Christine Marchuska, Founder of C. Marchuska

Looking for a sexy new look that won’t break the bank or the environment? Christine Marchuska, Founder of eco-friendly fashion line c. marchuska, along with business partner Brooke Bresnan, may have just the combination you’re looking for.

Born and raised in upstate New York, Christine received her undergraduate degree from Cornell and went on to pursue a career in finance working in New York City for Morgan Stanley.  Successful, but unfulfilled, Christine began looking for a way to put her love of fashion to work and delved deeply into sewing and fashion classes based in and around New York’s garment district. When Wall Street layoffs made the rounds in 2008, Christine fell back on her new-found knowledge, and eco-friendly fashion line c. marchuska was born.

With the addition of a professional fashion designer along the way, as well as business partner Brooke, the c. marchuska line continues to focus on sustainability (primarily using bamboo fabrics sourced domestically), urban design, a moderate price-point, and giving back through charitable contributions.

And in case you’re wondering what c. marchuska’s hand-dyed scarves can do for your love life, just take a look at their advertisement…

(yes, you’re going to buy one after watching)

1.  Give us a brief description of your line and how it stands apart from other eco-friendly fashion.

c. marchuska is an eco-friendly clothing line by Christine Marchuska and Brooke Bresnan, which provides chic and sustainable clothing at affordable prices. Manufactured in New York City, the clothing is designed to embody versatility throughout different trends and seasons in order to stay true to the sustainable fashion mantra of producing less waste. The sophisticated clothing with green benefits is a perfect match for the socially conscious woman who doesn’t want to sacrifice style, price, or comfort to help save the planet.

2.  Fashion design and finance are dramatically different career paths. What appeal does each of them have for you?

Finance and fashion are dramatically different, but are both actually also very much the same in the sense that both industries are constantly changing.  Thus, both provide for a challenging environment that keeps us continually learning and trying to adapt to evolving consumer or financial markets.

3.  Have you ever felt held back because you don’t have a traditional fashion background?

Well, Brooke actually started out in the creative/design world when she was younger.  I have also always had a passion for drawing and art.  However, when it comes to design, we knew we needed to utilize true fashion designers who could translate our vision into a reality.  We always come up with ideas and the looks we want to capture, but then rely on our design team to make our vision come to life.

4.  What method of approaching retailers has been most successful in terms of convincing them to carry your line?

I think the best method has been Brooke and I contacting stores on our own.  A close mentor and friend of ours once told us – no one is going to be able to sell your clothes the way you can, because it is your line and you know it inside and out.  Although we are looking for new showrooms for representation for upcoming seasons, we still like to hit the pavement and knock on doors ourselves.  It is all part of having a line that we really believe in.

5.  You decided to go back to a “real job” while continuing to work on your business. How have your co-workers reacted?

I did go back, while Brooke is 100% focused on the business.  My co-workers admire and support what I am trying to do.  I give 110% to both my day job and my business, which does not make for much of a social life, but it is what I have to do right now.  I grew up watching my parents constantly work between their day jobs and businesses so this really is the norm for me.

6.  You described your family as being very entrepreneurial. Was it always in the back of your mind to start a business?

From the age of 5, I was always starting businesses with my older brother, Justin.  We admired our parents and wanted to imitate them.  So, I guess it wasn’t that much of a shock that I would eventually start my own business when the right opportunity and business partner came along.

7.  Describe the person who would best complement both your life and your business.

Well, I would say he would have to be understanding in terms of how stressful it can be to be an entrepreneur.  Generally I am drawn to people who are supportive and can de-stress me when need be, ultimately letting me know that everything is going to be okay in terms of business and life.

8.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see Brooke and I ruling the world   (joking)  I see Brooke and I having a global business where we are able to give a large percentage of proceeds back to all of the organizations we believe in.

Christine’s Bio:

Christine Marchuska was born and raised in upstate New York. After graduating from Cornell University, Christine moved to Manhattan to pursue a career in finance. In April 2008 the credit markets took a turn for the worst and restructuring on Wall Street was inevitable. It was time for a change and Christine focused in on her entrepreneurial roots.

By November 2008, cmarchuska was born and now Christine’s time is spent scouring through the garment district comparing buttons and fabric blends. Christine’s career as a financial analyst has prepared her for the challenges of developing a new line, but it is her passion for fashion that makes cmarchuska an exciting newcomer in 2009!

Want to connect with Christine? Follow her on Twitter and Facebook!

Adam Nguyen, CEO of Ivy Link

In high school, Adam Nguyen never toured an Ivy League campus. In fact, he never toured any college campus. Students in his Texas town were not actively recruited by top schools, and Adam applied only to the few schools who sent him catalogs in the mail. A friend with an extra college application urged Adam to apply to at least one more school. Now the CEO of New York-based Ivy Link, an education company which serves as a “link” to the Ivy League, Adam took his friend’s advice and mailed in that application. Not that he had ever heard of a school called “Columbia”.

What started as a chance encounter with the Ivy League become a life-long passion for Adam, not only for quality higher education, but for universal access to it. After graduating from Columbia, he worked at the Department of Justice for a year before entering Harvard Law School. A high-paying corporate law job in Mergers and Acquisitions followed, but a sense of personal satisfaction was missing, which led to the founding of Ivy Link. Operating under the principle of “profit with a purpose” Ivy Link offers high-end tutoring and admissions counseling to those students and parents who can afford it, and the same services free or at low-cost to motivated, academically-gifted students who can’t. Still practicing law on the side (with a fondness for counseling startups), Adam has shifted his career focus to the social impact possible when access to higher education is open.

In his spare time, you might find Adam painting, playing the piano, surfing, scuba diving, or taking his annual international birthday adventure trip with friends. I’m guessing they’re probably more fun than those college tours anyway.

1. Have you ever lost a promising student because of differences with their parents?

Luckily, that has never happened to us.  We take great care to understand the interests and objectives of both students and parents, and in instances where they diverged, we have managed to bridge the gap and accommodate both students and parents without sacrificing the quality of our services.  Parents have been uniformly pleased by our focus on each student’s success.

2. What would you change about the current American educational system?

From my experience working with students, many coming back to school after the summer break (or even a long winter or spring break) tend to experience a “summer slide” – meaning that like athletes out of training, they suffer a loss of knowledge from a lack of mental stimulation.  Broadly speaking, I think that our students would benefit from more time in the classroom, which would require a combination of extending the school day or academic year, a dramatic increase in investment and funding, and an enormous amount of political will and public support.  Alternatively, students should engage in some sort of academic or mentally stimulating pursuits during their break in order to prevent an atrophy of the mind.

3. Through all the years competing in Ivy League schools, and then working in a large practice, you seem to have remained unusually well-rounded. How did you do it?

I think it’s a combination of three things that has helped with remaining well-rounded: a natural curiosity of the world around me, a desire for active pursuits and an appreciation for balance in my life.  I enjoy meeting new people and seeking out novel ideas and opportunities, all of which expose me to valuable perspectives and allow me to develop new interests.  I am also a very active person who needs to be engaged in a variety of endeavors.  At the same time, I strive to maintain a healthy balance among work, civic responsibilities, hobbies, and friends and family.

4. Do you ever miss the prestige (and paycheck) associated with working in corporate law?

Prestige and a hefty paycheck are undoubtedly nice perks of the corporate world, but at this stage in my life, I derive tremendous satisfaction from the independence and creative process that come from running my own business.  Being able to chart my own path has been a great experience.

5. What role does the creation of art play in your life?

I am naturally a left-brain, logical type, so I pursue art not only to relax but also to develop my creative side.  I have found that the process of creating art and starting a business to be remarkably similar.  Both are creative endeavors that allow you to see different perspectives and appreciate different approaches and ideas.  Filling a blank canvas, like building a business from the bottom up, is one of the most challenging and creative processes that I have ever undertaken.

6. Where are you going next year for your birthday?

I generally prefer a historically significant destination that is also conducive to active pursuits.  I would love to assemble a motley crew of close friends and family members to join me on a tour of Jerusalem and Petra, followed by an excursion to the Red Sea for scuba diving.

7. Describe the person who would best complement both your life and your business.

That person would be someone who is intelligent and loyal, has a big heart and a bigger sense of humor, and shares my passion for pursuing a purposeful life and my interests in entrepreneurship and making a social impact through innovative means.  We would help each other keep things in perspective and laugh through the inevitable ups and downs in life and business.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully, in 10 years (or perhaps much earlier than that) my company will have a global presence so that we can make a meaningful social impact in education throughout the world.  I see education as a means of bringing together people from different backgrounds, seeing complex issues and problems from fresh perspectives, and ultimately, achieving meaningful progress.  I plan on being actively involved in education, while pursuing other social entrepreneurial opportunities.

Adam’s Bio
Adam is the President & CEO of Ivy Link, an education company staffed by a select team of Ivy League-educated instructors and advisors who provide one-on-one admissions advising and standardized test preparation to candidates seeking acceptance to colleges, business schools and law schools, as well as academic coaching to students in grades K-12.  Ivy Link is known for its innovative approach, including its “smart-pricing” model, the Ivy Link Method and the Ivy Link Network.  As a social entrepreneur, Adam operates the company under a “profit-for-purpose” principle with the aim of making a social impact in education through need-based scholarships and community outreach.
Prior to founding Ivy Link, Adam held business and legal positions in investment management companies and corporate law firms.  His experience also includes work at government agencies and non-profit entities.  Adam graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Economics and Political Science, and he received his law degree from Harvard Law School.  He enjoys skiing, scuba diving, painting and living in New York City.

Want to connect with Adam? Follow him on Facebook and Twitter!

Steve Monas, Serial Entrepreneur and Author of Shoestring Venture

What do you do when you get a song stuck in your head? For serial entrepreneur and Shoestring Venture author Steve Monas, the answer is simple. Move to Hawaii.

Originally from the Ukraine, Steve and his family escaped religious oppression in the late 70’s, starting a new life in sunny San Diego. Not long after, the 8 year-old kid with a stuttering problem (who, incidentally, barely spoke English) could be found selling his wares on the streets of La Jolla. Undeterred by cultural and social obstacles that defined much of his early life, Steve went on to found and successfully run a multitude of businesses after his ambitious first days street vending in California.

There was the girls’ surf/skate/snow line “Lucky Girl”, a variety of internet-based businesses, books and websites on internet dating, and the recently published Shoestring Venture – The Startup Bible, co-authored with Richard Hooker, an in-depth resource guide for anyone on a budget brave enough to start a venture of their own. By cramming all the resources accumulated over his past decades in business, Steve is doing his best to satisfy one of his passions – helping other entrepreneurs.

In the time since I interviewed Steve just a couple weeks ago, he added another new business to his ever-growing entrepreneurial plate, a taxi service on the island of Kauai. Which brings us back to Hawaii and that song…..

1.  You moved to Hawaii recently on a whim. Does that describe the way you have lived your life to this point?

I wish. Yes, I did pick an island and just moved. I wanted to do something different. It all started with a song by Ziggy Marley (Beach in Hawaii), then I saw the movie Benjamin Button, where he says:

“#8. For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

I believe in all these things. I looked at my life, realized that I had nothing holding me in a certain place. My book Shoestring Venture: The Startup Bible is being referenced at Rutgers Business University, and has amazing 5 star reviews on Amazon as being the most detailed and best business book that you will ever need. I am helping people, finally! Now I need to follow my own advice and work anywhere in the world (for now places that have a Costco). I love the island of Kauai. Everything has worked out well so far, and I am meeting some of the most interesting people that shine the Aloha spirit.

2.  Why do you love helping other entrepreneurs? Wouldn’t life be easier with a little less competition?

It wouldn’t be as fun….Entrepreneurs are the innovators of the world. Without them, we, as humanity would not move ahead. I am happy that my purpose in life is to inspire others to be their best and produce their passion. There is nothing like seeing someone create something that makes people’s lives easier or more enjoyable.

3.  Which venture were you most passionate about in the start-up phase? Which has given you the most lasting satisfaction?

I loved everything that I had tried. Whether it was writing a business plan about a coffeehouse / juicebar when I was 16 to having girls in the surf / skate / snow market get stoked on the Lucky Girl clothing that I had created. The satisfaction is getting praise for your product or service. The lasting satisfaction is knowing that even if it didn’t succeed, at least you tried, picked yourself up, dusted yourself off, learned from any mistakes, and start all over trying something new.

*This reminds me of a joke….Two kids get placed into two separate rooms both with a big pile of shit right in the middle. After 3 hours, the door gets opened to the first kid, and he is crying. The guy that opened the door asked the kid why he was crying? The kid answered that he was left for several hours with a big pile of shit. Next the guy opened the door to the other kid, and couldn’t see him anywhere. All of a sudden, a head pops out from the middle of the pile of shit, and the guy asked him “What are you doing in the pile of shit”, the kid answers “With all this shit, there has to be a horsy around here somewhere…” —being an optimist or resilient, is also a lasting satifisfaction, not everyone will hit a successful product or service on the first try.

4.  Did your early childhood in the Ukraine affect the type of business person you have become?

I think that I was too young and living in a communist country. I was 5 years old when I moved to San Diego from Odessa, Ukraine. The year was 1979, and we had to be invited, we couldn’t just leave. The agreement between the US and Russia, was to help move Jews (from repression) to the United States. My dad was a Professor of Physics at the University of Odessa, and my mom was doing accounting for the railroad. It was not easy to get a Visa out, but after three years, we finally did.

5.  Describe your first entrepreneurial experience and how it shaped your future.

Before my first entrepreneurial experience, I was playing around with my first computer, a Commodore 64. There was a limited amount of things that you could do with this 64K computer. I did have a Lemonade stand game. Then I put theory into practice, by selling lemonade. How American from an Émigré! That’s where the journey of success started and there is no destination…it is a blast!

6.  What do you enjoy most about owning your own business?

What don’t I? Its just fun doing, creating, and evolving an idea until it becomes real. And if you can make a living doing something that you are passionate about, even better! The other thing, is hearing people praise your product. That’s huge.

7. Describe the person who would best complement both your life and your business.

I am not sure if I want someone who complements my business. I would rather be with someone who is passionate about doing whatever they enjoy doing. I live my life, she lives hers, and when we are together, it’s just magic. We are best friends. When we are not working, we enjoy doing similar things, by not even thinking about it. To much to ask for? Perhaps…It takes two to tango and compromise.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Enjoying my entire family (wife, kids, parents, sister, etc.) and doing something different. I am not even going to speculate on what type of business or if I will be running for an office (or in an office), it’s not as fun. And the journey continues….

Steve’s Bio:

Steve Monas is a serial entrepreneur currently living in Koloa, Hawaii (The Garden Island of Kauai), where he enjoys an active lifestyle and is working on various Web projects. Having just launched ScourEvents.com, he has just started a film and fitness video startup that has just introduced its first DVDs on the market.

Want to connect with Steve? Email him, follow him on Twitter and Facebook…or just buy the book!

Melinda Massie, President and Founder of Melinda Massie Events

“Because less than fabulous is just unacceptable.” -Melinda Massie Events

Need an event planner who can deliver affordable luxury, “fabulousity” on a budget and who believes that details are everything? How about one who can dance circles around you while she does it? If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, Melinda Massie is happy to help – and you may even get to see her dance.

President and Founder of Melinda Massie Events, 34 year-old Melinda was born and raised a Texas girl. After receiving her degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Texas Wesleyan University (by way of Austin College), she went on to work as…(you guessed it)…a professional ballroom dancer. Starting with Swing, and then moving on to Salsa (after the infamous GAP ad over-crowded the dance floor), Melinda spent three years polishing her steps before realizing it was more of a hobby than her ultimate career goal. A move to event planning for the Ft. Worth Zoo was just the thing, as Melinda had enjoyed a taste of social planning while working as a promotional assistant for her college radio station.

Fourteen and a half years of event planning later, Melinda knew one thing – she could do it all herself. Utilizing the experience she gained from planning roughly 80 events per year at the zoo, Melinda formed her own planning company, Melinda Massie Events, in September of 2008.

So, if for your next event you require luxury, style, and someone else to work out the details, Melinda Massie has you covered. Just don’t be surprised if she asks you to dance.

1.  With so much experience planning events, why did you wait so long to start your own business?

Starting my own business was never really something I thought about.  I was always told I should, but I never wanted to.  Being an independent planner always seemed like this daunting and impossible task.  However once I decided to do it, it was the only think I could think about.  It can still be daunting at times, but no longer seems impossible.  My extensive experience in all types of events has given me significantly better preparation to be able to take on anything.  I wouldn’t have that if I’d started this business earlier.

2.  How has the recession changed event planning, or are people still partying like its 1999?

Events are still happening, but we’re “reining it in” so to speak.  We’ve traded in the grandiose displays in favor of stylish minimalism.  All of life’s celebrations – i.e. weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. – still happen no matter what the state of the economy is.   The biggest difference now is that we’re challenged with creating something that is still lush and elegant with a smaller budget.

3.  Describe your most sensational low-budget party and how you pulled it off.

I did this really fantastic, casino themed 30th birthday party.  We held the event in the small private room of a nightclub.  Staging the party in a nightclub saved us the cost of a DJ so I could put the majority of budget into casino set-up.  We had black jack, roulette and an illusionist for the entire evening.  The ambiance of the room was great so it only needed a hint of decoration.  I created casino candles using mini votives, surrounded by dice and placed inside the center of small, clear glass globes.  I set these out all around the room to add a great glow and additional atmosphere.  Total spent was just over $700 and the guest of honor said it was the best birthday party she ever had!

4.  What advice do you have for those who cannot afford a professional planner?

Make the list your very best friend.  When I ask potential clients what have they liked and disliked about previous events they’ve attended, almost every single one of them mentions being at a disorganized party.  Lists help prevent this.  So many details are involved with planning a party and they generally come with many different deadlines as well.  If you’re working with multiple vendors and/or are hosting your party in a venue, they all come with varying different policies that need to be followed.  Write everything down in one place.  Make a time line of when things need to get done.  Stick to the lists.  When you open any of my client files, the very first thing you see is a list of each and every detail pertaining to their event, grouped by facet of the party – set-up, catering, entertainment, florist, etc.  Creative party ideas abound on the internet, but embracing the list is what will keep your head on straight and sanity in tact if your details try to become overwhelming. 

5.  What is your dream event to plan? To host?

For me, the dream event to plan versus the dream event to host are two very different events.  My dream event to plan would be something like you’d see on the TV show “Behind the Bash.”  Events that are spectacular, elegant and have people talking for some time to come.  I love putting tiny details and unexpected quirks into beautiful events.  I see a roving party with cocktails in one space; a formal, seated dinner in another space and dancing in a third area – each area having coordinating, but completely different atmospheres.  However, my dream event to host is a small dinner party for 6-10, possibly 15-20 people.  I really got into cooking a couple of years ago and have become quite good at it.  However, my home is too small to accommodate dinner parties, which is why that’s what I would love to host.

6.  Describe the person who would best complement your life and your business.

The ideal person would be equally as driven and passionate in his own career as I am mine and follow his talents.  Active, social and loves good food.  Has to be comfortable in black tie and going to a lot of openings/events.  But most importantly, we can be ourselves with each other and support and encourage each other in our various accomplishments, goals and dreams.

7.  How has being a female entrepreneur empowered you?

In a word – unstoppable.  There really isn’t anything that compares to taking what comes naturally to you, turning it into a career and then into your own business.  If you can do that and do it well, there really isn’t anything you can’t do.

8.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years

I usually don’t set long range goals for myself because you never really know where you’ll end up.  If I’d been told as little as 1 ½ to 2 years ago that I’d have my own business right now I wouldn’t have believed it.  However, I could easily see myself planning and consulting nationally.  I’m sure wherever I am in 10 years is exactly where I need and want to be.

Melinda’s Bio:

Melinda Massie is the President of Melinda Massie Events and Consulting, a full service event planning company that specializes in luxurious, stress-free events with a personal touch.   Her career started in 1995 when a friend asked a simple question, “Will you help me?”  From there, the seed was planted and a passion has grown.  Events include: benefit rock shows and festivals, guest appreciation events for car dealerships and dance studios, intimate and beautiful rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions and fabulous company picnics.  She has also worked behind the scenes to pull together presidential fund raisers and even put together a Cirque de Soleil style show from scratch.

Melinda attended Austin College in Sherman, TX and has a degree in advertising and public relations from Texas Wesleyan University in Ft. Worth, TX.  She is also a former professional ballroom dancer.

Want to connect with Melinda? Follow her on Twitter and Facebook!

Colin Wright, Founder of Colin is my Name and Exile Lifestyle

Don’t let the open gates fool you, Colin Wright is in exile. OK, so not a torturous one. More of a self-imposed exile that currently includes sunning himself in Buenos Aires and eating empanadas, while still enjoying a full income from Colin is My Name, his growing sustainable design business.

Taking along only the essentials (MacBook Pro, boxer shorts, and a sense of adventure), Colin took his business on the road this year in a social experiment he calls the “Exile lifestyle”, detailed on his blog of the same name. Every four months, readers will vote on a destination country where Colin will live and work until…well, until he comes back. By focusing only on the 20% of work projects that generate 80% of his income, Colin has reduced his work week to a mere ten hours, leaving the rest of his days open for new experiences and chance encounters, in whichever locale his readers see fit.

During my interview with Colin, I had to kick myself for being too lazy and technology-averse to set up a Skype account so we could speak “face to face”. By phone, I expected to hear the voice of a semi-cocky, fair-skinned white kid having his first international experience while making more money than I deem any 24 year-old to be worth. Instead, I was connected to the gravelly voice of a young man whose Brady Bunch baby-face may have already gained the perspective that only a few rough nights in a strange country, or maybe even a little food poisoning, can give you.

Either way, I am certain the exile experience will be that of a lifetime, and the gates back home will remain wide open for Colin’s return. Until then, baby-face, you may want to stick with Peanut Butter.

1.  What do you wish most for your “Exile lifestyle”? To achieve a specific goal (i.e. writing a book), or to have some intangible experience or enlightenment?

The main reason I decided to move forward with the Exile Lifestyle project is that I realized I had lots of experience with books and education and business and technology and so on, but little or no experience traveling, seeing the world and meeting people who have had radically different life experiences than I have. I guess you could say I’m looking for enlightenment, but really I see it as an investment in myself in that each new experience makes me a better person and more capable of dealing with the unexpected. To have a nice big group of engaged readers and a book deal at some point would be excellent, but the thing I’m really setting my sites on right now is becoming a better person in a lot of different ways.

2.  You are allowing blog readers to vote where you move every four months. What destination you will go, regardless?

I will go wherever my readers vote for me to go, with a few caveats. First, there are some countries I wouldn’t be able to get in to (think North Korea). Second, there are countries where civil conflicts or wars are going on (Afghanistan, Congo, etc). I’m game for living in any country in the world, so long as I won’t be putting myself in an unreasonably unsafe situation or fighting for months just to enter the country. Maybe someday I’ll have the experience and justification to visit those kinds of places, but for right now I’ll stick with new experiences that don’t involve wearing body armor.

3.  Do your corporate clients have any problem not getting “real” face time?

‘Real’ face time is such a vague term these days; I can always hop online and do a Skype video chat with my clients, but if you’re asking can they meet up with me in person? No, in person is difficult now that I’m out of the country. They generally don’t seem to mind, though, and in fact most think what I’m doing is pretty cool and have given me their full support (continuing to pass a steady stream of work my way, checking out the blog, voting on where I should go, etc). I have great clients

4.  What did you bring that you can’t live without? What did you forget?

I brought my Macbook Pro, without which I wouldn’t be able to do much serious design and development work. I’ve got a satchel that I use as my day bag which carries my camera, iPod, netbook, Moleskines, etc, though I could honestly do without everything I brought except for the Macbook Pro. I (fortunately) didn’t forget anything, so far as I can tell, though I miss my iPhone quite a bit (sigh).

5.  Is there anything you miss about the US, and what image of Americans do you hope to leave behind?

Peanut butter! There doesn’t seem to be peanut butter anywhere in this whole country, and though I’ve never been a big peanut butter fan, the fact that I can’t have it makes me crave it.

I’m hoping to leave a kinder, more thoughtful image of Americans in my wake, because a lot of people here have a few not-so-nice or not-very-accurate ideas about people from the States (the girls are easy, the guys are either gun enthusiasts or gay, the people live lifestyles like they see on Friends…oh yes, Friends is still very popular here).

6.  You said you have remained friends with all of your ex-girlfriends, and even had a break-up party with your last.  Have you never really been in love, or are you just a nice guy?

I’ve never seen the point of becoming enemies with someone, and especially someone that I really, really like. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some really intelligent, creative, beautiful and talented women in my life, and I certainly don’t take that for granted, or want them out of my life just because the nature of our relationship changes. It’s hard to say about love, because the term has really ceased to mean a whole lot anymore (you LOVE that cake and you LOVE all your friends and you LOVE this and that and on and on), so I’d say that I just try to enjoy each relationship for what it is and not what I or society thinks it should be (which really seems to take a lot of the pressure off, let me tell you!).

7.  Describe the person who would best complement both your life and your business.

Let’s see, she would be someone who is ambitious, motivated, passionate, intelligent, creative, capable, open-minded and charismatic. She’d take care of herself mentally and physically and is looking for the same kind of person as me; a person who would supplement and amplify my life, not someone who will BE my life. There’s got to be a big tolerance (and enthusiasm for) the sporadic and random, and if she has a good sense of style, I’m sold.

8.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

By then I hope to have a few bestsellers still on the shelves (virtual or physical) and to have whatever businesses I’m running at that point automated and making lots of money. I’ll have a handful of projects to work on (I’d really like to destroy the current American education system and replace it with something much better and cheaper) and hopefully still taking quite a bit of time to travel. I’ll likely still be seeking out novel experiences and doing things that most people will think are crazy. I’d hate to lose that.

Colin’s Bio:

Born in Northern California and raised in central Missouri, Colin Wright moved to LA after completing a dual-emphasis degree in Graphic Design and Illustration and shortly thereafter started a sustainability-focused design studio, Colin Is My Name. After a year and a half of success with small and large clients alike, Colin decided to take his business on the road, working from and living in a new country every 4 months through his new business venture, Exile Lifestyle, a blog and media company focused on lifestyle design, minimalism, sustainability and mobility.

Colin is currently living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the readers of Exile Lifestyle are currently voting on what country he’ll move to next.

He’d love to be your friend on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn!

Joy Donnell, Founder of 720PR

If you see this face aimlessly wandering through Southern California, you know Joy Donnell is having a good day. The East Coast transplant and Beverly Hills based PR professional who spends most of her week working to keep her corporate clients happy, describes just that as her ideal day.

While studying for an English degree at William and Mary (with a minor in Japanese cultural studies), Joy imagined a career in international law was in her future. When a friend suggested PR instead, Joy couldn’t think of anything worse. Eventually coming to the realization that with her combination of verbal aptitude and social finesse a career in public relations was the perfect fit, Joy went on to join a large PR firm after college, then out on her own.

A year and a half of freelancing in Atlanta, and one too many humid Summers later, Joy moved to Southern California where she started the boutique branding and public relations firm 720PR. Using her experience working with corporate clients, she teamed up with a partner specializing in celebrity branding, and the pair formed the strong (and all-female) team that runs the firm today.

So, if you see this woman wandering the streets with no map and a carefree smile, don’t worry.  Joy is anything but lost.

1.  Dealing with celebrities and PR, how much of your social life is intertwined with business?

My social life overlaps with my business on a daily basis yet, I don’t mind. A large part of PR is social capital, so I vigorously maintain as well as expand my network. After work cocktails and red carpet events often blur that work/life line, but I love what I do and I love the people in my life. There’s no monotony.

2.  How does your “fundamental interest” in people translate into running a great PR firm?

I like digging into mindsets, seeing how different peoples in different countries think and figuring out how to relay the same message to someone in South Africa as well as Sweden. I think you have to be interested in people if you intend to have a career where you relate to the public. Helping individuals and corporations with their global public perception requires being a bit of a cultural anthropologist.



3.  In college, you also studied Japanese culture. What fascinated you about this area of the world, and what passion, if any, do you still have for it?

Once, my class watched this tape about learned facial expressions. During moments of disgust, the Japanese subject forced himself to smile while the American subject allowed himself to frown and gag. It blew my mind! That was the first time I realized that different societies have different behaviors that are socially acceptable. It eventually opened me to my career in PR.



4.  Why do you love LA, and do you ever miss the East Coast?

All the sunshine, palm trees, and lack of humidity in LA greatly improved my disposition, but I miss the East Coast in lots of ways. I love East Coast food. I miss the charm and hospitality of Southerners. I just don’t miss the weather.

5.  You chose a female business partner. Was that a purposeful decision or just the right person for the job?

It was kismet. Li and I are long time friends and an opportunity to work together aligned once I came to LA. Li was doing celebrity placements and branding, so it made sense to team up. Our collaboration allows 720 to nurture brands while maintaining a PR strategy, so the message the brand sends to the public never deviates.

6. At what age did you decide you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

By the time I was 5 years old I had witnessed members of my own family being successful entrepreneurs. I was never awed by the money or the private planes and such, I was enamored with the freedom. Once I put 2 and 2 together, I knew I wanted that kind of freedom and autonomy. That’s fed my ambition for as long as I can remember.

7. Describe the person who would best complement both your life and your business.

My ideal man is passionate, compassionate, successful and ambitious. One of the things he’s most ambitious about is me and our family. We truly like each other and understand one another. I think at the end of the day you need understanding and common goals, and those things maintain the trust, love, and respect.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Traveling with my family. Being healthy and happy. Sharing what I know about publicity with as many people as possible and empowering those in business for themselves with the skill of self-promotion. I also want a nonprofit that encourages youth to utilize their social power.

Joy’s Bio:

As Founder of Beverly Hills boutique 720 PR, Joy Donnell has aided branding and public relations efforts for corporations such as DaimlerChrysler USA, The Carissa Project and Virgin Re*Generation spokesperson Carissa Phelps, GM, Warner Bros.’ Oscar-nominated film Blood Diamond, and many others. She’s also connected brands to several celebrities including Samuel L Jackson, Patti LaBelle, and Calista Flockhart.

Donnell’s PR advice has been featured in print and online media including best-selling author Mike Michalowicz’ Toilet Paper Entrepreneur and The Social Media Professor while her Hollywood social jaunts have been featured in Genlux and Cosmopolitan magazines.

Want to connect with Joy? Follow her on Twitter and on her blog “Do it in Public”!

Joe Sale, Creator of the iTie

Is your tie on straight? If it’s over your shoulder, dipped in your soup, or blowing in the wind, you didn’t buy it from Joe Sale. The 31 year-old Florida native created the world’s first necktie that stays perfectly in place during any activity. Yes, even upside down (if that tends to happen to you at work.)

A former account executive for a Fortune 500 company, Joe lost his job in August of 2008. The following day, he went to his lawyer’s office and filed a patent for The iTie, the invention Joe had been working on (and wearing) in his spare time. By November of 2008, the product website was up and the iTie was on its way. Thanks to aggressive marketing and PR efforts, the iTie quickly achieved consistent online sales, media attention, and even had a TV mention by Conan O’Brien-the first of many celebrities Joe hopes to reach.

The iTie. Perfect for your next trip to Chicago, soup-tasting, or office melee. Because you never know when your employees may try to hang you upside down.

1. Does having a straight tie really matter? Wearing a necktie will always be a status symbol that conveys a certain level of distinction and authority. I can’t take someone seriously when their tie is over their shoulder, flipped over or tucked into their shirt. Why would you buy a tie, at often over $200 a piece, for it only to make you look less professional? Now you can wear The iTie and never have to worry about it.

2. You have some incredible sales footage with Billy Mays. Tell us how that came about.

It was really a matter of great timing and utilizing my professional network. I am a member of many entrepreneur and networking groups and received an Email notifying me of a casting call for Discovery Channel’s “Pitchmen”. The next day, I was doing handstands (to show how The iTie stays in place) and knocking over Billy Mays. They were impressed with me and offered to make a short video that I could use on my website. Billy was awesome!

3. Do you have any plans to expand beyond the necktie? (What else would you like to keep straight?)

I am always thinking of new ideas and I write them down (I can’t tell you how many ideas I have thought of, but I can tell you the ones I have written down!). Once I have the time and resources I will start on the best of those ideas. Stay tuned….this is only the beginning of SALE VENTURES!

4. What celebrity or public figure would you most like to see wearing an iTie and why?

It would have to be President Obama. I have pictures of him (on my facebook) with his tie over his shoulder and always see him in the news with his tie out of place. I think it would be amazing if he wore a few and actually mentioned it. That would reinforce his emphasis on entrepreneurship. Then he could order thousands of iTies for the Secret Service!

5. Would Americans be more productive if men still wore neckties to work?  Do you worry the focal point of your business will someday become extinct?

50 million neckties are sold in America every year…last year, none of them were iTies. There is plenty of market share to be had, remember The iTie does more than every tie out there. The necktie will never become extinct, not in my lifetime. Until they stop making suits and dress shirts, there will be ties…correction, there will be iTies!

6. As an experienced salesperson, is it more difficult pitching for your small business than it was for a Fortune 500 company, or do you feel more confident in selling your own product?

There is nobody that knows more about The iTie than me and nobody can sell it better (even though it speaks for itself). I have always enjoyed sales. Regardless of what you sell, if you believe in it and are passionate about it, people will buy it. If your product or service exceeds expectations, your customers will turn into a sales force for you.

7. Describe the person who would best complement your life and your business.

Someone who understands the constraints and demands that go along with starting/running a company. There is a lot of pressure to succeed. Like a relationship, there has to be a solid foundation to build on. Success in life and in relationships takes a lot of hard work, dedication, flexibility and patience…do you know anyone?

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself being happily married to my wife. Will have two kids Clarence and Summer, then we will have the whole Sale family! Really, who knows? If I had a crystal ball, I wouldn’t need to be an entrepreneur.

Joe’s Bio

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Joe graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Sports Management and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Throughout college, he played baseball, football, golf and volleyball, and continues to plays golf on a regular basis. After college, he moved to Boston where he worked at Cheers (yes, I know your name) and has sold everything from car stereos, shoes, life insurance, real estate, technology consulting, and everything in between.

Joe started The iTie after realizing there had to be a better way to wear ties. Wearing a tie every day working for a Fortune 500 company, Joe would see hundreds of people a day with their tie out of place. He started making prototypes of The iTie in his spare time and wore them to work where the few people he trusted to show it to loved the idea. After losing his job in August of 2008, Joe filed the patent within a week, got a website up in November and has never looked back.  He currently lives in Tampa with his yellow lab named Porter.

Want to connect with Joe? Follow him on Twitter and Facebook! You can also check out his special Private Collection here.

Jody Cohen, Founder of Cosmoholics Cosmetics

Remember the girl in 7th grade who got caught wearing red lipstick to school? OK, we all remember that girl, but what about the girl whose mother encouraged her to wear red lipstick? That girl, if you were lucky enough to know her then, was Jody Cohen, the now 27 year-old lip gloss maven and Founder of Cosmoholic Cosmetics.

Growing up, Jody learned everything there was to know about cosmetics from her mother, a working make-up artist. After working as a make-up artist herself, and then a style consultant for the Today Show, Jody moved on to retail. Using her combined skill sets, Jody then embarked on a new venture in hopes of solving a nagging cosmetics problem: how to get pigment and shine from one lip product.

The result?  Cosmoholics lip gloss, a non-sticky, pigment-filled lip product that offers the best qualities of both lipstick (pigment), and lip gloss (shine). As an added bonus, she even threw in a lip repairing element. Now 16 months after it’s official launch, Cosmoholics lip gloss can be found in dozens of retail stores, online, and on lips nationwide.

In fact, it’s probably even found it’s way to the 7th grade.

1.  With a background in beauty and fashion, was it challenging learning to be a successful salesperson?  Where did you pick up the business side of retail?

I was born a sales woman! It’s not a skill that one can really acquire.. you either love it and are good at it or you’re not. I’ve worked many sales jobs in cosmetics and fashion in the past and have a true passion for it. My father is an entrepreneur and I learned a great deal from him and as the Retail Recruiter for Scoop NYC stores.

2.  What is it like competing with the cosmetics “giants” who have unlimited access to research and development?

It’s a challenge, but one that I embrace and use as motivation to build the Cosmoholic brand. I strive to create innovative products that aren’t currently on the market and truly believe that Liquid Lipstick is unique.

3.  How have you used your status as a smaller company to work for you as far as marketing and PR?

As far as marketing, up to this point, I have been focusing on boutiques and specialty stores, not department stores. Women always make excuses to buy more lip gloss and Liquid Lipstick are great easy add ons. As far as PR, A few great celebrities become fans early on and that always helps. Beyond that, I have a great product and a great PR agency so that part has been easy.

4. The branding aspect of Cosmoholic immediately caught my eye . What type of response or feeling from the consumer were you hoping to achieve?

I wanted the customer to be immediately drawn to Liquid Lipstick. The bright yellow packaging is fun with a girly vintage feel and women often buy for themselves and as gifts.

5. How important have your connections in the beauty industry (as well as media) been to your successful launch, and what would your advice be to someone without these contacts?

To be honest, I don’t have that many contacts. My past experience has given me credibility and that has helped me more than any contact has. I advise anyone who’s starting a business to be passionate about their product and have no fear!! BE FEARLESS.. and if you’re not, fake it! Persistence is key.

6. Has being a single entrepreneur helped you or hurt you in business and why?

Regardless of your status, starting a company is extremely time consuming and challenging. Being single, I’ve been able to dedicate a lot more time and have a flexible travel schedule which is a huge contributor to my success.  It’s a 24-7, 7 days a week job!

7. Describe the ideal person who would complement both your life and your business.

The ideal person, among many things, would be independent, self sufficient, understanding and supportive of me and my business.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Cosmoholic Cosmetics strives to create beauty products that are innovative, convenient and problem solving all while keeping the everyday woman’s wants and needs in mind. In 10 years,  I hope that Cosmoholic Cosmetics will have additional products and will hold a major spot in the industry.

Jody’s Bio:

Jody started her career in beauty as a makeup artist in New York City, where she worked in TV (as a style consultant for the “Today Show”), in live events, and in magazines.  She knows retail well, too, having worked at Scoop NYC, a high-end, multi-location clothing store, where she fell in love with retail and the business behind the beauty industry.

Jody figured if she could marry her passions- makeup and retail- surely she could marry lipstick and lip gloss.  The idea got addictive, and after working with a team of chemists to create this unique new product, Jody is proud to present the result of her obsession… Cosmoholic Cosmetics, a new line of “liquid lipstick” that goes on like lip gloss but has the real, deep, beautiful pigment of a lipstick.

Want to connect with Jody? Follow her on Facebook or contact Amanda Meyer of Bella Public Relations, Inc. at 212.868.8183.

Kim Overton, Creator of the Spibelt

Why is Kim Overton dancing?

Not just because her company, Overton Enterprises, has sold tens of thousands of her patent-pending SpiBelt personal carriers since their launch in 2007.  Not because she’s been featured on CNN, CNBC, The Today Show, and been asked to show off her impossibly-toned legs in the pages of Cosmopolitan.

No, the real reason Kim is dancing is because every day at 6pm, she turns off her computer and turns on her life. A true believer in work/life balance, Kim makes time to enjoy family and friends by delegating what she can and leaving the rest for tomorrow.

And, if tomorrow is a typical day for Kim, it will probably include a little dancing.

1. Carriers for personal items have been available for years.  Explain why SPIbelt is an improvement on products already on the market.

This belt is a comfortable and discreet way to carry small personal items without bulkiness or risking looking like you’re wearing a fanny bag.

2. You are one of few entrepreneurs who sets a specific work schedule and sticks to it. Was it difficult to strike that balance in the first stages of your start-up?

For sure. When you first start your business, it’s easy to work until the sun goes down, and begin again before the sun goes up. It’s almost always necessary to work a ton when you’re starting your business. But as time goes on and you’re able to delegate, it’s important for your physical and psychological health to draw the line in the sand for when to turn work off. When I lived in NYC, the rhythm of the city seems to operate on 9-10 hour work days, so it was natural to work late and go have dinner with your friends after work at 8 or 9pm. Now that I’m back home, I shut down as 6pm, regardless.

3. How has being a young, attractive female contributed to (or detracted from) your success so far?  Have you ever not been taken seriously in a business relationship?

Most of my sales are done through reps, so gender doesn’t usually have a role in our interaction with clients. The times that I do notice a shift in a people’s tone or body language is at trade shows, when someone interested in doing business asks me to speak with the owner. When I smile and say “I’m the owner”, I have noticed a raise in their eyebrows (only with men, women are elated), almost to say, “hmm, interesting, I didn’t realize the owner could be you”.

4. What was it that drew you to personal training after 9/11?

As with most entrepreneurs, I am not a good employee, and I do not enjoy office politics and I always felt way too creative to be in a cubicle. So when I was laid off after 9/11, I embraced the new beginning and tried something totally different from what I had been doing, but something that gave me freedom and was rewarding on a personal level. I resisted training, but when I gave it a try and met so many wonderful people, I fell in love with it.

5. From CNN to the Today Show, you have received an incredible amount of media exposure. What are your secrets to gaining attention, and how much did major media contribute to your initial growth?

My first passion was dancing and singing, and being on stage. Reaching out to the media, to me, was a part of who I am. I had a product, I wanted them to feature it, I researched how to get their attention. Mix that with a bit of a prayer and go.

6. Do you feel being single has been important in allowing you freedom to focus on your business?

I hesitate to say that being single is how I’ve reached our current status, only because I don’t want to come across to say that being married or a parent or involved will hinder anyone’s pursuit to success, but I will say that if I did have kids at this time, I doubt I’d have as much time, money and energy to focus on the launch of my company as I have.

7. Describe the ideal person who would complement both your life and your business.

The ideal person would be a man who is fiercely successful in his field of choice, and as equally passionate about living a healthy and balanced family life (at the same time, this person is okay with hearing my random business ideas at any given time – my inspiration knows no off-hours!). Having lived around the world, and running my third business, I greatly appreciate being able to chat with someone who knows and can appreciate the challenges that come with running a business while maintaining a healthy family life.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Adventure and educational traveling with my family in a foreign country, checking email every now and then to see how my companies (I plan to have a few) are doing back home.

Kim’s Bio:

Kim Overton founded SPIbelt in 2007. She previously co-founded a tech company in NYC providing back end development for database driven websites. She worked as a personal trainer and nutrition consultant for 5 years in NYC and Austin, Texas before founding SPIbelt.

Want to connect with Kim? Follow her on Twitter and Facebook!

Lash Fary, Founder of Distinctive Assets

Lash Fary and I have  different definitions of the word “vacation”.  The 37 year-old owner of celebrity marketing firm Distinctive Assets recently took his version:  a week-long stint at a California boot camp.  Always motivated, and always multi-tasking  (his treadmill is stocked with pen and paper), the choice seemed natural.

Born and raised in Virginia, Lash completed his education at UVA with a degree in Marketing, and went on to work for a year as a management consultant.  Soon sensing the suit and tie life was not his passion, and knowing he was a California boy at heart, Lash followed his spirit to the West Coast in 1995.  After four successful years working in direct sales, he embarked on a new venture with a friend, growing and re-energizing the small celebrity marketing firm “Assets”.  With the addition of Lash’s distinctive flair, the start-up was renamed “Distinctive Assets”, a company which is now celebrating ten years as the premiere name in celebrity gifting.  Not to be outdone in the world of products he helps represent, Lash has also created his own product line including designer portion control plates he calls “Slimware”.

When not creating new products, attending boot camp, marketing products through celebrity connections, or perfectly portioning his meals, Lash is busy texting, emailing, and otherwise keeping In touch with his ever-growing social circle.  A natural motivator, Lash convinced me to do my first trade show after one conversation without actually saying a word.  Just talking to action and results-oriented Lash was motivation in itself.  But don’t expect me to show up for boot camp anytime soon.  I’ll be on vacation.

1. Distinctive Assets is well known for celebrity gifting, but that is just a part of what you do.  Give us a run-down of your other services and how you can help other businesses.

Yes, though we’re most recognized for our presenter swag bags and official gift lounges, award shows are truly just the tip of the iceberg.  Distinctive Assets offers customized solutions to companies looking to outsource all or part of their marketing, branding and public relations needs.  Our à la carte services include:

Celebrity Seeding
Product Development
Branding
Public Relations
Business Development
Special Events/Event Sponsorship

2. Celebrity gift suites can run into tens of thousands of dollars for businesses to participate.  How can smaller businesses (and budgets) get celebrities to notice them?

Everyone wants to win the lottery (in this case having a celebrity notice and ideally use their product), but you’re not going to win if you don’t buy a ticket.  It’s a cliché but nonetheless true: If you can’t afford to, you can’t afford NOT to!  Celebrity placement with a reputable company can cost as little as $1,000, and there are often creative financing options (I know my company accepts payment plans, product trades in some cases and credit cards).

3. Do you ever feel guilty giving so much to celebrities, or is what they give back even more valuable in terms of product endorsement?

Actually, I don’t.  The value that companies receive by having their product associated with these stars in various media outlets is far greater than the retail value of the free products that the celebrities are receiving. And ultimately what we’re presenting celebs with is a gift (usually as a thank you for being part of a televised award show) . . . and just because you’re rich and famous doesn’t mean you cease to be eligible for gratitude and acknowledgement.

4. What is the best gift you have ever received, and what is the best gift you have given?

Wow, I’ve been fortunate enough to receive so many fabulous gifts so that’s a really tough question.  The one that stands out is the DELUXE refrigerator that my four best girlfriends bought me as a group holiday gift when I moved into my new home a couple years ago. My favorite gift I’ve given is the “I Remember” book I had custom made and illustrated by an artist friend for my mom; it’s filled with 25 or so of my favorite childhood memories of her.

5. In our conversation, you mentioned you didn’t want to be forever known as the “celebrity gift guy”.  What do you want to be remembered for in life?

While I’m incredibly proud for having created something from nothing and launching the craze of celebrity swag, I certainly hope my legacy will be more than that.  I want to develop products and write books that enhance people’s lives.  Since I don’t plan to ever have children, I want to create something that will survive for generations to come and have my name associated with it.  Lash Fary is just too great a name to die with me!

6. You are enthusiastic (OK, I’ll say it. Obsessed) with health and fitness.  Were you always this way?

Funny enough, no.  I grew up in an environment where little or no value was placed on either of these things and to this day most members of my family are overweight.  But living in Los Angeles (which I’ve called home since 1995), it’s so easy to be healthy and make good choices that there’s really no reason not to.  My enthusiasm/obsession is primarily rooted in how I FEEL living a lifestyle where health and fitness play such a large role (and how it makes me look in the tight outfits that are now my trademark).

7. Describe the ideal person who would complement both your life and your business.

Someone who can simply BE in my life and enhance it without CONSUMING it.  Someone who appreciates sarcasm/dark humor and has the ability to engage in witty banter.  Someone who isn’t overly sensitive.  Someone who believes my cupcakes more than make up for my moodiness. Someone who makes me a better version of me!

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Still (and always) living in Los Angeles.  Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Distinctive Assets. Working because I want to not because I need to.  Still throwing fabulous dinner parties and laughing with the amazing circle of friends I call family.

Lash’s Bio:

Lash Fary is the founder of Distinctive Assets. For ten years, Lash has worked with a veritable Who’s Who of Hollywood to introduce products/services to the entertainment industry and to develop celebrity-oriented promotions and events.

Lash and Distinctive Assets have set new standards for “giving and receiving” through their coveted Gift Baskets and Gift Lounges for major Hollywood events.  With a résumé of top award shows and a star-studded client roster, Lash has become an authority on style, celebrity shopping, entertainment marketing, product trends and gift giving.  Lash’s unique industry positioning and multi-faceted persona have created numerous high-profile opportunities and titles including author, host, entrepreneur, inventor, sultan of swag and gift guru.