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PINK GARAGE

Information & community for, by & about women entrepreneurs

http://pinkgarageblog.com

What is Pink Garage?

Pink Garage was born out of our sense that women today aren’t getting the information, community and inspiration they need on the net. There’s a lot out there, but none of it seems exactly right for the smart, passionate women we know, whose idea of running their own business is closer to making artisan chocolate, building software or running a design/marketing firm than it is to having your own insurance business.

Pink Garage is a web site and community that gives women entrepreneurs, free agents & those that aspire to be business owners a welcoming, savvy place to go and get info We cover the business of women in business and provide inspiration, advice and a place to connect for women who own their own businesses and those who wish to. Rich in original content, news & how-to stories about real women, Pink Garage is a compelling resource and place to connect, share, and learn—and much more contemporary and relevant than anything else online.

Pink Garage is important because it will give more women the support, confidence and community to run--and start--their own businesses--whether they live in NYC or LA or in a rural town in the heartland. It's innovative because it uses a blend of Web 2.0 tools and online community and marries it with real

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world meet ups and mentoring. Rather than raise a venture fund for women, we are starting Pink Garage to coach, support, educate and empower.

Who is Pink Garage for?

Pink Garage is for women of every age who own and run their own businesses and are looking for inspiration, community and support beyond their immediate circle. Our site is for women of all ages and backgrounds who share a desire to turn their passions into profits and who want to connect via the net and social media. We focus on software and social media startups, DIY and crafting businesses, artisan food, consulting and small business services, consumer packaged goods, health, beauty, parenting, finance, non-profits and social ventures, sustainable/green, media and blogging. We recognize there are emotional and operational issues that cut across business categories, so we’re design to help women connect to a larger entrepreneur community, no matter what their discipline. At the same time, we connect people within specific niches for networking and fellowship.

What’s on the site (editorial plan)?

Pink Garage is rich in original editorial content. We cover news about women owned and led organizations, tell how they did it stories—and offer tips and advice—from successful women entrepreneurs, and provide support and inspiration via quotes, pictures, multimedia. Our Shortcuts section guides business owners through FAQs and curated links for common business and operations questions, our directory pages recognize and connect like-minded women, identify funding and speaking opportunities. Guest bloggers and expert panels share insider perspectives and actionable ideas. Community profiles, comments and forms connect members to one another.

How are we unique?

There’s nothing live online that serves and connections modern women entrepreneurs of all ages. Accessible, useful, and inspiring, Pink Garage helps women live their business dreams successfully, using all the tools of Web 2.0. Unlike expensive training programs, we offer ongoing support without a fee; unlike “women’s” sites, we focus on the business of business—and how that fits into women’s lives.

Does community matter? Yes! Pink Garage is—first and foremost—about serving and connecting its users. Through profiles, message boards, blog posts, tweets & real world meet ups, Pink Garage users build community.

Who are the founders? Susan Mernit, Nancy Soriano and Lisa Willams are the three co-founders.

A former VP at AOL & Netscape, Susan has started multiple media and software businesses; during 2008, she ran the Knight News Challenge as a consultant

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and did two start-ups, one of which was chosen as a TechStars 08 incubator company. This is her second start-up with Lisa Williams.

Lisa Williams is the founder of Placeblogger, the co-founder of People’s Software and an expert on hyperlocal news, community and user engagement. A former Yankee analyst, Lisa went out her own after she had her first child (she now has two).

Nancy Soriano is a lifestyle expert who makes frequent appearances on Good Morning America. She spent ten years as the editor in chief of Country Living Magazine, a leader in the shelter category and was the developer of many Country Living programs and line extensions, including the annual Country Living Fair and the Country Living Women Entrepreneurs conference. She and Susan are sisters.

What is the business model?

Pink Garage is bootstrapping itself during the first year. Revenues will come from sponsorships, advertising revenue, and—ultimately—marketing and employment referrals.

For further information, contact Susan Mernit, mernit@gmail.com