Monique Washington-Jones Presents Communicating in Confidence - Sept 21, 2011

In this presentation, Monique will discuss the differences in communication styles among women. (How do you communicate?) After each style is determined, she will explain what each style represents and the perception to others. (How do others perceive your communication style?) Lastly, she will provide examples of communicating in confidence while giving examples of styles women can use and implement immediately. The intent will be to show women how to recognize when / how to communicate more effectively. (and confidently!) This is an open discussion and audience participation is encouraged and welcomed.

Bio
Monique Washington-Jones is the owner and head instructor of Washington's Karate Dojo; a female only martial arts school in Columbia MD. (http://www.karate4girls.com/) Additionally, she conducts after school programs, summer camps and workshops in Howard and Montgomery counties. The sole purpose of her business is to empower females through karate and self defense while teaching confidence, discipline and fitness as a way of life. As a certified karate instructor with over 25 years martial arts experience, she is certain that she is doing what she was created to do and wants to share her knowledge with girls and women who want to live confidently. And she's done this by creating "a community of females growing together in strength and grace."

Before being self employed full time, Monique worked in the corporate arena where she gained her professionalism and organization skills. Monique has a Bachelor of Science in Communication and attended graduate school for business. She belongs to several networking groups; including Moms Inc Howard County. She enjoys volunteering for Special Olympics MD, The Cancer Support Foundation and The Domestic Center for Women in Columbia. Monique is originally from Richmond VA and currently resides in Columbia MD with her wonderful husband, manager and best friend; David.

Kaushika Patel Presents From Concept to Market, How to Build A Consumer Brand - Sept. 21, 2011

With global brand expertise from her years at Procter & Gamble, Pepsi and Eagle Family Foods, this mom knows how to invent, test, commercialize, build and grow multi-national household names. She's now on a mission to make Catalyst Gourmet, her company, into a global brand focused on making healthy living fun by adding a bit of bliss to everyday using beneficial spices in inventive new ways.

Her core product line that is the inspiration for all of the products offered by Catalyst Gourmet, began as a seed of an idea 5 years ago as a pregnant IVF mom, when Kaushika had her own "big idea" moment for a line of all natural gourmet enhancers to "transform" the flavor of a simple cup of green tea and more in order to make it more enjoyable to make healthy choices.

What started as a personal mission to live more healthy has evolved into a brand and line of consumer products that have been used by thousands of consumers who consistently say "wow". Her products are also available at 20 independent retailers, spas, boutiques and at select hotels in the US and Canada as part of her pre-launch.

This mom knows the value of consumer testing in building brands with longevity potential and she'll share with you the strategies she used to validate commercial potential, continually refine her line and invent line extensions with the participation of consumers and retailers prior to expanding nationally this fall.

She'll share some of the key lessons learned along the way and the new direct to consumer Catalyst Gourmet at Home program she's working on that offers opportunity for other moms to get involved with her company. She's a speaker, entrepreneur and start-up advisor and has been invited to do various celebrity chef demos over the past few years as a foodie, but her favorite title is "Mom-preneur".

kaushika@catalystgourmet.com
www.catalystgourmet.com
(launch date 9/22 at Natural Products East).