Monday, March 17, 2008

Country Living Women Entrepreneurs Part 1

What a day! 600 women from 40 states attended the 3rd Annual Country Living Women Entrepreneurs event at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago. The day began with Country Living Editor-in-Chief, Nancy Soriano interviewing the delightful Anna Griffin, of Anna Griffin Inc. What originated as a stationary brand, Anna Griffin Inc. now licenses over 1,000 products from wedding invitations and paper goods to fabric and formal china. As a successful entrepreneur with a strong brand identity, Anna was the perfect choice for the "Lunch with a Leader" session. She came with a strong marketing message for the attendees and emphasized that a brand is "a promise to your customer." She stressed the importance of marketing our businesses with a consistent message. Her advice was to make a PR schedule (media call cycle, press releases, e-newsletters) and stick to it, including photographs whenever possible to reinforce the brand. During the coffee break, I was able to meet Anna and let her know about my company. I was able to tell her that I had sent an Anna Griffin product (a darling peony-print paper mailbox) as a Subscribe To Delight gift back in 2006...after all, she knows delight!

11 comments:

Cathy said...

Hi Anne,

We met at the CL event at the end of the day. Remember the "Pink Fairy Cottage"? That was me, Cathy.

I am so glad someone on MMP posted your website so I could come and read your blog. I had to leave all my goodies in Chicago at a friends house and I'm waiting for her to ship them home. Your business card is in my goodie bag!

I hope we have a chance to chat via email and meet again in person soon.

Cathy
email: atreasuredheirloom@comcast.net
website:
treasuredheirlooms.net

xoxo

Vintage Grace said...

Hi! Just wanted to say "hello" and that it was a pleasure to meet you at the CLWE event. Do keep in touch!
Graciously,
Maryellen
www.twiststyle.com
www.vintagegrace.blogspot.com

Anne Reeves said...

Hi Cathy! It was lovely to meet you at the Country Living event. I wish I could have spent a little more time with your group! Anne

Anne Reeves said...

Hi, Maryellen! So nice to hear from you. I'm still jealous of that craft congress you talked about - very neat. Thanks for visiting my blog. Yes, lets keep in touch, Anne

Anonymous said...

Hi Anne, I am a Little Pink Plaza owner at MMP and read about you on the forums today and saw your post there too. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go to Chicago and join the others in celebrating with Joyce. I just wanted to stop in and say Hi. Your Delight idea is wonderful. ~ Lynn

sweetfunkyvintage said...

Hi there! I found your blog by googling the country living event. I wanted to see if anyone had blogged about it yet! I was there and it was AMAZING!! Sorry I didn't get to meet you there. But, I happen to be in your picture - I am in the second row in the red jacket!
Just wanted to say hello!
Missy

Anne Reeves said...

Hi Lynn - You'll have to come next year! They confirmed that it will be in Chicago in 2009. It was wonderful to be around so many inspired women. Thanks for saying hi. Anne

Anne Reeves said...

Missy - I am sorry we didn't get a chance to meet! 600 women is a lot of meet & greet, huh? I am so glad you had fun too! Anne

Sweet Necessi-Teas said...

Hi Anne,
We didn't have an opportunity to meet at CL. However, I did read about you and your company in CL. What a great idea!

I pitched my Tea Cup Totes this time and am anxiously waiting to find out if I will be selected. But, even if I am not, it was an awesome experience.

I am a member of MMP and was glad to see your intro there. Welcome!

Karen

Anonymous said...

When will the next country living women entrepreneurs be? I'd love to go to the next one.

Anne Reeves said...

The next CL women entrepreneur event will be May 30, 2009 in Chicago. You can learn more at the CL webpage, under the women entrepreneur tab. Hope to see you there!