The Charleston Area Alliance will plant the seeds of success for up to 20 budding area businesses through GROW, an initiative designed to foster entrepreneurship in the Kanawha Valley.

GROW is now accepting applications for its Summer/Fall 2013 session. The program offers educational training, individual coaching and peer feedback to Kanawha Valley entrepreneurs, who have been in business for less than three years, have less than five employees and who seek to expand their network and gain insight from experienced and successful area business people.

The six month program will offer entrepreneurial education, support and network building through:

• Educational courses led by  regional higher education professors and successful regional entrepreneurs
• One-on-one meetings with WV SBDC business coaches
• Entrepreneur peer group meetings facilitated by a business coach.

Entrepreneurs must meet eligibility requirements, submit a completed application and commit to six months of engaged participation. Deadline for applications is July 1, 2013.

Click HERE for the application.

To view an informational Prezi on GROW, please click HERE.

The program will kick off on July 17th and thereafter require a one time per week GROW commitment. Tuition for the program is $250, which includes a complimentary one-year membership to the Alliance ($365 value).

The Alliance membership includes access to a year’s worth of professional and business development programming, networking opportunities and Alliance conference room space and other amenities.

“The GROW program has truly transformed the way I manage my business,” said Julie Wertz, owner of The Dressmaker’s Closet, a custom sewing and alterations boutique.

Wertz was part of GROW’s inaugural class in 2012.

“Through the help of my business coach, I have learned how to utilize QuickBooks to its maximum potential, ” Wertz said. “I am using real numbers to make rational decisions with planning and budgeting and even developed an incentive program to motivate my employees with rewards based on their production.”

Upon successful completion of the program, entrepreneurs will receive $100 of this tuition back to strategically reinvest into their business. GROW is a program of Vision 2030, the Alliance’s 20-year economic development initiative.

For more information, contact Steven Romano at SRomano@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org

‘Women with Energy’
Elevations Professional Women’s Network Luncheon
Thursday, June 20
11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Charleston Marriott Town Center

Sponsorship registrations are now open for the third annual “Women with Energy” luncheon, the region’s premier forum on energy policy, economics and employment opportunities for women executives.

The event will be held Thursday, June 20, at the Charleston Marriott Town Center Ballroom.

Elevations is presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Title Sponsor DOW.

Sharon O. Flanery, a petroleum engineer and attorney who leads the Steptoe & Johnson Energy Team, will moderate the third annual “Women with Energy,” a roundtable discussion with women business executives, lawyers, engineers and other professionals from the natural gas, coal and renewable energy sectors.

The panel line-up (in formation) includes:

• Carrie Hightman, executive vice president and chief legal officer, NiSource
• Miranda Jones, vice president, ESR, Crestwood Midstream Partners, Dallas.

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with informal networking (optional), followed by a luncheon and program at noon. An invitation-only VIP reception for sponsors and dignitaries is scheduled for 11 a.m.

Click here to register

Individual registration will open on May 28. Registration is $45 for Alliance members/$55 future members through June 14. Prices increase to $55 Alliance members/$66 future members after that date.

This event is presented by Steptoe & Johnson. Co-sponsors to date are Appalachian Power and Columbia Pipeline Group.

Sponsorships, which include admission to a VIP pre-event, Meet & Greet with speakers and state leaders along with other benefits, start at $750. For more information, contact Leigh Anne Strickland HERE.

Click HERE for sponsorship details.

The mission of the 1,700-member Elevations Professional Women’s Network is to “enrich, empower and elevate women to achieve success.”  Through luncheons and other events featuring high-profile speakers, Elevations provides an affirmative network that connects professional women with the information, resources and contacts that helps them, their businesses and their communities succeed

The Alliance will be able to invoice only for groups of 10 or more. Contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org for more information.

The Alliance cannot issue cancelation refunds within 48 hours of the event. Thank you.

Downtown ArtWalk
Thursday, May 16
5-8 p.m.

Downtown ArtWalk, the showcase of downtown Charleston’s thriving art scene, returns for its May edition this Thursday.

ArtWalk, a Charleston Area Alliance program sponsored by Masters Law Firm, is a monthly event that draws hundreds of residents and visitors to downtown Charleston for a festive evening of culture and commerce. The purpose of ArtWalk is to help revitalize downtown and to promote economic development through the arts.

New ArtWalk venues this month include: the Hope Village Fair Trade Boutique at First Presbyterian Church, which is located at 16 Leon Sullivan Way, and Timothy’s at the Quarrier Diner located at 1022 Quarrier Street.

Check out what’s in store for this Thursday’s ArtWalk:

Art Emporium
823 Quarrier Street

The oil paintings of Belmont artist Karen Chamblin will be featured in the “Inspired By the Old Masters,” from May 14 – June 16 at the Art Emporium. Chamblin has been an associate member of Oil Painters of America for five years and has been juried as an artisan at Tamarack.

Gallery Eleven
1033 Quarrier Street

Gallery Eleven welcomes two new members for ArtWalk: Joyce Daniels and Arthur Evans. Scott Milam and his son Colin will be playing easy listening music at the gallery.

Romano & Associates
230 Capitol Street, Suite 200

Romano’s will feature West Virginia artist and soldier Todd Harrell. His photography captures the faces of people in a war torn Afghanistan. His passion for the people and his mission has lead him to capture more than 20,000 images, dozens of which will be on display during ArtWalk.

Tony the Tailor
107 Hale Street

Tony the Tailor is featuring artist Kelly Bryant for the May ArtWalk. Tony will also debut Crayon Lacing, which is a West Virginia based company founded by Marc Rigsby and Bennett Rainey. They offer a fresh take on men’s fashion by introducing an assortment of colored shoe laces for men’s dress shoes.

The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
900 Lee Street, Suite 1600

The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation will feature photography by Deborah Herndon. Also featured will be artists Shawn Brogan, Katie Cumberledge and Faye Johnson.

Charleston Ballet
100 Capitol Street

Art walkers are invited to join the Charleston Ballet from 5-8 p.m. for a drink and a snack for our “Dancing and Drinks” series. View the inside world of
ballet dancers at work in class and rehearsal settings for their upcoming performances. Along with watching the dancers, “Antique and Modern Porcelain Doll Creations of Becky Turley,” will be exhibited at the ballet studio location.

Good News Mountaineer Garage
222 Hale Street

“New Deal Photographs of West Virginia, 1934-1943,” which is a collection of photographs by Ben Shahn in 1935 and Marion Post Wolcott in 1938 in Logan and McDowell Counties, will be featured at ArtWalk. The exhibit includes a book-signing by Betty Rivard, the editor of the book.

Delfine’s Jewelry
245 Capitol Street

Delfine’s Jewelry will be featuring calligraphy by Jen Bischof.

Stray Dog Antiques
219 Hale Street

Stray Dog Antiques will feature an exhibition entitled “JARS,” that showcases collections of quotidian, weird and amusing objects composed in jars, by Gina Puzzuoli. In addition, artwork by Jake Fertig, Gary Needham, Robert Allender, Paint Coyote Studio, and many others will be on display.

Mission Savvy
202 Hale Street

This month, Mission Savvy will be collecting donations for the animals at Kanawha County Humane Association and will have café specials all evening.

Woomer, Nistendirk & Associates
231 Capitol Street

Woomer will feature photographers Bill and Carolyn Hilborn at this month’s Artwalk.

Annex Gallery
226 Capitol Street

Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served for the opening of a new exhibit featuring the intricately layered monoprints of Karla Hackenmiller, an associate professor of art at Ohio University, Athens.

Hope Village Fair Trade Boutique at First Presbyterian Church
16 Leon Sullivan Way

Hope Village, a boutique shop that brings lovely and unique art from across the globe to our city, will offer fabulous baskets from throughout the African continent as this month’s featured Artwalk item. These one-of-a-kind specimens of functional artwork are woven by local African craftspeople that are committed to providing a beautiful and quality product. Cash and checks will only be accepted.

Timothy’s/Quarrier Diner
1022 Quarrier Street

Timothy’s at the Quarrier Diner will display original scarves made by Anna Pollitt and Lisa Pollitt. They will be selling for $20 for a variety of prints and colors.

Uncork & Create
1031 Quarrier Street

Uncork & Create will be offering a painting event entitled ”Tulips.” It will be led by artist Janet Ripper Chambers, which will begin at 6 p.m. Seating is limited. To register for this event, please visit Uncork & Create’s events calendar at http://www.uncorkandcreate.com/ or call 304-552-3331. Also, the Uncork & Create gallery will feature artists Rebecca Recco and Chet Lowther.

Expect to Win: 
A Conversation with Carla Harris
Wednesday, May 29
11:30 a.m.- 1:15 p.m.
Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences

Carla Harris, managing director and senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley, and author of “Expect to Win,” will be the featured speaker of a special luncheon sponsored by Morgan Stanley and presented in partnership with the Charleston Area Alliance Elevations Professional Women’s Network and the Alliance’s “inclusion=innovation” program.

“Expect to Win:  A Conversation with Carla Harris,” will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 11:30 a.m-1: 15 p.m., at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences West Virginia.

Harris, one of the most powerful and respected women in business, will share advice, tips and strategies for surviving and thriving in any workplace environment.

Harris has been named to the “Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance” by U.S. Banker; “The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America,” by Fortune Magazine; “15 Corporate Women at the Top,” by Ebony; and “The 50 Women Who are Shaping the World,” by Essence magazine.

She received the Women of Power Award from the National Urban League and the Bill and Camille Cosby Award from the Associated Black Charities. Harris earned both her A.B. in economics (magna cum laude) and MBA from Harvard University. She holds numerous honorary degrees and serves on multiple nonprofit and foundation boards.

In her other life, Harris is a singer and has released her third gospel CD, “Unceasing Praise.”  Her second CD, “Joy is Waiting,” was featured on “BET Nightly News,” while her first CD was a bestseller on Amazon.com and was highlighted on the “CBS Evening News” with Dan Rather.

Registration for this special event is free for Alliance members courtesy of Morgan Stanley.  Reservations are very limited and must be made by May 22. There is a maximum of four registrations per company.

Click HERE to register.

The mission of  the 1800-member Elevations Professional Women’s Network, presented by the Alliance and title sponsor DOW, is to “enrich, empower and elevate women to achieve success for themselves, their businesses and their community.”

The “inclusion=innovation” initiative was created by the Alliance and title sponsor Ernst & Young to help businesses benefit from the contributions of all segments of our community and build a world-class diverse professional workforce in the Kanawha Valley.

City National Bank
Business After Hours
Thursday, May 23
5-7 p.m.
10 Hale Street

Sign up now for Charleston’s largest block party.

The annual City National Bank Business After Hours will be held Thursday, May 23.

Business After Hours events are fantastic opportunities to network and meet the region’s leaders in a relaxed setting, all while enjoying food, drinks and entertainment.

This month’s event will feature food and drinks both indoors and outdoors and a remote radio broadcast, featuring a DJ. Summit Conference Center will provide catering.

Click HERE to register.

The cost for BAH is $15 for Alliance members and $25 for future members who register early online.

Prices increase to $25 for Alliance members and $35 for future members after 5 p.m. on May 22.

The Alliance will be able to invoice only for groups of 10 or more. Contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.orgfor more information.

The Alliance cannot issue cancelation refunds within 48 hours of the event.

Thank you.

Elevations:
The Business of Fashion
Wednesday, May 8
11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
WV Culture Center

Early bird rates have been extended for the next Elevations luncheon.

When it comes to the bottom line, the fashion industry is all business. According to the University of Delaware, $250 billion is spent in the U.S. annually on clothing and accessories, and some 4 million Americans are employed in a fashion-related job.

Charleston native and George Washington High School graduate Rachel Mallory Richards, a shoe designer for some of America’s most successful brands, will share an insider’s view of the fashion industry and the financial decisions that drive style at the next Elevations luncheon, to be held Wednesday, May 8, at the West Virginia Culture Center.

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with an informal reception and preview of fashion from local retailers and women-owned businesses to be featured the following day at “Girl on Fire,” the West Virginia Symphony League’s annual fashion show. Lunch will be served at noon.

Reservations for this special event are $45 Alliance members/$55 future members.

Register here

Sponsor tables of eight are available for $750 Alliance members/$850 future members. Please contact Leigh Anne Strickland for more information.

The Elevations Professional Women’s Network is presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Title Sponsor DOW.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from the University of Cincinnati, Richards designed shoes for DIESEL for two years. During that time, she met her husband Kevin, also a product designer, in San Francisco and took the road north, where she exercised her skills as a soft goods designer.

However, Richards’ love of shoes couldn’t keep her away from opportunities in New York City. She and her husband moved, found a great apartment in the West Village, picked up a French bulldog along the way, and set out to pursue a life of shoes – lots, and lots of shoes. She landed a job with the Jones Group in 2009 and took on the role of design director for B BRIAN ATWOOD, BOUTIQUE 9,
RACHEL Rachel Roy and RACHEL ROY footwear. She was the lead designer who brought B BRIAN ATWOOD to life, helping the brand to win Footwear News Brand Launch of the Year 2011.

On April 1, Richards assumed a new position as Vice President of Design for Kenneth Cole Women’s Footwear. Join us for this exclusive look at the financial reality behind the fantasy of  fashion and a preview of what the well-shod woman will be wearing in months ahead.

‘Conversations About Conservations’
Tuesday, May 7
Noon- 1 p.m.
1116 Smith Street

Join the Charleston Area Alliance and others from the community for the next ”Conversation About Conservation” on May 7.

The lunch and learn will feature special guest Alan Bragg of Appalachian Power. The discussion will focus on how to read your electricity bill, online options and what to expect going forward as a utility customer.

Bring your brown bag lunch and engage in this dialogue regarding how to conserve energy and reduce your utility costs. The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on May 7 in the large conference room at the Charleston Area Alliance.

The event is free but advance RSVP is required.

Click HERE to RSVP.

The event is part of the Alliance’s Energy Efficiency in the East End (e4) initative. e4 is a competition that pits East End blocks against one another to compete for the largest reduction in energy consumed (as a block) through Appalachian Power’s HomeSMART assessments and energy efficiency retrofits.

Downtown ArtWalk
Thursday, April 18
5-8 p.m.

Downtown ArtWalk, the showcase of downtown Charleston’s thriving art scene, returns for its April edition this Thursday.

ArtWalk, a Charleston Area Alliance program sponsored by Masters Law Firm, is a monthly event that draws hundreds of residents and visitors to downtown Charleston for a festive evening of culture and commerce. The purpose of ArtWalk is to help revitalize downtown and to promote economic development through the arts.

Held on the third Thursday of each month, galleries, art studios, shops and restaurants open their doors and showcase their goods and services to potential customers and those who are “just looking.” Each season brings new venues, exciting special events and the best of local, regional and nationally recognized artists.

New to ArtWalk this month is the Capitol Conference Center, which is located at 815 Lee Street. It will feature the photography of Steve Payne.

Check out what’s in store for this Thursday’s ArtWalk:

Art Emporium
823 Quarrier Street

Art Emporium is having a solo art exhibition from Homaira Ahmed from April 16 through May 11. The opening reception will be held during ArtWalk. Ahmed’s paintings and clay artwork displays will be featured for sale at the event.

Gallery Eleven
1033 Quarrier Street

Linda Charles Stone is the featured artist for April at Gallery Eleven. Stone works primarily in acrylics and watercolors, in both realism and abstract styles.

Romano & Associates
230 Capitol Street, Suite 200

Romano & Associates will host the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network’s silent auction titled “One with Courage.” It will be an evening of inspiration, courage and support. Enjoy refreshments and meet some of the artists.

House of Luxe
817 Quarrier Street

House of Luxe will feature new jewelry designs from Alexis Bittar. Bittar’s jewelry is hand-crafted in his own studio in Brooklyn, NY. There are three distinct lines within his collection: The Lucite, Elements, and Miss Havasham. Each collection is collectable and is highly coveted among his many fans.

Tony the Tailor
107 Hale Street

Tony the Tailor will provide a “Best of England” promotion featuring fabrics from the best mills in England along with a scotch whiskey tasting. The featured artist will be Kelly Bryant.

The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
900 Lee Street, Suite 1600

The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation will feature photography by Bill and Carolyn Hilborn and Deborah Herndon. Also featured will be artists Mary Blake, Diana Pittis and Katie Cumberledge.

Charleston Ballet
100 Capitol Street

Join the Charleston Ballet from for a drink and a snack for its “Dancing and Drinks” series. View the inside world of ballet dancers at work in class and rehearsal settings for their upcoming performances, along with new artwork paintings of up and coming artist Kim Sunday. A few works of dance photography by Charleston photographers K. D. Lett and Jurgen Lorenzen will also be on display.

Good News Mountaineer Garage
222 Hale Street

The Good News Mountaineer Garage Gallery will feature the WV Allied Artists. Works featured include art by Anne Jacobs, Steven Holsclaw, Newman Jackson, Sandra King, Judy Pratt, Linda Stonestreet, Sharon Harms, Regina Swim, Patricia Fox and more. This multimedia event features drawings, painting, 3D works, and pottery.

Delfine’s Jewelry
245 Capitol Street

This month, Delfine’s will be showcasing its brand new, state-of-the-art engraving machine. This machine is the finest computerized engraving systems in the world. It allows Delfine’s to provide simple engraving, like on the inside of a ring or the outside of a bangle bracelet.

Stray Dog Antiques
219 Hale Street

Stray Dog Antiques has new work for April’s ArtWalk by Robert Allison, Jake Fertig, and Paint Coyote Studio.

Mission Savvy
202 Hale Street

This month, Mission Savvy is having a fun fundraiser for its animal shelter called “Pops for Pups”. They will be painting balloons and selling them for $2 each. With each balloon purchase you get to pop it and see if you have won something inside. All proceeds go to the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association.