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Todays woman has choices her mother didnt. But does mom have her daughters figure? Mom can go to the gym, and starve herself slim, but sooner or later her hormones kick in. And unless shes a fan of Suzanne Somers bioidentical hormone therapy, whats a mom to do?

Forever Young

She can start by browsing stylish fashion emporiums like H&M or its formidable competitor Forever 21/Forever XXI, a billion dollar fashion house with over 400 locations and footage five times most Gap stores. From Pasadena, California to Union Square, New York, Canada and everywhere in between, this shopping mecca is ahead of its European counterparts and sprouting like Chia products. Not just for teenagers, Forever 21 caters to family shoppers, which means men, boys and big bucks. 2006 saw the first opening exclusively for men. Typically, Forever XXI stores are larger than Forever 21.

A Guys Candid Review

The size branded on the clothes is the actual size. The Medium is an actual Medium. They know the clothes, they smile, I can ask for advice. Plus I get to hang out with really good looking women.

A tip for you men who are into style but need some help: Check out the latest GQ online for mens designers. I happen to favor Donna Karen (DKNY Mens) fall 2007 collection. But youll find all of them there. Then compare at H&M or Forever 21 stores. If you bring your wife or girlfriend, prepare to spend some time.

When Fashion Chic is Fashion Cheap

So when mother and daughterlets call them the Tomasesset off on their monthly shopping-bonding safari, they might steer a course through the aisles of Forever 21, one of the most successful retail fashion houses in the business. Mostly in shopping malls, this Forever 21 is in Manhattans Union Square location on 14th Street where Mrs. Tomases is looking for trendy that conceals, and sexy that reveals.

Her daughters approval is important; what mom chooses should be cool but not too young. Mrs. Tomases makes a $17.80 purchase of a blue-patterned sheer chiffon tunic with ruffled placket. Her 26-year-old chooses a red and black floral tunic ($19.80), and chocolate brown wide leg linen pant ($27.80). Who wouldnt shop here? These are chic designer clothes at subway prices! Savvy consumers have learned that to ensure quality, not all roads must lead to Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue. When clothing thats cut couture can be sold at affordable prices, what more can shoppers ask?

Is There a Fox in The Basement?

The founders and owners of the Forever 21/XXI chain are Don and Jin Chang who immigrated to Los Angeles from South Korea in the mid-1980s. Aggressively marketing young and mature women as well as men and children, the Changs have achieved what every immigrant hopes forthe American Dream. Starting with one store in L.A., they began adding new stores every six months. Last year they acquired 40,000-square feet of a former Saks store in Pasadena, California, turning it into a palace of rich looking clothes and other desirable articles for the not so rich.

Preferring to remain a mystery, Mrs. Chang gives no interviews and maintains a profile so low her physical body is off the radar. Ask top designers like Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenberg and they will say it takes months to get their clothes from the runways to the stores. The Changs deliver interpretations of the same item down to the tiniest patterns and finest quality material, within six weeks!

So Sue Me

The Changs say they employ no designers, just very savvy designer merchants. Yet when you examine their product adaptations its clear these designer merchants are the reason for the success of Forever 21. But the company refuses to make them or their names public. In other words, the designer merchants, along with Mrs. Chang, remain invisible. When questioned, a spokeswoman replied, smiling: our clothes are on trend, almost indistinguishable from designer clothes. Our design process is proprietary.

According to the New York Times, Diane Von Furstenberg has filed a lawsuit against Forever 21 for replicating one of her dresses down to its print, fabric and color. Current law does not protect clothing design from being copied (logos are an exception), said the Times. But Ms. Von Furstenberg and other American designers have been lobbying Congress since last year to expand the copyright statute that protects music and books. Such a change is considered a long shot, the Times said.

Dirty Little Secrets Everyone Knows

Are there dimly lit places somewhere offshore where, under the supervision of master designers, tiny little fingers work at warp speed, swing-shifts-around-the-clock to manufacture these garments? Does it bother shoppers that an Oscar de la Renta dress selling for $400 at Bergdorf Goodman can be bought for about $40 at Forever 21; that Ralph Lauren, now the Official Outfitter of Wimbledon can see his knock-offs coming and going on Main Street? If theres any consumer guilt, its not evident at the cash register. The bigger question is, where do most mega designers get their clothes made, and by whom? If they are in areas where child labor laws and forced labor laws are non-existent, how is it possible to enforce them?

As freelance writer/editor I think it's important to establish good working relationships with my clients. Both time and cost effective, I focus on one manuscript or one news release or the text of one book jacket, until the project is completed. Beginner or seasoned writer, the process is the same. You will find my portfolio on my website, plus other examples of how I can help you with your work. SIGNED copies of my novel "The Sword & The Chrysanthemum, Journey of the Heart" are available in paperback at reduced rates directly from me. Or, you can get unsigned copies at standard rates from Amazon.com and bn.com . An ebook is also available. http://www.susanscharfman.com

Who is she? She is empowered, enlightened and enterprising. She exudes energy, enthusiasm and confidence. She has embarked on a journey and created a mission only she can fulfill. Shes a risk taker. She connects. She collaborates. She gives back. The entrepreneurial woman will not be denied. She deserves success and takes pride in her accomplishments. She sets the standard of excellence in all that she does and in all that she is. She endures.

The entrepreneurial woman is unstoppable. She does it all. She creates. She markets. She promotes. She shares resources. She supports other like minded individuals with her ideas, her time, and her talent. It requires courage to be an entrepreneurial woman in todays marketplace. Theres no fall back. No pay check. No employee benefits. No paid vacations. Its you, your products and/or services, vying for consumers in an already established economic environment. Its possessing the fortitude to differentiate yourself from everyone else by finding a unique way to be memorable.

In the early 80s after completing my 12th year in the teaching profession I left to pursue my entrepreneurial dream and purchased a franchise. Everyone thought I was crazy. A typical comment was, How can you give up your career, vacations, benefits, etc. to owning a retail business? Youll have to work at year round including weekends! No one and nothing could persuade me. I was ready. I was determined. I was tired of someone else directing my life. I wanted control even if that meant long hours, hard work, and facing the unknown. Twelve years later I owned 6 franchises and became the Regional Director with responsibility to oversee 22 other stores.

I look back on those years with huge satisfaction. I went from school teacher to entrepreneur. I went from a single pay check to multiple streams of income. I proved to myself and those who doubted my determination that I could meet the challenges and survive. I know what it takes first hand to break away and go out on your own. I know the amount of faith it requires. I also know the rewards that come from doing what you really want to do even if it means following unfamiliar roads to travel an uncertain journey.

The entrepreneurial woman in the marketplace is doing better than surviving. Shes thriving. Shes unique. Shes a gift. Shes a person who endures. It serves us all when we pay attention to and support the entrepreneurial woman economically. She takes her tasks seriously, often over delivers, and shows us what is possible by her example. If you are an entrepreneurial woman, congratulations! If you are considering stepping out on your own, go for it! I for one am eager to support you, your talent and ideas. I believe others will, too.

Bonnie Ross-Parker

Author, Walk In My Boots ~ The Joy of Connecting

www.bonnierossparker.com

bootgirl@bonnierossparker.com

Bonnie is a multi-dimensional businesswomen/entrepreneur with a background in education, franchising, publishing, mentorship, MLM, and community development. In 2002 Bonnie received The Athena Award ~ an honor designed to acknowledge women of leadership in cities throughout the United States. In September, 2005 she was honored by the Womens Leadership Exchange, a New York based organization, as an Influential Woman of Georgia. Bonnie is a speaker with the Direct Selling Womens Alliance. In May, Bonnie was honored by The International Toastmasters Organization of Georgia with their annual Communication & Leadership Award. Shes authored Walk In My Boots ~ The Joy of Connecting, and Y.O.U. Set A High Standard for Being Human. In 2005, Bonnie licensed The Joy of Connecting gatherings for women. There are currently 25 locations for professional women to network with one another in Atlanta, Los Angeles, OK, DC, NC, Kansas City, Austin, Arlington, Houston TX. Bonnie lives in Atlanta and can be reached at http://www.bonnierossparker.com and http://www.TheJoyofConnecting.com.