Shop 0/8 event brings independent business people together in Seattle and Portland
Biznik member Melody Biringer is the driving force behind an event that I’m excited to see coming to Seattle and Portland early next month: Shop/08. The reason I’m excited is because this is an event that’s designed to bring together people who are passionate about the businesses they’ve created. From the website: “SHOP/08 is a conference to celebrate, inspire, and educate independent business owners of all stripes. Whether you’re a newbie still figuring out the nuts and bolts or a veteran needing fresh ideas, we’d love to spend that day with you.”
Let’s find out more about Melody and Shop/08 directly from her, shall we?
Q: Tell me a bit about yourself, how you started your first business, and your business background since then.
I have been in business since childhood, in my family’s berry business Bringer Farm. In my 20s I took the business to the next level and developed, a gourmet food line of about 50 products. Bringer Farm became a household name, and prompted me to open a retail shop in Seattle’s Pike Street Market that I owned for 15 years. Throughout I founded several companies—from a furniture store to a fitness studio—and earned a coveted spot on Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40†list. I was always
determined not to let hard work mean no play, that is how the CRAVE parties came to be. I wanted to see my girlfriends! CRAVE Party â„¢, became a business devoted to fun and pampering for hard-working women. Now in 15 cities internationally, CRAVE Party â„¢ features premium spas and retailers and brings women together to chat, nosh, sip, laugh, indulge, shop, and relax. As the author and publisher of the CRAVE guidebooks, I have built strong relationships with retailers throughout the Northwest. All these businesses and the years have brought me to realize how important it is to support this community. I am also the local leader of the Ladies Who Launch group and have co- founded startupjUNKiE, an entrepreneurial education and services company providing women with the tools and know-how needed to help their businesses soar.
Q: What was the idea behind the Shop events? Briefly describe what Shop/08 is all about and who it’s for.
The purpose of SHOP/08 is to provide practical information, offer wise encouragement and build camaraderie among independent business owners . This is accomplished through expert speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions and vendors whose services support the unique needs of business owners not affiliated with large corporations or chains. Also I believe that there is a misconception out there, that small businesses feel threatened from each other, on the contrary they depend on each other and this is an opportunity to meet others and learn from them.
Q: What are your five key elements for starting and running a successful business?
Fail Fast…Just start today and quit talking about it.
Network…Get out there and meet people, you never know who you will meet.
Your team…who is on it? Surround yourself with a great positive team
Mentor & Be Mentored
Niche…make sure you have one.
Q: Why are you passionate about local, independent business?
I believe that Independent businesses keep the marketplace diverse and add character and soul to our communities, also these owners are particularly courageous. They need a community to support them,
and this is the purpose of SHOP/08.
Q: What can guests expect to see and hear at SHOP/08?
Our mission this year with SHOP/08 is to celebrate and educate independent business owners. The panels feature speakers who are seasoned retailers as well as professionals in the fields of marketing, journalism, web, graphics, blogs, and finances. For lunch we have invited several local business groups, including Biznik, to sit down with our guests and to inspire them. This is also a great opportunity to meet and make connections. Making connections is probably one of my greatest passions and pursuits, and I would encourage everyone to use this day to meet at least five different people.
To learn more and register for Shop/08, visit http://craveparty.com/shop08.
March 5th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Fabulous Melody! I had a fabulous time learning and networking at SHOP/08 - I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of a high class group of business owners and know I’m not the only one out there working to live by a purpose!