MKP Creative

Client Press Hit: Women's Healthcare Associates in The Lake Oswego Review, Feb. 2012

2012-02-16T15:15:00.000-08:00

An almost perfect past, an unlimited future

Schrinsky, Conger offer more than ever with Women’s Healthcare Associates

By Cliff Newell

The Lake Oswego Review, Feb 16, 2012

Doctors Dan Schrinsky, left, and Bud Conger of Lake Oswego with Women’s Healthcare Associates, have been helping women medically for decades.

Looking back can be so much fun. Especially when you have come as far as doctors Dan Schrinsky and Bud Conger of Lake Oswego with Women’s Healthcare Associates.

Read the full story here

VendScreen Press Hit: SiliconIndia.com February 15, 2012

2012-02-15T10:58:00.000-08:00

Paresh K. Patel is the Founder & CEO of VendScreen, which produces Android-based touchscreen for vending machines. it was founded in 2011 by Patel and Glenn Butler. VendScreen personalizes the vending experience by delivering the nutrition data and advertising to displays mounted on vending machines. The company had recently secured $12 million in its first round of funding.

Keep Reading....

MKP Creative as cited in Vending Market Watch, Feb. 1, 2012

2012-02-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

"VendScreen, one of the company’s highlighted in yesterday’s USA Today article, deserves credit for recognizing the importance of media relations. VendScreen hired a media relations person who reached out to USA Today and helped the reporter with the article."

See the full story here: http://www.vendingmarketwatch.com/blog/10621983/usa-today-reports-on-vending-videoscreens-as-technology-and-better-media-relations-change-the-market-operators-must-stay-one-step-ahead

VendScreen Press Hit: Front page MSN news, Feb. 1 2012

2012-02-01T12:07:00.001-08:00

Press Hit: Inpower in The Oregonian, February 1, 2012

2012-02-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

One personal trainer's fitness goal: Help cancer patients feel better during and after treatment.

One minute, Laura Rosencrantz's grandfather was a vibrant guy, exercising at least five times a week, enjoying a rich family life and running a big company. The next, doctors found lung cancer, advised he skip the gym routine and rest. He grew weaker by the day.

Leonard Schnitzer, 78, chairman of the board and former longtime chief executive officer of Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc., died June 8, 2003, three months after his diagnosis.

His death devastated and motivated Rosencrantz, his doting granddaughter. She quit her job as a Multnomah Athletic Club fitness instructor, got specialized training and started an exercise program designed to help cancer patients stay stronger while in treatment, recover afterward or at the very least, feel better during the time they have left. She calls it Inpower.

Rosencrantz's focus on exercise for cancer patients mirrors a burgeoning trend among fitness trainers, physical therapists and oncologists. Out are the bed-rest recommendations of old. In are prescriptions for workouts tailored to specific cancer diagnoses, to how patients feel and to what they can tolerate day to day as they endure chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments.

Keep Reading...

Supera Anesthesia Innovations: StartUp Weekly, Feb. 1, 2012

2012-02-01T11:52:00.000-08:00

Founders come in all types, but inventors are a breed of their own; they’re bleeding edge.

So it is with Brian Lawson, Founder and inventor/leader of Supera Anesthesia Innovations of Clackamas, Oregon. An engineer and problem-solver, Brian got his start in the Silicon Forest of Oregon with the likes of Hewlett-Packard and others in the medical equipment industry. His connection with the veterinary industry pushed his passion button in two ways: His love for animals and the dedication of those who cared for them. “Most of the people in veterinary medicine are not in it for the money,” he states.

He saw the life-critical point, when the animal is under the anesthesia, as a problem area. “Medical equipment for animals usually copies its human counterpart. But with anesthesia, the human machines were overly-complicated and didn’t address the needs of the veterinarian,” he assesses. So, the passionate inventor created, designed and built the superior machine.

Brian spreads his passion throughout his world, working with Supera’s distributors to push them to always “expect more.” The people in Supera do their homework, too. They listen to their customers and deliver what the customers want and need. Brian is excited about the future as well. New software packages have allowed the company to design, test internally and model in a very short time. “If we can think of it, we can build it,” he says with a deliberate voice but with a twinkle in his eye. No inventor ever said it better.

Think, Build, Eat, Sleep ~ Brian Lawson of Supera Anesthesia Innovations

Press Hit: Inpower Fitness on MORE Good Day Oregon, January 2012

2012-01-31T16:02:00.001-08:00

Exercise program geared toward cancer patients: Cancer and the treatments to fight it can be tough on a body, but an exercise program can help reduce side effects.br /

VendScreen Press Hit: USA Today: January 31, 2012

2012-01-31T15:58:00.001-08:00

USA Today: January 31, 2012

VendScreen device allows calorie check before you buy

There are 270 calories in that six-pack of Oreos you’re eyeing in the office vending machine.

And soon, with the help of a touch-screen device from technology start-up VendScreen, you’ll be able to find that out before you buy the cookies. Its soft-drink-can-size device mounts on vending machines and displays each item sold, letting customers see nutritional information and filter product information by dietary requirements.

Read More

VendScreen Press Hit: Vending Times: January 25, 2012

2012-01-31T15:57:00.001-08:00

Vending Times: January 25, 2012

VendScreen Raises $12M In Funding

The vending technology startup was one of eight companies to demonstrate their innovations to investors as part of the Portland Incubator Experiment, a business accelerator program led by worldwide advertising giant Wieden & Kennedy.

Read More

VendScreen Press Hit: Portland Business Journal: January 18, 2012

2012-01-31T15:56:00.000-08:00

Portland Business Journal: January 18, 2012

The story behind VendScreen’s $12M and other notes from PIE

The Wieden + Kennedy-hosted Portland Incubator Experiment considers itself a startup accelerator, and the story of VendScreen is an example of the accuracy of that title.

The Portland-based startup, a maker of touch-screen devices for vending machines, entered the three-month PIE program as a two-man operation with what CEO Paresh Patel called “a pretty good idea.”

Read More

VendScreen Press Hit: Portland Business Journal: January 17, 2012

2012-01-31T15:55:00.000-08:00

Portland Business Journal: January 17, 2012

Portland startup VendScreen raises $12M

Portland startup VendScreen on Tuesday said it raised $12 million from investors as it works to revolutionize the vending machine industry.

CEO and Founder Paresh K. Patel announced the Series A round at the Bagdad Theater in Southeast Portland as one of eight companies making demonstrations to investors as part of the Portland Incubator Experiment, the business accelerator program led by advertising firm Wieden + Kennedy.

Read More

VendScreen Press Hit: Oregonlive.com, January 17, 2012

2012-01-31T15:53:00.001-08:00

Oregonlive.com: January 17, 2012

Portland Incubator Experiment graduates first class, including one that landed $12 million investment

It wasn’t until the final presenter of the Portland Incubator Experiment’s Demo Day that the biggest cheers erupted. Up on the big screen flashed one big number: $12 million.

VendScreen had just landed the investment for its ability to attach mobile phones to vending machines, the startup’s co-founder and chief executive Paresh Patel told the crowd. The technology allows for cashless payments and can store data and provide nutrition information.

Read more here

VendScreen Press Hit: Vending Market Watch December 12, 2011

2011-12-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

Vendscreen Inc., inventor of the Vendscreen™ smart device for new and existing vending machines, announces the acquisition and intellectual property of CTO Services, LLC and its principal Glenn Butler, who joins Vendscreen, Inc. as co-founder and chief technology officer.

Read the full story here on http://www.vendingmarketwatch.com/news/10524438/vending-technology-veteran-glenn-butler-joins-vendscreen-inc-jim-brinton-invests-in-vendscreen

The Cdock spotted in Nick Cannon's top gift guide- December, 2011

2011-12-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

Celebrity Nick Cannon adds The Cdock to his ultimate wish list: http://www.nickcannon.com/post/cannons-gift-guide-gadgets

Native Union Pop Phone Handset—$35, urbanoutfitters.com
Spooled by The Other Edge—$8, popdeluxe.net
Victorinox Slim 32 GB Flash Drive—$130.50, swissarmy.com
Cdock—$55 - $75, thecdock.com
Lytro camera (preorder now for shipping early 2012)—$399 - $499, lytro.com

Press Hit: The Cdock, October 28, 2011: iPad Brain

2011-11-22T12:24:00.000-08:00

Grayscale has unveiled its new Cdock for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Designed for use with the myriad of clock apps available, the Cdock is an iPhone clock dock, offering a 1.25-inch thick walnut housing, a six-foot USB charging cable, an opening in the front for full access to the docked device, and a front faceplate made from black or white resin, brushed aluminum, or walnut. Pricing for the Cdock varies from $55 to $70; it is available for pre-order now.

Source http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/grayscale-unveils-cdock-for-iphone-4-4s/

Read more about ipad accessories by www.ipadbrain.com

Source http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/grayscale-unveils-cdock-for-iphone-4-4s/

Read more about ipad accessories by www.ipadbrain.com

Source http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/grayscale-unveils-cdock-for-iphone-4-4s/

Read more about ipad accessories by www.ipadbrain.com

Read more about ipad accessories by www.ipadbrain.comhttp://www.ipadbrain.com/ipad-accessories/1033-grayscale-unveils-cdock-for-iphone-4-4shttp://www.ipadbrain.com/ipad-accessories/1033-grayscale-unveils-cdock-for-iphone-4-4shttp://www.ipadbrain.com/ipad-accessories/1033-grayscale-unveils-cdock-for-iphone-4-4shttp://www.ipadbrain.com/ipad-accessories/1033-grayscale-unveils-cdock-for-iphone-4-4http://www.ipadbrain.com/ipad-accessories/1033-grayscale-unveils-cdock-for-iphone-4-4s

Press Hit: The Cdock, November 9, 2011: Gear Diary

2011-11-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

We’ve all seen docks that allow you to set your iPhone up as a bedside clock, but this one takes the concept to such lengths that it is worth a mention: the Cdock keeps your iPhone 4 or 4S charged while holding it so that you can glance over to get the time instead of fumbling to pick it up from your bedside table. There are different styles available, and when you add the Gorgy Timing Atomic Clock app (or any other favorite iPhone clock app), you’ll have one beautifully functional setup. The only downside that I can see is you have to insert a nekkid iPhone. Is that a deal-breaker for you?

Keep Reading...

Press Hit: The Cdock on TapCentral.com November 1, 2011

2011-11-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

Lovers of high-end iPhone accessories, meet the cDock; a clock dock for the iPhone 4 and 4S. cDock is designed to combine function and design to charge your iPhone while using one of the many clock apps to display the time.

This sleek docking device has a retro style, with classic clock legs. cDock has a 1.25-inch solid walnut body, an opening in the front for full access to the docked device in landscape mode and a front faceplate made from glossy black or white resin, brushed aluminium, or walnut.

Keep Reading...

Press Hit: The Cdock in Brilldekko.com

2011-11-21T11:56:00.000-08:00

The makers of the cdock are describing it as “a docking station, a retro clock, a flat screen TV, a stand, home decor, and a statement”, and a statement they are making. The pieces with the walnut are stunning and would look phenomenal on the nightstand of a mid century bedroom suite. These were created in Portland, Oregon by a team of designers with graphic design backgrounds and they say they will work on both the iphone 4 and 4s with possibly the iPad in the future. Looks like orders are pretty limited, and these things are awesome, so might want to jump on it if you want one. Keep Reading....

Press Hit: The Cdock, November 17 2011: Gadgets & Technology News

2011-11-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

The stylish Cdock™ is the perfect gift to give the tech lover in your life. The Cdock was created with the intention of solving the overnight drained battery blues (functional) and designed to enhance the already beautiful Apple iPhone aesthetic (cool). Keep reading....

Safeway Brings a Free Coffee Break to the City of Roses

2011-10-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

Safeway Brings a Free Coffee Break to the City of Roses

Event dates:

Oct 5, 2011 7:00 AM → Oct 5, 2011 8:00 PM
Oct 6, 2011 7:00 AM → Oct 6, 2011 6:00 PM
Oct 7, 2011 7:00 AM → Oct 7, 2011 5:00 PM

Event location: Various Portland locations

To celebrate the launch of their high quality coffee, Safeway brings free coffee break to PDX

For those who want to enjoy the fresh-roast taste of their favorite, local coffee shop without leaving home, Safeway Select™ just released four new coffees with roast profiles similar to the most popular artisan coffee brands. Safeway is bringing a free coffee break to the City of Roses, who are no strangers to the power of a good caffeine kick.

The small-batch, dark roasted coffees are expertly blended from the highest quality, 100% Arabica beans for smooth taste and fresh aroma, and available exclusively at Safeway. Choose from Bold Reserve, Coffee Founder’s Blend, Bold French Roast, Ethiopia Sidamo, or Costa Rica Tarrazu. The coffees are available in whole beans, ground and bulk.

Safeway is hitting the streets of Portland October 5th – 7th to give Portlanders the chance to try the coffee for free, as well as passing out coupons and Safeway gift cards.

In conjunction with the Street Team promotion, Safeway will be running a contest all week on Z100, where listeners can enter to win an “Office Coffee Break” each day, provided by Safeway. Here’s the dates and times to find the Safeway Street Teams:

October 5:
7 a.m.-11 a.m., North Park Blocks Park F and Pearl District
Noon-2 p.m., Safeway Store located at 1030 SW Jefferson Avenue
4 p.m.-8 p.m., Pioneer Courthouse Square (Morrison Square Corner)

October 6:
7 a.m.-11 a.m., South Park Blocks Park A, City Hall and PAC West Building
Noon-2 p.m., Safeway Store located at 1303 NW Lovejoy Street
3 p.m.-6 p.m., Rec Center at Portland State University – Social Media Party

October 7:
7 a.m.-10 a.m., Pioneer Courthouse Square (Broadway Corner)
11 a.m.-5 p.m., Safeway Store visits throughout the city

The breadth of assortment comes in both flavored and non-flavored. The line features five flavors including French Roast, Colombia, Costa Rica, House Blend and Breakfast Blend. Safeway Select will also feature Holiday flavors this fall.

###

ABOUT Safeway: Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,694 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $41.1 billion in 2010. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

LEI Medical Enjoys Continued Growth in New Facility

2011-10-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) October 17, 2011

LEI Medical is enjoying new-found expansion and growth thanks to a facility move in October of 2010. Founded in 1993, LEI Medical has consistently improved the safety and quality of veterinary medical equipment, expanding to the point of needing to move their operations into a new, 10,000 square foot building space at this time last year.

CEO and Founder of LEI Medical Brian Lawson knew the company needed to move when their growth exceeded their manufacturing capabilities. Now comfortably housed in double the space they were just a couple of years ago, Lawson says the space, built in 2004, also makes delivery more streamlined and efficient.

LEI designs and manufactures high-quality, precision anesthesia machines including stands, wall mounts, tabletops, vaporizers, medical gas, suction and oxygen delivery products.

“It’s exciting to be celebrating our first year anniversary in this new space,” says Lawson. “The manufacturing facility makes it easier for us to create and test new products and initiate new concepts. It’s really helped us to focus on serving our customers to the best of our ability. The new surroundings have been an inspiration in several exciting ways.”

The new facility includes a dedicated clean room for product assembly and testing, dedicated space for precision manufacturing of LEI parts, inventory management, shipping, customer service and sales. The space allows for two state-of-the-art manufacturing machines that take raw material and cut them to extraordinarily demanding specifics for the high quality, precision products that LEI is known for.

“It’s important to us to keep moving forward,” says Lawson. “We’re always looking at what’s next- what can be done to make our equipment more user friendly, safer for vets and pets, and new technology. This larger space allows us to do all of that and more.”

Lawson goes on to explain that the new, bigger facility has allowed for greater scope of work and focus on new products for the veterinary marketplace. LEI takes pride in the fact that LEI products are 100% American made and assembled in their facility in Oregon.

ABOUT LEI Medical

LEI Medical is a Portland, Oregon based company that produces medical equipment for the veterinary field. Since 1993, LEI Medical has consistently improved the safety and quality of veterinary medical equipment. For the last 18 years, LEI Medical has grown and recently expanded its capabilities with a new leading edge facility. For more information on LEI Medical, please call 877-620-1500 toll free or visit http://www.leimedical.com.
###

LEI Medical, Veterinary Equipment, Celebrates Outstanding Safety Record

2011-10-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

LEI Medical, http://www.leimedical.com, is celebrating its 18-year record of outstanding safety history. Founded in 1993, LEI Medical has consistently improved the safety and quality of veterinary medical equipment, boasting an exceptional record for both manufacturing and end users of LEI products.

CEO and Founder of LEI Medical Brian Lawson credits the companies success and continued growth to the dedication of its exceptional engineering. The company is devoted to providing high quality equipment exclusively for the veterinary industry.

LEI designs and manufactures high-quality, precision anesthesia machines (stand, wall mounts, tabletops), vaporizers, medical gas, suction and oxygen delivery products.

“We all take our work very seriously,” says Lawson. “Not only do we want the equipment to be safe for the animals, but we want the veterinarians to know that they can count on our equipment to perform for years without incident.”

LEI Medical recently expanded its capabilities with a new, leading edge facility where Lawson and his team are working diligently on innovative technology that they hope to unveil in the near future. The new space has allowed for greater research, engineering, design testing, fulfillment, and customer service. Products from LEI are 100% American made.

“The future is wide-open for us right now,” says Lawson. “We have some products in the works that are true game-changers. I’m excited for what the coming months hold.”

ABOUT LEI Medical

LEI Medical is a Portland, Oregon based company that produces medical equipment for the veterinary field. LEI designs and manufactures high-quality, precision anesthesia machines (stand, wall mounts, tabletops), vaporizers, medical gas, suction and oxygen delivery products. Since 1993, LEI Medical has consistently improved the safety and quality of veterinary medical equipment. For the last 18 years, LEI Medical has grown and recently expanded it's capabilities with a new leading edge facility. For more information on LEI Medical, please call 877-620-1500 toll free or visit http://www.leimedical.com.

ABOUT CEO and Founder Brian Lawson

Brian Lawson started his manufacturing career in Fort Collins Colorado with the Woodward Governor Company working on aerospace and national defense projects. After returning to his home state of Oregon, Lawson started his own manufacturing company focusing on the veterinary medical industry. He gladly supports local animal shelters and has established a scholarship for "excellence in anesthesia" at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University.

See the release online here

SinglePoint Announces New Product Offerings: Client Press Release

2011-09-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New offerings include SingleTRAK for real-time transportation location and SingleREV revenue share advertising program

Portland, Oregon, September 22, 2011 – SinglePoint unveils two products designed to make the most of real time communication for both passengers and transit agencies and charter companies. The products, titled SingleTRAK and SingleREV, respectively, represent the latest in cutting edge technology and real-time data delivery.

SingleTRAK, powered by TransLōc, provides real-time bus and train location details via the passengers’ web browser or handheld device. Information can also be made available at the station or depot. “TransLōc is excited to work with SinglePoint to give their transit customers access to the latest passenger information tools for their riders,” says Joshua Cohen, TransLōc. “Like Wi-Fi on buses, being able to see where the bus is and when it will arrive is an excellent use of technology to improve the transit experience for riders.”

SingleREV, powered by BluePod Media, is a revolutionary business model for charter companies and transit agencies. SingleREV is an advertising offering that allows SinglePoint to initiate a revenue share program with the company or agency, in exchange for putting advertisements in front of passengers. The solution will intuitively know how to emulate the end-user’s device and deliver the proper screen size and ratio so that the ads are aesthetically pleasing.

“Bluepod Media is delighted to be appointed by SinglePoint as exclusive media marketing partner for their SingleREV proposition,” says Stefan Hohmann, Co-founder, Bluepod Media. “Bluepod Media’s proven, world class location based media serving expertise is the perfect fit to SinglePoint’s technical transit Wi-Fi offering – together we can offer the most comprehensive, value-added Wi-Fi solution to transport companies across the USA.”

SinglePoint adds these new offerings to their suite of services, which currently include rugged Wi-Fi hardware, Wi-Fi analytics software solutions, and GPS tracking software. SinglePoint is the only company of its kind to offer all of these services. In addition, SinglePoint’s customers are able to choose services ala carte from the full suite of SinglePoint products.

“Times are tough for both public transit agencies and private charter companies,” explains SinglePoint VP of Operations Bill Hawkins. “The obvious way to solve this problem is to increase ridership. To increase ridership, you must give the passenger a compelling reason to take the bus. This can only come in the form of added amenities like Wi-Fi and other services. This is where solutions like SingleTRAK and SingleREV help; by providing a valuable service to passengers and a revenue stream back to the transport entity without having to charge the end-user.”

###

About SinglePoint Communications

Established in 2007, SinglePoint is North America’s leading distributor of products and services that provide Internet access to the private and public transportation markets, first responders, and commercial fleet operators. SinglePoint seeks out the highest quality equipment and service providers to ensure optimal quality of service to its clientele. For more information visit http://www.your1point.com.

About TransLōc

TransLōc is a next generation passenger information system. It offers riders a safe, comfortable, and convenient wait for the bus and gives transit operators a more efficient, more appreciated transit system. Riders can get real-time bus location and arrival information on the web, mobile phones, native apps for iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry, SMS text messaging, and at the stop. For more information visit http://www.transloc.com/

About BluePod Media

Bluepod Media is a world leading location based mobile marketing specialist. Founded in London in early 2007, Bluepod Media has achieved rapid growth with its break through vision of targeting high dwell time leisure, transit and shopping environments and creating a stand-alone mobile media network. Starting with just VUE cinemas, Bluepod Media now works exclusively with all the major UK cinema multiplexes, along with 5-a-side football centers, bars and pubs, computer game retailers, mobile phone stores and more. Bluepod Media operates in UK, Eurozone and North America, and is currently investigating opportunities in other parts of the world. For more information visit http://www.bluepodmedia.com/

Safire Band on AM NW, Sept. 7, 2011

2011-09-07T11:37:00.001-07:00

Story Published: Sep 7, 2011 at 9:45 AM PDT

Multimedia

Watch The Video

For more information about Safire and their new album, "Crashing Tiles," check out their website.

CoCo Designs on AM NW, Sept. 2011

2011-09-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

Story Published: Aug 31, 2011 at 9:20 AM PDT

Local Interior Designer Lora Coburn joined us today to tell us what's hot and what's not for Fall home decor. You'll find more information from Lora on her blog.

Multimedia

Watch The Video

Trend 1: Red

Adds instant energy and grabs attention
Use for bold accents with neutrals for contrast

Trend 2: Polka Dots

Use in moderation with accent pieces, accessories, etc.
Black and white combo seams to be most widely used
Keep it simple

Trend 3: Phlox (fancy name for a shade of purple)

Dramatic color
Deep purple with hint of mystery per Pantone

Trend 4: Texture

Gives definition and depth
Embroidery, tweed, plaid, wallpapers, metallic leathers, pebble textures, silk
Mix and match to add interesting element into room

Additional Info:

Monochromatic is still IN
Bold geometric prints are IN
Chocolate Brown is OUT -- lighter browns and tans taking it's place
Soft Lavendars are OUT
True Orange is OUT
Incorporating old with new is still going strong
Metallic leathers are IN
Plaid is IN

Reusing Items for Back to School: CoCo Designs on KPTV, Sept. 2011

2011-09-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

See the video here

Lora Coburn of CoCo Designs makes a 2nd appearance on KPTV morning show "More" showcasing her skills of re-using for back to school!

Three clinics merge to form state's biggest private OB/GYN practice : Portland Business Journal, Sept.6, 2011

2011-09-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

See the full article here

Three Portland-area health care clinics on Tuesday said they have merged to create the state’s largest private OB/GYN practice.

Women’s Healthcare Associates LLC, Women’s Clinic PC and Women’s Health Center of Oregon combined as of Aug. 26.

Now doing business as Women’s Healthcare Associates LLC, the newly merged company has nearly 90 clinicians, including obstetrician/gynecologist physician and nurse practitioners, as well as the state’s largest group of certified midwives.

In a news release, Women’s Healthcare Associates cited several benefits to merging:

Patients now have access to the combined expertise of nearly 90 clinicians.
Medical officials who consult with the clinic now have access to a larger pool of expertise.
Patients on Portland’s east side, Oregon City and Canby will now have better access to a wider range of services.

The combined organization has 11 locations throughout the Portland metro area, including four on the west side of Portland and two on the east side of Portland, as well as offices in Tualatin, Newberg, Oregon City, Canby and an administrative office in Beaverton.

Women's Healthcare Associates Merges With Two Eastside Practices

2011-09-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

September 06, 2011

The October 1, 2011 merger of Women's Healthcare Associates, LLC, Women's Clinic, PC and Women's Health Center of Oregon, PC represents an integration of the expertise and resources of three trusted women’s healthcare practices with a common mission, shared vision and strongly-held values. As a group, we are committed to setting the highest community standards for obstetric, gynecologic and women’s care with a focus on quality, safety and value. Read frequently asked questions about the merger >

The collaborative approach of Women’s Healthcare Associates assures our patients of the best possible outcomes by combining current science with the caring expertise of leading healthcare professionals. With our growth, more Portland metro-area women and their families will be able to choose complete women’s healthcare services from a single trusted source. The merged group will also offer the largest group of certified nurse midwives in Oregon.

The merger is a natural fit and a continuation of the history, tradition and trust that has existed between our practices and the community for more than 60 years. Our groups each have cultures that foster a family atmosphere, as well as an emphasis on strong relationships with our healthcare industry partners and colleagues; a connection to our communities and the region; and above all, a commitment to quality, excellent patient experiences and the very best outcomes for the women and families we serve.

While benefiting from the increased collaboration and resources of the larger network, patients will continue the relationships they’ve developed with the same caring OB/GYN physicians, perinatologists, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners and genetic counselors they’re accustomed to seeing. We look forward to continuing to meet your women’s healthcare needs.

Dr. Mark Tomlinson on More Good Day Oregon: Sept. 1, 2011

2011-09-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

Perinatologist Mark Tomlinson, MD, MBA of Northwest Perinatal Center, taped a segment yesterday for Channel 12’s "More" Good Day Oregon morning program. The segment will air Friday, September 2nd at 9:00AM and Monday, September 5th on the afternoon program "Better" at 2PM.

Dr. Tomlinson and host Kimberly Maus discussed the future of elective deliveries in the Portland region and throughout the state, specifically the agreement, effective September 1st, made among 17 hospitals to discontinue "early term" elective inductions or c-sections (those performed between 37 and 39 weeks' gestation that are not medically indicated).

First Annual White Party Portland a Success: Portland Society Page.com

2011-09-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

See the full article here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 6, 2011

Benefit for Oregon Humane Society raises over $12,000 for local nonprofit

PORTLAND, Ore. – The event’s 2011 slogan, “Do it for the puppies,” rang loud and true on the afternoon of Aug. 21, 2011, as five leaders from the Portland-Metro business community (Paul Wagner of Forkfly, Scott Kveton of Urban Airship, Nitin Khanna of MergerTech, Julie Ma of Perkins & Co, and Josh Friedman) hosted the First Annual White Party Portland, a benefit for the Oregon Humane Society (OHS). With over 200 guests donned in their finest “all white attire” in attendance at rontoms lounge, the event raised over $11,500 for the charitable organization – enough money to provide food for all the animals in the OHS’ care for an entire month.

“Choosing the Oregon Humane Society as our beneficiary was easy as the organization is very near and dear to all of our hearts,” said Paul Wagner, host of White Party Portland and CEO at Forkfly. “They do so much to help the local animal community, so we wanted to celebrate their efforts and raise overall awareness toward their programs.”

For over 142 years, the OHS has been sheltering abandoned animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and working to build a caring and compassionate community in Oregon. The association has thousands of members and 1,500 volunteers, but they are not affiliated with any local or national organization and receive no tax dollars. Their work is made possible only through donations of time, money, goods and services.

“The Oregon Humane Society is honored to have been selected as the beneficiary of this terrific event,” said Rebecca Ramach, special events coordinator at the Oregon Humane Society. “We know our community has plenty of animal lovers that help our programs survive and thrive, so we cannot thank all the guests enough!”

The event, sponsored in part by Forkfly, MergerTech, and Urban Airship, sold over 300 tickets, featured a silent auction with donations totaling over $10,100, and even received a special visit from three, ready-to-be-adopted OHS puppies. The hosts will plan another White Party Portland for summer 2012 that will benefit a different local organization.

###

About White Party Portland
The 1st Annual White Party was conceived by five local leaders of the business community to invite local influencers, Portlanders, friends, and charitable supporters to come together for a fun afternoon for a great cause. The party’s mission is two-fold: to toast to summer and for guests to don their finest pre-Labor Day whites as a benefit for a local charitable organization. For more information and photos, please visit http://whitepartyportland.com/.

Women's Healthcare Associates Press Hit: August 2011: Dr. Laura Morrison on KGW Live @ 7 Discussing Affordable Care Act

2011-08-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

August 02, 2011

Dr. Laura Morrison was a guest on KGW's Live @ 7 show on Monday, August 1st. Dr. Morrison and host Stephanie Stricklen discussed new guidelines released Monday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for insurance coverage of preventive health care services for women.

The new guidelines, which go into effect for health insurance policies dated after August 1, 2012, require coverage of a broad range of preventive health services without a co-pay or deductible. These include well-woman visits; FDA-approved contraception; breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling; screening for HIV and sexually transmitted infections; and domestic violence screening.

"What's exciting about this is that there are so many women out there who have insurance but still can't afford their medication, supplies or screening tests and this removes that last barrier for them," said Dr. Morrison.

Women's Healthcare Associates provides preventive health care for women of all ages.

CoCo Designs Guest Blog Post on Marcus Design Blog: July, 2011

2011-07-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

Client CoCo Designs had the opportunity to take part in this really fun blog series, "My Dream Home would Have to Have" courtesy of Marcus Design Blog. Guest blogging is a great way to build connections, contacts in your field, and credibility. It's also a great way to build in-bound links to your website (i.e., getting in front of new audiences and potential clients by having them click on your link to your website or blog via another website or blog). PR and Viral Marketing is all about thinking outside the box! Here it is!

Forkfly Press Hit: July, 2011: The Inlander

2011-07-06T19:50:00.001-07:00

The Inlander picked up recent news about ForkFly.com moving into new market New Orleans and other publisher relations. Here's the snap shot:

CoCo Designs Press Hit: KPTV morning show "More" on Fox 12, July 2011

2011-07-06T19:48:00.001-07:00

Lora Coburn of CoCo Designs taped a LIVE show for hit morning program "More" at the Fox KPTV studios. Check it out here!

CoCo Designs Press hit: AM NW KATU Channel 2, July 2011

2011-07-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

Tammy Hernandez joined local Interior Designer Lora Coburn at The Rebuilding Center. Their mission? To help us look at things a little differently! As a designer, Lora can look at old things and see useful fun new pieces for our homes...

Watch the full video here!

Interview with Paul Wagner on Nw Innovation.com: Forkfly Press Hit July 5, 2011

2011-07-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

The online, daily deals and offers market is a very competitive one, with major companies like Groupon and LivingSocial--plus countless others--looking to occupy the space. Portland-based Forkfly (www.forkfly.com) is looking to take a different angle on the market, helping to enable local publishers to create their own, deal sites. We spoke with founder Paul Wagner about the company.

First, for folks who haven't used your app, what is Forkfly?
Paul Wagner: For the consumer, it's all about local deals with great local merchants. It's a pretty straight forward play on that end. It get a bit more complex on the other two thirds of the site, for the merchants and the publishers.

What do you offer for them?
Paul Wagner: On the publisher and merchant side, we have integrated a suite of tools to not just manage social couponing, social media, but a whole suite of things to manage the stuff internally. They can manage their digital spend with local publishers, manage print, and more. It's basically a suite of useful applications which they can manage themselves. It stems, in a large part, from our work with publishers. If you've ever read Groupon's financials, you'll see they are spending a half a billion on marketing, and have 5000 salespeople. It's pretty spectacular, really. For us, we realize that our media partners are wanting to stay relevant in both print and digital. They have the feet on the street, and the local trust, so they deploy Forkfly themselves. That allows us to expand not just into major markets, but also provides us with market differentiation from Groupon and LivingSocial, allowing us to gain traction.

Those publishers are mostly newspaper publishers?
Paul Wagner: We work primarily with print, and have seven sites deployed and another twenty deploying. When I'm saying deploying, there are those who aren't showing up on the site until they are ready to go live. We're in talks with another sixty properties, including working with radio and TV stations, who are also interested in deploying the technology. The nice thing about our platform for publishers, is there is one app which works anywhere in the country. You might start using the app in Charleston, South California, with the local city paper. But, if you visit San Francisco, we can also show them deals from that local area, too. In that way, we are helping publishers become a part of a network, because they don't want to be a little island fighting for survival.

How did you settle on this market?
Paul Wagner: We were one of the first coupon apps on the App store. We had originally taken a very traditional approach. I'd owned a restaurant as a side project, and had some frustration with CitySearch, which was about our only digital spend option. I ended up designing the interface, and had it built in Argentina. I flew down there, worked with a local development team, and we deployed it in 2008. I then realized very quickly that building a large team of sales people and selling to local merchants in Portland was wonderful, but there was no way we'd be able to ever expand beyond Portland, because it was too expensive. We had a low price point, and there was just no scalability in the original model. To make a long story short, someone in the publishing space approached me, and told me I had an interesting product, and if I had considered deploying it with newspapers. It was an interesting proposition, so we completely scrapped our code, rebuilt it to not just be a couponing tool for merchants, but also made it a place where businesses could manage their media spend through local publishers. We didn't have to spend on marketing, which was all done by our media partners. We left the sales efforts to our media partners, and focused on developing the technology.

We'd guess that local partners make it easier for you to differentiate?
Paul Wagner: That's exactly right. It's funny, but recently Groupon Now deployed in the Bay Area, and deployed in Portland. I received an email yesterday from Groupon, claiming that they had over 200 Portland deals, which was an outright fabrication. When I went to Groupon Now, I found 30 at most. In Portland alone, we have 195 active deals right now. Plus, consumers don' t have to pay a time to take advantage of our service. They can juts hold up a phone to get the offer. I do think that the more players that get into this space, the better it is for us. Publishers understand they have to go out and do this, or they risk losing everything. So, the more noise the better, it's a good space to be in.

Finally, what's the next big thing for you?
Paul Wagner: We're expanding rapidly, and what we've realizes is that, although the largeer markets are performing very well for us, what fun is working with small, regional publishers. Those are publications with less than 15,000 people in a rural market, which is a horribly underserved market. For us, it's been huge working with those publishing partners in those regions, because the acceptance has been absolutely tremendous. There is no noise from Groupon, LivingSocial, or any other daily deal platform in those markets. Those launches end up wildly successful for us and our publishing partners.

Thanks!

See the full interview here

Forkfly July, 2011: Forkfly Announces New National Sales Director and Sales Consultant

2011-07-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

Portland, Ore. - Forkfly today announced the introduction of a new national sales director, Mr. Simon Mulverhill, and sales consultant Mr. Sammy Papert. The announcement comes on the heels of Forkfly's deployment into 20 new markets.

Effective immediately, Mulverhill will lead sales efforts in Forkfly's push to work with media partners in every major market in America. Over the course of the next few months, Forkfly will be making a series of announcements regarding new media partnerships.

Mulverhill is a 15-year veteran of the alternative newsweekly business with advertising sales management and publishing experience. Starting at Illinois Times, in Springfield (IL) as Ad Director in 1994, he was promoted to Publisher in 1997, and while there launched a parenting publication, Springfield Parent. He then headed south as Publisher of the San Antonio Current in summer of 2000. After five years, he moved into the non-profit world, with management positions at Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, and Kids Sports Network. He returned to the alternative newsweekly world in summer of 2008 as Advertising Director of The Austin Chronicle.

"We are honored to have Simon join our growing team at Forkfly," said Paul Wagner, Forkfly CEO. "Simon's extensive experience will help our current and prospective media partners to feel confident in our abilities to work within their industries."

Forkfly has also engaged the services of sales consultant Sammy Papert. His 15 years of selling tens of millions of dollars of newspaper advertising at the Papert Companies, a national advertising sales organization which represented 500 daily newspapers, will serve Forkfly and customers admirably. Papert served as Chairman and CEO of Belden Associates, the well regarded newspaper research and consultancy for ten years before founding Wormhole, LLC in February of 2009. Wormhole connects organizations to their business and consuming audiences in unique and fast ways by leveraging technology and the web - a perfect fit with Forkfly.

"Sammy's experience brings key insights from both the newspaper and research industries," said Forkfly CMO Stephanie Hooper. "We're looking forward to having both Sammy and Simon on board."

In addition to the most recent market deployments, Forkfly announced they are in active talks with over 60 more. They are projecting 80 by year-end, with more than 200 signed on by year-end 2012.

Forkfly's locational mobile coupon platform offers a wholesale platform for media partners to sell space to merchants in their own local community. Advertisers use Forkfly as a fully integrated measurement dashboard to manage their print, digital and social media buys. The Forkfly business model allows media partners, who get exclusive rights to the Forkfly platform in their DMA, to utilize their own sales team and existing merchant relations.

Forkfly offers a robust social network capability and built in customer loyalty program with smart phone redemption for both Android and iPhone.

About Forkfly
Forkfly is a marketing and promotional platform for media partners that benefit customers and merchants. Merchants can leverage social media networks, mobile technologies, and a creative distribution strategy to find new customers, engage customers, and build brand loyalty. Customers use Forkfly to find and redeem deals, perks, rewards, and other incentives from hundreds of merchants "on the fly." For more information, visit www.forkfly.com.

Read the full story here!

Forkfly: Merchants forking Over a Good Deal on the Fly: Daily Deal Media, June 20, 2011: Forkfly

2011-06-20T15:35:00.000-07:00

Daily Deal Media re-posted the StartUp Weekly interview with Forkfly CEO Paul Wagner, as well as information about Forkfly and 2 paragraphs from the Forkfly blog (written by yours truly). Check out the press hit here!

Why Groupon Is Poised For Collapse: Press Hit for Forkfly

2011-06-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

Forkfly CEO Paul Wagner had a sit down with tech guru and blogger Rocky Agrawal, an avid tech writer for the blog TechCrunch, one of the most trusted tech sites in the space. Check out the article here

Results of this press hit for Forkfly included:

Record day of 2,938 visits to just Forkfly consumer website. (Typically average about 650 for a normal Monday)
Nearly half of that traffic was referral traffic from the article (1,353)
Numerous calls and emails to CEO and Forkfly staff

The power of the press :)

The Dragontree Day Spa Offers Health Coaching: Press Hit June 1, 2011

2011-06-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa made a big announcement about offering Health Coaching as a "treatment" option at both their NW and Airport location! Check out some nice press from the peeps at American Spa Magazine:

Read the full blog post here!

Starting a Company on the Fly ~ Paul Wagner of Forkfly

2011-06-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

Client Forkfly is a deal site that utilizes publishers to sign on merchants in their own town, and pass on local deals to end users. Deals can be redeemed via Android or iPhone- it's some pretty cool stuff! Our first press hit came in the form of an interview on StartUp Weekly, with a text interview plus video. Check it out!

When Paul Wagner opened his wine bar in Portland, Oregon, he quickly became frustrated with the leading digital city guide (won’t mention names here). The frustration woke him ...
Click here for the full video and interview!

Superfly Ready for Take Off

2011-05-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

Forkfly, a merchant marketing and promotional social platform, launches new daily deal service, Superfly, in Portland market

Portland, Ore., May 10, 2011 – Forkfly announces their new service, Superfly, has launched. Superfly offers exclusive daily deals, bringing additional value to Forkfly members and merchants alike.

Forkfly has been providing its members with ongoing merchant deals via social media since 2009. According to Paul Wagner, Forkfly’s CEO/Founder, “The ongoing Forkfly deals will continue – we are just adding Superfly deals exclusively to participating Forkfly merchants, which will help them build loyalty and engagement.”

Forkfly offers participating merchants the benefits of bringing in new customers while building loyalty with their existing customer base through rewards. Due to the unique nature of these deals, participating Superfly merchants see an increase in new, loyal customers almost immediately.

“The Superfly deals essentially provide local merchants with a form of risk-free advertising,” says Stephanie Hooper, Chief Marketing Officer at Forkfly. “Portland retailers will benefit from the ‘buzz factor’ associated with exclusive, limited-time deals.” Merchants can set a maximum number of Superfly customer redemptions that can be sold within the 24-hour deal offer. Superfly merchants receive a payout check within three business days of the promotion date.

In addition to visibility through Forkfly’s expansive member network, Superfly deals will be promoted via targeted online advertising on Google, Facebook and other popular websites. A percentage of revenue from every Superfly deal will go to local non-profit organizations.

###

About Forkfly

Forkfly is an innovative marketing and promotional platform that benefits customers and merchants. Merchants can leverage social media networks, mobile technologies, and a creative distribution strategy to find new customers, engage current customers, and build brand loyalty. Customers use Forkfly to find and redeem deals, perks, rewards, and other incentives from hundreds of merchants "on the fly." Superfly, the daily deal offer, provides high value deals for restaurants, spas, shops, events, tours, and more, while bringing unprecedented attention and business to the featured merchant. For more information, visit www.forkfly.com.

Contacts:

Stephanie Hooper

Forkfly

stephanie@forkfly.com

503-961-2519

THE DRAGONTREE, A HOLISTIC DAY SPA, ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF HEALTH COACHING

2011-05-20T08:57:00.003-07:00

Day spa known for their holistic and organic approach to health and wellness now offers unique program with in-house Health Coaches

Portland, Ore., May 20, 2011 – The Dragontree Day Spa announces Holistic Health Coaching services, aimed at providing structured programs to create lasting change.

With chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes taking a choking hold on American society, the new concept of the health coach is about proactive lifestyle changes as opposed to reactive. The Dragontree Spa, long known in the community as a place of holistic health, is embracing this idea by offering health coaching as a treatment to clients.

“Through education and encouragement, participants can take a proactive role in getting and staying healthy,” explains Dragontree owner Briana Borten.

Participants meet every other week for one hour and can choose between a three or six month program, with an option to extend indefinitely. The sessions include discussions of goals, progress, recommendations, and resources such as books, recipes and cooking classes. An optional grocery store tour is available, as well as free invitations to all events, lectures and workshops offered at The Dragontree.

“The three-month option is for those who already have some knowledge of healthy eating and lifestyle but need extra support to move past blocks,” says Health Coach Heather Wade. “As a wellness authority and supportive mentor, I want to motivate individuals to cultivate positive health choices.”

“The six-month option is targeted for those who know that change is needed but are overwhelmed and unsure of where or how to begin,” explains Health Coach Kelly Hirstein. “It takes time to integrate new habits and we can work at a pace that helps make those changes sustainable.”

This program is about more than just diet; it is aimed at creating a better quality of life. The program is designed to assess the areas of a participant’s life that are out of balance and work with them to make progress to nourish those needs.

The Dragontree Health Coaches fully support the recommendations given by doctors and any medical professionals. Their main goal is to provide participants with the practical knowledge and resources to participate in creating and maintaining a foundation of high quality health throughout life.

About The Dragontree:

The Dragontree, located at 2768 NW Thurman and in the Portland International Airport on Concourse C, offers a variety of services to still the mind and mend the body. The perfect place to receive massages, facials, Acupuncture, waxing, Ayurvedic counseling, and herbal consultations, you can also gather with friends and family and receive foot treatments, head, neck, & shoulder massages, and hand treatments. For more information please visit www.thedragontree.com.

###

Contact:

Maggie Palmer

Maggie@thedragontree.com

503-419-7677

The Dragontree Spa in the Portland Airport Celebrates First Anniversary: April 12, 2011: SkinInc.

2011-04-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

Portland, OR-based The Dragontree Day Spa celebrated the first anniversary of its Portland International Airport location in February. The spa celebrated the milestone by offering food, beverages and mini treatments to airport staff on February 23, as well as free massages and product samples for passengers before they went through security during the same time period. 503-331-1131

See the story here

Why I Love Portland, V.1

2011-02-22T14:21:00.000-08:00

I don't typically blog on my blog spot account. I tend to reserve this blog for mentioning my public relation's clients happenings, press hits and Examiner articles. But, I'd love to start blogging more about every day occurrences in my life and in the life of MKP Creative.

This afternoon, during my lunch hour, I braved the Portland spring of "Rain-sleet-Sun! Rain-wind-downpour-Sun!" and did a quick 30 minute ~~run~~ jog along the water front. After almost tripping over a dog whose owner had one of those leashes that lets the dog run 10 feet away from them, I continued on through the down pour that then gave way to sunshine, doing wonders for my naturally frizzy hair. Feeling a bit damp but otherwise satisfied that looks would not matter when I got back to the office, since I have no afternoon meetings and work all alone in my little office, I continued on at a steady pace.

I heard slapping on the pavement behind me and was suddenly passed in a whoosh by a lean guy running barefoot. I love Portland because people are not afraid to run barefoot, downtown, because they are a believer in the barefoot running movement. I also love that I also saw another guy running barefoot about 10 minutes later, splashing along in the mud beside the side walk- and they were not running together. Just two separate, barefoot running guys.

Dodging a seagull sitting up on the light post, a couple of pigeons, the harmless homeless brigade under the bridge and serious bikers along the waterfront adds excitement and some adrenaline to my runs. Now back at my desk, with a brilliant sun shine filled afternoon, I'm gazing out at the Broadway Bridge happy I got out and moved my body, and happy to be a Portlander.

MKP Creative, Inc., The Dragontree Spa & WEO enjoy press coverage in The Oregonian, Feb. 2011

2011-02-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

When the end came, Shawna McKeown wasn't surprised.

"I'd been there 10 years and saw the signs," she said. "I was the one who shut down the classified department, got rid of the web editor and demoted the receptionist."

In June, it was McKeown's turn: She was laid off as general manager of Willamette Week, a Portland alternative newspaper.

As the divorced mother of two boys -- Thilo, 7, and Cian, 5 -- she needed to find something else.

After months of planning, she opened a business, Oui Presse coffee shop on Portland's Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. Now she maintains a complicated schedule of caring for her sons and running a shop that faces competition from not only national chains such as Starbucks but other independent shops with loyal followings.

On good days, when the till shows the shop broke even or better, McKeown is elated. On bad days, she steels her resolve and fights back the fear that she made a mistake.

Her story is a familiar one, playing out in various forms across a metro area with a jobless rate that has hovered above 10 percent for more than a year. Local groups that work with budding entrepreneurs note a significant uptick in the number of people seeking to open a business. While some have always dreamed of being self-employed, many, such as McKeown, are starting businesses out of necessity.

McKeown, 43, seeded her shop with a small severance package from the paper, money from her retirement savings and three credit cards. In October, she signed a lease on a storefront at 1740 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., a space where a cafe and later a clothing store had failed.

Two days before Christmas, she opened her doors.

"It's terrifying," she said. "Failure isn't an option."

McKeown started a blog to chart her progress and build a following. She tried to borrow money from several banks, including the one that holds her mortgage. But with no paycheck, they all said no.

Next she turned to MercyCorps Northwest, which has a loan program for startups.

"What's changed in the past couple years is that we're seeing people who've been working for a company for years and then they lost a job," said Scott Onder, the Portland organization's fund development and strategy coordinator. "It's a tough job market, and the only alternative is to become self-employed."

MercyCorps gets 20 applications a month and approves four, he said. Since the program began nine years ago, the organization has issued just over 200 loans totaling $2.3 million. Now demand is so high, the agency is working with banks to get more money to loan.

"We've funded some businesses that you wouldn't think would make it," he said. "Craftsmen that sell jewelry. We've helped florists and photographers. What we look at is potential cash flow to make sure there's enough profit to make loan payments on a monthly basis."

McKeown was approved for a $20,000 loan, with a 12 percent interest rate. She opted instead to sign up for two more credit cards, which offered zero interest for the first year.

"I have to do what it takes to get going," she said.

Maggie Palmer, owner of Portland's MKP Creative Services, knows what she means.

In 2008, Palmer had what she thought was a secure job as a marketing manager at a Portland company. She and her husband had just bought a house when they took their newborn to visit relatives in Ohio for Thanksgiving.

"Just before dinner, I signed onto the computer to check my e-mail," Palmer said. "My boss had sent a note to everyone that they were selling our desks on eBay. That's how I got the news I was being laid off."

She applied for jobs throughout the city but found nothing.

"I had no choice but to start my own business," she said. "I started calling businesses around town and asked if they'd laid off their marketing person. I proposed they hire me month to month. I incorporated in June. I'm making triple what I made when I worked for someone else.

"But it's scary when a client quits," she said. "I have to get another client. That's business."

We've been working our buns off over here at Oui Presse HQ, so there hasn't been much time to update the blog with progress photos. Here's what the store looks like now, on the eve of its debut. -- Oui Presse blog, Dec. 22

Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon, a Lake Oswego-based group, has watched membership grow from 25 in 2005 to more than 80, President Briana Borten said.

"You have to be passionate about running a business," she said. "You may love making jewelry, but the business is about making contacts, keeping books and employing people. Most businesses fail within the first three years. People don't plan for all the bad times. They plan for the way they hope it goes."

Borten, 30, started her business, The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa, when she was 22 after her boss at another spa told her that if she had so many great ideas, she should launch her own place.

Borten got a business partner, whose family loaned them money. Her boyfriend let her use his credit card.

"That's real love," said Borten, who now has two Portland spas and 60 employees. "We got married."

McKeown had no deep pockets to turn to as costs mounted: $11,000 for an espresso machine and $1,500 for a coffee grinder. She also had to buy a refrigerator, convection oven and sink. Recently, she added a freezer.

She hired a contractor for plumbing and electrical work but had friends help her rip out carpet and walls, and haul old tiles to the dump. Even so, she spent $55,000 to get started.

"When you add it up, it's the cost of a couple cars," she said. "But a car won't make me money. I have to make the investment in this business."

We hung our Stumptown sign from the ceiling using 30 lb monofilament today. Now we have the prettiest espresso machine AND the prettiest sign in town. -- Oui Presse blog, Dec. 31, under the heading "Too Legit to Quit"

McKeown's life can be a blur of business and child care. On weekdays, she dresses and feeds her sons, then sends them off to school, one on a school bus, the other with a neighborhood mom. She drives to a bakery in Northwest Portland to pick up pastries, then heads to her shop, usually arriving by 8:30 a.m.

About 3 p.m., she walks son Cian and other kids home from kindergarten and waits for the bus to deliver Thilo. Then her ex-husband picks up the boys, and she heads back to the shop until it closes at 6 p.m. Then it's back to parenting duties. Every other weekend, the boys stay with her ex-husband. On her weekends, she frequently brings them to work.

She has three part-time employees at her industrial-looking space, including Dan Winters, 27. She arrived one recent morning to find him in the shop alone. Business had been slow since the 7 a.m. opening, he said.

The two commiserated, with McKeown saying she drew a little comfort from noticing on her drive in that other coffee shops were empty, too.

Winters was a colleague at Willamette Week before being demoted and eventually leaving amid cutbacks. He has since returned to the paper to work on a project, and works at Oui Presse 20 hours a week.

"The extra money is nice," he said. "But I like being able to help her out. Shawna has become one of my best friends."

Within the hour, customers were flowing in as McKeown worked around the store -- installing a bathroom mirror, wrapping an overhead pipe with insulation and looking over her magazine rack. She stocks a variety of titles, plus gift items, to set her shop apart and add revenue. She eventually hopes to offer 150 periodicals, including hard-to-find titles from Europe.

When the shop emptied again, McKeown relaxed for a moment behind the counter.

"If I can manage my cash and stay ahead of the game for a year, I'll be OK," she said. In the meantime, she's learning that running her own shop is an around-the-clock endeavor.

"I think about this place all the time," McKeown said. "When I fall asleep, when I'm driving. I worry that lower Hawthorne doesn't have a lot of foot traffic. But then I realize it has easy parking. The scary part is when people don't come in. But I tell myself they will."

She needs $400 a day to break even, and so far, her best day brought in $476. Going over her books, she realized she took in just $168 on a recent Monday.

"I panicked," she said. "But I have to manage the fear. I have to cope. Each day a few more people come in, and I'm getting some regulars. I can't get discouraged. I have to remind myself that I'm laying the foundation for my future."

See the full story here

--Tom Hallman Jr.

Dragontree Day Spa Celebrates First Year at PDX: Northwest Meetings and Events Press Hits, Feb. 2011

2011-02-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

The Dragontree plans to celebrate this milestone by offering free food, beverages, and mini treatments to PDX staff on February 23rd from 12:30- 3:30pm at the spa, and free massages and product samples for everyone pre-security during the same time.

The spa, located on Concourse C between gates C-10 and C-12, has an established history of providing exceptional therapeutic services, commitment to being a sanctuary from the stresses of life, and dedication to reflecting Portland's values of ecological consciousness and sustainability practices.

“The Dragontree Spa has been a fabulous addition to the passenger service offerings at PDX,” says Chris Madsen, general manager of business and properties with the Port of Portland. “Travelers truly appreciate the tranquil atmosphere and extensive listing of services offered, and it’s a great way for them to unwind and relax before a flight.”

There are private treatment rooms for massages, facials and waxing as well as an ambient communal space with elevated couches for therapeutic foot baths, head, neck and shoulder massages, chair massages and a variety of foot treatments.

“We are dedicated to providing quality items that will support people in their journey toward balance,” says spa owner Briana Borten. “We are very pleased with the growth in profit we have seen since opening a year ago. We have exceeded our projections by an average of 25% every month in the first year. We hope that as people get accustomed to making it a part of their travel routine, we will see that growth continue,” adds Borten.

Read the full article here

The Dragontree celebrates one year on Concourse C: Press hit in PDXaminer

2011-02-22T12:25:00.000-08:00


Ready to assist weary travelers or stressed employees are Dragontree employees, left to right, Michele Stokes, Meredith Deloca, Sally Leonard, Moira Pope, Dominee Cagle and Ananthan.

Lots of tension eased. Many muscles relaxed. For the past year, since The Dragontree spa’s facility opened on Concourse C, travelers and employees have taken advantage of the skilled staff and soothing ambiance. As the spa’s ad says, “You have 30 minutes; we have peace. Let’s trade.”
To mark the anniversary, The Dragontree is offering free mini-treatments and free product samples to PDX employees from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 23, both at the Concourse C location and at the Clock Tower in the Oregon Market.

Read the full story in the PDXexaminer here

THE DRAGONTREE, A HOLISTIC DAY SPA, CELEBRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY AT ITS PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LOCATION

2011-02-22T12:23:00.000-08:00

(Portland, OR) February 1, 2011. The Dragontree Day Spa celebrates its first anniversary at The Portland International Airport this month. The Dragontree was chosen to be the first, and only, full service day spa at PDX and opened in February of 2010. The spa, located on Concourse C between gates C-10 and C-12, has an established history of providing exceptional therapeutic services, commitment to being a sanctuary from the stresses of life, and dedication to reflecting Portland's values of ecological consciousness and sustainability practices.

The airport location’s design is a beautiful, soothing, and private refuge featuring an extensive menu to accommodate all travelers’ needs and schedules. There are private treatment rooms for massages, facials, and waxing as well as an ambient communal space with elevated couches for therapeutic foot baths, head, neck and shoulder massages, chair massages and a variety of foot treatments. The Dragontree also offers natural nail care for both men and women, including manicures and pedicures using MINX nails, an all natural alternative to toxic and smelly nail polish.

“The Dragontree Spa has been a fabulous addition to the passenger service offerings at PDX,” says Chris Madsen, general manager of business and properties with the Port of Portland. “Travelers truly appreciate the tranquil atmosphere and extensive listing of services offered, and it’s a great way for them to unwind and relax before a flight.”

The airport location also offers a selection of immune supporting vitamins and herbs; natural sleeping aids, organic body and skin care products, and tasteful gifts for the savvy traveler. “All of our retail products have been hand selected by Dr. Peter Borten and myself. We are dedicated to providing quality items that will support people in their journey toward balance,” says spa owner Briana Borten. “We are very pleased with the growth in profit we have seen since opening a year ago. We have exceeded our projections by an average of 25% every month in the first year. We hope that as people get accustomed to making it a part of their travel routine, we will see that growth continue,” adds Borten.

Appointments are primarily on a walk-in basis but reservations are also happily accepted, and you can also book appointments online for the airport location to coincide with your travel schedule.

The Dragontree plans to celebrate this milestone by offering free food, beverages, and mini treatments to PDX staff on February 23^rd from 12:30- 3:30pm at the spa, and free massages and product samples for everyone pre-security during the same time, at the Clock Tower in the Oregon Market. For more information and a full menu of services and pricing, please visit the spa’s airport location website at www.thedragontreepdx.com or call 503.331.1131.

About:

###

Contact:

Maggie Palmer

Maggie@thedragontree.com

503-419-7677

New Online Shopping Options For Carol Rose Home Treasures Customers

2010-10-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

Oct 26, 2010 – Wilsonville, OR, October 26, 2010 — Carol Rose Home Treasures is happy to announce the opening of their online store, featuring a selection of Home décor, Gifts & Personal Accessories to suit a variety of tastes.

Carol Rose Home Treasures customers now have the opportunity to view and purchase a variety of items found in their brick and mortar store, through their website. This will also allow shoppers across America to be exposed to the unique shopping experience and items Carol Rose Home Treasures has to offer.

Consumers will have the ability to purchase items such as Miche Bags and covers, candle lamps, Marie Osmond handbags and jewelry, plus an exceptional line of home décor and holiday decorations. Carol Rose Home Treasures will keep their physical doors open while expanding their store to the online masses.

The new online store will offer current customers the convenience of online shopping and in some cases lower prices for special Internet-only deals. “Our new online store will allow customers the ability to enhance their shopping experience,”

said Carol Rose Home Treasures co-owner Gayle Baker. “Customers will be happy to find our online store offers exceptional prices and information, fast shipping, and outstanding products - just like our physical store.”

Pages and products can be viewed by going to carolrosehometreasures.com. Orders are processed and shipped to customers’ doorsteps quickly. Lynne Miller, co-owner of Carol Rose Home Treasures, is thrilled to bring their exceptional customer service and products to the rest of the nation. “This will make shopping for your family and friends incredibly convenient,” she says. “We’re excited to offer a selection of products to a broader audience, in time for holiday shopping.”

About : Carol Rose Home Treasures, located in Wilsonville, OR, is locally owned and operated by '2 Sisters', Lynne and Gayle, and is dedicated to their mother, Carol Rose, who passed away in December 2007. Their goal is to provide the hospitality, warmth and friendly atmosphere that characterized their Mom's life. Wall decor, table accessories, furniture, lamps, jewelry, purses and gifts are just a sampling of the variety of merchandise they carry. For more information and to see the new website please visit www.carolrosehometreasures.com.

# # #
Read the story here

How to Escape a Job You Hate! Katie Kelley on KATU AM NW

2010-10-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

Feeling trapped at your job? Wish you could get out but don't know how? Business Coach Katie Kelley had tips for escaping a job you can't stand.

See Katie Kelley on KATU AM NW here

Greenstone Inn Press Hit: Sustainable Business Oregon

2010-09-19T16:26:00.000-07:00

Shortly before Memorial Day, Brendan Carmody took the wraps off his new ultra-green hotel in Newport, the Greenstone Inn.

Since then, he's gotten a good read on all of the energy-saving measures he took during the hotel's $2.25 million construction. The average monthly electricity bill for the 20-unit oceanfront hotel? $54.
"There are days when we produce more energy than we use," Carmody said.

The Greenstone Inn started its life as the Viking Inn's cottages — literally. Some of the wood salvaged from the cottages' demolition was used to construct the new building.

When it opened in May, the Greenstone was the culmination of a seven-year quest by Carmody to build an inn that would coincide with his belief system.

"I'm not a scientist," Carmody said. "I can't tell you if global warming is real. But even if it isn't, getting off foreign oil is a goal we should all be working toward."

It took Carmody several years to find an architect to work with and a bank to finance the project (he went through three of each). In the meantime, he was researching the latest in green building materials and energy efficiency systems.

The result is a metal roof optimized to get the best performance from the photovoltaic array by Solar Ki of Corvallis, a wastewater heat reclamation system by Renewability Energy Inc. of Canada, a tankless hot water system, and a smart key docking station in every room that shuts off the power when the guest is away.

Carmody said the wiring is in place to install electric vehicle charging stations in the parking area and install a wind turbine or two on the bluff below the building to take advantage of the coast's windy nature without obscuring guest views.

Read the full story on Sustainable Business Oregon here.

Green Lodging News called the Greenstone "one of Oregon's greenest inn's."

Hillsdale Food Front Press Hit: On Food and Drink.com

2010-09-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hillsdale Food Front Celebrates 2nd Birthday, September 10-12
August 24, 2010

(Portland, OR) August 23, 2010: Hillsdale Food Front celebrates its second birthday the weekend of
September 10-12, with appearances by local food artisans, music, prizes, and a big discount day on September 10.

All customers get 10% off on Friday, September 10 to kick-off the birthday weekend. On Saturday, September, 11, we will hold our first Local Food Race. Two lucky contestants will get three minutes to go through the store and pick out as many local items as they can. The
winner will receive a $100 Food Front gift card. All day Saturday there will be raffles and other contests featuring prizes from Hillsdale businesses.

Local food-artisans such as Riverwave Foods, Peace, Love and Tacos, Coconut Bliss, Holy Kakow, and Florio Scones will be at the store sampling their deliciously unique creations all weekend.

Local musicians such as Jon Koonce & One More Mile and Sorta Bison Quartet will be performing on the patio Saturday and Sunday, the 11th and 12th from 12-4.

And on Sunday, September 12th, there will be a free BBQ (with chicken wings and drumettes and Food Front’s own house-made sausage) from11:30-2:30pm and a birthday cake at 1 pm.

Food Front Cooperative Grocery is a leader in the Portland local food movement with two stores: 6344 SW Capitol Highway in Hillsdale and 2375 NW Thurman. Food Front carries a large selection of farm-direct produce, as well as a wide range of locally-made, organic, and natural products.

Highlights of Hillsdale Food Front 2nd Birthday:
September 10: 10% Discount Day for all customers
September 11: Local Food Race and other contests
September 12: Free BBQ (11:30-2:30pm) and birthday cake (1pm)

Read the full story here

Hillsdale Food Front Celebrates 2nd Birthday, September 10-12

2010-08-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

Hillsdale Food Front celebrates it second birthday the weekend of September 10-12, with appearances by local food artisans, music, prizes, and a big discount day on September 10

PRLog (Press Release) – Aug 23, 2010 : Hillsdale Food Front celebrates its second birthday the weekend of September 10-12, with appearances by local food artisans, music, prizes, and a big discount day on September 10.

All customers get 10% off on Friday, September 10 to kick-off the birthday weekend. On Saturday, September, 11, we will hold our first Local Food Race. Two lucky contestants will get three minutes to go through the store and pick out as many local items as they can. The
winner will receive a $100 Food Front gift card. All day Saturday there will be raffles and other contests featuring prizes from Hillsdale businesses.

Local food-artisans such as Riverwave Foods, Peace, Love and Tacos, Coconut Bliss, Holy Kakow, and Florio Scones will be at the store sampling their deliciously unique creations all weekend.

Local musicians such as Jon Koonce & One More Mile and Sorta Bison Quartet will be performing on the patio Saturday and Sunday, the 11th and 12th from 12-4.

And on Sunday, September 12th, there will be a free BBQ (with chicken wings and drumettes and Food Front's own house-made sausage) from11:30-2:30pm and a birthday cake at 1 pm.

Food Front Cooperative Grocery is a leader in the Portland local food movement with two stores: 6344 SW Capitol Highway in Hillsdale and 2375 NW Thurman. Food Front carries a large selection of farm-direct produce, as well as a wide range of locally-made, organic, and natural products.

Highlights of Hillsdale Food Front 2nd Birthday:
September 10: 10% Discount Day for all customers
September 11: Local Food Race and other contests
September 12: Free BBQ (11:30-2:30pm) and birthday cake (1pm)

# # #

MKP Creative Services is a full service PR Firm specializing in Integrated Marketing, Social Media and traditional PR. Based in Portland, OR, MKP Creative represents local, national and international clients including non profits, authors, spas & more.

Read the full press release about Hillsdale Food Front Co-Op 2nd birthday here.

Press Hit: Greenstone Inn: Stay at Greenstone Inn, visit Oregon Olive Mill

2010-08-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

Opened this spring, the Greenstone Inn (729 N.W. Coast St., Newport; 1-800-480-2477; greenstone-inn.com) takes the place of a longtime Newport Nye Beach favorite, the Viking Cottages. With many innovative energy-saving alternatives, Greenstone is an apt name for this Earth-friendly facility. You'll even find some of the cottage timbers recycled into the property. The 20 units offer ocean views with balconies and fireplaces, Wi-Fi and stairs that take you right onto the beach; refrigerators; no pets; seasonal rates, $105 to $205.

Read the full story on The Oregonian, Oregon Live Travel section here.

Successful Working Moms

2010-08-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

Working Moms- that seems to be a given, right? If you’re at home, you’re working. And if you go to work, you’re working. But what’s the difference between a Stay at Home Mom and a Stay At Work Mom? In a word: Guilt. Or at least it used to be that way. More and more women are now embracing being a “stay at work” working mom, and more “stay at home” moms are also embracing their roles. The guilt factor is slowly subsiding. Think about it this way- do you call a dad a “stay at work dad?” Not really. But we do call dads who stay home a “stay at home dad.” Why the need for labels?

Perhaps this is one of the few silver linings in the recent economic crisis. Going back to work is not an option for most women; it’s just a necessity. I struggled with this when I had my son almost 2 years ago. If you follow my articles, you see I went from a full time job with my 4 month old son in full time day care, to a part time job when he was 6 months old, to being laid off when he was 7 months old and being unemployed, to now running my own business out of a home office.

It’s been a whirlwind two years! And the one thing I can tell you is, none of it is easy- but it is all rewarding. When I was working, I had mommy guilt. When I was with my son, I had work guilt. I’ve shed all of that now but it took some time. I now see some of my new mommy or soon-to-be mommy friends dealing with the same anxieties of sending a child to day care as soon as he or she pops out of the womb, and I am doing my best to ease their minds.

But the other side is not always greener. When I was unemployed, I felt I had lost control of my life- so I threw myself into my job search and parenthood. If I was to be a statistic of the economic crisis, I was going to be the best mom ever! In the history of moms! I signed up for gymnastics, I went to play dates, I joined a co-op and a mommy support group. As I sat there trying to control my son and battle toddler fights, screams of crying babies, and “mine!” I realized, this was hard work! This was way harder than sitting in my cubicle, sipping coffee, making deals, negotiating contracts, putting together marketing plans and budgets…well, maybe the budgeting part was harder than this…but in a different way!

This all made me realize, we are way too hard on each other and ourselves. As working moms, no matter what the work is or entails, we are the best support system for one another. Expensive gym classes and swimming lessons, rushing and running from this play group to the next; it’s all unnecessary.

My favorite days are now the ones I spend with my son doing, basically, nothing. He sits at his little desk next to me while I work and he types on his pretend computer, he goes to day care two days per week now and I cherish that time to get my mind centered and be a business woman. There is no perfect balance. You are not a bad mom because your child is in day care eight hours per day five days per week. We are all doing the best we can with what we have. And we are all successful working moms.

Read this story on my Examiner column, Portland Working Moms Examiner.

Press hit: Dragontree PDX in USA Today Travel

2010-07-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

Tips and tidbits

PDX has a full-service US Bank, a branch of the Dragontree Spa, service centers with workstations, children's play areas, and changing and permanent public art and history exhibits, including an interpretive center about the Columbia River region (by A/B/C security checkpoint).

Press hit: Dragontree. On the Go: Airport Spas

2010-07-20T15:29:00.000-07:00

Portland International Airport

Jet-setters looking for a grounding experience may want to check in to The Dragontree holistic day spa in Portland International Airport in Oregon. The spa, which opened in February, aims to offer a calm counterpoint to the airport’s frenetic pace. It features an area with treatment chairs and two private rooms. As well as massages, facials and grooming treatments, the locale sells vitamins, herbs, natural sleeping aids and organic treatment products. Facials, which use Livia skin care products, start at $49 for 30 minutes. A full-body, deep-tissue massage starts at $54 for a half hour. Grooming treatments, including waxing, manicures and lash and brow tinting, are also on offer.

The Dragontree, Portland International Airport, Concourse C, Portland, Ore.; 503-331-1131

Read more here

Press hit: Carol Rose Home Treasures Summer Kick Off

2010-07-19T13:38:00.000-07:00

Summer Kick-Off Open House at Carol Rose Home Treasures Date: June 26, 2010
Time: 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM
http://www.carolrosehometreasures.com

Event Description

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of a good old-fashioned "Americana" celebration! Food and beverages will be provided, as well as raffle prizes! Open House and shopping 1-2, Interior Design workshop with local interior design specialist Jennifer Yarbrough of "Redesign by Jennifer" from 2-3. Bring a note pad and camera to take notes and before and after pics- and get one on one color consulting from Jennifer. Bring pictures of your room in question and color swatches, Jennifer will help you decide!

Followed by more shopping, eating and raffle prizes 3-4pm. In store discounts, outdoor items for a perfect July 4th celebration and fun with friends! Join us! Please RSVP so we know how much food to prepare- and bring your friends and family. Kids welcome!

See the full listing here

Portland Storefronts: PDX gets new spa and other business news around the city

2010-07-19T10:30:00.000-07:00

If you have 10 minutes before your flight boards, and about $17 handy, you could grab a latte, muffin and a few magazines.

But what if your feet ache from all that travel? Now you can buy 10 minutes of sole-ful bliss with a short foot massage at The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa's new refuge at PDX.

Flight delayed? For another $17, a 10-minute chair massage will unknot your upper body.

The Dragontree, which also has a Northwest Portland location, in February became the first day spa at the airport. The spa is on Concourse C, after outbound travelers have passed through the security checkpoint. Besides a full menu of massages, services include foot baths, facials, waxing, makeup and many more, and are available for walk-in customers. 503-221-4123 or www.thedragontreepdx.com

Read more from The Oregonian here

Press hit: Harvest Themed Products: The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa

2010-07-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa, out of Portland Oregon, is something to be desired as the products whisk you away to unforeseen territories of sanctuaries unknown. I deem this the perfect harvest themed product for those that crave their “spa time.”

From moisturizers to massage oils and therapy treatments to spa packages, you are sure to find something for that perfect someone this holiday season (or year around). The products may be a little pricy, but if you’ll take a moment to visit The Dragontree, you’ll see why.

Press hit: New day spa is soothing oasis at bustling Portland Airport

2010-07-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

When I checked my San Diego-bound flight departing Portland International Airport, I learned it was on time.

Damn.

I wanted more time – at least another hour – to enjoy The Dragontree, a new day spa tucked away in Concourse C, between gates 10 and 12, at PDX.

The place is a traveler’s oasis – offering an array of indulgences, from 90-minute full body massages in private treatment rooms ($114, Swedish; $124 deep tissue) to 10-minute hand massages ($17). Travelers can get 30-, 45- and 60-minute versions of various facials – for under $100. There’s a warm milk foot bath for $28; add a 20-minute foot massage for $19 more.

Press hit: Dragontree Day Spa brings Minx nails to pdx location

2010-07-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa is the first and only spa haven available at the Portland International Airport. This is the second location for the famed spa, whose original locale on NW Thurman still pleases the local masses seven days a week. With the airport spa now open they can better service both Portland area residents and world wide travelers alike. Exposing customers to an extensive menu of delightful spa services that cater to specific needs and schedules.

Now both men and women can enjoy nail treatments at the Dragontree. Gone are the good old days of nail polish, In lieu of the liquid substance, the spa uses Minx nails. This beautiful fingernail fashion is a welcome addition to the Eco friendly perception that Dragontree employs. Minx is a fun, green alternative to nail polish. Essentially, it's a pre colored/ patterned shrink wrap that fits over the nail and lasts about 5 - 7 days. No fumes, chemicals or drying time, very chic and great for the girl on the go!

Read the full story here

New Book Deal

2010-06-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I usually blog about my clients and their fabulous accomplishments, which I will continue to do, of course! But today I wanted to share with all of you, my exciting news that a children's book written by my husband and I has been officially signed by boutique publishing company Crosswinds Press. We are in the early stages of design and illustration but I should have more info soon. Thanks for your support!!

Here's the announcement on their blog as well!

The Dragontree, A Holistic Day Spa, Announces The Addition Of Nail Services To Their Portland International Airport Location

2010-05-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

(Portland, OR) May 25, 2010. Attention frequent flyers- announcing yet another reason to arrive early for your flight out of Portland! The relaxing Dragontree Day Spa has now added men’s and women’s nail treatments to their menu. Choosing to forgo the typical chemical laden and smelly nail polish of old, the spa is using Minx nails, a glamorous product that lets customers remain chemical free while extending fashion to their fingertips. The nail wraps are cut to the shape of the nail, put on with heat, and last as long as a typical manicure- 5 to 7 days. Or let your bags linger on the baggage return belt and treat yourself to some pampering while the other passengers fight it out.

The Dragontree has an established history of dedication to Portland's values of ecological consciousness and sustainability practices. "While searching for an alternative to nail polishes with noxious fumes, we found Minx and were impressed with product and the results,” explains Dragontree founder Briana Borten. “It's something fun and different while also being a better alternative for our clients health and the preservation of the earth.”

Minx nails continue to make news around the globe, including spotted on Kim Cattrall in the new Sex and the City movie. Kim wore “Golden Lightning” Minx in the movie, and Scarlett Johansson favored “Black and White Houndstooth” Minx in a cover story for Glamour magazines’ November 2009 issue. The Dragontree Spa is excited to bring the same high profile fashion to Portland airport.

The spa is conveniently located on Concourse C between gate C-10 and C-12 and functions as a beautiful, soothing and private refuge with an extensive menu to accommodate all travelers’ needs and schedules. There are private rooms for a variety of treatments, including a 30-minute slumber. Customers are embracing the long awaited arrival of nail services, filling the spa’s treatment room for last minute nail applications before a wedding, vacation or business trip. They especially like the fact that there’s no drying time needed and no smelly chemicals to share with other passengers during the flight.

Appointments are primarily on a walk-in basis but reservations are also happily accepted. For more information please visit the spa’s airport location website at www.thedragontreepdx.com or call 503.331.1131.

About : The Dragontree, located at 2768 NW Thurman and Concourse C in PDX, offers a variety of services to still the mind and mend the body. The perfect place to receive massages, facials, Acupuncture, waxing, Ayurvedic counseling, and herbal consultations, you can also gather with friends and family and receive foot treatments, head, neck, & shoulder massages, and hand treatments. For more information please visit www.thedragontree.com or call 503-221- 4123.

Contact:

Maggie Palmer: 503-419-7677

Maggie@maggiekpalmer.com

Entrepreneurs can change the world

2010-05-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

The Carnival Returns! Magical Entertainers Sarlot & Eyed Reopen “Carnival Of Illusion”

2010-05-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) May 17, 2010 --
(Tucson, AZ) Just back from their East coast tour, nationally renown illusionists Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed reopen their hip Victorian-inspired theater show “Carnival of Illusion” in September 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park.

Due to the immense popularity of 62 of their first 75 shows sold out, Sarlot and Eyed are hosted again at the DoubleTree to reopen the show as a centrally located Tucson attraction. “We are very excited with this collaboration. It’s great to showcase an exciting downtown ‘Tucson Treasure’ every Friday and Saturday evening,” said Helinda Lizarraga, General Manager of the DoubleTree. Showing their appreciation to Carnival of Illusion ticket holders, before or after the performance in either hotel restaurant, the DoubleTree offers a buy one dinner entrée, get the second (equal or lesser priced) FREE!

Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed, 2009 National Recipients for "Excellence in Magic", were granted “Featured Performer” status during their 21 show run at Hollywood’s World Famous Magic Castle. They have performed as “house entertainers” at the world's top resorts including Canyon Ranch and Miraval Spa.

Sarlot & Eyed transport their audiences back to a time when magic flourished as an art and was practiced in the salons and “parlours” of the wealthy. Carnival of Illusion offers a modern, hip edge to a Victorian-inspired parlour show. This intimate experience is limited to only 35 guests per show. You can catch their shows at 6pm and 8:30pm every Friday and Saturday at the DoubleTree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park beginning September 2010. Tickets available at http://www.carnivalOFillusion.com or (520) 615-5299.

About: Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed are National recipients for “Excellence in Magic” awarded by the oldest magic convention in the country. Fox News called them, “Outstanding”, the LA Weekly wrote “Amazing”, the Tucson Weekly, “Extraordinary!” and the Tucson Citizen said, “Best show in Tucson.” These entertainers tour nationally sharing their love and respect for the ancient Art of Magic.

For more information, visit the Press page at http://www.carnivalOFillusion.com or contact Brooke Rosania at thrills@carnivalofillusion.com, (520) 615-5299.

MKP client Briana Borten radio interview

2010-05-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

Here at MKP Creative, ROI is what we strive for. Return on Investment is important- especially when you're dealing with "organic" ROI- as in- not paid advertising. A 30 minute radio interview could cost hundreds- even thousands- of dollars and push any marketing budget over the edge.

That's why we pride ourselves on our PR work at MKP Creative. This means free press that fits into your branding needs and image. Here's a great example- a wonderful 30 minute radio inerview for spa client Briana Borten on a radio series called "Exceptional Women NW."

Have a listen- enjoy- and imagine yourself in a 30 minute interview and what you could do with so much time....

Making Lemonade

2010-05-12T11:06:00.000-07:00

CJ Connolly, like so many others diagnosed with scleroderma, has gained a heightened awareness of the important things in life. “Finding out about my disease definitely put life in perspective. It was time to write down all of the many lessons I had learned from family, friends and life in general to pass on to my grandchildren and others.”

The result of this renewed focus is a new series of rhyming children’s books aimed at 3-8 year old “early readers.” After reading the first story CJ had written for her grandson last Christmas, George noted “It was good, really good so I decided to find a way to publish the book so others could enjoy it. CJ was adamant against sending it to a traditional publisher, though, as she had found the experience less than thrilling in the past. “And sure enough, the first time we showed the book to an editor, she proceeded to take out key words that supported the rhyming structure of the book,” says CJ.

So, George and CJ have taken on a major challenge—starting a new business in a down economy. The result is the boutique publishing company, Crosswinds Press. Using what is called a “virtual” structure, George and CJ have joined forces with three other small Connecticut businesses (Lisa Adams Art, LaPointe Design, and The Racine Company) to launch this joint venture.

“In a down economy, it really means a lot to all of us to support the launch of this book series,” notes George Racine of The Racine Company, who prints the books and all related printed matter in his Brooklyn, CT plant. “It is actually fun, not work. We are all proud of the high quality product we’ve produced.

The first book in the series, Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T, was released and recently The Boomerang, The Bad Enchilada have released. The Lemonade Stand and A Line in the Sand are in production for release in early summer. Each of these books contains a lesson, or moral. In the first book, Wil meets a wise old flea named simply “T” who helps him see that gaining anything of value requires effort—it is never, ever free. Mr. T continues to help Wil throughout the series, often accompanied by one or more of “T’s” extended flea family. Brought to life by the talented illustrator, Lisa Adams, the books are both entertaining and beautiful.

In talking about undertaking such a major project while fighting the creeping progression of her scleroderma, CJ notes: “The fact is that no one knows how many more days they have left. I almost see the scleroderma as a ‘gift’ of sorts, perhaps the best one I’ve been given because it has motivated me to do things that otherwise might have been left undone. With the press and the book projects, I’m simply too busy to worry about what happens next.” Clearly, as suggested by the title of fourth book in the series, The Lemonade Stand, CJ has decided to make lemonade with the lemons she’s been given.

The Reach Out and Read National Center in Boston has placed Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T on several lists of recommended books distributed to parents and medical providers saying: “it will be a valuable resource for parents and childcare providers, who wish to teach children about the value of trying even when mistakes are made.”

The books are available through the Crosswinds Press website and through Amazon.com.

Innovative Kids Book Teaches Time, Good Manners

2010-05-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

Busy working mothers and fathers are constantly looking for ways to enforce good behavior and manners. "It's Time for Good Manners!" is a new combination storybook and practice guide that helps young children (grades K-3) easily learn to tell time, as well as learn good manners. The workbook is an easy way to bond after dinner, teach your kids a valuable lesson and help them prepare for school.

As summer approaches, more parents begin to worry about the lack of education in their children’s life, and the fear of slipping behind before the next school year begins. Workbooks such as this are a great way to bond with your kids, while keeping their brains in shape during the summer.

In "It's Time for Good Manners!" youngsters will follow four children just like them -- Torie, Tad, Tyler and Tessa -- as they go about their day. Kids will learn how to tell time through the foursome's daily activities and good manners by reading familiar situations relevant to the characters' actions. Each page allows readers to tell time, trace it and write it on their own while comprehending the corresponding good manners tip. Kids will love the cute clock designs and have fun drawing their own designs, too. The 52-page guide ends with practice pages that reinforce good manners and telling time.

Five good manners tips highlighted in the guide include:

* It's 7:00am and Torie's mom made waffles for breakfast. Torie is grateful for the special treat. Lesson learned: It's time to show your appreciation.
* It's 12:00pm and Tyler is in the lunch line at his cafeteria. He says, "Thank you very much," to the lunch lady. Lesson learned: It's time to be thankful.
* It's 1:30pm and Tad's recess is over. He cuts in the water fountain line. Tad says he is sorry and moves to the end of the line. Lesson learned: It's time to apologize.
* It's 4:30pm and Tessa is helping her mom get dinner ready by setting the table. Lesson learned: It's time to be helpful.
* It's 6:00pm and Tyler burps while eating dinner. He quickly says, "Excuse me." Lesson learned: It's time to not be rude.

"It's Time for Good Manners!" is available on Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, GoodMannersKidsStuffPress.com or ItsTimeForGoodManners.com.

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month

2010-05-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

When it comes to tanning, dermatologists have long suspected that most people need an attitude adjustment. Now, results of a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology confirmed that the majority of people still idolize the bronzed look of a tan despite wanting to protect themselves from skin cancer.

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. Here in the Northwest, we don’t see that glowing orb as often as other people in North America, but it doesn't mean we're not just as susceptible to it's harmful rays. In addition, many people may make up for the lack of natural sunlight by taking to the tanning beds.

The "Suntelligence: How Sun Smart is Your City?" online survey polled more than 7,000 adults nationwide to determine their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward tanning, sun protection and skin cancer detection. Twenty-six cities were ranked based on respondents' answers to several questions in each category.

"Our survey highlighted the contradictory feelings that many people have about tanning - they like the way a tan looks but are concerned about skin cancer, which is estimated to affect about one in five Americans in their lifetime," said dermatologist Zoe D. Draelos, MD, FAAD, consulting professor at Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C. "What they may not realize is that no matter whether you tan or burn, a tan from the sun or tanning beds damages the skin and can cause wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer. The challenge is changing the long-standing attitudes about tanning to correlate with people’s knowledge about skin cancer."

In examining the survey data, Dr. Draelos noted that 72 percent of all respondents agreed that people look more attractive with a tan. In addition, more men than women (76 percent vs. 68 percent, respectively) agreed with that statement.

Similarly, 66 percent of all respondents agreed that people look healthier with a tan. Once again more men than women (70 percent vs. 62 percent, respectively) agreed with this statement.

When asked whether or not they believed that sun exposure is good for your health, 60 percent of all respondents mistakenly agreed with this statement. Analyzing the data by gender, more men than women (62 percent vs. 58 percent, respectively) incorrectly thought that sun exposure is good for your health.

"Various reports touting the potential health benefits of sun exposure for vitamin D production are misleading people to believe that exposing oneself to UV radiation - which causes cancer - to prevent another disease is somehow beneficial," said Dr. Draelos. "In fact, the Academy does not recommend getting vitamin D from any form of UV exposure because UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds can lead to the development of skin cancer. Getting vitamin D from a healthy diet, which includes naturally enriched vitamin D foods, fortified foods and beverages, and/or vitamin supplements is a healthier alternative because it provides the exact same benefit without the skin cancer risk."

Dr. Draelos added that despite their positive attitudes about tanning, the majority of respondents expressed strong opinions on protecting themselves from skin cancer. For example, 75 percent of all respondents said they will do anything possible to prevent skin cancer. Furthermore, 80 percent of respondents expressed concern about skin cancer and feel it is important to protect themselves.

"When it comes to preventing skin cancer, actions speak louder than words," said Dr. Draelos. "So while it is encouraging that most people are concerned about skin cancer and want to reduce their risk of developing it, clearly more work needs to be done to change attitudes on tanning. If a person likes the look of a tan, he or she should consider using a self-tanner but use sunscreen with it."

Take the Academy's "Suntelligence" survey, as well as to find out how to perform a skin self-exam, download a body mole map or find free skin cancer screenings in your area.

MKP Client Amy Boggs interviewed on local radio program

2010-05-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

Amy Boggs, a young entrepreneur and founder of Sparkling Palaces talks about starting a home cleaning business, being an entrepreneur, her chemical-free approach and desire to be as green as possible.

About Exceptional Women NW

Exceptional Women NW is an exploration of achievement, led by women, in Portland, the state of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. We highlight leaders in business & social causes, entrepreneurs, writers, bloggers, artists, designers, free spirits — any woman — anywhere in our area, making a positive impact. These 30-minute conversations celebrate stories of hope, inspiration and success in all walks of life.

Listen to Amy's interview here

MKP Client Amy Boggs on Top Morning Show

2010-04-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Amy Boggs, owner of Sparkling Palaces, the only 100% green local cleaning company, makes a repeat appearance to share her green cleaning knowledge on AM NW. This show, broadcast live at 9:00am weekdays on KATU channel 2, is the top rated morning show in Portland.

AM NW producers and hosts Helen and Dave were so impressed with Amy's appearance last month, they invited her back for their Earth Week celebration this April! Check out the full clip here.

Here's the tips she shared:

Amy Boggs, owner of a local green cleaning company, joined us today with tips on how to clean without chemicals.
Here are Amy's tips:
All-Purpose Cleaner:

Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.
Another alternative is microfiber cloths which lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. There are a number of different brands. A good quality cloth can last for several years.

Carpet stains:

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
For fresh grease spots, sprinkle corn starch onto spot and wait 15 - 30 minutes before vacuuming.
For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum.

Deodorize:

Carpets - sprinkle with baking soda several hours before vacuuming - can also place a cotton ball with essential oil on it in the vacuum bag.
Plastic food storage containers - soak overnight in warm water and baking soda
In-sink garbage disposal units - grind up lemon or orange peel in the unit
Garage, basements - set a sliced onion on a plate in center of room for 12 - 24 hours

Disinfectant:

Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap.
Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle. (This is not an antibacterial formula. The average kitchen or bathroom does not require antibacterial cleaners.)

To disinfect kitchen sponges, put them in the dishwasher when running a load.

Fabric softener:

To reduce static cling, dampen your hands,
then shake out your clothes as you remove them from the drier.
Line-drying clothing is another alternative.

Stickers on walls:

To remove, sponge vinegar over them several times
Wait 15 minutes,
then rub off the stickers.
This also works for price tags (stickers) on tools, etc.

Water Rings on Wood:

Water rings on a wooden table or counter are the result of moisture that is trapped under the topcoat, but not the finish.
Try applying toothpaste or mayonnaise to a damp cloth and rub into the ring.
Once the ring is removed, buff the entire wood surface.

Stainless Steel Polish:

Rub Stainless Steel with Baby Oil

Vacuum!

Your carpet and rug fibers trap dirt and allergens - such as pet dander and pollen - so when you walk on them, the particles are agitated and released back into the air.
A good vacuum will have a brush roller on it to beat the fibers to release the dirt, so it can be removed with the suction of the vacuum.

The Benefits of Massage on our Minds and Bodies

2010-04-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

I recently had lunch with Heather, most recently the Marketing Director at The Dragontree, who will be taking on more of a part time role at The Dragontree in order to continue her scholastic studies. As we discussed passing the torch to me to handle the marketing and PR for this lovely spa, I asked her, "why do you love your job, and why do you love massage? What is the fundamental message I need to know to promote this amazing spa to our community?"

Heather shared with me a very personal story about her experience of bringing peace and pain relief to a dear friend who was dying of cancer a few years ago, and it made me stop and realize that a spa day to a healthy person is relaxing and luxurious. But to some, a massage can be life changing, with health benefits we can only begin to imagine. Though her friend did eventually succumb to the disease, Heather told me it was an amazing experience to bring peace and relief to her friend through gentle touch in her final days.

We all know we live in a stress-worn world, and understand the amazing relief we feel after an all over body massage. This is because our body and mind communicate with each other, which means mental stress manifests itself as physical tension. Some people don't even know they're stressed until it comes out in a physical symptom such as a headache, a twitching muscle or eye lid or something similar. The calm we feel after a massage is not just the muscles relaxing, but our emotions and mind calming as well. People who receive regular massages experience decreased anxiety, depression and fatigue. This is because gentle forms of massage can affect the nervous system and help to release endorphins, or your body's natural "feel good" chemicals.

As Heather demonstrated on my hand by gently moving her two fingers in an upward motion from the back of my hand, up my wrist and toward my elbow, even a simple touch like this is beneficial to relieving pain due to clogged lymph nodes, which is the relief she brought to her friend. A more rigorous massage tells the body to release endorphins that induce relaxation and reduce the body's production of stress hormones. The reason I have the utmost respect for the therapists who work at The Dragontree is because they are experts in their field. They know what our bodies need, in terms of massage and touch, better than we know ourselves.

Studies have shown that massage helps alleviate the pains of not only cancer patients, but many other diseases as well, including arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, premenstrual syndrome symptoms and the aches and pains of pregnancy. New studies indicate Alzheimer's patients and kids with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also benefit from massage.

Massage does much more than relieve everyday stress, and studies continue to prove it. As a community, we will continue to look to the experts at The Dragontree not only for a day of pampering or an hour of bliss, but to ease our aches and pains, center our minds, and help us live a more stress free life.

See this original blog post on The Dragontree- A Holistic Day Spa's blog or read more blogs from The Dragontree about health and wellness here.

Movie Going with Children- What Age is Best to Start this Adventure?

2010-03-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

Portland Working Moms Examiner

This Friday, March 26, How to Train Your Dragon releases in theaters. When my son, who will be 2 next month, saw this trailer his ears and eyes perked up. He’s into dragons and dinosaurs at the moment, and while we have been to a feature movie in the theater, I’m not sure this one will make the cut for us.

His very first movie experience was at an IMAX theater at our local science museum, OMSI. I wasn’t sure how he would react- would he sit still during the movie? Would be disrupt other movie goers? Would the screen be too large and make him sick? Surprisingly, he did great. He loved the movie, Walking With Dinosaurs, and he enjoyed sitting in my lap and drinking his water while munching on popcorn. The kid is a regular moviegoer!

Movies designed for little ones as young as 4 should be able to enjoy and follow a plot, as well as have the patience to sit in place for more than an hour. But if you’re still in the toddler years, a full-length movie could be a stretch.

Of course, every child is different. If your child can sit through a Disney movie at home, which obviously has done the research to know how long a child’s attention span will last; they most likely will be able to make the move to the big screen. If you have a busy body for a child, you might want to hold off. The great thing about going to a childrens movie is, you’re with other kids! So noises, talking, gasping, laughing, etc. is expected and other parents have the patience to endure this type of behavior.

Be sure to check out the movie rating- in this case, How to Train Your Dragon is rated PG. Also check out the reviews for the movie and get feedback from other parents. Movies are magical and wonderful to a young mind, and something fun to do when the weather turns on you- which can happen quite a bit in Portland! Movies also open up discussions about life, which can make for a wonderful bonding experience. Going out to eat after the movie and encouraging discussion is also a great way to connect with your child, especially as they get older and have more questions about the world around them and right and wrong.

Happy Movie Going!

Legacy Builder Coaching guest blog: Best Business Practices

2010-03-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

Best Business Practices: Media Tips
March 23, 2010
By: Katie Kelley, Legacy Builder Coaching

After having completed a taped radio and television interview, I am now preparing for an upcoming live cable television interview and I wanted to share some media tips that I was recently given by NYC based media expert Jeff Bloch. Getting media exposure is a key step towards building your brand, establishing your expert credibility and sharing with the world what you do for a living and how they can find you. Who doesn’t want some of that?

1. PREPARE-Before you talk to a reporter, know your story. Focus your broad knowledge of your subject into three key messages that tell a complete story. Think about what you would like the headline to be, and what you want the reporter – and your audience – to remember. Often, the messages state a problem/situation, followed by a solution/next step, and finally offer the credibility of your organization to provide that solution or input.

2. THINK NEWS- Messages should offer some information that is new, that goes beyond what others have said, or that identifies a new issue or trend. Don’t sensationalize, but think about what can make your story more interesting, more compelling.

3. SUPPORT YOUR STORY WITH SPECIFICS-Facts/figures-don’t worry about citing particularly daunting numbers, rather just provide some context with numbers that will allow the audience to better appreciate the scope of your work, examples, anecdotes, quotable language-in other words vivid words and well-turned phrases that are catchy but not too clever and will help to crystallize your story.

4. CONSIDER THE AUDIENCE-Whom are you trying to reach? Consumers, potential business customers, decision-makers? Make sure your messages and your supporting information are tailored to your audience. Avoid jargon – use language they will understand. When possible, put a face on it, meaning, give an example of a person or situation that your audience can relate to and appreciate.

5. DEVELOP-Develop a list of questions that are likely to be asked. Be prepared for obvious negative questions, but also be ready to answer the supposedly “easy” ones, such as “Tell me about this study / your company / your perspective on this issue.” Keep up with the news in the days before your interview and be ready to deal with related events or developments.

6. DELIVER-Once the interview begins-take control. Don’t wait for the reporter to guide you through your story. Begin at the beginning, deliver your messages early and often, explain, re-contextualize, repeat yourself as necessary. If you are reacting to news, hold your ground. If you are promoting a story, don’t make the reporter “pull teeth” to get it.

7. USE FLAGS-Phrases such as “What’s most important…” “The key thing is…” “There are three critical factors…” signal to the reporter and the audience that you’re about to say something vital.

8. BUILD BRIDGES-Don’t just answer the question. Find the ways to go beyond the answer to your message. Be more expansive, offer additional information, return to an earlier point. Make sure you spend more time on your story than on other, less important, topics.

9. TURN NEGATIVES INTO POSITIVES-Don’t be defensive and don’t over-explain your response to the negative. Instead, deal with the negative – without repeating any negative language – and then bridge to a message. Remember to end on a positive.

Award-winning illusionists invited to perform at world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA

2010-03-22T09:38:00.000-07:00

Tucson, Arizona (March 22, 2010) Nationally touring Tucson based illusionists Sarlot and Eyed are invited to perform at Hollywood’s world-renown Magic Castle in April.

Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed, 2009 National Recipients for "Excellence in Magic" and house entertainers at the world's finest resorts, transport their audiences back to a time when magic flourished as an art and was practiced in the salons and “parlours” of the wealthy. The Magic Castle, nestled in the Hollywood Hills of Southern California, gathers the finest illusionists and magicians worldwide for invitation-only performances. “The Magic Castle has an aura of historical mystique and contemporary belt-notch status. Magical entertainers from around the globe covet an invite to this magic landmark and we’re thrilled to share our performance with the Castle audiences!” says Susan Eyed.

The Magic Castle is the private clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts, a very special organization devoted to the advancement of the ancient art of magic. This exclusive invitation has been extended to Sarlot and Eyed due to their unique performance style, their fresh twists on the classics of magic, and the popularity of their current show “Carnival of Illusion” a Victorian-inspired parlour show with a modern, hip edge. This intimate experience is limited to only 35 guests per show and while playing in Tucson has been selling out shows since they opened February 5th 2010 and was recently extended for two additional months.

They will appear in the Castle’s “Parlour of Prestidigitation” for three shows a night beginning April 19th through April 25th 2010. If you can’t make the trip to Hollywood, you can still catch their show at 6pm and 8:30pm every Friday and Saturday at the DoubleTree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park. As a bonus, before or after the performance in either hotel restaurant, guests can buy one entrée and receive a (equal or lesser priced) second entrée for FREE. Tickets are available at www.carnivalOFillusion.com or (520) 615-5299.

About: Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed are the 2009 National recipients for “Excellence in Magic” awarded by the oldest magic convention in the country. Earlier recipients have been Las Vegas headliners Harry Blackstone Jr. and Lance Burton. These entertainers tour nationally sharing their love and respect for the ancient Art of Magic. Fox News called these Las Vegas headliners, “Outstanding”, the LA Weekly wrote “Amazing”, and the Tucson Citizen said, “The Best Show in Tucson.”

Contact:
(520) 615-5299
thrills@carnivalofillusion.com
###

The Best of Portland

2010-03-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

MKP Creative has been asked to be a guest on the show "The Best of Portland" along with Ladies Who Launch Market Director Katie Kelley.

We'll be discussing how female entrepreneurs launch businesses, the female networking group Ladies Who Launch and unemployment in our state of Oregon as it relates to new businesses launching.

I'll post the link when the show airs- which will most likely be Friday, April 2. Stay tuned!

The "Feminine Approach" to Launching a Business

2010-03-15T16:41:00.000-07:00

Growing a business is hard work- especially for working moms! Luckily there’s plenty of women’s groups out there tailored just for females, the unique female style of launching and running a business, and a support system to make it all happen.

One such Portland group is Ladies Who Launch, the first new media company to provide resources and connections for women entrepreneurs. The Ladies Who Launch mission is to make entrepreneurship accessible to any woman with a project, dream or aspiration to start her own business and be successful.

Victoria Colligan is the Founder of Ladies Who Launch, which began in 2002, with the first local communities launching in 2005. She is also the creator of Ladies Who Launch Online and the Featured Lady stories. She is co-author of the book Ladies Who Launch: Embracing Entrepreneurship and Creativity as a Lifestyle and has another book coming out soon.

Katie Kelley, a native Californian who grew up in the cities of Atlanta, London, and San Diego, is breathing new life into the Portland chapter of LWL. Kelley relocated to Portland in 2008 and was soon offered the position with LWL. “I am delighted to serve as the Oregon Market Leader for my hometown of Portland, Oregon,” says Kelley. “It is an incredibly opportune moment for Oregonian women who are ready to hatch their creative ideas into prospering businesses or personal ventures.”

Kelley, who boasts a B.A. in Psychology from Boston College and a Clinical Masters Degree from Smith College, worked as a psychotherapist at Cornell Medical Schools teaching hospital in Manhattan for almost three years. She then went to work for Novartis for another three years and eventually was certified by the Training and Organizational Development Program at New York University and the Core Essentials Program at Coach University.

She now is a Business Coach and Consultant with Legacy Builder Coaching, LLC. With Legacy, she primarily partners with emerging entrepreneurs to develop and strengthen their business strategy, execution and personal leadership so that they thrive in the new economy.

Portland Working Mom’s Examiner had a chance to sit down with Kelley recently to learn more about Ladies Who Launch and female entrepreneurs who are emerging more and more as they attempt to balance work and motherhood.

E: Why are so many women launching businesses? It is due to the recession?
K: Women are launching businesses at twice the rate of men, and they are doing it primarily for lifestyle reasons–they want more freedom, flexibility, and creativity in their lives. There are over 11 million women owned businesses in the US! We have found a definitive link between launching a business and higher self-esteem and happiness. Women come to Ladies Who Launch to take advantage of our trusted community, tools, resources and success stories and live their dreams.

E: Who is Ladies Who Launch tailored for?
K: There is a movement of women who want to control their lives. Ladies Who Launch is an online and in-person platform for these women. Our mission is to make entrepreneurship accessible to every woman at every phase of launching. We empower entrepreneurs, freelancers, stay-at-home moms, side-launchers, and consultants with tools, role models, and confidence through local and national success stories, and resources to grow their businesses and connect to one another through events, www.ladieswholaunch.com/portland, and through our Local Communities across the US and Canada.

E: Does a woman have to have her idea formulated to come to a LWL event or join LWL? Or do you embrace those who are just dreaming of an idea?
K: We offer a trusted community - this is critical to launching any idea. You need to find a like-minded community of women who can be the support you need, who can connect you to others, who can listen to what you need to grow and then actually be part of giving it to you. Our workshops and STRATA membership program delivers on this in spades. We provide essential resources for launching a business - from “How-To” articles to preferred relationships with partners to webinars - Ladies Who Launch is constantly integrating ways to inform and educate women on how to take their projects to the next level. We welcome women at all stages of development, whether it’s just an idea or they’ve been in business for 3-5 years.

E: Why would I, as a female entrepreneur, want to join Ladies Who Launch? It seems like there are so many groups to choose from, how do I know which one is right for me?
K: Women join to be part of a community, stay connected, and make sure other energetic, motivated entrepreneurs surround them. We share resources, create a mastermind group; women use connecting to move ideas forward. Most of our constituents join to get out of isolation. Nothing great has ever happened as a solo activity. Success requires teamwork, action and goal alignment. We make sure your mission and goals are clear and that everyone you surround yourself with is aligned with you and we don’t waste time on negativity.

E: You talk a lot about the “feminine approach” to launching a business. What does that mean?
K: The feminine approach to launching a business has less to do with men vs. women, and is more about seeing your business holistically. Women often take a more intuitive and organic approach to their businesses and projects and don't want to initially get caught up in a business plan. This doesn't mean they don't need one eventually, but in order to get started, women need to take small steps and feel the creative juices flowing and be able to act on their ideas. The feminine approach celebrates this idea and is reinforced through our workshops and STRATA membership program where you can get through the many stages of launching from start up to growth and find the resources you need - - and then return to find what you need next. There's no one right way - there are many right ways - and our Featured Lady stories prove this over and over. Women do things differently and that's OKAY!

E: Thank you for sharing this insight into Ladies Who Launch! Where can female entrepreneurs- or aspiring entrepreneurs- learn more about your events and your next meeting?
K: You can go to www.ladieswholaunch.com/portland for more info and events, and join us for our upcoming Sunday Social April 18 at 9:00am- 11:30, we’ll be meeting at The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa to discuss growing and marketing your business over coffee and snacks.

A meeting at a spa, noshing on pastries and sipping coffee? Sometimes, you’ve got to love the way women do business. Thanks to my guest Katie Kelley for sharing insight into her Ladies Who Launch Oregon networking group for female entrepreneurs.

Successful Working Moms

2010-03-13T10:21:00.000-08:00

100 Best Blogs for Women in Business

2010-03-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

100 Best Blogs for Women in Business

Healthy Families Act

2010-03-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

Most working moms know the petri dish that is day care. If one kid is sick at day care, chances are, all the kids are soon sick. And a sick child can only mean one thing- a sick mom. While most toddlers understand the word “mine” all too well, there’s one thing they don’t mind sharing at all, and that’s germs.

What’s a working mom to do, especially in this economic climate? Missing a day of work could mean a black mark on your professional record. And when moms stay home to care for their children, they end up missing even more work, usually because they’ve been passed whatever germ their child was carrying.

Even mothers with the best intentions sometimes send a sick child to day care because they can’t afford any more time off work, or have run out of sick days. It’s an endless cycle of sick kids, sick parents and never enough sick time at work. According to a just released study, more than a third of working women in establishments with more than 15 employees have no paid sick leave.

That means they lose needed income, and could risk losing their jobs, if they stay home to keep a sick child out of childcare or school, or for their own illness. This problem isn't limited to just moms: Conservative estimates are that 40% of the entire private sector doesn't have any paid sick days. Congress is currently considering a bill called the Healthy Families Act, which would give 13.3 million women--for a total of over 30 million people--the ability to earn paid sick days at work.

The Healthy Families Act would guarantee that workers in the United States at firms that employ at least 15 employees would be able to earn at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. The most daunting statistic is it’s the child care workers themselves who are the least likely to have paid sick days- which could trace some of the germs back to the people caring for your kids! Just 28% of child care workers in establishments of 15 or more employees can earn paid sick leave.

The best working moms can do is keep their kids home if they are sick, sanitize toys, wash hands when your child comes home, take off their clothes from the day and put them in fresh clothes and take their vitamins. Exercise is also a great way to boost your immune system, as well as getting enough rest and eating healthy. While most working moms are super moms, there’s been no secret weapon yet discovered for fighting off germs.

An inspiring evening with Dress For Success + Kimberly Wilson

2010-03-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

MKP client Ladies Who Launch, LA/OC event to celebrate International Women's Day- see clips of speaker Kimberly Wilson here!

An inspiring evening with Dress For Success + Kimberly Wilson

The Day - From Lemons to Lemonade | News from southeastern Connecticut

2010-03-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

MKP author CJ Connolly and a nice write-up on The Day.

The Day - From Lemons to Lemonade | News from southeastern Connecticut

MKP client CJ Connolly, author, is featured in local CT paper

2010-03-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

Meet Mr. T. He is a wise, old flea that helps his new friends Wil and Fitz find what they are looking for and teaches them a thing or two about life along the way. This enchanting children’s book, “Wil, Fitz, and a Flea Named T,” is written by CJ Connolly, Noank, and is part of a new series, published by Crosswinds Press, Inc. The book is illustrated by Lisa Adams, Mystic, and designed by Trish LaPointe, Old Mystic.

Read the article Fleas Teach Kids About Life by Amy Pjura in it's entirety here

AM NW, Portland's Top Rated Morning Show, visits MKP Client The Dragontree

2010-03-10T16:40:00.001-08:00

AM NW paid a special visit to MKP client The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa to check out their new airport location. Located conveniently in Concourse C, by Southwest terminals for busy travelers, the spa has been a huge success since opening it's doors in early February.

Check out the full segment here.

THE DRAGONTREE, A HOLISTIC DAY SPA, ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF A NEW LOCATION IN THE PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

2010-03-10T16:38:00.000-08:00

(Portland, OR) January 26, 2010
The Dragontree Holistic Day Spa, located in NW Portland, announces the opening of the first spa in the Portland International Airport February 8. The spa is located on Concourse C between gate C-10 and C-12. The Dragontree has an established history of providing exceptional therapeutic services, commitment to being a sanctuary from the stresses of life, and dedication to reflecting Portland's values of ecological consciousness and sustainability practices.

The airport location’s design is a beautiful, soothing and private refuge featuring an extensive menu to accommodate all travelers’ needs and schedules. There are private treatment rooms for massages, facials, and waxing as well as an ambient communal space with elevated couches for therapeutic foot baths, head, neck and shoulder massages, chair massages and a variety of foot treatments.
Chris Madsen, general manager of business and properties with the Port of Portland, said, "We wanted to create a uniquely local experience for the PDX traveler, and this very popular local operation more than fills the bill. For an airport setting, The Dragontree is a 'beyond the expected' offering, and it's just the kind of business we want at PDX.”

The airport location will also offer a carefully chosen selection of immune supporting vitamins and herbs, natural sleeping aids, organic body and skin care products, and tasteful gifts for the savvy traveler. "We are so honored to be part of Portland International Airport and excited to have the opportunity to spread our mission of peace and balance into the world,” says spa owner Briana Borten.

Appointments are primarily on a walk-in basis but reservations will also be happily accepted. For more information please visit the spa’s airport location website at www.thedragontreepdx.com or call 503.331.1131.

About : The Dragontree, located at 2768 NW Thurman, offers a variety of services to still the mind and mend the body. The perfect place to receive massages, facials, Acupuncture, waxing, Ayurvedic counseling, and herbal consultations, you can also gather with friends and family and receive foot treatments, head, neck, & shoulder massages, and hand treatments. All treatments are tailored to each individual’s specific needs with the intention of creating the space for true healing to occur. For more information please visit www.thedragontree.com or call 503-221- 4123.

Contact:
Maggie Palmer
Maggie@maggiekpalmer.com
503-419-7677

MKP client Amy Boggs on Top Rated Morning Show

2010-03-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

MKP Client Amy Boggs, owner of Sparkling Palaces, a green cleaning company in Portland, OR has been tapped as the green cleaning expert on top rated morning show AM NW on KATU Channel 2.

View the segment here, and stay tuned to see Amy again in April!

“Ladies Who Launch” Celebrates International Women’s Day With A Presentation, Book Signing And Suit Drive For Dress For Success

2010-03-10T08:32:00.001-08:00

LA’s premiere women’s entrepreneur group gives back to the community

March 5, 2010 (Los Angeles, CA) – Ladies Who Launch, LA/OC chapter, celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8 by hosting an event with entrepreneur and author Kimberly Wilson, and asking attendees to help other local women in need.

Ladies Who Launch is asking everyone attending the event to bring a gently used business suit, which will be donated to the non-profit Dress for Success, whose mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women.
Dress for Success provides professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. “We are so pleased to be the recipient of a clothing drive conducted by Ladies Who Launch in coordination with the presentation by Kimberly Wilson,” said Kathy Culpepper, Director of Operations for Dress for Success Worldwide-West.
Ladies Who Launch is a community of female entrepreneurs whose mission is to make entrepreneurship accessible to any woman. “We are very excited about this collaboration,” Caren Magill, Market Director of Ladies Who Launch LA/OC, said. “Ladies Who Launch is committed to empowering women to take the next step into entrepreneurship as a means to self-sufficiency. Dress For Success is also committed to supporting women on their journey to independence. I look forward to working together toward a similar goal in honor of International Women¹s Day.”
Kimberly Wilson, author and founder of yoga studios, an eco-clothing line, and a non-profit, is the featured speaker. Wilson will share her 10-year journey as an entrepreneur, highlight lessons learned along the way and sign her new book.
The event begins at 6:30pm and concludes at 9pm. Ladies Who Launch will also be raffling off a free membership and admission to it’s famed “Incubator Intensive Workshops” to one lucky winner. To learn more about the event and to register please visit http://www.ladieswholaunch.com/losangeles.

About Ladies Who Launch: The Ladies Who Launch mission is to make entrepreneurship accessible to any woman with a project, dream or aspiration to start her own business and be successful. We have found a definitive link between launching a business and higher self-esteem and happiness; it is our hope that women will come to Ladies Who Launch and take advantage of our trusted community, tools, resources and success stories and live their dreams. Please visit us online at www.ladieswholaunch.com.
End ###
Contact:
Maggie Palmer
info@maggiekpalmer.com

“CARNIVAL OF ILLUSION” CELEBRATES 16 CONSECUTIVE SOLD OUT PERFORMANCES

2010-03-10T08:25:00.000-08:00

Award-winning illusionists open the first month of their record breaking 52 performances in Tucson by selling out all shows.

Tucson, Arizona (March 1, 2010) Nationally touring Tucson based illusionist duo Sarlot and Eyed are on record pace to sell out most of their 52 shows, as proven by selling out the entire first month of performances in February.

Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed, 2009 National Recipients for "Excellence in Magic" and former house entertainers at Canyon Ranch and Miraval Luxury Resort, transport their audiences back to a time when magic flourished as an art and was practiced in the salons and “parlours” of the wealthy. Audiences from all over the Americas packed seats for their highly anticipated first round of shows. Alan and Marla Wells from Ontario, Canada, said, “SUPERB! Best time of our lives! Great, great chemistry between Sarlot & Eyed and the audience! BRAVO!”

“Carnival of Illusion” is a Victorian-inspired parlour show with a modern, hip edge. This intimate experience is limited to only 35 seats per show, which allows the entertainers and the audience to connect on a more personal level. “It’s such a breath of fresh air to see a performance up close and intimate rather than in a sky box or on television. There’s no camera tricks in this show, it’s the real deal!”

Their Herculean mission began February 5th and will continue with two shows nightly at 6pm and 8:30pm every Friday and Saturday at DoubleTree Tucson Hotel at Reid Park. As a bonus, before or after the performance, guests can buy one entrée and receive a (equal or lesser priced) second entrée for FREE in either Double Tree restaurant. Tickets are $25 general, $20 seniors (55+) and juniors (ages 8 to 16) available at www.carnivalOFillusion.com or (520) 615-5299.

About: Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed are the 2009 national recipients for “Excellence in Magic” awarded by the oldest magic convention in the country. Earlier recipients have been Las Vegas headliners Harry Blackstone Jr. and Lance Burton. They have performed for the 200 Most Powerful Women in America and numerous Fortune 500 CEOs. These entertainers tour nationally sharing their love and respect for the ancient Art of Magic. Fox News called these Las Vegas headliners, “Outstanding” and the LA Weekly wrote “Amazing.”

Contact:
Brooke Rosania
(520) 615-5299
brooke@danceofillusion.com
Press Materials: www.carnivalOFillusion.com/press/

Daylight Savings Time: Helping Your Child Adjust

2010-03-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

Sunday, March 14 is Daylight Savings Time. This can cause some major problems for both parents and children alike. If your child already awakes at 6am, the thought of him or her waking at 5am can seem daunting and downright scary to most parents, and especially working moms- who need all the sleep they can get.

It can take more time for a toddler or baby to adjust to a new routine than an older child, but there are ways to minimize the disruption.

Here are some ideas to help your child adjust to springing ahead:

Plan early: Because daylight savings time falls on a Sunday, spring ahead your clocks Friday so you can have the weekend to get your child into the new routine. This will also make your workweek easier to adjust to if your body is used to the time change as well. If you have appointments during the weekend, just change the child’s clock ahead early.

Put them to bed early: Put your child to bed 30 minutes early on Friday and then a full hour early on Saturday to prepare for the time change on Sunday. Move your bedtime routine up slowly so the change is gradual instead of suddenly.

Keep it dark: Consider investing in room darkening blinds or a white noise machine to help your child fall asleep as the days become longer. Limiting light in the room will help them relax and fall asleep.

Stay Firm: If your child wakes early, put them back to bed as you normally would and encourage them to read a book or play quietly in their room until it is time to start the day. If your child is old enough, put a clock next to their bed and explain when it is time to wake up and start the day. For example, when this hand is on this number, or when you see the number 7 and two 0’s, you can come out of your room.

It can take a couple of days for adults to adjust to time change, so expect about a week for a child to adjust. But if you have an already established bedtime ritual, continue as normal and your child will soon settle into the new routine.

Partners in Rhyme: Announcing the Release of Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T

2010-01-29T10:01:00.001-08:00

The rhyming children's book Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T by CJ Connolly and illustrated by Lisa Adams has just been released. Focused on the 3-8 year old segment of the children's market, this whimsical tale is the first in a series of books starring Wil and a wise old flea, Mr. T, who serves as Wil's modern day Jiminy Cricket.

Using rhymes and engaging illustrations to tell the story, the focus is on teaching a simple life lesson--that achieving anything of value requires effort--it is never ever free. The book is the first in the series published by Crosswinds Press, a boutique, virtual publisher that has combined the talents of four small Connecticut businesses to bring a high quality product to the market--a book written, illustrated, designed, printed and bound in the United States.

When I was diagnosed with a terminal disease, scleroderma, it put my life in perspective. If I wanted to share all the stories and lessons I had learned from my relatives, friends and life itself with my six grandchildren, I would have to do so in print and as soon as possible
I also knew that rhyming books hold a special place in children's literature, and rhyming is something that has always come naturally to me.
Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T is both educational and charming…(it) will be a valuable resource for parents and childcare providers who wish to teach children about the value of trying even when mistakes are made.
In a down economy, it really means a lot to all of us to support the launch of this book series
It is actually fun, not work. We are all proud of the high quality product we've produced.

Mystic, CT (PRWEB) October 29, 2009 -- Stories are the timeless way to pass the lessons of life from one generation to the next. Telling these stories is the focus of a new whimsical series of rhyming books authored by CJ Connolly and illustrated by Lisa Adams, both of Mystic, CT. Focused on the underserved 3-8 year old children's market, the new series debuted in mid-October with the release of the first title, Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T published by Crosswinds Press. Four additional titles are in production, including The Boomerang and The Bad Enchilada, and will be released within the next four to six months.

"When I was diagnosed with a terminal disease, scleroderma, it put my life in perspective. If I wanted to share all the stories and lessons I had learned from my relatives, friends and life itself with my six grandchildren, I would have to do so in print and as soon as possible," noted CJ Connolly. "I also knew that rhyming books hold a special place in children's literature, and rhyming is something that has always come naturally to me."

Each book in the series contains its own unique moral. In Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T, Wil, one of the two prime characters, discovers that achieving anything of value requires effort…it is never, ever free. This lesson is taught to Wil by a wise old flea named "T" who serves as a modern day Jiminy Cricket. Forthcoming books, such as the soon to be released The Boomerang, feature members of T's extended family who add humor to the stories and help bring the lessons to life. They are written in a style similar to Dr. Seuss and hope to compete with Dr. Seuss and Mouse Cookies in their key markets.

Jacquelyn Miller of the Reach Out and Read National Center notes, "Wil, Fitz and a Flea Named T is both educational and charming…(it) will be a valuable resource for parents and childcare providers who wish to teach children about the value of trying even when mistakes are made." Ms. Miller has added the book to several of the lists of recommended books she distributes to parents and medical providers.

The publisher of the series, Crosswinds Press, is a start-up boutique publishing firm that emphasizes rhyming children's books. Using what is called a "virtual" structure, the Press contracts with a local designer, Trish LaPointe LaPointe Design website and a local printer, the Racine Company to bring the books to fruition. It is a uniquely Connecticut team, or partners in rhyme, that is knitting together four small Connecticut businesses to have one big impact.

"In a down economy, it really means a lot to all of us to support the launch of this book series," notes George Racine of The Racine Company, who prints the books and all related printed matter in his Brooklyn, CT plant. "It is actually fun, not work. We are all proud of the high quality product we've produced."

CJ Connolly has authored numerous books and articles in the professional press under the moniker CJ McNair. An expert in cost management and control systems, she currently is a professor at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Lisa Adams is a well-known illustrator of children's books. She designed the logo for the Baby Gap stores and has recently released a new book The Twelve Days of Christmas in New York. Other work completed by Lisa can be viewed at Lisa Adams Art website.

For further information or to purchase books from the series, contact Crosswinds Press at Crosswinds Press website , by phone at 860-245-0245 or by fax at 860-245-0246.

###

Post Comment:
Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/Q3Jhcy1TdW1tLU1hZ24tTG92ZS1Qcm9mLUNvdXAtWmVybw==