As a member of Guidant’s advisory board, Kiser-Block will provide insight into the franchising community’s needs from, and expectations of, a small-business financing provider.

“I am excited to be joining forces with a company that, over the last several years, has been at the forefront of introducing creative financing solutions to the franchise community,” says Kiser-Block, part owner of national franchisor Rapid Refill Corp., and former president of the national franchise consulting firm FranChoice, Inc. “For years I have watched [Guidant Cofounders] David Nilssen and Jeremy Ames use their knowledge, creativity, energy and enthusiasm to build a strong company, all-the-while keeping the entrepreneurs’ best interests at heart, regardless of industry pressures.”

The announcement of Kiser-Block’s alignment with Guidant comes on the heels of the U.S. economy’s greatest downturn since the Great Depression. America is now relying on small business more than ever to fuel the economic recovery. The International Franchising Association (IFA) reports that, between 2001 and 2005, franchising created more than 1.2 million new jobs.

“Our passion is helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams of business ownership,” says Guidant Cofounder David Nilssen. “By supporting the franchising community we are helping to bring entrepreneurship to all those who aspire to it. Lori’s experience on-the-ground as a franchisor and as president of one of the largest franchise consulting firms in the nation will give us an increased ability to build relationships and better serve the franchising community.”

Kiser-Block’s extensive experience in the franchising community has given her a unique understanding of the many challenges small business owners face. Her career in franchising began in her family-owned 7-Eleven franchise, after which she went on to spend several years in various sales and development roles. In 1993 she joined Carlson Wagonlit Travel, subsidiary of the franchise industry giant Carlson Companies. With Carlson she spent nine years as a franchise development manager and director.

In 2003 Kiser-Block joined FranChoice, Inc., where she became its president in 2006. Currently, Kiser-Block is an officer of, and investor in, Rapid Refill Ink Franchise Company.

Kiser-Block is also a sought-after mentor and coach, and speaks at numerous franchise-industry events. She regularly interviews with reporters at several national media publications and outlets, and her appearances include an interview MSNBC on the franchising industry.

“Guidant recognized early on the opportunity for a premier small business financing company to make franchise ownership accessible to more individuals,” she says. “I am thrilled to be a part of an organization that has already had such an impact on the growth of this industry. My hope is that my insight and connections will help bring Guidant’s small business financing solutions to more people.”

About Guidant Financial Group

Guidant Financial Group is the premier provider of self-directed IRAs and business-funding solutions through IRAs and 401(k)s. Guidant’s services allow investors the freedom to make investments in real estate, franchises, businesses, tax liens and more by accessing their retirement accounts without penalty before retirement age. For more information on Self-directed IRAs or Small Business Financing please visit www.guidantfinancial.com.

On July 3rd, local advertising executive Amy Yamada hopes to be one of the TOP 5 “Most Voted” auditions for OPRAH’s Search for the Next Big TV Star.  Between now and the July 3rd voting deadline, Yamada is taking every measure to increase votes for her dream career of having her own talk show on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

By Day 1 of her audition being launched, Yamada’s audition had already been mentioned on-air by KJR Sports Radio afternoon host, Ian Furness.  Since then, she has received exposure in e-newsletters, blogs, Tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook posts by The Shops at The Bravern, 425 Magazine, Sassy Fit Seattle and even on Oprah’s website!

Amy Yamada is receiving a large number of votes daily.  What makes her unique?  “I’ve always had [The Amy Yamada Show] in the back of my mind.  I’ve really enjoyed working in media on the marketing side of things, but I’m ready to take the next step and live out my true passion… to inspire and entertain others through my own talk show!”  Yamada would also incorporate travel, culture, food and entertainment in her show.  Another large topic would be health and wellness.  “Health comes first!” she says.

“During my senior year at U.W., everyone would ask me, ‘So what are you going to do with your life?’, and I would always answer, half-jokingly, ‘Isn’t it obvious?  I’m going to be the host of The Amy Yamada Show!’”  Yamada says with a smile.

Since launching her online Oprah audition on June 2nd, Yamada has received supportive comments and feedback from every chapter of her life, from friends she grew up with on a U.S. military base in Japan, to colleagues from the University of Washington, Alpha Xi Delta sorority sisters, Husky Marching Band members and friends she has made since then.  Yamada is also utilizing her connections within the online, social networking, print and radio market in hopes to gain the support of the local media.

The competition will culminate in an upcoming reality show with ten program finalists, produced by Oprah Winfrey and Mark Burnett.  One of the final ten will win their own talk show on OWN.

WHAT:  See (and vote for) Amy Yamada’s audition on Oprah’s website

WHEN: Now through July 3rd, 2010

HOW:  Online at http://www.amyonoprah.com

For more information about Amy Yamada and The Amy Yamada Show audition, you can visit her website http://www.amyyamada.com or contact her directly at 425-286-4757.

Kelsey Ray - Missing Teen

This morning I was sent a tweet on Twitter asking to help distribute information about a missing 16 year old girl who was last seen in the Redmond/Seattle area with a felony fugitive.  Please check out the information and pass the word around to everyone you know in the area.  With your help she will be found and brought home safely.  We can all make a difference!

The new council is made up of a long list of recognizable names including Joseph Brazen, Brazen Sotheby’s International Realty; Greg Collins, President & CEO, Parker, Smith & Feek, Inc; Kemper Freeman, President & CEO, Kemper Development Co., Marlice Gulacsik, Co-founder & VP, GA Creative; Anu Jain, VP Community Relations, Intelius; Dave Katri, President & CEO, Clark Nuber, PS; James Mitchel, President & CEO, Puget Sound Bank; and David Porter, Corporate VP Retail Stores, Microsoft.

Congratulations to Overlake Service League and all the people who live, work and/or play in Bellevue!

You can follow OSL on Twitter or become an OSL  fan on Facebook.

Prior to joining Dolby, Ray spent 15 years working at Microsoft in domestic and international positions, including: Director of Consumer Experience Marketing, where he developed and executed strategies to compete against Apple, Director of Corporate Development responsible for the acquisition of Danger /T-Mobile Flip Phone supplier, and Director of Business Development where he negotiated large dollar value component and IP agreements for Xbox, Zune, and manufacturing to compete against Sony.

Ray is based in Kirkland, Washington and works with Microsoft product groups including Windows, Windows Mobile, MediaRoom, Xbox, and SilverLight.  His role is to understand the businesses’ needs for high quality audio technologies and provide the best Dolby solutions for Microsoft and its end user customers.

When Ray is not focused on Microsoft and Dolby, he is an amateur Digital Forensic analyst, sailor, snowboarder, cyclist, photographer, and hiker.

The award, to be presented at the chapter’s May 18 Spring Luncheon, honors Floten for making education more accessible by bringing baccalaureate degrees to Bellevue College.

Known nationally for its innovative programs, Bellevue College offers two baccalaureate degrees: a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Radiation and Imaging Sciences, launched in 2007, and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design launched in January of this year.

Bellevue College was awarded accreditation as a bachelor degree-conferring institution earlier this year by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which sets standards for all four-year institutions in Washington and nearby states.

Floten joined Bellevue College as president in 1989. Since then, the college has grown to become the third largest educational institution in Washington state, serving approximately 35,000 students annually.

The college was listed by Yahoo Finance in March as one of “15 Fantastic Higher Education Values” nationally.

A series of national, regional and local awards have recognized Floten’s contributions to higher education, most recently including an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree, conferred by City University; the Shirley B. Gordon Presidential Award of Distinction, from Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society; and the John L. Blackburn Award for Exemplary Models of Administrative Leadership, from the American Association of University Administrators.

Floten serves on the Educational Testing Service national advisory board, the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Key Bank Advisory Board.

She earned Master of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Portland State University.

Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most widely known academic honor society, encourages and supports academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Its Pathfinder Award honors people “who encourage others to seek new worlds to discover, pathways to explore, and untouched destinations to reach.”

Gunn will serve a five-year term, replacing Lee Kraft, a Bellevue attorney and former King County Superior Court Judge, who served two terms on the Bellevue College board.Gunn retired from banking in 2007, after a 38 year career with Bank of America and Seafirst Bank.  During her career she held management positions in retail banking, business banking, human resources, community development and quality of service.

An active community volunteer, Gunn has served on the boards of YWCA, Alliance for Education, United Way of King County, Partnership for Learning and Washington Round Table.

She was recognized as a Puget Sound Woman of Influence by the Puget Sound Business Journal in 2005.

She currently chairs the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network annual gala.

“Mark’s experience in working with entrepreneurs along with his dedication to meeting client needs makes him a valued asset to our team,” said Jim Farmer, regional brokerage manager.  “Mark will maintain our high standards of service for our clients.”

Murphy has 16 years of experience in financial services.  He received a degree in economics from Seattle University.