July 5, 2006, 11:19AM
BUSINESS: Women’s Web site promotes networking
By KATHERINE ECHOLS
Chronicle Correspondent
Anna Campbell, an entrepreneur, created the Women Business Owners Web site in 2004 to focus on the specific needs of women business owners.
Because it’s online, the site acts as an around-the-clock networking event accessible anytime from anywhere.
“I find a lot of (networking) groups have a narrow focus, and I wanted one group for women business owners around the world, for women to come together, network, get referrals and communicate with other women who have walked the same path,” Campbell said.
Two years after its start-up, the Web site now has more than 2,000 members worldwide with a membership that includes women from a variety of business backgrounds and experience. Campbell keeps the site going with the help of about 12 volunteers.
Three levels of membership are available, ranging from free to a $50 annual level that includes a personalized press release.
Women Business Owners provides links to online chats, downloadable seminars, features articles and advice on several aspects of owning a business from networking, marketing, budgeting and accounting to tips on positive thinking.
Most of the women love that they can network at their convenience, Campbell said. And those 20-30 minutes of networking, available at any time of the day or night, can be worth four to five hours of weekly networking luncheons, she said.
But Campbell doesn’t dismiss the importance of being actively involved in local groups, and she said that on-line networking or marketing shouldn’t replace networking groups, morning coffees or traditional business marketing.
“People need to market in person,” she said. “If you want your business to succeed you need both.”
Campbell, an entrepreneur, once owned an online candle business, and now she and her husband Brean, of Humble, own Humble Print and Fold, an in-house printing company.
“It’s amazing what you can do if you put the time and energy into it,” Campbell said. “You need a strong desire to own your own business. You can’t just think it’s just going to happen.”
She adds that success doesn’t happen overnight but requires research, patience, time and of course, marketing.
“If it’s something you really want to do, then do it, and find support groups to help support you and train you and never stop advertising or marketing,” Campbell said.
A natural outcome of a site that encourages an exchange of ideas and advice is the mentoring that occurs.
While she was building her own businesses, Campbell said that she found value in the relationships that she created with other business owners.
Along the way, she built relationships with other business owners, an aspect of entrepreneurialism that’s vital to building a success business.
“Everyone needs a mentor,” Campbell said. “Especially women … women are very community based and personal.”
Because women deal with so many aspects of life and have so many things pulling at them all the time, they need someone to fill those voids that their busy lives inevitably leave, she said.
“They need someone other than a family member, someone who is strictly there to support them.”
The Women Business Owners’ Web site is http://womenowners.com.
For information on Campbell’s business, Humble Print and Fold, visit www.humbleprintandfold.com or call 713-516-1524.