Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) with the Ladies on September 6th, 2008

Alison Covarrubias, Head of Ladies Who Launch! is hosting her annual Ladies Who Launch event for her launchers. In this exclusive interview, she talks about what “Be Your Own Boss (BYOB)” is all about:

Tell us about the “Be Your Own Boss (BYOB)” event. How did you come up with the title?
1. Be Your Own Boss is what’s Ladies Who Launch is all about. Whether you are a Launcher, Grower, Dreamer, or Freelancer - being your own boss is inevitable and we have created a day that is dedicated to the special needs of the entrepreneur.

How did you get Gina Bianchini, Founder of Ning to come speak? That’s cool!
2. Gina Bianchini is the kind of woman our audience will appreciate and look up to. Aside from being the cover model for Fast Company, she is a real-life example of woman who took her great idea, engaged other professionals, put together the best team possible and brought her business to life. Technology can be intimidating for many new business owners but once you hear Gina talk, you can not help but be inspired to go out and try some of the new tools on the web, including her business - Ning which provides Social Networking for everyone. Gina agreed to speak when one of our Editor in Chief, Amy Swift, approached her and told her about the women we support. She is very excited to connect on a deeper level with the women who live in her own back yard, The Bay Area. We want to show her the Bay Area welcome she deserves!

Why should woman care?
3. Women should care because we care about them. This event is not an 8-hour sales pitch for another event. Each speaker, advice giver and vendor is there to share information, help you on a specific problem, and give you something fun to try that is new on that day. The event has been designed to keep your attention (i.e. we won’t bore you), keep your energy up, and keep your mind spinning with new ideas that pertain to how you are going to move forward your entrepreneurial dream. When women support other women, good things happen for everyone involved. We are an amazing community of women who are “going for it.” That energy is contagious and can not be contained!

What would they learn that day?
4. The variety of speakers we have on this day will give you many things to think about - however, the main knowledge sharing will be focused on new trends in technology, healthy living, product production, daring to be non-traditional and how to live your own best destiny all by learning from the stories of those who have been in your shoes.

Is this event for women only? Can men come?
5. This day has primarily been for women entrepreneurs but I’ve noticed a trend in past events - some very cool men have participated in the day as audience members. The men I spoke to after last year’s event said they really enjoyed the day and learned more at our event than they had at all their past conferences combined. So gentlemen - if you are interested in coming, please do! Our women love men so don’t worry - it’s not a scary place to be. If men are nervous but still want to come, by all means - grab a “wing-woman” and go with her. Ladies do it all the time!

Is there any special discount for SFentrepreneur readers?
6. Of course we are offering a special discount for the SFMeet Up group. The regular price is $165 for nonmembers. We are offering a great discount for Meet Up - $30 off. The price is only $135, discount code is “MEETUP” - the ticket gets you a light breakfast and a delicious lunch! All organic and whole grains from www.realgoodproject.com.

We want to see the Meet Up members on Saturday, September 6th. It’s going to be a fantastic day! To sign up, just click here.