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Melody Biringer has a flair for
getting things started. At the sweet age of 18, she embarked upon her first
entrepreneurial adventure by masterfully merchandising her family's berries
into more than 50 gourmet food products and making Biringer Farm a household name.
As Melody has grown in years, so have her businesses grown in numbers.
She has founded several companies-from a furniture store to
a fitness studio—and earned a coveted spot on Puget Sound
Business Journal's "40 Under 40" list.
Determined not to let hard work mean no play, Melody invested
her startup smarts in CRAVEparty™, a business devoted
to fun and pampering for hard-working women. Now in 15
cities internationally, CRAVEparty™ features premium
spas and retailers and brings women together to chat,
nosh, sip, laugh, indulge and relax.
Melody dreams big and she knows that other women too.
Remaining true to her entrepreneurial spirit, Melody has
created forums to help women turn their aspirations to
reality. She brought Ladies Who Launch (the national organization
that fosters entrepreneurship and creativity as lifestyle)
to three cites. Just now hitting her stride, Melody recently
co-founded startup junkie, an entrepreneurial education
and services company providing women with the tools and
know-how needed to help their businesses soar.
In addition to a keen business sense, Melody possesses a passion for travel
and a talent for discovering beautiful boutiques, serene
spas and elegant eateries in her favorite cities.
As the visionary and publisher of CRAVEguides, Melody
melds her love of travel and her discerning eye with her
industrious spirit and her interest in women owned businesses.
With all her endeavors—fun or financial—Melody aims first
and foremost to elevate and celebrate the wonderful works
of women.
Twitter: @craveseattle
Facebook: facebook.com/craveseattle
Email: melody [at] craveparty.com
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Meet the CRAVE girls:
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CRAVE Chicago
At a young age, Michele was already hard at work developing playful businesses in the basement
of her parents' home. However, it wasn't until spending seven successful years in commercial
real estate that her inquisitive nature uncovered the hidden passion she held in her heart for
the world of entrepreneurialism. As a self-proclaimed social media connoisseur and master networker,
Michele is motivated to create and maintain a CRAVE Chicago that women in the metro area can be proud
to connect with. She is also working on launching a web-based business dedicated to providing social
media solutions on a national platform. Often Michele gets very excited about a particular idea or
project and her dynamic personality allows creativity to flow while enhancing every discussion.
Michele mixes style, grace and productivity into lives across Chicagoland, although she strongly
believes you should be your own style icon. She loves to discover restaurants or cafes around the
world, and can be found surfing travel websites on any given day.
Twitter: @cravechicago
Facebook: facebook.com/cravechicago
Email: michele [at] craveparty.com
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CRAVE Portland
Mai's entrepreneurial spirit, determination for success and attention to detail, accompanied by her innovative and
creative technique makes her a master when it comes to event planning, marketing, and public relations. She brings her passion
for connecting local Portland boutiques, designers and small business owners with industry experts and tastemakers,
while offering alternative ways to drive success and revenue for the CRAVEportland community.
Mai's extensive background in business and event marketing for high-tech corporate, non-profit, professional athlete,
and entertainment clients (including Adobe Systems, Microsoft, Symantec Corporation, Freddy Jones Foundation (NBA), Lorenzo
Alexander ACES Foundation (NFL), Rose Haven, Cascadia Region Green Building Council, Portland Trail Blazers, Mike Scifres
Foundation (NFL), John Legend, Carmelo Anthony (NBA), Diageo, The Roots, Nike, and Boost Mobile) will parlay as an integral role,
as she leads CRAVEportland into its next exciting phase.
An active University of Portland Alum, Mai currently resides in her hometown of Portland, Oregon with her Beagle/Rat Terrier dog, Bella.
She is a self-proclaimed fashion addict, internet junkie and aspiring knitter.
Twitter: @craveportland
Facebook: facebook.com/cravepdx
Email: mai [at] craveportland.com
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CRAVE Holland
After working more than 10 years as a product, marketing, and key account
manager in an international company, Annelies Osinga's desire to change her life
around grew more and more every day. After a five-year stay in Seattle,
Annelies became inspired by friends who owned businesses, and especially
by Melody Biringer and her CRAVEparty concept. She decided this was something
she could bring to the Netherlands, so in June 2007, Annelies quit her job
and started her own company, StyLiesh - Concepts for Women. One of the concepts
is CRAVEparty which has been successfully introduced in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam.
Web site: craveparty.nl
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CRAVE Washington DC
Wendy McAllister has more than 15 years of experience in strategic marketing, business development,
account management, online services, and broadcast production. As President and CEO of Evolution Consulting Group, Inc.,
a marketing consulting company based in the Washington DC Metropolitan area, Wendy leverages this experience extensively
to help her clients successfully evolve their businesses to the next level.
Prior to launching Evolution Consulting Group, Inc., Wendy was Director of Business Development for NationalGeographic.com,
and worked as an Account Manager at America Online (AOL). Wendy has also worked on several television productions and
large-scale events, including the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s MBDA MED Week 2004 Conference; 2004 BET 10th Annual Walk of
Fame honoring Smokey Robinson; 7th 8th , 9th and 11th Annual Mark Twain Prize, NewsHour with Jim Lehrer; 27th, 28th, 29th,
30th and 31st Annual Kennedy Center Honors; 2004 Presidential Election Night Event for John Kerry and John Edwards; 2004,
2005, 2006 and 2008 Christmas in Washington Concert; 2005 Presidential Inauguration Concert for the American Troops; An
American Celebration at Ford’s Theatre 2005, 2006 and 2007; 2006 In Performance at the White House: Dance Theater of
Harlem in conjunction with WETA- PBS and the 2009 Capitol Fourth Concert.
Wendy has a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Production from Howard University and a Master’s degree in International
Management and Marketing from the University of Maryland. She enjoys trying out new restaurants and spas and has a
passion for hosting chic and fun events.
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