The New Girl Network

As you may know, we sponsor a speakers series for growing businesses in New Hampshire. At the beginning of each session, we ask attendees to introduce themselves, share what they do professionally and how they heard about us. One month, 6 or 8 people said, “It was announced at the New Girl Network meeting.” We decided we needed to find out more about this group. So we set up an appointment with the Founding Mothers.

When Lisa Allen and Sherrill St. Germain decided to start the New Girl Network in 2002, they knew they wanted: A Virtual Water Cooler for Women Entrepreneurs of Southern New Hampshire, an informal no-cost, no burden, no suit or briefcase gathering of women who could help one another. They invited entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs to come together to discuss issues pertinent to their needs. Their meeting places are donated by local businesses, Sherrill developed the website, it’s hosted by her significant other, the topics are suggested by members, there are no membership fees, and everyone arrives with their brown bag lunches.

What Louis and I find intriguing about Lisa and Sherrill is that they are content with the informality of the New Girl Network. They are at ease about the uncertainty of the number of women who will attend and where they will meet. We think that’s the beauty of their plan. Kathy decided she should go to the next meeting.

The September meeting was focused on gaining insights through creative writing. Writing and Creativity Coach Kathleen Gilday promised to offer some insightful ways to broaden our imagination, tap into our inner voices, and find new meaning for our businesses. Kathy isn’t sure that she left the meeting any more creative than when she went in; however, she had fun. She hopes she won’t be breaking any rules by passing on one exercise: pick up a pen, open to a clean page of your notebook, and write a letter to yourself…from your shoes! While Kathy’s shoes complained about the wear and tear she has subjected them to, and whined that a diet might be in order, other women received much more insightful messages from their shoes. Someone provided dessert to be shared at the end of the workshop, and very relaxed, no pressure networking went on. Another successful meeting!

While their monthly meetings may be low-key, no one should equate this with inaction or the inability to get things done. Case in point: several of the members attended a Barbara Stanny, author of Overcoming Underearning®: Overcome Your Money Fears and Earn What You Deserve, seminar and wanted to bring her to Nashua. This was a large undertaking. They had to ensure a certain number of attendees…and they did! They invited women throughout New Hampshire, asked all members to spread the word to their customers and personal networks, and attracted a sufficient number of attendees to the two-day workshop. Another successful event for the New Girls.

So, if you are ever in Nashua on the first Thursday of the month, join the New Girls for lunch. If you are interested in starting your own informal networking group, I’m sure Lisa and Sherrill would be happy to talk with you. Click to email them.

By the way, in December the New Girls have invited Louis, and our daughter Rebecca, an attorney specializing in contracts and negotiation, to co-present "Negotiation: Techniques for Use in Everyday Business and In Life."

Contact Kathy at KathyE@TheNationalNetworker.com and Louis at LouisE@TheNationalNetworker.com or TNNW Blog.
 

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