Boston Small Business Meet Up: Design Salon
I can't tell you how many emails I've replied to over the past few years asking me if I know of any small business meet ups in Boston for women. I've heard of a few initiatives, but nothing has made much progress because either group leaders kept canceling, or the attendees weren't getting much out of the meet ups and decided to drop out. I mean, it's nice to connect, but what good does this do long term if people don't have something more regular to look forward to keep them fueled and on track? And topics. It's not enough to show up and exchange business cards. You need a topic so real voices can rise up and be heard, advice can be thrown around the table, and ideas can churn.
Boston Design Salon was founded by Boston cermacist, Jill Rosenwald.Many have asked me to start a group either in New Hampshire or Boston, but with my schedule, I can't do it on a regular basis. And I've always felt bad about this. But it seems now I don't have to worry because business ladies now have a home - a flock - and it's called the Boston Design Salon.
History: A while ago a group of lady designers in Boston started meeting together once a month to share business stories, tips, network and drink wine. Calling themselves the Boston Design Salon, the group was formed by local ceramist Jill Rosenwald. Their goal for 2008 is to continue meeting monthly, grow out the group, and have a topic or guest speaker/s for each meeting.
The next Design Salon meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 11th @ 7:00 pm and the guest speaker will be Jill Shah of SoLUXE who will cover Network Marketing. The event will be hosted by Kelly Smith Harris of Etcetera Media at The Pink Comma Gallery. The location is 81B Wareham Street and it's on the block between Harrison and Albany in the South End. Please call 617.833.0330 if you need directions.
Details: 12/11 Agenda: Network Marketing. Network Marketing is a sales model that has been around the block, but is seeing new life as modern day shoppers seek to find shopping venues (and products) outside of traditional retailers and etc. Jill Shah will facilitate a discussion on her latest business venture, SoLUXE, which is a network marketing retailer that sells personalized and custom paper and home goods through a national network of independent sales consultants. Topics include: What is Network Marketing?, The Business Model, Product Fit, Recruiting and maintaining a sales force, Creating Momentum, and Building a Network Marketing Business: Financing, Marketing, Growth. And cookies. Did I mention cookies?
In addition and in the spirit of the holidays, they'll also have THE FIRST ANNUAL DESIGN SALON COOKIE EXCHANGE! Instructions for the exchange: Bring 1-3 dozen of your favorite holiday treats. We'll set them all out, eat them and then go home with 1-2 dozen.
There's no fee to attend, and I know for a fact that these ladies would welcome newbies with open arms because they asked me to spread the word on decor8 if it's something I'd support - and I do - so I'm spreading the love. Just bring your business card and some cookies. That sounds easy enough, right?
Ladies can RSVP to Jill Rosenweld: mcrae2 AT aol DOT com.
(images