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Archive for the ‘Hollis Wilder’ Category

Girls On The Run. Let’s lace up!

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

Girls on the Run© is a non-profit, community-based prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Their curricula address all aspects of girls’ development – their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being.

GOTR of Northeast Florida creates life-changing experiences for all girls ages 8-11 by combining training for a 5K run with important life lessons that encourage healthy habits, self-esteem, positive thinking and an active lifestyle.  The result is an awesome way of life for a new generation of girls!

Programs are held each Spring and Fall for 12 weeks at various schools, parks and YMCA’s throughout Northeast Florida, including Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Baker and Clay counties. Girls on the Run combines running with life lessons. The program is non-competitive – we focus on getting each girl to do her individual best!

Each lesson includes team building activities, running games and work-outs, and uplifting group discussions, while focusing on a healthy living topic, such as:

*Being positive

*Handling peer pressure/gossip

*Respecting myself

Today, Miss Holly had fun at their 5K run, handing out cupcakes to the 900 runners at the finish line…

Do you know a little girl, aged 8 – 11 who would benefit from this program? Please visit www.gotrneflorida.org for more information.

 

Announcing Cupcakes After The Run!

 

Furyk and Friends

Sunday, March 25th, 2012

We are at Jim and Tab Furyk’s residence on Ponte Vedra Beach today with 300 VIPs raising funds for the Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation.

The Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation is dedicated to supporting these groups through fund raising events and donations. There are many wonderful organizations here in Jacksonville working everyday to provide services to help children in need. Some provide food and shelter to underprivileged children, while others care for those with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and offer family counseling to those who are suffering. There are groups who can educate our children to keep them safe from violence or simply provide a safe place for our child to get them off the streets. Right in our own backyard we have an amazing children’s hospital that cares for our children but relies on charity donations to run many of its programs.

The couple believe that while raising charity dollars is crucial, making our community aware of the many local charities in Jacksonville is equally important. These charities provide an invaluable service for those who feel they have nowhere to turn.  “We want people to know there is help available. They look forward to using our resources to grow these programs and to provide more services for the children and families in our community.”

Below are a few of the charities that the Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation has selected to be the beneficiaries of the 2012 FURYK & FRIENDS Concert and Celebrity Golf Classic.

1) Community PedsCare is a nationally recognized pediatric palliative and hospice program for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.  A program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida in collaboration with Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Clinic and the University of Florida-Jacksonville, Community PedsCare offers support, comfort and care to these children and their families.

2) Blessings in a Backpack is a non-profit organization that feeds U.S. School Children who currently are fed during the week on the federally funded Free and Reduced Meal Program, and are at risk of going hungry on the weekends. The program works with elementary school-aged children whose families cannot afford enough food. Better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, improved health and increased attendance have all been attributed to the success of this program. Locally Blessings in a Backspack is helping to feed over 1300 school children in the Jacksonville area and nearly 57,000 across the county.  

3) Recognized as one of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Wolfson Children’s Hospital is the only full-service tertiary hospital for children in the region, serving North Florida, South Georgia and beyond. Wolfson Children’s Hospital is a non-profit organization that is apart of Baptist Health, the region’s most comprehensive healthcare provider. The world-class pediatric care available at Wolfson Children’s Hospital is made possible by the support of Baptist Health Foundation and enhanced through physician partnerships with Nemours Children’s Clinic, the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville, Brooks Rehabilitation and Mayo Clinic. As a non-profit organization, Wolfson Children’s Hospital relies on charitable donations to provide world-class care for all children in the region.

Our beach themed dessert display will be amongst the many delectable offerings Jacksonville’s top dining spots are cooking up for Jim and Tab Furyk’s guests. Additionally, country fans will be delighted to know that celebrated musician  Jack Ingram will be hosting a private concert.

This is such a worthy cause, and being fairly new residents of Jacksonville, we are only too willing to participate. Thank you Jim & Tabitha Furyk for opening up your home to this beautiful cause.

Miss Holly with our take home gifts for the 300 guests.

 

 

Universal Orlando Women’s Network

Sunday, March 25th, 2012

Miss Holly bounced back from Jacksonville for yet another speaking engagement. This time, she was joined by over 100 ladies at Universal Orlando.

Universal Orlando Women’s Network (UOWN) is made up of thousands of ladies that work in a variety of positions across Universal Orlando resort.   UOWN is one of their six Diverse Team Member Resource Groups & brings to life a variety of events throughout the year, for all their Team Members to take part in.  In celebration of Women’s History Month, Miss Holly was delighted to be asked to be their speaker.

As much as Miss Holly enjoys sharing her stories, her highlight is being able to hear attendees share their own stories and journeys. At this particular session, one of the audience members got up and spoke about her 65 year old mother, who just retired, and is now brave enough to unlock her dreams and do what she wants and what she loves. How courageous, and a lesson to us all, that age is just a number.

Men look at themselves in mirrors.  Women look for themselves.  ~Elissa Melamed

“It was a pleasure to meet and listen to Holly’s story; truly inspirational and fun at the same time.” Gislene “Gigi” Moorman, Attendee

“It was wonderful getting to meet you yesterday and hear your story. You are a true inspiration to women.  I hope someday to be as brave as you and move forward on some of my personal ideas. “ Jennifer Taylor, Attendee

For more information about Miss Holly’s speaking presentations, please email feedback@sweetbyholly.com.

A visit to Jacksonville’s FDIC

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

For those of you who don’t know, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) preserves and promotes public confidence in the U.S. financial system by insuring depositors for at least $250,000 per insured bank; by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to the deposit insurance funds; and by limiting the effect on the economy and the financial system when a bank or thrift institution fails.

One would never think that in a business like that, you’d find a cupcake decorating competition? Well, that’s exactly what happened. Miss Holly was invited to be their Women’s History’s Month speaker and the Chairman’s Diversity Advisory Council (CDAC) at the FDIC asked that we incorporate a “fun” element into the presentation. 5 attendees competed to decorate a cupcake, Sweet! style, with some pretty creative results. Will they trade their day job for a spot at Miss Holly’s store? Perhaps?

Miss Holly  also shared her Baker’s Dozen Sweet Nothings: Messages to Inspire and Surprise. These thirteen simple rules for sweet success can be applied to anybody’s lives. Drawing from her own life’s lessons about business and personal life, she hopes that her experiences, failures and successes will serve as a platform of knowledge attendees can find insightful as they navigate their own journeys.

Stepping away from baking up a storm in the kitchen with her talented chefs, Miss Holly’s month is busy with travel and presentations across Florida; so stay tuned to this blog for updates…  Tomorrow she’ll be at Universal Orlando spending time with 100 ladies.

For more information about Miss Holly’s speaking presentations, please email feedback@sweetbyholly.com.

    

 

GENERATION W 2012

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Hollis Wilder is so proud to be a part of  the GENERATION W inaugural event. The “Living Powerfully” event will be held April 20th at the Fine Arts Center for the University of North Florida in support of Generation W Women’s leadership program.

This event is a celebration of 800 female leaders in the community empowering others to reach for life and professional goals and to encourage self change and growth. With the belief that every person in this world has the ability to achieve anything they set their mind to,  a distinguished panel of guest speakers will be presenting how to achieve their  goal tools, not only to better themselves, but change the world as they know it in the process.

The philosophy of empowerment and finding your passion sticks true for the Sweet by Holly  brand, and fits perfectly in line with all that the Generation W belief stands for. Miss Holly is proud to be part of this event and share her story about starting from the ground up, taking chances and being blessed with success despite challenging periods. Starting a complete new career venture, treading in uncharted waters, turning her world upside down, she’s still evolving, learning, and enjoying the (sometimes bumpy) ride.

Miss Holly is excited to be joining a panel of many accomplished, well known speakers  from around the country including media moguls, political intellects, philanthropists, and world-class athletes to support in the development of strength and creativity for females of all generations. As a bonus for attendees, she will have cupcakes for everyone!

Miss Holly was asked the question: “What is it like to be a Woman in 2012?” Here’s what she had to say.

“While there are believers out there convinced that 2012 will be the end of the world, I think its an opportunity which places the world is at our feet. Women have more opportunities, resources, connections and power than we have had in the whole of history.

This is a gift of responsibility, to use it to our best ability to be all that we can be. We need to tell ourselves that there are no limitations except for the one that exists between your ears. It is our job, and not anyone elses to make us be the very best person that we can be; to do more, be more, challenge more, love more.

2012 is a time we don’t need to make excuses for our ambition, and most certainly, don’t need to ask for permission.

2012 is a time to honor our own truth. The most important being the ability to tell the truth when I know it; as a woman, business owner, mother, wife, employer and as a human being.  If I am not honest with myself, how do I expect others to be honest with me? Not honoring the truth only places obstacles in one’s way, obstacles that needn’t be there.

2012 is a time to believe in what you want because we have never been more modern, technologically advanced or capable. It’s not grandiose if you can back it up.

2012 is also a time we should be helping each other through platforms such as Gen W.  As former Former U.S. Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright said: “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”  The world is more connected technologically than ever, lets use this and widen our network, helping all the women within our network, to push each other to the top – not trample on each other on the way up.

This is our time. 2012.”

We encourage women of all ages to review the upcoming highlights of this revolutionary event taking place in Jacksonville next month. Please visit  www.genwnow.com for more information, and ladies of the future, we will see you there.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
-Harriet Tubman

A Visit To Florida International University in Miami

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

I was chosen to be the keynote speaker for FIU University’s 2012 Women Who Lead Conference yesterday. This was a forward-thinking and inspiring event aimed to empower women of all ages to go break through the glass ceiling of conventional thinking and discover their limitless abilities.

It was my honor to speak to an almost all female audience on strategic development in leadership roles for students, and expansion for women who already have leadership roles in their respective careers. Being on this platform meant a lot to me.  With  roots established in a traditional culinary-based business, I took an epic chance on the unfamiliar pastry industry, in a brand new market 4 years ago. I didn’t know what the outcome would be, except that I had faith I could do it.  With gusto and guts and a (big!) dose of blind faith, I decided to  add gourmet flavors and exotic ingredients to the world’s ever trending obsession with cupcakes in an attempt to innovate a niche in the Florida dessert market.

I didn’t know the ending of this story. I really didn’t. And you know what? I still don’t know the ending.  Napoleon once said that victory is never final. There is still so much for me to do to evolve and stay ahead of dessert trends. The possibilities are endless, but only if we press on at Sweet By Holly – to raise the bar.

Speaking yesterday made me feel fortunate.  Seeing the faces of aspiring leaders in the crowd, with a light in their eyes, hungry for their own destinies.  It also inspired me to move onward and upward, because this story isn’t over yet!

This trip to Miami was especially close to my heart, because aptly, three very important ladies came with me: my mother-in-law, daughter, and sister-sister in law. 3 generations of women loose in Miami! They attended my presentation and it is my  hope, that they could watch and feel as proud of me, as I was of their presence in the room.

How very blessed I felt today, feeling the strength of these pivotal women in my life, and our innate ability to connect with each other on so many levels. That strength comes from one simple thing. Love. Maya Angelou once quoted that “Love liberates everything“. How very true, in every aspect of our lives. Love for my work liberates my passion. Love for my family liberates my sense of loyalty and protection. Love for causes close to my heart liberates the compassion that we all possess.

Who are the women in your life who have been there through thick and thin? Honor them, hug them and tell them you love them. We can never hear it enough.

Thank you FIU for including me in your event designed to empower  leaders. Driving home I realized, it was me who left empowered. And for this honor, I thank you.

March is Women’s History month. Lets honor the generations of women before us who have laid the foundation and lead the way for us. This event kicked off the series of speaking engagements I will be doing across the state of Florida this month. Stay tuned for updates, and in the meantime, read this compelling Presidential proclamation released a few days ago from the White House.

xoxo Miss Holly

We need to honor women in all their complexity.
It’s time that we acknowledge the wisdom women have acquired
by managing the chaos of daily life.
Women are realists, the glue that holds society together.
They bring a reverence to life that’s instinctual,  not just intellectual.
—Teresa Heinz Kerry

Thank You Ladies!

 

What a crew!

 

Three generations… Mom-in-law, Sis-in-law, and Gorgeous Georgia…

Miss Holly on News Jax 4: Another Way to Say I Love You With Chocolate

Sunday, February 19th, 2012

Miss Holly made an appearance on WJXT News Jax 4 in early February to show everyone another way to say “I Love You” with chocolate! Valentine’s Day cupcakes from Sweet!

Got Chocolate?

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

Got Chocolate?

Dating back to 1100 BC, Chocolate has been the “go to” dessert for a multitude of cultures, making its debut as a bitter and warm infused beverage for the Mesoamerican people. The chocolate we know today was made possible in the 1800’s by the likes of Swiss, Dutch, and German companies including Nestle, Cadbury, Ghirardelli, Lindt and eventually making its stamp on the United States thanks to Hershey! Without these innovative companies and the techniques they established, we wouldn’t have the delectable chocolate we love and crave today.

Fast forward to Valentine’s Day 2012…..

Inspired from all cultures and phases of chocolate, Miss Holly has created a unique blend of smooth and velvety chocolate pieces to sit elegantly perched on her famous cupcakes. Taking the world’s infatuation with chocolate, our Valentine’s Day collection has added a splash of decadence and flair with infused and filled medallions. From traditional dark chocolate filled with salted caramel and coated cookie embellishments, to unique chocolate bows infused with lemon-ginger , to white chocolate flowers filled with honey, Miss Holly has made a sweet collection to salivate over!

Knowing that chocolate is the most coveted sweet on the planet, what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a delicious box of these goodies? With the holiday where the world consumes the majority of chocolate fast approaching, cover all your dessert desires with our two-in-one creation! Think outside of the box with an assortment of individual cakes accented by enticing fruit and mousse fillings topped with flavored buttercreams and our creative chocolate broaches.

Historically, chocolate is the quintessential symbol of comfort and affection. Can you think of a better way to express your love for the exceptional people in your life? Order this uniquely special box of cupcakes and chocolates that will made Cupid blush with pride…

xoxo Miss Holly

Additional information on this limited time collection:
Available in both Orlando & Jacksonville locations
Delivery available in both locations within 25 miles of shop
Preorder today for pick up until February 14th
Special order only, collection comes pre-assorted
Cost: $18 per dozen

Miss Holly will be keynote speaker at Women Who Lead Conference

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Miss Holly has been chosen to be the keynote speaker for the 2012 Women Who Lead program on Wednesday March 7, 2012 at Florida International University in Miami.

The Women Who Lead Conference is designed to promote awareness about the scope of women in leadership in our society today; to assist our female student leaders in developing a strategic plan for their leadership development; and to provide an opportunity for our students to network with women in the community who serve as leaders from a variety of career paths, and connect them to community resources.

For more info and registration please visit: http://women.fiu.edu/WWL.htm

Miss Holly in Orlando Home & Leisure Magazine

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Orlando Home & Leisure Magazine did an incredible photo shoot and write up on Miss Holly!

Read the full article here.