**The Lifetime Moms Contest has Closed for Denver**

Here’s what you can expect:

• Ideas are a dime a dozen, so we’ll assess your action steps and execution plans so you know when to pause and when to pounce to make big things happen.
• There’s no time to get tripped up, so we’ll reveal powerful time management techniques and we’ll bust the real fears that may be preventing you from tackling all you want.
• Standing out among the cluttered masses is key, so we’ll plot branding, social media, marketing and traditional PR strategies that actually work to get you noticed by the right people.
• This isn’t a hobby, so we’ll talk openly about money—from readily available funding sources to pricing for profit to sales techniques that are anything but sleazy.
• Going it alone sucks, so we’ll introduce you to the best group of BBFs—business best friends—the people who’ll hold you accountable and fuel your success.

Date: Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Time: Doors open at 8:15 AM for registration and the program will begin promptly at 9:00 AM. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis so make sure to be on time! The day will conclude at approximately 5:00 PM.

Event Schedule

• 8:15 AM – Registration Begins
• 9:00 AM – Welcome
• 10:00 AM – Morning Programs Begin
• 12:00 PM – Lunch and Activities
• 1:00 PM – Afternoon Programs Begin
• 5:00 PM – Event Ends

Want to Volunteer? At each event, we have a limited number of spots for volunteers to assist our staff. If you’re interested, you must be willing to arrive by 7am and stay until as late as 7pm. You will enjoy bits and pieces of the event, but you’ll also be assigned a designated role with various tasks that will prevent you from experiencing the program like a registered attendee. It’s a fast-paced day with lots to juggle. If you’ve worked in client-facing roles and aren’t afraid to roll up your sleeves to help execute an amazing event, send us an email to info@sparkandhustle.com telling us about yourself in 200 words or less. Explain why you’d be the perfect volunteer. Include your contact details too. Thanks!

Tory Johnson will moderate the full day, share her expertise and introduce attendees to our all-star line-up of experts who are running successful businesses and will explain how you can do it too.

MIND FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS KEYNOTE
Julie Aigner-Clark, founder of Baby Einstein Company
Julie Aigner Clark is a mom, entrepreneur, author and two-time breast cancer survivor, best known for founding the wildly successful Baby Einstein Company. She lives in Colorado with her husband, daughters, dog, cats, chickens, fish and numerous unnamed mice who live in her garage.

• Almost threw in the towel when…: “I was told that my breast cancer had returned after a double mastectomy four years before…and that it was Stage 4. In the midst of what I considered the perfect life, I really believed that life was over for me. I couldn’t have pulled myself out of that despair without my family.”
• When the going gets tough, I…: “Eat a whole box of Oreos. Talk to my cats. Then grit my teeth and remember my priorities.”
• Little known fact: “I can come up with a rhyme for anything, on the spot.”

BUSINESS BASICS
Nell Merlino, founder of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence
Nell Merlino runs Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources for women to grow their micro businesses into million $ enterprises. Through Count Me In, she is now leading a national movement to empower women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses by providing coaching, community and confidence.

• Almost threw in the towel when: “Count Me In lost half its funding in early 2009 at the height of the financial meltdown.”
• When the going gets tough I: “Jump on my bicycle and take a beautiful ride.”
• Little known fact: “I like to be alone.”

@nellmerlino

BRANDING
Shannon Cumberland, founder of Rosy Rings
Shannon Cumberland founded Rosy Rings in her basement over fifteen years ago.  Surrounded by five cats and the chug chug of a washing machine, she poured my first candles. Since those humble and, quite honestly, very exciting days things have changed a lot. Shannon moved into her current 15,000 square foot facility. She buys wax by the ton instead of by the case and she owns a forklift.

• Almost threw in the towel when…: “I hired my first employees.  I had no clue how to manage people. “
• When the going gets tough, I…: “Have a mini-meltdown.  Then I swallow my tears and get to work.”
• Little known fact: “I have the original Rosy Rings logo tattooed on my back.  I regret it!”

Janet Rickstrew, co-founder of Tomboy Tools
Janet Rickstrew is the CEO and Co-Founder of Tomboy Tools, which provides a unique business opportunity, as well as hands-on education, to women across the U.S. Tomboy Tools offers top quality hand tools and power tools which are ergonomically designed, better fitting and are Pink for a Purpose!

• Almost threw in the towel when…: “I found myself waiting in line at a hospital that provided treatment for the uninsured.  When I left my job to start Tomboy Tools, there was nothing in the budget for health insurance.  I went 3 ½ years without any health insurance and during that time I encountered a sports injury where I’m sure I broke my arm. Since I had no options, I let it go for at least a week and a half but found it too painful and decided to go to the hospital.  As I stood there in line with several homeless people waiting for treatment, I wondered how I had gotten to this point and was it all worth it?  For an instant, my answer was no. Soon after more thought, I changed my mind. I walked out before I could see a doctor and let my arm heal on its own.  Yes, it was worth it…”
• Little known fact: “One thing most people don’t know about me is…my previous job was at the University of Denver and I did ice maintenance for the hockey team.  I was the first and only female Zamboni driver!”

@janetrickstrew

ENGAGEMENT MARKETING
Dennis Nations, Senior Content Strategist for Constant Contact
Dennis Nations, Senior Content Strategist, gets to spend his days telling stories, and is most inspired when he can weave together the elements that serve the success of small businesses and nonprofits. Lately, he has been working to bring the concept of Engagement Marketing to life for audiences, telling the story of how small businesses everywhere can turn their existing customers into raving fans and in the process leverage social media to find their next great customer!

• Almost threw in the towel: when he heard “congratulations, you’re having twins!”
• Little known fact: recently ran in a “zombie-themed” 5k “race” (for survival!)

@constantcontact

SOCIAL MEDIA
Cindy Morrison, Social Media Strategist
Emmy-winning journalist Cindy Morrison teaches everyone from network TV journalists to corporate CEOs how to strategically use social media to build brand loyalty, raving fans and their bottom line. Her social media savvy has been highlighted on national media like CBS’s “The Talk” & The Washington Post and she’s even helped create social media buzz at star-studded Hollywood fundraisers.
@CindyWMorrison

MUSCLE MARKETING
Holly Hamann, VP of Marketing for BlogFrog, Inc.
Holly has spent her career launching and growing start-ups in the Internet, bio-medical, entertainment, video, and other tech industries. She has a passion for researching and studying internet and social media use by teens, GenY, and women. She is a blogger, public speaker, contributing writer on technology and marketing to various publications, is an American Marketing Association “Marketer of the Year” award recipient and a guest blogger for The HuffingtonPost.

• Almost threw in the towel when…: “I was just starting in marketing 18 years ago and had printed hundreds of these expensive marketing brochures for a trade show. The text was supposed to say ‘Watch your profits soar.’ Instead, it had a typo and read ‘Watch your profits sour.’ I had to pull them all and thought maybe that was a sign I was in the wrong business.”

@hollyhamann

Denon Moore, founder of Cake Crumbs/The Denver Cupcake Truck
Owner of Cake Crumbs Bakery since July 2007 and The Denver Cupcake Truck since April 2010, this active business owner, wife and mother of 2 understands what it takes to keep business alive. This self-taught baker and small business owner is a Colorado native, growing up just outside of Denver in the suburb of Broomfield.

• Almost threw in the towel when…: “I found myself working with little rest, that’s when I hired my first employee and asked for help!”
• When the going gets tough, I…: “Smile and let everyone know everything is going to be awesome.”
• Little known fact: “I don’t like to drink coffee and I like cake without frosting.”

Carrie Rocha, founder of PocketYourDollars.com
*This speaker was selected by LifetimeMoms.com.
In 2006 Carrie Rocha and her husband made a commitment: They decided to get out of debt and to stay out debt for the rest of their life. In November 2009 Carrie wrote a check that paid off the last of their $50,000 in debts. While working a full-time job she decided to start teaching others how to save money and eventually startedPocketYourDollars.com. Today they steward a community of more 1.3 million unique visitors annually. Carrie continues to do public speaking, make media appearances and is authoring her first book Pocket Your Dollars: 6 Attitude Changes That Will Help You Pay Down Debt, Avoid Financial Stress, and Keep More of What You Make (Bethany House, 2013).

• Almost threw in the towel when…: “I was offered a book contract. I doubted my ability to write an entire book and was not confident in the message I had to share. I’m glad I didn’t quit and stuck with it. The book will be released in January 2013.”
• Daring decision:  “In my late 20’s I sold and gave away everything I owned except my car and bedroom furniture and moved to the Peruvian Amazon to live and work amongst Peruvians. “

@carrieroch

HOW TO SECURE PR

Deborah Sherman, CEO of Media Zone Consulting
Deborah Sherman, a 10-time Emmy Award winning journalist with 21 years experience at NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox News affiliates as an investigative reporter, news anchor and breaking news reporter now counsels professionals about how to work with journalists, reputation and communication strategy, crisis and issue management and public relations. She is CEO of Media Zone Consulting, Co., which is dedicated to telling your story in a way that makes a big, positive impact on your customers and the public.  She works with small and big businesses, individuals and non-profits.

• Almost threw in the towel when,…:  “As a cub reporter for the first time, I had to interview the family of a young lady who had been murdered.  The last thing I wanted to do was knock on the door when the family was grieving.  But it was my assignment for the day.  If I didn’t do it, another reporter would.  My feet shuffled toward the door; silently practicing all of the apologies I would offer if they opened it.  After hearing my excuses for being there, they welcomed me in.  Before long, they were showing me pictures of her and reminiscing with laughter and tears.  They were gracious and kind.  In that time, I learned about their beautiful daughter and the lives she’d touched in her 14 years.  When I left, I was better for knowing her through them and able to share her with the world in a live news report that night.”

@Deb_Sherman

SALES AND SCALE
Kim Duke, founder of The Sales Divas
Kim Duke is CEO and founder of The Sales Divas, and an international sales expert who provides savvy, sassy sales training for women in sales (with a twist!). Her extensive sales background was based in the media – 15 years working with two of Canada’s largest national television networks in sales and management. She is a national award winning salesperson – and was the second youngest sales manager in Canada for CBC Television (Canada’s oldest network).

• Almost threw in the towel when…: “I had to end a business partnership within months of starting my biz,  my boyfriend broke his leg and was out of work for 3 months and my step-daughter came to live with us.  It all worked out for the best but yowza it was quite the roller coaster ride!”

@salesdiva

EXECUTIVE CHARISMA: HOW TO STAND OUT & FIT IN TO MOVE AHEAD
Debra Benton, president of Benton Management Resources
Debra Benton, author of The Virtual Executive, founded and directs Benton Management Resources, counseling such clients as AT&T, American Express, GE, Pepsi, United Airlines, Time Warner, McKinsey & Company, Verizon, Dell, Novartis, Kraft Foods, and NASA, and others from Hollywood to the Washington Beltway. She is the bestselling author of eight previous books including CEO Material and Executive Charisma.

• Almost threw in the towel when…: “I discovered a business partner had absconded with all the money. But then I blended two expressions I’d heard to make a mantra to carry myself forward, ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned; hang on boys, it’s going to be a helluva ride.’”
• Little known fact: “I lived in a cabin 60 miles from town and 7 miles to the nearest neighbor, with no running water in the winter, while I wrote my New York Times best-seller How To Think Like a CEO.”

@debrabenton

TABLE HOSTS FOR INFORMAL LUNCH DISCUSSIONS ON SPECIFIC TOPICS:

Tech Tools to Simplify and Streamline
Cindy Morrison, Social Media Strategist
Emmy-winning journalist Cindy Morrison teaches everyone from network TV journalists to corporate CEOs how to strategically use social media to build brand loyalty, raving fans and their bottom line. Her social media savvy has been highlighted on national media like CBS’s “The Talk” & The Washington Post and she’s even helped create social media buzz at star-studded Hollywood fundraisers.
@CindyWMorrison

Napkin Idea To Market
Dixie Daly, founder of Tickled Pink Boutique
Passion, innovation and intense business savvy coupled with a lifelong desire to help others, Dixie Daly is living her lifelong dream through Tickled Pink Boutique. Dixie has created over 22 products including Tickled Pink® Chocolate. Dixie’s mission is to inspire, educate and support others on the best ways to pursue their dreams. She generously shares her expertise and extensive network of contacts to encourage other entrepreneurs!
@DixieDalyPinkOn

BONUS EXPERTS: Benefit from the expertise of lunchtime table hosts who will share deep knowledge on specific topics with attendees. You’ll have the option to choose the table of your choice.

Meet directly with our sponsors and vendors at this event!

National Sponsors:

Local Sponsors:

Vendors:

 

If you’d like to become a sponsor or vendor, contact us today.

Partners:

Location: The Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale, just minutes from downtown Denver and the Cherry Creek shopping district. Spark & Hustle will be held in the spectacular International Ballroom on the first floor.

Infinity Park Event Center
4400 East Kentucky Avenue
Glendale, CO 80246
(303) 248-7100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View Larger Map

Parking: There is ample complimentary parking on site.

Partner Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Cherry Creek

4150 E. Kentucky Avenue
Glendale, CO 80246
(303) 692-1800

Click here to visit the Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Cherry Creek website.

We’ve negotiated super low rates just for you!

Standard Single/Double rooms are available for $99.00 per night.

These rates are available until June 9, 2012 or until all rooms are filled.

To reserve your room, call (303) 692-1800. Don’t forget to mention our group name – TORY JOHNSON GROUP – to receive the exclusive rate.

Register today to reserve your room. Space is limited.

Spark & Hustle draws on community and builds camaraderie unlike any other conference series. The attendees Tory Johnson attracts to her events are a rare breed. Yes, they’re serious about small business and they’re eager to expand their influence and boost their bottom line. But there’s a whole lot more. These are kind, curious, nice, fun, quirky, candid, determined, loyal, big-hearted, really good women—plus a handful of great men. They’re the people you want to hang out with and do business with. You don’t find that everywhere.

If this describes people you know, then we’d love for you to join the Spark & Hustle Host Committee and become one of Tory’s Top 20 at the event in your area.

It’s pretty simple: register yourself for at least one event and then refer registrants by reaching out to the people you know and believe would benefit from attending. (We’ll gladly send you tips on how to easily accomplish this.)

As a token of our appreciation, we’ve created a sensational benefits package to honor your support.

If you’re interested and ready to rock, please send an email to host@sparkandhustle.com letting us know which event(s) you’ve registered for and include your name, email, phone, location, a bit about you personally and professionally. Also tell us why you’re an ideal Spark & Hustle host to join Tory’s Top 20. You’ll hear back within 24 hours tops.

Customer Service
Call: 212-290-2600
Email: info@sparkandhustle.com

How long will tickets be available?
Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited in each location. We cannot guarantee that tickets will be available until a certain date.

Will food be provided?
Lunch, light snacks and beverages will be provided. Be sure to have breakfast prior to arriving to the conference as it will not be served.

What should I wear?
Our event is business casual. No sweats, sneakers or sloppy attire! Check Accuweather.com the night before you pack.

What should I bring?
We suggest you bring business cards and/or any other marketing materials that might be helpful when networking with the other attendees. You never know who you’ll meet, but we know incredible connections are always made. If you have a laptop, you’re welcome to bring it, but it’s by no means necessary.

Is early check-in available?
No, registration will open at 8:15 AM. Entry is not permitted prior to that time.

What if I’m late?
The conference will begin promptly at 9:00 AM and we strongly recommend that you arrive on time so as not to miss any of the sessions! However, if you do arrive late, (these things happen!) don’t worry, registration will remain open from 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM.

Will the conference be available on DVD?
No, the conference will not be available on DVD. Designed to be highly interactive, Spark & Hustle conferences are in-person events only. We’ve selected 20 cities around the country to make it easy for everyone to experience the Spark & Hustle energy!

Will I be able to re-enter the event if I need to step out for a moment?
Yes, just make sure your name badge is visible. This will allow conference staff to confirm that you are a registered attendee of the event.

Are cameras allowed?
Yes, but we have one rule around here about cameras – and we’re pretty strict about it. You may only post photos of us that look good! No half-closed eyes, no double-chins, you get the idea. And we’ll do the same for you. Our staff will share photos of you looking your absolute best. Deal? Deal.

Are cell phones allowed?
Yes, but we ask that you kindly turn your phone to silent before entering the event out of respect for our speakers and for your fellow attendees.

Are laptops allowed?
Yes, but we cannot guarantee that the venue will have wireless internet. Please contact a Spark & Hustle team member at (212) 290-2600 for questions on internet availability in a specific location.

Can men attend?
Men are welcome and encouraged to attend Spark & Hustle!

Will the event have wheelchair access?
Yes, all event spaces have wheelchair access. For questions about accommodations for the impaired, contact the Spark & Hustle team at (212) 290-2600.

Can I cancel my ticket if I’ve already paid?
Since space is limited at each of our events, we do not offer refunds if you opt not to attend. You may transfer your fully paid ticket to another person as long as it’s prior to five days before the event start.To make any kind of transfer, you must notify the Spark & Hustle event management team by phone at 212.290.2600 or email at info@sparkandhustle.com. Your request is not confirmed until you receive an acknowledgment of receipt from our staff. By registering for an event, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to these terms.

Can I purchase tickets on site?
No, tickets must be purchased online.