The Publicity Show Interviews Janet W Christy, Author of Capitalizing on Being Woman Owned

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Elizabeth Gordon and Lee Kantor host each show. Elizabeth is the author of the upcoming book The Chic Entrepreneur: Put Your Business In Higher Heels and owner of Flourishing Business, an advisory firm for entrepreneurs. Lee Kantor is also the host of the popular Dr Fitness and the Fat Guy show and several other Atlanta-based radio shows.

This afternoon we spoke with Janet Christy who has spent the majority of her professional career in marketing, sales and public relations positions.  She has also worked on several economic development and technology initiatives in the Southeast.  

In 2003 Janet formed Leverage & Development, LLC, a consulting firm focused on helping Small and Woman/Minority Owned businesses and government/education entities.  The firm has several service offerings that assist businesses and governments in evaluating their assets and then developing plans to improve them and/or use them to accomplish specific goals.

Janet currently works with Women and Minority owned businesses to develop plans that will help them maximize their certification as a Woman or Minority Owned Business.  She prepares a customized manual for her clients that includes: Market Assessment, Key Prospects, Prospecting Strategy, and a Step-by-Step Marketing Plan. 

Janet also conducts seminars on marketing and certification for Small and Woman/Minority Owned Businesses. She conducts the seminars for Chamber of Commerce memberships, private businesses, education institutions and municipal/county governments.  These workshops provide attendees with practical instruction, resources and experience-based advice. 

In 2006 Career Press (Franklin NJ) published Janet's book Capitalizing On Being Woman Owned.  Janet has also written articles for several magazines and blogs including "Home Business Magazine.”  She has made more than 30 radio appearances to discuss the advantages and opportunities for woman owned businesses.  Janet was selected as part of the “Brain Trust” for the Small Business Advocate and has been appointed to the Board of Business Credit Success.  Janet was named as “Communicator of the Year” by the Greenville SC Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications. She continues to speak and conduct workshops related to Women and Minority Owned Businesses.  

“One of my main goals is to help women understand that they have choices in life.  Helping them be successful in their business choices is one of the ways I can do this,” says Janet.  That is why she often speaks to women"s groups and mentors other women.

Since early 2000, Janet has aided several East Coast municipalities and counties in determining strategies and developing plans for improving the entrepreneurial culture and services as part of their Economic Development efforts.  She has helped them obtain grants, develop small business incubators and establish entrepreneurial development programs.

Janet has worked on both sides of the procurement process.  Her experience includes both preparing RFPs (Request for Proposal) and RFIs (Request for Information) and responding to them.   She currently works as a consultant for Small and Woman/Minority Owned Businesses to aid them in marketing to government and education entities.  She also assists government and education entities in the development of RFPs and the evaluation of responses.   Janet’s firm, Leverage & Development, LLC offers a workshop to help businesses understand the culture behind government purchasing, the workshop is titled “I Want A Government Contract - I Think.” For more information about Janet, her bok or her firm please go to her website www.leverageanddevelopment.com

Also, if you know of a Public Relations professional anywhere in the world that we should know about, please email Elizabeth Gordon at EGordon @ FlourishingBusiness.com. We will try to get them on the show.