Mary Blackmon, founder of Farm Star Living, is a fourth-generation farm owner from the border of Arkansas and Louisiana. She left her hometown Monroe, Louisiana, to pursue a career in advertising sales and marketing in Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York City, working with notable publishing houses and internet companies, including Wired, Walt Disney Internet Group and Vivendi-Universal Internet.
In 2002, she founded Spa-Addicts.com, the first national discount site for the spa & wellness industry. The site quickly grew to become a multi-million-dollar business and leader in the industry, attracting hundreds of thousands of women, as well as numerous sponsors including Proctor & Gamble, Johnson
& Johnson, General Motors, and American Express. As the innovator behind the pre-“Groupon model” for the spa industry, Mary was featured in OPRAH Magazine, EXTRA, TV Guide, and more.
In a pivotal moment in 2008, Mary made the decision to take over her family farm because there was no one available to run it and thus it would need to be sold. Her brother gave his nod of agreement; and as a result, she moved back South, rediscovered her roots and developed a new love for farming and deep respect for farmers. Several years later, she was inspired to start Farm Star Living and launched it in 2013.
Today, Farm Star Living (accessible online as well as via its own app) offers a national directory of farms searchable by fun activities for all, a national guide of farm to table restaurants, plus monthly content on Farm Stars™ food health, seasonal recipes, educational and entertaining videos and more. Celebrating farms, farm-fresh foods and healthy living, Farm Star Living has been recognized as a trend-setter and leading content provider on the farm to table movement nationwide. Since launching her lifestyle brand, Mary has received recognition from CBS, SHAPE, MNN, Best Self Magazine, ATLANTAN,Jezebel, among others, and was chosen as one of the mostinspiring women in the US by Country Woman Magazine, naming her one of the most important farm voices in the country. She also hosts her own segments on iHeartRadio called the “FarmStar Living Minute.” She recently hosted a new television pilot to educate audiences on where their food comes from and tackle food questions more in-depth.
Breakfast with Santa is Saturday, December 1st, 9 am at Camp Kiwanis!
Join jolly ol’ Saint Nick himself (and I bet you know him!), fireside at Franklin Hall for a breakfast like no other! Work in the Elves Workshop for a take home craft. Have a chat on Santa’s lap and let him know if you have been good this year. Photography opportunities available, bring your camera! Space is Limited so Register Today!
Just in case you missed the last couple Member Spotlights at the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta luncheon meeting, we have listed the last few below. The next time you need someone with their expertise, please, "Do Business with a Kiwanian!"
"Do Business" with these Kiwanians!
Tom Cross is the owner of LifeLine Repairs Inman Park, a retail store specializing in smartphone, tablet and computer repair. LifeLine Repairs also offers Pedicab rides for all ages on the Atlanta Beltline and in Piedmont Park. Go to www.lifelinerepairs.com/locations/ga/atlanta-inman-park/
Elaine Sterling is the owner of The Elaine Sterling Institute of aesthetics, nail care and massage therapy provides programs of excellence in the heart of Sandy Springs. They offer premier spa services to the public in our student clinic. Go to www.elainesterling.com
Do you want to let the members of our club know more about you and your business? Do you want to network and cultivate more business contacts? If you answered yes, then you need to sign up to do a "Member Spotlight" at one of our club meetings!
Spotlights are done every 2nd and 4th Tuesday luncheon meeting (and the occasional 5th) each month. You have two minutes to showcase your business and tell the other members how you can benefit them! To get on the schedule, just email Karen at KiwanisClubAtlanta@gmail.com.
Our club is looking for about 6 individuals who are willing to become part of the "Lunch Bunch" team! Team members will help the lunch meetings operate smoothly by working the a/v board and sounds system in the back, ensuring that any a/v the speakers use are properly set up, and working the microphones during the Q&A sessions!
While no technical experience is necessary, volunteers should feel comfortable and confident adjusting sound levels and setting up the computer for power point and video presentations. And the benefit is a dedicated comfy seat at the a/v table during lunch!
Don't get the BOOT! Be sure your car has a Kiwanis Club of Atlanta car decal properly displayed on your vehicle.
The security company contracted by Lanier Parking will be booting all cars that are parked in the reserved parking places and that do not have a valid decal on their car identifying them as attending the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta luncheon. So if you arrive prior to 11:45 am on Tuesday, please make sure you have a parking decal on your car. You can get a decal from Karen at the luncheon meeting, and then place it on the right back window (passenger side) from inside your car. They are static cling, so easy to put on and take off!
