Mark your calendar for Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008 when the life of Bobby de Lorenzi will be celebrated in grand karaoke style. The event is a fundraiser for the beloved brother of Success in the City founder Cynthia de Lorenzi, who has started a foundation in Bobby’s name.

“When Bobby died suddenly in 2002 it was completely devastating to the entire family and all of the people who worked for him at his company, Patriot.Net,” explains Cynthia today. “Bobby was one of those people who lit up a room the second he walked into it—who changed people just because he knew them. This foundation is our way of honoring his life and bringing joy to the people who never got to meet him.”

The mission of the Bobby de Lorenzi Foundation is to provide a grant to an adult who has had to stop their studies or career so they can continue on their path with renewed confidence and support.

“Our goal is to provide $1000 or more to a needy woman or man to help them go back to school, manage their lives after leaving a relationship, or buy the wardrobe they need to land a great job,” Cynthia explains.

That mission also dovetails with the goals of her organization, Success in the City, a support network for women entrepreneurs.

“We know that with a little humor and love from your sister-friends, anything is possible,” Cynthia shares. “The grants given by the Bobby de Lorenzi Foundation will provide some money to make transitions into the workforce easier, as well.”

And since singing at the top of his lungs was something Bobby prided himself on, the Thursday, Aug. 21 fundraiser is entitled: Chari-oke (Karaoke for charity). We invite you to support this good cause. (Details follow.)

Fundraiser to benefit the Bobby de Lorenzi Foundation
DATE: Thurs., Aug. 21, 2008
TIME: 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 pm

LOCATION: Velocity Five Sports Bar & Restaurant, located at the corner of Lee Highway and Gallows Road in the Merrifield section of Falls Church, Virginia

DETAILS:“Chari-oke” will feature food, fun, special entertainers as well as folks like you. It’s an opportunity to show your musical or comic talent at the open mic or karaoke machine. Enjoy whoops and hollers and maybe even a valuable door prize, like concert tickets!

SIGN UP:Fees are $45 for Success In The City members; $55 for non-members. This is a co-ed event. Find information and registration link on the Events page at www.SuccessInTheCity.org or call Sheri Fulton at 703-309-5502. charioke - Karaoke for Charity

Labels: Cynthia de Lorenzi honors brother by creating a charitable foundation

Read about our guest blogger - Hope Katz Gibbs
Truly Amazing Women Blog

Beautiful beads from Tokyo—more than 30,000 of them—grace the most elaborate offering by Laura Lee Designs, an international handbag firm founded in 2005 by California native Laura Lee Williams. Other designs—such as her trademark M bag—feature fewer beads, but the focus here is on the three-inch wrap of Australian snakeskin in the middle. “The white version is perfect for weddings, and pink version is a personal favorite because we contribute a portion of the proceeds from each purchase to Breast Cancer Research,” says the soft-spoken brunette, who shares the tale of how she got started in the handbag business as she sips chamomile tea at a café not far from her current base of operations in Tyson’s Corner, VA.

Although her father and siblings all work in the TV and movie industry, Laura Lee didn’t opt for a career in Hollywood but graduated with a degree in economics from UCLA, and later got a master’s degree in international studies from Harvard University. She spent most of her career working on strategic initiatives and marketing programs for Fortune 500 firms such as Nike, American Express, and Apple Computer. But when she accepted a job as VP of global business with Hong Kong’s Pacific Century CyberWorks (PCCW) in 1999, her time spent in China inspired her to look at the world in a new way.

“I helped PCCW transform itself from an old guard telecom company into a cutting-edge high-tech organization that provides Wi-Fi in airports, developed call centers and established broadband services,” she explains. “In doing so, I worked closely with Chinese executives and watched as they planned strategies that took a long-term view of business. It was a very different approach from what I experienced earlier in my career when I worked for U.S. executives. Too often, we Americans focus only on short-term profits and as a result, some very good ideas never got the chance to take root.”

In early 2003, Laura Lee decided to meld the best of both cultures into a company of her own. Her mission: To manufacture elegant hand-beaded handbags and sell them to a sophisticated clientele in the U.S. and abroad. Her timing was good. The total value of imports of women’s handbags or purses had recently hit $1 billion, according to the Gale Encyclopedia of American Industries. And Laura Lee’s bags, which range from $250 to $700, started snapping up a nice portion of it from retail shops in Spain, Australia and the U.K. In the U.S. they can be found at Bloomingdale’s, Fred Segal, the Ritz-Carlton gift shops, and tony boutiques from Los Angeles to Miami.

Her bags hit prime time when one was featured on a 2006 episode of Desperate Housewives. Actress Eva Longoria’s character Gabrielle Solis carried a Laura Lee handbag—and the show’s costume designers made an outfit to match. Organizers of the March 2007 Oscar Wilde pre-Oscar party saw the episode and called Laura Lee to order six of her purses to auction off to celebrities, and invited Williams to the gala.

“Being at the Oscars was amazing,” admits Laura Lee. “My bags are popular with women who pride themselves on being fashionable, original, and standing out in a crowd. I like that in a woman, and want to encourage more ladies to make a statement and be recognized.”

For more information, visit www.lauraleedesigns.com.

Read about our guest blogger - Hope Katz Gibbs
Truly Amazing Women Blog

Nearly 200 women clad in their diva best packed the AMC Theater in Tyson’s Corner VA on Friday, May 30 for the first public showing of Sex in the City, the best chick flick of the summer that is based on the popular HBO series.

“Not a single seat was available,” says Cynthia de Lorenzi (pictured right, being interviewed Jennifer Cortner, by president of EFX Media in Arlington) “and it was only 8 a.m. on a week day.” That’s just what Cynthia hoped for when she planned the event, the biggest yet for her 2-year-old Washington DC-based networking group Success in the City. “It was fabulous,” Cynthia said after the show, referring not only to the romantic comedy on the screen but to the hundreds of executive women who dressed up and headed to the theater instead of the office.

“I wouldn’t have missed this,” says Darcie Davis, Senior VP of Zephyr Strategy, Inc. and member of the Success in the City Board. The big event included a mid-morning spree at nearby Saks Fifth Avenue for a Saks in the City after-party where all sipped complimentary cosmopolitans, chatted with old and new girlfriends, and were treated to 15% coupons off nearly everything in the store. “Fun in big doses with other business women is what Success in the City is meant to be.”

Mixing friendship and business is the goal for Cynthia a fashionable Texas-born dame who is proud to conduct deal in heels. And when her beloved brother Bob unexpectedly died in 2002, she did the only thing she could. “My husband sold his business, packed up our house, and moved to Washington, DC to support my take over as CEO of Bob’s telecommunications company, Patriot Net [www.patriot.net]. “There was no other choice,” Cynthia says, admitting she suffered from tremendous culture shock. “Washington is not Texas. You may think we’re tough, but there is an impenetrable old boy’s network here. I found they were suspicious if you tried to talk to strangers in the elevator. And the women definitely didn’t wear pink. But they do now.”

Cynthia said hooey to the idea that she couldn’t beat ‘em. She founded Success in the City, a networking group for C-level businesswomen. “Quite simply, I needed girlfriends,” Cynthia confides. “In addition to dealing with some management team conflicts due to the fact that I was a Southern woman serving as CEO , and living in this new town, shortly after I arrived here I was diagnosed with a life threatening tumor. I had to find a support system — and fast.” Fortunately, she met a few women who were connected and approachable, and within a few months her pretty-in-pink networking idea created a buzz that led to a groundswell. The women who joined early on got their friends to participate. They liked it so much that the second tier told their friends, and they joined, too.

CEO Chick Chats, Breakfast at Tiffany’s for members, conventions at getaways like Virginia Beach and group trips to New York City followed, and then came the Big Event movie extravaganza in May. This summer, she’s launching a Success in the City TV network, and by the end of the year hopes to franchise the concept in other cities, beginning with Richmond, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. And the best part, Cynthia says, I found the mother lode of friends who are smart, successful women to befriend. “Isn’t that what the good life is all about?” she beams.

For more information, visit Success in the City

Read about our guest blogger - Hope Katz Gibbs

When Kristina Bouweiri co-founded Virginia-based Reston Limousine 17 years ago with her husband William (pictured here), she didn’t have much leadership experience. She had worked for five years in sales, but had never built or groomed a staff. In the beginning, she concentrated on being a positive, easy-going boss and didn’t worry much about boosting her team’s morale. During the booming 1990s, that approach worked brilliantly. “Sure we had some turnover,” she admits. “But the phone was ringing off the hook, so I didn’t focus on motivating employees.” Then came Sept. 11, and business came to a screeching halt.

Turning lemons into lemonade “Americans were afraid to travel, and that meant they didn’t need limos to take them around Washington,” she explains. “It was very scary.” The business downturn proved to be the perfect time to turn around her leadership approach. Kristina began reading management books, joined several professional business groups and attended luncheons where successful business people described how they led their firms. “I heard them talk about playing games to team build, and a light bulb went off,” she recalls. “It’s not that I didn’t know about the benefits of team building—dozens of companies used our limos and vans to transport their own employees to nights out on the town or other adventures. It just never dawned on me that it was so critical.”

The solution She decided to give it a whirl and organized a scavenger hunt. “We divided the staff into six teams and each group took a limousine into Washington, D.C. They had to fill a small bottle with water from the Reflecting Pool and buy a gift from Ford’s Theater, among other tasks.” Then she treated employees to a company picnic near the Washington Monument. The experience did wonders**and not just for the staff. “The outing made me realize that having fun was truly the key to success,” says the CEO who now plays on the company softball team and sponsors Survivor parties for her staff. “I learned that if you invest in making your employees happy, it comes back 100 times.” This year, in fact, her company is projecting gross revenues of $15 million.

Awards and accolades Kristina has won many awards for her business acumen, including being named one of the Top Women Business Owners in the DC area by the Washington Business Journal. Her clients range from George Mason University to Fannie Mae and the MCI Center, and often her limos carry some of the most rich and famous who come to Washington, DC for business and pleasure.

But it is Kristina’s kindness, warm heart and generosity that puts her on the “Truly Amazing” list. “I cannot think of a better friend than Kristina,” says Cynthia De Lorenzi, a businesswoman who in 2006 founded the networking group Success in the City. “She is one of those people who is always there when you need her, someone who goes beyond friendship and is truly a sister. I watch her share her money, her time, and her laughter with people and it always makes me smile. Even when things get a little rocky, she always has a smile on her face and a kind word to say. She’s a straight shooter, but is also someone who never ceases to see the bright side of things. Kristina is one of those women you are honored to call your friend.”

What makes Kristina Bouweiri amazing? Her deft touch with staff, colleagues, clients, and friends.

Read about our guest blogger -  Hope Katz Gibbs

Influenza 2008 is officially here!  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that influenza activity continued to increase in the United States and the proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was above the epidemic threshold.   I write this report to you from my bed, where I have spent most of this week as result of THE FLU and now Conjunctivitis, more commonly known as Pink Eye.  After a visit to the doctor twice this week what I learned about the flu is that

• If you had the Flu shot (I did) it does not “guarantee” you will not get the Flu.
• It is not too late to get a Flu shot, though it may not help because…
• This year’s flu vaccine may not be protection for this particular strain of Influenza
• Within 48 hours of coming down with the Flu you are able to get to the doctor you may be able to take an anti-viral drug to treat the Flu
• Antibiotics will not cure the Flu
• Chicken soup is not only good for the soul it’s good for treating Colds and Flu 

I hope you avoid the Flu, but if not I hope this wee bit of knowledge helps.

Confessions of a mad/sad blogger.  Alright, I confess here and now that for me blogging has become a love/hate relationship.  I have so much wisdom, wit, insight and clever thoughts that I want to share with you and tell the world. Yet finding the time to craft witty, meaningful and interesting prose is almost all but impossible, at least that’s the way it seems to me.  

As I drive along in my car on the way to and from a myriad of meetings my mind enjoys that bit of free-time-wandering and introspection.  Inevitably I am inspired to run home and share those moments of brilliant insights in my blog.  Alas, back at my desk the real world of phone calls and emails consumes my attention and detracts me from sharing with you yet again. Perhaps I am just too hard on myself and instead of crafting perfect prose I should write from the heart and just say it, even if all to brief. 

I envy my friends, Geoff Livingston, Andrea Goulet, Toby Bloomberg, Pam Sorensen and Kristina Bouweiri who all manage to maintain regular blog postings.  They are my s/heros; committed to regular postings and share great adventures and incredible insights with you.  Sigh, for now I will stand and admire them from afar and re-commit yet again to get back to blogging, after all, it’s good fodder and food for the soul!

Cynthia H. de Lorenzi serves as Chief Executive Diva of Success in the City a unique social networking organization for senior level executive business.  She is serial entrepreneur with 3 women owned companies under her leadership, including de Lorenzi Group LLC. Patriot Computer Group, Inc. and GoGawGaw. She serves on the Board of Directors for TiE-DC and the Telework Coalition, Community Business Partnership (CBP), which includes the Women’s Business Center. She is also a co-founder of the Washington Bureau for ISP Advocacy (WBIA).  She is a frequent guest speaker, panelist and media guest on issues related to public policy, workforce and technology and women’s issues. 

Next Friday, October 26, 2007 women of all entrepreneurial stripes will be gathering for the Women’s Entrepreneur Expo; Living the Dream in Springfield, VA.  Hosted by the Women’s Business Center and the Community Business Partnership this event was sold out almost two-weeks early. What is interesting about this year’s conference is the inclusion of a breakout session on blogging, podcasting and social networking. For the purpose of full and open disclosure I confess to you now that I am the invited presenter at the conference on this topic.  And I’m not ashamed to tell you that I am unabashedly excited about this subject.   

For the novice or even the most intrepid entrepreneur it can seem intimidating, daunting and even mysterious to figure out what new media choices and/or strategies are good options building a stellar business network.  Among our friends and colleagues it has become a common and reoccurring theme of our discussions; what’s hot and what’s not in emerging social networking tools and whose blogging and podcasting what.  The usual questions range from “Are you on LinkedIn and if so how many connections do you have?”  Do you have a MySpace or FaceBook page?  Do you have a blog?  The more yes’ the more your stature of expertise rises in your peers eyes.

This past week Stan Relihan, one of my LinkedIn Connections in Australia, released his inview with me for his Podcast program; The Connections Show.  So far we’ve received thumbs up reviews from our listeners and invite you to give a listen.  Stan and I have never met in person, however, if you ask either of us if we believe that we found value in our LinkedIn relationship or friendship we would both say a resounding YES!

If you were on Dancing with the Stars and you were relatively famous but not as famous as your competition on the show what would you do?  If you were smart you would do what Mark Cuban is doing.  Mark is using Facebook, a new media technology and strategy to engage his friends, colleagues, network and fan base in a conversation about his experiences on the show. Through his network he has built a base of viewers and supporters who are called to action on Monday nights to watch and vote for him and his partner Kym.   

I find this a cool experience because Mark keeps us posted on his up to the minute activities, from practice to wardrobe malfunctions to being called to rehearsal or the set.  I would love to stay and tell you more but I’ve got to go get ready to watch the show so I can vote for Mark and Kym tonight. 

Here and now I declare it, bodily, shamelessly and proudly, I have the greatest job in the world! For my friends who read this and know me well you have my permission to smack me with this bold statement the next time you hear my occasional whining about the self-imposed pressure, need and failure to post to our blog.   

The challenge of having the greatest job in the world is the chaos created by the enthusiasm to do more and expand on all the many great things one has committed to do. It is my blog that has become the neglected child of those many passions and interests. 

Daily a great idea, experience, incredible introduction or conversation occurs and I am momentary inspired with the thought that I would like to share those with you on my blog.  Inevitably, distraction occurs and off we go running in another direction.   Another day and week slips by without sharing any of those wise, insightful or nurturing words I so want to provide to you as inspiration. 

Debbie Weil, the author of the Corporate Blogging Book, Absolutely Everything You Need to Know to Get it Right and the author of her own blog – Blog Write for CEOs was our guest two weeks ago for a conversation on blogging.  Debbie left our audience of CEO divas breathless and eager to put pen to blog.  She is incredible and inspiring and since then I think of Debbie daily and mentally reaffirm my dedication to blog posting.  Two weeks later here it is.   

What Debbie shared that continues to bounce around in my head is the fact that if you choose to do a blog you need to post and do it regularly.  It is not necessary to post daily but you do need to post on a regular schedule.  Even once a week can be quite acceptable. 

In Debbie’s book she shares the Top 7 Tips for a CEO Blogger, which includes these resounding 3.

I’m single. I go out. I meet men. We have a great time. They ask for my number. Yet, I’ve noticed a trend - most don’t call me back.

Why?

My womanly intuition tells me that it’s not me. I’m fun, flirty, cute and I usually only give out my number if there’s been an established chemistry. Honestly, I feel that it’s the guy’s fear of rejection.

When I first started in sales, one of my first trainings compared selling to dating. You need to get to know your client little by little - making sure that you focus on their needs than your own. Sound familiar?

We also learned an important lesson about follow-up. It is your responsibility, not the client’s, to keep in touch - which means reaching out and making that initial call.

I’ve heard stories of companies who went with a competitor simply because the sales person didn’t follow up.

Similarly, guys lose out on a girl who is interested in getting to know them better because they are too shy/afraid/nervous to pick up the phone and make that initial call.

So, if you’re a guy and you’re nervous about that first call, take a sales class or ask one of your buddies who’s in sales to teach you the ropes. You’ll learn it’s a numbers game, you will get rejection, and none of it is personal. When you adopt this attitude, you’ll find yourself having more fun.