This spring, the GolfCourseHome and WaterViewHome Networks celebrate women entrepreneurs who strive to use their businesses as catalysts for social change or charity.
Often, projects evolve from a sense of empathy or a personal event that launches one into action. Indeed, one may begin a project with the sole purpose of doing something pleasurable or making something beautiful, and in the process, gives birth to an entire company or organization.
Hope in Bloom
Hope in Bloom is one example. The concept is incredibly simple and visually intense, and the domino effect of good feelings is evident. Hope in Bloom originated a few years ago in Massachusetts as Roberta Hershon's idea: "to plant gardens free of charge at the homes of men and women undergoing breast cancer treatment."
It is easy to imagine oneself "digging in" alongside the day's volunteers, with a shovel and a flat of impatiens. To bring beauty and new life to the land and a cancer patient's world simultaneously brings satisfaction in many ways. With a new chapter in Charleston, South Carolina, the concept itself is starting to growing.
Gardner Hume Collection
Also conducive to bringing beauty to gardens is the Gardner Hume Collection. Launched by Elise Ryan, Gardner Hume Collection helps decorate golf and waterview homes with cachepots and many other authentic Italian ceramic pieces.
Their items beautify a garden wedding, or can serve as just the right memento of a family reunion. One can even get their ceramics monogrammed at no charge. Gardner Hume Collection has designated the Musicians' Village in New Orleans and Hope in Bloom as beneficiaries of a percentage of its profits.
Bosom Buddy Bags
Lastly, for three years in the spring, Bosom Buddy Bags founders/designers Andrea Stieff and Karen Chriss have organized "Shop for the Cure" in Baltimore for the Susan B. Komen Foundation in memory of Andrea's mother, Lillian. Bosom Buddy Bags presents elegant, whimsical and decorative designs on their handbags for every occasion.
The company invites more than 20 other merchants to join them in offering their wares under the pink and white striped tent on Roland Ave. Bosom Buddy bags is available at more than 200 stores in the US.
We urge you to join these energetic, creative women in brightening your surroundings with color and beauty. Their businesses are artisan quality and they allow us to be artisans in the garden while we strengthen community spirit.
