Contact: Helen L. Koven
Public Relations Consultant
203-322-3130
203-273-4410-cell
October 16, 2007
For Immediate Release
“The Multiplier Effect” Revealed at 6th WBDC AM Business Breakfast
(Stamford) The 6th WBDC AM Business Breakfast held on October 16th at the Inn at Longshore highlighted a fascinating business concept -The Multiplier Effect. The Multiplier Effect principal is the key to understanding how one business, small or large, can make a positive economic effect on the other businesses they do business with and the employees they hire from local communities, thus multiplying their economic impact on an entire community. WBDC is committed to growing businesses through the proven technique of the Multiplier Effect.
Kelly Flatley, co-founder, BEAR NAKED, Inc. was the featured guest speaker at the breakfast. She was interviewed by News12 Connecticut anchor and 12 On The Money host, Rebecca Surran. At the breakfast, Kelly elaborated about how the suppliers and vendors which Bear Naked does business with have also grown and benefited from her company’s wild success.
“The Multiplier Effect is also a virtuous cycle,” stated Flatley. “As the Bear Naked business grew, we were able to give more business to many of our vendors and suppliers. In turn, they grew and were able to improve their services to us through innovation and increased efficiency, which allowed Bear Naked to become better. Together, we were able to maximize our operations and, more importantly, create jobs and have a positive economic impact in our respective communities. I believe the Multiplier Effect is a topic of utmost importance for all business owners to understand. If they can grasp this concept and apply it, they are more likely to be successful. I award WBDC’s efforts to embrace this principle and share it with everyone here today. We are all better off as a result.”
Ms. Flatley began her journey as an entrepreneur when baking and selling her granola in 2002. Today, Kelly spends her days overseeing Bear Naked’s world-class baking facility, where more than six million pounds of granola was baked in 2006. The Fruit and Nut recipe she developed in her parents’ kitchen has become the #2 granola product in the country, topped only by another of her recipes, Peak Protein. Bear Naked is a local company with national distribution and, therefore, a great example of the Multiplier Effect.
Over 170 guests attended the event including civic and community leaders; individual donors; WBDC members; clients to the many collaborators; corporations and foundations who have maintained an ongoing relationship with WBDC. The breakfast consisted of a pre-breakfast network time and a WBDC member showcase prior to the interview.
“The purpose of the WBDC breakfast is to broaden the understanding and impact of the multiplier effect on our local and national economy. At WBDC we strive to bring interesting and informative topics to our business breakfast series. We look forward to continued success for WBDC and would like to thank our sponsors for their support and generosity.” states Fran Pastore, President and CEO, Women’s Business Development Center.
Sponsors for WBDC 6th AM Business Breakfast included MasterCard, GE, Bear Naked, Barnum Financial Group, Ernst & Young, Norwalk Community College, UCONN School of Business, News12 Connecticut and Cox Radio.
The Deb Ziegler Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence was bestowed on Yvonne Davis, owner of YFD Spotless Cleaning Service. The award was named for WBDC volunteer, Deb Ziegler who raised funds and awareness for the WBDC in addition to working directly with clients as a counselor. Deb’s style challenged clients to be the best and that being successful means working harder than you ever imagined. Yvonne Davis, a WBDC client truly exemplifies these qualities.
"WBDC provided me with the tools for self-empowerment, support, ideas, encouragement and new clients from the women in the groups and the staff. I know there are many other women like myself and... ... if given financial assistance to be trained to start their own business... ...could become financially independent and make a difference. I am truly honored to receive this award!" stated Ms. Davis of Stratford, CT. YFD specializes in detail cleaning. Their client range includes medical groups, homes and condos, buildings, restaurants and home improvement. YFD Spotless Cleaning Service has successfully been in business for over seven years.
Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is a nonprofit organization established in 1997 that promotes economic development through entrepreneurship by delivering high-quality and low cost programs for women and men at every stage of business and professional development. WBDC has training facilities in Stamford, New Haven, Norwalk, Milford, Shelton and Bridgeport.
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Pictured left to right- Fran Pastore, President and CEO, Women’s Business Development Center (Stamford, CT), Yvonne Davis, owner, YFD Spotless Cleaning Service 9 (Stratford, CT) and Mary Laughlin, Vice President, Women’s Business Development Center (Greenwich, CT)
Fran Pastore and Mary Laughlin congratulate Yvonne Davis, winner of the Women’s Business Development Center’s Deb Ziegler Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the 6th WBDC AM Business Breakfast.
Pictured left to right- Rebecca Surran, News12 Connecticut anchor and 12 On The Money host (Darien, CT) and Kelly Flatley, co-founder, BEAR NAKED, Inc. (Darien, CT)
Rebecca Surrran interviewed Kelly Flatley at the 6th Women’s Business Development Center 6th AM Business Breakfast which highlighted a fascinating business concept -The Multiplier Effect, a proven technique to grow businesses. Bear Naked is a local company with national distribution and, therefore, a great example of the Multiplier Effect.