Thursday, September 3, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Due to overwhelming community support and interest, Wolfman Pizza is extending Birthday Blessings’ “Goodies for Good” campaign through Labor Day.  So head to Wolfman Pizza with your kids and teach them a lesson about giving, while enjoying some uber-delicious pizza!

Read the details below.

9-1-2009 press release (Wolfman Pizza Goodies for Good) 

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, Birthday Blessings, Cusine, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Monday, February 9, 2009 by Planet Janet.

My buddy, Jennifer Rothacker, with MomsCharlotte put this free event together.  And I have to say bravo to MomsCharlote, Maggiano’s and Pure Romance for making it a fun way to spend my Saturday morning.

Executive chef Delfino Netto and managing partner Antonio Tillery wowed the crowd and demonstrated how to create Maggiano’s famous tiramisu in our own kitchens.  And the tiramisu — my absolute favorite dessert — delizioso!  I enjoyed watching this comedic pair.  They really could do stand-up.  Maggiano’s even gave everyone 15% off if we stayed for lunch.

Maggiano’s is a shining example of how to give back to the community.  They also were a sponsor at the 2009 Chocolate Ball this weekend, which raises funds for Substance Abuse Prevention Services, a non-profit agency serving our community since 1971.

My Saturday morning concluded with a Pure Romance party.  If you’ve ever been to one of these things, it’s a fun time to spend with your girlfriends.  Pure Romance national director Staci Chryst gave us tips on how to rekindle our relationships, and each mom came home with a little bag filled with {cough} goodies to help us spice it up in the bedroom.  Lots of giggling and lots of fun.

Posted in N.C., CHARLOTTE, N.C., Philanthropy, nonprofits and volunteerism - CHARLOTTE,, Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Parenting - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Sunday, February 1, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Join me and my MomsCharlotte friends at Maggiano’s in SouthPark Mall on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10:30-noon for a fun morning of food, massage, romance and giveaways! Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., MomsCharlotte - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Around town - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Friday, January 9, 2009 by Planet Janet.

Wish you could recreate Chick-Fil-A’s Spicy Chicken Cool Wrap in the comfort of your own home?
Don’t know what to do with those inevitable leftovers? Looking for healthy and delicious, semi-homemade
meals for your finicky family? Stop being a short-order cook, and just wrap it up! As a
bonus, you don’t have to spend much time to prepare a mouth-watering, ultimately budget-friendly,
wrap. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »

Sunday, July 13, 2008 by Planet Janet.

Four years ago, Jennifer Chapman and Michelle Miller were introduced by a mutual friend after moving to Charlotte within the same week.  As their friendship grew, the women started dreaming out loud about opening a bakery. “The cupcake thing hadn’t come to Charlotte yet,” said Chapman, so they knew they had found their niche.

Now, eight months after launching their dream come true, the Polka Dot Bake Shop is thriving and has a staff of 10 employees.

From customized pull-apart cakes to their daily delectable specials (check out the Mexican hot chocolate cupcakes on Fridays), this gourmet bakery fits the bill for any occasion. Have a special request? No problem. Chapman once custom designed a dozen cupcakes – six with guns and six with roses – in honor of the birthday boy’s favorite band.
Can’t pick up your order? No worries. They deliver.

Families first

The shop in ParkTowne Village is the epitome of a family-friendly business. Since Miller gave birth to her second child in January, she’s able to formulate their all-natural, no-trans-fat recipes while her son, Meyer, snoozes in a Pack ‘n Play.
“Looking at all the commotion in the kitchen keeps him occupied when he’s awake,” Miller said.

Three of their employees are mothers as well. If someone is unable to come to work because of a sick child, often another employee steps in.  The partners, on occasion, even babysit for each other. “As two working mothers, if something comes up, neither of us are hesitant to take the kids,” Miller said. “No one is afraid to get their hands dirty and jump in with the kids at any moment.”

The secret to their success

For Chapman, an accountant with 30 years of cake-decorating experience, and Miller, with a background in restaurant and hotel management, the partnership is a good fit.

“She does things I don’t do, and I do things she doesn’t do, so it works pretty well,” Chapman said.
What’s their secret? Chapman said: “Have a business partner that you trust. Do something that you love. Hire really good employees, and keep them happy. Be flexible with them, too.”

“After working with Michelle on this business … she is still one of my dearest and closest friends. When I have a chance to catch up with a friend over lunch, she’s at the top of my list. That’s one of the things I’m most proud of: opening a business with a dear friend and staying dear friends throughout the process,” Chapman said.

Miller said, “There is not a day that doesn’t go by that I don’t talk to Jen. I would miss talking to her daily about things. We have a wonderful working relationship.”

Posted in CHARLOTTE, N.C., Cusine, Cuisine - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Business and retail - CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Print | No Comments »