Tuesday Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel brought together female tech founders in Chicago for an inspiring conversation, “Women Who Launch: Connecting with The Women of 1871”, about what the city can do to support female-owned technology companies. I was inspired by these cool women and their companies (for non-Chicago friends “1871” is an incubator, not a year) and think you will be, too!
Check out the attendees:
PrettyQuick is your “real-time, mobile beauty concierge” (available now in Chicago only.) You pick your service, day and time and then salons & spas respond to your request within 5 minutes and you choose when and where to go. Pretty quick AND pretty cool!
One Big Bow is a way to make children’s parties simple and (more) eco-friendly, too. How? You create an online invite and wish list. When guests RSVP to the invitation, they can contribute online towards a group gift that was pre-selected by the birthday child. Guests can make a desired contribution (which is always kept discreet and is not even revealed to the host.) The money from all guests is used to get the birthday child what he or she has chosen. No more stress of trying to select a thoughtful gift, avoiding duplicate gifts or worrying about how much to spend. Awesome idea! Make things simpler and give kids what they want – a definite WIN-WIN!
Everpurse is so cool. They say it best, “Finally, your phone’s battery can keep up! Stylish and powerful just like you, Everpurse charges your phone so you can charge ahead.” These cool, stylish purses (from many awesome local vendors) are not cheap but are super useful! Everpurse has a special charging pocket that you drop your phone into. The docking system guides your phone smoothly onto a dock connector at the bottom—so you don’t have to fish for a cord! To charge Everpurse itself, you use a charging mat. It uses inductive charging to send energy wirelessly from the mat to the purse, so you never have to plug the purse in. How cool is this?? Sign.Me.Up!
Let’s Play Please launches in 3 days! It is a site to connect children with family members or friends that are in different locations using Skype. Let’s Play Please™ goes “beyond the endless hand waving, peek-a-boo games and other cute, but repetitive, gestures often shared through video chats”. They will offer custom-designed, fun activities for kids to play with family members. These FREE fun activities can be done together, virtually. This seems like a great idea in today’s world of people traveling and working abroad or in the military. Don’t you think?
Cheeky Chicago is an online lifestyle magazine for women in Chicago. It is “your social destination to the most exciting happenings in the city. Cheeky is your monthly event host, your weekly newsletter and your daily dose on all things fresh, feminine and fun. Cheeky gives back to our savvy community by offering fabulous perks and VIP status with our exclusive Cheeky Card Program.” The newsletter is free, informative and entertaining. Check it out ladies!
Q-it Video offers safe video viewing for kids on mobile devices. You can create video view lists in a snap and show them to your kids anywhere. Sign up at Q-it Video and they’ll let you know when they’re ready to launch. What a great idea!
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that I saw that post on FB about that meeting because I am going to check these ladies and their companies out! I think they are all on to something. Which is your favorite?
And, it’s Friday (YAY), so check out some great deals I found this week!
> Gilt City has some great stuff as usual:
– Is this your year to learn a language? Save 50% on a year of unlimited courses on online at Living Language – choose from 46 languages – only $49!
– In NY? Get a great deal at Jivamukti Yoga, 50% off on massages and facials at LekSpa in midtown or great deals at Matilda’s.
– In Chicago? Check out 50% off at city blue denim in Old Town (or Lake Forest) or try a The Storefront Company, a new farm to table restaurant in Wicker Park.
> Daily Candy Deals has something one of my running gals “invented” (but sadly did not make) on sale. Check out 45% off on Objex by Alicia’s sports bras with stash pockets. $22 for $40 credit good toward the purchase of any sports bra or camisole. Each hides a built-in pocket for storing phones, cash, credit cards, ID, etc.(Seriously, this was my friend’s idea first!)
> In Chicago and need a new workout? Try LA Boxing in Lakeview for $55 for an unlimited month of classes from Rue La La. They also have some great deals on stuff for men, women, children, home and travel – not on Rue La La, click here to sign up (it’s free!)
> I got some awesome coupon codes for great stores from She Finds:
– Take 40% off all Fall Styles at Hobo through Jan. 25 with the code HOBOXOXO40.
– Take $30 off $90 orders at Shoe Mall with the code TAKE30 (ooh and get 7.5% back at ebates! Not on ebates, click here for free sign up!)
– Take an extra 10% off womenswear, already reduced by at up to 70%, at Thomas Pink with the code WOMENS10 (3% back at ebates)
– Take an extra 30% off final sale items at J.Crew, plus free shipping on orders of $100 or more with the code STYLEFIND (6% back from ebates, too!)
– An extra 40% off sale items at Need Supply Co. with the code EXTRA40
(Sign up for their newletter for many more great codes each time!)
> Running Bun had a ProCompression give away on her blog (and I won some socks – YAY). They are offering 40% off of ANY black sock or sleeve through the end of January with the code SOM113 at checkout.
That’s all I have for now. Happy Friday! Hope you found lots of good things this week. Don’t forget to check out my KonaKase give away, too!