Blog by Delilah from Cool Mom Picks:

“‘Creativity takes courage.’  You know who said that? The wrapper around the piece of caramel I just ate. (And, yeah, Henri Matisse.)

There’s something super sweet about candy that talks back, spreading a positive and uplifting message. And believe me when I say these caramels blow Bazooka Joe right out of the water.

Good Karmal is a brilliant concept combining all-natural, handcrafted caramels with positive quotations that are uplifting and not cloying. I’ve been steadily devouring samples for two days, and I can assure you that I haven’t yet found a duplicate quote or one that made me roll my eyes, and that’s really saying something.

Of course, the quotes are nice, but what about the caramels themselves? Oh, honey. I thought I wasn’t a caramel fan, but I just hadn’t had caramel like this. Buttery, smooth, not sticky, and in a variety of seven yummy flavors. Chocolate Sea Salt is my favorite, but they’re all fantastic. Even the Chipotle one, which scared me a little at first, has just enough bite to be interesting. And if you’re thinking that a previous caramel opponent like myself might not be the best judge, I’ll remind you that Good Karmal is one of Oprah’s Favorite Things.

The only drawback? They’re pricey, with gift boxes starting at $25. You’re paying for high quality ingredients, recycled or reusable earth-friendly packaging, and beautiful wrappings. The quotations are cleverly attached to the wrappers, which makes for easy clean up when you… um… eat a lot at once.

Good Karmal also lives up to their name by donating a portion of sales to earth-friendly charities. And they’re happy to personalize packages and printed wrappers for corporate functions, weddings, or other special events. How sweet is that? I say, stock up for hostess gifts. Just don’t eat them all yourself on the way.”

“Joan Denizot remembers first trying to ride a bicycle as an adult, only to be frustrated, even embarrassed: “I’d get on and the tires would flatten out,” she recalls. The problem? She was heavy, very heavy. Yet that seemed like a good reason to pursue cycling.

Searching the Internet, Denizot typed in the words “bikes” and “weight.” She found she could easily learn how much bikes weighed, but not how much weight one could safely bear. Eager to return to a physical activity she’d enjoyed as a child, Denizot decided to have a bicycle constructed especially for her. She made sure it had a wider seat and wider pedal placement, sturdier wheels and tires, and a strong, steel frame.

She could have stopped right there, but that’s not her way. “This is where the social worker in me comes out,” she says. “I wanted to help other people.” Denizot, who lives in Fairfax, Vermont, had worked for years for the state, first as an employment counselor, then for the health department. She saw a sturdier bike as a tool to propel other significantly overweight individuals like her back on the path to better health. Moreover, she pictured herself as the perfect CEO and spokesperson for such a company. So she went on to found in 2006, Super Sized Cycles, purveyor of bicycles that can support riders weighing up to 550 pounds.  Six years later, Denizot is still going.”

To read more about Joan’s company and the struggles and achievements she’s experienced as a small business owner, read the full story here.

We’re so fortunate to work with such inspiring business owners!

The show segment, called “You Auto Know,” was meant to empower drivers throughout the country, and highlight the importance for them to become more educated and knowledgeable about their vehicles before making repair or service decisions, Fordin said.

During the episode, Cooper selected a woman who was having trouble with her auto mechanic. He sent the woman to other auto repair shops to see what they would tell her about necessary repairs on her vehicle. The woman did not know that hidden cameras were pre-placed within Great Bear Auto Repair & Auto Body Shop, and that she was being set-up to illustrate the ignorance that customers commonly have when they visit repair facilities.

Fordin said her shop foreman talked to the woman about repairs and maintenance needed on her vehicle when she entered the shop. He changed the air in her tires, and sold her fictitious items such as headlight fluid that totaled a $2,000 bill.

“We were role-playing. The idea was to demonstrate what not to do when visiting repair shops,” Fordin said. “There is obviously no such thing as headlight fluid. Drivers need to know that so they don’t just fall victim to what shops tell them and avoid being taken advantage of. There are things that are really important to understand about your car to be safer on the road and make better vehicle-related decisions.”

Fordin said she was selected for the “Anderson” show as a result of her WomenAutoKnow program, a training and educational program designed to make drivers more knowledgeable about their vehicles.

“It was thrilling to have Cooper’s crew on location at Great Bear Auto, and to be on the set of ‘Anderson’ in New York,” Fordin said. “It was an amazing experience, and the best shout-out I could have ever imagined in my entire life. It’s going to empower drivers across the U.S.A.!”

Source: FenderBender.com

Business Woman Magazine

Marilyn was a stay-at-home mom for 20 years before being divorced. With no adult job experience, she considered a graduate degree the key to her future. At 45, Marilyn earned an MS in clinical psychology while working three part-time jobs and raising five children.

Marilyn got her first job at 42. She was fired from her second job at 51. After working as a consultant for five years she started synergize! three years ago.  synergize! helps organizations build great teams, overcoming dysfunctions and helping them select, retain, and develop top performers.

Marilyn is passionate about helping women feel comfortable and confident with who they are, enabling them to become the best they can be. A Certified Executive and Business Coach, Marilyn created The Women’s Center at synergize! to provide resources for women: individual coaching, peer accountability groups, a mentor program for women over 30 who are reentering the workforce, and training programs for women at different stages of their careers.

In 2010 Marilyn received the Athena Award from the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. In 2011 she was a Make Mine a Million award recipient from Count Me In and American Express.

We’re so happy to be working with such a successful woman!

Valerie opened Geechee Girl Cafe—about a mile away from its current location—in 2003. Chef Valerie runs Geechee Girl with the help of her four sisters. Alethia, who manages the dining room, left a job in finance to work full time at Geechee Girl. In addition to Alethia, there is Michelene, who handles catering sales, Lisa who writes the newsletters and Alexandria who, despite a full time job in the finance industry, can be counted on to help out in an emergency.

Valerie’s video will take you on an expedition into how she has rediscovered home recipes from all over the world. Her professional cooking skills mixed with essential African/American flavors will thrill your senses!

As a leading running company that designs and markets high-performance men’s and women’s running shoes, apparel and accessories in more than 40 countries worldwide, Brooks Sports is dedicated to inspiring people to run and be active by creating innovative gear that keeps them running longer, farther, faster and happier.

Way to go, Doug!

Urban Rebound is an exciting initiative for women entrepreneurs ready to grow their businesses to $250,000 or more in annual revenues. Count Me In has recently announced pitch parties, webinars and, of course, a fabulous pitch competition for women with businesses based in these areas. They will be looking for 100 women from each city to participate in the Business Accelerator Program, delivered by People Biz, Inc., so don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of this exciting opportunity!  Sign up for Count Me In’s Urban Rebound Program event alerts and updates.

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Register today for the Count Me In Urban Rebound Los Angeles Conference & Competition!

May 10 & 11, 2012
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, California

Pitch Parties
Attend a local pitch party to learn more about Business Accelerator Los Angeles, connect with other women entrepreneurs and to get yourself ready to deliver your pitch!

Thursday, March 29 6:30 PM - RSVP
Slalom Consulting
1500 Rosecrans, Suite 410
Manhattan Beach, CA

Thursday, April 10 6:30 PM – RSVP
New Directions, Inc.
11303 Wilshire Boulevard, Building #116
Los Angeles, CA

Visit the Count Me In website to get pitch tips and a practice application!

Here is what to expect:

• The easy-to-understand program curriculum includes several classes each on personal foundation, knowing your numbers, marketing fundamentals and building your teams.
• You will benefit from having a buddy or accountability partner for the entire program.
• Leverage your time by not having to travel. The sessions are done over the phone and last 75-minutes.
• Can’t make a session? All calls are recorded in case of participant absence, and all sessions are confidential.
• Keep the channel open so we can support you; There are several opportunities for you to give us feedback on your experience in the program.
• Your group leader is both a trained coach and a trained facilitator.

Utilizing the Business Accelerator Program will make a huge difference in the life of your business. Commit yourself to your goals and to the program, and get ready to soar!

Already graduated from the Count Me In Business Accelerator Program?  Check out the Extended Blast! Program!

TESTIMONIALS
“This program is changing my life. I’ve had some really big “aha” moments this past week and today that are very exciting—thank you!” – Michele Conklin, President & Executive Editor, Clementine Communications

“Our journey in coaching has truly be a LIFE CHANGING experience. It has helped me work on my relationships with my employees and in my personal life. In additions, I love that my People Biz coach pushes my buttons and doesn’t let me get away with things. She helps me gain clarity of where I am and where I need to be. I think that if it weren’t for coaching, I would’ve been out of business a long time ago!” – Cindy Lin, General Manager of Staged4more

“I am so honored to be part of this program!  I am focusing on working on my business, not just in my business and being held accountable each week is a wonderful benchmark. Thank you for presenting such an organized, easy to understand program. We WILL be a $1 million dollar business!” – Kriss Hurdle, Owner/Director of Newbury Park Martial Arts Center.

Take the Training Needs Assessment

Nell also reports that “there are approximately 10.5 million women in business across the US, and only 2.6% make a million dollars or more in revenue.  The overwhelming majority of women in business continue to be at $50,000 or less in revenue, which is why at Count Me In, we are doing a whole series of programs this year helping women get their $50,000 revenue to $250,000 in revenue.”  (Watch her full interview here)

We are so excited to be delivering these programs for Count Me In this year, and we can’t wait to see how these women change their lives and their businesses!

“Audra Fordin is the fourth generation and first female owner/operator of her family’s automotive repair business, Great Bear Auto Shop, in Flushing, NY, which has been in the same location since 1933.  Fordin has been in the auto repair industry all of her life – close to 30 years. While growing up, she spent weekends going to the shop with her dad, learning all aspects of automotive repair.

Fordin holds monthly workshops to educate women and men on basic auto repair and maintenance. Her goal is to empower women to not be intimidated by the “machine” that they drive. She believes that every woman should be able to understand how a car runs and how to maintain the life of their car. At her workshops, she collects donations to help pay for auto repairs on women’s cars who cannot afford to have the work done.

In addition to her workshops, Fordin educates women on car care through a weekly radio call-in show called “The Auto Lab” and through her website, www.womenautoknow.com.

Fordin was recognized as a “Rising Star in Queens” in 2011 for her workshops, as well as a “Distinguished Citizen of Queens” by the local council members. Her repair shop was recently honored by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as the 2011 New York City Small Business of the Year for all her efforts to educate and empower women.

Fordin attended Arizona State University and is ASE certified, Tech certified, NYS Inspection certified and ICAR trained.”  (Read the full article here.)

Way to go, Audra!  It’s our pleasure to be working with you.