Latest 'Urban Girl's Manifesto' features Bellevue businesses

What do you crave? For savvy business owner Melody Biringer, her craving for embarking on the new and unknown has landed her in the forefront of the entrepreneurial world. The founder of CRAVE, Biringer recently celebrated a book launch of her third edition of The Urban Girl’s Manifesto, the ultimate guide to the places women CRAVE in Seattle, including more than 100 women you need to know.

The guidebook features some of the best local businesses owned by women; from co-owners Nyro Murphy and Kelly Buck of the newly opened Bump Urban Maternity in Bellevue Square, to the soon to be launched Recipe Runway, a Website created by Lori Hastings to make recipe collecting a piece of cake.

Take a simple idea, add creativity, hard work, and a woman’s intuition. The result - a business is born.

With a passion for food and a culinary background, Hastings wanted to find a way to organize her 3,000 loose recipes and 1500 cookbooks, creating an accessible and manageable way to share them with others.

“I figured if I could find a solution for all my recipes, I would be the happiest lady alive, but also create a business out of it,” she said. Her Web site (reciperunway.com) is set to go live on Nov. 4.

The Urban Girl’s Manifesto book launch party was held at Posh on Main, a designer women’s shoe boutique located in Bellevue. Posh on Main owner Angela Self opened up her store for the private party, hosting an informal evening highlighting some of the women featured in the pages of the book.

When Self decided to pursue her dream of opening her own business, she attended a Ladies Who Launch seminar in 2005 led by Biringer.

“I knew I wanted to own my own business, I just needed to polish my vision,” Self said.

Biringer brought Ladies Who Launch to the local stage, a national organization based out of New York City that fosters entrepreneurship and creativity as a lifestyle.

When considering whether or not to jump head first into starting a new business, the ladies from the pages of CRAVE Seattle have some advice.

Candice Caldwell, owner of the Online fashion boutique, Fashion Ethic, has learned a thing or two as she traveled the start-up road.

“I know Melody and the other ladies say all the time to be fearless and to jump in. I think the more that I read, the more I hear people say to take it slow,” Caldwell explained, adding, that’s OK, but if you have a great idea, you really just need to take a risk and don’t let fear or self doubt hold you back. “If it doesn’t work out then there’s something else out there for you.”

As the owner of CRAVE, Biringer has dedicated her professional career to showcasing the fearless women who are shaping the work force.

Since the age of 18, Biringer has aspired to take the road less traveled. She began by merchandising her family’s berries into a household name. Over the years, her enthusiasm for starting new ventures has resulted in the creation of various companies, from a furniture store to a fitness studio.

Biringer has now taken on a new role - paving the way for women entrepreneurs in what once a male-dominated playing field.

“My whole existence is to support women-owned businesses, wether we throw Crave Parties, put great women doing great things in books, or have educational seminars in our Crave business - that is what we thrive on as a business,” explained Biringer, who published the first edition of CRAVE Seattle, The Urban Girl’s Manifesto in 2002.

One year later, she introduced CRAVE Party, a business devoted to fun and pampering for hard-working women. The concept behind Crave Party is to bring like-minded women together for a time of networking, socializing and fun. CRAVE Party now reaches 15 cities internationally and features premium spas and retailers for untraditional, but inspiring gatherings.

To purchase the The Urban Girl’s Manifesto stop by Posh on Main (10245 Main St, Suite 103, Bellevue, 425-454-2022) or any other Eastside store featured in the book. To find the next CRAVE Party in your area, visit www.craveparty.com, 206-282-0173.

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