PowerBlog Review: re: invention

Editor's note: This is the sixteenth in our popular weekly series of PowerBlog Reviews of other weblogs...



The re: invention blog is written by re: invention inc. founder Kirsten Osolind (also known as that visionary chick). The blog offers marketing and business soundbytes for women entrepreneurs.



But, as Kirsten says "Of course, progressive men are always invited to stop by for a visit."



That light flippant comment is typical of the way Kirsten serves up the content on re: invention. It's fast, witty and humorous. There's even the trademark Shoe of the Week section, featuring some of the most wicked -- and expensive -- stiletto heels around.



But don't let that humorous, light and feminine facade fool you. There's considerable substance underneath, with some great entrepreneurial and small business content.



This blog lets a lot of Kirsten's personality show through. Yet it is still a business blog all the way.



Kirsten tells us:

"re:invention's blog acts as a lead-generation and brand positioning tool (both for new clients and for re:invention associates). Our blog topics range from marketing, to business development, to breaking news. Traditional female images and motifs (stiletto shoes, butterflies, little girls, gosh darn cute nicknames) are used irreverently to slay "archaic notions of what a professional woman should or should not be." Our goal is to evoke confidence, inspire innovation, and encourage a new mode of thinking (one in which savvy women entrepreneurs can laugh at ourselves and not take things so seriously)."

One of the things I like best about re: invention is its niche focus on the women business owners. There are few really good sources out there writing exclusively about the women-owned, small business market.



But what's best of all is the way Kirsten bridges the male/female divide. Take, for instance, a recent post in which she compares the great Mary Kay, cosmetics mega-entrepreneur, with Matthew Lesko. (Matthew who, you ask? Why, it's that late night TV infomercial icon. Oh, you say.)



In the post, she points out the similarities in philosophy and approach between those two entrepreneurs, one female and one male. And Kirsten makes a good case that there are more similarities than differences.



Kirsten blogs from Chicago, Illinois, USA. re:invention has been live on the Web since July 2003.





The Power: The Power of the re: invention weblog is in its excellent coverage of a niche segment -- the women-owned, small business market. And Kirsten does it by letting her own personality show through. In the process she is an inspiration -- even a mentor -- to other businesswomen.