And people ask me (with funny looks on their faces) why I hate to fly (no, it isn't because I'm 'afraid' to fly): Here's why...

(you gotta love this video, and think back to the last time an airline lost your luggage, or damaged it, or just plain didn't care that they screwed up the timing on your itinerary and you ran like hell across the airport to make your connection...and failed, only to be greeted by, "Well, we'll try to get you on the next flight out. Let me see...yes, that's tomorrow morning at 5 a.m." )

Puh-lease! If we can drive there, that's what Tom and I do. Airlines are totally out of control and I do not want to give them any more of my business than I have to. (a shout out to Bruce Peters for sending the video along)

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 By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna's Promo Talk

For any us mothers with teenagers we are all aware that today is the official release date of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth Harry Potter film in the series. My daughter and her friends attended the midnight show last night and didn't get to see it at their usual movie theater location since that one was already sold out. Now that my daughter has friends that are old enough to drive at night, we don't have to worry about which parent is going to go with them or stay up late enough to pick them up. They drove themselves all back to my house and I woke up with four young bodies sleeping in our living room this morning.

My older daughter is currently away this week attending a summer drama camp, so I don't know if she's seen the movie yet. If not she probably will by tonight. Since she came home from her freshman year in college she's been talking about this film and reread the first three books to get back into the story again. She even got her dad reading the books now. He just finished the second book and she's thrilled that he's reading them. My turn is next which I promised I would do when we go on our summer vacation this year.

Both of my daughters, who are just a little over a year apart in age, really grew up with Harry. It has been an really wonderful experience and they can't thank J. K. Rowling enough for inventing these characters and the world that they live in. They constantly are throwing out character names and phrases that leave me bewildered. Even though I haven't read the books, I have seen the movies, so I'm not completely ignorant about what they're talking about. I wrote about Harry Potter before in this blog post back in July, 2007 which was Harry Potter Month since the 5th movie was released, Order of the Pheonix, followed 10 days later with the release of the last book, Deathly Hallows.

As Harry Potter has grown, so as the marketing for this latest film release and Warner Brothers has really embraced emerging media. Not only can fans visit a very interactive website, they can also engage on social media sites and become a fan on Facebook which currently is showing 400,577 fans and quickly rising as I write this post. On Twitter Harry Potter is the top trending topic today and has been on the top 10 list since last week. It's fascinating to follow the tweets that are coming in from all over the world in different languages. The movie also has its official Twitter Page where you can follow the feed of tweets as well.

There are many blogs and social networks that have been created about Harry Potter which are not all officially associated with J.K. Rowling or Warner Brothers. One very popular site is The Leaky Cauldron which started back in 2000 as a one page news roll and has grown into a big destination for fans. They also host a community called My Leaky which is the largest Harry Potter Social Network on the web currently reporting 75,000 members.

And of course, there are many interactive promotions associated with the film. Warner Brothers is sponsoring a Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Prop Sweepstakes which invites fans to register as a WB Studio Insider for a chance to win an original Harry Potter movie prop and other Harry Potter prizes. Also if fans upload a photo taken of themselves and their friends at the movie theater in front of a Harry Potter movie poster or in their Harry Potter "movie gear" they get 10 extra chances to win. It's being promoted via the official website , on Facebook and also on Twitter.

Hot Topic is sponsoring the Harry Potter Golden Snitch Sweepstakes which starting today they are inviting "Seekers to Catch the Golden Snitch" which is hidden somewhere on HotTopic.com. $100 gift cards will be given out each hour and the grand prize will be awarded to one of the 24 hourly winners who will receive a $1000 gift card and a Harry Potter Merch prize package that includes a golden snitch signed by a cast member.

On YouTube fans could enter the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Advanced Potion-Making Experience Contest by creating and uploaded a video that shows and explains their unique potion concoction. The video needed to describe the ingredients, the name of the potion and what the potion's results are. Six finalists were selected by the judges who then invited the public to vote for the final winner. The rules say that the winner will be announced today, but currently the site is still showing only the 6 finalists and not a grand prize winner yet. So stay tuned.

Mobile marketing is also in the mix. Apple has developed a free Harry Potter iPhone app that is available at the iTunes store where fans can unlock new memory vials within Dubledore's Pensieve and insert themselves and their friends into a wanted poster of the Daily Prophet. Apple is also offering fans Harry Potter downloads such as movie clips, a podcast and the movie soundtrack. For the Firefox browser a custom Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince skin is available that fans can download.

Well Harry Potter definitely has become a marketing power house. We'll have to see what the majority of fans are saying about this 6th film. The response that I got from the teenage bodies in my living room this morning was not very positive. They all say the books are so much better than the films. So if you see the film or get input from your friends and family that see it, please pass it along here.

It's that time of the year. Blogher time of the year. On July 23-26th Blogher bloggers and sponsors and people interesting in marketing to women will all convene in Chicago and talk...women and ads. Among other things.

I am one of the speakers on a panel of great gals who will discuss publishing - in a world where writing a book may seem too far-fetched. I join self-publishing marketing expert, Penny Sansiervi (whom I have been dying to meet for ... at least 3 years) and author, blogger Stefanie Wilder Taylor, who promises to have a lot of great information to share about blogging and publishing. Together, we will discuss that ever mysterious topic: writing, publishing, writing, blogging, writing, writing, writing - with intent to publish.

Will you be there? I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to meet you, if you are planning to attend. Let me just say that this is THE event of the year. It's more than a conference, it's a gathering - of women from all walks of life. Women with talents to inspire and educate, talents to teach and share, talents flowing from their fingertips through their keyboard, and onto their blogs and twitter pages.

You will see this conference well represented on Twitter and Facebook, so if you can't make it - stay tuned to your computer. You will not be disappointed.

If you're interested in learning more about the conference, you can visit this link at Blogher, or ask away in comments on this blog. I live to serve.

p.s. I'm a Blogher gal from waaayyy back! I knew Jory and Elisa and Lisa (Lisa not so much) back when Blogher was just a girlfriend's discussion of how to bring women bloggers together. These women have accomplished such phenomenal success, through a LOT of hard, hard work - it's a pleasure being part of this conference, once again. I can only say that Blogher is what being a woman blogger is all about.

And, I hope I do them justice while I'm there. It just may be the launchpad of the NEW Lip-sticking. You all hang around, now...ya hear?

A while back I joined an organization that I believed in whole-heartedly. I liked their ideals, mission and leadership. When I met people whom I thought were a fit, I would let them know about the organization and gave them my personal guarantee that they would enjoy themselves and learn a lot in the process.

Recently, that same organization created a special program to which I invited a dear friend - actually, I insisted that he attend so that he could experience what I had experienced.

The time spent was great, but not remarkable. Something was off...and halfway through the program, we both realized what it was. It was the person they hired to lead the program. He was hard to follow, confusing and in general didn't "fit" with the flavor of this organization that I had come to appreciate. I was duly embarrassed.

Here I had insisted that my friend attend this event with me and it turned out to be almost a total bust. Wow.

Now, I still like the organization, but I'm less engaged and less likely to refer people to them. I'm also less inclined to attend events myself. A big shift.

So, what the heck does any of this have to do with social media?

It has to do with the people with whom you connect, the people whom you allow to comment on your blog, the people whom you retweet on Twitter.

I'm sure you take take and care in building your brand. You make sure your company uses the right colors in your logo, oozes sure-fire customer service and gives off exactly the right "vibe". As a result, your market loves the feeling they get when they read blog and they genuinely care about what you have to say. So much so, they tell other people!

All of this can be undone in an instant if you allow spam comments to pile up on your blog or if you retweet or "friend" the wrong person - someone who writes or spreads objectionable content. Some people have a policy of "friending" anyone who sends them a request. Be careful of this.

If you've taken my advice about managing your time with social media, you'll have time set aside to review profiles of people who want to connect with you to make sure they're not social polluters. (And, if you have an assistant, they can do this for you).

Bottomline: Don't be lazy, do whatever it takes to preserve your positive brand experience by making sure you connect with the right people.

That's how the "Generation M Manifesto" begins. Writer Umair Haque, Director of the Havas Media Lab, writes his manifesto at Harvard Business Publishing, and he isn't pulling any punches. He's telling old people - let's say, boomers and seniors (whoever they are)..."My generation would like to break up with you."

I found his article intriguing, humorous, and slightly overstated, as many "manifestos" are. Umair apparently thinks anyone over the age of...I'm picking 45, is the cause of the state of affairs in the world, as it is today, and he aims to throw them out - so he and his "friends" (I use the term loosely), can "fix" things. Because, of course, they know how to do that better than we old people.

His assertion that we "run the world" is a big overstatement - all he has to do is look around at the predominant brands dominating the marketplace today (eBay, Amazon, Google, Yahoo!, Twitter, Facebook) and he's easily proven wrong. I know, Twitter and Facebook are still looking for the holy grail when it comes to making money, but...Amazon and Google didn't make money right out of the blocks, if you remember. The reality is that these are the companies and the foundation for the future, and they are part of his generation, more than mine.

Here are some of his assertions, and his answers to them:

"Dear Old People Who Run the World,

My generation would like to break up with you.  

Everyday, I see a widening gap in how you and we understand the world — and what we want from it. I think we have irreconcilable differences.

You wanted big, fat, lazy "business." We want small, responsive, micro-scale commerce.

You turned politics into a dirty word. We want authentic, deep democracy — everywhere.

You wanted financial fundamentalism. We want an economics that makes sense for people — not just banks.

You wanted shareholder value — built by tough-guy CEOs. We want real value, built by people with character, dignity, and courage."

Funny, those are the same things I want. And, I believe, they are the things my colleagues and friends want. Yes, there are some really 'old' people who still think they can run business by using Dick and Jane methods - but they are fewer and more far-between than ever before. Those "old" people have been stuck in the 20th century for so long, they're rooted to their front porch rockers.

Umair needs to get out more often. He needs to meet "old" people who are hip, and happy, and energetic, and fully behind him in creating a world of dignity, character, and courage. To his statement that, "The great crisis isn't going away, changing, or "morphing." It's the same old crisis --and it's growing," I say, "This is news? You think YOUR generation is going to make the changes that WE tried to make, and didn't? You think only old people drive SUVs? Only old people make bad business decisions? Only old people drink bottled water?"

I beg to differ, Umair. I see MANY of your generation doing ALL of the things you accuse us of. I see YOUR generation faltering, just as we did. I see YOUR generation stumbling along...the same way we did. Because, in the end, Umair, it isn't about us - it's about the world as a whole, and there are millions of other people beyond the boundaries of these United States who won't cooperate with you and your manifesto, and I challenge you to change THEM... because no matter how many of US you change, you will still face the masses of THEM - who are not willing to change. Their manifesto is one of me first - something you accuse us of.

I'm with you, even though I'm "old"...by your standards. While I don't have all the answers (and I don't think you and your generation have them, either), I have the desire. And the passion. And, the ability. And, I think, the friends.

By Mary Schmidt, Marketing Troubleshooter

Hummpff!  Now that I've gotten your attention with that incredibly rude title...

This past week conservative columnist David Brooks wrote In Search of Dignity.

He then goes on to give three examples of people "who simply do not know how to act" - Michael Jackson, Mark Sanford and Sarah Palin.   Of the three, I can come closest to understanding Ms. Palin's lack of dignity (understand, not condone.)  We women (yes, I'm generalizing) are still learning our way in the larger worlds of politics and business, which are big, cold, unfair and hard...as always for both sexes (At least nowadays - in the U.S. anyway - the new leader doesn't behead the old one.) Yes, there is sexism, but...we're also learning that maybe, just maybe dressing for sex (c'mon - red spike peep-toe heels on the campaign trail?) and expecting people to not remark on it may be a wee bit too much to ask of our age-old mental programming. (Pile on here as you will, but that sexism thing works both ways. It's a sure bet that conservative columnist William Kristol wouldn't be such a stalwart defender of Sarah Palin if she talked like Sarah and looked like Janet Napolitano.)

We're awfully gosh darn touchy at times, to our own detriment and others' bemusement and bewilderment. (Sometimes a compliment is just that - a compliment), and we end up lowering ourselves when we should be rising above.  (If Palin acts like this when a late-night comedian disses her, what would she do when Putin was "mean" to her?)  And, we are often our own (and each other's) worst enemy.  We let no slight go unremarked; no grudge die.  More than once, I've watched seemingly mature, successful businesswomen go at it like 8th graders over the cute boy. 

Just this week, I had the choice.  Someone was pushing ALL my buttons and it could have rapidly degenerated into an email cat fight. But, instead - I took a deep breath, re-read this article and simply...stopped.  I moved on.  

Acting with dignity could make all of our lives (and business relationships) both less stressful and more productive.  And, when we think we simply must fight a battle, we should first ask ourselves "Is it really that important?" Otherwise, we'll diminish both ourselves and our possibilities.

(P.S.  If you want to wear stilettos, by all means do so, but also be aware of the realities and the context.)

Today I have the pleasure of sharing a stimulating interview with a new site that aims to do a lot of what we do, right here, at Lip-sticking. I share this because I believe in working with my sisters, not against them. These gals are on the right track and I applaud the work they're doing. They are Stiletto Woman - and our little blog is one stop on their blog tour. Here is their story:

Yvonne: Love your title, Stiletto Woman - but the thought makes my feet hurt! Should women wear their stilettos to work, or just save them for special occasions? Seriously, why did you choose that image, that concept, as your brand?

It's powerful but...will it resonate with women who don't wear stilettos anymore?

Stiletto Woman: Such a great question! Stiletto Woman is more than the shoes you wear. It’s really about a mindset—a way of thinking, a way of living. Our manifesto is Be Fulfilled! Be Empowered! Be You! Stilettos represent the courage, and willingness to create your own path—to be pioneering in all you do at every level.

You don’t have to wear a Prada bag on your shoulder to be fabulous. You don’t have to run a multi-million dollar business to be recognized. You don’t have to shower your children with gifts and live in a big house to be a great mommy. If you have those things, we celebrate you too, because you are an inspiration to those who desire to achieve what you have, nevertheless it’s not a defining factor to the happiness one can achieve.

Stilettos also represent our sense of style. To us being a mother, a wife, a student . . . or whatever your life causes you to be, doesn’t mean you forget about yourself. Organizationally, we have a hip and original approach to all we do. Having a full life doesn’t keep you from pampering yourself, enjoying life, or being fabulous—not in material things necessarily, but in self-worth and self-love.

At times, you may hear us mention “Stiletto-Fab”. To us, that simply signifies a women doing what she does, well. She’s happy. She’s true to herself. She’s a bit of an inspiration to us all. Now, if you happen to wear stilettos, then you’re in good company, because you can usually find us in a nice pair!

Yvonne: Where does diversity fit in the Stiletto brand? Women as a group are so diverse, how will you keep that diversity fresh, energetic, and obvious?

Stiletto Woman: Diversity is the heartbeat of our brand. Just like stilettos—they come in all prices, styles, colors, and heights. We don’t define diversity solely through ethnicity, or in the range of women featured, but also in the types of businesses, web sites, and blog sites showcased. You won’t find many large corporations or illustrious personalities mentioned. We deliberately profile authentic women you might not hear about every day.

That’s why we say real women. We want to depict what women truly look like, and who they are personally. We are so multi-talented. If we don’t show the range of our talents, and the scope of our reach, then we’d be doing our readers and supporters a disservice.

Keeping it fresh is an ongoing endeavor, just as keeping our magazine and message relevant. Therefore, we’re constantly working at it! We don’t intend to let diversity or any other element of our brand become stagnant. Well, we know there are times when that will occur, but our multiplicity will remain a focal point, because it’s the core of who we are—every day women.

Yvonne: Why do you think women are so powerful on the net? Where will women lead the coming generations - using sites like yours? Will our sons "get it"... or will they drift back into those old days of the 20th century when Dick and Jane ruled?

Stiletto Woman: We’re powerful because life has changed. Women are redefining their roles because they have to. Our circumstances aren’t like those of the women that came before us, so to survive, to make life work, we have to change.

Hopefully women can see that anything is possible—that life has a way of twisting things upside down, but that you have the opportunity to adjust, and make it work to your benefit. In the next year, we intend to launch a project that will begin to reach young girls and encourage them to live empowered at early ages. We’re taking an active stance on helping the next generation of women.

Our boys, sure they’ll get it. But that affect is largely impacted by the women in their lives. The 20th century is gone. We have the responsibility to raise both our boys and girls to embrace new ideas, and new opportunities to make life fulfilling.

Yvonne: What makes you different than, say, iVillage?

Stiletto Woman: We don’t view iVillage as our competitor. We have something completely different to offer. Stiletto Woman is NOT your typical networking community, or women’s portal, or mommy site! Don’t get the wrong impression, each of those things are valuable and meet the unique needs of women today. However, we set out to offer something unique . . . something tangible. While interacting with women online is important to us, reaching women at the local level is equally necessary. So stay tuned to find out what things Stiletto Woman can help you do in your community to engage women.

We don’t have a multi-million dollar profit margin. We address matters from a holistic perspective. We talk candidly. We want to represent the voice you may not hear about. Empowered is not just a statement or mantra we live by . . . it’s so much more than that!

We talk about what you encounter every day, from fashionable rain boots, your dream job, and learning to breastfeed—to the diet industry, saving for college, relieving a hangover, and hot finds. The range of topics is endless. It’s not just “mommy” talk, or “entrepreneur” talk, its real talk! We discuss real issues—real life.

Stiletto Woman doesn’t just TALK about women empowerment—we live it—we value it—we shout it daily!

Yvonne: Leave us with your favorite quote - one that gets women fired up and ready to succeed, regardless of economic woes. Wow us...

Stiletto Woman: One of our favorite quotes is by Claude M. Bristol, which states “Every person is the creation of himself, the image of his own thinking and believing. As individuals think and believe, so they are.” We see this as . . . the only limitation you have are those you create. How you “think” can significantly impact who you become. We all have the power to challenge our negative circumstances. If you think failure, it can easily consume you. If you think and live fulfilled, that can then determine the life you lead.

Yvonne: Love that! As you think, so you are. Powerful. Readers, you need to check out Stiletto Woman for yourself. And, I'll share this with you - Lip-sticking is preparing for some new big things on that same level as our sisters, Stiletto Woman - stay tuned. Remember - it's women together. The WE is all important.

By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna's Promo Talk

Last year about this time I wrote this post on a really cool promotional event that Hershey's sponsored and executed with an interesting marketing firm called House Party to help launch their new Hershey's Bliss Chocolate line. House Party integrates actual social events that happen in the real world with social media in the online world. Since last year House Party has really been expanding and they helped to create a party earlier this year called Warner's Fit-to-a-T House Party that I just have to share with you all here.

Now a House Party™ is thousand parties on one day taking place across the country with an exclusive brand experience at the center of the action. These specially designed parties are sponsored by a leading brand and take place in the homes of carefully selected consumer hosts who can invite their friends, family, neighbors, classmates , co-workers, whoever they wish, to experience these uniquely fun parties and the products they feature.

Warner's wanted to sponsor bra fitting parties to help support the launch of their new Invisible Bliss bra which is designed for women to wear under t-shirts. So House Party recruited 1,000 hosts for this event and also got Redbook on board as a co-sponsor.

House Party's CEO, Kitty Kolding, shared this with us the following: “The experts at Warner Bras have data that show that most women do not wear the correct bra size nor do they know how to select bras that fit them perfectly. So we worked with Warner Bras to design and deploy a national program of parties that gave women a trusted setting – the home of a close friend – in which they could learn, share and find the perfect bra. And at the same time, they had fun and shared that fun on the event website that ties all the parties together. To make it work, we did what we always do which is make a brand or product experience into an authentic, legitimately fun social gathering that delivers real value to consumers and extremely powerful marketing tools to our Fortune 500 clients.” 

Each host received a party kit that included a DVD explaining the subtleties of bra fitting, a tape measure, two sample bras, some REDBOOK/Warner's T-shirts, "Boost Your Breasts" exercise tip sheets and a Redbook article about girlfriend get-togethers. Also, to help promote sales of the new Invisible Bliss bra they provided two-for-one coupons for the hosts to give to their party attendees. In the post-event period, House Party reminded partiers to go to the store and get inside one of those bras.

House Party's technology platform hosts a custom microsite for each event, sending party hosts reminders and tips, and letting them upload photos and videos during every phase from party-planning to the post-event wrap-up. The microsite includes a group blog that hosts can leave comments about their event. Here's a few that I liked:

Shannon Vasque wrote: "This has got to be the funnest party ever! All the girls agreed this was their first time being measured in front of others!! I had fun being the "fitter" and demonstrating the exercises!! Everyone was surprised with their size results." The DVD was okay, but a little hard to follow. The bra fit me so I was able to model the before and after. The coupons should be redeemed soon as I told them they expired at the end of the month. The bra really feels nice on and to the touch. It looks great too! The t-shirts were great, I wore mine shopping today! Thank you! Can't wait for the next house party. I was able to make new friends in my building. A great ice breaker for sure!!"

Sweet Lisa wrote: "It was a super evening...we had margaritas, Mexican food and bra fittings...took bra cup sizes as they came through the door and then awarded the free samples to the ones who fit those cups...the t-shirts were a big hit, too! We even did a drawing for the Redbook magazine. Thank you Warners, Redbook and House Party!"

Miz Leeza wrote: "We had a nice get together which ended up being coed. Why shouldn't gentlemen understand more about ladies lingerie? A nice social event for all of us young and old."

So from the many comments that I read on the blog and all the photos that were uploaded I'd say it was a pretty fun and successful event. Now I only wish that they'd do it again because I could really use a good fitting myself!

This is another post on the triathlon event called "Iron Girl". I wrote about this in June because I'm so impressed with the idea and the focus. It's a true leadership development process, and I only wish I were 20 years younger so I could participate. Now, Andy, my new best friend in PR, will likely say I can participate regardless of my age - but, he's as excited about Iron Girl as I am, so he's not likely to agree with anyone who says she can't do an Iron Girl event.

Here's the reason it's good for Lip-sticking - it's about being active, truly active - in life and thought. It's about girls - and Moms. It's about strength and power and achievement. All the things that are GOOD and RIGHT about being a woman entrepreneur in today's rich marketplace. Judy Mojjj

But, let's hear what Judy Molnar says about it - Iron Girl is her story if it's anyone's story:

Yvonne: Why Iron Girl?

Judy:  Iron Girl has the unique brand position to offer a strong, yet feminine focus to empower women to get moving. The name, Iron Girl, gives women a different outlook for the mind, body and spirit through sport. Iron Girl represents a new, fresh edge for women and their pursuit of an active, balanced and healthy lifestyle. Iron Girl will address their needs and fuel their souls with products for women by women and events that embrace that same spirit and determination.

Yvonne: Why not a different brand name that separates you from Ironman?

Judy: We like being connected to Ironman, as it is a premier event-based brand and has a rich history in the sport of triathlons. Through this connection, Iron Girl has an instant credibility and recognition by being a part of the World Triathlon Corporation family that includes Ironman. The word “Girl” in the name Iron Girl demonstrates youth, vibrancy and health, which are qualities the brand embodies. An Iron Girl is a woman who balances fun and femininity with strength and dedication to achieve her personal best.

Yvonne: Your icon depicting Iron Girl is unique - how did you choose the design and color?

Judy: Our symbol’s name is Grace. We worked on a design that captures movement and catches your eye – you will notice that Grace is leaning as if in motion. The teal and dark pink colors were selected based on strong jewel tones. The story of Grace captures the spirit of Iron Girl because grace is in us all. It's what makes women heroic, charming and limitless. Grace is with us in difficult times and happy times, silly times and sad times. Grace is with us physically, mentally and emotionally. Grace is what makes women special, unique and strong. Grace acts with truth, beauty and spirit. Grace is within you, and you are Grace.

Yvonne: What does Iron Girl mean to YOU?

Judy: It is certainly more than just a job. It is my passion and it has allowed me to help women reach their goals. Iron Girl touches lives, which is most important to the Iron Girl team. We strive for Iron Girl to live beyond the finish line and into participants’ daily lives, knowing that each time a participant completes an event her life has changed. There are few times in life where you can say you are making a real difference in the lives of others; I know I am with Iron Girl.

Utilizing the Aflac Iron Girl events, we are able to make our voices heard while promoting the importance of wellness and leading a healthy, active lifestyle. The Aflac Iron Girl Event Series is one of the fastest growing all-women’s event series. Our events contribute to women’s overall health, but they also provide a sense of accomplishment and boost women’s self-esteem. Our overall mission at Iron Girl is to empower women toward a healthy lifestyle.

Yvonne: How old does a girl have to be, to begin her Iron Girl triathlon training?

Judy: At Iron Girl, our youngest age for participation is 14. We find that our sprint and longer distance courses would be too much for someone under the age of 14. Our ultimate goal is a safe and enjoyable event experience for all participants. 

Yvonne: Do you ever have Mother/Daughter teams? (do you even have teams?)

Judy: We do have Mother/Daughter teams at our running/walking events. This is an amazing bonding activity for mothers and daughters. We find the combination of a mother and daughter participating together provides a unique event experience. It gives them a goal to work toward, while becoming healthier together. There’s nothing better than putting the remote control down, leaving the cell phone behind and going for a walk or run together.

Yvonne: The site has a Give Back page, which I find inspiring. Tell us how you came to include that.

Judy: Iron Girl strives to give back in each of our event communities. Since the relaunch of Iron Girl as an event-based brand and not just apparel, we have set-up fundraising efforts that give back to those in need. Also we believe women find that extra inspiration and motivation comes from racing for something beyond their own needs.

Yvonne: What can Dads do to help their girls be part of Iron Girl?

Judy: Dads, brothers and sons can become great cheerleaders and lend their support. My dad was always there for me whether it was a basketball game, a 5th grade orchestra concert, or cheering me on at my first triathlon. Of course, my dad also flew to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, to watch me participate in the Ford Ironman World Championship. Support, support, support - girls need that growing up!

Yvonne: Where do you see this exciting and healthy event going...in 5 years...10 years?

Judy: Our goal is to continue to grow in participation, touch more lives, introduce more fun new amenities to the events, and to move into new national markets and eventually into international communities.

You can follow Iron Girl on Twitter: @TheIronGirl

I guess I should be out celebrating this fine, summer holiday - but I am quite happy indoors, thank you. I've done my share of picnics and beach parties and traveling to the relatives' for fireworks. Maybe we'll do something more 4th of Julyish next year.

This year, I'm working on the house. The one we're selling. And, I thought I'd rant a moment on this blog, to give readers who are also not out doing the 4th of July thing, something to read.

Here goes: I have not been on Twitter a whole lot in the last few weeks. Travel and work and fixing the house up have all commanded my attention. Despite my MIA status from Twitter, I'm still getting followers on all three accounts (@y2vonne - @mypetblog - @lipsticking) and I'm also receiving DMs from folks I follow and...

I'm Sooooooo tired of DMs inviting me to increase my followership by "clicking here." I'm so done with new followers who insist THEY have the magic formula to increase my followership by thousands, with just the click of a mouse. I'm so sick of them all.

Here's the scoop: I follow the people who show me a valid profile that has content I find worthwhile in it. I follow people who are pet lovers or make pet products; people who are into shopping or marketing to women, or talk up women's issues; and people who prove they have value by tweeting truly worthwhile content.

It's nice when these people follow me back, but it's not necessary. I don't follow in order to get followed back.

What's annoying is when I have followed someone I found thoughtful, interesting, or smart...and the DM I get in response says, "Thanks for following me. Want to increase your Twitter followers by thousands? Click here - link."

NO THANKS!!! If I had the time I'd go into my account and immediately UNFOLLOW YOU, @#$%! That's right - I'm cursing at you, all of you who think you have the answer to improving my Twitter stats! Because it's not about how many followers you have - it's how many people you meet and build quality relationships with! (like Rhonda Shasteen from Mary Kay...click the pic and read her latest blog post)

Today, to my surprise, I got THE VERY BEST DM ever. It was from http://twitter.com/Elsom - and it said, "Thank you for following :)"

That's all you need to say. Thank you for following. Got it? To Elsom, I say a hearty, "Thank YOU! You have my support and attention."