Patricia Pao: The Pao Principle, LLC

THE FACTS
Name: Patricia Pao
Job Description: CEO, The Pao Principle, LLC
Company info: http://www.paoprinciple.com/

We are a consulting firm that excels at increasing sales and profits for our clients.  We do this by: 1) quickly identifying and solving issues which inhibit them from achieving their desired goals, 2) Profitably executing opportunities for growth and 3) Creating a roadmap to ensure continued success.  Importantly, we complete all work ahead of our planned schedule. Work to date has consistently resulted in doubled sales and substantially increased profits and relevant metrics for each of our clients within six to eighteen months.  Every client project we have worked on has generated a minimum 10X ROI.

WHO ARE YOU?
1. What made you decide to start your company?
I was always good at making money for companies and was always the “go to” person to fix whatever was  ailing the organization I worked for at the time.   I also really like working on a variety of projects and industries.  My interests and skill set were much more conducive to having a consulting firm which specialized in helping companies profitably grow across a wide range of industries.

2. Where do you see your business in 5 years? 
We have offices in New York and China (currently in Shanghai but moving them to Beijing).  Our company is entering its sixth year in 2011.  We have been fortunate to have grown every year (knock on wood).  I anticipate by 2015 we will generate four times the sales we did in 2010.

3. Who was your inspiration? 
My dad.  He is an entrepreneur and taught me to 1) not be afraid, 2) pursue my passion, 3) to work hard and 4) invest in my education (he forced me to go to Harvard Business School when I was 20 years old).

4. What turns you on? 
Interesting problems and puzzles.  I like the chase…

5. What advice do you have for tomorrow’s female entrepreneurs?
Don’t be afraid of doing the “ask.”  What I have noticed is that women are afraid to ask.  If a man wants an introduction he will ask one of his buddies to introduce him. Women are more hesitant to make the ask.

6. Tell us a sexy secret ;-) 
I adopted the artist Ronnie Cutrone’s cockatiel, Woody, who was the inspiration for his most famous art suite.

Gina Keatley: Nourishing NYC

THE FACTS
Name: Gina Keatley
Job Description: Founder/Director of Nutrition, Nourishing NYC
Company info: http://nourishingnyc.org/
419 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor NY, NY 10003

Nourishing NYC is a community food program feeding, educating & advocating those in need in NYC. Our mission is to alleviate the strong correlation between low-income status and poor dietary health. We provide nutritious meals and nutritional education without question and without criticism. Anyone is welcome regardless of age, sex, race, financial qualifications or religious beliefs. Nourishing NYC was opened in 2008 to address poor health and hunger—large issues facing the poverty-stricken areas of New York City. At Nourishing NYC, we strive to achieve the mission of “Nutrition for All” through a three-pronged approach of feed, educate and advocate. We are known throughout the country for our balanced and delicious hot meal services, junior chefs classes and produce programs. Nourishing NYC’s Junior Chef Program was chosen as the Post Foods National Charity of Choice grant. In addition, Nourishing NYC was nominated for Charity of the
Year Award at the Classy Awards in 2010.

WHO ARE YOU?
1. What made you decide to start your company?
As a chef & nutritionist I felt that there was a huge gap between healthy foods and so many parts of NYC. I felt I could help fix that. So then I and my husband started Nourishing NYC.

2. Where do you see your business in 5 years?
We are seriously considering expanding Nourishing NYC to other cities country-wide in the next 5 years. Our next stop would be San Francisco, a similar city that is struggling with poverty and lack of nutrition.


3. Who was your inspiration?
I have to say it was myself --I experienced poverty as a child and therefore I understand firsthand the value of our classes & services we offer. When I graduated from NYU with a degree in nutrition, I felt my skills would be most used in the area with the least nutrition but most need: low income areas.

4. What turns you on?
I plead the fifth...hehehe. As many people say I love a man with a passion.

5. What advice do you have for tomorrow’s female entrepreneurs?
Be bold, brave and just keep going.

6. Tell us a sexy secret ;-)
I have a West Highland White Terrier and I do dress my dog for holidays. I know it’s weird but I think she loves her Santa costume and it's festive.

Yvette Rose: Joulebody

THE FACTS
Name: Yvette Rose
Job Description: Founder of Joulebody
Company info: http://www.joulebody.com/

Joulebody was founded in 2007. Located in Battery Park City, it is a completely new approach to losing weight, conquering food cravings, getting fit, gaining flexibility, and handling stress. We provide personal training services, yoga classes, and also have a nutritional food delivery service. The Joulebody signature Kickstart cleansing diet program provides well-seasoned, delicious meals made with raw vegetables, quality herbs, and other healing ingredients. The customizable food plan is uniquely formulated to boost energy while flattening your stomach and helping eliminate unhealthy food cravings.

WHO ARE YOU?
What made you decide to start your company?
I was un-athletic in high school, and at age 18 I tried to enlist in the Army but was rejected because I couldn’t do more than a few push-ups after months of training. I also had difficulties getting my weight up to the 92 lb requirement. Ten years later, I experienced the “diet wars” from the opposite perspective. I was tired, depressed, and over 40 lbs heavier than normal after the birth of my first child. I started going to the gym and working out. It was at that point that my passion was born leading to the creation of Joulebody.

Where do you see your business in 5 years?
In 5 years I see my business achieving the following goals:
1. Becoming a national movement & menu program that people use to get started on health & wellness
2. Servicing over 10,000 people national
3. Becoming an important part of the healthy America movement

Who was your inspiration?
My inspiration was not a person but rather a situation. I was pregnant & didn't know it for a while. During that time I ate and partied like crazy. I had to change my ways and it inspired me to help others.

What turns you on?
When I see people making healthier lifestyle choices because they thought of something I said or did - that turns me on. When I achieve a quicker endurance run or higher weight intensity than usual - that turns me on.

What advice do you have for tomorrow’s female entrepreneurs?
The advice I have for women entrepreneurs - you must have tough skin. Not everyone is going to like your product/service and definitely people are going to judge you, the product &/or service. Be ready, don't take it personal & sleep well.

Tell us a sexy secret ;-)
My sexy secret – a little secret that no one likes to hear - I never had a problem with weight gain but rather weight loss. I get really stressed if I go under 100lbs. and that happens quite often. If I don't watch what I eat or keep up with my weight training I start to look skinny and frail.

Arlene Simpson: Sparkling Suzy Studio

THE FACTS
Name:  Arlene Simpson, but I am known as Sparkling Suzy
Job Description:  I do it all, from cutting to sewing, quilting, shipping, bookkeeping, webmanaging 
Company Info:  http://www.sparklingsuzystudio.com/. 

I make quilted items, often incorporating machine embroidery into my designs.  I do pillows, wall hangings, table runners. I have fabric (both yardage and pre-cuts) for sale, and patterns.  I also carry embroidery designs and notions, and the AccuQuilt Go! product line.   I do this out of my home, and started it two years ago.

WHO ARE YOU?
What made you decide to start your company?
This decision was very much made for me -- I made an exquisite quilt to which I added 3,056 Swarovski crystals which I took on an embroidery cruise to show the person who sold me all the crystals, and right then and there she commissioned me to make one for her.  She is Dawn of http://www.designbydawn.com/ and she now has her own quilt behind her vendor booth -- she has added her own crystals to it -- and it shines!  But this made me think that others want quilts made, and also after winning a few red and blue ribbons at the North Texas State Fair and folks commenting they'd like to have creations like this, I ventured forth!

Where do you see your business in five years?
I want to make large embroidered pictures and have found a unique source of patterns and designs to put together to make these pictures.  I will be selling off my notions and fabric portions of my site starting before the end of 2010, and trying out this new idea to see if what I envision turns out the way I want it to.  I also am in the midst of designing some quilt patterns, so I hope before five years, I am creating and selling these embroidered pictures and quilt patterns. 

Who was your inspiration?
There is no one person that was my inspiration, but I receive inspiration with all the beautiful work I see, on Facebook, blogs, quilt stores -- there is so much excitement in this business for creativity and it can be challenging too.  I am constantly amazed at what fabric artists accomplish, which makes new ideas enter my brain, sometimes in the middle of the night. 

What advice do you have for tomorrow's female entrepreneurs?
After working this for two years and figuring out what works and what does not, I would advise anyone venturing into this to have a firm business plan (I thought I did, but it was a process that kept changing) and enough funds to keep you going while the business starts up.  Having a mentor would be a wonderful help, but that's not something I had.  I figured it out as I went, and am only now zero-ing in to this niche artistry, for which I hope there is an audience.  The other piece of advice would be to keep impeccable accounting records from day one (ask me how I know this!). 

Tell us a sexy secret ;-)
My crystal quilt, named Bling Around the Ring, was featured in the July/August issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery.  When I was selected to be featured, I got so excited and when the time came to drop off the quilt (they are in Dallas and I'm not far away), I drove off (and drove for several miles) with the emergency brake on -- talk about excited.  The picture is of me sitting on my quilt, holding the magazine open to the article.

Victoria Koos: Yin and Tonic Acupuncture PC

THE FACTS
Name: Victoria Koos
Job Description: Clinical Director, Yin and Tonic Acupuncture PC
Company Info: Yin and Tonic Acupuncture PC
http://www.acupuncture-newyork.com/

Yin and Tonic Acupuncture PC is an urban oasis located in the heart of New York City's Garment District. At Yin and Tonic Acupuncture we believe that healthcare practitioners can be clinically excellent as well as warm and personable. We invite you to come in to our office, have a cup of herbal tea, read a juicy book on mindfulness and relax. If you would prefer more privacy or are simply really busy, we can bring our services to you at your home or office. We are also proud to offer onsite acupuncture at Continuum Reproductive Center and St Luke's Roosevelt Hospital. Each acupuncturist at Yin and Tonic Acupuncture is certified by the National Commission for Certification in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in both herbs and acupuncture and licensed in New York State.

WHO ARE YOU?
1. What made you decide to start your company?
I wanted to be a healer but not an MD.  Acupuncture is the most legalized type of alternative medicine that I could find.  It is based on Taoist principals or web/systems theory as opposed to Cartesian billiard ball/linear thinking.  This ‘web of life’ approach makes sense to me. 

2. Where do you see your business in 5 years? 
On a nicer block perhaps but generally I like the size of Yin and Tonic.  It is a very personal/boutique kind of medical practice.

3. Who was your inspiration? 
My native american teacher, healer and friend Malina Vissarraga.

4. What turns you on? 
Work that I love.

5. What advice do you have for tomorrow’s female entrepreneurs?
Start big.  Take loans if you need to. 

6. Tell us a sexy secret ;-) 
I am an avid kiteboarder and sailor.

Paula Tursi: Reflections Yoga

THE FACTS
Name: Paula Tursi
Job Description: Director of Reflections LLC
Company info: Yoga studio in the heart of Times Square, http://www.reflectionsyoga.com/

WHO ARE YOU?
1. What made you decide to start your company?
I had always run a "yoga retreats and training" business. My students really wanted a home where they could gather and practice and so when this fell in my lap I decided to go for it...mostly for them.

2. Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I think we will have a second location in Manhattan and be sharing many of the wonderful lectures and events held at Reflections around the world.

3. Who was your inspiration?
Always my students.

4. What turns you on?
Anyone or thing that can expand. I am here to grow and learn so I love to meet a challenge with grace and and I am totally turned on by others who want to do the same. That and art: I love things of beauty. They don't have to be classically beautiful but inspiring. That's why we have so much art and music at the studio.

5. What advice do you have for tomorrow’s female entrepreneurs?
Not to give up their feminine. I did that in the beginning. I thought I needed to be man to deal with our 40 person staff plus everyone else! I wasn't good at it. I love finding the strength in the feminine and leading from there. It's more natural, more effective.

6. Tell us a sexy secret ;-)
I talk to spirits...have since I was a little girl. I know it sounds crazy but you asked!

Sarah Bush: Jackson Street Studios

THE FACTS

Name: Sarah Bush

Job Description: Artist and Creativity Coach

Company info: Jackson Street Studios 

I have two websites:

http://www.makegreatstuff.com/ is dedicated to helping you become the artist you are, one creative day at a time. I  teach the Creative Breakthroughs Collage Tele-class over the phone every Wednesday night in order to help busy creative people carve out time to create, get unstuck, ditch their self-censorship, and build a creative momentum.

http://www.sarahbushartworks.com/ displays my original and site specific digital collages on brushed metal for the healthcare and hospitality industries, corporate and residential interiors. I started my company mid 2009.

WHO ARE YOU?

1. What made you decide to start your company?

I had been a Creative Director for a retail entertainment startup that didn't make it through the economic downturn and  thought I'd use my severance as a chance to create something new on my own terms that I would find exciting to work on for years to come.

2. Where do you see your business in 5 years?

As an artist, I hope to be creating larger scale public artworks and continue to show ever-evolving new work that is heart centered, authentic, and deeply aesthetically pleasing to myself and my viewers in multiple galleries and various art venues throughout the world. This will include collaborating with other artists to create exciting bodies of work that I couldn't imagine on my own as well as fully expressing my own ideas through fiber, metal, drawing and collage.

As a creativity coach, I plan to offer a wide range of online classes and a membership site(s) that nurture and support people's creative dreams and goals, heal their spirits, and help them feel more deeply connected to their essential selves and the world around them. My dream is also to provide inspiring, nourishing, and liberating retreats in gorgeous locations that help people reconnect to and rejuvenate their creative muse so that they can dip deeper into the collective creative genius and fully express themselves as the artists they are.

3. Who was your inspiration?

Everyone taking a risk and building something genuine.

4. What turns you on?

Possibility.

5. What advice do you have for tomorrow’s female entrepreneurs?

Get and stay on your own side and be your ideas' best friend. Don't let your self-doubt stop you; don't wait for a guarantee; don't think you don't know enough to get started.

6. Tell us a sexy secret ;-)

Well, I don't have a sexy secret, but a little known fact about me is that the 2nd most unusual job I've ever had was as a part-time improvisational actor for a medical school.  The school wanted to help prepare medical students for the wide variety of patients and situations they might encounter in their practices (so they could learn how to talk to different kinds of patients in a humane, compassionate way) and used improvisational actors as one way to do that. Once they figured out I could cry at the drop of a hat, they gave me all the psychiatric patient profiles (all based on real people) to portray. And since everyone always freaked when my characters would cry, they definitely needed the training!
Now you must want to know what the most unusual job is that I ever had. ;-)