CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Lehigh Valley LaunchBox (LVLB) continues its educational event series focusing on the unique challenges and victories of female entrepreneurs, called "LaunchBox Ladies: From Passion to Profit," with programs in February and March.  

Using multiple formats including conversational interviews, videos and events, LaunchBox Ladies will share the stories of women at all stages of their businesses and careers. A series of conversations are scheduled through summer 2018 and are free to students and the public on a limited first-come, first-served basis.

All events take place at the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and include lunch.

The next two events feature the following speakers and interviewers:

Wednesday, Feb. 14

Speaker
Paige Lilly, founder, Fresh View Fitness

Lilly is a professional International Federation for Bodybuilding Bikini Athlete and ranked one of the top bodybuilding athletes in the nation. She is also the founder of Fresh View Fitness, which offers nutritional consulting, customized meal plans, and body shaping rotational workout routines for both the fitness competitor and noncompetitor. After a serious illness during training, Lilly found her passion for fitness and nutrition. Outside of competing, her passion is helping noncompetitors live a healthy lifestyle using nutrition and fitness for overall well-being. Her goals are to align with schools and youth groups in order to begin a wellness education at an early age.

Interviewer
Liz Keptner, director, Penn State Lehigh Valley’s Multimedia Innovation Center

Keptner is Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist who has interviewed countless newsmakers including President Barack Obama, former astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn and Chef Emeril Lagasse. She hosted local and national programs, provided voiceovers for numerous commercials and is now director of Penn State Lehigh Valley’s Multimedia Innovation Center. She also teaches Effective Speech, News Practicum and Intercultural Community Building.

Wednesday, March 14
Speakers
Gabrielle and Brittney Flank, founders, Frosting Company

Sisters Gabrielle and Brittney founded Frosting Company natural products after Gabrielle was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 10. They began researching the harmful chemicals and toxins in many of the beauty products they were using, and set out to create their own line of artisan products that are free of gluten, parabens, sulfates, phthalates and artificial preservatives. Gabrielle is now cancer free for more than five years after enduring nearly three years of chemotherapy. Their handcrafted line is never tested on animals and the sisters donate a portion of their proceeds to help find a cure for childhood cancer.

Interviewer
Catherine Bailey, Rea.Deeming Beauty, Inc.

Bailey is president/chief operating officer at Rea.deeming Beauty, Inc., the “home” of the original beautyblender.  Her more than 30 years in cosmetics has been instrumental in leading Rea.deeming Beauty to the industry position as a category creator. The company continues its innovations supporting the category leadership it developed around the world from their location in Bethlehem.

Both events are co-sponsored in part by the Penn State Lehigh Valley Student Business Society.

With a mission of community-facing support for entrepreneurs invested in the economic growth of the Lehigh Valley, LVLB and Invent Penn State develop programming that supports the start-up process. LVLB also acts as a business accelerator by awarding micro-grants biannually.

To register for the events, visit the registration website.

For more information about the events, visit the Lehigh Valley LaunchBox website, email LVLaunchBox@psu.edu or email Valerie Peters at vpeters@psu.edu.

Information regarding the Invent Penn State initiative is available online.