Big Chef

NEWS ROOM

2012 Feb, 22nd - CNNMoney - Frozen-food firm overcomes economic woe

Frozen-food firm overcomes economic woes to make a million

Rosana Santos Calambichis was only two years into operating her business Big Chef, a Hollywood, Fla., frozen-food company, when it was hit by Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

The storm hurt the company's sales, but Big Chef, which cooks and prepares canapés for catering functions, grab-and-go meals for busy households and entrees for the kitchen table, was able to recover.

Then came the recession in 2008. And the then five-year-old company's "sales dropped 75 percent," said Santos Calambichis.

But the company weathered that, too, as well as other challenges, with employee compromises and aggressive social-media marketing.

By October of last year, Big Chef - www.bigchefonline.com - had shipped out enough meals to surpass $1 million in revenues. "We were so close last year [2010] but didn't make it," said Santos Calambichis. When the company finally reached it, Santos Calambichis said to her husband Mano, a former restaurateur who handles the company's customer service, " 'Wow! We made it!' "

Nine years ago Santos Calambichis, 46, left her career as a business broker for privately held companies in Florida and acquired Big Chef with her husband, quickly moving it into five-star status. Culinary influences for items such as curry crab lollipops come from Brazil, the Mediterranean, Latin America and Asia.

Meals are frozen and shipped overnight; fresh options are available to local customers.

"Everything is handcrafted -- even our dough," said Santos Calambichis. "We make everything with natural, organic ingredients whenever possible."

Big Chef never advertised. Word of mouth was successful, and Santos Calambichis sponsored events. Social-media sites like Facebook allowed her to flex creative-marketing muscles. For the last Christmas holiday, she chose 10 countries to highlight in terms of their culinary traditions. Winning entries from a recent recipe contest were published in an e-book.

The company grew from five employees in 2003 to a current staff of 30.

When the recession hit in 2008, Santos Calambichis coped by launching a more affordable line while strengthening relationships with high-end hospitality clients, such as InterContinental and Hyatt hotels. None of the company's employees were let go. "They volunteered to reduce their hours to six a day, down from eight," she said. "We were lucky enough to not only keep every employee but hire more."

Santos Calambichis built upon her business background by earning an MBA in Global Business from University of Phoenix's Fort Lauderdale campus in 2004. For her final project she didn't create a marketing plan for a fictitious company -- which was the assignment -- but she chose to focus on Big Chef.

That helped prepare her for Hurricane Wilma. "We basically lost everything -- including the inventory we were building -- and we had a power outage for two weeks," due to a broken generator, she said. Yet Santos Calambichis still showed up at an industry food and beverage show in Miami Beach three weeks later.

A subsequent power outage resulted in lost data -- including employee manuals and safety guides -- that had to be reconstructed in QuickBooks. "For a period, we had to handwrite the invoices," she said. Now, information is stored online to avoid this happening again.

Another lesson Santos Calambichis learned was the importance in cross training. After a newly hired chef quit after one week she vowed to always have two chefs.

Her quick thinking has earned Big Chef more customers and respect. The company is good with customer service, said David DeLeon, executive chef with Signature Grand in Davie, Fla., an event space for weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs, which buys hors d'oeuvres and fresh canapés from Big Chef.

The staff often picks his brain with questions about how they can serve him better, said DeLeon. "They are always looking for fresh, innovative ways for their company."From http://money.cnn.com

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2012 Feb, 8th - CEO of BigChef, Named a Top 100 Woman in Ecommerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    

Contact: Rosana Santos Calambichis

(954) 965-2480       

rs@bigchefonline.com

Rosana Santos Calambichis, CEO of BigChef, Named a Top 100 Woman in Ecommerce for 2012 By WE Magazine for Women

 

Hollywood, FL (February 8, 2012) Rosana Santos Calambichis, CEO of BigChef, the company that specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door was named one of the Top 100 Women in Ecommerce for 2012 by WE Magazine for Women.  In addition to Rosana, The list includes 100 Women in Ecommerce™ who represent their industries and professions as artists, astrologers, authors, internet marketers, photographers, coaches, consultants, manufacturers, clothing designers, inventors, event planners, personal trainers and everything in between

According the Heidi Richards Mooney, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, "The women WE chose are already considered the leaders in their respective professions and industries. Some are household names and still others are known to a small niche of business owners and people they serve. Some were suggested to us by our readers and others we have been following online for years. Rosana Santos Calambichis is one of them. We first featured her in our summer 2008 edition and are delighted to again share her story with our readers and the world as one of Top 100 Women in Ecommerce for 2012."

"I am excited and humbled by this award. To be listed among such a prestigious group of the most successful women who do business on the Internet is an honor and a privilege," exclaims Calambichis. To read about Rosana and the other 99 women who made the list visit: http://wemagazineforwomen.com/whos-who-2012/ 

About WE Magazine for Women: WE Magazine is published by The Women in Ecommerce™ an organization that has been helping women do MORE business on the WEB since 2001. To contact the publisher, write Heidi

Richards Mooney at P.O. Box 550856 ~ Fort Lauderdale, FL  33355-0856, call her at 1-954-625-6606 or visit: www.wemagazineforwomen.com  

About BigChef: Our concept is simple: we have passion for food creation and we strive to delight the palate of your guests with quality, great taste and value since 1999.  BigChef offers gourmet, health conscious, freshly prepared frozen food delivered nationwide to you and yours in your homes, yachts and businesses!  Let BigChef make your next corporate or family function a huge success! We also look forward to joint venturing with established caterers for  special projects.   

BigChef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call  (954) 965-2480  or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2011 Dec, 12th - Just in Time for Your Holiday Meal Planning!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    

Contact: Rosana Santos Calambichis

(954) 965-2480       

rs@bigchefonline.com

Just in Time for Your Holiday Meal Planning! The Ultimate Holiday Feast by Big Chef

Hollywood, FL (December 10, 2011) BigChef, the company that specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door announces the release of their latest eCookbook: The Ultimate Holiday Feast, their second in a series. The countries represented in this new edition include: America, Brazil, China, Columbia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. We put the word out to our community and these are the resulting countries we received. 10 countries in total!

Inside the Ultimate Holiday Feast you will find a number of recipes from each of the ten countries mentioned above. In addition to the recipes there is also a brief synopsis of the holiday traditions each country participate in and celebrates. 

According to Rosana Calambichis who together with her husband and business partner compiled this latest book, "The first "The Ultimate Appetizer has been a popular favorite among customers and visitors alike and we know that The Ultimate Holiday Feast will be too.We are simply delighted about the response. Thank you to everyone who participated in ULTIMATE Holiday Feast. This cookbook is the culmination of the recipes we have compiled, created and received from a variety of resources such as our customers, family and friends."

Here is the direct link to the turning page version of The Ultimate Holiday Feast: http://bit.ly/rB0tKC

Be sure to look for upcoming recipes from the BigChef series including: The Ultimate Soups, The Ultimate Desserts, The Ultimate Salads… and more! To submit a recipe for review and possible inclusion in one of the "Ulitmate" upcoming books, send to recipes @ bigchefonline.com.

About BigChef: Our concept is simple: we have passion for food creation and we strive to delight the palate of your guests with quality, great taste and value since 1999.  BigChef offers gourmet, health conscious, freshly prepared frozen food delivered nationwide to you and yours in your homes, yachts and businesses!  Let BigChef make your next corporate or family function a huge success! We also look forward to joint venturing with established caterers for  special projects.   

BigChef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call  (954) 965-2480  or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2011 Nov, 21st - BIG CHEF Receives Small Business Proclamation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rosana Santos Calambichis

954.965.2480 rs@bigchefonline.com

 

CEO of BIG CHEF Receives Proclamation on Behalf of Small Business Saturday

 

Hollywood, FL (November 21, 2011)  Rosana Santos Calambichis, CEO of BigChef, the company that specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your

door receives a Proclamation from the City of Hollywood on behalf of American Express recognizing Saturday November 26th as Small Business Saturday.

 

On Wednesday, November 16th during a regularly scheduled city commission meeting, Mayor Peter Bober and the Hollywood City Commission presented Rosana with a proclamation designating November 26, 2011 as Small Business Saturday in the City of Hollywood, Florida.

 

About Small Business Saturday: Small Business Saturday is a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday is a national movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S. To encourage consumers to shop small,  American Express will be giving a sweet deal to customers of small businesses. Those who register their American Express cards, shop at participating businesses, and spend $25 or more using the registered card on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011 will earn a $25 statement credit.

 

According to Rosana, "We are honored to be representing American Express in our community during Small Business Saturday. Our goal is to spread the word and encourage at least a 25% increase in business from last year."

 

Businesses around the country are participating in Small Business Saturday in a variety of ways with an offer of a discount, free products and services and other special incentives.Some of those incentives include: Free classes with purchase of all day services such as spa days and health club sign ups, restaurants are offering buy one get one meals,  and some companies are offering rebates and coupons to use at a later date when you purchase duing Small Business Saturday. Big Chef is offering their customers a 10% discount on all online purchases made during the day using the code: SBS1011.

 

According to Open Forum, " Small business owners and their marketing teams are spreading the word to their customers through in-store signage, fliers, e-mail blasts, Facebook updates, tweets, interviews with local media and more. In addition, many are collaborating with other small businesses including their vendors, referral partners, locally-focused bloggers and shopping-center neighbors to publicize and celebrate the event." For more information, visit: http://www.openforum.com/keywords/small-business-saturday 

 

About BigChef: Our concept is simple: we have passion for food creation and  we strive to delight the palate of your guests with quality, great taste and value since 1999.  BigChef offers gourmet, health conscious, freshly prepared frozen food delivered nationwide to you and yours in your homes, yachts and businesses!  Let BigChef make your next corporate or family function a huge success! We also look forward to joint venturing with established caterers for  special projects.

 

BigChef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos Calambichis at rs@bigchefonline.com.

 

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2011 Nov, 3rd - Big Chef Sponsors FREC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rosana Santos Calambichis
954.965.2480 rs@bigchefonline.com

BIG CHEF Is Sponsoring the FREC Star Gala!

Hollywood, FL (November 3, 2011)  BigChef, the company that specializes in
gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your
door is once again sponsoring the Film, Recording and Entertainment
Council's "Star Gala taking place on November 12, 2011 at the Magic City
Casino in Miami, Florida.

About The Gala: The Film, Recording and Entertainment Council's "Star
Gala" honors dynamic industry leaders and talent who share a commitment to
professional excellence and making a difference in the South Florida
community.

The honorees (selected by an independent panel of judges) are people
shaping the future of the industry in South Florida and in the global
market. The winners are recognized as a select group of people who have
achieved notable success and demonstrated strong leadership and success in
the industry.  The Gala will include a silent auction of original art,
travel packages, fine dining, industry services and other donations.

Rosana Santos Calambichis, CEO of Big Chef says: "It is exciting to
again be a part of the Star Gala. In addition to helping support the Film
Industry in South Florida, we are delighted to meet all the exceptional
people who are honored each year not to mention the A-list celebrities
that will be in attendance including Jon Secada, one of South Florida's
shining stars."

About FREC: The Film, Recording and Entertainment Council is a dynamic
organization and the premier networking industry organization in South
Florida. The Council offers significant opportunities to promote your
business and network with other members. We're the champion of Industry
businesses, large and small and our members are a diverse group.

The mission of the Film, Recording and Entertainment Council is to promote
economic development for the Industry in South Florida and to create a
climate that enhances economic vitality for industry businesses in the
area and improve the quality of life for all members by providing
networking and business opportunities and positing South Florida as the
premier industry Hot Spot

The Star Gala which begins at 6:30 pm takes place at Magic City Casino 450
NW 37th Avenue, Miami, FL  33125. Tickets to the event are $75.00 per
person. For more information or to purchase tickets. visit
www.StarGala.org

About BigChef: Our concept is simple: we have passion for food creation and
we strive to delight the palate of your guests with quality, great
taste and value since 1999.  BigChef offers gourmet, health conscious,
freshly prepared frozen food delivered nationwide to you and yours in your
homes, yachts and businesses!  Let BigChef make your next corporate or
family function a huge success! We also look forward to joint venturing
with established caterers for  special projects.

BigChef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more
information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email
Rosana Santos Calambichis at rs@bigchefonline.com.

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2011 Oct, 16th - ABWA names BIGCHEF Food Manufacturer of the Year!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   
Contact: Charlie Gonzalez
954 9652480 contact@bigchefonline.com

ABWA names BIGCHEF Food Manufacturer of the Year!

Hollywood, FL (October 16, 2011) Rosana Santos Calambichis, CEO of BigChef, the company that specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door will receive theSpirit of Excellence Food Manufacturer of the Year Award from the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at the Signature Grand, in Davie, Florida. According to Cathie Starkey, Past President and Chair of Spirit of Excellence, "Rosana exemplifies the type of woman we honor each year. She is successful business woman, she is very active in her industry, she supports other women in business and she gives back to the community, all the qualities we look for when determining who should receive the Spirit of Excellence Award."

About Spirit of Excellence: The Spirit of Excellence Awards is the South Broward Chapter's Annual Fundraising/Community Awareness Event. Since 2000, the American Business Women's Association has recognized outstanding women in Broward County for their commitment to enhancing our community both professionally and personally. Proceeds from this annual event go toward community outreach and helping women achieve their educational goals through attending conferences and seminars.  

"It is one thing to be recognized by my customers by choosing to do business with Big Chef and by my industry for participating in tradeshows and food-services events around the country," says Rosana. "To receive the Spirit of excellece Award from the American Business Women's Association is an honor and a privilege, knowing that others notice what we do humbles me. Doing what I love to do and to be recognized for it, well that is the icing on the cake."

About ABWA: ABWA's mission is to help women grow their professional careers and businesses through skill building education, leadership opportunities, networking events for promoting personal and professional relationships, the fostering of mentorship opportunities, and growing our visibility in the community to help better ourselves and each other. To learn more about ABWA visit: http://www.abwasobroward.org/

The Twelfth Annual Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a welcome reception and continuing at 7:00 p.m. with dinner and the awards presentation.  For tickets to the event ($75) please contact Carolyn Lawrence at (954) 450-4981 or email: CLawrence409@bellsouth.net

About BigChef: Our concept is simple: we have passion for food creation and we strive to delight the palate of your guests with quality, great taste and value since 1999.  BigChef offers gourmet, health conscious, freshly prepared frozen food delivered nationwide to you and yours in your homes, yachts and businesses!  Let BigChef make your next corporate or family function a huge success! We also look forward to joint venturing with established caterers for  special projects.   

BigChef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos Calambichis at rs@bigchefonline.com.



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2011 Oct, 5th - The Latest Evolution of the Make Mine a Million $

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    
Contact: Rosana Santos Calambichis
(954) 965-2480
rs@bigchefonline.com
Rosana Santos Calambichis of Participates in The Latest Evolution of the Make Mine a Million $ Business Program


Hollywood, FL (October 5, 2011) Rosana Santos Calambichis, President of BigChef, the company that specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door recently participated in the The Latest Evolution of the Make Mine a Million $ Business Program Webinar Series. During her program she shared her tips to business success and how she has benefited from being a part of the Count Me In for Womens Economic Independence an initiative of Make Mine a Million Program.

According to Rosana,  "I have had the privilege of being an award winner and continue to benefit because of my involvement.  There are opportunities to network with women who are experiencing similar issues, learn from mentors who have achieved success, take advantage of many of the additional programs the Make Mine a Million has to offer and be part of a community that continues to grow both personally and professionally."

Open from American Express is the Signature sponsor of the Make Mine a Million Program. You can listen to Rosana's interview (among others) here: http://makemineamillion.org/story/M3-1000-Pitch-Resources

About Make Mine a Million: The Make Mine a Million $ Business Award provides a combination of coaching, financing and marketing tools that women entrepreneurs need to help grow their businesses from micro to millions. Count Me In and OPEN from American Express launched the dynamic movement of Make Mine a Million $ Business with a goal to inspire one million women entrepreneurs to reach annual revenues of $1 million in the next decade.

"Make Mine a Million $ Business has helped hundreds of women – from start candy makers to construction contractors – gain confidence, become strong leaders and grow their businesses," said Merlino, whose office is in New York City. "M3 supports these women at every level with the tools, educational resources and community needed for success."

For more information, or to join the Make Mine a Million $ Business program, visit www.makemineamillion.org. For more information about OPEN from American Express, visit www.openforum.com.

About BigChef: Our concept is simple: we have passion for food creation and we strive to delight the palate of your guests with quality, great taste and value since 1999.  BigChef offers gourmet, health conscious, freshly prepared frozen food delivered nationwide to you and yours in your homes, yachts and businesses!  Let BigChef make your next corporate or family function a huge success! We also look forward to joint venturing with established caterers for  special projects.   

BigChef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos Calambichis at rs@bigchefonline.com


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2011 Sep, 19th - BigChef Announces Winners in The 2011 ULTIMATE APP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    
Contact: Rosana Santos Calambichis
(954) 965-2480 
rs@bigchefonline.com

BigChef Announces Winners in The 2011 ULTIMATE APPETIZER CHALLENGE!

Hollywood, FL (September 20, 2011) BigChef, the company that specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door announces winners in THE First-Annual Ultimate Appetizer Challenge.  BigChefOnline.com was in search of  The Ultimate Appetizer recipe and invited people from around the globe to submit their own original recipes in any of the following appetizer categories: Breaded-Crusted, Dim Sum, Empanadas - Tortillas, Fillo - Phyllo, Puff Pastry, Skewers , Other (anything that does not fit in the above categories goes here).

According to Rosana Santos Calambichis, President,  "We had a wonderful response from our our website and social networks. Recipes were submitted from Foodies in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina. And that's not all, we had an amazing global response too! Foodies and Gourmet Cooks from the Bahamas, Brazil, Israel, Italy, Greece, Zambia and Ukraine also submitted their favorite appetizer recipes. And we are delighted that we had several that stood out above the rest. Those recipes that made it to the finals were lip-smacking good, well thought out and described. They appealed to the eye as well as the palate."

Winners were carefully chosen based upon creativity, easy preparation, taste and easy-to-find ingredients. Listed below are the results of the Ultimate Appetizer Challenge: 

Third-place winner is Jan Bullard who submitted her Caribbean Layered Dip recipe

Second-place winner is Kimberly Martinez who submitted her Sausage Stuffed Jalepeno recipe.

First-place winner is Mary Samaras who the judges felt really stood out above the rest with her Eggplant Meatball recipe

In addition for a chance to be included in The Ultimate Appetizer, BigChef presented prizes to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place "winners". Prizes included:

First Place - $500.00 Big Chef Products/Shipping Gift Certificate + *Jazz Up Your Food Music CD + **Tips on Entertainment   

Second Place -   $350.00 Big Chef Products/Shipping Gift Certificate  + *Jazz Up Your Food Music CD + **Tips on Entertainment  

Third Place -  $150.00 Big Chef Products/Shipping Gift Certificate + *Jazz Up Your Food Music CD + **Tips on Entertainment 

51 Recipes that made the the semi-finals were included in Big Chef's newest book, "The ULTIMATE APPETIZER". A complimentary copy of "The ULTIMATE APPETIZER" is available on our website at www.BigChefOnline.com.

About BigChef: Our concept is simple: we have passion for food creation and we strive to delight the palate of your guests with quality, great taste and value since 1999.  BigChef offers gourmet, health conscious, freshly prepared frozen food delivered nationwide to you and yours in your homes, yachts and businesses!  Let BigChef make your next corporate or family function a huge success! We also look forward to joint venturing with established caterers for  special projects.   

BigChef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

 

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2011 Aug, 21st - BigChef Showcased Their Wares during MWBE Expo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    
Contact: Rosana Santos Calambichis
(954) 965-2480 
rs@bigchefonline.com

BigChef Showcased Their Wares during the Minority & Women Business Enterprise Expo 2011

Hollywood, FL (August 20, 2011) BigChef, the company that specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres recently participated in the Minority & Women Business Enterprise Expo 2011 that took place at Piper High School in Sunrise, Florida on Thursday, August 4, 2011.

The The School Board of Broward County hosted its Annual Minority & Women Business Expo to provide minority and women business entrepreneurs the opportunity to network with The School Board of Broward County staff from various departments and schools, as well as public- and private- sector organizations. As a certified MWBE (Minority Women Business Enterprise, BigChef realizes the importance of taking advantage of these types of community events, as opportunities to showcase their products and services while showing support of other similarly designated companies in South Florida.

"It is not enough to be at the forefront of the fresh frozen food movement," says Rosana Santos Calambichis, President of Big Chef, "we need to show other companies how this type of involvement can also help their businesses grow.  Quality and talent are extremely important in business, and by having the MWBE designation we can tap into resources we might not otherwise be afforded; it has given us exposure unlike other designations. That is why we enjoy being involved in events like the Annual Minority & Women Business Expo."

About the Expo: In addition to the networking and vendor displays, there were workshops and roundtable discussions covering topics such as: Procurement with The School Board of Broward County; Website  Development; How to get more "Positive Decisions" from Prospective Clients  in the Uncertain Economy (if you do not get positive decisions, you cannot grow a profitable business). How to conduct business with other Federal  Government agencies; Certification programs that the Federal Government  offers to the minority community, just to name a few. For more information on the outcomes of the Expo or to learn about future expos, contact Keith Roberts or Marcy Houser at The School  Board of Broward County, Supplier Diversity and Outreach Program, at 754-321- 0550.

About BigChef: Our concept is simple: we have passion for food creation and we strive to delight the palate of your guests with quality, great taste and value since 1999.  BigChef offers gourmet, health conscious, freshly prepared frozen food delivered nationwide to you and yours in your homes, yachts and businesses!  Let BigChef make your next corporate or family function a huge success! We also look forward to joint venturing with established caterers for  special projects.   

BigChef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2011 Jul, 15th - The BigChef 2011 ULTIMATE APPETIZER CHALLENGE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   
Contact: Rosana Santos Calambichis
(954) 965-2480
rs@bigchefonline.com

Join BigChef for The 2011 ULTIMATE APPETIZER CHALLENGE!

Hollywood, FL (July 15, 2011) BigChef, the company that specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door announces THE First-Annual Ultimate Appetizer Challenge. BigChef is looking for the worlds favorite appetizers for new ebook, The Ultimate Appetizer.

BigChefOnline.com is looking for The Ultimate Appetizer recipe! We are inviting people to create their own original recipe (an “Original Recipe”) in any of the following appetizer categories: Breaded-Crusted, Dim Sum, Empanadas - Tortillas, Fillo - Phyllo, Puff Pastry, Skewers , Other (anything that does not fit in the above categories goes here). Submit your Original Recipe according to the instructions described above. Each Original Recipe must: (a) be your own original creation, and not based on any other published recipe, (b) include a list of all required ingredients in specific, common U.S. household measurement units, step-by-step preparation instructions, and preparation/cooking times, (c) involve only ingredients commonly available at grocery stores. For a recipe to be considered appropriate, it must be one that can be eaten in one or two bites, hence the term bite-sized.

ABOUT THE PROCESS: After recipe is reviewed by our Judging panel for appropriateness (bite-sized), quality and overall appeal it will then be given a ranking from 1-5 stars with 5 stars being the highest. Recipes that receive a 5 star rating will be considered Finalists. After Finalists have been selected, the Finalist Recipes, Finalists’ names, and city and state of each Finalist’s residence will be announced to the "world" via email, social media, our websites, press releases and articles. All finalists entries will be  included in our upcoming eBook: "The Ultimate Appetizer." Finalist Recipes may be edited for content, clarity, length and/or consistency at BigChefOnline.com’s sole discretion. All recipes that are given a 4 or 5 star rating regardless of whether or not they win the final challenge will be included in our upcoming eBook: "The Ultimate Appetizer."

What will "winners" get in return? In addition for a chance to be included in The Ultimate Appetizer, BigChef is also offering 3 MAIN prizes (1st, 2nd and 3rd place). They include:

First Place winner will receive: $500.00 Big Chef Products/Shipping Gift Certificate + *Jazz Up Your Food Music CD + **Tips on Entertainment  

Second Place winner will receive:  $350.00 Big Chef Products/Shipping Gift Certificate  + *Jazz Up Your Food Music CD + **Tips on Entertainment 

Third Place winner will receive:  $150.00 Big Chef Products/Shipping Gift Certificate + *Jazz Up Your Food Music CD + **Tips on Entertainment

For a complete list of Rules visit: http://www.bigchefonline.com/promo-rules.php

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions visit: http://www.bigchefonline.com/promo-faq.php

In addition, everyone who enters the challenge will be given a complimentary copy of "The ULTIMATE APPETIZER" (Estimated publication date September 6, 2011).

For more information and to  submit an entry to the 2011 ULTIMATE APPETIZER CHALLENGE visit: http://www.bigchefonline.com/promo-rules.php

Entries can also be submitted by email with the following information: Full name, full mailing address, current age and birthdate, telephone number, and e-mail address (if available), as well as appetizer recipe to BigChefOnline.com at the address listed below, Atten: The Ultimate Appetizer Challenge 2011.

About BigChef: Our concept is simple: we have passion for food creation and we strive to delight the palate of your guests with quality, great taste and value since 1999.  BigChef offers gourmet, health conscious, freshly prepared frozen food delivered nationwide to you and yours in your homes, yachts and businesses!  Let BigChef make your next corporate or family function a huge success! We also look forward to joint venturing with established caterers for  special projects.   

BigChef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com



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2011 Jun, 17th - Culinary Artist & Chef, Kevin McCarthy Joins Big C

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    

Contact: Rosana Santos Calambichis

(954) 965-2480 

rs@bigchefonline.com

Culinary Artist & Chef, Kevin McCarthy Joins Big Chef Catering Division

Hollywood, FL (June 16, 2011) BigChef, the company that specializes in gourmet canapés and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door announces the addition of a new Catering Division to their vast list of services. In order to roll out the new Catering Service, Rosana Santos Calambichis and Mano Calambichis, the husband and wife partners of Big Chef knew finding the right chef would be critical to their success.  The found just that person in Chef Kevin McCarthy.

According to Rosana, "Chef Kevin is an outstanding addition to our team. He is well-known in the community, in the food service industry and among his peers. His attention to detail, and culinary artistry made him the perfect choice for Big Chef.  Our Corporate Chef creates gourmet health conscious menus to gratify diverse tastes and satisfy your budget at your office, yacht or home. We are delighted to have him on board."

About Chef Kevin McCarthy:  His vast experience includes Executive and Consulting Chef for Gilbert/Robinson, Inc. opening restaurants around the country. In 2005 Zagat named McCarthy "Best Newcomer." He has taught cooking classes throughout South Florida and worked with Cookbook Chefs at the Bon Appetit Cooking School. From 2004-2005 he wrote the Cooking Column "Choptalk" for South Florida Magazine. Chef Kevin was the Executive Chef for Armadillo Café in Davie Florida before joining Armadillo Beach in Dania (from 2006-2009).  Over the years he has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for a variety of charities including feeding the homeless, hurricane relief and Cystic Fibrosis. In addition, he has been written up in numerous national media including USA Today, Gourmet Magazine, Wine Spectator and New York Magazine among others.

About Big Chef: Our concept is simple: we have passion for food creation and we strive to delight the palate of your guests with quality, great taste and value since 1999. We  offer our great gourmet health conscious products to you and yours in your homes, yachts and businesses! Let us make your next corporate or family function a huge success! We look forward to joint venturing with established caterers for special projects.   

Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

 

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2011 Jun, 14th - Big Chef Got Into the Game at CBI Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   
Contact: Rosana Santos Calimbichis
(954) 965-2480
rs@bigchefonline.com

During the 21st Annual Food Industry Buying Show

Hollywood, FL (June 13, 2011) BigChef, the company that specializes in gourmet canapés and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door recently attended the Cheney Brothers Annual Buying Show. The Theme was "Get Into the Game" and they did. In a big way. Mano Calambichis and Rosana Santos Calambichis, the husband and wife co-owners of Big Chef attended the event that took place at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach on June 7, 2011.

According to Mano Calambichis "Events like this are a great opportunity to see the latest offerings from Cheney Brothers as well as network with colleagues and friends in the business. Big Chef is always delighted to support events like this, its what keeps us on the cutting edge of our industry."

For photos of the Event Check out Big Chef on Flicker

About Cheney Brothers: Founded in 1925, Cheney Brothers has grown from a distributor of milk and eggs into one of the largest Food Service Distributors in the South. Today, Cheney Brothers inventories over 15,000 items with yearly revenues exceeding $800 million. They stock a broad selection of products with national brand recognition, bringing their customers the quality and consistency that they expect and demand. Through innovative vision and advanced technologies Cheney Brothers will continually succeed in providing customers with exceptional service.

BigChef is a health-conscious Food Company established in 1999 known for our high-quality manufacturer of food items for the hospitality industry, as well as consumers are guaranteed to delight your guests. BigChef is a lean and green company offering freshly prepared frozen foods using local and organic ingredients, whenever possible. A South Florida company, BigChef specializes in gourmet canapés and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door.
 
Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information www.BigChefOnline.com.



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2011 May, 19th - Girls Spend the Night-In with BigChef

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    

Contact: Rosana Santos

(954) 965-2480 

rs@bigchefonline.com 

Girls Spend the Night-In with BigChef

Hollywood, FL (May 20, 2011)– BigChef the company that specializes in gourmet canapés and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door is doing more than creating food masterpieces. They are out and about sharing their amazing fare with women who like to network and have fun, aka Girls Night In.

This week Rosana Santos Calimbichis hosted the monthly Girls Night In event in her home, complete with food, fare and fun!  And fun it was.  Everyone enjoyed the food, the fellowship and the fantastic view atop the penthouse overlooking beautiful South Florida Beaches. Soft Jazz music was playing in the background compliments of Joan Cartwright of Women in Jazz, the non-profit of choice for the evening. And the food prepared and served by a staff member of Big Chef was delectable. 

According to Rosana, "Girls Night In is a perfect opportunity to meet other professional women in a nurturing environment. It is the ultimate networking experience, because the focus is on collaboration and communication. There is no 'glad handing' or pushing of business cards in your face, it is all about getting to know one another to see how we can help each other grow in business. I recommend GNI to any woman in Broward County who would like a different kind of networking experience. My team and I were delighted to provide the venue and the food. We enjoyed showcasing our gourmet canapés and hors d'oeuvres for the event." 

Rosana had her choice of collecting money from everyone as an "entry fee" to the event or taking a collection for a charity. She chose Women in Jazz South Florida - a non-profit whose mission is to raise awareness of women jazz artists to keep their music alive and showcase all the women who have been a part of the history of jazz. Joan Cartwright, Founder said about the night "What a delight to meet each and everyone of you at the top of the world! Rosana is a gracious host and, if you feel like I feel, we truly were in a welcoming surrounding to come together, last night! All of you have inspired me and I am moved by your generosity at Rosana's  desire to benefit WOMEN IN JAZZ SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. The food is so memorable that I'm waiting for more canapes to show up as I type!!! Oh, what a lovely evening." For more information about Women in Jazz South Florida visit www.WIJSF.com. 

Girls Night In, a monthly networking event is an open network for women who would like to meet and greet women business owners around Broward County. Each month the meeting is hosted at another "members" venue, either their home or place of business. There are doctors, healers, massage therapists, mortgage brokers, florists, financial advisors, makeup artists, professional organizers, magazine publishers, singers and more that attend these monthly events.  And the women use the networking as an opportunity to build relationships, refer one another and do business.  GNI is open to any woman business owner or professional in Broward County. There are no dues or membership. Its pure networking.

For more information about Girls Night In and to learn about upcoming events visit their facebook page at:   http://on.fb.me/GNISouthFlorida   

BigChef is a health-conscious Food Company established in 1999 known for our high-quality manufacturer of food items for the hospitality industry, as well as consumers are guaranteed to delight your guests. BigChef is a lean and green company offering freshly prepared frozen foods using local and organic ingredients, whenever possible. A South Florida company, BigChef specializes in gourmet canapés and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door.  

 

Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2011 Apr, 11th - Big Chef Helps Florida Firefighter Calendar Men

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        

Contact: Rosana Santos

(954) 965-2480 

rs@bigchefonline.com 

BigChef Participates in Selecting the 2012 South Florida Firefighter Calendar Men

Hollywood, FL (April 16, 2011)– BigChef the company that specializes in gourmet canapés and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door is doing more than creating food masterpieces. They are helping the South Florida Firefighters Calendar Men find the talent for their next calendar!  BigChef  is sponsoring the annual "Best Kept Secret Secretary's Day Luncheon" taking place at Jungle Island in Miami, Florida.

And... the public is invited to also participate. The 2011 Firefighters Calendar Men invite you to participate with them in a spectacular luncheon and in selecting the 2012 calendar men. Luis Espinosa, Founder of the Firefighters Calendar says "We are very excited to bring you a year like no other, wait to see what we have in store for you!!! Meet the guy's one on one, Light Shows, Music, Entertainment, Photo Opportunities, Trade Show Booths and lots of giveaways…" 

According to Rosana Santos, President of BigChef, "Our company is honored to participate in this years' selection process as a major sponsor. We are strong supporters of the South Florida Firefighters' Calendar goals to raise awareness of important community issues such as Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Habitat for Humanity's Hurricane Andrew Fund, Ronald McDonald Children's Charities, Neighbors 4 Neighbors,  Cystic Fibrosis, Safehaven for Newborns and Here's Help among others. Being surrounded by the passion and energy these men exude make this a worthwhile and fun event to be a part of."

The event takes place on Secretary's Day 2011 which is Wednesday, April 27th and begins at 11:00 AM at the Jungle Island Tree Top Ballroom located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. For directions call:(305) 400-7000. Individual tickets are available starting at $60 and tables of 10 can be purchased from $400.00 and up (based upon availability). Some of the 2011 Calendar Men will be on hand to sign autographs and support the 2012 Calendar project.

To purchase tickets or for more information about the South Florida Firefighters Calendar and its initiatives visit: http://www.firefighterscalendar.com or call 305-828-7787. Media can contact their media rep Lauren H. Fernandez firefighterscalendarmedia@gmail.com or call 305-283-1852 

BigChef is a health-conscious Food Company established in 1999 known for our high-quality manufacturer of food items for the hospitality industry, as well as consumers are guaranteed to delight your guests. BigChef is a lean and green company offering freshly prepared frozen foods using local and organic ingredients, whenever possible. A South Florida company, BigChef specializes in gourmet canapés and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door.  

 

Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2011 Apr, 11th - BigChef Sponsors the Latin Chamber of Broward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Rosana Santos

(954) 965-2480 

rs@bigchefonline.com
 

BigChef Sponsors the Latin Chamber of Broward Annual Golf Tournament Benefiting Local Scholarships 

Hollywood, FL (April 11, 2011) – BigChef is a headline sponsor for the Latin Chamber of Broward County's 9th Annual Golf Tournament taking place on April 15, 2011 at the Coral Springs Country Club in Coral Springs, Florida. This annual event is one of many that is hosted to raise much needed monies for local scholarships. Golfers from Broward, Dade and Palm Beach area will come together to support the Latin Chamber of Broward and its initiatives. The annual golf tournament is supported by its members, comprised of community leaders, small and large business, executives and professionals from a broad range of nationalities and operations. 

The four person scramble golf tournament will swing into action on Saturday, April 15th at 11:30 am with a shotgun start at 1:15 pm.

"BigChef is delighted to be one of the key sponsors for the Latin Chamber Broward Golf tournament. We support the mission of the chamber and its goals to enhance economic growth and stability to its members and community," says Rosana Santos, President of BigChef. "We believe in paying it forward and this is one way we can give back to our community. This scholarship program opens up opportunities for local students to achieve their goals."

Registration Fee to attend and participate in the golf tournament is $150 per person or $500 for a foursome. The entry fee Includes: cart and green fees, complimentary on course beverages, lunch, dinner provided, team picture and a loaded "GOODY BAG". The Coral Springs Country Club is located at 10800 Sample Road in Coral Springs, Florida. For additional information on the Golf Tournament, email them lccb@latinchamberbroward.com  or call the office at 954-961-6386.

BigChef is a health-conscious Food Company established in 1999 known for our high-quality manufacturer of food items for the hospitality industry, as well as consumers are guaranteed to delight your guests. BigChef is a lean and green company offering freshly prepared frozen foods using local and organic ingredients, whenever possible. A South Florida company, BigChef specializes in gourmet canapés and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door. 

Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2011 Feb, 18th - Resources for Women to Leverage the Internet

“[Computing] is just a fabulous place … because it's a place where you don't have to be a Ph.D.
or anything else. It's a place where you can still be an artisan. People are willing to pay you
if you're any good at all, and you have plenty of time for screwing around.
Alan C. Kay former fellow at Apple Computer Inc.1972 Rolling Stone article

That statement has never been truer! Computers and the Internet have certainly leveled the playing field for large and small businesses.  You can look larger than life online even if you are only renting a small 400 square-foot office or even work from your home. The Internet also offers you many opportunities to grow into the Larger-than-Life image you can create because every day there are ways to increase your business, increase your following and increase your knowledge. It truly is amazing. 

In fact many of our members started out as one or two person operations and have grown to a larger workforce, giving the economy a shot in the arm. One such person is Rosana Santos of Big Chef. She is an award winning business-owner who is helping her community by continuing to grow her business and hire new staff. She and her company have been on almost every major media in South Florida and several others in the US and Brazil.  According to Rosana, "I believe all female entrepreneurs can make a difference and improve the quality of life for their employees and their families while contributing to the community" (quoted from La Prensa - a bi-lingual newspaper serving communities living and working in San Antonio and surrounding areas in Bexar County, Texas). Rosana is active in dozens of local, national and virtual communities and serves as President-Elect of Women in Ecommerce™ South Florida Chapter.  Kudos to her! Stop by her business online, visit her on Facebook and tell her congratulations!

If you and your company make the news be sure to send the information to me so it can be included in a future issue of WECommerce News.

The next issue (Spring 2011) of WE Magazine for Women will be dedicated to Women in Jazz. We are looking for companies to showcase their wares in that very important issue. If you would like to get your company in front of people in the music industry and the fans who follow, drop me a line at heidi (at) wemagazineforwomen.com.

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2011 Feb, 2nd - Ofrecen ayuda para mujeres empresarias

Después de disfrutar el éxito como propietaria de Big Chef, una empresa de productos alimenticios con sede en Florida, y obtener numerosos reconocimientos de la industria desde 2003, la inmigrante Rosana Santos estaba tratando de llevar su negocio al siguiente nivel.

Así que cuando Santos se enteró de un seminario sobre estrategias de negocios para el crecimiento y expansión, decidió asistir.

Fue allí donde conoció a Nell Merlino, fundador y director ejecutivo de "Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence" (Cuenta conmigo para la independencia económica de la mujer), una iniciativa de la organización no lucrativa "Make Mine a Million $ Business" (Haz tuyo un negocio de un millón).

Count Me In presentó el programa nacional, junto con American Express para ayudar a las mujeres empresarias a crecer y construir empresas sostenibles, crear empleos y desarrollar productos y servicios innovadores.

"Me gustó la idea de que ser parte de una comunidad empresarial más grande podría ser mucho más beneficioso que hacerlo todo solo", dice Santos, quien fue la ganadora de "Make Mine a Million", competencia de negocios en San Francisco en 2006.

El Make Mine a Million $ Business Award ofrece una combinación de entrenamiento, financiamiento y herramientas de mercadeo para mujeres que son propietarias de un negocio pequeño.

Count Me In puso en marcha el movimiento dinámico "Make Mine a Million $ Business", con el objetivo de inspirar a un millón de mujeres empresarias para alcanzar ingresos anuales de un millón de dólares en la próxima década.

Santos asegura que a pesar de la vacilante economía nacional, está confiada de que Big Chef superará los 900 mil dólares en ingresos para 2011.

Esta oportunidad está disponible para cualquier mujer empresaria con deseos de alcanzar el éxito con su negocio. Para más informes visite www.makemineamillion.org.


reference:
 lavozarizona.com


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2011 Jan, 17th - MAKE MINE A MILLION $ BUSINESS National nonprofit

MAKE MINE A MILLION $ BUSINESS

National nonprofit program empowers Latina entrepreneurs

to strive for $1 million in revenue

After enjoying success as the owner of Big Chef, a Florida-based health conscious food company, and garnering numerous industry accolades since 2003, Rosana Santos was seeking to take her business to the next level.

So when Santos heard about a workshop focusing on business strategies for growth and expansion, she decided to attend. It was there that she heard keynote speaker Nell Merlino, founder and CEO of Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence, discuss the nonprofit organization's initiative, Make Mine a Million $ Business (M3).

Count Me In introduced the national program along with founding sponsor American Express OPEN to help women entrepreneurs grow and build sustainable enterprises, create jobs and develop innovative products and services.

"I liked the whole idea that being part of a bigger business community could be a lot more beneficial that doing it all alone," Santos said, "and I believe all female entrepreneurs can make a difference and improve the quality of life for their employees and their families while contributing to the economy."

Santos was the winner of the Make Mine a Million $ Business competition in San Francisco in 2006

The Make Mine a Million $ Business Award provides a combination of coaching, financing and marketing tools that women entrepreneurs need to help grow their businesses from micro to millions. Count Me In and OPEN from American Express launched the dynamic movement of Make Mine a Million $ Business with a goal to inspire one million women entrepreneurs to reach annual revenues of $1 million in the next decade.

"Make Mine a Million $ Business has helped hundreds of women – from start candy makers to construction contractors – gain confidence, become strong leaders and grow their businesses," said Merlino, whose office is in New York City. "M3 supports these women at every level with the tools, educational resources and community needed for success.".

Traditionally, women business owners face economic and social challenges to grow profitable, sustainable enterprises. According to the 2002 Census, women-owned businesses were almost 50 percent of privately held companies and start-ups. Yet, the vast majority of women entrepreneurs reported under $50,000 in revenue and only 2.6 percent, or 242,000, report more than $1 million in revenue. This is in contrast to the 6 percent of men-owned firms that have reached the million dollar milestone.

"We understand the path to $1 million in revenue is an incredible journey, and a critical juncture is declaring the intent to get there," said Karen-Michelle Mirko, director of customer advocacy, OPEN from American Express. "All of the women who have joined the Make Mine a Million $ Business movement have taken this important step and OPEN is honored to be a part of enabling their success." The M3 program, Santos said, has helped her grow Big Chef through networking with other female entrepreneurs in the food industry, business coaching from American Express OPEN and joining a "sisterhood" of business owners with whom they can share ideas and exchange information.

"And there are so many resources at your fingertips related to human resources, finances, hiring employees, monthly financials and marketing," she said.

Santos happily reports that despite the faltering national economy, Big Chef is expected to surpass $900,000 in revenue for 2010. "We're doing very well," she added. "We were able to cut costs before cutting people. We've gone from 22 employees to 26. Regardless of the economy, we are able to maintain and sustain."

Lorena Siminovich, owner of San Francisco-based Petit Collage, a line of modern baby and child wall décor and accessories, was the winner of the Make Mine a Million $ Business competition in November.

"It's encouraging to get to know other female business owners, and it's nice to be part of a business community," Siminovich, a Buenos Aires native, said. "You have hundreds of people to ask questions or discuss goals and best practices as part of a virtual community."

Like Santos, Siminovich said Petit Collage is experiencing tremendous growth, which she attributes to "hard work and lots of babies being born."

Other Latinas involved with Make Mine a Million $ Business include: Amelia Ceja, owner of a million dollar wine vineyard in Napa, Calif.; attorney Victoria Campos of Huntington Station, N.Y., who specializes in immigration law and helping families reach the American Dream; and Cristina Martinez of Houston, who saw a need in the GLBT community and established rainbowpages.net, an online directory of GLBT-friendly businesses that includes companies in more than 15 states.

For more information, or to join the Make Mine a Million $ Business program, visit www.makemineamillion.org. For more information about OPEN from American Express, visit www.openforum.com.

BigChef is a health-conscious Food Company established in 1999 known for our high-quality manufacturer of food items for the hospitality industry, as well as consumers are guaranteed to delight your guests. BigChef is a lean and green company offering freshly prepared frozen foods using local and organic ingredients, whenever possible. A South Florida company, BigChef specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door.  

Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2010 Oct, 12th - MIAMI INTERNATIONAL WINE FAIR 2010

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL WINE FAIR WELCOMES THE CITY'S SWEETHEART RESTAURANTS TO A GRAND TASTING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF WINE & FOOD

Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Q American BBQ, Devito South Beach, SUSHISAMBA dromo and More Among 2010 Culinary Partners

MIAMI BEACH, FL – The 9th annual Miami International Wine Fair (MIWF) is taking it to the table with a dynamic culinary program of Miami's most talked about restaurants including Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Q American BBQ, Devito South Beach, Mercadito, De Rodriguez Ocean and more.  Taking place Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16, 2010, participating eateries will serve up bites, gratis, to all fairgoers at the Miami Beach Convention Center (Washington Avenue at 19th Street). 

For $75 per person, per day, or $130 for two days, the Grand Tasting Hall brings together more than 1,800 wines from 500 producers and 20 countries under one roof.  Upping the ante, for VIPs at $125 per entry or $220 for two days, the Fair will offer connoisseurs access to the Grand Tasting one hour early at 3:00 p.m.; free entrance to the seminar "How to Taste Wine – Objectively"; a two-bottle wine pack with an award-winning selection from Rioja and Bordeaux; two professional lead-free crystal wine glasses; no cover and one free drink to all three MIWF after-parties including LIV at Fontainbleau, SET and MOKAI nightclubs. 

Tickets to the Fair and to seminars are available online at www.miamiwinefair.com or by calling 866.887.WINE.  A portion of proceeds will benefit the Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food ("AIWF") – a non-profit organization founded in support of gastronomy as essential to the quality of human existence. 

2010 participating restaurants include: Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room; Bertoni Lounge and Pizza; Big Chef Online; De Rodriguez Ocean; Devito South Beach; Dolce Vita Gelato; Giardino Gourmet Salads; Kitchen 305 at Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort; Lido Restaurant at the Standard Hotel; Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge; Maya Tapas & Grill; Mercadito; Michael's Genuine Food & Drink Food Cart; Moonchine Asian Bistro; Pasha's; Q American BBQ; Rancho Grande; The Graspa Group and Vino & Olio.

About Miami International Wine Fair
The Miami International Wine Fair is owned and managed by VINTRADE LLC, a South Florida-based corporation established by David Bernad and Madrid-based Emporio Ferial S.A., an international event planning and production company that organizes dozens of wine shows year-round, including Iberwine.  For more information please call 1.866.887.WINE or visit www.miamiwinefair.com.

About AIWF
The American Institute of Wine & Food is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization and public charity founded on the premise that gastronomy is essential to the quality of human existence, and was established in 1981 by the late Robert Mondavi, the late Julia Child, the late Richard Graff and others to provide a forum for the study and enjoyment of gastronomy.  The AIWF is dedicated to promoting health and well-being through the enjoyment of good food and drink and fellowship that comes from dining together around the table. Granting culinary scholarships to aspiring students and running a national Days of Taste® program that teaches children about the culinary arts and nutrition, the organization has more than 4,000 members in 27 chapters throughout the United States.

Membership is open to all wine and food enthusiasts and professionals.  For more information please visit www.aiwf.org.

About BigChef: BigChef is a health-conscious Food Company established in 1999 known for our high-quality manufacturer of food items for the hospitality industry, as well as consumers are guaranteed to delight your guests. BigChef is a lean and green company offering freshly prepared frozen foods using local and organic ingredients, whenever possible. A South Florida company, BigChef specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door.  

Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2010 Jan, 31st - Super Bowl Sunday Made Easy with BigChef online

No-nonsense party planning is made simple for the hard-to-please, varying appetites, and multitudes of palates. Come game time, come prepared! Big Chef Online takes care of all your gourmet footwork, leaving you free to relax and watch the action with your guests! Sports Lover's Bash: No-Nonsense Party Planning for Tough Palates Come Game Time HOLLYWOOD, FL (January 25, 2010) –- "Supersize" your fun with Big Chef's finger foods on Super Bowl Sunday. The Sports Lover's Bash package offers a combination of four favorite and classic bites, which are made to order online at www.bigchefonline.com with nationwide next day delivery. The package priced at $125.00 includes meatballs (24 pieces), franks in a blanket (24 pieces), cheese calzones (24 pieces) and chicken empanadas (24 pieces) and qualifies for free overnight shipping – a stress-free strategy for any host or hostess' party "game plan." The Sports Lover's Bash package scores big by offering quality, great taste, value, simplicity and convenience. All orders are prepared fresh then blast-frozen, shipped in an insulated box and timed to arrive at the convenience of the client. Quick to prepare, hors d'oeuvres require 10 to 15 minutes in the oven, which makes last-minute events an easy endeavor. In addition to the Sports Lover's Bash treats that are available during the Super Bowl and all year long, many other hors d'oeuvres and canapés options can be ordered online. Big Chef is a South Florida-based health conscious food company since 1999. Their e-commerce website features variety packages and the ability to customize a selection from 40 delicious appetizers. All food is USDA inspected and prepared under the HACCP plan, meeting all sanitation, regulation and safety requirements. Shipping custom orders the next day and overnight; Big Chef uses nonperishable methods to ensure safe arrival for orders of all sizes. 

BigChef is a health-conscious Food Company established in 1999 known for our high-quality manufacturer of food items for the hospitality industry, as well as consumers are guaranteed to delight your guests. BigChef is a lean and green company offering freshly prepared frozen foods using local and organic ingredients, whenever possible. A South Florida company, BigChef specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door.  

Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2009 Sep, 2nd - Florida Restaurant & Lodging article

Focus on the Basics to Future-Proof Your Business


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2009 Jul, 11th - WE Magazine-Interview-Rosana Santos-Big Chef

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

"Experience and travel – these are as education in themselves" taught Euripides, the Greek playwright.  I can say this doctrine is fundamental to my lifestyle.  I am a Brazilian native, born in the beautiful Rio de Janeiro and raised in the extraordinary metropolis of Sao Paulo, where I attained my Law Degree in Family Law. I have resided in Cali Colombia where I took two years in law also lived in Angola, Africa.  In 1991, I moved to Florida. By 2004, I obtained an MBA in Global Business Management in Fort Lauderdale.

 

What do you enjoy most about your profession?

The understanding of different cultures enhanced by the knowledge of international business feeds my appreciation of world cuisine.  I take pride on the growth of the business, expanding geographically and diversifying into endless possibilities. South Florida is so diverse and the market is so multi segmented. We live in paradise…we have access to assorted ingredients and we enjoy exploring different tastes. It is interesting. We get inspired and mix ingredients that delight the palate.

 

What motivated you to change careers?  And how difficult was it to do so?

I managed a South Florida energy conservation company, and represented the transfer of privately held businesses for several years, until the opportunity came along to acquire Big Chef.

We decided to take on this challenge, it was a complete turn around, by combining my business expertise and food interest with Calambichis, my partner, invaluable restaurant and people experience; leading to the ownership of Big Chef in November 2003.  I can say I found my passion.

 

Tell us about some of the organizations you are involved in and support? What life event or incident made you choose to support them

-The Broward Alliance (www.browardalliance.org ), I currently chair the minority and/or  women business committee.

-The Count Me In (www.countmein.org ) for women economic independence

We will have a Make Mine a Million Business event in Florida on Dec. 11, 2008

-Women Ecommerce Association – International (www.wecai.org ) South Florida, no description needed.

 

With access, tools and resources people will better off themselves and their surroundings. I firmly believe that when we assist our community (local or virtual) in providing those 'resources" there will be progress… businesses will thrive, and people will have better lives. Everybody wins.  

 

From where do you draw inspiration?

I am inspired by my mother's accomplishments as an award-winning chef and published cookbook author and my father's attitude and leadership as a chief engineer of international projects and published "metal structure" book author… Both "frequent travelers"

 

Furthermore, life is really short. If we take too long to make a decision, many times time will fly and take the opportunity with it. Although, I consider myself a researcher and a planner; the implementation or the execution of the decision already taken is where I focus what I plan. 

 

 

What one thing would you like to learn in the coming year?

The tango!

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 

I am always "in search" of constant improvement…ways to be effectively efficient … a better promoter … to offer a better work environment… to live a healthier life…

 

For example when we launched our online store at www.bigchefonline.com the idea was for customers to "Fake Like You Made It" award-winning appetizers delivered for "high-energy low cooking stress home parties". People could customize their package (pick & choose appetizers for their event). Pop up 10-15 min in the oven while they glam up and we offered "free shipping" with the party package.  Then to create the right environment we include a "music chill out cd" with the package. Now we offer a "Party in the Box" adding tips, plates, and napkins.

 

What do you do for fun, relaxation?

Enjoy traveling very much, since I do not travel every weekend, entertaining guests maybe my favorite past time… even when my guests are my son's teen friends "daily". In addition to creating tasty treats with my husband and going out for dinner (checking out new restaurants… I guess we are foodies), I continue to travel and learning about different cultures; loving live concerts and enjoying strolling along the beach.

What do you want to accomplish before you leave this world?

Still so much to be done…

-Travel China with my parents and a" honeymoon" in Bali

-Teach and help improve people's quality of life

-Share my friends' success

-Export our proudly Made in USA delicious products

-Applaud my son' (12 years old) implementation of his many ideas into the business

-Have many grandchildren

-Ballroom dance frequently

and the list goes on…

 

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

"Follow your dream and make the most of the opportunities life presents you with. All you need is perseverance and vision. After all, with vision you can succeed in anything you do; if you have natural talent the journey is easier, but if you don't, you acquire it along the way and are much better for it." 

About BigChef: BigChef is a health-conscious Food Company established in 1999 known for our high-quality manufacturer of food items for the hospitality industry, as well as consumers are guaranteed to delight your guests. BigChef is a lean and green company offering freshly prepared frozen foods using local and organic ingredients, whenever possible. A South Florida company, BigChef specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door.  

Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2009 Feb, 2nd - Make mine a million $ business

Grow Your Business
Success Stories

Interview with Make Mine a Million $ Business Awardee Rosana Santos on Disaster Recovery Plans

Technology, All Industries

Sometimes, even when you think you have a plan in place, things can arise that test that plan and cause you to rethink your data backup and security needs. In this interview, Rosana Santos, Big Chef, (www.bigchefonline.com) discusses what happened to her when two very different types of disasters occurred for her company.

Her company, Big Chef, located in Hollywood, Florida, produces a wide variety of delectable frozen Hors d'oeuvre and Canapés, with a one year shelf life. In addition, they are Custom Food Creators. Their products are served in hotels, convention centers, country clubs, airlines and at events. Rosana says "Our food is a sensorial experience, a fusion of aromas, colors, tastes, textures, and presentation that delight the palate and satisfy the senses."

Rosana Santos is a Make Mine a Million $ Business Awardee.

Read this article below

Interview with Rosana Santos, Big Chef   

When did you first become aware of the need for data backup and security for your business?

I would have to say I didn't give it much thought until just after Hurricane Wilma in 2005. At that time, we lost everything: inventory, equipment, paper files, everything. There was a power outage for days. And it turned out that our generator was too small, so we got a second and then a third one. The third generator was so powerful it burned everything … all our computers were fried. That's when I learned that thankfully our IT person had installed a backup drive. So, we burned out the hardware and had to buy new computers, but the backup was fine. Of course, we didn't have that much data back then, so a single backup drive was all we needed. That backup was a major factor in our ability to get the business up and running again.

Did you already have a disaster plan in place prior to that?

Yes and no. We're in the food business, so the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) impose a lot of requirements on us for food security. They make sure we secure the water supply, storage areas, and shipping … things like that. It's not something I can even talk about in detail. But in any case, we have lots of measures in place, but none of them really address data security. Thank goodness our IT person just did everything on his own. I didn't even have to ask. That's why we were in good shape after the hurricane.

So what are some measures you now have in place regarding data security and back up?

I'm happy to say we do a lot of things right. After the hurricane, we got a server, and it's on a backup schedule. We do not open any mail unless we know who it's from. We don't click on links. We have nonsense passwords that are difficult to crack. We are aware of the red flags for identify theft and have shared that with all employees. But even with all we're doing right, I learned a hard lesson recently … regarding something we hadn't planned for.

Tell us about what happened.

Well, as I said, everything was fine. We try to keep our major software applications up to date, every other year or so. Therefore, not too long ago, I decided to update to Quickbooks 2008, and I installed it by myself. Suddenly, my server crashed and there were data corruption messages everywhere. All the files were gone! My IT person tried to do a remote recovery, but it was impossible. We had to bring in another company that worked directly in our office for days. In addition, Quickbooks' data recovery staff worked on it for 11 days.

During this period, the daily operation was chaos -- handwriting invoices, checks and "draw against payroll". Finally, we were able to recover everything up until the day I installed the new version, but we had to reconstruct everything from that point forward. It turns out that every time you add or upgrade software, the file name changes. And it will not copy the new programs. We only had one backup then, which was a big problem.

So as a result of that experience, what changes did you make in your data backup systems?

Now we have a new server with a double-brain. It has two backups - - one daily, and one for add-ons. And then we also do a weekly full backup. In addition, we have online backup (called Carbonite). And right now I'm working toward an extra backup to my website. We do monthly backups for Quickbooks, and we can download from anywhere – so even if there's another hurricane, we should be in pretty good shape.

Given your experiences with data backup and disaster recovery, what would you recommend to other women business owners?

With regard to IT security, I would recommend business owners do the following (at a minimum):

• Have more than one backup for sure.
• Every time you add or upgrade software or equipment, make sure your backup is programmed accordingly
• Be preventive and proactive. That means updating your antivirus and firewall security regularly, installing effective Password policies – even our WIFI is on high security.

As for other things you can do to deal with potential disasters or emergencies, one thing I'd recommend is to train employees to have backup duties covered. For example, my employees now have backups assigned, and we do staff rotations, so in case someone isn't there in an emergency, someone else knows what to do.

Oh, and make sure your insurance is up to date. After the hurricane, our insurance wasn't covering everything because we had grown. If you upgrade or grow, make sure your insurance grows with you.

BigChef is a health-conscious Food Company established in 1999 known for our high-quality manufacturer of food items for the hospitality industry, as well as consumers are guaranteed to delight your guests. BigChef is a lean and green company offering freshly prepared frozen foods using local and organic ingredients, whenever possible. A South Florida company, BigChef specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door.  

 

Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2009 Jan, 12th - The Miami Herald-01-12-2009

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2008 Jul, 25th - Testimonials Success FTTA

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2008 Jun, 10th - Gazeta 06-10-2008

Por: Letícia Kfuri

Além de todas as razões costumeiras para uma pequena empresa ser colocada à venda - como problemas pessoais e desentendimentos na sociedade -, é preciso acrescentar, este ano, os problemas econômicos pelos quais passa o País. E, com o aumento do número de empresas à venda em todas as regiões, também aumenta o interesse dos compradores.

"Quando a conjuntura econômica se agrava e as pessoas não conseguem encontrar um emprego, elas procuram comprar um emprego", disse Ronald W. Hottes, presidente da Business Team, uma corretora de Torrance, na Califórnia

No entanto, o problema para os proprietários que querem vender seus empreendimentos é a queda dos preços - como reflexo de uma variedade de causas, entre elas o aperto dos mercados de crédito, a elevação dos custos e a redução do número de clientes.

O maior site de venda de empresas, bizbuysell.com, oferece, hoje, 50 mil pequenas empresas - em comparação com 43 mil no mesmo período do ano passado, disse Michael K. Handelsman, gerente-geral do site.

De acordo com o site, existem, atualmente, 188 negócios na categoria de restaurantes à venda no condado de Broward. Entre as ofertas estão, por exemplo, uma franquia da rede Quiznos, em Pompano Beach, por $150 mil, com 1/3 financiado pelo proprietário, uma franquia de fast food, por $24 mil.

Estão também à venda, o Busy Bagel Place, em Plantation, por $54 mil, o Latin Cafe, em Coral Springs, por $87 mil e um restaurante, em Del Ray Beach, por $45 mil. Em Gaithersburg, Maryland, a mill3nnium.com informou que o número de empresas à venda em seu site também cresceu. O site concentra-se na região metropolitana de Washington, e um dos motivos desse aumento foi o declínio do número de clientes. Entre essas empresas estão lojas de delicatessen, tinturarias, lojas de "um dólar" e postos de gasolina. "Temos de 80 a 100 empresas, o dobro do número que tínhamos no ano passado", disse o proprietário do site, Moses A. Zuniga.

Vários corretores afirmam que os compradores são, em geral, pessoas que estão se aposentando e procuram uma nova atividade, ou executivos que foram demitidos em busca de uma empresa para dirigir.

A aposentadoria, uma doença, o divórcio, um falecimento - ou o simples cansaço - ainda levam a maioria dos proprietários a vender. Mas, na economia conturbada dos dias atuais, algumas empresas outrora sólidas agora enfrentam maus momentos. Os proprietários concluem que não poderão esperar por tempos melhores, e vendem por um preço menor.

A business broker Rosana Santos, ex-tesoureira da Florida Business Broker Association e, hoje, proprietária da empresa de catering Big Chef, em Hollywood., ressalta que este é o momento para quem pretende comprar um negócio, e dá as dicas básicas para uma boa negociação. "Para o negócio estar sólido tem que ter tempo de mercado, estar no local certo e ter um produto viável. Na situação em que está o mercado imobiliário, quem compra quer algo que dê certa liquidez", comenta.

Ela explica que existem duas maneiras de fazer a negociação: transferindo a corporação ou os assets (o ponto). "Cada um tem suas vantagens e desvantagens. Outro ponto a ser observado é se a compra será efetuada com dinheiro próprio ou com empréstimo", acrescenta Santos.

Cress S. Diglio Sr., presidente da Corporate Investment International, sediada em Orlando, disse que "este ano, o número de vendedores superará facilmente o de compradores qualificados". Um dos motivos é que um instrumento de financiamento crucial para as pequenas empresas, as linhas de crédito do tipo "home equity" (em que o imóvel é dado como garantia do empréstimo), secou por causa da queda do valor dos imóveis residenciais.

Tradicionalmente, as pequenas empresas já encontravam dificuldade para obter crédito, e a situação está se agravando. "Um ano atrás, as pessoas usavam empréstimos garantidos pelo imóvel", disse Hottes. "Ago-ra, elas estão recorrendo aos seus planos de pensão."

Já Santos observa que, caso o comprador opte por um financiamento bancário com o auxílio da Small Business Administration (SBA), o interessado poderá arcar com 10% do investimento, com garantia de 90% oferecida pela SBA. Para que isso ocorra, no entanto, explica a especialista, são levados em consideração aspectos como experiência suficiente do interessado em gerenciamento de negócios ou formação acadêmica que, eventualmente, compense a falta de experiência. "O fato de cozinhar bem não quer dizer que uma pessoa tenha capacidade para gerir um restaurante. Por outro lado, a pessoa pode não ter trabalhado no ramo, anteriormente, mas ter, por exemplo, um MBA na área", detalha Santos.

Os tipos de financiamentos disponíveis, explica ela, são o Express, para pequenas empresas, 7-A, para médias empresas e 504, que inclui a compra do negócio, do imóvel e das melhorias. Santos alerta, no entanto, que, para contar com tais financiamentos, é necessário ser cidadão norte-americano. "Uma outra possibilidade é a de o vendedor acreditar tanto que o negócio dá certo mesmo, que não se importa de receber parcela do pagamento e aguardar durante determinado tempo para receber o restante", comenta a especialista.

A queda nas vendas foi o que levou, por exemplo, Richard Lightowler a vender sua pequena loja de objetos para jardins. "Há alguns anos, poderia tê-la vendido por $ 50 mil", disse. "Agora, pedi $ 40 mil e fechei o negócio por $ 33 mil."

Em qualquer ramo, é importante observar o motivo pelo qual o negócio está sendo vendido. A recessão e a queda nas vendas, nem sempre são o motivo. "Se uma pessoa está cansada de administrar um negócio que funciona 24 horas por dia, sete dias por semana, como um posto de gasolina, por exemplo, não significa que o negócio seja ruim", diz Santos.

NA HORA DE COMPRAR

1 – Observe quem são os clientes e como eles são atraídos. Se o dono do negócio for peça chave na atração de clientes (exemplo o restaurante do João, no qual os clientes vão por causa do dono, João), é bom acertar com ele um período de transição para que a clientela se acostume.
2 – Verifique os detalhes do contrato de aluguel do imóvel. Alguns contratos prevêem reajustes (que podem ser elevados) de aluguel na hora da renovação do contrato. Além disso, quem pretende conseguir uma linha de crédito para a ampliação do negócio, precisa saber se o contrato de locação permite isso.

3 – Conheça o quadro de pessoal. Investigue, detalhadamente, qual é o relacionamento dos funcionários com a empresa. Faça com que os funcionários entendam que está comprando o negócio porque acredita nele e em sua capacidade de melhorá-lo. é fundamental que os funcionários entendam e aceitem a transição.

4 – Verifique o histórico da empresa. Revise todos os registros financeiros e legais da empresa. Conheça a saúde financeira do negócio. No caso de negócios que envolvem muito dinheiro vivo em sua rotina, como restaurantes, por exemplo, verifique as notas fiscais de compra de matéria-prima (alimentos em geral). Com base nisso é possível estimar quando o restaurante vende, e quanto fatura.

CALCULE OS GASTOS
(estimativas)

Aluguel do imóvel – Em geral corres-ponde a 8% do faturamento bruto.

Matérias-primas - No caso de um restaurante, varia de 20% a 35%, dependendo do tipo de comida oferecido. Uma churrascaria gasta mais com matéria-prima, uma pizzaria gasta menos.

Despesas fixas – 22% (luz, telefone, folha de pagamento, etc.)

Licenças e contratos - A disponibilidade ou não de licenças para atuação em determinado segmento afeta, e muito, o valor do negócio na hora da venda. Se, por hipótese, não são mais concedidas pela prefeitura de determinada cidade licenças para um ramo específico, um negócio deste ramo terá muito maior valor de venda.

Uma empresa de mármore, por exemplo, que tenha o direito adquirido (grandfather law) de continuar atuando neste segmento, em uma área onde, atualmente, a atividade é proibida, pode ter um valor de revenda alto, caso a licença permita a transferência para um outro titular.

Outro aspecto que agrega valor a um negócio são os contratos já firmados pela empresa. "As empresas de paisagismo (landscaping), por exemplo, geralmente têm contratos com condomínios, hotéis, shopping centers. A pessoa que está vendendo, gastou, naturalmente, uma percentagem de seu faturamento, para poder conseguir esses contratos. Se a empresa é vendida durante a realização de um grande trabalho, por exemplo, o vendedor ganha um percentual a mais por ter adquirido o contrato para o novo dono", explica Santos.  

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2008 Jun, 6th - WE Magazine for Women

WE Magazine for Women
Women Magazine



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2008 May, 22nd - Hollywood Magazine

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2008 Feb, 2nd - Broward Alliance Economic Source Book

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2007 Dec, 20th - 7 News - Style File: Fake it

From now until after new year's it's nothing but parties, and now you can throw a fabulous holiday soiree without any of the work. In today's Style File, Seven's Belkys Nerey shows us how to Fake It like you made it.

WSVN -- You can be the hostess with the mostest this holiday season and not have to lift a finger.

Chef David Welch: "This is definitely a way to show off to your neighbors."

Chef David of Culinary Artistry will help you throw a fab dinner party by bringing fine dining into your living room. He'll create a special menu for you and your guests, then whip up a gourmet meal right in your kitchen, and he likes to keep all the food unique.

Chef David: "We have the traditional pork for the holidays, but instead of bread stuffing we stuffed it with chorizo and plantains."

You can have the luxury of table-side service, or just hire him as a secret chef, so it looks like you did all the work.

Chef David: "We prepare all the food, clean up everything. As the guests are coming in the front door, we sneak out the back door and you get all the glory."

You can also arrange for special touches like in-house massages, or live music to really blow your guests away.

Heather Russell: "If I could have someone come in and cook and prepare everything, decorate and set everything up, and all I have to do is entertain the guest, I think that is the best."

For a rockin' cocktail party, fake it like you made it with big chef. It's a South Florida company that specializes in gourmet canapés and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door.

Rosana Santos: "They are frozen. The only thing you have to do is pop in the oven, 10 to 15 minutes while you glam up, the product will be ready."

You can pick and choose from about 40 items or buy a party package, and these aren't your typical grocery store apps. Think lobster wellington, turkey and cranberry puffs, or pumpkin raisin empanadas.

Amy Leon: "This is gourmet and it is quality. You don't believe they are frozen. They taste fresh like you just made them."

Big Chef's holiday package even comes with this haute hostess' apron, so you can look like a glamorous cook. Amy faked it all for her holiday party with the girls.

Amy Leon: "You just fake it, but shhh! It's a secret, don't let anyone know, everyone's going to think I'm a good chef."

Your secret is safe with us.

Belkys Nerey: "Big Chef's products are next day delivery, so you can order today for your party tomorrow. For about 100 pieces, it's less than $100. Their holiday package with the apron is $225.

About BigChef: BigChef is a health-conscious Food Company established in 1999 known for our high-quality manufacturer of food items for the hospitality industry, as well as consumers are guaranteed to delight your guests. BigChef is a lean and green company offering freshly prepared frozen foods using local and organic ingredients, whenever possible. A South Florida company, BigChef specializes in gourmet canapés, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that are delivered to your door.  

Big Chef is located at 5830 Funston Street, Hollywood, 33023. For more information, visit www.BigChefOnline.com, call (954) 965-2480 or email Rosana Santos at rs@bigchefonline.com 

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2007 Nov, 11th - 944 Miami

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2007 Nov, 11th - Biz Bash

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2007 Nov, 11th - Florida International Magazine

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2007 Mar, 1st - American Airline Nexos

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2007 Jan, 9th - The Miami Herald-08-07-2007

Originally published on Aug. 7, 2006 in the Miami Herald

Program puts women on million-dollar path

By JIM WY

Of the 6.5 million women-owned businesses in the United States, fewer than 2 percent have revenue of more than $1 million per year, according to U.S. Census data.

The Make Mine a Million Business Program is for the other 98 percent.

Launched two years ago by American Express's small business arm, OPEN, and Count Me In, a nonprofit organization that works with entrepreneurs, the program's aim is to push one million female business owners past the million-dollar revenue mark by 2010.

To do that, the organization is trying to turn its website (www.makemineamillion.org) into a hub where women can seek business resources and share their experiences.

The site is also the launching pad for a national contest to give established companies a push toward the goal.

The site is getting about 80,000 to 100,000 visits per month and more than 5,000 women have taken an online pledge to build their business past the million-dollar mark, organizers said.

"I think of this as an economic development effort that is really helping small businesses think about the big picture," said Lexi Reese, the director of advocacy marketing at OPEN from American Express. "It's a place where you can focus on your plan for growth and not just your plan for getting through tomorrow."

The site offers tips on access to capital, marketing and management, as well as links to online sources of credit, including loans from Count Me In.

As a small business owner herself, Count Me In CEO Nell Merlino said she found that many women in her shoes not only face real-world obstacles to developing their business, but also confront psychological ones as well.

She said many female entrepreneurs take pride in doing things under their own steam and are reluctant to borrow the money or find the partnerships that might help them take their businesses to the next level.

By providing those resources and building a network where experienced entrepreneurs can help those just starting out, the organization hopes to help women overcome some of those obstacles.

"This is about breaking through barriers in the system and in their heads," she said.

For the second year running, the organization is also holding a competition for established businesses.

The Make Mine a Million contest is designed for female entrepreneurs who have been in business for at least two years, have $250,000 in revenue and a strategy for reaching the $1 million mark. The entrepreneurs with the most promising plans will be invited to New York to pitch their ideas. Of those, 40 will win coaching, marketing assistance, a line of credit from OPEN, a loan from Count Me In, technology support from Cisco Systems and the opportunity to sell their products on the the televised shopping channel QVC.

The deadline for the contest is Sept. 29.

Rosana Santos was a winner from last year's competition. The managing partner of Big Chef, a Hollywood company that makes hors d'oeuvres and canapés, she said one of the most important facets of the program is that it has given her a host of successful women to talk to.

Since winning the award, she's had the opportunity to pick people's brains about the difference between good and bad debt, and gotten tips on handling employees, she said.

But most of all she's met other women who have created massive companies. And that gives her hope that she can turn Big Chef, which she says has less than $500,000 in revenue, into a million-dollar enterprise.

"It's like an affirmation that your goal for your business is a reality," she said, "and not just a dream."

© 2006 MiamiHerald.com

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2006 Nov, 13th - The Sun Post

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2006 Jun, 7th - Hispanic PA Wire-English

National 2006 Make Mine a $Million Business(TM) Program Awards
Twenty Women Entrepreneurs at San Francisco Event

Awardees to Receive Mentoring, Money, Marketing and Technology Assistance toward Building Million-Dollar Enterprises

New York, NY--(HISPANIC PR WIRE - BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2006--Twenty successful women entrepreneurs earned a vigorous boost for their businesses Friday after receiving Make Mine a $Million Business Awards in San Francisco. The awards - presented by Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence and OPEN from American Express(SM) at the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Women's Business Conference - are part of the only national initiative dedicated to assisting the 97 percent of women entrepreneurs with businesses generating less than $1 million in annual revenues.

The Make Mine a $Million Business program aims to foster a community of one million women-owned businesses at $1 million or more in annual revenue by 2010. The effort could help add up to four million jobs and $700 billion to the US economy.*

Program awardees are eligible to receive a line of credit from OPEN from American Express and a business loan from Count Me In; a year of intensive business coaching and mentorship from a "dream team" of successful women entrepreneurs and professional coaches; and powerful marketing and technical support to promote and grow their business into million-dollar enterprises within two years.

"The Make Mine a $Million Business program meets a critical need for the 'missing middle' of the population of women entrepreneurs who are neither starting up their business nor running multi-million dollar firms," said Susan Sobbott, president, OPEN from American Express. "Many of them have plateaued short of the million-dollar mark, and OPEN is helping women entrepreneurs access new resources to drive even greater success." The twenty Make Mine a $Million Business awardees, chosen from more than 500 applicants for the San Francisco event, are:

• Amelia Moran Ceja of Napa, CA is President of Ceja Vineyards, an ultra premium wine producer in the Napa and Sonoma valleys.
• Mary Ardapple Dierker of Peoria, IL is President of Apple's Bakery, a Bakery of made-from-scratch foods using only fresh and homemade ingredients.
• Allison Evanow of Novato, CA is CEO of Square One Organic Spirits, LLC, a developer and marketer of organic spirits.
• Julie Fogg of Long Beach, CA is CEO of Active Port, an authorized reseller of Nortel converged technology solutions.
• Julia Frink of San Francisco, CA is President of Dogwalks.com, a daily dog walking and pet care service in San Francisco.
• Molly Fuller of San Francisco, CA is President of Hands On Gourmet, LLC, a provider of hands-on cooking events for team building and celebrations.
• Theresa Hinton of Louisville, KY is CEO of Comprehensive Consulting, a consulting service providing medical utilization review, medical bill audit, and medical case management.
• Patricia Kelly of Burbank, CA is CEO of Limerick, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of electric breast pumps for multiple users.
• Susan Knapp of Napa, CA is President of A Perfect Pear, a creator and manufacturer of gourmet specialty foods.
• Gina Lyons of Santa Cruz, CA is President of Lyons Marble and Granite Inc., a provider of custom fabrication and installation services for a variety of natural and manmade materials.
• Kimberly Martinez of Engelwood, FL is CEO of Bonitas International, LLC, a wholesaler of fun and creative ID badge displays.
• Diana Mercer of Playa del Rey, CA is CEO of Peace Talks Mediation Services, Inc., which provides a service teaming attorneys and therapists as co-mediators to help families resolve conflict.
• Robin Moorad of Berkeley, CA is CEO of Imago Associates, which buys and resells used and refurbished commercial furnishings.
• Garnett Newcombe of Carson, CA is President of Human Potential Consultants, LLC, which offers project management support, staffing services, and management development services for government and private industry.
• Vanessa O'Neill of Irvine, CA is President of Cedar Spring, Inc., a provider of state-of-the-art health, hygiene, infection control, and diabetes diagnostics solutions.
• Kerrie Paige of Bellingham, WA is CEO of NovaSim, LLC, a provider of software support models targeted to telecommunications and health care systems.
• Linda Russell of San Rafael, CA is President of Mugshots Photography, a portrait photography studio specializing in school photography with a community focus.
• Rosana Santos of Coral Springs, FL is CEO of Big Chef, a manufacturer of handcrafted, frozen hors d'oeuvres and canapes.
• Jinsoo Terry of Berkeley, CA is CEO of Advanced Global Connections, which provides programs on cross-cultural communications, leadership skills, US marketing techniques and methods to Asian Fortune 500 companies.
• Kris Wittenberg of Eagle, CO is President of SayNoMore!Promotions, a promotional agency primarily focusing on using logos as a brand strengthener.

"This new class of Make Mine a $Million Business awardees are an inspiration to any woman who has dared to create a thriving business but never imagined she would write her own seven-figure success story," said Nell Merlino, founder and CEO, Count Me In. "Along with nearly two dozen women from the 2005 Make Mine a $Million Business program, these twenty awardees represent the promise and potential of women entrepreneurs across America."

The twenty awardees, competing against nearly 40 finalists, earned their awards after delivering business pitches to an audience of more than 650 women entrepreneurs, judges and guests at Friday's Make Mine a $Million Business program event at the NAWBO Women in Business Conference. Dany Levy, founder & editor-in-chief of Daily Candy delivered a keynote address at the Make Mine a $Million Business program awards event.

The annual NAWBO Women's Business conference attracts nearly 700 women entrepreneurs from across the country and around the world. Notable speakers discuss issues impacting women business owners such as entrepreneurship, financing, marketing, technology, and inventiveness. In addition, this conference gives women entrepreneurs the opportunity to network and discuss the success and challenges of owning a business.

Cisco Systems Joins QVC to Enhance Program Offering

Each award recipient will also be eligible to receive a line of credit from OPEN from American Express and a loan of up to $45,000 from Count-Me-In to help finance the growth of her business. Additionally, San Jose, California-based Cisco Systems(R) has joined as a Make Mine a $Million Business program supporter. Cisco will donate network technology and program packages to five awardees to help grow their businesses and sustain a competitive advantage. The packages include a communications networking system as well as support and services via Cisco authorized partners.

QVC also supports the Make Mine a $Million Business program and is giving qualified awardees an opportunity to sell their products to a national television audience. Annette Grignard, owner of pet product maker Pet Dreams and a 2005 Make Mine a $Million awardee, recently sold her pet bed products on the network.

"These women truly represent the heart and soul of entrepreneurial success. They are an inspiration to all women who have the desire to succeed in their own business, but need the appropriate financial support and resources to reach their full potential, said Marilyn Montross, QVC's Director of Vendor Relations. "QVC is proud to be one of those resources."

"A key focus area for Cisco is helping women entrepreneurs achieve their top business priorities through the use of smart business communications and a personalized IT strategy," said Lauren Ventura, senior director for small and midsize business marketing at Cisco Systems. "Collaborating with Count Me In on the Make Mine a $Million Business program is part of our ongoing commitment to help women-owned businesses take incremental steps to optimize their business at their pace with high-value networking technology."

In 2005, Count Me In and OPEN introduced the Make Mine a $Million Business program to help women entrepreneurs grow and build sustainable enterprises, create jobs and develop innovative products and services. In last year's Make Mine a $Million Business pilot program, 23 women entrepreneurs from across the country received one-on-one mentoring, marketing assistance and money in the form of Count Me In loans to fund their growth. 2005 Awardee Denise Houseberg, owner of MarketExpo.com based in Frisco, Texas, has already turned her business into a million-dollar enterprise with assistance she received from the program.

Count Me In and OPEN will award 20 additional entrepreneurs in 2006 at a second event in New York City in late October. Applications for the New York event are due October 5.

About Count-Me-In

Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence is the leading national not-for-profit provider of on-line business loans and resources for women to grow their micro businesses into $million enterprises. Find us at http://www.countmein.org or call 212-245-1245.

About OPEN from American Express(SM)

OPEN(SM) is the American Express team dedicated exclusively to the success of small business owners and their companies. The OPEN Team supports business owners with unparalleled service. With tailored products and services, the team delivers purchasing power, flexibility, control and rewards to help customers run their business. Specifically, business owner customers can leverage an enhanced set of products, tools, services and savings, including charge and credit cards, convenient access to working capital, robust online account management capabilities and savings on business services from an expanded lineup of partners. To obtain more information about OPEN(SM), visit OPEN.com, or call 1-800-NOW-OPEN to apply for a card or loan. Terms and conditions apply.

American Express Company (http://www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

About QVC

QVC, Inc., a $6.5 billion company, is an e-commerce leader, marketing a wide variety of brand name products in such categories as home furnishings, licensed products, fashion, beauty, electronics and fine jewelry. QVC reaches over 89 million homes in the United States. Other divisions/subsidiaries include QVC.com, Q Records and Video, QVC @, QVC Local, QVC ProductWorks. The QVC Studio Tour is located at the company's world headquarters in West Chester, Pa. QVC is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

About NAWBO

Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. More than thirty years later, NAWBO is still the only organization that solely represents the interest of women entrepreneurs in all industries. The organization's mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; to create innovative and effective change in the business culture; to build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and to transform public policy and influence opinion makers. Visit http://www.nawbo.org for more information.

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2006 Jun, 7th - Hispanic PA Wire-Spanish

El programa nacional 2006 'Make Mine a $Million Business'(TM) premia
a veinte mujeres empresarias en un evento en San Francisco

Nueva York, NY--(HISPANIC PR WIRE - BUSINESS WIRE)--7 de junio de 2006--El viernes, veinte exitosas empresarias obtuvieron un fuerte incentivo para sus negocios al recibir los premios "Make Mine a $Million Business" en San Francisco. Estos premios - entregados por Count Me In para la Independencia Económica de la Mujer y OPEN from American Express(SM) en la Conferencia de Empresas de Mujeres de la Asociación Nacional de Mujeres Empresarias (NAWBO, por sus siglas en inglés) - son parte de la única iniciativa nacional dedicada a prestar ayuda al 97% de las empresarias con negocios que generan menos de $1 millón en ingresos anuales.

El programa "Make Mine a $Million Business" tiene el propósito de fomentar una comunidad de empresas de mujeres con un ingreso anual de $1 millón o más para el año 2010. El esfuerzo podría ayudar a sumar hasta cuatro millones de empleos y $700.000 millones a la economía estadounidense.*

Las ganadoras del programa recibirán una línea de crédito de OPEN from American Express y un préstamo comercial de Count Me In; un año de coaching y tutelaje empresarial intensivo a cargo de un grupo excepcional de empresarias exitosas y coaches profesionales; y un gran apoyo técnico y de marketing que les permita promover y desarrollar sus negocios y convertirlos en empresas de un millón de dólares en el término de dos años.

"El programa "Make Mine a $Million Business" responde a una necesidad crítica para los segmentos medios de la escala social o 'missing middle' de la población de mujeres empresarias que no están poniendo en marcha un negocio ni tampoco dirigen firmas multimillonarias", dijo Susan Sobbott, presidenta de OPEN from American Express. "Muchas de estas mujeres se han estancado cerca de la marca del millón de dólares y OPEN está ayudándolas para que tengan acceso a nuevos recursos que les permita obtener un éxito aún mayor".

Las veinte galardonadas de "Make Mine a $Million Business", seleccionadas entre más de 500 aspirantes para el evento de San Francisco, son:

• Amelia Morán Ceja de Napa, CA, Presidenta de los viñedos Ceja Vineyards, un productor de vinos de alta calidad en los valles de Napa y Sonoma.
• Mary Ardapple Dierker de Peoria, IL, Presidenta de Apple's Bakery, una panadería que elabora sus productos sólo con ingredientes frescos y caseros.
• Allison Evanow de Novato, CA, Directora General de Square One Organic Spirits, LLC, desarrollador y vendedor de bebidas alcohólicas orgánicas.
• Julie Fogg de Long Beach, CA, Directora General de Active Port, revendedor autorizado de soluciones de tecnología convergente de Nortel.
• Julia Frink de San Francisco, CA, Presidenta de Dogwalks.com, un servicio diario para pasear perros y cuidado de mascotas en San Francisco.
• Molly Fuller de San Francisco, CA, Presidenta de Hands On Gourmet, LLC, proveedor de clases prácticas de cocina para celebraciones y para fomentar el espíritu de equipo.
• Theresa Hinton de Louisville, KY, Directora General de Comprehensive Consulting, un servicio de consultoría que se dedica a la revisión de la utilización de servicios médicos, auditoría de facturas por servicios médicos y gestión de casos médicos.
• Patricia Kelly de Burbank, CA, Directora General de Limerick, Inc., diseñador y fabricante de extractores eléctricos de leche materna para varias usuarias.
• Susan Knapp de Napa, CA, Presidenta de A Perfect Pear, creador y fabricante de productos alimenticios de alta gastronomía.
• Gina Lyons de Santa Cruz, CA, Presidenta de Lyons Marble and Granite Inc., proveedor de servicios personalizados de fabricación e instalación de diversos materiales naturales y artificiales.
• Kimberly Martínez de Engelwood, FL, Directora General de Bonitas International, LLC, mayorista de exhibidores de tarjetas de identificación alegres y creativos.
• Diana Mercer de Playa del Rey, CA, Directora General de Peace Talks Mediation Services, Inc., que presta un servicio que asocia a abogados y terapeutas como co-mediadores para ayudar a familias en la resolución de sus conflictos.
• Robin Moorad de Berkeley, CA, Directora General de Imago Associates, que compra y revende muebles comerciales usados y restaurados.
• Garnett Newcombe de Carson, CA, Presidenta de Human Potencial Consultants, LLC, que ofrece apoyo para la gestión de proyectos, servicios de dotación de personal y servicios de formación de directivos para el gobierno y el sector privado.
• Vanessa O'Neill de Irvine, CA, Presidenta de Cedar Spring, Inc., proveedor de soluciones avanzadas de salud, higiene, control de infecciones y diagnóstico de diabetes.
• Kerrie Paige de Bellingham, WA, Directora General de NovaSim, LLC, proveedor de modelos de apoyo de software dirigidos a los sistemas de telecomunicaciones y atención de la salud.
• Linda Russell de San Rafael, CA, Presidenta de Mugshots Photography, un estudio fotográfico de retratos que se especializa en fotografía para escuelas con un enfoque comunitario.
• Rosana Santos de Coral Springs, FL, Directora General de Big Chef, fabricante de entremeses y canapés caseros congelados.
• Jinsoo Terry de Berkeley, CA, Directora General de Advanced Global Connections, que ofrece programas sobre comunicaciones interculturales, aptitudes de liderazgo, técnicas y métodos de marketing en los EE.UU. a las compañías asiáticas de Fortune 500.
• Kris Wittenberg de Eagle, CO, Presidenta de SayNoMore!Promotions, agencia de publicidad que se concentra principalmente en el uso de logotipos como reforzador de la marca.

"Esta nueva promoción de ganadoras de Make Mine a $Million Business constituyen una inspiración para cualquier mujer que se haya atrevido a crear un negocio floreciente, pero que nunca se imaginó que escribiría su propia historia de éxito con siete dígitos", dijo Nell Merlino, fundadora y directora general de Count Me In. "Junto con casi dos docenas de mujeres del programa 2005 Make Mine a $Million Business, estas ganadoras representan la promesa y el potencial de las mujeres empresarias de toda América".

Las veinte empresarias galardonadas, que competieron contra casi 40 finalistas, se hicieron acreedoras a sus premios luego de realizar una presentación ante una audiencia de más de 650 empresarias, jueces e invitados en el programa del viernes Make Mine a $Million Business en la Conferencia sobre Mujeres en los Negocios de NAWBO. Dany Levy, fundadora y jefa de redacción de Daily Candy, pronunció el discurso de apertura en la entrega de premios de programa Make Mine a $Million Business.

La conferencia anual de NAWBO para empresas de mujeres atrae a casi 700 mujeres empresarias de todo el país y del mundo. Destacados oradores hablan sobre temas que afectan a las mujeres propietarias de negocios, tales como iniciativas empresariales, financiamiento, marketing, tecnología e inventiva. Por otra parte, esta conferencia brinda a las empresarias la oportunidad de establecer contactos y discutir sobre el éxito y los desafíos de ser propietaria de una empresa.

Cisco Systems se suma a QVC para mejorar la oferta del programa

Cada ganadora tendrá derecho asimismo a recibir una línea de crédito por parte de OPEN from American Express y un préstamo de hasta $45.000 de Count-Me-In para financiar el desarrollo de su empresa. Por otra parte, Cisco Systems(R), con sede en San Jose, California, se ha sumando como patrocinador del programa Make Mine a $Million Business. Cisco donará paquetes de programas y tecnología de redes a cinco ganadoras con el fin de ayudarlas a desarrollar sus empresas y mantener su ventaja competitiva. Los paquetes incluyen un sistema de redes de comunicaciones, así como apoyo y servicios a través de los socios autorizados de Cisco.

QVC también apoya el programa Make Mine a $Million Business y brinda a las ganadoras elegibles la oportunidad de vender sus productos a la audiencia de la televisión nacional. Annette Grignard, propietaria de Pet Dreams, fabricante de productos para mascotas, y ganadora de Make Mine a $Million 2005, vendió recientemente sus camas para mascotas por la cadena televisiva.

"Estas mujeres representan realmente el corazón y el espíritu del éxito empresarial. Constituyen una inspiración para todas las mujeres que tienen el deseo de prosperar en sus propios negocios, pero necesitan apoyo y recursos financieros apropiados para lograr su máximo potencial, dijo Marilyn Montross, Directora de Relaciones con Vendedores de QVC. "QVC está orgulloso de ser uno de dichos recursos".

"Un área de interés clave para Cisco es ayudar para que las empresarias logren sus principales prioridades en el campo de los negocios a través de las comunicaciones inteligentes para la empresa y una estrategia de tecnología de la información personalizada", dijo Lauren Ventura, directora superior de marketing para pequeñas y medianas empresas de Cisco Systems. "La colaboración con Count Me In en el programa Make Mine a $Million Business es parte de nuestro compromiso actual de ayudar a que las propietarias de negocios optimicen gradualmente sus empresas a su propio ritmo, con tecnología de redes de alto valor".

En 2005, Count Me In y OPEN lanzaron el programa Make Mine a $Million Business cuyo objetivo es ayudar para que las mujeres empresarias puedan formar y construir empresas sostenibles, crear empleos y desarrollar productos y servicios innovadores. En el programa piloto Make Mine a $Million Business del año pasado, 23 empresarias de todo el país recibieron tutelaje personal, asistencia en marketing y dinero en forma de préstamos de Count Me In para financiar su crecimiento. La empresaria galardonada en 2005, Denise Houseberg, propietaria de MarketExpo.com, con sede en Frisco, Texas, ya ha convertido su negocio en una empresa de un millón de dólares con la asistencia del programa.

Count Me In y OPEN premiarán a 20 empresarias adicionales en 2006 en un segundo evento a celebrarse en la ciudad de Nueva York a fines de octubre. Las solicitudes para el evento de Nueva York deben presentarse antes del 5 de octubre.

Acerca de Count-Me-In

Count Me In para la Independencia Económica de la Mujer es el principal proveedor nacional, sin fines de lucro, de préstamos comerciales y recursos en línea para que las mujeres conviertan sus microempresas en empresas de un millón de dólares. Visítenos en www.countmein.org o llame al 212-245-1245.

Acerca de OPEN from American Express(SM)

OPEN(SM) es la división de American Express que se dedica exclusivamente al éxito de los propietarios de pequeñas empresas y sus compañías. El equipo de OPEN apoya a los propietarios de empresas con un servicio incomparable. Con productos y servicios personalizados, el equipo brinda poder adquisitivo, flexibilidad, control y recompensas para ayudar a los clientes en la conducción de sus empresas. En particular, los empresarios clientes pueden aprovechar un conjunto mejorado de productos, herramientas, servicios y ahorros, incluyendo tarjetas de pago y de crédito, cómodo acceso a capital de explotación, excelentes capacidades de gestión de cuentas en línea y ahorros en servicios empresariales de una amplia gama de socios. Para obtener más información sobre OPEN(SM), visite OPEN.com, o llame al 1-800-NOW-OPEN para solicitar una tarjeta o un préstamo. Se aplican términos y condiciones.

American Express Company (http://www.americanexpress.com) es una compañía mundial líder en pagos, redes y viajes, fundada en 1850.

Acerca de QVC

QVC, Inc., una compañía de $6.500 millones de dólares, es líder en comercio electrónico y comercializa una amplia variedad de productos de marca en categorías como muebles para el hogar, productos con licencia, moda, belleza, artículos electrónicos y joyas finas. QVC llega a más de 89 millones de hogares en los Estados Unidos. Otras divisiones y subsidiarias son QVC.com, Q Records and Video, QVC @, QVC Local, QVC ProductWorks. El QVC Studio Tour está ubicado en West Chester, Pensilvania, sede mundial de la compañía. QVC es una subsidiaria de Liberty Media Corporation.

Acerca de Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) es líder mundial en redes para Internet. Las noticias e información sobre Cisco se encuentran disponibles en http://www.cisco.com. Para ver las últimas noticias, visite http://newsroom.cisco.com.

Acerca de NAWBO

Fundada en 1975, NAWBO impulsa el acceso de las mujeres empresarias a esferas de decisión económica, social y política en el plano mundial. Treinta años más tarde, NAWBO sigue siendo la única organización que representa exclusivamente el interés de las empresarias de todos los sectores. La misión de la organización es fortalecer la capacidad de sus miembros de crear riquezas y promover el desarrollo económico, producir un cambio innovador y eficaz en la cultura empresarial, crear alianzas, coaliciones y afiliaciones estratégicas, transformar la política pública e influir en los creadores de opinión. Visite www.nawbo.org para obtener más información.

* Fuente de información: Oficina del Censo de los EE.UU. Censo económico, Survey of Business Owners - Women-Owned Firms: 2002. Publicado en enero de 2006. (SB02-00CS-WMN). Preparado por Julie Weeks, Presidenta y Directora General de Womenable, http://www.womenable.com.

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2006 Jun, 7th - Le Journal des Femmes

Originally published in Le Journal des Femmes

Elle régale les clients des compagnies aériennes

Rosana Santos

En 2003, Rosana Santos démissionne et rachète avec son mari restaurateur "Big chef", une entreprise de distribution de hors-d'oeuvres et autres canapés surgelés préparés à la main. Ses clients : les hôtels, compagnies aériennes, salles de réception... En 3 ans, la société est passée de 5 à 20 salariés.
Ses objectifs : Rosana Santos mise sur le programme pour développer et étendre son activité à l'exportation, et acquérir une réputation de marque de qualité.

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2006 Mar, 28th - Gazeta 03-28-2006

Originalmente publicado em Terça , 28 de Março 2006 in Gazeta Brazilian News

Por que os casais brigam? Dinheiro ou sexo?

HOMENS, MULHERES... E DINHEIRO

Quando se trata de dinheiro, homens e mulheres têm muito o que aprender. Essa foi a conclusão a que chegou uma pesquisa nacional realizada pela revista Money, entre mil pessoas – 500 maridos e 500 esposas.

Os resultados do estudo mostram que homens e mulheres podem não ser de planetas diferentes, mas muitos ainda funcionam em órbitas financeiras opostas. A vasta maioria dos casais ainda divide as atividades relacionadas às finanças da família de forma tradicional, com as mulheres cuidando do orçamento e das decisões diárias e os homens planejando e investindo em projetos de longo prazo.
Praticamente todos os pesquisados admitiram que o dinheiro é a causa de tensão em seus casamentos. Sete entre 10 confirmaram que o dinheiro é motivo de discussão entre o casal. Na verdade, o dinheiro causa mais discussões do que o sexo.

Dinheiro pode ser um tema complicado.
Casais discutem mais sobre dinheiro do que sobre sexo, superando em alguns casos temas como problemas envolvendo filhos ou as divergências sobre quem vai jogar o lixo fora. Na média entre homens e mulheres, nada menos que 84% das pessoas que participaram da pesquisa realizada pela revista Money responderam que o dinheiro é a maior causa das tensões no casamento, e 13% delas disseram que brigam por causa de dinheiro várias vezes no mês. O motivo que mais gera briga entre casais, de acordo com a pesquisa são os desentendimentos sobre o que é prioridade financeira.

Mas não tanto assim...
Homens e mulheres dividem tarefas relacionadas ao orçamento de maneira muito tradicional. Os homens ainda tendem a encarar as coisas de maneira genérica, com planejamento de longo prazo, enquanto as mulheres têm mais habilidade para administrar as finanças do dia-a-dia. A divisão de sexos parece confirmar um dos mais enraizados estereótipos sobre homens e mulheres: homens caçam comida e mulheres cuidam da caverna.
Você acha que sabe o que a sua mulher quer em matéria financeira? Então é melhor ler isso...

Os homens simplesmente não entendem.
Uma das maiores revelações da pesquisa é que homens e mulheres têm idéias radicalmente opostas sobre com o que os seus parceiros se preocupam. Maridos tendem a subestimar o quanto a mulher se importa com praticamente qualquer tema financeiro, desde poupança para a aposentadoria até liquidação do débito do cartão de crédito.
Apenas 45% dos homens entrevistados dizem que ter dinheiro guardado para uma emergência é muito importante para a esposa, enquanto 67% das mulheres consideram isso fundamental.
Resumindo, uma centena de anos após Freud, os homens ainda não sabem o que as mulheres querem.

Mulheres dão muito crédito aos homens.
As mulheres estão muito mais perto de entender o que realmente importa para os homens. Elas tendem a dar crédito demais aos homens, acreditando que seus maridos se importam mais com a liquidação das dívidas, ou em economizar para fazer uma compra importante, do que os homens realmente se importam.

Quando as mulheres exageram, e quando não.
Mulheres profissionais agora contribuem com mais de um terço do típico orçamento familiar. Em um terço dos casais pesquisados elas são responsáveis também por sustentar pai, mãe e/ou irmão(s).
A pesquisa revelou que quase quatro entre cada 10 mulheres onde ela tem a principal fonte de renda, é ela também a responsável pelos investimentos do casal. Quando a mulher tem renda menor que a do marido, em apenas metade dos casos a mulher toma conta dos investimentos.
Inúmeros estudos respaldam a noção de que as mulheres não sentem-se confiantes acerca de suas habilidades financeiras como sentem-se os homens. De acordo com pesquisa recente publi-cada pela Merrill Lynch, 47% das mulheres e 30% dos homens sentem-se confortáveis assumin-
do riscos financeiros. Apenas 31% das esposas ouvidas na pesquisa feita pela revista Money consideram-se a grande tomadora de riscos financeiros, em comparação a 66% dos homens.
Não é que as mulheres sejam avessas a riscos. O fato, é que elas encaram uma série de sérios desafios financeiros que os homens não encaram.
Um deles é bastante óbvio: As mulheres ainda tendem a ser menos remuneradas profissionalmente do que os homens (cerca de $0,77 para cada $1 ganho pelos homens).
A economista da Universidade de Washington, Shelly Lundberg lembra ainda que as mulheres têm que lidar com a possibilidade de ter que criar os filhos sem a ajuda do marido, em caso de morte ou divórcio.
Mas as mulheres não só cedem o controle do poder financeiro para seus maridos, às vezes eles simplesmente tomam para si esse poder, porque ser o provedor faz parte da identidade masculina.
Administrar o dinheiro para prover o futuro da família parece uma extensão natural do papel do homem. Mas o desejo masculino de demonstrar competência com o dinheiro pode ir mais além. O psicólogo da Universidade do Texas David Buss concluiu que as mulheres das mais diversas culturas ao redor do mundo valorizam muito mais "boas possibilidades financeiras" no parceiro do que os homens valorizam nas mulheres.Não deixe o dinheiro ficar no mcaminho do seu casamento.

Dicas para ele... para ela... e para os dois!

Para ele:
- Parta do princípio que ela se preocupa. Sua esposa compartilha de seus objetivos financeiros e está tão comprometida com eles quanto você, mesmo quando ela parece não estar tão interessada.
- Seja direto. Quando falar sobre dinheiro não tente usar o "economês", nem mostrar que sabe muito. Os jargões de economia, para muitas mulheres, são uma chatice. Focalize-se nos objetivos que vocês têm em comum, e só então discuta sobre os investimentos que podem ajudá-los a chegar lá, sugere a financista Mary Claire Allvine.
- Abra o jogo. A sua mulher pode não saber quanto rendeu o seu fundo de aposentadoria, mas você por acaso sabe quanto custam por semana as compras de supermercado, ou as roupas das crianças? Você não pode fazer uma economia realista e tomar decisões investimentos a menos que vocês dois saibam quanto dinheiro está entrando, quanto está saindo e quanto sobra, ou não.

Para ela:
- Posicione-se. Não parta do princípio que o seu marido é mais esperto ou inteligente do que você em matéria de finanças ou investimentos. Seja auto-confiante sobre suas habilidades de investimentos e não utilize o seu desconhecimento como uma desculpa para livrar-se da responsabilidade e da dor de cabeça de tomar conta das finanças junto com ele.
- Participe. Pelo menos saiba onde estão os papéis importantes para as finanças do casal, como apólices de seguro, financiamento do imóvel, etc., e a quantas o casal anda em termos de dinheiro, como por exemplo, qual é o saldo da conta de investimentos, e como o dinheiro está investido.
- Vá de vagar. Se o seu parceiro tem sido responsável pelas finanças da casa por muitos anos, vá tomando pé da situação aos poucos, diz a financista e advogada Violet Woodhouse. Por exemplo, da próxima vez que tiver que renovar o seguro do carro, faça uma pesquisa de preços no mercado e veja se alguma outra empresa está oferecendo preços melhores.

Para os dois:
- Focalize-se nos objetivos. Se você iniciar uma conversa com uma negativa, seu parceiro ou parceira apenas dará atenção às criticas, e a conversa muito possivelmente terminará em discussão.
- Detenha-se aos fatos. Dinheiro é um tema incrivelmente sensível. Evite discussões assegurando-se de que ambos sabem exatamente a quantas estão a conta bancária, a renda do casal e o patrimônio.
- Não tente ser o dono da verdade. Não coloque toda a sua energia em tentar convencer o seu parceiro de que você está certo sobre alguma coisa. "Tentar provar que o marido ou esposa está errado é a pior maneira. Ao invés disso, busque criar um plano que funcione para os dois", diz o psicólogo Jonathan Rich, autor do livre O Guia dos Casais para o Amor e Dinheiro".
Apesar de todas as diferenças, há algumas boas notícias: o problema parece estar mais relacionado a diferenças de percepções do que de objetivos entre homens e mulheres.
No final das contas, a pesquisa demonstra que o que homens e mulheres desejam é mais ou menos a mesma coisa. Eles simplesmente não se dão conta disso. Seja lá o que os filmes de Hollywood digam, a maioria dos grandes romances não é um caso de atração entre opostos. Na vida real, as pessoas casam-se com quem mantém objetivos em comum: família, casa, e um futuro tranqüilo em boa companhia.


Mano Calambichis e Rosana Santos "Acredito que sim, o dinheiro é motivo de desacordo. Não só o dinheiro, mas a também a falta de dinheiro é coisa que afeta, principalmente, em situações em que a mulher esteja se desenvolvendo financeira e profissionalmente mais do que o marido. Sexo também, pela falta dele, ou pela baixa freqüência, ocasionada algumas vezes pelo stress diário. A mulher tem muito mais tendência de ser multi-task do que o marido"- Rosana Santos– Empresária

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