It”™s been a year since Jamie Imperati launched the networking group Professional Women of Putnam.
Sister groups Professional Women of Connecticut and Professional Women of Westchester subsequently followed and Imperati”™s three organizations now stand at 250 members.
“One of the greatest paybacks is seeing the members do business together,” she said. “I”™m ecstatic when people tell me that they are now working with someone they met at one of my events. It is a great feeling ”¦ to know that members are spending their money with each other.”
In Westchester, Imperati had the help of board members and local businesswomen Linda Rey, Lisa Kaslyn and Rose Colonna to spread the word. It was slightly more of a challenge to expand into Connecticut.
“I live in Putnam County and am a member of my local chamber, so I had access to other events and ways to meet prospects.”
Imperati said social media platforms have afforded her a competitive advantage in promoting events and hours later, posting galleries of images and tagging participants on Facebook.
“The feedback I have received is the women ”¦ are comfortable and can be themselves,” she said. “In addition to business relationships, they are also forming friendships as well.”
There is also an educational component to the networking events. Most recently, an event featured a presentation by Andi Gray, president of Strategy Leaders Inc. of Chappaqua.
Gray revealed a list of top 10 women in business to celebrate Women”™s History Month and results from Professional Women of Westchester”™s first member survey were released.
The survey was personal, polling women on life, love and their finances. About 52 percent of women said business had no impact on their love life, but 23 percent said all work and no play has left them too tired or without time for romance.
Of those who reported having a mate, more than half ”“ or 55 percent ”“ said they were the breadwinner.
When it came to work, about 66 percent said they are fulfilled professionally.
A whopping 69 percent credit social media and a website for helping them market their business and build better customer relations. Only 10 percent said they do not have a website.
Though social networking was a huge factor in the Professional Women success story, Imperati herself admitted there must be a balance.
“Being connected all of the time most definitely leaks into our personal worlds, which the majority of the time is extremely beneficial for me and my business, but sometimes you do have to separate yourself,” she said. “I always try to give my children and husband my undivided attention especially in the evening and on weekends, but sometimes phone calls have to be returned and emails have to be answered.”
Visit the group online at professionalwomenofwestchester.com.
It’s been very exciting to be a co-founding member of the Westchester chapter. The feedback has been amazing.