It takes a community to help you LAUNCH

Philadelphia is experiencing a renaissance - thanks to an influx of talented, driven people - many of them women - who have started their own businesses, opened stores and restaurants, written novels, formed non-profits, and more. In order for these and future businesses to flourish, it’s important to have a community that encourages and supports one another to think big, to continue to set goals, and to connect with organizations that can make things happen.

An exciting new addition to Philadelphia’s growing entrepreneurial community is Ladies Who Launch. LWL is an international organization designed to support the ever-growing number of women entrepreneurs, based on four fundamental beliefs: 1. There is a feminine approach to building a business. 2. Entrepreneurship is a state of mind. 3. Community helps you to get unstuck. And, 4. Creativity and success are contagious. With over 50 markets in the U.S. and Canada, LWL’s special combination of connecting women online, in-person, and through their unique Incubator workshops has encouraged thousands of participants to pursue their dreams.

Independent business owners Lauren Albert and Stephanie Freedman were so inspired by their experiences with LWL-first online, as recipients of the weekly “Featured Lady” newsletter, then later through in-person Incubators in New York-that they formed SL Associates LLC to bring LWL to Philadelphia. The pair hosted a kick-off party in September to welcome Ladies Who Launch to town, and have successfully hosted a number of Incubators. The workshops are an ongoing component, and they plan to host a number of events in 2009 - both public and private - to connect the community and address the concerns of entrepreneurs. Visit the Philadelphia page on the Ladies Who Launch website for updated information on events and workshop dates, www.ladieswholaunch.com. To contact LWL Philadelphia directly please email philly@ladieswholaunch.com or call 215.378.7939.



Lauren Albert

Lauren Albert is a co-founder of SL Associates, LLC and Ladies Who Launch in Philadelphia as well as an acupuncturist and founder of Lauren Albert Communications. Combining her unique background in public relations and marketing with her expertise as an acupuncturist and holistic health counselor, Lauren serves as an advocate and consultant for individuals and businesses in the wellness industry.

As spa director of Rescue Rittenhouse Spa, Philadelphia’s leading luxury day spa, Lauren’s media-savvy skills resulted in placements for Rescue in national publications like Allure, InStyle and Real Simple. As marketing director for a global education organization, OsEarth, she coordinated and facilitated workshops for corporations and universities around the world. As a consultant for Product Partners, the top fitness direct marketing company in the US, Lauren served as their wellness expert, conducting market research to identify trends and potential opportunities in the wellness industry.

After graduating with a BA from New York University, Lauren received her Masters in Acupuncture from the Tai Sophia Institute in Maryland. There she later served as an adjunct faculty member in the Applied Healing Arts Masters Program, which focuses on bringing healing philosophies to businesses and organizations. She was certified as a holistic health counselor through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and founded her own private acupuncture practice, Integrative Acupuncture, for which she won a Best of Philly award from Philadelphia Magazine (2005).

Steffi Freedman

Steffi Freedman is a co-founder of SL Associates and Ladies Who Launch in Philadelphia as well as a certified Pilates instructor and the founder and owner of Corps Pilates “www.corpspilatesphilly.com”, a boutique studio in Old City.

She graduated from Penn State University with a degree in broadcast journalism, and despite the fact that her true passion was fitness, she chose to pursue more traditional avenues upon graduation because that’s what you’re supposed to do, right?

Now, years later, she’s bucking tradition and doing what she never thought she could: Building her business as the owner of a successful Pilates studio and having a positive impact on others.

Through Ladies Who Launch, she has the opportunity to help others find their passion and follow their dreams to financial and professional success.