Diane Najm, owner of PhotoPad in Kirkland, was recently recognized as a Washington’s Leading Moms in Business award winner.

As part of the StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition, the award recognizes entrepreneurial mothers who create inspirational ideas to enrich our lives.

PhotoPad was an idea that originated from a simple, but important sentiment for Najm.

“I wanted to be able to send quick, fun, and personalized gestures to family and friends,” said Najm. “I loved using Facebook and felt it was a great way to connect, so I immediately began brainstorming ways to leverage it.”

With the help of family and friends, she launched PhotoPad in October 2010 as the single product of the company Virtual Gestures, LLC.

PhotoPad is a Facebook application that provides “instant photo sharing fun.” Users can quickly transform photos from their Facebook page into photo books, postcards, eCards and send gestures to family or friends. PhotoPad makes it easy – just choose from many different layouts, choose color schemes, add embellishments, text, photos and post.

“PhotoPad has been a special project for me, helping me connect in a fun way with friends and family all over the world,” added Najm.