DETROIT, (May 18, 2009)--More than 800 business leaders and executives attended Inforum's sold-out 47th annual meeting on Friday to hear Martha Stewart speak about her life and success as an entrepreneur. Inforum, Michigan's largest business organization for women, held its meeting at the Detroit Marriott - Renaissance Center.

Stewart, who received a Pewabic Pottery vase from Inforum, began her keynote address expressing her love for Detroit-based Pewabic Pottery and noting she has been coming to Detroit since signing with Kmart in 1987.

Stewart captivated the audience as she shared photos and stories about childhood and experiences that influenced her passions and her career.  As she reflected on her life--from learning to cook from her mother and being introduced to gardening by her father, to the many highlights of her career--Stewart peppered her presentation with tips for business success based on her observations and lessons learned.

'The lessons Martha Stewart shared are particularly relevant to the many business people in Michigan who are shifting careers and becoming entrepreneurs,' said Terry Barclay, president and CEO Inforum. 

'Martha noted that entrepreneurs have many ideas and they have to be persistent and try a new idea if the first one fails,' Barclay said.  'The key to being a successful entrepreneur is to try many things over time.

Barclay agreed with Stewart's recommendation for anyone in business that customer service is incredibly important and the litmus test should be 'If it's not good enough for you, it's not good enough for your customer.'

In response to the challenges individuals are facing in today's recessed economy, Stewart encouraged the audience at the luncheon to keep thinking and learning; pay attention to your family; be well-positioned for when the economy picks up because it eventually will; and have confidence that Detroit will have a rebound, even though it has been hit hard.

Kimberlie Buchanan and Athena Avgousti of Rehmann said they enjoyed Stewart's 'spunk' and 'inspiration' and agreed with Stewart when she stressed that due to the current economy, it's important to get back to the basics in life such as enjoying time with family and friends.

During her presentation, Stewart also shared an overview of how she was able to turn her passions into a successful business as the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She noted career highlights including publishing her first book, Entertaining; publishing magazines Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Everyday Food and Body & Soul; launching 'The Martha Stewart Show' television show and Martha Stewart Living Radio on SIRIUS and XM Radio; and creating merchandising lines including the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s and Martha Stewart for 1-800-FLOWERS.COM.

She also previewed her next book, Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat, which will be released on June 2.  Cupcakes created from some of the recipes in this new book were served during Inforum’s annual meeting luncheon.

Kay Douglas of Douglas Marketing crossed the border from Windsor, Canada, to attend the Inforum luncheon and hear Stewart speak.  She said, 'It was really great to learn how someone took an idea and turned it into a business.'

At the luncheon, Inforum also inducted its 2009-2010 board of directors and officers. Immediate Past Chair, Karla Hall of DTE Energy Foundation, passed the gavel to incoming Chair, Vivian Rogers Pickard of General Motors Corporation.

About Inforum
The mission of Inforum is to provide opportunities to help women lead and succeed. With nearly 1,800 members, Inforum is one of the largest professional organizations for women in the nation. Membership is open to women and men in all fields and at all levels in their careers. Founded as the Women’s Economic club in 1962 in Detroit, Inforum now has affiliates in Grand Rapids and Lansing, Mich. For more information, visit www.inforummichigan.org or call 877.633.3500.
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Note to reporters and editors: Photos of Martha Stewart's presentation are available. Contact Leslie Herrick at Lherrick@inforummichigan.org 313.578.3244 for more information or for photos.