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Women of Twin Cities Craved Connecting at Buzz Party for 2nd Edition

August 9, 2011 by Kathy | Comments (1)

On a beautiful summer evening, over 70 well-heeled women attended a party at Max’s jewelry store to celebrate local women entrepreneurs. CRAVE Partner and curator of the 1st and 2nd editions of the CRAVE Minneapolis/St. Paul guide Kathy Hanson of Backpocket Strategy hosted the event with Ellen Hertz, owner of Max’s.

Wall-to-wall women and laughter filled this gem of a shop voted “Coolest Small Jewelry store in America!” Women entrepreneurs of all levels of experience mingled, drank wine and sampled award winning chocolates sold only at Max’s. Many came to support women business owners, however most came to hear Kathy talk about why educating local consumers about the power of shopping and eating local is her passion and how the CRAVE guide does just that.

Jewelry designers, beauty experts, restauranteurs, shop owners and artists were all part of this dynamic crowd of smart savvy women who crave being part of a bigger network of women who support one another. Many new friendships were made, several future events were planned, exciting partnerships were formed inside this fabulous gem of a shop at this fantastic event celebrating women who are passionate about what they create.

Click here to contact us to nominate a business to be in the guide!

1 project + 2 businesswomen = BBFF

May 3, 2011 by Kathy | Comments (0)

Backpocket & Waxpaper

Have you ever been sitting in your office and wonder if anyone else could POSSIBLY run into the same problem you are having at this very moment as a business owner? Does it drive you crazy trying to figure out how to charge for your hard earned knowledge when someone asks for “simple advice?” Are you frustrated with trying to have a happy work/life balance, but don’t have any girlfriends who work for themselves who you can commiserate with?

It’s a risk to put yourself out there emotionally with other businesswomen because it makes you vulnerable and open to judgement. It is not easy to let your guard down and admit fear and frustration come with the territory of running your own business. We don’t need just Best Friends, we need Best Business Friends who “get” exactly what we are going through on a daily basis, 24/7, as sole proprietors of our own business. Best friends are our lifeline and give us unconditional love and support that we cannot live without. However, most often they cannot give us advice on how to navigate the world of entrepreneurs. Women who run their own business face different issues that women who work for corporations. For that, we are grateful if we can find a kindred spirit willing to open up with her struggles and solutions so we don’t feel alone when dealing with our own.

Here is the story of two women who were open to being genuine and honest about sharing the trials and tribulations of running their own business and got a Best Business Friend Forever out of that risk. We thought it would be helpful, inspiring and maybe even a bit hopeful if we had Jenn Sprinkle and Kathy Hanson share why it is so meaningful to discover how much you can lean on and count on another businesswoman if you open yourself up to the possibility.

Jenn and Kathy came from two different worlds this past winter—big blue sky warm Texas and the freezing cold tundra of Minnesota. Jenn, founder of Waxpaper Design House has southern charm coupled with an easy drawl that belies her savvy business acumen and years of hard earned experience as a world business traveler and designer, not to mention her cowboy work ethic. Kathy, founder of Backpocket Strategy is energetic and infectious with her passion to invigorate businesswomen to see all the possibilities in their work and personal life—she sometimes scares people with her enthusiasm for taking on a challenge (dare I say bossypants?). These two women may seem vastly different on the outside—a 15 year age difference, one with teens, one not yet a mother, one with an office in a modern, clean house, one in a 110 year old work-in-progress farmhouse… Yet they became fast friends and colleagues, confidantes and soul-sisters within a month of meeting. Kathy and Jenn instinctively understood each other and felt a common bond in how they saw the world and worked as entrepreneurs. They felt lucky to have found each other and that they are both open to the value a long distance business relationship can bring to a sole proprietors/ business owner who each work 24/7 on her own business. Those of us who don’t have a business coach or a mentor surely realize what an unexpected blessing it is to find a like-minded soul in this busy world.

Jenn and Kathy met on the CRAVE Dallas guide project (Kathy was Team Director, Jenn was Dallas City Leader) and they had no idea that what seemed like a one time collaboration would turn into a synergistic partnership that would grow both of their businesses in ways they never could have foreseen. More importantly, this experience allowed them to develop a bond as businesswomen that neither of them had experienced before.

In a world with unlimited communication possibilities and yet infrequent personal interaction, Jenn and Kathy realized that they shared a similar yet rare work ethic, working style and personal commitment to professional excellence. Before long, they were coming up with strategies on how to work together despite the miles apart.

“When I first met Jenn I thought that she was a darling Southern belle. Within 15 minutes of working with her in the field in Dallas, I knew she had a work ethic and wisdom that was beyond her years. By lunchtime I secretly felt that she and I had more in common than either of us was letting on.”

“After working with Kathy on my CRAVE guide for only a few weeks, I began to realize that she was a great source of comfort and wisdom for the everyday frustrations that I feel as an entrepreneur running a business. It became routine for me to pick up the phone to talk with Kathy about something that I had previously not considered talking with anyone about. Kathy is authentic and caring, while also very professional. I began to count on our phone calls as a source of inspiration and positive feedback without even realizing it. I gained confidence in myself and my business model because Kathy was there to reassure me I wasn’t crazy with the expectations I had set for myself and my business.”

“Our similar work styles started to become evident throughout our project. How we treated others, our interns, the production staff, clients… it all became rather obvious that while we assumed many people operated as we did, it was considered very rare in the work place. Soon it became more and more enjoyable and less like “work” to get the project done. At some point in the first three months, I started asking Jenn questions about her work outside of CRAVE so I could get a sense of how we might work together after her book was done.”

Jenn admits, “I had a large scale project in the back of my mind that I always wanted to undertake but did not have the wherewithal or bandwidth to commit to. After working with Kathy and gleaning from her, her life philosophy and worldview—I knew I could trust her with helping me undertake this big idea of mine. Immediately, Kathy took the ball and ran with it and helped me psychologically, legally and strategically figure out the steps necessary to begin the process.”

Both agree, “What we didn’t realize is how much comfort it brings to finally find someone who validates your secret concerns. While it may seem quite scary or time consuming to open up emotionally to another businesswoman—the rewards vastly outweigh the risk if you both are willing to be genuine and authentic about how hard it is to be successful as a businesswomen, wife, mother, sister, friend, partner. ”

Jenn and Kathy are prime examples of the many benefits that comes from the most unexpected places (Texas and Minnesota!) when you open yourself up to admitting you need support and help as a business woman. Always keep an eye out for professional soulmates in the most unexpected places—you just never know where you will find a BBFF!

Sisterhood of the Becky Sturm Spatiquers!

October 10, 2010 by Kathy | Comments (2)

Becky Sturm has long been a trusted figure in the world of beauty in the Twin Cities. For those of you who are relatively new to Stormsister Spatique (stormsister.biz) and all of Becky’s wisdom, you should know she has been in the beauty industry for over 23 years and a sole proprietess of her charming boutique in St. Paul for the past 4 years (prior to that, Stormsister Spatique was online only).

As businesses come and go based on gimmicks and false advertising, Becky has stayed true to her passion for the truth in what it takes to look beautiful. She will never give you a quick answer to your beauty question because she truly cares about what she is going to recommend. Never one to jump into a trend, she will tell you she has believed in all natural, organic skincare products for her entire career and thoroughly researches anything “new” to the market before selling it at Stormsister Spatique.

Far from being old school or boring, Becky is consistently voted the top of her field every year. Spring 2010 gave Becky 2 top honors from some of the toughest critics in the Twin Cities. She was given the outstanding accolade of Beauty Crusader in Minnesota Monthly’s Best of the Cities annual edition. Stormsister Spatique was also voted one of the best shops in all of the Twin Cities by Minneapolis St. Paul magazine. Stormsister Spatique was one of only 5 shops written up in the entire exclusive Shops edition which is sent annually to subscribers only as their secret weapon for shopping local.

Beauty editors all over the country turn to Becky for her trustworthy expertise in products as well as skin care techniques and protocol. Writing about the credibility in product ingredients has been a passion and a calling for Becky as she demands the truth about ingredients and differentiating “natural” from “organic”. Becky prefers to carry as many local, sustainable brands whenever possible that fit her stringent criteria but likes the higher standards that Europe imposes on cosmetics and carries some products from France for that reason.

Stormsister Spatique started as an online shopping experience in 2005 and will now return to online exclusively as Becky focuses on taking her own product to market! Sadly, Becky is closing her brick and mortar store on Smith Avenue October 31st. But not to worry! we will always be able to get what we need 24/7 from her website.

After years of knowing what works best for our hair, our skin and our beauty routine, Becky has developed a product that many of us won’t be able to live without! She has conducted months of blind studies, sending samples to salons to give to their customers to test and provide her with honest objective feedback. No family members and friends telling her it’s wonderful- she wanted proof she knows what she is doing and she got it! Not only did the results speak volumes about the quality and value of the product, she received an inordinately high number of responses back, which is rare in the beauty industry. After trying it out once, most testers used the product until it was gone!

Because of her track record of integrity with reporters and editors, Becky has an extensive list of influential women from New York to LA lined up to promote her new product the minute she gets financial backing and starts up production. Genuinely excited to get her product in hand, these experts know a beauty product from Becky Sturm of St. Paul Minnesota will be something they will love.

What they don’t know yet is that her product is eco friendly from start to finish. All natural sustainable ingredients, package and promotional materials all designed by a local artist, manufactured here in Minneapolis. The packaging is even produced at a hydroelectric run family owned business. With a longstanding reputation as a noble supporter of all things St. Paul and everything Minnesota, Becky is living the dream of creating an beautiful product we can all proudly say we use in good health and good conscious.

Here is to Becky and her new adventure!

5 Myths About Stillwater We Simply Must Crack!

May 5, 2010 by Kathy | Comments (5)

Come on over to Stillwater and visit some of the most fashion-forward, innovative and savvy businesses in all of the Twin Cities. There are so many fabulous women owned businesses in downtown Stillwater you can make a full day or weekend out of your visit. It’s a perfect getaway for Mother’s Day, Memorial Day weekend, or just a sunny spring Saturday!

I am here to debunk any and all myths about Stillwater AND give you the hottest tips on where to go when you visit! (I will write more about the shops in my next Stillwater blog—this is to just get you there!)

1. “It’s all antiques”
From one end of Main Street to the other, Stillwater boasts shops filled with the latest fashion (Collaborations 129 1/2 Main St S, and Stella), fitness/yoga (Studio Cates), a trend-setting salon (Monde), gourmet restaurants (Savories), sophisticated home decor (Alfresco, Interior Motive, and Maison Galleria), an adorable yarn shop (Darn Knit Anyway) a charming kids store (Red Rover Kids), not to mention the perfect stop for coffee and a scone (Supreme Bean Expresso Cafe – 402 Main St N). And that’s just Main Street!

2. “There’s no parking”
Rubbish! I have been to Stillwater three times just since December, and every time I find plenty of on-street parking! If you are planning a visit, call any of the local shop owners and they will happily suggest the closest FREE parking lot!

3. “Traffic problems”
I zoomed right into Stillwater without incident nor traffic every time. But here is an inside scoop: Follow signs on Hwy 36 and Take Cty Rd. 15/Manning to Cty Rd 12/Myrtle and zip on down—lickety split!

4. “It’s full of tourists!”
Are you a tourist if you live in Excelsior and shop on Grand? No! It’s metro shoppers who know Stillwater is THE place to shop for fabulous finds! My good friend and fashion maven (and her husband!) drive into Stillwater from Minneapolis once every 6 weeks just to get their hair cut! They make an event of it by grabbing a bite to eat and doing a bit of shopping too. Would they do that for the past 8 years if it wasn’t a fun way to spend an evening?

5. “It’s expensive!”
NO WAY! I bought a fantastic designer dress at Collaborations that was under $50! Fashion forward design, fabulous fit, wool/cashmere, no tailoring necessary. Simply perfect. Looks like I bought it in the Oval Room but I supported a local designer AND shop owner! Many of these shop owners travel around the country to buy lines that big box stores do not carry. As you shop the marvelous stores in Stillwater, remember that your purchases send money back into the community. 76 cents for every dollar spent goes back into the community when you shop local versus 46 cents when you shop big department stores and ZERO when you shop online!

Don’t forget to meander around Stillwater and find more great shops tucked away: Camrose Hill Flowers is a must stop, simply to check out their incredibly charming space—it feels like you’re in a 100-year-old English mansion! Bring home fresh flowers grown on a local farm, too.

Down the road a bit is THE BEST stop for all your summer picnic goodies. Heather at Bread Art makes everything herself from artisan breads to cookies, pies to pastries. They look and taste so yummy that you’ll want to throw a backyard party! Scratch baking never tasted so good!

If that is not enough incentive, right next door is La Cocinita Restaurante where Angelina boasts award winning salsa and scrumptious homemade Mexican dishes that must be accompanied by her delicious margaritas! We came for lunch and were tempted to just stay through dinner because the hospitality and the food was so warm and welcoming.

So come visit Stillwater in the next few weeks. You will be so happy you did! We promise!

Who IS that woman wearing the great dress?

April 30, 2010 by Kathy | Comments (0)

Coco Chanel said “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”

Those are words that CRAVE women live by and Lisa Rubin is the woman who you can have in your corner as your secret weapon for amazing style and sophistication- no matter how big or small your budget (or your bottom, for that matter!) . “Lisa is part fashion guru, part coach, part therapist” says a long time client. She counts on Lisa to insure she puts her best foot forward in all of her professional meetings as a CFO of a medical device company. “I had the nightmare of going to a warm climate for business after I gained 20 unwanted pounds- I was sure I could not look attractive and confident. Lisa assured me she would find everything I needed to wear from sunup to sundown that would allow me to focus on matters more important than my body image. She absolutely delivered and I felt wonderful the entire trip -PLUS, I can wear all the clothes at home as well!”

This Spring, have you looked into your closet and cringed, looking for the “right” thing to wear? Do you ever buy pieces that you think will look great only to find that you rarely, if ever, feel good when you put them on? Lisa is the most affordable piece of your wardrobe budget- she is so cost effective you will actually spend LESS when she advises you on what truly works for your lifestyle, budget and body style.

Caught yourself saying “Why does she always look so put together and I don’t?”. In this economy and with our lives and budgets stretched to the max, Lisa provides the most efficient way to get the most out of every piece of clothing in your closet. Busy professionals, new moms, women entering into the workforce again as well as women who have gained/lost significant weight ALL HIRE LISA for her ability to tailor her solutions for each individual.

Lisa Rubin brings 25 years of experience and impeccable taste to each of her clients so they can confidently go about their day in the boardroom, courtroom, client meeting, school or special event. If you want to be confident that your wardrobe projects the image you intend, Lisa is the woman to work with. For over 20 years, women have counted on Lisa to save them hundreds of dollars, not to mention HOURS as well as anquish, working with them quickly and expertly in determining the best pieces for them.

As you stare into your closet this spring, wondering what to wear to important Spring and Summer events- call Lisa. I guarantee you will be thrilled you did. Don’t you want to be the woman that everyone says “Who IS that woman in the great dress”?

“Fashion passes, style remains”, Coco Chanel.

Lisa Rubin, Wardrobe Consultant
612-747-6695
lisa@wardrobeconsulting.net
2435 Emerald Trail Minnetonka, MN 55305

Kelli Kaufer is a Jane of All Trades!

March 29, 2010 by Kathy | Comments (0)

In demand for her fabulous and friendly designs and party planning skills Kelli Kaufer is featured on HGTV every month showing viewers how to spiff up their lives with great design. You can see her work her magic on Curb Appeal, Decorating Cents, Sweat Equity and BATHtastic with her easy going attitude and fun approach to projects. Go to kkauferdesign.com to see all that Kelli does- a warning! you might just need a Red Bull to keep up!

A Stillwater native, Kelli is an inventor, creator, designer, party organizer and master craftswoman. Whether she is throwing a Tapas Party or remodeling a master bathroom, Kelli’s energy and eye for great design are part of her charm, along with the fact that she usually does everything herself! Kelli shows viewers how she transforms rooms all over the house with affordable solutions that look like you spent a fortune. While Kelli has energy to spare, she knows we don’t have anything to spare in our budget and that’s why Kelli’s shows must be on your MUST SEE TV list for Spring! Thank goodness for TIVO because Kelli is on all the time! Check out 2 shows right now by clicking on the “tvs” below.

Speaking of do it yourself, Kelli invented a patented system for creating her own unique lampshades when she couldn’t find the designs she wanted and Tacky Shades was born. Go to yourstyleshades.com to buy blank lampshades of all sizes and shapes that you can easily and quickly adhere whatever fabric or material you want that matches your decor! It’s amazing, simple and Kelli invented it right here in our backyard!

Smart and sassy, with a beautiful flare describes Kelli as well as her designs. Always willing to work hard while delivering more than expected and under a tight budget, Kelli is the gal you must call when you have a party you want to throw or a home improvement project you want to begin. Even if you don’t know where to start- call Kelli! Her positive attitude and budget minded experience will certainly deliver. People in the know use Kelli because she has the experience it takes and will positively work wonders for you and your home!

Check out Kelli’s blog too- http://kellikaufer.posterous.com/

Check out these two videos of Kelli in action:

Get Ready for St. Patrick’s Day at Anchor Fish & Chips!

March 17, 2010 by Kathy | Comments (0)

You burst onto a happening scene immediately upon opening the door into Anchor Fish & Chips. Bustling sounds of a neighborhood bar that is packed just months after opening are coupled with the sights of diners devouring simple yet scrumptious meals. We came to celebrate two birthdays and get out on a rainy cold night in March to a place we were told was worth a short wait.

Owner Kathryn Hayes greets you behind the bar of this newly opened space in NE Minneapolis with a soft and subtle endearing Irish accent and a cold pour. Her partners Jenny Crouser and Luke Kyle wanted to keep the food authentic, the menu short and the service spectacular every single night and this night was no exception. We had to wait in the small foyer for about 20 minutes but there was tons to keep our eyes busy starting with the ornate tin ceiling to the local artwork on the walls. Babies, singles, families and grandparents were all mingling as we waited to be seated.

As their charming website will tell you Vegans and Vegetarians Beware!! This place has Pasties & chips, Shepherd’s Pie & chips, Sausage & chips, Burger & Chips and of course Fish & Chips and slight variations on the burger- that’s it. The menu may be short, but everything is done with perfection and with consistency.

Grain Belt beer on tap for $3 and a basket of the biggest piece of cod you have ever seen sitting on a bed of gigantic fries for $8 is what we came for and we were more than happy with our experience. My teenage son and I each had the grassfed Minnesota beef hamburger with Irish cheddar for 8.50, my husband had the hand battered Banger and my daughter had the infamous fish and chips. Without exception, our meals were as spectacular as the service. Everyone fits snugly yet comfortably into the space, close enough to your smell your neighbors coffee yet far enough not to hear their secrets- that’s what makes it wonderful. Diners were eating full meals at the low and wide wooden bar that runs the length of the space. Plenty of elbow room here and lots of friends gathered there instead of waiting for a table.

Kathryn tells us that the sausage is made specially for her at a local butcher after my husband asked her how the meat was processed because it was not a blood sausage, as he expected- better! The fry cook is from Belfast, she tells us, which must be why the batter has a slight sweetness and texture like no other I have tasted.

Our server was cheerful and remembered who liked ice and who didn’t with every refill- a definite plus! Friendly, sustainable, consistent and conscientious. That’s what the Anchor is all about. We will be back!

theanchorfishandchips.com
302 13th Avenue NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 676-1300

Girl Power in Linden Hills!

February 26, 2010 by Kathy | Comments (0)

Kristen, owner of Clancy’s Butcher Shop in Linden Hills greets everyone who walks through her door by name. If she doesn’t know you by name, she asks in her perky voice- “what’s your name and what can I get for you today?” I watched her make 7 sandwiches from 5 different groups of people waiting and she never batted an eye with any of the special orders for her -so perfect it’s on the front cover of a magazine- turkey sandwich. My husband ordered the ham and I ordered the infamous turkey sandwich and we watched in awe as Kristen sliced the meat, the cheese and put about 14 other ingredients onto our works of art lunches. Warning us that they were too big to eat in one sitting, we defied her wisdom because the bread was so perfectly chewy and the flavors so deliciously melded together and finished our huge sandwiches off in one sitting. Clancy is her dog and Kristen is the owner, not to be confused by their lovable spirits. You feel like Norm from Cheers when you walk into Clancy’s and are greeted by name.

Shop several of the woman owned stores scattered about Linden Hills- Wonderment is a fabulous children’s toy store owned by 3 women who also have a Wonderment store on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Wild Rumpus, owned by Collette, is the infamous bookstore not to be missed with all the menagerie of real live animals strutting and snoozing around the shop. Oscar & Belle is around the corner with everything for baby/toddler made using only hand-harvested, 100-percent certified-organic cotton, grown with natural fertilizers and free from toxic chemicals- started by Anna Gustafson in 2007.

Walk across the street to Leah Simon-Clark’s Extrados Salon & Spa to experience any beauty treatment you can think of to pamper yourself. Nationally renown for her skill with brows, she has developed a following for her attention to detail in every service a woman could need to look and feel great from head to toe. She has 3 locations and the Linden Hills flagship salon now with a masseuse to add to the bevy of beauty treatments offered.

A must stop on a Friday night is Cafe 28, tucked into the charming brick building on 43rd Street. A true hidden secret I will now share with you is their Friday night Fish Fry. When I asked the charming host for the menu describing the fish fry that came so highly recommended he said, “it’s only available audibly”. Everyone but me must know all about it if they don’t even have to print it up! It’s 3-4 large pieces of Canadian walleye (you can’t sell Minnesota caught walleye- who knew?) deep fried in a Pabst Blue Ribbon batter, with coleslaw, a heaping pile of fries and tarter sauce, all for $14. The menu does sneak you a hint that the best beer to accompany the fish fry is the $3 Pabst despite the fact that Linda’s husband Todd brews the Surly beers on tap! The attentive pigtailed waitress and the accommodating host made us feel like we were old friends in this packed restaurant on a Friday night at 6pm. We wanted to scoot home to watch the Olympics and did not have a reservation and he happily walked us to a table, never feeling rushed. There were babies and grandparents, new couples and old married ones sitting along side each other and guys drinking 3 kinds of Surly beers before a night out on the town. This cafe is truly a neighborhood gem and will be on my regular fav lists from now on.

Help Blackbird Cafe @ Salty Tart, Cafe 28 and more

February 26, 2010 by Kathy | Comments (1)

Michelle Gayer, owner of the Salty Tart in Midtown Global Market and Linda and Todd Haug of Cafe 28 in Linden Hills are showing their support for those restaurants devastated in the Lynnhurst fire last week. Blackbird Cafe and Heidi’s Cafe were destroyed in a fire and the owners of many Minneapolis restaurants are showing an unbelievable show of solidarity Sunday, March 14th, where proceeds go to the owners of both restaurants to show community support. http://bit.ly/9AmfEm

The ripple effect of what is lost due to the fire is runs wide and deep. The loss of income is equally as devastating for the wait staff, vendors, suppliers and employees who are all dependent on their wages and tips to make a living. They will also be without work for months as these businesses get up and running again. We want to show our continued support for these independent business owners so they can muster the courage and fortitude to start up again after such a loss. Our neighborhood is better off because of these unique and wonderful entrepreneurs and we want all the owners to know we will be there for them when they return as well as during the reconstruction.

Please visit one of these amazing restaurants to show your support for Blackbird Cafe and Heidi’s Cafe.

Pertinent Details:
Where: Salty Tart in Midtown Global Market on Lake Street
When: Sunday, Feb.28 9am-6pm
Twitter: @TheSaltyTart
saltytart.com

* a selection on Salty Tart’s goodies.

Also destroyed in the fire was the flagship Patina store on W. 50th at Bryant as well as Shoppe Local and Stacy Johnson Jewelry Designs. They too need our promise to support them as they come back from this terrible accident.

Buzz Party Fun!

February 12, 2010 by Kathy | Comments (2)

From Stillwater to Excelsior and Seward to Linden Hills, women from every neighborhood in the Twin Cities came through the snow to enjoy one another’s company and connect with fabulous women who own their own businesses at Lululemon’s Minneapolis Showroom in South Minneapolis. Rockin’ bakers Sheela and Emily from Cake Eater Bakery offered scrumptious goodies such as strawberry balsamic cupcakes, darling mini cupcakes filled with lemon custard and raspberry brownies. Kathleen of Just Truffles fame was keeping the crowd in stitches and good health with her award winning truffles made from pure chocolate–no sugar added to make it a truly healthy treat!

Music was pumping while wine and Hibiscus Iced Tea was pouring as the energy of the crowd kept women confident in the strength of their sisters of Minneapolis/St. Paul to weather the recession as well as the blizzard! How true it is that we are all strong women with even bigger hearts when it comes to showing our support for other women.

CRAVE gals were there to flip through the CRAVE city guides from Portland, Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago and to hear about all the women who will be featured in the Minneapolis/St. Paul guide. Everyone was making sure Kathy Hanson, the curator of all things CRAVE in the Twin Cities, knew about their favorite women and their incomparable shops. It was an amazing show of Girl Power to see Stacie Clark, co-hostess with Kathy, be introduced to so many women who wanted to meet her in person after hearing about her athletic training business through CRAVE.

Darling Krista of Sweets Bakeshop had the most sophisticated display of Valentine’s Day sweets packages to order, along with samples of her fabulous French macaroons and mini cupcakes–my favorite was the cornmeal with whipped honey frosting. Those macaroon simply melt in your mouth!

Sairey Gaines of irely was hosting a chatterbox of fun with all the women who stopped by to see why her panties are patented! Jenni of LunaLux displayed a fun selection of her witty cards. Little packages of cookies and lotion from Petunia’s were available for sampling.

Thanks to bubbly Becky of Stormsisters Spatique, every women could leave with fizzly bath bombs and body goodies for themselves or a girlfriend, daughter, sister or mother. Becky’s table had women gathered around to see why they must shop her store tucked away on the hill in St. Paul!

It was an evening filled with laughter, joy and vibrant support for women who have followed their hearts to open businesses that speak to their passion of fashion, fitness, food, photography or their desire to simply make the world a more beautiful place.