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Bring Back the Balance: Top Takeaways from our Amsterdam CRAVE Chat

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

We are all constantly seeking balance—in our daily life, work, family, and also with friends.  In January, CRAVE explored this theme with other entrepreneurs.  For many of us who attended, we concluded that “finding balance” is really an awareness in ourselves and allowing ourselves to recharge.  Some of us recharge through fitness or yoga, others watch TV or volunteer their time. Whatever you do, enjoy those moments.

Here are a few key points from our speakers.

Speakers: Athalie Stegeman (eBusinessBooster)
, Daniella Rubinovitz (Atelier Molenpad), and Kyrin Hall (Health Consultant)

Athalie Stegeman: “You having no clear proposition can be translated into many opportunities

  • As a working mother, wife and entrepreneur, it is important to keep track of your thinking patterns and how you position yourself in all your roles.
  • Be aware of your priorities and do not overload yourself.
  • Encourage a sense of who you are in all that you do and make sure that what you do coincides with your principle goals as an entrepreneur.
  • Always touch base and reconnect to re-energize: Take a day off if needed, organize that filing you have been procrastinating on and don’t forget to spoil yourself sometimes.
  • To be an entrepreneur, it is important to be innovative and think of ways to improve your reputation by outsourcing services that you have no knowledge of instead of doing it yourself. It takes time and you lose revenue in the process.
  • Trust people enough that they will do the job well for you.
  • Do not reject your interest in many things; it is always good to play around with your different passions.

Daniella Rubinovitz: “Balance is Dynamic,”Action breeds more balance,”  ”Online Media has no borders,” “I work best visually”

  • Combine creational play with rational must-do’s and keep it in the flow.
  • The shape of the infinity symbol represents the flow of balance and the dynamism. It is the combination of the left and the right brain that makes it possible to think (if you are a thinker) and to be creative (if you like to let your creative juices to flow).
  • Just play to regain your balance at times.
  • Visualize your actions.
  • Set yourself free by discovering new ways to make space for new things, e.g. Utilizing folders to categorize your priorities – From most important tasks for the week to future plans. In this way, you are able to keep track of your actions.

Kyrin Hall: “Visualize your body as a Ferrari and Food as the fuel,” “When wearing many hats, key value is good health”

  • Begin to see your body as a balance of hormones and when you feed your body certain food, it gives you the energy of the food you have eaten.
  • For some, yoga allows you to keep the flow in your body and keep your mind focused.
  • Once your mind is focused, the body follows.
  • Longevity and a balanced mind are related to eating breakfast, having 5 meals a day (each meal with 3 hour intervals), keeping away from stimulants such as coffee, cigarettes, minimizing sugar and keeping active.
  • Imbalance occurs when your actions are not in alignment with your values.

How do you handle balance?  Feel free to share your thoughts and tips.

Whatever your Balance is, make sure its true to you!

Pin Your Cravings: Pinterest Contest!

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

We can admit it, we love Pinterest. In fact, here at CRAVE it is our latest obsession. Pinterest is an online pinboard. Organize and share things you love. Comment. Repin. Like. Find inspiration and community!

We love Pinterest so much that we’re having a “What Do You CRAVE” Pinterest contest! Pin your cravings to win 1 free CRAVEguide for the city of your choosing*!

Here are the steps:

  1. Join Pinterest (If you need an invite, simply email info@thecravecompany.com to request one, and we’ll invite you)
  2. Follow @cravecompany on Pinterest
  3. Pin images of things you CRAVE (exotic destinations, desserts, DIY spa treatments, anything!)
  4. In the description, include “@cravecompany” and “#whatdoyoucrave”
  5. The more you pin, the more chances you have to win
  6. We’ll choose 3 random winners on February 15th

Happy pinning!

* Choose from the selection of CRAVEguides listed in the CRAVE Store

24 Female Entrepreneurs Funded Through FITE!

Friday, August 5th, 2011

CRAVE Toronto, just like The CRAVE Company, is very excited and proud to be a supporter of FITE.  To jump-start our CRAVE lending team and to spread the word about this amazing initiative, CRAVE Toronto partnered with Dermalogica Canada to host a CRAVE Buzz Party.

A number of fabulous ladies joined CRAVE at the Dermalogica Training Center for an awesome skin-care seminar put on by the Dermalogica experts, where we got to test all their beauty goodies.  The ladies also had a chance to nosh on some treats and wine, while learning more about FITE and CRAVE’s latest book, CRAVE Spa.

It was an incredible night that helped us raise enough money to provide full micro-loans to 24 female entrepreneurs in developing countries!  The businesses we provided loans to were as diverse as our own CRAVE entreprenesses, including a cafe, a taxi driver, a beauty salon, and a cattle breeding farm, to name a few.

Thanks to everyone who came out to lend their support to FITE, and especially to Dermalogica who sent us all home with glowing skin!

To learn more about FITE, check out the video below!

Tweet to Win: CRAVE Giveaway!

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

We love trying new recipes, new cooking techniques, and new ideas. We do NOT love heading into the kitchen prepared to create a gourmet meal only to find that we are seriously lacking the tools and supplies. Prevent this horrible letdown by participating in a fabulous contest created exclusively for CRAVE followers. In honor of the re-issue of Nina Simonds award winning cookbook, Spoonful of Ginger, she has created fabulous Chinese Cooking Starter Kits. Win one of ten kits that include Spoonful of Ginger and all of the tools necessary to prepare her famous healthy and delicious dishes. All you have to do to enter is follow your CRAVE city of choice and Nina at @SpicesofLife then tweet us a message using the hashtag #SpoonfulContest. Win the contest and your kitchen will be fully stocked so that you can head in on a whim and whip up any of Nina’s healthy and delicious recipes. Still unsure about your skills in the kitchen? Check out this  video of Nina demonstrating just how to use every tool in the kit.

Each winner (there will be 10!) will receive the following prize pack:

· A 14-inch rolled steel, heavy-gauge wok with wooden handles

· A dome lid that fits perfectly in the wok, transforming it into a steamer or braising pan

· A Chinese shovel that is designed to conform to the sides of the wok, making tossing food in the pan a breeze

· A traditional Chinese handled strainer with a mesh wire basket which is used to scoop food out of a pan or hot oil or water and is excellent for holding food to drain

· A steamer rack that fits perfectly in the bottom of a wok or any pan to hold a heatproof plate or bowl that contains the food to be steamed.

· A set of handsome wooden chopsticks

· An autographed copy of the newly reissued, best-selling cookbook Spoonful of Ginger, which won both the James Beard and IACP cookbook award for health
To enter follow CRAVE and @SpicesofLife on Twitter, then tweet us a message using #SpoonfulContest to win! Check out spicesoflife.com to learn more.

Introducing June’s Theme: Get Your Geek On

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

As business women, technology often acts as our second-in-command. It simplifies, speeds up, and socializes our lives in ways that women a generation ago wouldn’t have dreamed possible. We now crave the latest and greatest tools to increase productivity, facilitate scheduling, promote our products, and so much more! This month we are unleashing CRAVE’s inner geek on the world and exploring all the amazing ways that technology can boost our businesses and make our lives that much easier. From mobile apps to social media to online advertising – we’re sharing our secrets and inviting you to listen, learn, and share as well! What are the top tech questions you would like answers to? Share with us! Here are a few that are on our minds:

  • What is your favorite time-saving technology tool?
  • How often do you check your Facebook and/or twitter accounts?
  • Do you use social media for personal or business purposes – or both?
  • Where do you usually go to find out about the latest technology?
  • What technology do you wish you knew how to use? Which do you wish you could wean yourself off of?
  • Pick a side: Mac or PC? Blackberry or iPhone or DROID?

Behind the Scenes: A CRAVE Photoshoot

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Meet Danielle Bobish, 1/3 of our hard working NYC CRAVE team. Like many New Yorkers, this is a busy woman who does it all. Besides being a mother, wife, CRAVE leader, (and amazing singer!!), this gal also owns her own event planning company called Curtain Up Events. Danielle took the time to snap some behind the scene shots and give us a little peek into her own close up for the soon to be released 1st edition of CRAVE NYC! Below in her own words…

…For the past year I have been one of the NYC city leaders for the CRAVE guide. We are almost ready to go to print on the 1st edition of the CRAVE Guide NYC! It’s a very exciting time and we can’t wait to see the finished product. This guide is filled with amazing and inspiring female entrepreneurs ranging from the celebrity to the girl next door. It finally came time for me to schedule my own CRAVE photo shoot and so I thought it would be fun to share some behind the scenes action with you.

The NYC guide has been fortunate to have access to the talents of some of this city’s premier photographers. I had the pleasure of being photographed by Jen Huang whose work is highly coveted in the wedding community. And no photo shoot would be complete without a fabulous makeup artist. Anni Bruno is a true artist. I attended an event the evening of the shoot and not only did the makeup hold up flawlessly, but I’m still getting compliments on how beautiful I looked!

The CRAVE guide shows highlights of each entrepreneur’s work in a 2-page spread laid out in a super pretty book. These books are THE guide to every city’s most incredible female owned businesses. For this shoot, I was solely focused on getting a great portrait (which will also be displayed on my website).

There’s nothing like girl power to make for a fun filled day! We had a blast putting this together and we hope you enjoy the finished product.

xoxo,
Danielle
Founder/Creative Director of Curtain Up Events, Inc.
Curtain Up Events blog

Why You Should Build a Business You “Know”

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

There is a famous adage that new writers should “Write what they know.” The thinking being that your writing will be believable, authentic and that, when you have passion for a subject you know really well, it is much easier for the words to flow.

Same thing with business, in my opinion.

While I’d never discourage someone from starting a business they’ve longed dreamed about, it’s best to build upon what you know – or ensure you get the proper training and education to make it succeed.  Taking calculated risks is one thing: taking risks you don’t have to take is just another way to make things harder on yourself and ensure failure. Many people fantasize about opening a restaurant or bar, but if the only prerequisite you bring to the table is that you like to eat or drink, perhaps you need to do a bit more prep work. Once you get into the brass tacks of running your business, you’ll be hit with enough risks and challenges, so why add to that?

I started Red Slice, my branding and marketing consultancy, after years of experience on both the client and agency sides. I’ve worked for ad and consulting agencies in the past and am familiar with how projects need to be managed, as well as how to gracefully juggle unreasonable client demands with good decisions. I have also been a client myself as a corporate Marketing Director and understand the world from their point of view: tight budgets, multiple approvers, being overwhelmed by a thousand demands. So it was a natural, easy fit for me to flow into my own consulting business and use what I’d learned. I had enough risk on my plate going from a regular salary to entrepreneurship and learning how to run a business: bookkeeping, taxes, legal requirements. Thank Heavens I didn’t also have to learn how to do what I do at the same time! Will I start a completely different business one day? Maybe. But now at least I’ve started down the path of entrepreneurship doing what I know best.

In branding, I teach clients to minimize risk and keep things simple by starting with their strengths. What are you good at and what can you authentically deliver? You may think you want to build a chic, progressive, high-end business because that is “hot” right now, but what if what you’re best at is casual and down-to-earth? There are markets and needs for those types of businesses, too. Brands grounded in truth are much stronger than brands that try to pretend they are something they are not.

Minimize unnecessary risk and play to your strengths. It’s not taking the easy way out: it’s just smart entrepreneurship!

This post was written for The CRAVE Company by Maria Ross. Maria is the founder and chief strategist of Red Slice, a branding and marketing consultancy based in Seattle. She has advised start-ups, solopreneurs, non-profits and even large enterprises such as Microsoft, Discovery Networks and Monster.com on how to craft their brand story to engage, inform and delight customers. Maria is the author of Branding Basics for Small Business: How to Create an Irresistible Brand on Any Budget (2010, Norlights Press).

2011 is Your Year for Business Freedom

Monday, December 27th, 2010

We would like to introduce you to Natalie Sisson, The Suitcase Entrepreneur. Natalie is a fellow entrepreness who CRAVE founder Melody Biringer met on the road earlier this year. Natalie is launching an exclusive membership program made solely for women business owners starting January 1, 2011 and we wanted to give you the inside scoop.

Melody was so inspired by this trail blazer that she is signing up for her cool new program, “Passport to Business Freedom” and wanted to give you a chance to do the same.

Introducing the Passport to Business Freedom!

Eight amazing women entrepreneurs who know how to create business freedom will be your guides. Natalie Sisson has interviewed each of these women in depth and created actionable business accelerating modules – complete with multi-media content, workbook takeaways, and a VIP members lounge where you can interact with your fellow attendees!

Passport Package Options:

There are three awesome passport options – First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class – beginning at $77. The following is a sampling of the cool features you’ll find inside!

* 8 week program with focused modules designed to create your million dollar mindset
* 8 information-packed, hour-long video interviews with the entrepreneurial wonder- women that reveal their priceless expertise
* 8 fully-edited transcripts of each interview to make reviewing and note-taking a breeze
* 8 fast-action and practical business workbooks for each module hand-crafted by the experts specifically for you

Join this Program Now!

Learn more details and sign up today by clicking here.

Find Natalie on twitter: @womanzworld and Facebook: facebook.com/womanzworld

Give Your Head a Hug

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

We are women, we want to feel beautiful. There are several aspects of our looks that we may try to primp, paint and polish. What we are really doing, is attempting to take control of the image we present to the world.

It is a sad truth that we all know someone who has been affected by cancer.  When women begin to experience thinning or loss of hair due to cancer and other diseases, this can be an extremely emotional loss. This represents a loss of control of the image we present to those around us. As women, so much of our identity, the way we see ourselves, is tied to our hair.  To get through this tough period, women need options. This is how the idea for Good Wishes came about- a woman who had just undergone chemotherapy and had lost all her hair contacted the hair accessories company France Luxe asking what choices were available to her. The owner, Laurie Erickson, decided to make a special silk scarf that could be worn on her head. From there, Good Wishes was born.

When I met with the Good Wishes team, I was lucky enough to hear first hand the moving experience of two best friends as one suffered from breast cancer. Fighting disease will always be hard, but to watch the people you love suffer is a particular type of pain that can feel so helpless.  The first woman, wanting so desperately to reach out to her friend battling the disease, decided to leave a gift basket on her door with many small gifts to show her support. The friend with cancer was obviously grateful for every gift received, but said that it was the Good Wishes Scarf that stood out to her. It was a sign that it was okay to still want to feel beautiful. That at a time when perhaps hair should be the last thing on your mind, you must still face the world everyday. Now she could face the world every day in style.

The goal of the Good Wishes program is to provide support and comfort to women and children already fighting a tough battle with disease. The It’s a Wrap and Good Wishes Scarfs are free of charge, all you have to do is contact the company and they will send you a  customized “hug for your head.” These vibrant accessories can help give some who has lost their hair the courage to feel beautiful in every situation.  Each “hug” is truly a labor of love, with every staff member personally signing an individualized card to send to the recipient. When I met with the amazing women behind this concept, including Laurie herself, I was deeply touched by the compassion of everyone involved. The concept for Good Wishes is still new, but they are working tirelessly to spread the word of their organization in order to send free gifts to deserving recipients. The non-profit, still a branch of the hair accessories company France Luxe, now donates 20% of proceeds from select items to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation.

My aunt was diagnosed with ovarian cancer this past August. She is currently kicking chemotheraphy’s butt, and has her own Good Wishes Scarf on the way. She says she is looking forward to having something nice to wear for the holiday season.

To contact Laurie Erickson for more information or to order a scarf contact:
goodwishes[at]franceluxe[dot]com
To read more infomation about Good Wishes, click.
Find France Luxe on Facebook
Find France Luxe on twitter

3 Sites You Must Visit Before Hitting the Beauty Counter

Monday, August 30th, 2010


Cosmetic companies have a brilliant knack for pushing all the right vanity buttons to make us CRAVE their products. Beautiful textures, packaging, fragrances, colors and alluring promises keep us buying new products in hopes of finding “the miracle” line-eraser, face lifter, or glow enhancer. 99.9% of these claims are exaggerated at best. While we might know that on a deeper level, it’s hard to resist when they pull out the “before and after” photos and pretty glass jars with cursive font.

Don’t give in, ladies! You work hard for the money, so take a moment before you buy that $100 cream and put in some due diligence. That way you won’t end up wasting money on empty promises from a tube or jar. There are several helpful reference websites where you can research specific products before you enter the gauntlet of the cosmetic department to help you make better, informed purchases.

MakeUpAlley - makeupalley.com

This is one of the most comprehensive makeup and cosmetic review sites on the web. You can view ratings and reviews from women of all skin types and tones for just about any product currently on the market. You can search reviews by general category (e.g. blushes, sunscreens), by brand, or by specific product name. I’ve found this to be the most helpful reference for determining how a product stands up to its claims because the information is based on literally thousands of women’s personal experiences with products.

Beautypedia - beautypedia.com

Here you’ll find priceless information about the root of nearly every skin issue and how to effectively treat it. The site also has an ingredients dictionary, so you can find out, for example, what the ubiquitous dimethicone really is and what it does. Perhaps the most helpful resource on the site is the encyclopedia itself where you’ll find reviews of hair, makeup and skin products from every major beauty line from the perspective of their chemical composition versus the product claims. While the encyclopedia is subscription based, the $4.95 cost could help save you from wasting much more money on poor products.

Skin Deep - cosmeticsdatabase.com

For those among us who want to know how the chemicals in products affect our bodies, and which of those chemicals to avoid for their potential adverse health effects, this site is for you. Not only does the site grade products on the level of impact they may have on our skin and bodies, it also shares which companies carry “green” policies and which do or not test on animals. The consumer information found therein can help us to buy products from beauty companies that support healthier and greener options.

Hopefully these resources provide some insight, but we can’t be good all the time. If you do find yourself in a beauty aisle on a whim and are seduced into buying a beautiful looking cream that turns out to disappoint you, don’t be shy about contacting the maker and asking for a refund. Your buying power speaks volumes, so help make companies accountable for the products and claims they make.

*This post was written for the CRAVE company by Melanie Tremblay, founder of Vancouver-based Mink Makeup and Hair.

Visit Melanie’s website here: minkmakeupart.com