Gluten-Free Living Now Expo (Day 3)

Greetings from Peoria!

Yes, Cassie and I are back in Peoria after a wonderful weekend in Carmel Indiana!

The final day of the expo was jam-packed with events, guest speakers, and lectures once again today. It was great to see a lot of familiar faces mixed with some new ones as well.

It’s always interesting to start out on a new adventure, whether it’s on your home turf, or 4.5 hours away from home. Cassie and I had not previously done a trade show of this magnitude. So, it was a definite learning process for the both of us. We learned so much from the attendees, and from the other vendors at the show. One thing is for sure though,–I feel that I have grown exponentially in a few areas of my own personal and professional life.

The Apple’s Gluten Free Kitchen sold out of our Vegan Pumpkin Muffins. It’s a wonderful feeling to see your products fly off the table-be it samples or for-sale items. It reassured me that we are doing something right. There’s a demand to meet the customer’s needs, and by-golly, I know we’ve done that!

There’s still a lot to process about this weekend, but I, for one, can not wait to get back in the saddle and to see what other great adventures the Apple’s Gluten Free team will have next!

Until next time,

Amy Carbonneau

Gluten Free Living Now Expo (Day Two)

Greetings again from Indiana!

Cassie and I have had another fantastic day at the Gluten Free Living Now Expo, here in the beautiful Carmel Indiana.

The morning was off to a bit of a slower start than Friday, seeing as how almost everyone was attending conferences and self-help sessions in the mid-morning hours. The crowds started to pick back up around 11:30 AM, and we were off and rolling once again. It’s been a ton of fun to get the Apple’s Gluten-Free Kitchen name out to the general public, and to see the happiness and joy that is on their faces when they try the WORLD’S BEST gluten-free baked goods. Several individuals have mentioned that the Vegan Pumpkin Streusel Muffins have changed their life. One of the founders of the event had mentioned that the muffins are like “Christmas in my mouth.” If that doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will.

It’s such a joyful feeling to know that you can do something, as simple as baking, and knowing that you just made someone’s day. These individuals have finally tasted what they’ve been missing since going gluten-free. Just because it’s gluten-free, doesn’t mean that it has to be taste free!!

I feel like I’m at home at this conference. Not because I’m gluten-free, and there’s so many things that I can safely eat, but because of the sense of community. I feel like I know the individuals that are attending the conference. Almost like we share some sort of deeper level of connection that not everyone can understand. (We get what it’s like to be gluten-free, and to have to be on our toes all the time to make sure that we’re eating safe foods.)  I’m honored to be here, and to have the opportunity to show what amazing gluten-free products the Apple’s Gluten Free Kitchen has to offer!

Cassie and I will be back at it again on Sunday for the final day of the expo. We look forward to seeing what tomorrow brings.

~ Amy Carbonneau

Gluten-Free Living Now Expo (Day One)

Greetings from Carmel, Indiana!

Amy C and Cassie L have made the trek to Indiana to attend the first ever Gluten Free Living Now Expo. This expo is the largest gluten-free vendor show in the Indiana region, and there is so much offered in one location. Apple’s Gluten Free Kitchen couldn’t be happier to be a part of this show!

Throughout the day there was a steady flow of people, mixed with guest speakers and live product demonstrations. There are a couple of nationally recognized individuals here at the conference, one of which includes Mrs. Alaska. Her speaking platform for her reign as Mrs. Alaska, is dealing directly with Celiac Disease awareness and research, and the lifestyle changes that go along with it.  

I, for one, have really enjoyed the people that we’ve had the opportunity to meet at this show. We even had one of our Facebook fans stop by to see us today! It was awesome to meet the Briggs family, and we are so glad that they had the opportunity to stop by and try the world’s best cookies, muffins, and tea breads.

It is amazing to me that companies from all across the United States, and Canada can come together in one location to provide amazing foods for the gluten-free community. Being gluten-free myself, I have found this to be a gluten-free “heaven,” so to speak. It’s not very often that one with a gluten sensitivity, or allergy can go to a place and feel completely comfortable with what is being offered for them to eat. Obviously that’s not the case at this expo! There is more than enough food to go around for everyone during this three-day event.

It is also amazing to think how much gluten-free has changed in the past few years. There’s a heightened awareness, and a strong majority of people have a sensitivity/allergy, or they know someone who is affected by gluten. Gluten-Free diets aren’t just a fad. It is medically and nutritionally necessary for individuals with Celiac Disease/gluten allergies and sensitivities to cut all gluten from their diets, and to lead the gluten-free lifestyle in full accord.

Thanks for checking in with the Gluten Free Kitchen team. Cassie and I are very excited to see what Saturday holds in store for us.

Check back in tomorrow to see what other made-from-scratch memories Amy and Cassie are making in Indiana!

Powering My Dream Day 2 NAWBO in Chicago

Day two of high energy, informative speakers, and great comraderie with other women business owners promises to be electric!  The National NAWBO Convention here inChicago has opened my eyes even wider recognizing the challenges and celebrating the successes of other women as they lead their business forward.  Each of us a business owners have dreams and the network NAWBO represents offers a foundation to lean upon as a pillar of support.  Personally, I am attending as this year’s president of the Central Illinois NAWBO Chapter, representing 75+ fine diverse businesses spread through out our region.  Learning best practices on membership retention, public policy, and developing corporate partnership is just the short list of topics already discussed.  I am looking forward to the program today gathering more tools to bring back to the chapter.  Stay tuned!

NAWBO National Convention in Chicago

Today is the first day of the National NAWBO convention in Chicago.  Attending events such as this provide such positive encouragement to women owned business.  It has been my experience women led conferences such as this provide valuable resources, tips and tools for each attendee to take back and implement in our home communities.  It is with dual purpose I am attending thhis year.  First as a business owner, not unlike many in the trenches a little  battle weary and looking froward to the positive motiviation which will refuel my focus and lead my business, Apple’s Bakery, when I return.  Second, as the current president of the Central Illinois Cahpter of NAWBO representing 75+ members.  It truly is an exciting time to be in business, creating our new “normal” and reaching for our dreams.   Working, learning and sharing with other women business owners …. what a great time will be had over the next 3 days.  Best of all connecting with new friends and re-connecting with old from across the nation.  This is just great!

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN CHICAGO

Join me to experience the power of women joining together to grow their businesses….

- The Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE Joins the National Association of Women Business Owners at the “Power Your Dream” Conference -

Chicago, IL– May, 2009 – Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence today announced that its Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE  (M3 RACE) will host a live event on the first day of the NAWBO Power Your Dream conference. Over a thousand women business owners will converge at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers on June 24^th for 3 exciting and information-packed days of inspiration, education and power networking, to help them grow their businesses to the million-dollar level and beyond.

Day 1 is the M3 RACE Day. Participants will hear from powerhouse presenters: Stacey Schieffelin, for Ford model,  HSN TV retailing veteran and CEO of the $150 million YBF cosmetics and apparel line; Ellen Rohr, high-energy financial whiz, author and president of Bare Bones Biz, a business training and consulting company; and Nell Merlino, founder and president of Count Me In, author of the new book, Stepping Out of Line, and the creative genius behind the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE and Take Our Daughters To Work Day. “The Count Me In experience has changed my life.  I know I can make a million dollar business happen. Thank you for all you do to inspire women.” Maggie Weldon http://www.maggiescrochet.com/

 Other confirmed conference presenters include organizational expert Peter Walsh, and noted journalist and author, Suzy Welch.The conference also features one-on-one business coaching and financial counseling hands-on workshops and expert panels, a business pitch competition, the chance to win valuable business-building prizes and the opportunity to network with other women business owners.

Participants can register for one or three days of the conference, and thanks to a generous grant from an anonymous donor, the one-day M3 RACE Day registration is now $199! 

To register for the conference, visit www.makemineamillion.org/events. 

The M3 RACE, a program of Count Me In, is a unique, year-long, online business growth marathon for women entrepreneurs. Participants register for the M3 RACE, and declare a business revenue target of Walker ($250,000), Jogger ($500,000), Runner $1million) or Sprinter (Multi-millions).  They then receive a variety of business-building tools including a personal and financial assessment, a private dashboard to monitor their progress, a public Facebook-like page to profile their business, access to a top sponsors such as American Express OPEN, Reader’s Digest, Dell Fedex and Sam’s Club, participation in live events, a Business Resource library, coaching, webinars, promotions and publicity, peer meet-ups, and the opportunity to win valuable prizes including a grand prize of $100,000. 

For More Information contact Stacey Straughter, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Count Me In.  212-245-1245, ext. 215. sstraughter@countmein.org

Celebrating National Pie Day!

“Just Peachy”

Thumbprint colors to fit every mood…

Picture of the day- Kicking off a week of pie!

Care for a slice?

Join in the Make Mine a Million Race

After years of coaching women business owners on how to pitch their business to a dream client or potential investor, Count Me In had the opportunity to deliver ours to the new Obama administration. Here’s what we said: we provide expert business building resources to a national network of women — when they thrive, they create jobs that will rebuild the American economy. If 175,000 women grow their businesses we can create 500,000 jobs. Our community has already created over 200,000 jobs on their path to the million $ revenue mark. Our pitch worked. We got their attention. Their next question was, “What do you need to succeed?” Our answer, “We need to get more women on this path, today”. The first draft of the stimulus will be in front of Congress next month, to be included we must increase our numbers and show ourselves as a viable option to lead the way to economic recovery.

We have created the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE (M3 RACE) to do exactly that. The M3 RACE is open to everyone — past winners, community members and women who just have an idea for a business. Stand up and declare that you will grow your business in the M3 RACE. You pick your revenue target, Count Me In will help you create a road map and track your progress. There is no extra time commitment, these are things you are already doing to grow a sustainable business. The M3 RACE provides you an online platform to get answers to your questions and network with thousands of like-minded women racing with you.

Here’s How You Do It

Step 1 – Sign up for the M3 RACE at www.makemineamillion.org/race .

Step 2 – Set a goal by declaring your 2009 revenue target. M3 RACE levels are Walker ($250,000), Jogger ($500,000) or Runner ($1 million). You set the pace and we’ll help you design an action plan for success.

Step 3 – Use our early registration check list to prepare yourself and build your business stamina for the M3 RACE.

Step 4 – Get an M3 RACE buddy or create your own racing team by enrolling other women entrepreneurs you know to race with you.

Here’s What You Get

As a contestant in the M3 RACE, you have a chance to win the $100,000 cash Grand Prize, along with other prizes and business resources throughout the year. Resources include marketing and promotional opportunities, business resources and access to a support network of thousands of women like you sharing experiences, asking questions and celebrating their successes.

The country is watching. Let’s show them we are committed to growth and can lead the charge towards economic stability and job creation. Register for the M3 RACE today.

Believe in you. We do.

Join a million
Make a million
Create millions of jobs
Are You In?
Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE

Mary’s Ambassador Code: MADI enter this code when registering.