Save money, protect the environment, and express your individuality by purchasing trendy vintage items. Check out this list of spring style information via about.com and where to find vintage versions in Crave cities.

TREND: Lightweight and sheer fabrics. Billowy chiffons, silks, and satins fashioned in to exquisite draping or dramatic ruffles. Lots of undergarment-esque clothing.
SHOP: Pretty Parlor and Private Screening in Seattle

TREND: New Metallic. Heavy metallic and glossy trends seen in ’08 are being traded for fabrics with a light sheen and shimmer. New metallics are subtler, softer, and less aggressive.
SHOP: Woo Vintage in Vancouver B.C

TREND: Color Blocking. Geometric shapes and cutouts liven up all the subdue grays and neutrals with a pop of bold color.
SHOP: Apocalypse Vintage

TREND: Interesting and Unexpected Ruffles. Ruffles are the detail of the season!
SHOP: Decades of Fashion in San Fransisco

TREND: Romper. The one piece combo of shorts and a top like you used to wear when you were little is now all grownup and sexified.
SHOP: Knee Deep Vintage in Chicago.

This great article was written by Romy Taormina of PsiBands, via Savor the Success.

What is a rep?
Broker rep. Sales rep. Showroom rep. They go by different names, but their job is the same. They represent your product and the goal is for them to help you get new accounts.

Why would you want/need one?

• Because they might be able to help you get in front of a buyer when you might not have been able to do so on your own.
• They should be familiar with the retailer that you are seeking so they can educate you on what to expect when working with this retailer (their margins, their promo allowances, sales projections, etc.).
• It gives you a sales person. It cuts down the amount of your travel, so it saves you time (and, hopefully, if they are local to the reatiler, it will save on travel expenses).
• It cuts down the amount of communications, because the rep will be handling a bulk of it on your behalf. The more accounts this rep handles on your behalf, the greater economies of scale reached – for you and your rep.

How do I find one?

• Word of mouth
• Through a tradeshow
• Call up and ask a fellow entrepreneur who is in the same category as yours and ask her for a recommendation
• Through your existing retailers

What if the rep won’t rep you?
If you find a rep that won’t represent you, make sure you understand why. For example, perhaps they rep for Target but in a different category than the one that fits your product. Maybe they know someone who reps in your category at Target. It’s all about the best fit so everyone is maximizing their time.
Sometimes reps and retailers are resistant to working with companies that only have one product/product line. We have found this to be true in some cases, and in some of those cases we have overcome. So, keep plugging away.

Here are some questions that you could ask of the rep (choose those that are appropriate for your situation):

• What is your territory?
• Are you are considering representing me nationally? Can you give me some examples of other companies that you represent nationally?
• You have a wide range of retailers – drug, grocery, mass, catalog and online. Which categories/departments does your team specialize in?
• Where are most of your product lines?
• Do you have products in my category? If yes, which one(s)?
• Can you provide manufacturer references?
• Where are you located in relationship to the retailer headquarters?
• What are your payment terms (retainer, commission, travel expenses, etc.)

Before contacting a rep, make sure you are prepared
You may only have one shot with this rep (treat this as a special opportunity, just as you would the first time you meet with the retail buyer).

• Craft your sales pitch. How is your product unique? Who is your competition? How large is your market? You need to convince your sales rep-to-be that they should rep you.
• Can you fulfill large orders on time?
• How will you support retail sales – in and out of the store (i.e. what are your marketing plans)?

As Vancouver’s premiere lash lounge, Noir Lash Lounge is a perfect example where classy meets chic. Located in the heart of Yaletown, Joyce Cajucom, founder and owner, reveals her very own tips and tricks about starting her own business.

How did you come up with the concept of Noir?
Noir Lash Lounge was born out of my own passion and vanity. I LOVE LOVE LOVED my lashes après the extensions and I LOVE LOVE LOVED how it changes the focus of the face. There was nowhere really to go that JUST did lashes – it always seemed to be added onto a list of many other services, almost like an after-thought, when really lashes needed to be front and centre!

What advice would you give women who would like to open their own businesses?
Just do it. Don’t be afraid to take baby steps. Something that starts small can really grow into something greater. And ask other women for help and advice – there are many great and inspirational women out there!

The hottest talk in town is about Twitter/Facebook etc. Have you found Social Media useful for your Business?
Absolutely! I am a member of the Facebook Generation – even before the launch of Noir I was on Facebook 24/7 and now I’m totally addicted to Twitter. I just incorporated Noir into what was already part of my daily routine and it worked out well!

What do you love most about being an Entrepreneur?
The control of seeing your vision come to life. I am a perfectionist and mildly obsessive-compulsive and finally I found something where these traits are OK!

What’s your favorite business book read and why?
Unfortunately being of the internet generation, I didn’t actually read books on business, but did all my research online – business and marketing magazines, reading up on social media and honestly, winging most of it.

Many women in Business find it difficult to balance home and work life. How do you manage to do this?
I have really good time management skills and I learned to delegate early on, although to be honest, home life more often than not falls to the bottom of the to-do list.

Together, Alison Covarrubias and Claire Fontana have created a business education network for women entrepreneurs. Hatch Network teaches women to take their businesses beyond the launch by creating solid foundations built on informed decision-making and high ethical standards. Their members contribute time, energy and experience so that we all may become wise and successful entrepreneurs with sustainable businesses that thrive in a changing economy. These two ambitious women present the inspiration behind their successes:

How would you describe your business in 3 adjectives or less?
Energized, Focused, Motivated

What are your most popular products or services?
Emerging and Expanding Business Pods – small group education programs for the foundation building and growth stages of a business.

What was the inspiration behind starting your business?
In the field experience and responding to direct requests of the women we worked with.

Who is your role model or mentor?
Our role models and inspiration: a guru, a father, a mother, a duo of boys and a really cute kid.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Any coffee shop or nail salon with a spa chair will do.

Check out this dynamic duo and Hatch Network in our San Francisco Guidebook arriving in stores August 2009!

From Beacon Hill to Brooklyn, people are buzzing about the joys of raising chickens in an urban environment. Seattle Urban Farm Company says,

“Many people don’t believe it possible to have this experience in the city, but laying hens’ small space requirements and pleasant dispositions make them a wonderful addition to any backyard. Managing your own chickens is an extremely rewarding experience. You’ll have a source of fresh, nutritious eggs right out your back door; and the satisfaction of knowing that your hens are fed a healthy, well-balanced diet and have plenty of space to roam and eat bugs, weeds, and grass. Chickens make a great pair with a garden, as they love to eat your vegetable scraps and leftover greens. Chicken care is a fun and educational experience for children, and will give them a connection to their food that they’ll never forget.

Chickens don’t require much space for a happy and healthy life. The more space you provide for them, the better; but 3 laying hens can live comfortably (with plenty of room for scratching, exploring, and roosting) in a 3 by 10 foot space. Many people are concerned that a chicken coop will have a strong odor, but a properly managed coop has almost no smell other than that of fresh straw.”

Interested in building a coop for your yard? Consult the experts:

Seattle Urban Farm Co. offers services ranging from planning and design to installations to monthly maintenance. They are happy to help you learn how to manage and care for your hens, and can provide you with local sources for organic feed and bedding.

Portland based readers can attend the 6th Annual Portland Tour de Coops on Saturday, July 25, 2009 from 11:00am-3:00pm. This tour is designed to educate Portland chicken lovers on urban chicken keeping and provide ideas for new and creative ways to house chickens in your backyard.

The Natural Gardener in Austin offers a wide range of helpful classes. Attend “Raising Backyard Chickens” with Carol Ann Sayle on May 16, 2009 at 9:00am.

Already on the bandwagon? We want to hear about your coop!

Linda Derschang, legendary entrepreness behind Seattle hot spots like Smith, Oddfellows, King’s Hardware, Linda’s Tavern, and the Rob Roy, recently took a moment to share some of her business philosophies, secrets and inspirations with us. Read her thoughtful words below.

What was the biggest surprise you have had as an entrepreneur?
People get the impression that as the company grows, there’s less work to be done on the part of the owner. Its mind boggling. The bigger the company gets, the more work there is to be done!

What have you done to make your business more profitable and your finances more stable?
Buy low! Sell more! Keeping the businesses casual, and affordable, has always been really important. Despite the aesthetic development that happens with every new business idea, it has always been paramount that they remain accessible.

What are three top things you invest your time and resources into to grow your business?
Our employees, the design and details of the businesses’ interior space, and the daily or weekly financial analysis necessary to keep everything running smoothly.

What type of marketing efforts do you plan to increase over the next year and what things are you eliminating or decreasing investment in?
The devil is in the details. Little things like making beer cozies for King’s and throwing weekly movie nights on the patio feed the culture of the created space. Its just a matter of providing more to our customers and not necessarily using advertising in print as a means of popularizing ourselves.

Share some ways you stay motivated, encouraged or brave.
Staying motivated has never been an obstacle. There’s always so much going on, and you just can’t let it slip. There are so many employees counting on me; its just not an option. I work in an incredibly creative environment with interesting people. Its always changing which keeps it from getting boring or mundane. My encouragement comes from walking into one of my places and seeing them full of satisfied customers- that’s the applause and the pat on the back! Brave? Sometimes its a fine line between brave, and just plain crazy.

What advice do you wish someone gave you as you were getting started?
I tell people to think about whether they really want to run a business. Its great to have an idea, and fun to cultivate a project’s design, but think about the future and whether you want to do it every day.

Share something you are excited about right now.
I’m going to France this summer! I’ll be there for two weeks with my family and some dear friends.

Share a website, book or some other kind of resource you have found valuable in building your business.
I subscribe to about a dozen magazines, and pick up another 6-8 per month. Whether its food, design, or business, they’re a great source of inspiration.

We interviewed Chris Funk , style director at blo blow dry bar in Vancouver.

For a woman who only has 10 minutes to devote to her hair, what hair styling tips do you recommend?
A perfect pony! This style is ultra-modern, sleek, pretty and easy to do at home. To make this style seamless, make sure you wrap a strand of hair around the base of the pony. The real kicker: you only need a hair elastic and bobby pin to master this style!

Check out blo’s how-to videos online to learn how you can create the perfect pony at home.

What is a Blo On The Go?
Blo offers more than just in-house styling, our creative team goes wherever flawless hair is desired or required. Blo is the top of mind creative team in Vancouver. Some recent BOTG’s include both westcoast H&M openings, Aritzia’s corporate fashion show and Vancouver Fashion Week! Other BOTG ideas include spoiling your female staff for a job well done or giving you team the edge before a big presentation – yes, we will blo at your work! More info is available at blomedry.com.

What are your top 3 must-have products for women?
Definitely a spray to hold your style – I recommend AeroGel (unlike most sprays, this is a gel-based spray that not only holds your style, it sets it for the day!) Also, make sure you have a smoothing creme like Silk (available at Blo) to tame frizz and a finishing product, like Blo’s signature Shine, which takes your style to the next level! The best part: all of these products come in mini sizes so you never have to be hair impaired.

Up-do’s- Classic vrs. Modern. How do you decide which one to do?
It definitely depends on the occasion, your outfit and your features! Blo’s Style Menu features a simple updo (think a classic French twist), but we can absolutely cater to your a la carte wishes. While classic updos will never fade, messy side buns are a super cool modern take on the classic chignon.

What is a blo-out? How long will it last? Can women drop by for a quickie on their lunch break?
Blo Out is Blo’s cute term for a wash and style – we do it in about 30 minutes for about 30 dollars. A perfect service for a busy professional on the run! Blo is open as early as 7am for the workaholic set – you may be surprised what you can do on your Blackberry while your hair gets coifed!

A blo out should last between 2-3 days. A great way to make your ‘do last longer is to use dry shampoo in the morning – it not only absorbs natural oils, it also fluffs your hair with volume. And, as we all know, perfect hair equals perfect confidence for those board-room meetings, client pitch sessions and power lunches.

Check out the second part of the list of the most common legal issues women business owners face. While this list is not an adequate substitute for proper legal advice, it should provide women business owners with an initial “checklist” you can later review with a trusted legal advisor.

6. Implementing appropriate vendor and client contracts.
Too often, women in business fail to put the terms of their business transactions in writing. Business owners sometimes hesitate to insist on a written deal, fearing that the other party will feel a lack of trust. All transactions of significance (irrespective of monetary value) should be documented in writing. Also, contracts proposed by vendors and clients should not be accepted without question. Owners should take the opportunity to negotiate more favorable terms. If an owner does not speak up for herself, who will? Usually, suggested changes are positively received. And, even if the other party refuses to accept the proposed change, at least the groundwork has been set for future negotiations.

7. Addressing conflicts that arise with friends hired as employees
Hiring friends as employees is a common approach taken by women business owners. Hiring friends is often easier than hiring strangers since their backgrounds are known and there is a level of trust already established. However, it is often difficult to make sure the friendship does not blur the employer-employee relationship to the detriment of the business. By setting out written vacation and sick-leave policies as well as performance expectations, conflicts and stress can usually be drastically reduced, if not eliminated.

8. Addressing conflicts that arise with partners and investors
Going into businesses or accepting investments from friends, families and business acquaintances presents the same risks and potential conflicts as does hiring friends. Again, the key to reducing and hopefully avoiding such conflicts is to be proactive. Business owners should talk about and plan for the “what if,” and then put that plan in writing from the outset.

9. Learning how to negotiate appropriate terms and conditions for commercial leases.
This common pitfall is similar to the one concerning vendor and client contracts. Too often women in business do not consider their legal rights or investigate the current marketplace before signing commercial property leases. Business owners need to have all the information before they can weigh the pros and cons of signing a lease. Each lease should be read thoroughly and any term or condition that is unfavorable should be questioned. The worst thing a landlord can say to a proposed change is “no,” but at least then, the owner will have all the information necessary to make an educated choice on whether to sign the lease.

10. Determining how to appropriately and effectively handle collection matters.
Unfortunately, all businesses have to deal with outstanding accounts receivable. Learning her business’s legal rights and how to implement effective account origination and collection policies and practices is the best way for a woman in business to ensure success. With proper planning, outstanding accounts are a manageable nuisance, not an overwhelming problem that disrupts the success of her business.

Click here to get in touch with Renea.

Click here to read part 1.

Maria Ross, the brand builder and marketing diva behind Red Slice LLC, recently gave us some hot tips on how to spend a fab day in San Francisco.

Guide to Chestnut Street via chestnutshop.com
Chestnut Street is composed of an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, coffee houses and services. While sophisticated in nature, the street has a distinctive neighborhood feel. The street is usually bustling with people meeting for coffee, shopping for trendy clothes, running errands or meeting for lunch or dinner. If you live in the neighborhood you would find that you probably wouldn’t have to ever go off the street to do your shopping or find every service that you might require in your daily business.

1. Start your day off right with a quick trip to Heaven Day Spa (2209 Chestnut St.). Indulge with the “Little Piece Of Heaven Package” which includes a 30-min facial, 30-min massage, and 30-min salt glow treatment.

2. Hit up Dragon Well (2142 Chestnut St. at Pierce) for a light and flavorful lunch made with fresh, quality raw materials. The restaurant offers a stylish decor and comfy, no-hassles ambiance. Walk through the red (for good luck) front door and you’re in a clean, light-filled space that’s easy on both the eyes and the nerves.

3. Burn off those lingering lunch calories shopping! Check out:
• Two Skirts (2124 Chestnut St.) features sexy shoes and a wide mix of trendy clothing for day, night, travel and special occasions.
• Rabat (2080 Chestnut St.) stocks smokin’ footwear and quality clothing lines like Nanette Lepore and Betsey Johnson.
• Y&I (2101 Chestnut St.) is known for its hip, casual, fun & flirty assortment of denim, dresses, tops, tees and jewelry.
• Smash Shoes (2030 Chestnut St.) will give your Visa a workout with irresistible, quality wares from Sigerson Morrison, Sergio Rossi, Taxto, Alexander McQueen for Puma, and much, much more.

4. Stop in Kara’s Cupcakes (3249 Scott St.) for a sweet, mini, before dinner treat! The moist carrot cupcake with a silky soft cream cheese frosting is delicious… and contains veggies (sort of).

5. Wind down with a low key dinner. Pizza fans and wine aficionados alike visit A16 (2355 Chestnut St.) with similar intentions: to enjoy the flavors of Italy’s soulful south.

Love the Marina area? Tell us your fav shops and eats.

Women business owners still confront a handful of obstacles regularly faced by most minority business owners. The most cited barriers include negative perceptions about their ability to run a business, differential treatment by customers and suppliers, and lack of access to capital.

Check out Renea‘s list of the most common legal issues women business owners face. While this list is not an adequate substitute for proper legal advice, it should provide women business owners with an initial “checklist” that can be later reviewed with a trusted legal advisor.

1. Determining what kind of corporate entity to create, and creating it on time.
Many women in business are not sure whether they should create an “S” Corporation, a Limited Liability Partnership, a Limited Liability Corporation, or operate as a sole proprietor doing business as (“d/b/a”) a particular business name. They also often fail to create the proper entity early on. Once the appropriate business entity is initiated, it is critical that all the necessary paperwork be completed (e.g., licenses, articles of incorporation, bylaws and/or managing agreements), formally recorded and updated each year.

2. Distinguishing personal assets from business liabilities and protecting both.
Many women start their businesses using their savings, retirement funds or credit cards. It is also common for women to grant personal guarantees or other security in order to obtain financing for their business. This practice exposes women to unnecessary liabilities and prevents them from building a business credit history for the future.

3. Choosing the employment structure for the business model.
Deciding whether to hire independent contractors or employees can be difficult. Whether or not to make the owner an employee of the business is another tough decision. Often, the wrong employment structure is chosen and, as a result, the most appropriate employment policies and practices are not put in place early enough.

4. Deciding to use noncompete, nonsolicitation, and/or nondisclosure agreements and when to enforce such agreements.
Many women are hesitant to use noncompete, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure terms and conditions with their employees and vendors. Some women incorrectly believe that such agreements cannot be enforced even if they are in place. These agreements can be drafted in a manner that is fair to both the business and the other parties.

5. Recognising and managing intellectual property.
Recognizing and managing intellectual property is often overlooked by women in business. Before deciding on a trademark, a business owner must make sure it can be protected and does not infringe on another trademark. Once that is determined, it must be registered and protected in agreements with employees and business associates. Intellectual property should be reviewed at least annually, since businesses usually generate additional intellectual property as they grow.

Click here to get in touch with Renea.

Check back Friday for part 2.