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Business & Tech

Stephanie Burns Talks Chic CEO

Chic CEO is a local Web resource for women interested in starting their own business.

While pursuing her MBA, Stephanie Burns decided to launch La Jolla-based Chic CEO, a Web resource for savvy, smart female entrepreneurs who are looking for the information they need to get their businesses up and running. Burns has a background in brand building, media buying and entrepreneurship.

As CEO, her vision for Chic CEO is to become a nationally recognized brand and reliable resource for female entrepreneurs. Burns is making that vision come true. Chic CEO was recently named in the Top 10 Entrepreneurial Websites for Women by Forbes.

La Jolla Patch: When did Chic CEO start?

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Stephanie Burns: Chic CEO started basically out of frustration. I was getting my MBA while working full time and while sitting in class one evening, I wondered why all of this business information wasn't somewhere on the Web in an easy to read, easy to use format—for free.

As my final project for grad school I wrote the business plan, and in 2009, I actually got to work on it. After a year of research, writing and design, Chic CEO launched in December of 2010. In February 2011, I brought on my business partner, Jody Coughlin, and we've been hard at work ever since.

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La Jolla Patch: When did you first know that you wanted to be your own boss?

Burns: I've always known I wanted to be my own boss. I'm a really hard worker, but a terrible employee. I just never fit into that role very well and never excelled working for others. I'm quite independent and have different ways of thinking and doing things; it's just natural that I work for myself.

La Jolla Patch: What services does Chic CEO provide?

Burns: We provide all of the information you need to get started for free. It's all on the site. We also have an eight-week launch program, called Chic Sirens Work It!, for women who want a bit more hand-holding through the process as well as hold monthly networking events.

In addition, we are about to launch a new software product called Chic Works that does email marketing, project management, CRM, accounting, event management, website creation, social media integration. It's very robust and we are really excited to provide our community with an all-in-one solution that will save them a ton of money and time if they are using programs like Constant Contact, Quick Books, EventBrite, BaseCamp, etc. to do all of the things Chic Works will do for them.

La Jolla Patch: What makes Chic CEO unique?

Burns: Our brand and our content set us apart from other business websites. We have a very distinct brand voice that is unique only to us. We talk to our community of women like they are our dearest girlfriends. We don't speak to them as if they already have a business degree or in a stuffy manner. We are fun, flirty and to the point. We really provide the nuts and bolts information women need to get businesses started and that is very different from a lot of other sites—believe it or not. If the information is not implementable, it's not on Chic CEO. 

La Jolla Patch: Are there any special projects you would like to work on?

Burns: Anything that furthers female entrepreneurship!

La Jolla Patch: What motivates you?

Burns: I'm motivated by women who are taking their careers in their own hands and owning their financial future. After being laid off myself, I vowed that no one would ever have the power to change my livelihood in a matter of minutes ever again. It's scary to go out on your own, but to me, it's scarier to put that control in an employer's hands. 

La Jolla Patch: What’s next for you?

Burns: Right now we are really focused on getting Chic Works up and running so our ladies can really benefit from it as well as growing our community. Jody and I are working our tails off, but having a blast with Chic CEO. We get to meet some amazing women and knowing that we are helping others is truly a gift.

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