By Matt Buedel
Journal Star, Peoria, Ill.
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) As “Pure Bliss” spa owner Susan Beaupre was organizing an event for clean water initiatives, she came across an informal network of women who have helped each other develop mobile businesses. Now these food service and retail fashion businesses that operate out of modified trucks and trailers will join forces on Saturday at “Pure Bliss” to help raise money for “The Alliance for the Great Lakes”, a Chicago-based not-for-profit group working to protect the Great Lakes through advocacy, education and research.
PEORIA
The idea didn’t start as a way to highlight women business owners who have introduced a niche concept to the Peoria area.
But a celebration of and fundraiser for international clean water initiatives being hosted by Pure Bliss Hair Studio & Day Spa in Peoria this weekend also will showcase a handful of women who literally bring their businesses to customers through innovative mobile platforms.
“What I found when I spoke to all these women was that each and every one of them was good about lifting each other up and helping each other out,” said Pure Bliss owner Susan Beaupre. “When I saw how they all work together, I got excited about helping to lift them all up as a female business owner myself for six years.”
As an Aveda concept salon, Pure Bliss each year participates in a month of Aveda candle sales to raise money for clean water projects around the world. Since 1999, the sales have raised $44 million for such projects, according to Aveda.
In addition to participating in the month-long candle sales in April to celebrate Earth Day, Pure Bliss also is hosting an event Saturday to support The Alliance for the Great Lakes, a Chicago-based not-for-profit group working to protect the Great Lakes through advocacy, education and research.
As she organized the event, Beaupre came across an informal network of women who have helped each other develop mobile businesses — food service and retail fashion businesses that operate out of modified trucks and trailers.
“What a cool concept — I’m so intrigued and impressed by them bringing that concept to Peoria,” Beaupre said.
So the event on Saturday grew to include Brazen Jewelry, The Spot Coffee and The Runaway Rack — all mobile businesses — as well as the accessory business morey girlcqand locally made Four30 Scones.
Beaupre and the rest of the women will donate a portion of proceeds from Saturday’s event to the clean water initiatives that sparked the idea.
