Fashion mogul recognized

By: Ruth Schmidt

Posted: 10/15/07

When a woman who created a multi-million dollar fashion brand says you'll need to "work your tail off," it's best to believe her.

Kate Spade, cofounder of kate spade New York, a designer brand that sells handbags, shoes and house décor, was among the guests of Kansas City roots honored last Monday at The 22nd Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Dinner benefiting The Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration.

Spade's advice to students looking to start their own business is realistic. "Be prepared to work your tail off," she said and then laughed.

She acknowledged more than hard work is necessary to make a seemingly impossible dream come to life.

"It's so worth it. It's your ideas coming to life. If you're willing to work and you really believe in it - if you really love it - it will happen," she said.

Kate and Andy Spade, cofounders of kate spade New York, were awarded the International Entrepreneurs of the Year award. Andy was unable to attend but Kate was present to accept the award. The kate spade New York designer brand is sold internationally and the company is worth more than $70 million.

Spade was born and went to high school in Kansas City, Mo. She attended University of Kansas before transferring to Arizona State, where she earned a degree in journalism. The world of writing bridged over to the world of fashion and design when she started her first job at Mademoiselle magazine in New York City.

After spending five years there and becoming a senior fashion editor, she stepped out to add her ideas of simple design to the fashion world. Her entrepreneurship venture started when she made her first handbag prototype out of construction paper.

The awards dinner raised more than $269,000, said Michael Bohning, chair of the Council for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Many local companies and businesses sponsored tables at the dinner and ceremony.

The Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Bill Zahner, the president and chief executive officer of the A. Zahner Company. The company was architectural and artistic metal fabrication firm which installed the metal for the Bartle Hall Sky Stations in downtown Kansas City.

Steve Timperley was honored with the Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He earned his masters in business administration in entrepreneurship and marketing at the Bloch School. Timperley led his team to the 2007 New Venture Challenge Competition, where they took second place.

"There is no better time to start a business than the position they are in now," Timperley said regarding entrepreneurship students. "Especially in Kansas City, because there is a wealth of knowledge and the people are so nice."

Diane Winnard, student in the Bloch School, attended the awards dinner. She said it was inspiring.

"The awards dinner was a great opportunity for Bloch students to listen to successful entrepreneurs in the community and it was also a great networking opportunity," she said.

Spade was an important part of the evening for Winnard.

"Kate Spade is a very inspirational person," Winnard said. "Being an entrepreneur, she started her company with nothing and is now one of the biggest designer names there is. She set goals and believed in herself, which is something that I admire."

rschmidt@unews.com