Women Entrepreneurs Inspire Conference
Online registration for the 2012 Conference has closed, but you can register in person at the conference Wednesday morning.
Keynote Speakers
Patricia R. Miller
Co-founder, Vera Bradley
In 1982, Patricia R. Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard founded Vera Bradley in Barbara’s basement with $500 and an idea for unique, feminine-looking luggage. Vera Bradley quickly became a multi-million dollar company and is now an international brand known for its colorful handbags, accessories, luggage, eyewear, travel items and gifts. Today, Vera Bradley products are sold in 3,400 retailers, more than 50 company stores and on verabradley.com. Vera Bradley employs more than 2000.
Julie Clark
Baby Einstein Company
Julie Clark founded the Baby Einstein Company in 1996 in her basement, creating its first video product on her home computer. By 2001, Baby Einstein was a world leader in developmental and entertainment products for babies and toddlers, and was acquired by the Walt Disney Company. Baby Einstein continues to provide innovative interactive products for infants and toddlers, and is sold in 30 countries in more than 25 languages.
Zhena Muzyka
Founder of Gypsy Tea
A single mom with less than $6 in her wallet desperate for money to pay for her son’s life saving kidney operation, Zhena Muzyka began offering her custom teas from a cart on California street corners, believing that selling her tins of tea could alter fate. Ten years later, Zhena’s Gypsy Tea is a thriving, purpose driven brand, whose goal it is to make a difference in people’s lives by offering premium teas and sustainable goods that benefit health, protect the environment and support humanitarian efforts. Zhena’s Gypsy Tea is a community minded, pro-active company and works directly with small growers and tea gardens and affects change by providing these workers with healthcare, maternity leave, childcare, literacy, better working conditions, and autonomy. With the goal of alleviating poverty in developing nations through fair trade, Zhena has become a purveyor of hope in the guise of a successful, triple bottom line business.
Please join us for a day of inspiration, learning and networking with leading women entrepreneurs from across the country and the State of Oklahoma.
WE Inspire 2012 Videos
Mom Makes Millions from Her Tasty Teas
Posted on: April 3, 2012
Zhena Muzyka, founder of Gypsy Tea, had just $6 and a sick baby when she developed an idea that made her wealthy…
Featuring: Zhena Muzyka
Theme(s): Entrepreneurship Programs, WE Inspire
NBC Channel 4 OKC – WE Inspire Interview
Posted on: March 30, 2012
Channel 4 interview with Catherine Brown, Founder of Initial Call and Elizabeth Payne, School of Entrepreneurship Lecturer.
Featuring: Catherine Brown, Elizabeth Payne
Theme(s): Entrepreneurship Programs, WE Inspire
Former Stay-at-home Mom Turns Baby Idea into Millions of Dollars
Posted on: March 3, 2012
News 9′s Kirstin McIntyre spoke to a stay-at-home mom who tuned her idea into a product that is now in millions of homes.
Featuring: Julie Clark
Theme(s): Entrepreneurship Programs, WE Inspire
Parties Extra: Women Entrepreneurs Inspire Conference, April 4th
Posted on: March 2, 2012
Interview with Helen Ford Wallace from Parties Extra, NewsOK.
Featuring: Nola Miyasaki
Theme(s): Entrepreneurship Programs, WE Inspire
A Very Big Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Leadership Circle of Champions
Silver Sponsors
Media Sponsors
Sponsorships for the 2012 WE Inspire Conference are still available! Please contact us at weinspire@okstate.edu or (405) 744-7552 if you would like to help present this exciting event.