FreeThink: Ladies Who Launch

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Ladies Who Launch

Caprial Pence was asked by Julia Child to cook for the famous chef's 80th birthday party. Powell's initially purchased only five copies of Kaie Wellman's book "Eat.Shop.Portland." but a small item in Jonathan Nicholas' column in The Oregonian fueled sales of 1,000 copies a day. If something isn't working in your business, use the TNT Theory and blow it up! These are several of many insights revealed to 200 of Portland's most entrepreneurial women at Thursday's Ladies Who Launch invitation-only event.

Our client Caprial Pence told how she originally wanted to be a doctor, but a summer job at a local hospital cured her of that dream. And a subsequent stint at Otto's Delicatessen -- including peeling 200 pounds of potatoes for the July 4th potato salad -- led her to follow her heart and go to culinary school. Upon graduating, Caprial worked at Fullers Restaurant in the Seattle Sheraton Hotel, where she became a bit unhappy. So after she won the first ever James Beard Award, she and husband John moved to Portland and opened Caprial's Bistro.

Asked if it was intimidating to cook for Julia Child, Caprial said, "No, I knew she'd like anything as long as I put plenty of sauce on it." Speaking of sauce, Caprial also told a story about how she and John were at Fetzer Winery with Ms. Child enjoying some lovely cabernet sauvignon. John and Julia matched each other, glass for glass, well into the night. The next morning, to prepare for a 7:30 a.m. television appearance, Ms. Child tossed back a couple of glasses of iced gewurztraminer and proceeded to perform brilliantly! Through this and other experiences, Julia made it clear that she loved three things - food, wine and men.

The Ladies Who Launch speakers told other funny stories of their struggles along the way and shared secrets of their success. Speaking of men, it was universally acknowledged that the best spouses just smile and nod when their entrepreneurial partners come home at night to share war stories of the day. When they're ready to ask for help solving problems, they'll ask. But sometimes it's important to have someone listen without offering suggestions.

Hmmm. That's good advice for all of us, even public relations consultants.

--Vicky Hastings

posted on June 26, 2005

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	This spirited, open forum by Maxwell PR staff members, studio mates and colleagues features people who are, in our opinion, doing the right things to get people talking. You'll see us rave about organizations building communities and rant about those who are missing obvious opportunities. We sprinkle in a little marketing and PR rhetoric from time to time for extra vigor and enthusiasm, and will share observations and insight based on our own experience honing our craft every day.

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