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family” of 7,300 fans who “like” the movement to support women’s businesses in the Tampa Bay area. The success of her group motivated this entrepreneur to retire from the TV business in 2010 and devote her energy full-time to her growing networking business.
Originally, Working Women of Tampa Bay met in the evening once a month, but the demand grew for more frequent and diverse get-togethers. Now the group meets 15 times a month at strategic locations from Wesley Chapel to Sarasota and everywhere in between. Meetings are in the mornings, for lunch, and in the evenings. “Our goal is to meet at local businesses, such as restaurants, that women want to check out, and also to help the business owner,” Rivelli said. “We’ve done 350 events in three years.”
Rivelli recently launched Working Women of Central Florida, tapping into the desire of women in the Orlando area for such a networking group.
“Inclusive, not exclusive,” is how Rivelli enthusiastically describes her networking creation. “We don’t exclude anyone. I didn’t want anyone to feel they would be turned away because they don’t make enough money or don’t own a business. Working Women of Tampa Bay is open to any woman earning an income, no matter what that is.”
Members are professionals, executives, owners of businesses large and small and home-based working moms. Membership tends to skew to women in the 30-45 age group who are well-established, but still want to learn. Events range from educational workshops to less serious Girls’ Nights Out and Ladies’ Nights Off, where a healthy dose of pampering, laughter, cocktails and swag bags filled with members’ products is just what the doctor ordered. “Sometimes you just need a night off to get out of the house and have some fun,” Rivelli said.
The success of an all-woman networking group is driven by what Rivelli sees as a basic, innate female quality. “Women are social creatures,” she said. “We like to get to know people in a relaxed and casual environment. We want to know more than just what a person does for a living. And if women are their target market, then this is the best place to spend their time to make the most of networking opportunities.”
Participant feedback is Rivelli’s personal barometer that her instincts were right on track when she created Working Women of Tampa Bay. Members and others who attend tell her they just like the feeling of being included in something that is so positive and supportive of women in business. And their business successes speak volumes. “I am most proud that I’ve seen women grow as business owners as a result of being active with the group,” she said. “They’ve seen a boost in their business. They’re so busy they’ve been able to hire people, because that’s how fast their business grew. Those are the stories I love to hear.”
Rivelli isn’t finished growing her own business by a long shot. She intends to expand the Working Women network with the establishment of a South Florida chapter this year. The 5-year goal is to be able to represent all working women throughout Florida.
For 2012, Rivelli has made a commitment to education. She considers it to be her duty to make sure that women in the Tampa Bay area are constantly sharpening their skills. “Driven to Succeed” and “Intelligent Training” are two workshop series they offer focusing on educational objectives. The workshops explore topics such as making the most of social media, secrets to time management and organizational success.
Rivelli, 31, shares her life with Mike Kyathfield, her boyfriend of seven years, whom she credits with supporting her entrepreneurial spirit all the way. “He is very supportive, which is great because I am all over the place all the time,” she said.
Finding the right niche for Rivelli all began with that “Aha!” moment.
“I followed my passion. There is so much positive energy,” she said. “It warms my heart to know I’m doing what I was meant to do.”
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