CRAVE innovatively connects urban gals to the sassiest, gutsiest, most inspiring people they need to know in town. Soirees, gatherings and online networking—we are your guide to everything you CRAVE in your city.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NYC CRAVE Buzz Party
Get involved with CRAVE NYC!
Tue, March 9th, 7pm—whenever!
La Palapa West Village – 359 Sixth Ave, NY
Learn more…
Chicago CRAVE Business Chat
Get to know Chicagoland’s entrepreness celebrities and learn their secrets!
Wed, March 17th, 6-8pm
Learn more…
Bloom and Tone CRAVEparty
A fresh beauty and wellness event
Sun, March 28th, 1-6pm
Learn more…
Events to help entreprenesses
grow their businesses, chock full
of "know how," advice and inspiration.
Festive glam-gal gatherings of fun,
entertainment, pampering, shopping,
sippin' and noshin' and just hanging
with the girls.
FIND US
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About » The CRAVE Team
CRAVE amsterdam
CRAVE atlanta
CRAVE boston
CRAVE chicago
CRAVE dc
CRAVE minneapolis
CRAVE new york city
CRAVE portland
CRAVE seattle
CRAVE toronto
CRAVE vancouver
| CRAVE amsterdam | |
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Isrid van Geuns IS WORKS is both Isrid van Geuns’ business and her network. IS WORKS connects people and activates projects in fashion while helping companies re-think, re-shape, create energy, and manage their community. |
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Athalie Stegeman Athalie is a source of inspiration for professionals and businesses. She combines analytic skills with strategic chances, and digital marketing with communication means. She’s open minded, loves innovation, creativity and business development, and believes in learning by doing. |
| Web site: thecravecompany.com/amsterdam Twitter: @CRAVEamsterdam Facebook: facebook.com/CRAVEamsterdam |
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| CRAVE atlanta – Laura Scholz | |
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Entrepreness and veteran publicist Laura Scholz brings her networking savvy, knowledge of the Atlanta scene, and passion for fabulous people and places to CRAVE Atlanta. Scholz and several of her clients are featured in the first CRAVE Atlanta guide, and she anticipates using her extensive network, new media expertise and passion for connecting people to grow the brand in this exciting New South city.
A veteran publicist, Scholz is president of Scholz Communications, a boutique firm that manages both traditional and new media campaigns for lifestyle and entertainment clients, many of whom are fellow female entrepreneurs. A resident of Atlanta’s Westside, Scholz spends her spare time running marathons, writing, meeting new people and exploring the city’s foodie hot spots. Twitter: @CRAVEatlanta |
| CRAVE boston – Jennifer Saphier | |
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Jennifer Saphier graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in marketing and entrepreneurship and a lot of motivation. She started Saphier Events six months later and has been supremely happy as an entrepreneur every day since. Saphier Events produces events that run the gamut from elaborate weddings and social affairs to non-profit galas and store launches. Already a fierce supporter of female owned businesses as well as a proud New Englander, Jennifer is excited to list CRAVE Boston to her list of entrepreneurial projects.
Jennifer resides on the North Shore and spends her free time discovering and refurbishing flea market treasures to use as one of a kind props at her events and in her home. Most evenings she can be found out and about the city of Boston hunting for the greatest shopping, dining, and event spots. Twitter: @CRAVEboston |
| CRAVE chicago – Michele Kravetz | |
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At a young age, Michele was already hard at work developing playful businesses in the basement of her parents’ home. However, it wasn’t until spending seven successful years in commercial real estate that her inquisitive nature uncovered the hidden passion she held in her heart for the world of entrepreneurialism. As a self-proclaimed social media connoisseur and master networker, Michele is motivated to create and maintain a CRAVE Chicago that women in the metro area can be proud to connect with. She is also working on launching a web-based business dedicated to providing social media solutions on a national platform. Often Michele gets very excited about a particular idea or project and her dynamic personality allows creativity to flow while enhancing every discussion. Michele mixes style, grace and productivity into lives across Chicagoland, although she strongly believes you should be your own style icon. She loves to discover restaurants or cafes around the world, and can be found surfing travel websites on any given day.
Web site: thecravecompany.com/chicago |
| CRAVE dc – Wendy McAllister | |
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Wendy McAllister has more than 15 years of experience in strategic marketing, business development, account management, online services, and broadcast production. As President and CEO of Evolution Consulting Group, Inc., a marketing consulting company based in the Washington DC Metropolitan area, Wendy leverages this experience extensively to help her clients successfully evolve their businesses to the next level.
Prior to launching Evolution Consulting Group, Inc., Wendy was Director of Business Development for NationalGeographic.com, and worked as an Account Manager at America Online (AOL). Wendy has also worked on several television productions and large-scale events, including the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s MBDA MED Week 2004 Conference; 2004 BET 10th Annual Walk of Fame honoring Smokey Robinson; 7th 8th , 9th and 11th Annual Mark Twain Prize, NewsHour with Jim Lehrer; 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st Annual Kennedy Center Honors; 2004 Presidential Election Night Event for John Kerry and John Edwards; 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 Christmas in Washington Concert; 2005 Presidential Inauguration Concert for the American Troops; An American Celebration at Ford’s Theatre 2005, 2006 and 2007; 2006 In Performance at the White House: Dance Theater of Harlem in conjunction with WETA- PBS and the 2009 Capitol Fourth Concert. Wendy has a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Production from Howard University and a Master’s degree in International Management and Marketing from the University of Maryland. She enjoys trying out new restaurants and spas and has a passion for hosting chic and fun events. Web site: thecravecompany.com/dc |
| CRAVE minneapolis – Kathy Hanson | |
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Kathy has been an entrepreness for most of her professional life. With CRAVE, Kathy has found the perfect opportunity to focus her intensity and passion by connecting women in the Twin Cities with innovative and savvy entreprenesses who inspire, educate and empower one another.
Armed with an MBA, Kathy began changing the face of many “good old boy” companies with her energy and optimism. As a marketing and strategy project manager with Fortune 100 companies such as Hewlett Packard, James River, Kaiser Permanente and Wells Fargo, she continues to be a leader in developing strategies for work teams that create real value and establishing systems for sustainable success. Kathy now works with companies big and small who need a freelance partner to help with strategy and trends in sales, marketing, buying and organizational development. Her entrepreneurial spirit drove her to start her own company, Pickets—a popup shop from 2003-2008—with hip, vintage-inspired home goods and clothing. Pickets was quickly voted to the Best of Shops in Minneapolis and was featured on the cover of Country Home magazine. Kathy even had her own segment on HGTV! She had a blast melding her favorite pastime of discovering, then reimagining all things vintage with her love of design, and running her own business. Kathy has been living the principle of making meaningful connections within our community for years, and now she is putting her boundless enthusiasm into linking dynamic women who run their own businesses in the Twin Cities through CRAVEguides, social networking, and CRAVEparties. Web site: thecravecompany.com/minneapolis |
| CRAVE new york city | |
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Danielle Bobish Founder and creative director of Curtain Up Events, Danielle plans, designs and coordinates weddings and events throughout New York City and the surrounding regions. Her work has been featured in Modern Bride and The New York Times, and she has been interviewed for articles in Time Out NY Kids, Brides.com and For The Bride magazine. A graduate of the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, Danielle’s unique creative vision is derived in part from her former career as a professional actress performing on stages from Broadway to Bremerton. Danielle founded Curtain Up Events with the idea of injecting into the event industry a bit of the drama and artistry of theatre.not to mention its professional production techniques. Drawing upon her unconventional background, Danielle combines a diverse network of creative artists with the world of traditional events professionals to build an ever broader spectrum of talent with which to collaborate. Danielle is excited to continue forging unexpected connections with CRAVE and looks forward to establishing CRAVE NYC as the savvy businesswoman’s go-to resource for all that is |
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Inna Shamis Inna Shamis is a communications specialist with 15 years experience in public relations, marketing communications and client management, working with such brands as Cendant, Johnson & Johnson, Cadbury Adams/Cadbury Schweppes, Solaris Health System, Crunch Fitness, CBS, Planet Hollywood, Hilton Hotels, Danskin, Sprint PCS, Elle Décor and Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon & Spa. Her experience spans all media channels including broadcast, print and interactive. A seasoned communicator, Inna has extensive global contacts in the consumer products, beauty, travel and hospitality, media and entertainment, and lifestyle sectors. In 2007, Inna founded AvantGarde Communications Group, a boutique communications firm that services big and small brands in everything from public relations, branding and marketing, to website design and copywriting. She is integrally involved with each and every client at AvantGarde Communications Group, and retains an active, hands-on approach in everything from the creation of a plan to the execution of an initiative. |
| Web site: thecravecompany.com/nyc Twitter: @CRAVEnyc Facebook: facebook.com/CRAVEnyc |
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| CRAVE portland – Mai Tran | |
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Mai’s entrepreneurial spirit, determination for success and attention to detail, accompanied by her innovative and creative technique makes her a master when it comes to event planning, marketing, and public relations. She brings her passion for connecting local Portland boutiques, designers and small business owners with industry experts and tastemakers, while offering alternative ways to drive success and revenue for the CRAVEportland community.
Mai’s extensive background in business and event marketing for high-tech corporate, non-profit, professional athlete, and entertainment clients (including Adobe Systems, Microsoft, Symantec Corporation, Freddy Jones Foundation (NBA), Lorenzo Alexander ACES Foundation (NFL), Rose Haven, Cascadia Region Green Building Council, Portland Trail Blazers, Mike Scifres Foundation (NFL), John Legend, Carmelo Anthony (NBA), Diageo, The Roots, Nike, and Boost Mobile) will parlay as an integral role, as she leads CRAVEportland into its next exciting phase. An active University of Portland Alum, Mai currently resides in her hometown of Portland, Oregon with her Beagle/Rat Terrier dog, Bella. She is a self-proclaimed fashion addict, internet junkie and aspiring knitter. Web site: thecravecompany.com/portland |
| CRAVE seattle – Jess Estrada | |
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Jess Estrada is a twenty-something Seattle style maven and a social media and events networking powerhouse. Driven by her passion for making and sharing connections, she’s excited to take CRAVE Seattle to new heights. Jess recently pursued her interests in social media and business marketing by joining the team at Banyan Branch. There, she works with clients to create, optimize, and manage their social media presence.
As the former events director for the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Jess oversaw the chamber’s body of networking events and professional development programs. She created the Chamber’s online media presence to increase awareness for chamber events, including the Women’s Success Experience, Annual Tradeshow, the award-winning Restaurant After Hours, and the Young Professionals Network (YPN), the largest business-related young professionals organization in the greater Seattle area. Estrada previously worked as marketing coordinator for Niketown Seattle, where she produced in-store events, managed corporate marketing initiatives and created community outreach programs. In February 2008, Jess created FreshJess.com, a Seattle lifestyle blog covering local events and highlighting business, philanthropy, fashion, music and more. She currently serves as Public Relations & Marketing chair on the board for the Young Executives of Dress for Success Seattle. In 2008 and 2009, she was a nominee for the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40″ award. Jess earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Washington. Web site: thecravecompany.com/seattle |
| CRAVE toronto – Carlie Smith | |
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Carlie is a born entrepreness with numerous businesses as a youth and now founder and owner of a flourishing fashion and art market. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management, Carlie packed her bags and headed for London to live abroad and gain some international work experience. While there she was inspired by the European markets, and Portobello West fashion and art market was born.
After three years in business, Carlie moved to Toronto to expand the monthly market with Portobello East. While promoting the market she had the opportunity to meet many other female entreprenesses, and wanted to bring the community closer with CRAVE Toronto. Carlie is passionate about business and hearing everyone’s business successes. She is excited about getting to know the women in Toronto that make it all happen. Twitter: @CRAVEtoronto |
| CRAVE vancouver – Arpen Thandi | |
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Having discovered a love for event planning at such a young age, Arpen Thandi has incorporated her passion into CRAVE Vancouver. Arpen’s quick eye for style, vision for success, and utmost dedication to anything she manages makes her the perfect candidate to lead the city of Vancouver to great heights! Raised by a family of entrepreneurs and being surrounded by so many inspirational women, it only felt natural that Arpen came on board with the CRAVE team in 2008. Arpen’s event and marketing portfolio consists of work with TheStyleSpy, VIBC (Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society), Creme de la Creme, Not-for-profit organizations, and several Yaletown boutiques.
Arpen’s promise is to continue to support women in Vancouver as she believes that together we can make a difference and truly make the world a better place, and she, too, is looking forward to paving her own path as a entrepreness in the near future! When she’s not answering to emails on her Blackberry or meeting with fabulous women in Vancouver, you can find Arpen spotting the new and hottest destinations in the host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Web site: thecravecompany.com/vancouver |