WING August Featured Member ~ Carla Thompson, Sharp Skirts

Name: Carla Thompson

Business Name:  Sharp Skirts

Contact Info:  www.sharpskirts.com  /  carla@sharpskirts.com  /  512.827.9256

What I Do:  I run a network for women entrepreneurs, Sharp Skirts. We provide online and offline resources to help women build smarter businesses.

How Long I’ve Been in Business:  I launched Sharp Skirts in May 2010. Prior to that, I worked in emerging technology for over  15 years, helping all manner of startups build smarter businesses.

Why I Love What I Do:  It’s extremely good for the soul to help people empower themselves. I receive a pretty regular stream of communications along the lines of, “Thank you so much for trying to make a difference in the world”  when I feel like I’m fighting an uphill battle – and that is pretty regular too.  Those kind of sentiments get me through.

A Little Something Else I’d Like to Share with the World:  The empowerment of women in business can effect a profound shift in economic fortunes around the world. More and more people are realizing that, which is fantastic! But we’re not even close to finished.  When the old-school establishment finally wakes up to this fact, the business landscape will be changed permanently and for the better.

Why I Love WING:  For obvious reasons, I belong to very few women’s groups. Due to the nature of my business I don’t want to show favoritism to one over the others. And by the end of the day, frankly, I want to think about anything but!  When I spoke at WING a few months go, though, I immediately loved the energy of the group and the enthusiasm they bring to their businesses.  It’s now a must-attend on my calendar!

WING February Featured Member ~ Maggie Goen Jewelry

Name: Maggie Goen

Business Name: Maggie Goen Jewelry

Contact Info: www.maggiegoen.com /  maggiegoen@gmail.com  /  {Facebook}  Maggie Goen Jewelry

What You Do: Jewelry Designer

How Long You’ve Been in Business: 1 very exciting year

Why You Love What You Do: I have always loved creating unique jewelry for myself and now I am able to share that with other women.  Everyone has certain things that make them happy and I think jewelry is one of them! I love using my creativity to explore and experiment to come up with fun pieces of jewelry that sometimes seem more like a piece of art.  I see fashion as art and jewelry as wearable art.  I love finding unique gemstones and fusing them with vintage accents while concentrating on color in texture… in a way the outcome is combining past with present.

Anything Else You’d Like to Tell the World: We will be having a trunk show at Touch of Sass on Thursday February 24th.  Should be a fun night so come by if you can and bring friends!  Currie Bucher has a fabulous store!

Why You Love WING: I attended my first WING meeting in January and was so thrilled to meet such a dynamic group of women!  WING is a great organization and I am looking forward to getting more involved in 2011.  Being around these women is very motivating and inspiring, and I believe will help with important business decisions and resources.  I enjoy hearing about each person’s business and it is comforting to know others who face similar obstacles.  What a fun environment to share experiences and learn from each other!

{Author’s Note:  Next month, be sure and pick up the March issue of Austin Monthly magazine to see Maggie Goen Jewelry featured as one of Austin’s “Designers to Watch”! Congrats Maggie!}

WING November Featured Member ~ Casey Rowe Consulting

Name: Casey Rowe

Business Name: Casey Rowe Consulting

Contact Info: www.caseyroweconsulting.com /  casey@caseyroweconsulting.com  /  512.796.1033

What You Do:  I specialize in helping people identify their career interests through needs and values identification and creating individualized, strategic career plans for my clients.

I also focus on helping small businesses with the process of selecting the right employees for their job openings and aligning the goals of the organization and the professional goals of the individual to optimize effectiveness.

How Long You’ve Been in Business: For a little over 2 years

Why You Love What You Do: I enjoy helping people through a rough time if they have been let go from a previous position or are searching to find the right job for themselves.  I love seeing the transformation and awareness of their own skills and talents when they take the time to look within and make big decisions – its incredibly inspiring to see someone find the career they have always been looking for or become brave enough to go after it!

Anything Else You’d Like To Tell the World: I am running a new program this month that starts on Nov. 30^th called 21 Days Before the Holidays: Get Your Career in Gear. They say it takes 21 days to break a habit – so I am transferring that to 21 days to make something happen!  I recently completed a separate 21 day program and found that time frame to be extremely beneficial in order to get things accomplished – short enough to be focused and keep away distractions yet long enough to make big strides toward your goals.

This program will focus on all it takes to be prepared for a new career path or improve the one you already have.  It’s a great introduction to the benefits of career planning and could make a great holiday gift 🙂

Why You Love WING: As a co-founder of WING, I can say that it has exceeded my greatest expectations for a women’s group of creative entrepreneurs who look to each other for resources and support as we all navigate through the world of being self-employed.  We always have a great time together, enjoy each other’s successes, and are here for each other when we need that hard to find info.

WING August Featured Member ~ Little Wex Beauty & Design

Name: Sara Barney

Business Name: Little Wex Beauty & Design

Contact Info:  http://www.littlewex.com  /  sara@littlewex.com  /  512.529.9466

What You Do: Little Wex is a one-stop creative shop for your beauty and design needs that offers professional makeup artistry and affordable custom graphic design.

How Long You’ve Been in Business:  Started in Los Angeles in 2008, now in Austin for over 1 year, so 2+ years total!

Why You Love What You Do:  What a big question! Simply, I love making women (and the occasional man) look and feel beautiful.  It’s really cool being part of someone’s special day and being one of the people who helps them look their best.  I’m also a life-long product junkie… this way I get to write it off as a business expense!

Anything Else You’d Like to Tell the World:  Little Wex Beauty will be hosting its first ever Open House on Thursday, August 26 at 7pm.  We’re doing a Back-to-School Night and talking about fall beauty trends. WING member Marisa Williams will also be on hand, showcasing Stella & Dot’s fall jewelry line.

Why You Love WING:  If you ever needed an example of how to use the group to the fullest, you can turn to me – I was introduced to WING by my wedding coordinator and founding member, Bethany Childress Hanson.  There I met Casey Rowe (another founding member), who I introduced to my husband, who in turn she introduced to her husband who is an actor that will now be staring in my husband’s play this fall.  At the first WING meeting, I met my realtor (and now good friend), Kim Fry, who sold us our first home! She brought Carly Gallagher to a meeting and now Carly and I are pilates buddies.  I also met Shannon Cunningham at WING and we now share a studio space with a handful of other lovely and talented ladies.  Oh, and of course, last meeting I met Marisa Williams, who will now be part of my open house.  Phew! Who’s next?

WING July Featured Member ~ CLM Business Etiquette Consulting

Name: Christie Mueller

Business Name:  CLM Business Etiquette Consulting

Contact Info:  http://www.CLMetiquette.com  /  christie@CLMetiquette.com  / 502.648.4609

What you do:  CLM Etiquette trains individuals, executives and corporations on modern business etiquette. Our focus is on conveying to clients that “business IS personal” and providing the up-to-date etiquette skills to establish a personal business relationship.

How long you’ve been in business:  Est.  July 2009

Why you love what you do:  I love helping people change from being timid, scared and confused in business situations to radiating confidence and instantly becoming empowered and motivated by my training.
So many people have the academic background that is appealing on a resume but lack soft skills in the work force.  From dining etiquette, to shaking someone’s hand, people rarely realize their daily actions are prohibitive to promotion and success.  It is extremely rewarding to be a part of my client’s transitions as a person and professional.

Anything else you’d like to tell the world:  Come to the August WING meeting and learn the do’s and don’ts of business etiquette with some of Austin’s fabulous professional women!

Why you love WING:  WING has been one of my favorite things about moving to Austin! There is a profound comfort in being associated with women facing the same challenges as I am.  Each month I have the opportunity to share and learn with like minded, motivated women – the support and encouragement is unparalleled.  Immediate friends and instant free consulting; it doesn’t get much better than WING!