Michigan woman launches vegan shoe line

Elizabeth Katzman

Detroit-area TV host, blogger and momtrepreneur Elizabeth Katzman is committed to living a kinder, cleaner lifestyle...in style. Her new shoe collection for women, "Elizabeth's," fuses fashion and compassion in smart, trend-right styles that are also vegan, eco-friendly and cruelty-free.

Handmade in the United States of recycled materials, Elizabeth's features the season's must-have footwear: Peep-toe booties in faux leather are long on style but short on environmental impact; they're biodegradable and emit no volatile compounds. Faux suede slingbacks are versatile, sexy and made from recycled plastic and soft, ultra-microfiber. And side-zip faux leather combat boots are funky, fashionable and, like all Elizabeth's styles, finely crafted and comfortable enough to be worn every day.

For warmer climes, there are Elizabeth's jelly flip flops, sporting a black cow print or pink pigs and the message "Go Veg."

"This collection was born from my love for animals and fashion," says Katzman. "Although the two are often mutually exclusive, I don't believe they have to be."

Katzman, who lives in Birmingham, is a former lawyer turned stay-at-home mom to two young boys. She created the website and blog "Elizabeth's Kind Cafe" (elizabethskindcafe.com) to share tips on cooking, composting and gardening with kids, teaching them to care for the earth and themselves. She and her family became vegan in the process, meaning they don't use or eat animal products, because of the widespread abuse and exploitation of animals for food and also because of the considerable health and environmental benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.

"The vegan lifestyle makes sense on so many levels, and that means not only what we eat, but what we put on our bodies and in our homes," she adds.

Katzman's desire to share her passion as well as resources for a kinder, cleaner lifestyle led to hosting the current "Elizabeth's Kind Cafe" weekly talk and cooking show on Bloomfield Community TV. She also created a store on her website to make available helpful products such as books, cruelty-free cosmetics and her easy-to-use, all-natural DIY Home Cleaning Kit. Her new shoe collection fills yet another important need:

"There are vegan shoes out there, but for style-conscious women looking for really fabulous but cruelty-free footwear, there's a hole in the market. My goal with Elizabeth's is to fill that void, and I look forward to introducing more great styles in the months to come."

Elizabeth's shoes are sold at elizabethskindcafe.com.

A portion of the proceeds from every sale benefits People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and 1% for the Planet, a global environmental initiative.

June 22, 2011: Learn to capitalize on female insight at Inforum event

Inforum members and guests will have the opportunity to attend an event presented by Sphere Trending on June 22, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Kent Country Club in Grand Rapids. The discussion will focus on how female intuitive insight has the power to bring creative solutions to consumers via manufacturing, retail and services.

Seventy percent of all household purchase decisions are made by women and with the number of women in the workplace increasing, companies are recognizing the importance of learning how the female personality impacts successful business practices.

Sphere Trending will demonstrate best-of-class examples of companies who are succeeding with female-centric solutions and will offer suggestions for capitalizing on this unique potential. Inforum is a professional business alliance whose mission is to strengthen the business environment in Michigan by creating opportunities for women to lead and succeed.

Tickets for Inforum members are $25; nonmembers $35. Table of eight is $350, which includes special seating and recognition. Tickets can be purchased at inforummichigan.org or by calling 616-588-9400.

Gov. Snyder to keynote Inforum annual meeting

What's next for Michigan? Hear what Gov. Rick Snyder has to say about it when he delivers the keynote address at the 2011 Inforum Annual Meeting, to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 19 at the Troy Marriott.

In addition to the governor’s address, the annual meeting also will include the announcement of the 2011-12 Inforum Board of Directors.

“Like the state we serve, Inforum is never standing still,” said Terry Barclay, president and CEO of Inforum and Inforum Center for Leadership. “So, we’re happy to be taking part in Michigan’s next chapter by hosting our new governor. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Gov. Rick Snyder’s legislative and budget agenda, it’s hard to deny that it represents a significant shift in thinking and a new direction. What he has to say will be of keen interest to everyone who cares about the Great Lakes State.”

SSBI plans May Dream the Work: Work the Dream conference

The Strategic Small Business Initiative is planning its Dream the Work: Work the Dream conference Thursday, May 19, 2011 in Kalamazoo.

Keynote speakers are Jason Rosado, a prolific networker and sought after speaker, owner of Distinctive Coaching; and Brett Eastburn, internationally acclaimed and respected motivational speaker who demonstrates his ability to overcome any obstacles.

Other presenters include:

• Cyndee Garrod and Cindy vanSchoyck – Marketing Basics and Technological Advances in Printing
• Michael Willis, Willis & Willis – Small Business Legal Issues
• Kristi Pavlik, Adonai Business Solutions, LLC – Creating business systems and policies; human resources, use of Vas
• Lauren Sorensen, Page One Rankings – Marketing your business online
• John Schmitt, SBTDC — Finding financing to run your business
• David Fox, ROCG — 5 keys to successful financials (bookkeeping, and more)
• Audrey Randall, Paradigm Consulting — Is franchising the way to go?
• Carl Brown, Iron Shirt Media — Social Media for your Business
• Linda Daichendt, Strategic Growth Concepts — types of mobile technology (not just marketing) and how they can be utilized by small businesses

For information or to register, visit ssbiconference.eventbrite.com

Michigan woman debuts Traverse City-themed iPhone app

Lake Ann resident Brandy Wheeler has debuted a new iPhone App called "Traverse Traveler". The free app is designed to help visitors to the Traverse City area connect with wineries, restaurants and attractions.

Traverse Traveler features the best destinations in the Traverse City region, in a convenient interactive resource and can be downloaded at the Apple app store or at http://TraverseTraveler.com.

There are thousands of apps out there, many of which promote restaurants, movie theaters or general information about an area. So what makes Traverse Traveler unique?

Descriptions include information many other apps leave out such as photos, hours, admission price or specials. Since it was designed and written by locals, Wheeler believes it’ll have the local features and insight others can’t possibly know about.

Listings are ordered by proximity to the iPhone user. So if you’re hanging out on Leelanau County, the listings nearest to you come up first. This is helpful for finding a hotel for the night, or the closest bar.

“Our maps and directions will make it easy to navigate from one location to the next," Wheeler said. "You can hop from Black Star Farms Winery to Bel Lago Vineyard without getting lost along the way. Plus, the visitor will be able to find the out-of-the-way restaurant or local hotspot that’s just off the beaten path.”

Leon & Lulu's featured on Portfolio.com

Who knew the "Christmas Queen" was based in Clawson, Michigan within a 15,000 square foot home furnishings, clothing and gift destination known as Leon & Lulu?

The top story on Portfolio.com on Dec. 23 chronicled the year-over-year success of entrepreneur Mary Liz Curtin in turning a former roller-skating rink into a world of shopping possibilities. (Read the story.)

Portfolio.com is a national e-magazine reporting on the biggest and most interesting stories about small businesses, entrepreneurs and innovation.

Curtin and her husband refurbished an historic roller rink in metropolitan Detroit and on April 1, 2006 opened Leon & Lulu, a 15,000 square foot home furnishings and gift destination. The business was profitable in its fourth month and has been so every year since. Leon & Lulu and Curtin have won numerous awards including being named a Retail Star in 2008 and the 2009 Retailer Excellence Award in the category of Event-based Community Service.

Chiropractor new to Rochester specializes in gentle adjustments

Dr. Kathy Whitmore offers safe and effective
holistic chiropractic care for even young patients.

New to the Rochester area, Dr. Kathy Whitmore, owner of Health and Healing Chiropractic, stands out among other chiropractors as she is able to offer a unique holistic approach to treating and helping people who suffer with neck and back pain.

Whitmore specializes in gentle adjusting techniques for people of all ages, from newborns to senior citizens, who are seeking a more active life and better health without the necessity of costly x-rays.

A licensed chiropractor, Whitmore’s unique approach looks for underlying causes of any disturbance or disruption and promotes the interventions and lifestyle adjustments that would optimize the conditions for normal function.

Using these techniques, Whitmore is able to help patients accelerate and/or maintain their  journeys to good health. She helps them shift awareness toward a more vitalistic and holistic way of living and helps empower patients to take responsibility for their own health.

“Chiropractic care is not just about back and neck pain,” Whitmore says. “Regular adjustments help your nervous system function at its best so your body is more capable of remaining healthy and healing quickly. Much like brushing your teeth, regular maintenance helps to prevent potential future problems.”

How often adjustments are needed varies for each individual and depends largely on the patient’s stress levels and lifestyle.

Inforum West Michigan names marketing, event coordinator

Inforum West Michigan is pleased to welcome Holly Higginson as Marketing and Event Coordinator. In addition to the management and promotion of Inforum events, Higginson is also responsible for maintaining relationships with current Inforum members and coordinating communications among Inforum regions in West, Mid and Southwest Michigan.

A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Higginson’s experience includes public relations and event management at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. She also served as President of Grand PR, a student-run firm within the university. While attending GVSU, Higginson was also a Media Director for the National Student Advertising Competition.

BoardConnections to expand pool of female corporate board candidates; kick-off event October 26

Inforum Center for Leadership, the research and education arm of Inforum, Michigan’s leading network of professional women, is launching a results-oriented training and networking initiative designed to create a larger pool of female corporate board service candidates.

The initiative, called BoardConnections, has been developed in response to needs expressed by Michigan CEOs for better access to qualified board candidates from diverse backgrounds. Its goal is to help retain Michigan’s top female executive talent while addressing new Securities and Exchange Commission rules that require companies to report on their efforts to recruit diverse boards of directors.

“Global companies today need strong business leaders to be competitive, and career-enhancing opportunities like board service can play a vital role in retaining a diverse talent base in states like Michigan,” said Charles “Chip” McClure, president and CEO of ArvinMeritor Inc. and a champion of the BoardConnections initiative. “We need to demonstrate to our top female executives that they don’t need to leave the state to have local and national board options open to them. To remain competitive, business leaders need to challenge the way we do things and make diversity a top priority. Diversity is more than doing what’s right; it’s doing what’s smart. Inforum’s approach engages business leaders in the process and offers us an efficient resource to help us expand our networks and thinking.”

Gail Evans to keynote Power Opening Doors for Women Michigan

Oakland County Bid & Brunch match minority, women-owned businesses with government agencies

Members of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners support the 9th Annual Bid & Brunch event which will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 in the City of Southfield Pavilion, located at 26000 Evergreen Road. The program is scheduled from 10 a.m-3:30 p.m.

The Annual Bid & Brunch procurement match-making program provides small-to-midsize, minority and women-owned businesses with the opportunity to match their businesses services with governmental agencies. Participants attending the event will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with corporate, federal, state, county, municipal and institutional purchasing departments.

Speakers for this year’s event, include business owners who have successfully diversified their companies, along with export panelists Moses Olaniran and Richard Corson, Director of the Pontiac U.S. Export Assistance Center. Welcoming and open remarks will be given by Local 4 morning correspondent Paula Tutman, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, and others.

Participants will learn about potential business opportunities and have great networking options at the event. There is a $75 registration fee.

For more information, call the Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services at 248-858-0783 or go online at oakgov.com/peds/calendar. The Bid & Brunch is presented by the Oakland County Planning and Economic Division and the Southern Oakland County-NAACP and continues to be supported by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

Inforum launches series featuring game changers, rule breakers

Inforum, Michigan’s leading business forum for women, announced today it will launch a new speaker’s series highlighting women with lessons for anyone who feels stuck in a rut or stifled by conventional thinking.


The series, called IN4M: After Hours, Ahead of the Curve, will kick off Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center. The featured speaker will be Susan J. Douglas, a University of Michigan communications professor and author of Enlightened Sexism: The Seductive Message That Feminism’s Work is Done (Times Books).
The IN4M (pronounced "inform") series will highlight women who test the limits in work, recreation, and lifestyle. Speakers will be women who question authority, break rules, and strive to make a difference.


"The purpose of this series is to shake people up a little bit – in a good way," said Terry Barclay, CEO of Inforum and Inforum Center for Leadership. "We’ll be presenting speakers who can share groundbreaking ideas and perspectives and inspire audience members to ‘take a leap’ they otherwise might not risk. These events are designed to create thought-provoking dialogue between the speaker and the audience and speakers will provide attendees with actionable items to take home with them. We’re delighted to be starting this series with Susan J. Douglas, a prize-winning author, columnist, and cultural critic with a lot of intellectual firepower and leading-edge ideas."

Metro Detroit Lexus Dealers Celebrate “Sweetest Day the Celebrity Way”

It’s likely that when one thinks of luxury, tractor tire components are not the first thing that come to mind. But after seeing a collection of high-end purses made from recycled tractor tire inner tubes, minds might change. And Meade Lexus is helping make that happen through a Sweetest Day service incentive.

Ladies will get the chance to sport one of these luxurious eco-friendly handbags — the same handbags that have also been spotted on celebrities such as “90210” star AnnaLynne McCord, “Dancing with the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inabra, and “Dexter” star Julie Benz. To be entered to win, customers simply have to schedule a service appointment at Meade Lexus of Lakeside or Meade Lexus of Southfield October 11-15, and then bring in this giveaway coupon at the time of service:

Meade Lexus "female friendly" certification is Michigan's first

Henry Paniccia and Kristina Reid

When you walk in the door at Meade Lexus in Southfield, you expect luxury.

Yes, the service waiting room has enormous, comfy chairs, elegant appointments and a wall-mounted flat screen television. Yes, you can borrow one of their iPads to play with while your car is up on the rack. Yes, there's a coffee bar with smiling attendants asking whether you'd like a beverage or a cookie.

But that's not what makes Meade Lexus unique. Last month, Meade became Michigan's first dealership certified "Female Friendly" by the popular automotive web site AskPatty.com

"We try to stay abreast of new things that are happening," explained marketing associate Kristina Reid. "The idea had been circulating when I came on board two months ago, and we decided to kick it into gear."

The certification is obtained through an on-line training class. Sales associate Henry Paniccia was among the 67 sales and service employees who jumped at the opportunity when it was offered. Raised among strong women, he was inspired to learn more after his mother's negative experience with a Florida dealership.

"The facts presented (in the course) were amazing," he said.

Inforum, Crain’s Detroit Business offer an evening of networking and inspiration

Inforum Center for Leadership (ICL) and Crain's Detroit Business offer an opportunity to gain inspiration and insights from top women executives at ICL's popular Inner Circle series, held Thursday, October 5, 2010 at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.

Inner Circle events do two things: First, they honor Michigan’s top female executives by giving them the chance to hosts small groups of women eager to hear about their journeys to the top. Second, Inner Circle gives group participants the chance to have meaningful, small-group discussions with the business leaders being honored.

Each table is limited to only eight to 10 participants, including the honoree. That gives everyone the chance to be heard, make connections, and gain the kinds of first-hand insights they need to move ahead in their careers. Conversations are lively and fun. The use of game-style canister filled with thought-provoking questions helps to keep the discussion rolling at each table.

This edition of Inner Circle will honor the 2010 Crain's Women to Watch. Honorees for the Oct. 5 event will be announced in the Sept. 6 issue of Crain's.

The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information or to register, visit inforummichigan.org

Inforum hosts an evening with women entrepreneurs

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be an extraordinary entrepreneur? Find out first-hand at Inforum’s An Evening with Entrepreneurs on Thursday, September 16, 5-7:30 p.m., at Eagle Eye Country Club in East Lansing.

Inforum will host a networking event with women business owners who have what it takes to continually reinvent and navigate a business in today's times. Along with the challenges and rewards of owning a business, Inforum will explore the personal journey of four fabulous entrepreneurs. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with these inspiring women, who will share their captivating stories about business, life balance and giving back to the community.

The panelists are:

Women's Exchange of Washtenaw to host mentoring exchange

The Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW) is offering an exciting exchange session called MENTORS - THE BUSINESS MAKERS.

This event is geared for mentors and mentees and takes place on Thursday, September 16, 8-9:30 a.m. at The Eagle Crest Conference Center. The Center is attached to Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti Eagle Crest Resort, 1275 South Huron Street Ypsilanti.

Women business leaders are mentored or provide mentoring at different points during their career journey. When they feel lost, they look for others to guide them through, and when they are empowered, they reach back, lending a hand to help lead others. Learn their secrets and places in Washtenaw County that provide mentoring assistance.

Michigan women building a "buy local" community

Two Michigan women who have traveled the country are now back home and helping build their home state's "buy local" community.

Dawn Thompson and Jane Pacheco left Michigan to pursue careers; Thompson in the culinary field, Pacheco in commercial real estate. Now back home, they have combined their talents and skills to make it easier for people in Southeast Michigan to buy local foods and products.

After meeting through the Chelsea Community Kitchen, the women began to realize how difficult it was to find a central location for local produce. In September 2009 they helped to start the Yellow Door, a volunteer-based breakfast café that uses all local and seasonal foods to make breakfast once a week to benefit the Chelsea Community Kitchen, a non-profit organization that provides access to commercially licensed, shared-use kitchen facilities.

“To prepare breakfast for 30-40 people each week,” says Thompson, “we usually travel to about twelve farmers and markets to purchase eggs, flour, meats, produce, etc. That equals a lot of running around in unfamiliar territory for the average person who simply wants to feed their family locally grown food.”

Inforum presents four women bringing "Extreme Change" in vital areas

In 2010 and beyond, business as usual won’t cut it. Surviving and thriving is all about bringing on the change. So, who’s bringing it? Inforum has the answer at its opening event for its 2010-11 program year, to be held, starting at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 17 at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit.

The event, called “Extreme Change: Four Women, Four Sectors, Total Transformation," will feature four women leaders in very different fields. Each has been quietly, but fearlessly, leading transformations that could change the evolution of southeast Michigan’s economy. In the fields of health care, media, law and philanthropy, these leaders are tearing down old expectations, altering the embedded cultures of their organizations and building something better prepared to succeed in the world as it is now.

The speakers will be:

Meade Lexus is Michigan's first certified Female Friendly dealer

Meade Lexus, with locations in Southfield and Utica, Michigan, is proud to announce they are ready to address the needs of women consumers, as part of the growing network of AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly® Dealers in North America.

Team members at Meade Lexus have completed a training and certification process to provide a Certified Female Friendly® experience that exceeds women’s expectations.

“We know there is always room to improve, and when we learned of this opportunity to enhance the Lexus experience for our female customers, we jumped right in,” says Ken Meade, owner of Meade Lexus. “No less than a few hours after one of our sales associates completed the training, he was told by a female customer he was the best salesperson she ever dealt with—that’s what we’re striving for.”