The 2nd Annual Mingling and Mocktails program and event is an opportunity for PCC students, along with area high school FBLA and DECA students, to learn the finer points of professionalism and etiquette during a semester’s course work.
The PCC Foundation is teaming up with Pueblo Community College; its Business Management and Accounting, Office Administration, Computer Information Systems, and Visual Communications Departments to host a semester’s program of study.
The program culminates April 2, 2015, with our very special Mingling & Mocktails event, which is designed to simulate a professional networking event. In addition to offering the students the opportunity to “mingle” with local business leaders, the event will feature a keynote address by entrepreneur Gigi Butler, founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes, who will offer a glimpse into what it takes in order to start and build a successful business venture.
Mingling & Mocktails is a wonderful opportunity for all concerned and we hope that you will consider involvement with this year’s event!
For information on how you may become involved with the 2015 Mingling & Mocktails program and banquet event, please contact Martha Simmons at the PCC Foundation, 719.549.3303.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN EVENT BROCHURE
ABOUT KEYNOTE SPEAKER GIGI BUTLER
The inspiring story of Gigi Butler captures the heart of those who meet her as she’s living her own American Dream. The entrepreneur and founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes admits her story of success is full of sweet irony.
Gigi opened her first Gigi’s Cupcakes location on a whim just off the famed Music Row in Nashville, TN in 2008. In six short years Gigi’s Cupcakes has grown to nearly 100 locations across 19 states and is now the largest cupcake franchise in the country. But when Gigi moved from California to Nashville in 1994, building a sweet empire was never part of her plan.
The singer/songwriter moved to Nashville to pursue her dream of a career in the music industry only to discover success in the culinary arts years later.
An entrepreneur at the early age of 15, she opened her first business, Gigi’s Cleaning Company and continued that business when she landed in Music City. She cleaned houses during the day and sang at local honky tonks at night. After a decade of pursuing music, Gigi decided to step back and focus on her financial future. She decided to take a chance on another passion – baking.
Gigi learned her cupcake craft at an early age, being taught unique family recipes dating back to great, great aunts who were bakery owners in Oklahoma. As an adult, Gigi felt that baking was becoming a lost art that needed to be resurrected.
Even though people rarely have time to bake from scratch, they still enjoy eating delicious home baked goods, especially ones that remind them of their childhood – like a cupcake.
After being turned down by various banks, she leveraged several personal credit cards to fund the business and gambled everything she had to open her first location on February 21, 2008 with only $33 left to her name. Fortunately, her sweet treats quickly became Nashville’s delicacy dessert of choice.
Soon after, Gigi’s Franchising, Inc. was born and Gigi’s Cupcakes locations began popping up throughout the south and across the country with plans to open international locations in South Korea in early 2015.
“I am truly living the American Dream,” says Gigi. “I am so blessed to be able to do what makes me happy and make a product that so many people really enjoy.”
Gigi’s gamble paid off as her franchise locations grossed an estimated $35 million in sales in 2013. Gigi admits she’s living the unexpected American Dream as she risked it all on an idea, hoping customers would love her creations. Her personal story recently captured the attention of the entertainment industry as Gigi signed with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
in 2013 and is currently developing various entertainment projects. Gigi speaks to various businesses, civic organizations, non-profits and churches on the topics of entrepreneurship, living your dream.
“As an entrepreneur, I often tell people that you cannot be afraid to fail,” says Gigi. “I’ve found a way to be comfortable with being uncomfortable every day. It’s now a way of life for me, but it’s been so worth it.”
GIGI BUTLER ON UNDERCOVER BOSS