Laura Lee Williams Named a Top Woman Entrepreneur 2009 by Enterprising Women magazine

February 24, 2009 — Laura Lee Williams, owner of the Washington DC-based luxury handbag company Laura Lee Designs, got word this week that she was named a Top Women Entrepreneur in North America by Enterprising Women magazine. Award recipients must demonstrate that they have fast-growth businesses, mentor or actively support other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship, and stand out as leaders in their communities, explains Monica Smiley, publisher and CEO of Enterprising Women magazine, which is based in Cary, NC. Many of these women are also leaders in key organizations that support the growth of women’s entrepreneurship.

“These awards recognize some of our nation’s most talented women business owners,” Smiley says. “Our mission with this award celebration is to showcase the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable group of women entrepreneurs, both in their industries and local communities.” Smiley notes that a total of 39 women were picked to be part of the “Class of 2009,” and only five landed spots in the “up to $1 million in annual sales revenues” category that Laura Lee Designs is listed on.

“I am thrilled and honored to be part of this elite group,” says California native Laura Lee, who got her a master’s degree in international studies from Harvard University and spent two decades working for Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, American Express and Apple Computer before launching her own firm in 2005. “It’s an incredible feeling to do what you love and have others enjoy it, too. It’s never easy to launch and grow a business, and I can honestly say winning this award is a dream come true.”

Celebrating Success — Award winners and finalists will be recognized during a three-day tribute held in their honor from March 11-13 at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL. This is the seventh anniversary of the gala awards celebration. The Walt Disney World Company is the premiere sponsor of the 2009 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration.

In the up to $1 million in annual sales revenues category 2009 Enterprising Women include: Laura Lee Williams of Laura Lee Designs, Inc., McLean, VA, Mary Ardapple Dierker of Apple's Bakery, Inc., Peoria, IL, Ann Kayman of New York Grant Company, New York, NY, Genma Stringer Holmes of Holmes Pest Control, Hermitage, TN, and Patricia Massey of Myca Multimedia & Training Solutions, Cincinnati, OH.

For more information, or to register to attend the 2009 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration, visit www.enterprisingwomen.com.

Laura Lee Designs Shine at US-Ireland Alliance's pre-Oscar Awards "Oscar Wilde" party

February 19, 2009 — Desperate Housewives actress Dana Delany (pictured here with Laura Lee Williams) served as award-presenter tonight at the US-Ireland Alliance's "Oscar Wilde" event, a pre-Oscar party honoring actors Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Brendan Gleeson and Hylda Queally for their contributions to the film industry at The Ebell of Los Angeles. The US-Ireland Alliance, a non-profit organization created to foster ties between the US and Ireland, hosted the annual event where Laura Lee's handbags have made an appearance at the star-studded event for the last several years.

Among the celebrities in the room: Recent Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Kate Winslet, a client of Queally’s, presented her with the award. Delany presented Meyers’ award to Morgan O’Sullivan. Golden Globe nominated actress Rose Byrne accepted the award for Brendan Gleeson, who was unable to attend for family reasons. Irish musicians Gemma Hayes, Laura Izibor and Republic of Loose wowed the crowd of about 400 people.

"I'm always honored to be asked to attend this event," says Laura Lee, who brought her signature M Bag for some of the famous actresses to carry. What was Laura Lee's favorite moment of the evening? "Grammy Award nominated singer Maura O'Connell sang a Clare song to honor Queally, who hails from the same county in the west of Ireland. It took my breath away."

For more information about the pre-Oscar party and the The US-Ireland Alliance, visit http://www.us-irelandalliance.org.

Black Tie & Boots Inagural Ball

January 19, 2009 — Nearly 11,000 revelers danced the night away to the tunes of 20 different music acts at the Black Tie & Boots Inagural Ball at the Gaylord Resort on Jan. 19. Guests were entertained by the Wildcat Wranglers and the ever-popular Kilgore Rangerettes, who helped bring a little Lone Star flair to our nation's Capitol.

On the fashion front, Laura Lee Designs attracted visitors to her booth who were eager to snap up her fabulous handbags at the Texas Fair.

"This event was all Texas, and absolutely wonderful," says Laura Lee, who wore a smashing white frock and carried her signature bridal bag. "The Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center was a terrific venue and we all enjoyed the quesadilla and guests clad in 10-gallon hats and boots of all shapes and sizes. There was no mistaking that Black Tie & Boots was one of the hottest tickets in town."

Laura Lee Williams featured on pre-Inauguration show News Channel 8

January 15, 2009 — Just days before Barack Obama’s Inauguration, luxury handbag designer Laura Lee Williams, owner of Laura Lee Designs, was featured on the noon broadcast of the Washington DC’s ABC Affiliate News Channel 8 about the best accessories to carry for the big event.

Options, said the Northern Virginia-based designer, include her collection of styles, ranging from the M Bag, which measures 8×3 inches and has 3,500 beads — perfect for carrying make up, money and a cell phone — to the Positively Pink bag, which is like the M Bag and created to support breast cancer research. She also brought along her higher-end Sitting Pretty bag, a signature purse that’s big enough to handle all the goodies a woman might need to carry.

“It was a thrill to talk with Let’s Talk Live co-host Natasha Barrett about my handbags,” says Williams, who herself attended the Inauguration — and carried one of her favorite cocktail dress accessories, the midnight black M Bag.

During the broadcast, Natasha Barrett told the audience that she was incredibly impressed with Laura Lee’s vast selection and her impeccable attention to craftsmanship and detail.

“Your bags are absolutely gorgeous,” the TV broadcaster exclaimed. “I think I want one of each.”

For more information, visit www.lauraleedesigns.com.