Women business professionals gather for Jazzy June

Photo by Jeff Caven Photography

FOUNDER. Tacoma business leader Rachael Costner, director of Women’s Resource and owner of Sands Costner & Associates, founded Jazzy June in 2002.

There are just two weeks to go until Jazzy June, Tacoma’s own one-of-a-kind business showcase and tradeshow event by and for women entrepreneurs and business professionals. Held June 26 at Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, Jazzy June is now in its seventh year, offering a fun evening of networking, purposeful connections and an opportunity to help support the Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) of Tacoma, the chosen beneficiary this year.

Jazzy June has grown from a gathering of about 70 in 2002 to this year’s expected attendance of more than 350. While Jazzy June is marketed for women, men are welcome too, according to event founder Rachael Costner, director of Women’s Resource and owner of Sands Costner & Associates. “Even though this is a women’s resource, we have a 20-plus percent ‘guy factor.’”

Presented by Women’s Resource, an organization that strives to provide fun opportunities to socialize, network, learn and mentor with other businesses and services around Puget Sound, and KeyBank, the much-anticipated event will present 80 vendor tables, a dance show starring Arthur Murray dancers showing off with lighthearted and fancy footwork, appetizers, a no-host bar, and a chocolate fountain fondue. Local comedian Susan Dones, a.k.a. “You Funny Lady,” will be emcee.

This year’s theme is “Power of Laughter,” to show that women can enhance their lives and achieve more success through the power of positive thinking and the power of laughter itself. With a portion of this year’s proceeds going to Tacoma’s new state-of-the-art breast care center, this theme is particularly important.

“We like to tie things in with our cause, and there’s a lot about laughter that can help your spiritual and mental state of health,” said Costner. “We (women) have such high stress being in business…. Unless you’re healthy and happy, your business won’t succeed either.”

Costner has had her share of success in her career. The U.S. Small Business Administration recently selected Costner as the 2008 Women in Business Champion for Region X, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

Costner said Jazzy June will make full use of its new venue at the convention center, which will be filled with row upon row of showcase tables and a stage with seating for 300-plus. A “Comfort Lounge” with furniture provided by Selden’s Home Furnishings will provide an area for guests to relax and get off their feet for a while. The nearly two-dozen raffle baskets dressed up in festive cellophane wrap will be noticeable on tables where volunteers dressed in pink aprons and visors will be selling tickets for chances to win spa packages, high-end apparel, and tickets to Tall Ships events.

All raffle proceeds will go to BCRC along with a percentage from Jazzy June’s platinum, gold and silver sponsorships, making the event unlike your average fundraiser. “It’s not your typical fundraiser where people think they have to start writing checks when they get there,” Costner said. Instead, buying raffle tickets is all one needs to do to contribute to BCRC, whose mission is to enhance the quality of life of people touched by breast cancer and to increase awareness and knowledge of breast cancer and breast health. BCRC offers a range of free programs to help clients in each stage of their cancer survivorship. Though BCRC does not offer medical advice, it does provide practical information and emotional support in a warm and professional, yet homelike, atmosphere. (For more information, visit http://www.bcrcwa.org.)

Costner said that once Jazzy June is over, Sands Costner and Women’s Resource continue to embrace the beneficiary for the rest of the year, offering help with event publicity and marketing materials such as they did for BCRC’s “Puttin’ On The Pink” event last month in Proctor District.

The networking will also keep going after Jazzy June. The Women’s Resource website, http://www.womensresourcedirectory.com, offers an online directory of businesses and resources for the community, business owners, leaders and those seeking direction, along with an online calendar of events and half-rate advertising opportunities for non-profit organizations.

Tickets to Jazzy June are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. For information, visit http://www.jazzyjune.com or call (253) 572-9108.

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