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Interview with Entrepreness Jessica Neuman Beck of CouldBe Studios

July 30, 2010 by Megan J. | Comments (0)

Interview by Megan Jarosak, CRAVE Portland

Jessica Neuman Beck knows what it’s like to run your own small business. Her and husband Matthew Beck are a designer + developer duo who believe that good design should be within everyone’s reach. They started CouldBe Studios in 2006, which focuses on web design for very small businesses. They make the most out of services that are cost effective to keep their customers happy, because they understand! Jessica shares her experiences as an entrepreness as well as working with other small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Tell me a little about yourself and how you came to start CouldBe Studios.
Well I have a background in art and design, I have an art degree from the Art Institute Online. And when I was home with my kid right after he was born, —-I was starting to go crazy because I couldn’t use my brain! So, finally my husband and I started talking about it and we had always wanted to start a business, and I had always wanted to do design stuff and this was really a perfect time. So we started out really slow, like while he was just napping, and after a while it just grew! It turned out that I love it and it’s completely what I want to be doing.

So does CouldBe Studios mainly design websites?
In the beginning we had all these grand ideas and it ended up that web design was our main thing, and we really only work exclusively with small businesses. Things that people do out of their homes, small online shops, pretty much anyone who couldn’t normally afford big huge design studios, and that actually been really great because we’ve been able to provide this full service of designing logos, packaging [etc.] but when they get the website it’s kind of this whole things.

Sounds like you have a little niche market!
Yes, exactly. We just kind of stumbled upon it, and you know on a personal level it kind of makes me sad when people have bad or ugly websites. Especially with small businesses, people are going judge you in a second and if they go to your website and it’s bad then their just going to leave and a lot of really small businesses just don’t have a fighting chance and that’s where we come in.

What is it like owning a business with your husband? How is it working together?
What we found is that when he had his day job and I was more of the face of CouldBe Studios, it became pretty clear that when I had a project for him, I would give him the thing and he would do the thing. But when he quit his job and worked full-time, we weren’t really butting heads but we weren’t really picking stuff up the way we should be. I didn’t necessarily want to delegate to him and he didn’t want to step on my toes. So we decided to internally to split the business to where he does the development and I do the design.

Any unexpected challenges when it comes to working with your husband?
Well, we’re both really independent, we don’t need a lot of management, but I think we expected things were going to fall into place a lot easier and we wouldn’t have to set roles. But having to set roles and having a clear idea of who was doing what within the company was really necessary as it turned out, even though it’s just the two of us.

Do you have different styles?
Definitely. I do really minimal stuff and he just has a much more bold style than I do. He comes from a development background, so I’ll notice stuff more. Like sometimes I’ll notice that I want a graphic here or I want a cuter button, but he just looks at it like “it’s a button, just press it!”

What are your future plans for the business?
Sort of just going with the flow, business has been slowing down a little due to the economy. We were really busy and it’s just recently started to slow down. I’m trying to focus more on learning all that I can about the new stuff that’s going on development wise so we can incorporate that into our new websites. I think that focusing more on mobile sites, and making sure people can see the websites on their mobile phones is really important. Especially with the whole iPhone craze.

You are definitely more of an art person before you became a computer person.
Oh totally! I was almost a little opposed to stuff done on the computers for a while! And I’ve completely turned around.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Other websites, other designers. I follow hundreds of RSS feeds and every time someone does something really cool design wise I’m very inspired. That and I love looking at vintage posters and labels. I have a lot of those on my computer as well.

As a small business owner, what have you learned since opening? About yourself or about the business world in general?
I’ve learned that I’m a complete workaholic! I think my biggest challenge is figuring out how to balance my off time when I’m working. Because apparently left to my own devices, I’ll just work constantly! I’ve been making myself set hours and when emails aren’t super important to wait and answer them during my work hours.

Any advice for future business owners?
I think being willing to sort of just jump in is really necessary. It can be really scary to change the direction you’re going or finally doing that thing that you’re always thinking about. A lot of our clients are really small businesses so just committing yourself to it is really the trick. Just deciding that this is what you want to do and figuring out how to go forward, it can seem like taking little baby steps is the way to go but that didn’t really work for us. Until we said “OK this is what we we’re doing” but we [didn't have the direction we do now]. How do you want to identify yourself with your small business is really important. Jumping in is the way to do it.

Any other tips for entrepreneurs or business owners?
Setting boundaries for sure, having a clear delineation between personal life and business is so important, which I’m still not very good at! And also just remembering that you can say No to things that clients are asking for. If I can’t do something or it is just beyond the scope of the project, or out of the client budget my first reaction is to say “ well you need it so I’ll just do it” but I have to learn to say “No I can’t do that” or “ I’m going to have to charge you extra for that.” That’s very important.

On the very little off-time that you do get, how or what do you do to de-stress?
Reading, writing, I have a few unpublished novels that I work on…

Do you have any indulgences? What do you CRAVE?
SHOES! Shoes and Bags! There are so many fabulous designers in Portland! Queen Bee Studios owns my heart, I could just live there!

Splish-Splashin’ Water Activities

July 28, 2010 by Kelly | Comments (0)

Cool treats and summer sundresses are great this time of year, but nothing really says summer like making a splash. So, we have scoped out the state and have put together some of the best water and outdoor activities that we are just CRAVING to dive into.

If you’re looking for a classic swimming spot, check out the Sellwood Pool at 7951 SE 7th Ave. This historic site has been in use since 1910 and was the first structure of its kind in the city. This oval shaped swimming spot is open to the general public and has amenities to suit a broad spectrum of summer-time swimmers.

Wanting more of an adventure? Take the day off, gather a group of friends and head to Bagby Hot Springs, located in the Mt. Hood National Forest. It’s one of the most popular and well-maintained springs in the state. But just make sure you come prepared to walk- it’s a one and a half mile hike into the springs. Once you are there, however, you will be rewarded with bathtub-like water that is over 100 degrees at its source. For more information and directions to this steamy site visit, www.bagbyhotsprings.org.

Another great swimming spot, especially for those with children, is the North Clackamas Aquatic Park. Located just outside the city, this giant indoor facility has everything from wave pools to water slides to high dives. Not only will it keep you entertained, but it will also give you a break from heat the too! Head on over to 7300 SE Harmony Road 
Milwaukie, OR 97222 to ride the waves!

Escape the familiar and routine! Experience the relaxing and rejuvenating aspects of whitewater rafting with Oregon Whitewater Adventures. Oregon offers some of the most charming and exciting rivers with incredible scenery and unspoiled beauty. Oregon Whitewater Rafting Adventures chooses some of the most challenging rivers throughout Oregon for its safe, guided trips. View schedule and pricing online!

Not ready to ride the waves just yet? No problem, just take to the streets! Whether you have family visiting from out of town or just want to explore the heart of the city in a new way, try a Portland Bike Tour. The tour is easy, fun, safe and will provide you with a whole wealth of knowledge about the history of the city and what makes Portland unique. For more information, check out their website, www.pedalbiketours.com.

Birthday Musings

July 28, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

Happy Birthdays!

Summer brings fun in the sun, tan lines and a ton of birthdays. I’m pretty sure it’s due to the cold fall weather nine months earlier. It gets chilly, folks curl up and the next summer you’re hiring clowns and ordering birthday cakes.

I just celebrated a “mid-forty” (yeah let’s go with that) milestone and it got me thinking about birthdays. I’ve decided to embrace my age. I’m one year closer to owning my stuff and embracing the wisdom that comes with knowing who you are and who you’re not -like coming to terms with the fact that the last time I was a size 6 was when I was 6 and I’ll never see that number on a clothes tag again. I was inspired when I read this passage recently, ”take kindly the counsel of your years” then realized it was from an online dating site guy who was looking to date women 22-26 years old.

You know that cool Martina McBride song that says, “every laugh line on your face made you who you are today” Well, I have no idea what was so frickin’ funny over the years but I must have had a great time somewhere along the way cause I have the roadmap on my face to prove it!

When you celebrate your 10th birthday you love that Mexican place where you get to wear that huge sombrero, there is all that clapping just for you, and then they light the ice cream on fire. When you turn 36 at that same Mexican place you just want the singing to cease so strangers will stop staring.

My oldest son turned 18 recently. A huge milestone, right? I mean come on, the kid had made it to adulthood, that in itself warranted a fireworks display in both our honors. He was about as excited for his special day as he was his 1st birthday…giving me a blank stare as if to say ”what’s all the hype about woman”? He wore a crazy hat in his 1st birthday picture, now he’s sporting a cap & gown…he still dresses funny in birthday pictures. I was looking forward to MY present. After all, the kid was still breathing even after I had lost him, poisoned him, and made him wear shoes that were 2 sizes too small for a year. What do I win to celebrate that “we” made it 18 yrs?!

When I was 40 I threw myself a big bash with live band and all….I couldn’t believe I had made it that far…and on the way home from the party I bought a huge jar of anti-wrinkle cream.

Let’s hear it for office birthday parties- there’s all that healthy stuff in the break room but on birthday day you bee-line to the conference room and you’re like “happy special day, Dave whatever your last name is from accounting”, thanks for being born, now let’s eat some chocolate cake.

Birthdays are milestones in your life. They are cause for reflection and anticipation. I personally will pour myself a stiff drink, cheers myself and kindly celebrate “the counsel of my years”!

The Girl’s Guide to Beer

July 26, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)

On a sweltering summer day at the ballpark or a friend’s BBQ, nothing is more refreshing than an ice-cold brew. This summer ditch that prissy pink cocktail and back away from the Budweiser. With a little beer savvy you can discover some great brews that will satisfy your taste buds and impress even the guys.

There are 4 main ingredients in beer: grain, yeast, water and hops, but the creativity when it comes to brewing is endless. There are beers with fruit, smoked beers, beer made with chocolate and even beer brewed with bacon. Navigating your way through the numerous types and styles of beer can be daunting, but here are some helpful hints about the most popular styles that can help you choose a winner for your next potluck or outdoor summer event. Who said beer had to be just for the boys? Go ahead, embrace that summer night CRAVING.

India Pale Ale (IPA): This beer has a light pale to golden color. Its crisp bitter flavor is attributed to the high hops and alcohol content which helped preserve the beer during the long journey across the ocean when British brewers began to export to India.
Try: Lagunitas IPA, Lagunitas Brewing Co, Petaluma, CA, 5.7% Alcohol by Volume (ABV)
Drink with: Spicy foods like a Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry

Hefeweizen: Perfect for summer, this German style wheat beer is distinguished by fruity notes, cloudy appearance and high carbonation. This beer is usually served with a slice of lemon and its bright flavor is often accented by citrus, banana, clove or nutmeg flavors.
Try: Widmer Hefeweizen, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Portland, OR, 4.7% ABV
Drink with: Classic German food such as chicken sausage topped with brown mustard or a salad tossed with candied pecans and feta.

Stout: Familiar to many because of the popularity of Guinness, Stouts have a heavy body and are very dark in color. This beer has a high alcohol content and is often characterized by caramel, coffee, chocolate or even oatmeal flavors.
Try: Chocolate Stout, Rouge Brewery, Portland OR, 6.3% ABV
Eat with: This beer could be a meal in itself, but pairs nicely with desserts like tiramisu.

Pilsner: This all American beer represents nearly 90% of the major beer brands sold in the U.S. Pilsner is golden in color and tends to have a light, clean, drinkable flavor sometimes compared to toast or fresh bread.
Try: Prima Pils, Victory Brewing Company, Downington, PA, 5.3% ABV
Eat with: All American foods like hearty chili or a grilled burger and fries

Brews to CRAVE this summer
Sierra Nevada Summerfest
New Belgium Skinny Dip
Anderson Valley Brewing Co., Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema

This is by no means a complete list of all the styles out there so experiment, go to a brew festival this summer, and discover which styles and breweries make you CRAVE more. For a fun new adventure, why not grab your beer drinking gal pals and do a brewery tour? Try this for a fun weekend or birthday activity. For more information on beer and the female movers and shakers in the beer industry, check out the Pink Boots Society at pinkbootssociety.org.

*written by Alyssa Goldberg for the CRAVE company. Alyssa is a lover of all things to do with food and travel- check out her blog, WorldSavour by clicking here.

Interview with Entrepreness Jennifer Thomas of Jet Designs & Boutique

July 23, 2010 by Stephanie M. | Comments (0)

Jennifer Thomas, owner of Jet on Mississippi Avenue, is an inspiring designer, mother and entrepreness. I recently had the privilege of speaking with Jennifer in her store and before long the conversation flowed as if we were long-time friends. I got the impression that this is how she interacts with all of the people who enter her store. Jennifer embodies the spirit of the Northwest from her warm smile, laid-back attitude, and sustainability-minded business focus. In our interview, Jennifer describes circumstances that may sound familiar to many other entreprenesses – tough beginnings, perseverance, and running a business with passion and purpose.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
I’m was born in Gresham and raised in Hood River, Oregon. I grew up on 60 acres bordering US Forest Service Land that is now a winery called Phelps Creek Vineyards. We had quite the country life; complete with deer outside and lots of good stuff growing in the garden. It was a very beautiful place to grow up. I graduated from high school and moved back and forth between Portland, New York and Hood River, and gathered a lot of all-around life experience up and down the East and West Coast.

What prompted you to become a designer and open Jet?
I had my daughter Emily in 2001 and I got married shortly after that. For my wedding I wanted a dress that I couldn’t afford, so I bought a different one and cut it up! It totally freaked my mom out and I had no idea what I was doing. I went, “Well, that sucked. I did a horrible job,” but it really got me going with apparel design.

I had been doing interior design before and I got to a point where I had to make a decision about which direction I wanted to go in. Emily was getting a little bit older and I wanted something to do outside of the house scenario. So I went post baccalaureate to [the Art Institute]. I had a really great conversation with a woman at AI about the difference between apparel and interior design. She told me “the only difference is you are dealing with personal space or the space around you.” This was a great seed that she planted in my head. So I decided to try apparel design and from day one I realized how much I loved it.

I continued at AI for a year part-time but decided that I didn’t really need a degree to do design – its not like I’m becoming a doctor! I found some mentors – Dragon Lily and Jasmine Patten from Derbish, and Kerry Roberts. These fantastic women really transformed my life on so many levels and I began to sell one-off skirts and that sort of thing, I was just really trying to figure out what the heck I was doing with my life and how it was going to work and wondering “Could I really even do this?” I had this thing in my mind where I hated the whole starving artist idea. I hated buying into it because I think that art really does save peoples lives and it really can create jobs for people. I knew I really wanted to move in that direction, but I didn’t know how to make it happen for a long time. Years go by and I’m still piddling around with skirts and so-forth and finally I’m like “Alright, I’m going to create a line.” I am in Hood River and I have a studio and I have all this fabric and I start just playing and I came up with 10 pieces that I sewed – not very well mind you [laughing]. I walked out with those ten pieces and took them to a bunch of different stores and I ended up with 11 accounts right out of the door.

Then right when everything was going to deliver we had the horrible snowstorm of a couple years ago and the economy and everything else just fell out of the bottom. I began to think maybe I couldn’t do design anymore. It was that classic thing like “Okay, its time to give it all up.” But instead I came back in a huge way! I took on a business partner whose name is Kristin Casperson; she’s basically the brains behind the operation! She has a degree in merchandising and a lot of schooling in business so she was able to apply all of that so I could actually do my design work. So we knew we were partnering up but we were still deciding if we wanted to do a website, or wholesale or a store. At that time I knew I had to get out of Hood River. I had grown up there and couldn’t stand another minute and wanted to get back to Portland. Luckily Kristin was understanding, which was cool.

So the next step we took was about sustainable fabrics and about being a sustainable business and deciding that sustainability was a really big deal to us. So we decided that opening a store would be the best scenario for educating the public – not that Portlanders need a lot of education about that, compared to other parts of the world – but we’re still doing a lot of education about how that works. So because of these values, everything we do is produced locally, creating jobs for local families – and I know these families, they are awesome! My producer is a huge part of what we do; she makes our patterns at this point. My artistic practice has improved. I can spend a lot more time with the development and just give her the information and she can produce it for me.

Where did your inspiration for the sustainable focus come from?
It is a passion-based scenario. Growing up in Oregon we have that inclination naturally. For me, it has a lot to do with the physical feeling of the fibers. I’ve always detested polyester! I’ve been more drawn to silks and cotton, both natural fibers. I like things that are comfortable to move in. It is a lot about the actual feeling of being in the clothing.

It sounds like the passion for sustainability comes from deep within your heart, but do you feel like it has also affected the bottom-line of your business positively?
Absolutely, sustainability is a huge movement that is growing and will continue to grow and the more people that do it the better. Right now there is a lot of information out there and sustainability is kind of a “red-flag” word, in a good way. But there is still a lot of education to do about what sustainability actually means. For instance I did a lot of work with the USDA and through that learned that when the USDA took over the certification for sustainable vegetables there was this huge gray area where they allowed antibiotics and other things.

At Jet we use a bamboo blend in a lot of our fabrics. A lot of places claim to use bamboo but it is actually made from a blend of rayon and other synthetics. So when you walk into a Target and everything is produced in China, you know that they are using different so-called “bamboo” than we are.

By no means am I saying that every fiber is perfect; our carbon footprint is affected by the fact that it comes from San Francisco and has to be preshrunk. It’s not perfect, but that’s where it comes down to educating every person who comes in the door. And then the other side of sustainability that I am passionate about is the local production. When you put those things together you get a pretty awesome product!

What else sets your products apart from those found elsewhere?
The Jet label is all womenswear consisting of skirts, dresses, pants tops, and more. The process I use to create these items is largely what sets the pieces apart from others. I design everything on myself – I am a size 8, a medium, pretty much the average woman. I feel like that affects the pieces in a huge way because I’m not sitting there with a form guessing how it will actually look. A lot of the pieces we have don’t have a lot of hanger appeal, but they are clothes that you put on and go “oh my god, I feel great!” I focus on necklines, how feminine it is, and how wearable. My life is extremely active like most. I am constantly biking to yoga, picking up my daughter from school, going to a dance lesson, coming back to work…I have to look good through all the parts of the day and I have to be able to move at the same time. I like to be 100% confident in what I am wearing and be comfortable too. And I love layers; we are all about layers!

It sounds like your garments are perfect for busy people on the go who want to be comfortable and look great. Anything else you would add to that?
We have pieces for people aged 20 to 60! The extra small is something that my daughter Emily can wear and my mother who is 60 looks fabulous in other pieces.

What are some of the challenges that you face owning your own business? How do you overcome these?
Too many irons in the fire and too much to do! We have taken on a marketing person and have an assistant coming in the fall as well as employees working in the store. We knew these jobs were here but now they are becoming big enough to actually put people in them. The biggest challenge with everything though is communicating. I’m not only a designer trying to communicate what is in my heart and artistic soul, but also that “Hey, you can wear this” and “Hey, this is how you sell it.” It is about figuring out how you say something to someone and be nice but still get things done.

How do you overcome these challenges and communication hurdles?
I take a look at my leadership skills. Accountability is a massive scenario that is missing in so much of corporate and government world. If I’m asking my employee to do something, I better make sure that I can do it too and that I know exactly what it means and that I am there to back them up. It’s really about just being cool! Its like can I look at you in the face and smile? It is about continuing to have positive relationships and that comes across in everything we do.

How is the progress coming with your website and other marketing initiatives?
We should have our website up in the next month to two. It will be jetdress.net and people will be able to buy online. This is great because I have found if you buy a medium in a Jet skirt, you can pick any other skirt and be a medium in Jet. That’s one of the great things about local production too – we are right here right on top of it the whole time.

At Jet, we market donating to auctions and charities that benefit schools and other organizations. I believe if you can get the products in front of people who care and are interested in being sustainable that is very powerful.

Is the Jet Label carried anywhere else?
We wanted to keep it contained while we get all of our hiccups worked out but it is part of our plan to grow. Right now Jet is carried at Parts and Labor in Hood River, Oregon. It’s also carried at Radish Underground in downtown Portland.

Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Yes, we will be having an anniversary party in the beginning of October with a fashion show, fire dancers, a DJ, and other fun stuff! Would love to see everyone there to celebrate.

Jet

3753 N Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR 97227
503-282-3753

Sizzling Summer Make-Up Trends

July 21, 2010 by Kelly | Comments (0)

Are you looking for a way to stay current and up-to-date with the latest fashions without breaking the bank? Look no further friends, we have found the trick to keeping up a chic aesthetic sans supplementing your closet with the latest shoes, sweaters, skirts and everything else. So what’s our secret? Make-up of course! Whether you’re feeling sassy or want to look classy, we have hunted down the most crave-worthy summer make-up trends that will keep your look sizzling long after the sun goes down.

The Silver Eye

For all you fans of the smoky eye, put a twist on the sultry go-to look by substituting your browns for a touch of silver. The silver eye make-up trend has been spotted on countless runways and fashionistas this season and you can get this look yourself. If you’re going for a more bold evening style line the entire crease of your eye with a metallic silver shade. Feeling a little more subdued? That works too. Simply dab a touch of silver on your inner eye for just a little added spark. Head over to Fez Studio on NW 10th & Everett to pick up this silver hue.

Old Hollywood Glam

Nothing is more timeless than this old Hollywood throw back. So channel your inner movie star, pair a nude face with bright red lips and get ready to say hello to a glam new you and a look that can take you from the workplace to happy hour without a complete face-overhaul. Pick up a lip smacking (organic!) shade at Camellia Pure Beauty on 4759 NE Fremont.

Bold Brights

Remember that entire eye palette you bought to complete your crazy Halloween look? Well don’t count it out yet. That funky costume make up can be put to new uses this summer season. Bold and bright colors are all the rage this season, especially paired with your newly sun kissed skin. So whether you dab a bubble gum pink shade on your lips or swipe a lavender hue on your nails you will surely be looking bright and cheery all day long! In the event that you did in fact throw away that Halloween eye palette, you can find other fun and trendy options at Blush Beauty Bar on 513 NW 23rd Ave.

Bloggers To Watch Out For: Career Coaches

July 19, 2010 by Lilla | Comments (0)

Over the past few months, the number of people quitting their jobs was greater than the number of people losing their jobs. Savvy quitters build a support network before they take the plunge, and brilliant quitters enlist professional help. Enter: the Certified Career Coach. One part therapist. One part cheerleader. Two parts butt-kicking taskmaster.

Need a solid coach in your corner of the ring? Michelle Ward, Dyana Valentine and Chrissy Scivicque are at the top of their game.

Michelle Ward of When I Grow Up
whenigrowupcoach.com
I’ll admit it — I’m a tad biased in Michelle’s favor. She coached me out of my cubicle doldrums and into freelance bliss, so I owe her my firstborn child. A graduate of NYU / Tisch’s musical theater program and a certified life coach, Michelle brings theatrical flair and a “wagon full of enthusiasm” to every session. She recently raised her rates and is poised to explode, so book a free 30-minute consultation call while you still can.

For a weekly dose of self-exploration, bookmark Michelle’s ongoing blog feature: Tough Question Tuesday.

Dyana Valentine
dyanavalentine.com
Generous. Ambitious. A master of personal marketing. Dyana leads by example, and her clients feel the heat. By her own admission, Ms. Valentine’s coaching style is “not for the weak of heart.” She prides herself on helping self-starters finish what they started, using Community Psychology principles to light the way. As one client put it, “if I had to be shipwrecked on a desert island, I’d want Dyana with me.”

For a no-holds-barred explanation of the power of “no,” check out Dyana’s article on “No-gotiation.”

Chrissy Scivicque of Eat Your Career
eatyourcareer.com
Chrissy serves up a powerhouse combo platter — she’s a certified nutritionist AND an experienced career coach. Yum. As the creator of Office Arrow — a popular resource for administrative professionals — Chrissy has a firsthand grasp on the challenges of running an online business. She’s a clear communicator with a nourishing perspective on life, love and work — and all the snacks in between.

For a trio of tasty coaching treats, download Chrissy Scivicque’s free workbooks on stress management, time management and career reinvention.

ALEXANDRA FRANZEN is a writer + editor + organization freak. She designs rockstar resumes, leads personal branding jam sessions, writes marketing copy and teaches wallflowers how to hustle like a gangsta’. You can find her blogging up a storm at Unicorns for Socialism and tweeting away @alex_franzen.

Summer Entertainment for the Family

July 14, 2010 by Cecilia D. | Comments (0)

Summertime in Portland brings the most enjoyable weather for outdoor activities and entertainment. We’ve compiled a short list of upcoming summer events guaranteed to bring a good time for everyone in the family. From movies in the park to music festivals, join your fellow Portlanders to celebrate history, art and culture!

PORTLAND BRIDGE FESTIVAL
Join PDX Bridge Festival as it kicks-off two weeks of art, music, culture, and fun celebrating the bridges that connect us all in Portland. From July 23rd to August 8th, experience Portland bridges in a whole new way. The opening event of the Bridge Festival will showcase the 2-D, 3-D and performance art works of over 50 Portlanders. From Lift 100 “Hit The Lights” on the Hawthorne Bridge as the opening celebration to Brunch on the Bridge as the finale event, come celebrate history and art in the open-air!

2010 PDX POP NOW!
PDX Pop Now! festivals which have provided the public with the opportunity to see up to 50 of Portland’s finest bands in one safe venue, have drawn audiences in the thousands! This is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating, promoting, and enhancing Portland’s vital and diverse music community. Join them from July 30th to August 1st at Roturre (320 SE 2nd) for a free, all ages music festival!

MOVIES IN THE PARK
Why go to a dark and stuffy mall movie theater when you can relax on fresh green with friends and family for a picnic and free movie in the park? Hosted at parks in various communities throughout Portland such as Irving Park, Laurelhurst Park and Mt. Scott, pre-movie entertainment begins at 6:30PM and showtime begins when the sun sets and the evening gets dark. Don’t forget to bring your blankets!

TUESDAYS BY TWILIGHT CONCERTS presented by LAN SU CHINESE GARDEN
The Northwest’s loveliest and most intimate outdoor summer music series is back for its ninth season until Auguest 3rd. Always diverse and dynamic, highlights of this season include the classical/pop fusion Portland Cello Project, infectious jump blues from the chart-topping Insomniacs and bohemian cabaret from Vagabond Opera. This after-hours concert series brings a selection of music for every taste and delivers it to relaxed audiences sitting around the lake and among the flowers. Get your tickets as they’re going fast!

McMENAMINS PUBS & BREWERIES
McMenamins Pubs & Breweries are a great place for family and friends. Shown both indoors and outdoors (starting end of July), have a refreshing beer and some popcorn while enjoying both old-school and recent releases on the big screen. Don’t forget Two Dollar Tuesdays and specials for the whole family as well as concerts at McMenamins Edgefield on the Lawn!

Photos via Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland Bridge Festival and PDX Pop Now!

Classy and Fabulous: Meet piastyle

July 12, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)

Besides being a high level personal stylist, Pia Jacobsen can now add author to her list of accomplishments. Pia’s style is classic and chic, and she helps her clients create a coordinated wardrobe that reflects their personal tastes with a refined touch. Her new book “pia…me” is Pia’s answer to some of the “questionable choices” made by women she has seen, and is aimed at helping women to develop their own personal style. At CRAVE we respect any woman who isn’t afraid to call it like shes sees it. Read our interview with Pia for an inside fashion scoop. Click here to find Pia’s book!

What are your wardrobe staples?
I’m pretty classic, personally. I have a uniform that is primarily black in the winter, white in the summer. It’s calming to me.

What do you think is the worst fashion trend right now?
I don’t know if it is so much a trend as a mistake. Bra straps, particularly the industrial strength ones are not meant to be seen. Check the rear view, choose the right kind of bra, or have lingerie straps sewn into your clothes. This trend is like a recurring nightmare.

Trends are best when they become ….
Not trendy. When a trend lasts more than a season or two, and becomes part of the fashion vernacular, it means it works, or at least appeals to a lot of women. I don’t believe in investing a lot of money in a trendy item. However, when it has proven itself after a season or two, and it works for you, buy the best quality you can afford.

What is an easy piece of style advice you wish more women would follow?
After you are completely dressed and accessorized, look in the mirror and take one thing off. A little goes a long way.

What was the hardest part about writing your book?
Letting it go.

What do you want your readers to get out of reading “pia….me”?
I want my readers to understand that while it is important to care about how you look, and to put your best foot forward, it is just a means to becoming all you can be. It is infinitely more important to learn to like yourself, to live with confidence, to establish boundaries, to live your dreams and to become self sufficient. As I say in my lectures, “walk the goddess walk”.

As a fashion stylist, how do you separate your personal taste when you are dressing a client?
That is relatively easy, actually. I know my personal taste, and am very confident about it, so I am not swayed easily by trends or other influences. But because I love fashion, I can appreciate a wide variety of looks even though they may not work for me personally. I pay close attention to what my client loves in her existing wardrobe, and what her needs are in terms of travel, events, and lifestyle. Fashion, like art, should conjure up an emotional response. Her clothing should make her feel fabulous, and serve to enhance her experiences. That’s my job.

If you weren’t working in the fashion world you would be_______?
A floral designer. Hopefully, a very avant-garde floral designer living in Paris, or possibly a landscape designer on Capri.

What do you CRAVE?
Nothing material at this point in my life. I CRAVE love, friendship, honesty, Fran’s sea salt caramels, and my body at age 19.

Keep tabs on Pia’s latest fashion updates online:
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

*This publication was sent to the CRAVE company for review.

Interview with Entrepreness Nicole Whitesell of Shop Adorn

July 9, 2010 by Cecilia D. | Comments (3)

I recently sat down with Nicole Whitesell, the owner of Shop Adorn boutique who I first met “online” when she was promoting her online shopping business, www.shopadornonline.com. Hosting product giveaways and offering free shipping isn’t a thing of the past for Nicole with her new storefront on NE 47th & Fremont in the Beaumont neighborhood. Now she can leverage her online retail while also offering customers face-to-face style consulting, in-store trunk shows and neighborhood parties! Entrepreneurial-minded indeed, maximizing and stabilizing her online business was what she said allowed her to open up a store. Her online customers also receive benefits from her retail storefront, which opened its doors several months ago. They can call Shop Adorn without jumping through loops to speak to a real person who can help guide them through fit and style. With comfy and casual lines such as Fluxus, LnA, Quiksilver, and Siwy, a person can’t help but look and feel good when shopping with Nicole and her team at Shop Adorn!

Read on to read my interview with Nicole …

Can you tell me a little bit about your background and how you started your business.
I studied international business in college. When I graduated I landed in construction, which is the industry my dad’s been in for a very long time. I wanted to work for myself, so I began testing for my contractor’s license and started building houses! This was between 2004-2009. When I became pregnant with my daughter Lily a year and a half ago, I decided I wanted to just focus on the store. My husband took over our construction business and I began to work at stabilizing the online store. Looking back, at first we started out only selling jewelry and watches online. From then we expanded and got more accounts, including clothing. It’s also very hard to get in with new vendors and most require that you have a storefront. Our 200 square foot space was this storefront, and we shipped items out of the back warehouse. Up until four months ago before we opened up our new retail location, our business operated 90% online and 10% in the old store. Just this past October we decided to change, basically relaunch, and hired a professional to update and implement SEO, create a friendlier shopping cart, etc. And can you believe that just within 60 days after, we had a 500% growth because of how search-engine friendly our site had become?

That’s great that all these changes allowed for growth in your business. Do you have a mentor or support system that helped you in your business also?
Yes, her name is Cindy Park and she’s the director of Project Hope, an organization that helps at-risk youth in Portland. My old store was in the same building as hers and she’s become one of my best friends. Cindy has tons of business experience and she helped me formulate plans and processes for my business. She’s full of optimism and always encouraged me. You should always have someone like that in your life.

What kind of style describes the lines you carry at Shop Adorn?
You know, this is something we’re still working on–formalizing who we are. Many of the lines we started out with were pretty much streetwear. When we moved to this storefront, we had to edit some of those lines out to fit in with our demographic and our customers here. It’s a different customer-base. And although we don’t specifically target this group, I get a lot of moms, stay-at-home moms in here looking for something new or a change to their wardrobe. Many of the lines we have right now I like to believe is comfortable, casual, and makes the person wearing it feel good about themselves.

Streetwear can be pretty controversial with their messaging and style. How do you feel about this?
I agree, and I have found that we started to change direction with some of the lines we were carrying because of this. We want to be transparent in our business and to be honest with ourselves and with our customers. I don’t want to carry a product that I don’t absolutely love and wouldn’t see myself wearing also.

What’s your favorite line or item you’re carrying right now?
I have a couple. I’m in love with the Quiksilver Limited brand. There’s amazing detailing, lots of great dresses and the pricing is very good also. Of course Fluxus is also one of my favorites. We’ve been carrying it since the beginning and with its new head designer, has boosted its designs and styles. It’s also a celebrity favorite and so it sells really well online. And everything is made and produced in the USA.

How are you liking your new storefront?
I love it! It’s light, airy and I absolutely love the neighborhood. It feels like a real community here and I really like that. There are a few things I would change about the store, but I know that every day it’ll get more and more to what I want it to be.

What are some of the rewards of being your own boss and having your own business?
Feeling good about what I do, like I never “have” to go to work. I also never have to answer to anyone but myself, and I’ll get as much out of it as as I put into it. I also have a wonderful employee who I can leave in charge if I ever need to go out of town or spend more time with my kids. And one of the best rewards is that being an entrepreneur, it’s pretty much a legacy–something my husband and I can pass down to our kids, to teach them and show them what they can have and earn with hard work.

What are some of the challenges you’re facing right now?
When we moved we had to change and edit our selection while also keeping our brand consistent. That’s what I lay awake in bed thinking about … how to keep both my online and storefront consistent, and to keep both my online streetwear customers as well as my customers in Portland and in this neighborhood. Another challenge is figuring out how to let men know we’re here and that we cater to them too!

What are your plans for the future?
I’m happy where we are and being able to manage what we have. It’s a good place to be but I definitely want to expand our selection and have a larger space in the near future. I also like being in smaller communities and how you’re able to get to know your neighbors. And I don’t want any future plans to take away from my kids. It probably took me the last four years to find a good balance in my life, and I really want to maintain that!

Do you have any advice you’d like to leave with aspiring entrepreneurs or business owners?
It’s important to stay connected, meet as many people as you can. And don’t allow yourself to think that you know everything … I love to pick the brains of others and am not afraid to ask for help. There are tons of free resources out there, and it’s also good to collaborate with others to reach your goal.

Photography by Amy Sexton of Thursday Morning Memories

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