Female Entrepreneurs, Get Connected to Get Ahead

Network, network, network. It's a word that women hear again and again when starting or expanding a business.

There are two main ways to go about it -- in person or online -- but is one method more effective than the other?

Instant Advice

Graphic designer Christina Blenk started WomanOwned.com, a resource for women business owners, 10 years ago when she needed to drum up business for her Web design company.

Blenk, 39, says that WomanOwned.com may not be the most unique networking site, but it's certainly one of the oldest.

What prompted her to create networking space just for women? "I saw men had the golf course; we were really outside that circle. I thought, why not use the Internet to get women to talk to one another and be each other's resources?" says Blenk.

Through WomanOwned.com, female entrepreneurs can easily meet clients, partners or advisers through its message boards, blogs and journals. Accounts are free, with an option to pay an annual fee for a premium membership, which offers additional services such as instant messaging with other members and photos with your business listing.

Gazelle Simmons, owner of Admin Services primarily uses WomanOwned.com to stay in touch with emerging businesses and potential clients. "I've had a free account for the last year. I come in weekly to catch up on all the new members, check on the groups I'm a member of, update any changed information on my profile as well as network with other members who contact me."

Creating a profile takes just a few minutes. I simply listed some key information including my job title, interests and what resources I was looking for. I could then easily search for small-business owners or services based on their industry and location.

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