Raleigh Mompreneurs plans Illuminate 2012 conference

Raleigh Mompreneurs, the Facebook group that has turned into a great networking outlet for local moms, is planning its first conference.

Illuminate 2012 is set for 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 22 at Wine and Design, 219 Bickett Blvd., in Raleigh. The conference will offer mompreneurs - mom business owners - a chance to learn new business skills, including the use of social media; accounting strategies and tax information; and how to translate skills into a unique brand.

Cary Heise, a mom of two in Apex, started Raleigh Mompreneurs last year. Heise is creator of Social Butterflies, an online guide to family events in the area, and Stay at Home Rock Star T-shirts. She created the Facebook page so other business owners and moms like her could connect, share and network.

"Early on, we created smaller groups for specific businesses (Direct Sales, Professional Photographers, etc) and monthly networking events," she tells me. "At the beginning of the year, Irene Gouge of Loving Lessons Pediatric Sleep Consulting came to me with an idea of a conference, a learning and networking event. We called on several active Raleigh Mompreneurs with all different backgrounds and strengths and this first conference was planned! We are featuring speakers that will educate, empower and encourage business minded moms."

Tickets, which cost just $15, are on sale now for the event. Click here for all the details and to buy tickets. The conference is a nonprofit event benefiting the Christian Women's Job Corps.