This One’s For The (Working) Girls

If you’re looking to get out and network (and we’re not referring the sit-at-your-desk-and-surf-Facebook kind!) with other strong, successful women, mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 22. 

Working Women of Tampa Bay will be hosting Ladies Night Out from 6:30-8:30pm at Rapscallions, located on Bell Lake at 4422 Land O' Lakes Blvd. 

The gathering is sponsored by the Vendor D.I.V.A.S. (Diverse. Independent. Versatile. Accomplished. Solutions.), Stacy Fish and Valerie Wilson.

D.I.V.A.S. coordinates events and fundraisers for clients’ favorite charities. Their mission statement is “give back to the community whenever and wherever we can.”

Both members and nonmembers are encouraged to join WWOTB founder and president Jessica Rivelli for a fun-filled evening of complimentary appetizers, drinks specials and prizes & giveaways. 

 “We have a growing group of ladies in Land O' Lakes. I find there are many female entrepreneurs and small business owners living in this community who are looking to connect with other women who run small businesses,” said 30-year-old Rivelli.

Back in November 2008, the Providence, R.I., native hosted a networking party for a select group of friends and business associates. The event was deemed a success and eight months later, Working Women of Tampa Bay transitioned into a full-fledged membership-based organization that flourished thanks to savvy social marketing and positive word-of-mouth.

The 550-member networking group whose tagline is "Motivate. Educate. Inspire. – The #1 Resource for Connecting Women and Their Businesses in Tampa Bay" is devoid of any chapters, allowing members to attend events across all counties and communities.

With an average of four events scheduled per week, Rivelli manages to consistently juggle an impressive line-up of diverse events at all times of the day (including breakfasts, luncheons and post-work get togethers) on both weekdays and weekends. 

And because she keeps her events fresh and exciting, they are always well attended. 

Working Women averages 20 attendees for some of the more intimate events like "Girls Night Out" and draws anywhere from 40 to 50 at their lunches. 

“There are pros to both. You can bond with a smaller group on a deeper level; yet, you can connect with more women at a larger event. Both are beneficial to networking,” said Rivelli, who coordinates monthly events throughout the entire Tampa Bay area and is currently expanding to Orlando and Sarasota.

Previous Power Lunches have recently included topics such as “Connecting with the Community,” with guest speaker Julie Weintraub, vice president of the Gold & Diamond Source; and “Market Your Excellence” featuring Angela Ardolino, founder and editorial director of Tampa Bay Parenting magazine. 

Despite her active calendar, Rivelli has had one particular date ingrained in her mind for some time now. On Saturday, June 25, the former television news producer will host the organization’s second birthday with a special members-only birthday bash (at Beso del Sol in Dunedin). 

Furthermore, Working Women will donate all proceeds from this celebration to The TEARS Foundation. Founded by Sandra Kocab and Stephanie Kocab – mother and sister of murdered Tampa Police Officer Jeffrey Kocab – T.E.A.R.S. will help provide funds for extended family members of fallen Florida officers to attend National Police Memorial Week in Washington, D.C., each May to honor and pay respect to their loved one lost in the line of duty.  

Donations like this are not uncommon. Rivelli often donates proceeds from special events to various local charities, including My Hope Chest (funding reconstruction for uninsured breast cancer survivors) and 1Voice Foundation (uniting families affected by childhood cancer).

Rivelli also helms a second business, Socially Successful, a communications firm that executes customized social media plans and works with clients to maximize their marketing plans to the fullest degree.

And to say, that Rivelli is savvy in social media is an understatement. Her two-and-half-year-old networking organization has 5,800 Facebook fans and 4,000 Twitter followers. 

“Women want to do business with not only women they know, but also women they like. WWOTB is focused on helping women connect and build relationships.  Social networking and activity-based networking gives female entrepreneurs and business owners the chance to connect with like-minded successful women who want to help each other succeed,” said Rivelli. 

Working Women of Tampa Bay will host Ladies Night Out on Wednesday, June 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Rapscallions, 4422 Land O' Lakes Blvd.   Connect with fellow female professionals and women business owners in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. 

The event is open to members ($5) and non-members ($10) alike, and is sponsored by Stacy Fish and Valerie Wilson of Vendor D.I.V.A.S.  RSVP’s are being accepted via web. 

Membership to WWOTB is open to all “working women” throughout the Bay area, including for profit and nonprofit corporations. Contact founder Jessica Rivelli via email at workingwomenoftb@aol.com or log onto their website or Facebook page.