Creating Conscious Businesses Free Event

Can entrepreneurs and business professionals commit themselves to socially responsible values and ethics while building profitable businesses? Jeff Klein, author of a new book called Working for Good: Making a Difference While Making a Living (Sounds True, September 2009) answers “yes” to that question, presenting a free interactive reading and workshop at East West Books on September 17. He will draw on the content from his how-to guidebook for becoming a conscious entrepreneur—one who addresses social issues while running a profitable business based on integrity and self-actualization.


Working for Good is a way of showing up for work, regardless of the organization’s structure or the products and services it produces. It is a philosophy, a way of conducting business and approaching work that orients readers on a path of personal growth, development, and service.


By cultivating the essential skills of Working for Good readers and participants will learn to unleash passion, shared purpose, great energy and deep engagement for themselves and the stakeholders in their business. Working for Good uses stories of successful conscious businesses to show that the approach does work. Participants and readers will learn how bring out the best in themselves and in others, increasing creativity, productivity, and sustainability.


WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 7:00 – 8:30pm

WHERE: East West Bookshop, 6500 Roosevelt Way, NE, Seattle

WHAT: A Journey into Working for Good, Making a Difference While Making a Living with Author Jeff Klein

FREE!

More info

Small Business Owner Panel Discussion

When: September 16, 2009 7:00 PM

Where:
Richard Hugo House
1634 11th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
206-322-7030

Thinking of opening up a small business? Already have one and looking to expand? Want to be in the papers? Magazines? Don't know how to start your brick and mortar? Find out from some pros. We will have a small panel discussion with a variety of small business owners. The panel will include the owners of Vain, Yellow Leaf Cupcakes and Immortal Dog.

Owner of Immortal Dog, Nicole Bembry incorporated her passion for both pets and baking. After losing her job in corporate America she decided to follow her dreams and opened Immortal Dog pet supply and bakery. They specialize in pet nutrition - helping your pet live their best life. They also have all the toys, chews, treats, supplements, grooming products and other goodies you need for your canine and feline friends. Make sure you check out their biscuit bar - her fresh baked biscuits are sure to please the most discriminating pup.

Victoria Thomas Gentry is the owner and styledriver of VAIN, a hair salon, boutique, art gallery, and community space with locations in downtown Seattle and Ballard. After moving West from New York, Victoria opened VAIN in 1996 to foster the expression of personal style and a DIY philosophy. She is proud to be a champion of small businesses, the arts community, and self-expression everywhere.


In May 2009 The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Company opens its doors for the first time in Seattle, Washington. With a passion for baking and a labor of love the Yellow Leaf came to be. The story is short and sweet, do what makes you happy and life will be good! Owners Tony and Mike traveled America sampling many amazing and delicious cupcakes and baked goods. From Seattle to New York and many stops in between the two decided it was time to turn the dream (and passion) into a reality.

They have been given specific questions that we felt pertained to their success and specific niche and then there will be plenty of time for questions from the audience.

*This is a free event but we will be taking contributions to help pay for the space and to keep Grassroots going. Please bring a few dollars to help.

Sign up to attend:
http://www.meetup.com/Grassroots-Business-Association/calendar/11217299/

Urban Craft Uprising Winter Applications Online

Thinking about doing a craft show in Seattle?

Check out Urban Craft Uprising they are at the forefront of the DIY art,craft and design scene!

Application Deadline is: Monday, Sept 14th.

www.urbancraftuprising.com

Need some inspiration?

Here are two blogs I follow that offer really helpful small business advice. These blogs are fun and each post focuses on a particular aspect of small business which I enjoy as sometimes those web sites that have a millions links just overwhelms me!

Go get inspired!

Think Bakery

Modish Biz Tips

Creating Loyal Customers with Social Media Marketing

When: Wednesday, August 19th at 7:00 pm

Where: Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Marketing a business can be more challenging than ever due to the wide array of ways to engage with your customers online. Today, search engines and YouTube have more to do with managing your organization’s reputation than traditional media. The way consumers learn about products has changed. They don’t just watch commercials. They explore, learn and redistribute information. Understanding how this phenomenon works can help you amplify your brand online and extend your reach in today’s video-fueled, instantly blogged, and hyper-networked world.

Cal McAllister and Brian Marr of Wexley School for Girls, a Seattle-based advertising agency, will take you through the basics of corporate blogging, social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn) and micro blogging tools (Twitter) through engaging case studies from the industry. McAllister and Marr will showcase how companies are using this medium successfully and share some common missteps many people make as they engage.

If you want to know where social media is headed and understand how to better prepare yourself or your business to get engaged, don’t miss out on this very informative evening.

This is a free event but we will be taking contributions to help pay for the space.

We hope to see you there!

Reserved spots are required sign up here

A podcast for crafters

There are days here at work when I just can't listen to my same cds again so I turn to interesting podcasts and I just found a brilliant one!
www.craftsanity.com

Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood has such a natural way with her guest and gets beyond just the skills and tools needed for crafting she chats with her guests about how they make time in their life for craft, how they use craft in their profession, their challenges and success. I highly recommend a listen as it is really inspiring to hear from others and it gets your crafting juices going!



Oh and you can subscribe to her podcast on Itunes too!!

Ice Cream Social

What: Ice Cream Social

When: July 15, 2009 7:00 PM

Where: Vermillion, 1508 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98144



If you haven't heard about Grassroots Business Association yet, here's the skinny. A few friends whom are small business owners got together in need of support and solidarity in these economic times. We formed our group as a way to help give other small business owners support and education in a laid back environment. Today we have over 130 members and continue to grow daily.

For all of us, attending our monthly meetings has not only given us perspective and motivation for our own businesses but it has helped lot's of people who are just starting out. With topics ranging from How to Approach Businesses to How to Get Press, Grassroots has been able to provide education to us all. And so far all these events have been FREE.

One downside for a lot of small businesses is isolation. If you work out of your own home or only talk to other people when a customer walks through your door, things can get a little boring. Grassroots has also been able to provide social hours with like minded people. Which brings us to our first major social event, an ice cream social sponsored by our friends at Molly Moon's. Join us on July 15th at Vermillion from 7-9 for free ice cream (while supplies last) and socialize with your fellow small business owners. Food and drinks are available at the bar.

We hope to see you there!

Learn more here:
Grassroots Meetup Site