Analisa Balares describes herself as an entrepreneur and innovator. She is the CEO and Founder of Womensphere, a New York based media-company dedicated to the empowerment of women. In her role, she leads the development of media, content, and online communities. Womensphere provides inspiration; recognition; leadership; opportunities for idea exchange; and mentoring to women who are aspiring to make a difference in this world.
Since the age of 13 Ms. Balares has organized over 100 conferences, seminars and forums around the topics of women’s empowerment and leadership; youth leadership; sustainable economic development; environmental education; and children’s welfare.
Ms. Balares is also the Founder and Chairman of HUCKLEBERRY, a technology company and the Founder of The Lyons Network, a networking group for women, which she founded during her senior year at Mount Holyoke College. While studying at Harvard Business School, she cofounded the Global Entrepreneurship Network in 2005.
She is the author of “Journey” and “Impact,” two books about empowering and inspiring women. The books are due for release in the fall of 2008. Ms. Balares was also recently selected to join the New York City Young Leaders Program, a partnership between the New York City Government and private NGOs.
Ms. Balares is also a frequent speaker at Universities and professional conferences throughout the world.
Learn more about Womensphere.
Matt and Mark Fitzgerald
During a blizzard a few winters ago two hungry brothers, Mark and Matt Fitzgerald, discovered their very own recipe for success: canned beans, garlic, lemons and olive oil. The concoction became an instant favorite with family and friends. About a year later it was suggested that the two should take their recipe onto the market. Not long after, at the Pleasantville Music Festival, the two introduced the bean dip to great success. The brothers founded Cool Foods Inc, and named the concoction Cool Beans, after a saying often used by their older brother, Sean, who was killed in a car accident a few years ago.
The brothers, who work 7 days a week, both making the dip and doing field research and have had a lot of help from family and friends in getting their product out into the market. Their Dad handles all the paperwork, and their Mom who writes up the promotional literature that will hopefully get Cool Beans on the map.
Presently, the white bean hummus dip comes in three flavors, although the two are constantly cooking up new recipes. Cool Beans is sold online and in 300 grocery stores around the country and is rapidly expanding. It expected that on the company’s second anniversary that the products will be available in 1500 stores in 25 states. That sure is Cool!
Cool Foods Inc.Website.
NY Times article
Cool Beans has been featured in the following blogs:
The Nibble
Food 411
Just Braise
Khajak Keledjian
In 1993 Khajek Keledian was studying finance at NYU. His gut told him that there was something greater for him to be doing. It was fashion. He left school to open up his first fashion boutique Intermix Shop on Fifth Ave with his brother. He was 19years old.
Now there are twenty stores with more on the way. The stores generate millions and millions in sales. (Anticipated sales in 2008 are 100 million dollars.)
Keledian was exposed to fashion while being raised in Beirut and traveling through Europe. The fashion influence of London and Paris stayed with him, and he brought that inspiration with him to his unique stores. His boutiques attract attention by encouraging fashionistas to create their own mix and match styles. The stores are well known for "intermixing" different designers, brands and price points.
Keledian has proudly kept New Yorkers in fashion for over 15 years.
Intermix Online
Pete and Ben Van Leeuwan
They grew up on with Ice Cream on their minds. Once actual Good Humor Men, now brothers Pete and Ben Van Leeuwen, from Greenpoint, are scooping out their own brand of ice cream.
The brothers founded Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream Truck and use only organic products in the making of their ice cream. And the disposable products they use to serve their products are made from 100% renewable resources.
All ice cream is distributed out of their classically designed ice cream truck and you can found them daily in Soho, by NYU and on the Upper West Side.
And the flavors, yummy…you’ll find everything from vanilla to ginger to peppermint chip.
Artisan Ice Cream Truck
Laura Wellington
Laura Wellington is a former preschool teacher and mother of four who has had her fair share of hardship. Wellington dealt with the grief of losing her husband to cancer by turning beloved drawings from her youth into “The Wumblers”, a TV show for young children. Her company, The Giddy Gander Company, LLC distributes the show which is now seen worldwide on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, Smile of a Child, The Australian Christian Channel and Sky Angel’s KTV Block. The show currently is expanding into Latin America, China and Europe. Additionally, they are extending the reach of “The Wumblers” through toys, games, puzzles and appeal, as well as DVD’s and CD’s.
Wellington created “The Wumblers” with the goal of creating a family friendly program stressing the idea that our unique differences are what makes the world such a special place. Each episode features an important message for families and kids to be inspired by.
Additionally, Wellington is the President and Co-Founder of Wellington Consulting Company and Wellington Financial Systems. In total she is the CEO of five companies.
This year “The Wumblers” received the Silver Angel Award, which recognizes excellence in media for all ages. Last year Ms. Wellington was named as one of the Top 50 Women in Business for the State of New Jersey
The Wumblers Online.