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Program Has Supported Lansing Women Business Owners and Entrepreneurship Since 2006

LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) has announced that Lauren Palmer, founder and owner of Curvaceous Lingerie, has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the prestigious ATHENAPowerLink (APL) award. As the APL recipient, Palmer will be connected to a panel of business leaders who will work with her on business growth strategies during the next 12 months. Since 2006, APL has helped 12 women business owners in the Lansing region grow sales, business and personal net income, the number of employees in the business, and enhance leadership and management skills.

“ATHENAPowerLink is an invaluable resource for women business owners in the Lansing region by empowering leadership and supporting entrepreneurship,” said Palmer, owner of Curvaceous Lingerie. “I look forward to working with the advisory panel to take our business to the next level and help navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with managing growth as a small business owner.”

Curvaceous Lingerie opened its doors in 2012 after owner Palmer became frustrated with the lingerie selection in the Lansing area. Having worked in the bridal industry most of her career, requests and suggestions would come often regarding foundations and lingerie ideas. After continuously sending people more than an hour away to find something that fit their needs, Palmer decided it was time to open her business. In 2014, Curvaceous Lingerie had generated enough business to move into its location in Old Town Lansing.

“Curvaceous Lingerie believes that every woman out there is curvaceous, whether you’re size zero or 24,” said Palmer. “Everyone has curves and we are here to empower every woman to feel great about themselves.”

APL is a national business mentoring program connecting women-owned businesses with a skilled advisory panel that provides strategic consultation services for one year. The consulting services are valued at more than $25,000.

“Lauren has built her business from the ground up and has achieved a high level of success,” said Jane Mitchell, co-chair of the APL governing body and a past APL recipient. “We are excited to work with Lauren as the 2020 ATHENAPowerlink to help her reach new goals and launch her business to the next level.”

The advisory panel is a group of business professionals who volunteer their time to work one-on-one with the business owner for one year. This group of experts assists in the development and implementation of the entrepreneur’s business plan and strategic goals.

“Lauren has demonstrated a strong business acumen by building her company to where it is today and has a clear vision of where she wants to take her business into the future,” said Michelle Rahl, LRCC vice president of member engagement. “We are proud to support Curvaceous Lingerie and look forward to seeing Lauren’s plans come to fruition.”

Women business owners seeking mentoring support through APL program must meet the following criteria:

  • Business must be at least 51% owned and actively managed by a woman
  • Minimum of two years in operation
  • Minimum of the equivalent of two full-time employees (including the owner)
  • Annual revenues of at least $250,000 for retail or manufacturing businesses
  • Annual revenues of at least $100,000 for service businesses
  • Clearly defined company objectives and goals with explicit reasons for seeking ATHENAPowerLink’s assistance in meeting those objectives and goals

On average, women business owners participating in the ATHENAPowerLink® program see the following outcomes:

  • 88% increase in sales
  • 37% increase in business net income
  • 56% increase in personal income
  • 36% increase in the number of full-time employees
  • 75% increase in the number of part-time employees

For more information about the Lansing Regional Chamber’s ATHENAPowerLink program and for a list of past recipients, visit lansingchamber.org/page/ATHENAPowerLink.

About the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) works relentlessly to help businesses connect, grow and thrive. For more than 115 years, the Chamber has served as the voice of the Greater Lansing business community. More information about the Chamber, its programs and services can be found online at lansingchamber.org, Facebook (@LansingChamber), Instagram (@lansingregionalchamber), Twitter (@LansingChamber), and LinkedIn.

About ATHENAPowerLink®

Established in 1999, ATHENAPowerLink® is a national mentoring program that connects selected women business owners with a skilled advisory panel. The local advisory panel, comprised of mentors best suited to the recipients’ needs, will provide free business consultation services for one year (value: over $25,000).

The panel will consult to help the business owner achieve networking, capital, operational and strategic goals. The program will also help enhance the business owner’s leadership and management skills for future business endeavors.