Published July 2001
Networking
group fosters friendship, support
By
Sandra Vandall
Guest Columnist
In September 1990,
I presented the idea for Snohomish Women Networking to Betty Green of
The Village Photographer. Under the auspices of The Village Photographer,
our first meeting was held in November of that year with eight Snohomish
business women attending. Since then, the organization has grown to more
than 50.
We feel the reason
for the group’s increase is the threefold premise it was founded on:
- Forming new friendships
with women in the Snohomish business community.
- Support of our
fellow sisters in business as a consumer and through sharing our expertise.
- Most importantly,
moral support, kindness and caring. With computers doing so much of
our communicating in these times, we feel the personal touch is more
important than ever.
Since forming this
networking group, I have benefited in so many ways. I have formed new
friendships that have become so treasured. I have received and given support
to fellow sisters in business as a consumer and through shared business
expertise. And, as stated above, most importantly, I have received and
I have given moral support, kindness and caring.
Our goal is to feature
as many businesses as we can at each meeting. For instance, we had a “Home
Seminar,” which included an architect, an interior designer, a banker,
two financial consultants, a professional house cleaner, a stencil artist
and an insurance broker from our group. Our programs are bimonthly, and
we plan them a year in advance. Our dues are nominal.
So far this year,
we have sponsored a benefit for a young woman in our community who was
involved in a tragic car accident and had a program featuring the benefits
of massage therapy and alternative health methods.
The past 10 years
have been a labor of love for Betty Green and I. The fruits of our efforts
in forming this group are stated best by Betty and member Laurie Cole.
“Personally, I have
been inspired by the heartfelt affection and generosity, the encouragement
shown to everyone,” Betty said. “We are a circle of creative colleagues
with energetic enthusiasm. Lasting friendships have been formed. We respect
one another as individuals and as business owners or representatives.
We are equals, ready with insights and guidance.”
Laurie, owner of
The Offset Corner, said: “I am so thankful that I was introduced to Snohomish
Women Networking two-and-one-half years ago. This group has done so much
for me. I joined when I first started my picture-framing business. I found
encouragement, advice, friendship and laughter at the very first meeting
I attended. SWN has helped my business grow both by word-of-mouth referrals
and direct business from within the group. Most importantly, SWN has helped
me grow as a person. I have a confidence and sense of self-worth that
wasn’t as strong before. I know there are ladies I can count on to help
me through business and personal trials.”
In closing, this
group was founded on one small idea and flourished with the cooperative
support of my dear friend Betty Green and all of our talented members.
My advice to fellow sisters in business is to act on the desire in your
heart and use your talents in communicating until that seed of desire
becomes a reality and flourishes so that others can enjoy and share the
fragrance of its success.
The seed of desire
that was planted more than 10 years ago has grown in the fertile ground
of successful businesses and caring women into a wonderful garden of friends,
each of these friends having her own special “bloom” to blend into a beautiful
bouquet.
Sandra
Vandall is co-founder of Snohomish Women Networking For more information
about Snohomish Women Networking, Vandall can be reached at 360-568-4912.
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