September 2011 Featured Businesswoman and 2011-2012 WBN Scholarship Recipients

September 2011 Featured Businesswoman:  Kara Schneck

During 2011, the Women’s Business Network will feature a Utah Valley businesswoman who has demonstrated business excellence in areas such as leadership, community contribution, and innovation.  By identifying contributors from our community, we hope to learn from and network with other successful women as well as acknowledge success!  WBN’s past chair, Cynthia Gambill of Remedez, will be interviewing and introducing us to these outstanding women.

 

Kara Schneck

With 20 years of marketing and communications experience, Kara Schneck is a seasoned professional whose award-winning campaigns have helped a variety of companies achieve their business objectives. She began her career with the New York City based public relations firm, Middleton & Gendron where she worked with top multinational consumer and service clients.

Schneck joined Nu Skin in 1995. In her current role as the head of corporate communications she oversees communications for key company constituencies, helping enhance the reputation and awareness for the $1.5 billion-dollar, publicly traded company operating in 52 markets.

As part of communicating Nu Skin’s corporate social responsibility efforts, Schneck has been instrumental in focusing the efforts of Nu Skin’s Force for Good Foundation to improve the lives of children by offering hope for a life free from disease, illiteracy and poverty. Her fundraising leadership has helped the foundation provide more than $1 million in annual grants to worthwhile children’s programs.

Schneck has also shared her expertise with the direct selling industry by serving as chair of the Direct Selling Association’s (DSA) communications committee from 2008-2010 and she is the currently the chair of the DSEF Consumer Committee. She is also serves as a member of the Utah Valley University Foundation. 

Originally from San Diego, Schneck and her husband are the proud parents of three daughters. She loves spending time with her family – especially if it involves music, sports, volunteering, traveling, or entertaining. 

2011-2012 WBN Scholarship Recipients

Each year the WBN raises scholarship money for college women seeking a career in business.  For the 2011-2012 academic school year, the WBN evaluated dozens of outstanding scholarship applicants.  Candidates were judged on scholastic achievements, clarity and progress toward their career goal, and an interest and willingness to be an active part of the Women’s Business Network.  Candidates expressed a hope to learn much from professional women in the WBN through job shadowing and networking opportunities.  Each winner will be awarded a $1500 scholarship for the 2011-12 school year and participate in WBN events while working with the WBN Community Affairs Director, Marsha Haynes (UVU Director of Internship Services).  Thank you to all the organizations that support the WBN scholarship program and congratulations to Shanie Bushman and Tiffany Peterson!

 

Shanie Rowley 

Shanie Rowley is a junior at BYU studying accounting and has applied for the Masters of Accountancy Program.  She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, a national honor society for the top 10% of juniors and seniors and is on the BYU Track and Field team.  Rowley was the team captain for the pole vaulting team for 2011 and was a regional qualifier.  She won the scholar athlete award 2008-10 for excellence in sports and academics.  This summer she did a study abroad in London and has a goal of working in international accounting.  Her goal is to graduate from BYU and work for one of the big four accounting firms in the Seattle Washington area.  She hopes to build some great relationships with female professionals in the WBN that will give her career advice and also is anxious to contribute to the program and be of service to others.

Tiffany Peterson

Tiffany Peterson attends UVU and is a Business Management and Finance major with minor in paralegal studies.  She is presently on the Dean’s List as a sophomore and wants to become a lawyer and practice business law.  Peterson is a very goal oriented, motivated student and plans on taking 16 credit hours fall semester.  She loves soccer and besides playing she has worked as a manager and youth counselor for the Timpanogos Youth Soccer Camp as well as a referee for the Utah Youth Soccer Association.  Additionally, she has played soccer for UVU.   In high school she was very active in FBLA and served as her senior class president; she has also been on the FBLA-PBL at UVU where her duo took second in the nation.  She hopes to gain insight from WBN members through job shadows, internships and networking.  Using her focus, drive and dedication she hopes to become a successful Utah County professional and eventually return her appreciation to the Women’s Business Network.

Join the WBN at the Thursday, September 8 Nothing-but-Networking luncheon to meet Kara, Shanie, and Tiffany!

July 2011 Featured Businesswoman: Jessica Devenish

During each month of 2011, the Women’s Business Network will feature a Utah Valley businesswoman who has demonstrated business excellence in areas such as leadership, community contribution, and innovation.  By identifying contributors from our community, we hope to learn from and network with other successful women as well as acknowledge success!  WBN’s past chair, Cynthia Gambill of Remedez, will be interviewing and introducing us to these outstanding women.

Jessica Devenish

While recognized as an industry leader in debt collections, credit card services, and electronic payment processing, Devenish actually worked her way up the corporate ladder by starting as a collector.  In 1997, she, with her family, created her own agency (Checknet) where she is the President and Chief Executive Officer.  Devenish is also an active representative of the Utah Association of Collectors and was the acting President of the Association in 2005-2006.  She has received many certifications from the American Collectors Association in both First- and Third-Party Collections.  Additionally, Devenish is a member of the Utah Valley Magazine Executive Editorial Board.

Devenish’s professional experience and drive is directly connected to her wonderful, supportive family. Having been in the collection industry for over 23 years, she indicates her motivation and knowledge came from her great mentor and father – “the original” in this industry.

Devenish currently lives in Springville, Utah with her husband, Kelly, of 17 years and their five children: Jamie (13), Courtney (10), Tristen (8), and are the lucky guardians of their niece, Libby (16), and nephew, Kaden (13). The kids call their little family the “Devenish Sevenish.”   The family keeps very busy with schedules and enjoys living closely to other family members.  Devenish reports working with her family is one of the great pleasures in her life.  She also enjoys meeting new people and seeing the success of her children, family, friends, staff, clients, and fellow business leaders.

Devenish takes great pride in her organization and notes that Checknet does three things better than anyone else:  collections, merchant services, and electronic checks – all under one roof!  Through Checknet, which is locally owned and operated, and Devenish’s community engagement, Utah Valley is indeed well-served.

For more information on Checknet, visit their website at http://www.checknetinc.com/ and join the WBN at the Thursday, July 14^th luncheon to meet Jessica Devenish!

April 2011 WBN Luncheon Follow-up: Intellectual Protection

Our April luncheon for the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Network (WBN) luncheon was held Thursday, April 14th at  Heritage Schools, Inc.  We were pleased to hear from our 2010 scholarship recipients as they end their school year.  Applications are currently being reviewed to choose the 2011 scholarship recipients.  Your support continues to make these scholarships possible!

Randall B. Bateman

The luncheon speaker was attorney Randall B. Bateman, who spoke on “The Enormous Power and Importance of Intellectual Protection.”  Intellectual property includes patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, domain names, and patents.  Bateman pointed out how protecting this property protects your business.

Patents protect your inventions, but may not be worth the cost if you don’t intend to make money with it.  Common patent pitfalls include the lack of documentation and timing problems.  Be aware that if you sell a product before it’s patented, there is only a one year window for getting the patent once you’ve made the item public.  If you wish to get a patent in Europe, you must apply before selling (disclosing).

The theft of trade secrets has become serious business and can quickly become a problem if employees take client lists, formulas, training materials, etc. and use them for their own gain or sell them to competitors.  For small businesses, your biggest threat isn’t your competitor – it’s your employees! Take steps to keep trade secrets safe by limiting access and having nondisclosure and/or noncompete agreements.

We got to play a game on recognizing trademarks (pictured).  Adding the ™ symbol indicates a trademark and you can do this without having to file any paperwork.  Even stronger is having the ® symbol that indicates your trademark has been registered with the government. Luncheon participants were given a set of IP Worksheets, A Brief Guide to Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets.  Bateman also provides this information online, free of charge.

Announcements

• The North Utah County Women in Business have invited us to attend their conference on May 12th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Lehi.  This event will replace our regular WBN luncheon for May.  For more information or to register, go to the WIB website.
• Habitat for Humanity of Utah County has designated Thursday, May 5th, as “Women in Business Build Day.” This is a great opportunity to give back to the community while working alongside other businesswomen.  Spaces are filling up, so head over to the Habitat website to sign up soon.
• Heritage School is hoping to get a good audience for their students’ musical, “The Wiz”,  on May 13, 14, and 16. Group discounts are available.  More information can be found on Heritage’s blog.
• The Barbara Barrington Jones Foundation has been able to lower the cost to attend their Retreat for Women event in August.  More details and registration info is available on the foundation’s website.

Thanks to Five Star BBQ and Catering Company, Community Action Services and Food Bank, Mountain America Credit Union, and Heritage Schools, Inc. for sponsoring the April luncheon!  Thank you also to the Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, who is our 2011 Angel Sponsor!

       

Would you like some easy recognition for your business?

If you or your organization would like to sponsor future events, contact Alison Dyer at ali@uvmag.com.  Or, you can simply bring a door prize of at least $5 value (in addition to any service discounts, if applicable) to a luncheon and we’ll mention your donation at the giveaway!

April 2011 Featured Businesswoman: Tresa Ahlin

During each month of 2011, the Women’s Business Network will feature a Utah Valley businesswoman who has demonstrated business excellence in areas such as leadership, community contribution, and innovation.  By identifying contributors from our community, we hope to learn from and network with other successful women as well as acknowledge success!  WBN’s past chair, Cynthia Gambill of Remedez, will be interviewing and introducing us to these outstanding women.

Tresa Ahlin

Tresa Ahlin, owner and operator of the Spanish Fork-based boutique Dirty Jo Punsters, recognizes the importance of community involvement.  A business owner since 1990, Ahlin has been actively engaged in community service.  She spent eight years on the Board of the Spanish Fork/Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and served as Spanish Fork/Salem Area Chamber of Commerce President in 1999.  She also co-founded Women Working for Women, a community-oriented organization that raises money for local charities.  Currently, she is on the Spanish Fork City Downtown Committee, working hand-in-hand with city planners to organize events and increase shopping interest in downtown Spanish Fork.

Ahlin has four beautiful daughters and is also blessed with four grandchildren. In her spare time, she is constantly searching for the perfect cup of coffee.  Ahlin enjoys making people laugh and meeting new friends.  Consistent with her personal interests, her favorite part of owning and operating her own business are the friendships that are created along the way.  Ahlin looks forward to watching the Utah Valley community grow together and continuing to support Spanish Fork’s local businesses.

For more information about Tresa Ahlin or Dirty Jo Punsters, email dirtyjo@dirtyjopunsters.com.

March 2011 Featured Businesswoman: Laura Jarman

During each month of 2011, the Women’s Business Network will feature a Utah Valley businesswoman who has demonstrated business excellence in areas such as leadership, community contribution, and innovation.  By identifying contributors from our community, we hope to learn from and network with other successful women as well as acknowledge success!  WBN’s past chair, Cynthia Gambill of Remedez, will be interviewing and introducing us to these outstanding women.

Laura Jarman

Laura Jarman, owner of Dear Lizzie Boutique & Bistro in Highland, counts the years of daydreams and creative influences that marked the path to the grand opening of Dear Lizzie Boutique in 2005 as a long and lovely journey.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Jarman was the oldest of five children and from her early memories loved a pretty party! Despite her love for fashion and her earliest work experience in retail, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

In the early 1990’s she and her husband Darryl, settled in beautiful Pleasanton, California. While he worked in Silicon Valley, she went about the ‘business’ of raising 4 young children and dabbling in a number of at-home enterprises, from graphic design and custom home decor to party planning and a few dream weddings. All the while waiting for just the right moment and opportunity to debut the ultimate ‘every day’ party — translated into a shop of her own.

Shortly after the Jarman family relocated to Utah, the time was right and Dear Lizzie opened its doors in October 2005 at the bustling intersection of the Alpine and Highland Highways. The name Dear Lizzie itself, along with the iconic little girl image, is inspired by a playful twist of her mother Elisabeth’s name and, Jarman explains, “the celebration it is to be a girl!”  With an emphasis on home decor, accessories and fine gifts, the boutique quickly became a popular destination for customers seeking lovely products in a unique retail atmosphere. One year later, the bistro was debuted, offering lunch fare and a delicious array of sweet treats, from fancy and fabulous cupcakes to the crowd-pleasing “Dizzie Lizzie” signature soda!  Another expansion in 2008 allowed Jarman to once again indulge in her love of fashion by presenting an exceptional offering of apparel and fine accessories for women. All combined, Dear Lizzie’s everyday delights inspire customers to live beautifully!

The story of Dear Lizzie and its unique retail concept was featured nationally in Romantic Homes Magazine and Jarman has enjoyed various guest segments on local day-time programming for Good Things Utah and Studio 5.  Utah Valley Magazine has highlighted Dear Lizzie in their Best of Utah Valley and Women in Business features. Jarman currently serves on the general board of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce and enjoys the opportunity to inspire women in business as a guest speaker for the Women’s Entrepreneurial Lecture Series at BYU.

On a personal note, Jarman counts the success of Dear Lizzie as a ‘daydream’ come true and credits its inherent magic to the cherished support of her husband and children. In addition, and with a heart full of thanks, she acknowledges the unique gifts of her dedicated staff, creative vendors and loyal customers, who “continue to ‘bring the party’ every day! “

For more information about Laura Jarman or Dear Lizzie Boutique & Bistro, visit www.mydearlizzie.com or email mydearlizzie@yahoo.com.