When I recently learned that my friend Yvonne DiVita, the co-founder and CEO of Blog Paws and writer of the Scratchings and Sniffings Blog, was among the 2014 Pet Industry Woman of the Year Award Finalists I was excited and happy for her.
We here, at the Feline News Network (FNN), were curious to learn more.
Founded in 2010, the Women in the Pet Industry Network (WIPIN) is a pet professionals networking group that offers "personal growth, sharing of expertise, and business connections". Serving professionals in all segments of the pet industry, as well as all types of pets, it is one of a kind.
What it does is help members grow personally and professionally by "serving as their go-to source for mentoring, coaching, learning, sharing and connecting with like-minded businesswomen in the pet industry".
It hosts an annual conference with awards in 5 categories: Solopreneur, Entrepreneur, Corporation, Advocate and Rising Star.
Five finalists were named in each category. One overall Pet Industry Woman of the Year will be chosen from these 25 finalists.
The conference will be held Aug. 14 through 16 at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Portland, Ore.
I found several things of interest when I checked out the nominees: Not only were several of them familiar to me, but a Texan could be found in 3 of the categories.
Yvonne is up for "Rising Star", as is Janine Kahn, of Dogster/Catster.
Amy Nichols, of Dogtopia, is a "Corporate" finalist.
Lorie Huston, of the Cat Writers' Association (CWA) is a "Solopreneur" finalist.
The Texans are:
Amy Cox, of The Paws Cause & The Shot Spot & The Pet Vet, for "Advocate".
Gina Dial, of John Paul Pet, for "Corporate".
Stephanie Boone, of Wondercide Natural Products, for "Entrepreneur".
Learn more:
That is so cool and we are happy for Yvonne!
Posted by: Brian Frum | July 26, 2014 at 06:14 PM
Congratulations to Yvonne, and the other finalists. What a terrific honor!
Posted by: meowmeowmans | July 26, 2014 at 08:18 PM