Everyone knows that smart women are a force to be reckoned with. But what about smart women who are funny, well designed, affordable, and easily wrapped? Julie Hellwich finds them irresistible. Her company, Girl Babies, began producing Smart Women memorabilia in the late 90's as a cute way for girlfriends, moms, and proud boyfriends to share how they feel about the special ladies they know. While the idea started as a one-woman project, her team has grown to include a graphic designer as well as a group of women shareholders to whom she credits much of her success. Julie isn't your typical businesswoman. She explains that she "became an entrepreneur in a roundabout way." She holds a couple Master's degrees in social related fields and has worked plenty of odd jobs including storeowner, candle maker, counselor, bus driver, and preschool teacher.

This eclectic lady boasts an equally eclectic product line offering everything from wrapping paper to coffee cups. Each item bears a statement true to it's purpose; there's a mouse pad that proclaims "Smart Women Back Up Their Words," and eraser promising that "Smart Women Make Changes," a mug (I actually bought this one for my mom) that states "Smart Women Thirst for Knowledge," and even kitchen matches (Smart Women Light the Way). The Smart Women website has tons of other products as well, and can also be found in cute shops in select cities.

And of course Julie doesn't work on Smart Women just for her own benefit. A portion of the profits she makes goes to support Women Against Military Madness, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the Minnesota Women's Consortium, an umbrella group for nonprofit organizations in Minnesota. Julie recognizes that these organizations demonstrate the incredible power of Smart Women working together to make the world a better place. And in her own small way, she's trying to do exactly that. We like Julie because she knows that women are funny, intelligent, and clever. And she knows that most women would like to be seen this way. The Smart Women series is a playful way to let others know who you are and where you stand.