Submitted photos
Mary Schumacher and Allison Libersky were nominated by fellow members of the Lakes Area Womens in Business group to receive a makeover utilizing the services offered by local businesses. Pictures are the ladies before and after their makeover.
For the third year in a row, the Lakes Area Women in Business have provided two of their members with an extreme makeover courtesy of local businesses. This year’s reciepients are Mary Schumacher from vehicle service and repair shop American Imports, and Tupperware saleswoman Allison Libersky. Through this effort, the group set out to prove that high style can be found outside of the big city and that worthwhile services are available locally.
“We started this makeover program in an effort to showcase our members’ services and give them another marketing tool,” LAWB Vice President Sheila Waldoch said. “We also just wanted to do something fun as a women’s group. I personally love seeing before and afters.”
Lakes Area Women in Business started when a select group of women from the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Women In Business group took action to develop a new women’s networking group where women could look forward to coming, meeting new faces, gaining friends and making positive connections that would help grow their businesses beyond the present structure. They also realized that many women outside of the Forest Lake Area would be interested in joining such a group, and thus the LAWB was formed as a subcommittee of the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. The first kick-off meeting was held in May 2010 with 23 women in attendance.
Schumacher and Libersky were chosen for the makeover through a poll taken by all LAWB members. They received a wide variety of guidance with dieting, hair and makeup, and personal training. They also learned how to properly use accessories for themselves as well as their homes with both a jewelry and an interior design consultation. Massage and acupuncture, a lesson about all natural cleaning products, a professional photography session, and a business card upgrade were just some of the other things that the makeover included.
“This is just as much about Mary and Allison as it is about the rest of our members,” Waldoch said. “They are going to get compliments about how they look, and they will probably be talking about how good they feel, and when people ask what their secret is, they will be able to talk about the services that our members offer. Not only that, but Mary and Allison themselves will probably be repeat clients at a lot of the places they got to experience through this makeover event.”
LAWB membership is $100 per year with no monthly fee, which includes access to all meetings as well as several member-only events. Nonmembers may attend meetings at a cost of $15 each. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of every month from 5:30-7 p.m. at Vanelli’s by the Lake in Forest Lake and on the third Friday of every month from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Lino Lakes. Go to www.lakesareawomeninbusiness.com for more information.