a new social-networking group for women business owners and independent professionals combines an online community with in-person events.
December 31, 2006 (Press Release) --
Maria Marsala, business strategist and president of Poulsbo-based Elevating Your Business, recently announced the formation of Maria's Friends of Puget Sound, a new social-networking group for business owners and independent professionals. The group, which combines an online community with in-person events, is meant to provide members with a forum for networking and collaboration in both personal and professional spheres. "Its intent is to bring together people who share values," says Marsala. "Those values are connection, honesty, curiosity, respect, open-mindedness and generosity."
Membership in Maria's Friends is open to women who have been in business at least 3 years and who enjoy socializing and attending networking events with a more personal approach. Most members live around Puget Sound, from Bellingham down to Tacoma and up to Pt. Townsend. "We've focused on women business owners because there are more and more women who own businesses," says Marsala. "According to The National Foundation for Women Business Owners, women own 38% of all businesses in the United States -- that is 9.1 million businesses. Women business owners contribute more than $3.6 trillion to the marketplace each year, and women account for more than 70% of consumer spending.
"Membership is by invitation only, meaning an existing member must nominate you," says Marsala. "We're offering a special for the first quarter of 2007, though, where owners can nominate themselves—plus enjoy half-off a one-month trial membership. Our mission is to network for connections and profit, either in dollars, building new friendships, or finding new clients or employees. We believe you can never have enough contacts, friends, acquaintances, business associates, or advice!"
Currently, the group hosts monthly networking events in Seattle and Kitsap County. The events usually begin with a meal and end with an event like the theater, a concert, masterminding, playing cards, and other social activities. There is always time allowed for members to get to know each other on a more personal level. It's social-networking at its best.
The online system of Maria's Friends is a membership-only site that helps women strengthen existing connections and make new ones. "Although meeting online is no substitute for face-to-face contact," says Marsala, "the online networking site gives us the ability to get to know others on a more casual, but still valuable, basis, while the in-person events enable us to build the trust needed for successful business relationships." Maria's Friends hosts an online email list where members can post information about business events, advertise weekly, and seek advice from others as needed.
For more information, call Maria Marsala at Elevating Your Business at 360-271-8418 or visit www.MariasFriends.com
Membership in Maria's Friends is open to women who have been in business at least 3 years and who enjoy socializing and attending networking events with a more personal approach. Most members live around Puget Sound, from Bellingham down to Tacoma and up to Pt. Townsend. "We've focused on women business owners because there are more and more women who own businesses," says Marsala. "According to The National Foundation for Women Business Owners, women own 38% of all businesses in the United States -- that is 9.1 million businesses. Women business owners contribute more than $3.6 trillion to the marketplace each year, and women account for more than 70% of consumer spending.
"Membership is by invitation only, meaning an existing member must nominate you," says Marsala. "We're offering a special for the first quarter of 2007, though, where owners can nominate themselves—plus enjoy half-off a one-month trial membership. Our mission is to network for connections and profit, either in dollars, building new friendships, or finding new clients or employees. We believe you can never have enough contacts, friends, acquaintances, business associates, or advice!"
Currently, the group hosts monthly networking events in Seattle and Kitsap County. The events usually begin with a meal and end with an event like the theater, a concert, masterminding, playing cards, and other social activities. There is always time allowed for members to get to know each other on a more personal level. It's social-networking at its best.
The online system of Maria's Friends is a membership-only site that helps women strengthen existing connections and make new ones. "Although meeting online is no substitute for face-to-face contact," says Marsala, "the online networking site gives us the ability to get to know others on a more casual, but still valuable, basis, while the in-person events enable us to build the trust needed for successful business relationships." Maria's Friends hosts an online email list where members can post information about business events, advertise weekly, and seek advice from others as needed.
For more information, call Maria Marsala at Elevating Your Business at 360-271-8418 or visit www.MariasFriends.com
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