13), Molly (10) and Gabby (4).

Mindee Doney – Co-Founder – VP & Director of Marketing
Mindee managed West Coast consumer marketing programs for Procter & Gamble for 5 years, serving as a Regional Marketing Manager, planning and executing marketing promotions. Prior to her work with P&G, Mindee was a Community Marketing Manager for McDonald's Corporation for 3 years and assisted with the marketing efforts of several start-up companies. Mindee is an active member of Ladies who Launch, Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon, Mompreneurs Online, Mamapreneurs Inc, and Working Mothers. A graduate of Western Oregon University, Mindee lives in Beaverton, Oregon with her husband John and their three children, Aidan (6), Avree (3) and Austin (4 months).
www.boogiewipes.com

About Moms In Business Unite
The Moms in Business Unite Conference is the vision of five women entrepreneurs who united together to empower and educate the growing number of women in business. Through our combined 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, we recognized a need for a forum that provides both business education, as well as solutions for establishing a balanced work and family life. Upon recognizing this need, we created the Moms in Business Unite Conference to bring together accomplished instructors, relevant life and business topics, and a truly unique learning environment. This Conference will help women and mom business owners pursue their entrepreneurial endeavors by providing tools, resources, and guidance for their journey through the various stages of business ownership.

This event brought to you by SPE Solutions, Inc.