This week, we are featuring one of our newest members, Whitney Richards, who is a DamselPRO sales rep for Damsel in Defense.

Damsel in Defense is a multi-level marketing business whose mission stands to equip, empower, and educate women to protect themselves and their families. Damsel in Defense offers personal safety products for the home and on the go. These items include personal alarms, “Her-emergency” lines for your automobile, pepper sprays, and stun guns.

Whitney informed us that they also feature digital protection which includes identity theft, computer and technical support, social media monitoring, and education of all Damsel in Defense products that come with a lifetime warranty. All items are legal and non-lethal.

We asked Whitney the following questions to introduce her business to fellow Chamber members and the community at large:

What got you interested in this business?

“I liked that Damsel in Defense is unique. We offer something that everyone could use. It was the best decision I have made and I love talking to people about their safety and getting them to think about little things they can do every day to stay safe.”

How long have you been in business in the MOV? How long has Damsel in Defense been in existence?

“I signed up with Damsel in October 2013 and will celebrate four years with the company this year. Damsel in Defense was founded in September 2011 by Mindy Lin and Bethany Hughes. Our home office is in Boise, Idaho.”

Who’s your ideal customer?

“There is no ideal customer when it comes to safety. We all need a form of protection and to know how to protect ourselves.”

What are some of your goals for your business this year?

“I want to grow my business, either by adding team members or equipping more women. I want to make Damsel a household name and synonymous with SAFETY & PROTECTION.”

What is a little known fact about your business?

“Damsel in Defense has partnered with Destiny Rescue to help survivors of sex trafficking by sponsoring a Damsel House Project. Five percent of the sales from our Gotcha Stun Gun and Hope Pouch O Pepper spray goes to this partnership, helping one survivor at a time.”

Is there any exciting news you want to share with fellow Chamber members or the community?

“This past month Damsel in Defense won the Vision for Tomorrow Award from the Direct Sellers Association for our new line of kids products called SAFE Hearts. This awesome line helps open the lines of communication between parents and their children about boundaries and keeping themselves safe.”

Why did you get involved with the Chamber?

“What better way to share the Damsel mission than to reach a wide variety of people and businesses? I hope to learn a few things about running my own small business from men and women who have succeeded in their own industries. I do this part-time with a hope of one day being able to be my own boss full-time.”

What makes your business a special part of the community?

“One of the things I love about Damsel in Defense is how much they give back. Not only do they contribute to the Damsel House Project but the company donates monthly to five different charities. The charities are Women’s & Children’s Alliance, RAINN, Wipe Every Tear, The Stitch and a “Choice” charity. The “Choice” charity is nominated by Pros and Customers every month and chosen by our Founders.”

Damsel in Defense is a member of DSA, and has a A+ rating with the BBB.

For more information and to contact Whitney, please visit www.mydamselpro.net/wvdamsel.

We are excited to have Whitney Richards as a member of the MOV Chamber and are excited to help give her a connection to the business community. Please join us in extending our warmest welcome!

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Upcoming Events

* Business After Hours Hosted by Hampton Inn & Suites-Downtown Parkersburg:

Tuesday, July 18, from 5-7 p.m. at Hampton Inn & Suites, 920 Emerson Ave., Parkersburg

Join us Tuesday, July 18, for an evening of networking with fellow MOV Chamber members and guests of Hampton Inn & Suites-Downtown Parkersburg. Stop by between 5-7 p.m. to enjoy a cookout/BBQ themed event. There will be a DJ, door prizes, and even an ice cream truck will be there to deliver some sweet treats! Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Free for all Chamber members. MOV Chamber members can register online at www.movchamber.org.

* Lunch & Learn Hosted by Perry & Associates:

Thursday, July 27, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Perry & Associates, 1907 Grand Central Ave., Parkersburg

Please join us for an informational session with Perry & Associates. This month’s topic will be “QuickBooks: Questions and Answers.” Perry & Associates Experts, who work with QuickBooks every day, will be available to answer and explain how you can use QuickBooks for even better control of your daily financial transactions. If you are a beginner or a seasoned QuickBooks user, this event is for you. The training will focus on answering all your questions regarding QuickBooks including how to organize expenses, control cash flow, invoicing, preparing reports, sharing tax information and documents, processing payroll, tracking mileage, and more. Seating is limited to the first 15 registrants. Lunch will be provided. Open to all MOV Chamber members. To register, visit www.movchamber.org.

* Annual Award Nomination link now open through Friday, Aug. 18:

Now is the perfect time to begin thinking of those in the Mid-Ohio Valley that you would like to nominate for one of these memorable awards for our Annual Dinner to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Parkersburg Art Center.

The nomination form is now live on the MOV Chamber website at www.movchamber.org. Nominations should be made based on the appropriate category:

* New Business of the Year

* Curb Appeal/Property Improvement Award

* Community Involvement Award

* Family Owned/Home Based Business of the Year

* Non-Profit Organization of the Year

* Woman, Minority, or Veteran Owned Business of the Year

* Small Business of the Year

* Chamber Volunteer of the Year

* Young Business Leader of the Year

* Business Person of the Year

Additional materials will also be accepted and can be sent to MOVChamberNominations@gmail.com. Our committee will review that information as we meet to decide our winners. More information can be found on the on-line nomination form. The winners will be announced at the MOV Chamber Annual Dinner to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Parkersburg Art Center.

Visit this space every other Sunday for more Chamber news. We also invite you to call us at 304-422-3588, email us at info@movchamber.org, or stop by the Chamber office at 501 Avery St., 9th Floor in Parkersburg.