momcafé Event  -  Doing it in style - VANCOUVER

Our upcoming event, 'Doing it in style - VANCOUVER', is on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 9:15am
Location - Watermark Restaurant, Kits Beach, 1305 Arbutus Street,Vancouver
The speakers at Doing it in style - VANCOUVER will be:

Linda Hipp

Founder, President, and Designer of LIJA
Linda Hipp is a new Mom, the Founder, President, and Designer of LIJA, a lifestyle brand providing apparel for women in golf, tennis, active, and leisure. The company was incorporated as Hyp Golf in July 1997 and quickly became a success in the golf industry. Linda's designs challenged the traditional paradigms of women's golf apparel by introducing elements of European runway fashion into a previously conservative market. Although my focus started with golf, LIJA has grown to be a lifestyle brand offering unique looks that women can incorporate into all aspects of their life. My designs are inspired by today's busy lifestyle and the need for clothes that transition from one activity to the next." Linda has received recognition as a Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 winner, one of Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs, plus a prestigious APEX award. Her successful business has been recognized by Business in Vancouver as one of British Columbia's 50 Fastest Growing Companies twice, named one of Canada's Fastest Growing Companies by Profit Magazine five times, and Canadian Company of the Year by Score Golf twice. Linda is a member of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs. She is also working as a mentor with other women in the start-up phase in the design/manufacturing sector. Linda was born, raised and still resides in Vancouver, BC.

Cathy Thorpe

President of Please Mum
After spending 15 years with the Gap with positions around the world, Cathy joined Please Mum based in Vancouver as VP of Retail Operations and she quickly climbed the ladder to become President. Cathy has a deep-rooted passion for retail and insists that, “it gets into your blood and you love it.” Her enthusiasm for the business easily translates to the human component of Please Mum. The company’s belief in connecting with their community by “thinking locally and acting globally” has provided all employees the opportunity to make the world a smaller place by giving back through The Please Mum Foundation Fund and their partnership with World Vision. Outside of work, Cathy is an avid runner and has a husband and two children. She has a devout commitment to family and is proud to maintain a healthy work/life balance as President of a large company.
It’s fashionable to be balanced
Retail fashion is a fast-paced and demanding industry yet these two women are successfully balancing their careers and families.
Join us for an inspirational talk by Cathy Thorpe, President of Please Mum and Linda Hipp, Founder, President and Designer of LIJA Style, who will share their tips on how they are bringing family values into the retail fashion world for women and children while being stylish at the same time.

There’s an extra special reason for you to join us! Not only will you hear two fabulous speakers from the retail industry, you can also help our favourite charity, Dress for Success Vancouver, collect much needed apparel for their clients.

Dress for Success Vancouver is a registered Canadian charity that helps low and no income women to transition into the workforce by providing professional attire. Each Dress for Success client receives a suit for her interviews and a small working wardrobe when she gets her job.

Please search your closet (and maybe your friends’ closets too) for ‘gently used but no longer needed’ business suits, purses, shoes or coats that would help another women get the job she desperately needs.

Bring them to the momcafé event at the Watermark Restaurant where Susan and Denisa from The Image Builders will gratefully take them off your hands and ensure their safe delivery to Dress for Success Vancouver.

Everyone who donates a piece of clothing or accessories will be entered into the annual Red Velvet Woman draw for a $500 gemstone bracelet. (Draw January 15, 2010) Now that’s really doing it in style!

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsors: BC Hydro, Le Petit Spa, our National Bronze Sponsor: Please Mum and our Community Partner: Natural Pod Toys.

Cost: $35.00 non-members - $29.00 members (plus GST)
Childcare: Kids aged 0 – 12 years old are welcome. Listen to the speakers and engage in uninterrupted conversation while the children are supervised in a safe and fun area nearby. Babies aged 0 to 6 months (or older if you prefer) may choose to sit closer to Mom. An additional fee of $10.00 (plus GST) for the first child and $5.00 (plus GST) for each additional child will be charged for those requiring childcare (snacks included).

A portion of the event proceeds will go to support: