Ladies Who Launch Los Angeles Partners with British Airways to Inspire Business Growth Abroad

PR Log (Press Release) – Sep 01, 2009 – Launch Locally, Connect Globally: Ladies Who Launch Partners with British Airways to give 20 Los Angeles Women Entrepreneurs the Opportunity to Grow Their Businesses Overseas.


Los Angeles, Calif. (Sept 2, 2009) Ladies Who Launch (LWL) Los Angeles (www.ladieswholaunch.com/losangeles) has partnered with British Airways for the Face of Opportunity campaign (http://facetoface.ba.com), a program aimed to keep entrepreneurship alive and inspire fresh potential for economic growth in the U.S. by fostering tangible, human connections as a crucial driver of business growth. LWL Los Angeles has selected 20 women to join a group of entrepreneurs on October 13th, 2009 to depart LAX on a dedicated British Airways flight to Heathrow Airport.  Once there, the group will connect with the brightest entrepreneurial minds in Great Britain, and beyond.

“We are always searching for ways to help our members grow their businesses, especially in these challenges economic times and this event has us launching to even higher levels,” said Caren Magill, executive director of Ladies Who Launch Los Angeles. “This opportunity completely supports the mission of Ladies Who Launch; to make entrepreneurship accessible to all women.  The chance for these women to take their businesses abroad will create new connections and opportunities with customers, partners and vendors. We are thrilled to be giving our members an opportunity to expand their horizons in such an adventurous way.”

The participants of the Face of Opportunity campaign will receive a roundtrip ticket anywhere British Airways flies departing from LAX including a stop over and welcome reception, networking event and forum on growing your business in Great Britain. After an overnight complimentary stay at the Sofitel London Heathrow, the entrepreneurs are flown to the destination of their choice to conduct business meetings that will grow and enhance their business.

According to LWL participant Naja Hayward, owner of Naja Tea (www.najatea.com) “This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.  More than simply a flight to London, the British Airways Face of Opportunity event is a chance to learn from seasoned entrepreneurs as well as network with other entrepreneurs looking to build their own businesses.  I’m also hoping for an opportunity to connect with investors looking to participate in the growth of a great idea.”  After her brief stop in London, Heathrow, Naja will go on to Bangalore and the Nilgiris Hills to seek out potential vendors at biodynamic tea estates.

Simon Talling-Smith, Executive Vice President Americas for British Airways said:  “Face-to-face interaction fuels business. In these challenging times, you can keep relationships alive through faceless conference calls or live video conferences, but chances are they won’t grow much without some quality face time. These human connections matter, and it is from those connections that business flows. Everyone must do their part to get business moving again, and the Face-to-Face campaign will connect U.S.-based entrepreneurs with new opportunities that would not have been realized if people did not make the trip.”
Ladies Who Launch is the first new media company to provide resources and connections for women entrepreneurs. Women are launching businesses at twice the rate of men, and they are doing it primarily for lifestyle reasons–they want more freedom, flexibility, and creativity in their lives.
The Ladies Who Launch mission is to make entrepreneurship accessible to any woman with a project, dream or aspiration to start her own business and be successful. We have found a definitive link between launching a business and higher self-esteem and happiness. Women come to Ladies Who Launch to take advantage of our trusted community, tools, resources and success stories and live their dreams.
About British Airways
British Airways is one the world's largest international airlines, carrying approximately 33 million passengers to over 157 destinations around the world. Also, one of the world's longest established airlines, it has always been regarded as an industry-leader.

The airline's two main operating bases are London's two main airports, Heathrow (the world's biggest international airport) and Gatwick.   The airline operates the majority of its domestic UK, international and intercontinental flights from its home at Terminal 5, Heathrow.

Whether customers are in the air or on the ground, British Airways takes pride in providing a full service experience.