Lady Rogue Business Network Neighbor Goods Studio

There’s no sense burying the lede: We are postponing the Neighbor Goods Studio, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 25th. 

My co-planners Shari and Jen really knocked it out of the park when it came to recruiting: I am legitimately in awe of the lineup that we put together. And I would sincerely like to attend the Neighbor Goods that we envisioned: a lineup of Atlanta’s best and brightest, inspiring their fellow entrepreneurs in a day that was fun, informative, and transformational. I still believe in that day, but I have to be honest and say we made too many mistakes to make that day happen next Saturday. 

We had a stupid software glitch that implied the day was booked when it wasn’t; and I think that was the majority of the problem. But even more so is that we failed to connect with our LRBN audience; missing opportunity after opportunity to make sure that folks knew what a rad lineup we had put together. Our registration numbers were just not enough to support an event of this size. 

That is my failure; I own it fully. But, fresh from a two-week design/technology/food/art installation at 01Sj in San Jose, I have a new perspective on this kind of work. I see, more clearly now, where we should go in the future. 

I’m pleased to announce that LRBN will be a sponsor of the Indie Craft Experience. We’re still working out the details, but I’m excited to work with Christy and Shannon to better connect with one of Atlanta’s most established entrepreneurial communities. 

Speakers 

I know that so many of you had put time and energy into crafting your panels, putting together swag giveaways, and helping us promote via social media. I also know that it sucks to save a Saturday; you made a time commitment to us. If there is something I can do to make this right, a favor I can offer as a token of our gratitude, please don’t hesitate to ask. I owe you all a big one. 

Attendees 

A special note goes out to you - you purchased a ticket. You supported our vision, And in a way, we are disappointing you the most - because you saw this idea working just as much as we did, and no doubt you’re just as bummed as we to miss Jenny’s food truck, LeahandMark’s photobooth, and the other fun and inspirational events we had lined up for the day. A refund will be issued, of course. 

With sincerest regret for any hardships, 

and a commitment to kicking ass in the future, 

Lady Rogue

9:30-10AM REGISTRATION

Meet and greet fellow attendees, check out our referral walls, and nibble on some breakfast treats. Oh … and did we mention door prizes?

10-10:30am • MORNING KEYNOTE

How to Be Souper to Your Neighbor (And Still Make A Living)

Jenny Levinson of Souper Jenny could be described as the ultimate Altanta businesswoman. She juggles work with family - infamously taking a month off in August - all while supporting the entrepreneurial ventures of others. Jenny gets involved with good food trends like secret suppers and food trucks, but she keeps her Buckhead eatery brand front and center. Be inspired to be Souper in your own business.

[MORNING KEYNOTE, LOS ANGELES ROOM]

10:30-11:15am PRESENTATION or WORKSHOP

Taking Your Business to the Next Level

Dana Spinola of Fab’rik has an enviable checklist. Hot boutique? Check. Supercute clothes? Check? Six locations in Georgia, with franchises in four other states? Check, check, check. Learn how to go big while still respecting your roots.

[PRESENTATION, LOS ANGELES ROOM]

Grow A Flourishing Business on Your Creative Genius

Rebecca M. Prien, Esq. of Counsel to Creativity, LLC talks to us about establishing the legal foundation to grow a flourishing business on creative genius. She will discuss the three basic legal tools every business needs and what it means to Leverage Your Creative Genius. A must for designers, crafters, and creative service providers looking to amp up their business strategy or simple get legal. Bring your questions. Bonus: freebie handouts and resources!

[WORKSHOP, ROOM TBA]

11:30am-12:15pm • PANEL DISCUSSION or IMPROV

Word of Mouth Marketing – What is it and how do I use it?

One Atlantan in ten tells the other nine what to buy in every category imaginable. This one special Atlanta in ten is known as an “Influencer”.  Learn how to spot, cultivate and capitalize on these people that are the engines to drive your business’ growth. Todd Miller of Zifty and Ted Wright of Fizz will share with you real world tips and examples from their own work as well as take questions specific  to your businesses.

[PANEL DISCUSSION, LOS ANGELES ROOM]

Keeping Your Mind Open to New Opportunities

Elizabeth Beasley & Allison Gilmore of Dumore Improv lead a series of exercises to help you relax and unleash your creativity. Discover new angles to your workflow, find new ways of collaboration, and allow yourself to get up on the stage to alter your perspective.

[ACTIVITY, ROOM TBA]

12:15-1pm • LUNCH, CRAFTS, ACTIVITIES

Souper Jenny and the Incredible Flying Soup Mobile

Sandwiches, soups and salads on-the-go from Souper Jenny’s supercute red food truck!

[OUTDOORS]

Get Crafty at Lunch

MakeATL’s Thank You Cards Shannon Mulkey and Beth Schechter of MakeATL are setting up a DIY station for designing your own thank you notes! Revive the forgotten art of civility for your business thank-yous! This DIY station will be open until 5pm.

[DIY ACTIVITY STATION, ROOM TBA]

Photobooth Fun with LeahAndMark.com!

Photography duo LeahAndMark.com are hosting a zany photobooth for lunchtime fun. Bring your blazer, and get a formal headshot made (cmon, you know you need a good one!). Be prepared - Elizabeth Beasley is bringing her costume box, and the LRBN crew has been known to get a little zany where the wigs are concerned …

[PHOTOBOOTH, ROOM TBA]

1-1:45pm • PANEL DISCUSSION or BRAINSTORM

Selling Is A Pitch! Tips for Sellers, Shopkeepers, Etsy-wranglers and more!

Becky Striepe of Glue & Glitter, Jess Silverstein of Urban Cottage and Brandi Shelton of Just Add Honey & The Beehive bring a wide variety of experiences to the table. Jess and mom Gail have been in the retail and manufacturing business for a long while - hear what makes the cut when pitching your locally-produced goods. Brandi represents both sides of the coin - as an artisan and a shopkeeper, she knows pitching on both sides. And Becky rounds out the panel with tips on balancing pitches with etsy, festivals and other sales channels. Come prepared with questions for this interactive panel.

[PANEL DISCUSSION, LOS ANGELES ROOM]

Eco-Ethics and Your Business

Montine Blank of the Green Half and Kathleen Plate of Smart Glass lead this brainstorming session on how to improve the carbon footprint of your small business without breaking your (small) bank. Montine plays environmental matchmaker between local green-friendly businesses and consumers with the Green Half, while Kathleen found a way to get enormo-corporation Coca-Cola behind her green recycled glass designs. Brainstorm ideas with other attendees as you learn to work within the system to make changes.

[BRAINSTORM, ROOM TBA]

2-2:45pm • PANEL DISCUSSION

Using the Interwebs to Build Your Customer Base

Emily Newman of OnceWed.com, Amy Ellis of MailChimp, and Shameeka Ayers, TheBrokeSocialite.com form our unique panel of interwebs-centric businesses. Amy is part of the e-newsletter heavyweights MailChimp, and Shameeka brings a wealth of social media mojo — as approved by Martha Stewart, no less, while Emily founded the hit ‘designer weddings for less’ site OnceWed.com, boasting 3.3 million pageviews a month. Learn tips and techniques from this wide range of experts!

[PANEL DISCUSSION, LOS ANGELES ROOM]

3-3:45pm • AFTERNOON KEYNOTE or BRAINSTORM

Thriving in the Downturn: Creative Solutions to Troubling Times

Michael Tavini of Scoutmob turned an economic recession into an economic opportunity with the groundbreaking iPhone coupon app Scoutmob. Restaurants get foot traffic and exposure, consumers get dining deals, and Scoutmob itself gets to expand to other markets. Hear how Tavini & co. convinced other locally-owned businesses to partner with them, and what being a part of a local economy truly means.

[AFTERNOON KEYNOTE, LOS ANGELES ROOM]

Marketing with the Pros

Mandy Sewell of Melissa Libby & Associates and Laura Scholz of Scholz Communications lead a focused brainstorming session for your biggest marketing quandries. Mandy and Laura are both marketing pros with experiences ranging from corporate to DIY - benefit from their collective experience in networking, social media and other creative ways to solve the communication problem.

[BRAINSTORM, ROOM TBA]

4-5pm • WINDING DOWN

Info exchange!

Exchange cards, visit our crafting stations, and swap ideas with other attendees before heading out for some deserved afterparty beverages!

[ENTIRE SPACE, YO!]