Monday, June 28th, 2010
Idaho-Based Entrepreneurs Auction Frogs Receives the NAWBO Trailblazer Reward For Their Philanthropic Deeds (or Business Model)
Kristi Saucerman: NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer 2010 Awardee
Auction Frogs’ Kristi Saucerman continues to “do well by doing good.” She has volunteered for more than 15 years and measures her success by the success of her fundraising organizations. Her fundraising efforts began with the Junior League of Boise and Hidden Springs Charter School in Idaho, where she served a two-year term on the Parent Teacher Association Board. A philanthropist at heart, Kristi is involved with community organizations like Kickstand, Chamber of Commerce, NAWBO, Idaho Nonprofit Center and Ada County’s Boys and Girls Club. Kristi is a “stay at home” mom with two young girls, but her passion for children’s advocacy doesn’t stop there. In 1995, she created Through Their Eyes, Inc., a nationally recognized special needs children’s foundation. Kristi’s innate drive to care for others is evident in her latest entrepreneurial fundraising website Auction Frogs.
Designed as a tool to better conduct fundraising silent auctions, Auction Frogs integrates technology to extend auction periods, reach greater audiences and simplify bidding. According to Kristi, Auction Frogs faced its share of difficulties and unknowns prior to its 2007 launch. “Fortunately, I recognized early on that it was not just me but also a strong team and advisory board that would make this a success. From that point on, I surrounded myself with skilled like-minded people I trusted to build on my knowledge of fundraising and silent auction processes,” and the rest is history. Innovative technology and extensive experience has formed a virtual fundraising community that brings both corporate and individual donors and nonprofit organizations together to raise money for philanthropic causes. Auction Frogs’ online forum enables organizations to reach a greater audience of bidders rather than solely those who attend their gala. In addition to generous donations from featured organizations, they accrue “Frog Pond Donations” from a wide-ranging scope of trusted individual donors.
Kristi strives to leave the next generation with the belief that finding a genuine passion in something is worth the time it takes to develop a successful organization or business model. According to Boise State University Technology and Entrepreneurial Center Executive Director John Glerum, she has done just that. “Kristi leads by example and has a growing following of women who have gained excitement and confidence in making a difference for others!” Kristi strives to continue this mission as the latest recipient of the NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award. Auction Frogs has helped hundreds of organizations increase revenue by hosting silent auctions with an easy to use format and straightforward bidding. With the $5,000 grant, Kristi plans to fund necessary enhancements and incorporate supplemental features to improve the online auction platform and overall visitor experience.
For more information about Auction Frogs, visit www.auctionfrogs.org.
For this story and more on the NAWBO, visit www.nawbo.org.
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Friday, June 4th, 2010
Award recognizes three women business owners for innovation, growth and community service
Washington, D.C., June 3, 2010 – Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) and the National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®) will recognize three women-owned businesses with the 9th annual NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award at NAWBO’s 2010 Women’s Business Conference in Washington, D.C., on June 10. The award demonstrates the two organizations’ long-standing commitment to the success of women-owned businesses. Each winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
The winners were selected from a nationwide pool of applicants and evaluated on their business performance, innovation, growth, and service to the community.
“It is a privilege to recognize these outstanding entrepreneurs for their leadership and distinction in the business community,” said Joy Ott, regional president for Wells Fargo in Montana and national spokesperson for the company’s Women’s Business Services program. “These women have truly embraced the spirit of the Trailblazer Award by building successful businesses while devoting time and resources to their communities. We’re pleased to highlight their vision and commitment to excellence.”
This year’s winners are:
- Boise, ID – based Auction Frogs, LLC – President and CEO Kristi Saucerman
- Chandler, AZ – based Precious Treasures Childcare – Founder & CEO Kay Woods
- Chatsworth, CA – based UltraGlas, Inc. – Founder & CEO Jane A. Skeeter
The Trailblazer Award is one component of Wells Fargo’s Women’s Business Services program. Established in 1995, the program provides outreach and education to help women business owners increase their access to capital and other financial services. The program sponsors primary research, builds alliances with women’s organizations, and provides financial information and resources to support the success of women-owned businesses. Since 1995, Wells Fargo has loaned more than $35 billion to women business owners nationwide
Auction Frogs LLC, based in Boise, ID, is a virtual fundraising community that brings charitable organizations, donors (businesses and individuals), and bidders together to simplify the silent auction fundraising experience. Auction Frogs is a web-based application designed to host silent auction items online, making them available to audiences beyond the organization’s membership database. President and CEO Kristi Saucerman developed the company to help the many organizations for which she has volunteered raise money.
Precious Treasures Childcare, based in Chandler, AZ, provides 24/7 childcare to assist with the safety and welfare of children. The company also operates a family resource center that offers various services including seminars, where experts from various fields provide valuable information to staff and parents. Founder & CEO Kay Woods adopted the vision of her company from her mother, who wished for a safe and supportive place for children in her community.
UltraGlas, Inc., based in Chatsworth, CA, specializes in artistic glass products. The company designs, manufactures and distributes decorative architectural glass, glass tile and artifacts. The company is a leader in the development of architectural products and components made from recycled architectural glass. Ultraglas’ recent projects include the Quill Bar at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington, D.C. and the 10,000 square foot barrel-vaulted ceiling of the Palazzo Casino in Las Vegas. Founder & CEO Jane A. Skeeter has been an entrepreneur in various trades since the age of 12. Today she shares her experiences by promoting entrepreneurship to young women.
“This is the 9th consecutive year that we have shared the honor with Wells Fargo of presenting the Trailblazer Award and I am continually impressed by the talent and dedication of the awardees,” said Helen Han, NAWBO executive director. “It is a tremendous accomplishment to own a successful business while also making an impact in one’s community. These women demonstrate what can be achieved – even in challenging economic times.”
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 10,000 stores and 12,000 ATMs and the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com) across North America and internationally.
Wells Fargo is America’s #1 small business lender (2008 Community Reinvestment Act government data) and a leading lender to women- and diverse-owned businesses. Through its award-winning online advice library of business resources, including topical videos and webcasts, Wells Fargo provides business owners with timely advice and information to help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo has loaned more than $40 billion to women, African American, Latino and Asian business owners since 1995. For more information, speak with a Wells Fargo banker, visit wellsfargo.com/biz or call the National Business Banking Center at 1-800-CALL-WELLS.
About NAWBO
Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. Thirty years later, NAWBO is still the only organization that solely represents the interest of women entrepreneurs in all industries. The organization’s mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; to create innovative and effective change in the business culture; to build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and to transform public policy and influence opinion makers. Visit www.nawbo.org for more information.
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