Today on the Chic Perspectives Show we shined the chic spotlight on 2 women entrepreneurs with inspirational stories of success. They triumphed over obstacles, remained resilient in the face of fear and disaster and building thriving businesses with powerful value propositions.
First up was Judi Gerhardt, Owner of Career Fashion Consignment and an expert on professional image and non-verbal communication
Judi Gerhardt is a former political powerhouse, survivor of 2 hurricanes, a nasty divorce, chemo, & a spinal tumor. After her surgery and deciding that she’d had enough hurricanes, she moved back to Atlanta. In August of 2009, Judi launched Career Fashion Consignment. CFC is an extremely high end career clothing consignment store for men and women in Atlanta. Judi is committed to social & financial responsibility and helping Atlanta’s business community benefit from the retail excess of the last decade.
Judi Gerhardt is an incredible woman who was one of Maynard Jacksons campaign managers for mayor. She served as a political consultant for years in both Atlanta & DC until her travels took her elsewhere. She ended up in New Orleans where she owned a large equestrian farm for 16 years until Hurricane Katrina came in and destroyed everything she had built, including her 20 year marriage. Determined to stay in New Orleans and help rebuild, she was set to open another business when Hurricane Gustav came in and blew away that business, too. And, in the middle of all of this, her doctors discovered a tumor on her spinal column.
After her surgery and deciding that shed had enough hurricanes, she moved back to Atlanta. In August of 2009, Judi launched Career Fashion Consignment. CFC is an extremely high end career clothing consignment store for men and women in Atlanta. Judi is committed to social & financial responsibility and helping Atlantas business community benefit from the retail excess of the last decade.
Judi talked about what got her started in this business, what the company does and who their customers are. Her business model actually serves two populations – those who bring in clothes for consignment sale and those who buy them.
We talked about how she came up with the idea to start Career Fashion Consignment (CFC)
Judi talked about some of the road blocks she has faced in her career and how she overcame them.
With such an interesting career with many twists and turns, Judi explained how she has been able to reinvent herself so many times.
We also discussed the green elements of her business.
Judi recommends women:
- Shop Responsibly by Shopping Consignment
- Pay attention to the impact of non-verbal communication & professional dress
- Use consignment to get a return on your fashion investment  – I just love this way of looking at it
- Understand the importance of social responsibility and the role consignment plays
For more check out the website @ www.CareerFashionConsignment.com
Become a friend of Career Fashion Consignment @ http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Atlanta-GA/Career-Fashion-Consignment/253100746996?ref=ts
And follow on Twitter @Â http://twitter.com/jrgerhardt
Judi’s story is an amazing example of how resilient people can be, not to mention the art of reinvention and the business of social responsibility.Shes truly persistent, resilient, and the queen of reinvention. Judi is firmly committed to taking personal responsibility for her life and her happiness. She is truly an inspiration and a great example of someone who bounced back! Additionally, her commitment to helping Atlanta’s business community be more socially and financially conscious is a great story for the times we are living in.
Thanks also to Judi’s PR rep – Andrea Rizk, Founder & CEO of Rizk Public Relations
andrea@rizkpr.com Twitter: @andreahrizk
Next up – another chic entrepreneur – Karen Robinovitz, Creatrix of Purple Lab Beauty.
Check out this awesome new beauty brand and start enjoying its multiple benefits @: www.purplelabnyc.com
Karen Robinovitz is an acclaimed fashion/beauty insider/journalist/author/media vet turned marketer turned creatrix of the new beauty brand Purple Lab where she merges insider tips and tricks with ground-breaking ingredients, cutting-edge delivery systems and trend-setting style.
Karen launched a beauty brand Purple Lab, www.purplelabnyc.com in small, high end boutiques last May. The company have recently expanded the brand and launched on Home Shopping Network with five new products. Karen called in from New York City to share her story of success – She talked about how all of the stages of her career (journalist, marketing consult, brand and social media strategist) and using her chic network prepared her to build a successful line that fills a high value niche in the marketplace. She talked about knowing her customer base, doing market research, taking risks, overcoming fear, and the personal growth that comes with business growth.
Karen talked about how she discovered Purple Lab and how do they market the products. Karen explained what makes Purple Lab different than other beauty brands out there and what it was like to launch on HSN. She also shared how to successfully market a brand via social media, why Purple Lab is changing the way people think about beauty and how to launch a business during a rough economy.
Find our more about Purple Lab @ www.purplelabnyc.com
You don’t want to miss the Chic Tips either of these amazing women had to share. Thanks so much for listening and thanks to my wonderful guests.
Until next time wishing you all Chic Success,
Elizabeth