Area entrepreneur to talk at Lancaster Campus on Nov. 7
Oct. 13, 2008
LANCASTER, PA – Anna Skamangas found worldwide distribution for her baklava through the Internet, but the owner of The Baklava Goddess Inc. says it was the people of Lebanon County who first let on that there was something special about her award-winning recipe for a traditional Greek pastry.
Skamangas is the featured speaker at the next Women’s Talkabouts at the Lancaster Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. “Food, Glorious Food” will be the topic of the free, informal networking session from noon-1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, on the campus at 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike. Participants are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. HACC will provide a dessert and beverage.
While teaching and directing “The Children's School of Lebanon County,” Skamangas would share gifts of her baklava with parents and board members. Their rave reviews and suggestions to market it gave her the push she needed when the school closed in 1999.
“I sent out flyers to the 350 names on the school mailing list and received 200 orders (for baklava),” she said, adding the response got her thinking of what would be possible in a global market.
“Then e-commerce arrived,” she said. “I developed the Web site in 2000, and the rest is history.”
Two years later, Warner Brothers found The Baklava Goddess online and purchased the pastry to promote the movie, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Since then Skamangas has earned the Veal Oscar Award at the 2005 Atlantic City Food Show, the 2007 Gallo Family Vineyard Award and been the recipient of Pennsylvania’s 2008 50 Best Women in Business Award.
Skamangas plans to use a humorous quiz during her HACC presentation that will lead participants through the history of her business, highlighting the effort and dedication it takes to own one’s own business.
Women business owners interested in attending the Nov. 7 session should call 1-800-ABC-HACC (800-222-4222), ext. 1311 to reserve a seat.
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