Partnering●Mentoring●Service

Lani Click
Palm Beach Director, Work-Life Balance Institute for Women;
Owner & Designer, Palm Beach Purses & EcoChic Purses; CEO Lani Click Consulting

"Passion and a wise heart result in a meaningful life. Remember to have reverence for the earth and its resources."

When you were a child, did you have a hero or heroine? If so, who? A lot of my heroes and heroines came from books. Books were my refuge. I read about Joan of Arc, Anne Boleyn, Winston Churchill. I was fascinated by Mahatma Gandhi. In terms of my family, my grandfather is in the Advertising Hall of Fame. He was an entrepreneur. He was very disciplined, a risk taker but consistent with his work ethic.

When you have a difficult decision to make, do you discuss the issue with others? I discuss all my important decisions with my husband and my sons when it is relevant. I also meditate. I will seek out people with expertise in a specific area and get good solid advice. But life is difficult and it is often said that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. So I always have a plan when I am faced with a difficult decision. But, I am always prepared to change it should circumstances shift. You want to always figure out a solution to the issue.

Has networking with other women had a positive impact upon your professional and personal life? Absolutely. It really has been an honor to work with Susie [Levan] with the Work Life Balance Institute. The variety of women I have met through the luncheons has refocused, reshaped and balanced my life /work philosophy. By talking to so many women, you get to understand what friends are.

Do you believe in the concept of giving back? If so, in what ways do you give back? Going back to my years at Yale, I learned that mentoring and volunteering become a way of life. Giving back has been personal. We donated purses to over 100 charities and with EcoChic and we have been recognized for our green fashion. I grow herbs, orchids and tomatoes and I like to share those as well.

How do you define success and what qualities define you? Have enthusiasm, and be an excellent communicator and leader. The elements that create success are clarity, honesty and a sense of humor. I am constantly reinventing myself to achieve more of my goals and I like to inspire others to use their individuality to define their voice and passion.

What lessons from your own experience would you like to offer other women? Our choices define us. Being an entrepreneur is not simply selling purses. [We have to] inspire and mentor young people as they are the future. Share your ideas and enthusiasm with them. Be generous and explore the fun side of work.

To Susie- Thank you for your support, friendship and love.
To view the original article <Click Here>

Small Business Week Interview with Lani Click

- From WE Magazine for Women

by Heidi Richards

Interview with Lani Click, Owner and Designer, Palm Beach Purses & EcoChic Purses and Lani Click Consulting.

Tell us about your business.
Two of my businesses are purses. Palm Beach Purses are tropical and trendy. EcoChic Purses are “green fashion” with eco-friendly products. And, Lani Click Consulting involves strategic marketing, networking, and web site content. The target audience is primarily for women of all ages.

Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
I have an MFA in playwriting and pursued playwriting and teaching drama on a college level. I’ve had many interests that include Yoga, gardening, Zumba, charity work, working in my husband’s law office, and raising a family. I realized that being an entrepreneur provided a way of exploring human relationships with the added benefits of meeting new people, having freedom to test new ideas, and to have job security. Best of all, as an entrepreneur, you cannot be fired.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
Both of my grandfathers were entrepreneurs and built successful family businesses. One was in manufacturing and the other in advertising. He was inducted into the NJ Advertising Hall of Fame for his contribution to that profession.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
One is being the Palm Beach Director for the Work-Life Balance Institute for Women. And, another is being recognized by several groups across the country for my “green fashion” environmentally friendly purses.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
Our choices define us. Being an entrepreneur is not simply selling purses. Be charitable. Donate to your favorite causes. Ignite, inspire, and mentor young people. Share your ideas, wisdom, and enthusiasm. Explore the fun side of work. Passion and a wise heart result in a meaningful life. And, remember to have reverence for the earth and its resources.

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Always have a business plan but be prepared to change it when circumstances shift.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you succeed?
Three Books: Bonnie St.John, “Live Your Joy;” Malcolm Gladwell, “The Tipping Point;” Chip Heath and Dan Heath, “Made to Stick”

What is the Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
My business strategy is to increase sales through my online store in addition to my marketing and networking goals.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Sometimes you succeed just by showing up.

How can our readers find you online?

www.palmbeachpurses.com www.ecochicpurses.com www.laniclickconsulting.com

Lani Click on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/Lani-Click/1521244758

Lani Click on Live Journal http://fashionclicks.livejournal.com/
Lani Click on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/FashionClicks
https://twitter.com/palmbeachpurses
http://www.linkedin.com/laniclick
http://pbpurses.blogspot.com
http://laniclickconsulting.wordpress.com

Thank you Heidi, you're a champion networker!
To view the original article <Click Here>

Green Prom Trends of 2009

This Prom Season is abuzz with the usual trends. Teens are blogging about everything from sequins to satin; to bold fabrics and shimmering styles. The only new trend we're seeing this season is Green Fashion. Eco-conscious trendsetters have started to influence the fashion industry and we're even seeing it in the prom trends of 2009.

Our friends over at TeensTurningGreen.com have been on the forefront of the eco-friendly frontier. They started as a group of teens in Marin County, California who wanted to explore safe green alternatives in their lives and the community.

Thank you TeensTurningGreen of Marin County, let's go green together!
To view the original page <Click Here>

Stuff We LOVE: EcoChic Purses

- From Hang Proud Inc.

by Anne Tran

Green fashion is in and here to stay. Sometimes it seems hard to find stylish items that are also eco-friendly, but EcoChic Purses has created a line of handbags that are chic, fashionable, trendy, and hip. They are constructed from recycled fabrics that might have otherwise landed in a landfill, making them perfect for the environmentally-friendly shopper.

The recycled fabrics make each purse one-of-a-kind. They come in many different shades and various patterns, including tropical and animal prints, plaids, stripes, earth tones, and sky designs giving you a wide assortment to choose from. No matter which purse you choose, you’ll be sporting a stylish yet eco-friendly carrier for your daily necessities—one that only you will have.

My personal favorite is the Marilyn Monroe Echochic Env04 design. I’m also partial to their Echochic Har07 design that boasts a neutral beige color with a leafy design along with woven accents, which would give most of my outfits a touch of edgy flare.

You can find a wide array of designs and colors on their website.

Thanks Hang Proud Girls...We love you too!
To view the original article <Click Here>

Palm Beach Purses Interview

- From LoveToKnow Handbags

LoveToKnow was absolutely delighted to interview the designing genius of Lani Click, creator of Palm Beach Purses and EcoChic Purses brands.

How Lani Click Began in the Handcrafted Handbags Business

LoveToKnow (LTK): Lani, thanks for taking the time to talk to us about your wonderful handbags. When did your interest in purses begin?

Lani Click (LC): As a child, I was born with a vivid imagination. I loved to play with dolls and I invented their lives, families, and fashions. I loved dollhouses, too - especially all the accessories. Later, my focus switched to purses. Women seem to put all of their life possessions in them. I gave up the dolls and the dollhouses. The purses, their history, variety, concepts, and purpose attracted me. Somehow this connection charmed me.

LTK: You are a Yale University and Carnegie-Mellon graduate. What did you learn in school that you’ve been able to apply to your businesses?

LC: At Carnegie-Mellon University, I began to understand the creative process which applies to drama as well as design. When I began writing plays, I loved the risk and challenge of testing an original play against the tapestry of the stage. I learned to accept criticism and to understand that it was not a personal attack, rather it enhanced and clarified my writing. I saw that obstacles will often offer opportunities for growth that would not have been understood previously. I was also fascinated by the reaction of the audience to the play.

At Yale Drama School, I was the sole woman playwright selected for my class. This was challenging because I had no support system. My feminine side, my writing, and my goals were all tested. It took perseverance and courage to maintain balance. Yale had the requirement that we needed to understand theatre in all of its aspects-- acting, directing, lighting, set and costume design, and playwriting. We were encouraged to “jump in” and volunteer as a part of the creative process. This gave me the skills to work with all types of artists. I learned to tolerate the eccentricity of extremely creative minds. And, further, mentoring and volunteering have become a way of life.

LTK: Which purse are you carrying right now and what are your personal favorites?

LC: It varies. That’s why we create collections. Purses are like flowers. Which ones do you like best? Certain times you may prefer a wild orchid. On another day, a pink hibiscus. It’s like that with purses. We have purses for moods, events, work, play, day, and evening. Here are a few of my choices:

Beach and sports

Business fashion

Formal

Day to evening

Casual

To sum up, if I were an octopus, I’d probably carry at least 8 purses at one time with joy and delight.

More About Palm Beach Purses

LTK: You come out with new fashions every season. Where do you find your inspiration?

LC: Inspiration and creativity are emotional, ephemeral, and intuitive. To define this is a bit challenging. Pure purse design is best learned in the process of production. Allow the design to go into the world and see what happens. How is the response? We try out many combinations, and based on suggestions, we are often improvising and perfecting our designs. Some purses look better in the abstract. If they’re not popular, we move on. We select our best. We are based in a tropical setting in South Florida. We draw inspiration from nature - the play of light on the water, the pastel variations of the morning and evening sky, the wind through the foliage, and of course, the lush flowers.

LTK: You have two separate sites, palmbeachpurses.com and ecochicpurses.com. What is the difference between the two product lines?

LC: Palm Beach Purses is the original company of the two. This is a Florida based company with many designs exclusively created and manufactured in the USA. Many are made of silk and chiffon and have beading. The Palm Beach Purses are more technically intricate and ornate than EcoChic Purses. EcoChic Purses are green fashion and very affordable. They’re fashionable, durable, and predominantly informal. Our totes are beachy, trendy, and hip and are used by those who wish to set an example to remind us of our limited resources within the earth’s balance.

LTK: Any plans to add additional products soon?

LC: We are always in the process of creating new lines. We visit art museums, antique shows, theater, and concerts for ideas and inspiration. We visit a variety of places like New York, Chicago, Rome, and the ancient ruins of Greece. We watch people everywhere. Currently, we’re working on our fall line with some exciting Mediterranean influences. LTK: What would you advise someone wanting to purchase one of your handbags as a gift and how to select the perfect one for the recipient?

LC: The perfect handbag for a friend with an unknown style is a gift certificate. Our gift certificates fit any price range. If you do not have a clear idea of what she would adore, then she can select her choice at our online store. Buying a purse in a tough economy is a way to have style and enjoyment at an affordable cost. A work of beauty is a joy forever

Protecting the Environment and Giving Back

LTK: Your EcoChic line actually rescues fabrics before they go to the landfill. Can you share with us the advantages of owning one of these purses, both for the environment and the owner of the purse?

LC: EcoChic, our newest product line is “green fashion.” Many of the fabrics are beautiful, expensive, and never used. They’re either discontinued or remnants. So we create original purses with limited quantities that are unique, affordable, and classy. The effort and quality are identical to Palm Beach Purses, but are set at a lower price point. We are also creating a renewable resource for the environment and showing our dedication to the earth.

LTK: You also help other small business owners through consultations. What is the one piece of advice you’d give someone wanting to start their own small business designing any type of product?

LC: Studies have shown that the majority of businesses fail within the first five years. To avoid this, have a good business plan and a good web site design. A good web site provides exposure beyond your local markets. You will need an excellent product and marketing skills. There will be a lot of setbacks and rejection so be prepared. Passion and perseverance play a role in your attitude. Also, be open to reevaluating and reinventing what you do. Know when to change direction.

A Few Final Words from Lani

Our choices define us. Being an entrepreneur is not simply selling purses. Be charitable. Donate to your favorite causes. Ignite, inspire, and mentor young people. Share your ideas, wisdom, and enthusiasm. Explore the fun side of work. Passion and a wise heart result in a meaningful life. And, remember to have reverence for the earth and its resources.

Excellent interview, deeply appreciated...Thank you Lori!

Original Source: "Love To Know"

Initial Author: Lori Soard

In The News