Women’s Executive Club

I am a professional costumer with 22 years experience.  My background is in theatre, starting with a BFA in Design and Technical Direction from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  I have worked as the chief costume designer, costume shop head, milliner (hatmaker), dyer and other positions for various theaters back and forth across the USA.  I have designed and built costumes for an Off-Broadway production entitled "Dubious Oysters, Questionable Pearls".   All of these jobs led me to work as the wardrobe mistress on the SS Norway cruise ship, where I met my husband. My wandering days were over and we settled in Florida to raise a family.
In Florida, I worked at a "normal" job in an office until I gave birth to my first child.  I incorporated my seamstress business and threw myself into it full time so I could stay at home with my new baby, Eleanora.  How silly I was to think I would now have time to devote myself to the business fully! After not sleeping for about 2 years, the business began to establish itself… and I became pregnant again with my second child, Daniel.  Eleanora is now seven years old and Daniel is four.
My business, Lassalle Designs, Inc. is keeping me pretty busy now.  I have made a good foothold into the Celebrity Impersonator community and now also offer custom wedding gowns. I am constantly expanding my bank of skills to increase the services I offer. I enjoy helping people to realize their projects.  It is exciting to take a sketch of an outfit and make it come alive.
I also work as the seamstress on set for several production companies, shooting film, television and commercials.  Some of the commercials I have worked on have starred San Marino, Tony Stewart and Papa John (of Papa John’s Pizza).
My family includes my husband Christian and our children Eleanora and Daniel.  We have three cats, a fish won at a birthday party and a weaver spider in our front shrubbery.  My hobbies include reading, gardening and keeping an eye on the weaver spider.

Life led me from Michigan, to Colorado, to South America, to California, to Ohio, to Maine, to SW Florida, and finally, to Fort Lauderdale. A couple months ago a friend asked me, “So, Judith, if you didn’t live in Fort Lauderdale, where would you live?” For the first time, ever, I didn’t hesitate. It took me half a heartbeat to answer. “Nowhere!”

Three years ago, my husband, Chuck Schwabe, and I bought a condominium in Marine Tower on Las Olas. I have one adult daughter; Chuck has three adult daughters. That leaves us with our princess cat, Zoey, living in a home and city we love. Until this month, I thought: Life can’t get any better. It did. I was introduced to WEC and am more than proud and excited to be a new member.

Professionally, I am a personal historian. My business is Memoir Shoppe. I am privileged to travel worldwide writing beautifully designed, heirloom quality books that preserve and protect stories of exceptional families—and every family is exceptional.

Thank you for the opportunity to become part of this dynamic group. I look forward to many years of active participation, personal and professional stimulation, fun, and new friends who will become dear friends.

Angela S. Colley is the owner and interior designer for A C Styles Designs, LLC. Angela has over six years of experience in interior design, specializing in residential and commercial, interior and exterior spaces. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Angela was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where she attended Dalhousie University and received Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Computer Science. Before moving to Florida in 1996, Angela lived in Ottawa, Ontario Canada, where she worked in telecommunications. She is married to Leo Phillip. They have one daughter, Yasmin, and two dogs (Shih Tzu and Chihuahua mixed), Rex and Zip.

Angela is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, ASID. She loves what she does now! Angela has a passion for design and loves to create innovative spaces. Her mission is to create spaces that reflect her client’s unique personality. Design is not cookie cutter!

Angela enjoys traveling, visiting museums and historic sites. When she finds time she likes to read, knit and sew. Angela is a member of the Zonta Club of Miami Lakes. Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy.

Ladies, please help me welcome our newest FX member (Future Executive) to the WEC Family- Sherine Bichara. Sherine is the founder and the cosmetic chemist of SB Cosmetics specializing in massage products, anti-aging products and bath and body care. Sherine would appreciate the experience, expertise and support of the WEC ladies to grow and prosper and develop into a fully fledged WEC member.

To accomplish her career goals, Sherine would like advice and guidance in the following fields:

- Business Coach: need guidance on getting customers and revising business plan.

- Marketing Coach: regarding promoting SB Cosmetics brand and products.

- Sales Coach: Need advice on pricing the products and making a profit while working with a salesman.

- Accounting Coach: regarding structuring the financial aspect of the business.

Sherine has a vision and a goal that she is working on accomplishing the following:

- The first goal would be to focus on the distribution of massage products by targeting a wide range of spas and massage schools.

- The second goal would be to market the natural anti-aging line by introducing to Spa s or salons. It includes serums, cleansers, toners and sunscreens.

- The third goal would be to introduce the bath and body care collections; Beautiful and refined baskets including sugar scrubs, body lotions and natural shower gel with a wide choice of exotic fragrances. Those products would be ideal for home spa.

- The fourth goal would be opening a State of the Art Lab where ladies could come and ask for their personal creams and fragrance while sipping a cup of tea.

WHAT IS AN FX or Future Executive?

An FX is a rising female executives or entrepreneurs. An FX is considered an associate member of WEC and will be committed to spending quality time with us at luncheons and other activities. By providing coaching and advice, and encouraging the FX candidate to network with all members, we can have a profound effect on her career and personal success. An FX is a junior member of WEC and will need guidance and support from all of us.

HOW can you participate?

An FX member will have the privilege of getting the mentoring from a member. A mentor will spend 2 hours/ month supporting the FX in a specific area of the WEC member’s expertise ( this can be accomplished by spending time in a work environment, via phone and email or via a face to face meeting). The mentor will support the associate member and the associate member will follow up with the mentor’s recommendations. We believe the benefits of this mentoring program will be rewarding for the FX, the mentors and Women’s Executive Club. We hope Sherine will reach her highest potential as we share our enthusiasm, experience, and energy with the WEC family!

Thanks,

Chaadia

For more than 30 years, I have been a trademark/copyright lawyer. I help businesses protect their brands [trademarks] (including logos and slogans) and original creations [copyrights] such as books, websites, sculptures, software. Among the things that I do for my clients are: file trademark and copyright applications in the U.S. and abroad, manage trademark and copyright portfolios, design programs to protect these valuable intellectual property rights, draft and negotiate trademark and copyright licenses as well as franchise agreements. I also litigate cases involving trademark, copyright and domain name infringements, counterfeiting, and unfair competition matters, usually in federal court.

My career as a trademark lawyer began at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). After the USPTO, I served as in-house counsel for Ralston Purina Company where I protected such famous trademarks as PURINA DOG CHOW dog food and TWINKIES snack cakes. From Ralston Purina, I moved to Borden, Inc. where I was the guardian of trademarks such as ELSIE THE COW and CRACKER JACK candied peanuts and popcorn. Since working as in-house counsel, I have been working in law firms, primarily in Washington, D.C. and here in Florida.

As a native Floridian who was born and raised in North Florida, I love the sunshine and the beaches and I definitely don’t miss the cold weather or snow in D.C. For the past 2 years, I have lived in South Florida

I am a GATOR (University of Florida College of Law) and an Indiana University HOOSIER (B.A.) I chose Indiana University because at the time it had one of the only professional level college ballet departments in the country.

In my spare time I enjoy attending cultural events such as the symphony, theatre and ballet. If any of you would like to go to a cultural event and you would like someone to join you, just let me know. Gardening is another one of my pastimes as is traveling. I love exploring new places and cultures. I also love historic places which is why D.C. appealed to me. I lived just a few miles from Mount Vernon.

In 2009, I was honored to be the Woman of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for South Florida.

I am looking forward to getting to know each and every WEC member and making many new friends. 

My name is Lynn Davila and I would like to thank all of the wonderful women in this organization for making me feel welcome.

I was born and raised in Miami Beach. Went to Florida Atlantic University for psychology and took all of that knowledge and went into retail management. About 8 years ago, I injured my back and had to give up that career and start a new one. I now work for Genesis Automation Inc.

Our firm designs, installs, and maintains control systems for high end custom residences and small to medium-sized commercial projects: House Music, Distributed Video, Theater Design & Electronics, Lighting Controls, Security & Camera Systems, Motorized Shades & Drapery, A/C Temperature Control, and Integrated Control Systems.

I love to garden and I love NASCAR, so that is how I spend my weekends. I have a great dog that also keeps me busy.

Again thank you for all the warm wishes.