Saturday, May 11, 2013
Startups founded by moms/women
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-silicon-beach-women-20130512,0,6956094.story?page=2
Technology investors say they have seen a sharp jump in the number of Los Angeles-area start-ups founded by women. Here are a few:
Big Frame: Digital media company that helps grow YouTube audiences and connect them with advertisers. Co-founder: Sarah Penna. Culver City; 30 employees.
DogVacay: Online community where members post openings in their homes for pet-sitting and book pet-sitters. Co-founder: Karine Nissim Hirschhorn. Santa Monica; 33 employees.
Maker Studios: Digital media company and multi-channel network of online content. Co-founder: Lisa Donovan. Culver City; more than 300 employees.
Moonfrye: Online community for families; developing a do-it-yourself parenting app. Co-founders: Soleil Moon Frye and Kara Nortman. Looking for L.A. office space; eight employees.
Nasty Gal: Online retailer of edgy clothing for young women. Founder: Sophia Amoruso. Downtown Los Angeles; 300 employees.
NuOrder: Online wholesale platform for the fashion industry that streamlines the buying process. Co-founder: Olivia Skuza. West Hollywood; 40 employees.
Pose: Mobile app that enables users to browse and shop for the latest fashion and beauty trends. Co-founder: Alisa Gould-Simon. Santa Monica; 13 employees.
PromoJam: Social marketing platform that helps users create customized online promotions. Co-founder: Amanda MacNaughton. Venice; 10 employees.
Shop Hers: Online marketplace where users can sell and buy pre-owned luxury items. Co-founders: Jaclyn Shanfeld and Jenna Stahl. Santa Monica; five employees.
Tradesy: Fashion resale website and app to sell and buy pre-owned women's clothing. Founder: Tracy DiNunzio. Santa Monica; 22 employees.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/leaning-10-fastest-growing-women-220000832.html
Here's a snapshot of the top 10 fastest-growing businesses and their leaders from the list:
No. 1: Shazi Visram, Happy Family in New York, N.Y.
Launched in 2006, Happy Family makes packaged organic meals and snacks for all age groups. It reported gross revenues of $63 million last year.
No. 2: Kathy Mills, Strategic Communications in Louisville, Ky.
Strategic Communications provides communication and IT services to business and government clients. Between 2010 and 2012, its gross revenues grew 80 percent to $42 million.
No. 3: Shelly Sun, BrightStar Franchising LLC in Gurnee, Ill.
The health-care staffing franchisor was founded in 2002 and now counts over 250 locations across the U.S. and $212 million in gross revenues.
Related: How to Find Funds to Launch a Franchise
No. 4: Tiffany Crenshaw, Intellect Resources in Greensboro, N.C.
Intellect Resources provides consulting, recruiting and hiring solutions for businesses in the health-care IT market. Its gross revenues climbed from $1.5 million in 2010 to $30 million last year.
No. 5: June Ressler, Cenergy International Services LLC in Houston, Texas
Founded by Ressler in 1996, Cenergy provides workforce solutions such as consulting and logistics management to clients in the oil and gas industry. It reported nearly $250 million in gross revenues in 2012.
No. 6: Sue Bhatia, Rose International Inc. in Chesterfield, Mo.
Rose International, an IT professional services and consulting firm, was founded in 1993. Between 2010 and 2012, its gross revenues grew more than 50 percent to $360 million.
No. 7: Anita Emoff, Boost Technologies in Dayton, Ohio
Specializing in employee wellness, recognition and awards, Boost Technologies reported $17 million in gross revenues last year, up from less than $1 million in 2008.
No. 8: Kathleen Croddick, Suite K of South Brunswick, N.J.
Founded and run by Croddick, Suite K Value Added Services LLC manufactures beauty products such as fragrances, creams and lotions. Its gross revenues grew more than 150 percent between 2010 and 2012 to $13 million.
No. 9: Lani Hay, Lanmark Technology in Vienna, Va.
Lanmark Technology provides professional services such as IT and administrative support to clients in the government and commercial sectors. It reported gross revenues of $35 million in 2012.
No. 10: Ranjini Poddar, Artech Information Systems LLC in Cedar Knolls, N.J.
With gross revenues of nearly $350 million, Artech is the largest women-owned IT staffing company in the U.S., according to WPO.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225219
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_23219120/moms-driving-family-tech-boom
Disney Story App: photo story
UrbanSitter: baby-sitter finder
BabyJunk: used baby goods
ActivityHero: camps, classes, and activities for kids
Timbuktu: iPad magazine for children
TinkerLab: creative projects for kids
KitchenKid: culinary school for children
CitrusLane: care packages
ToyTalk: family entertainment
