On the second Wednesday of January, Vicki Applewhite met an old friend for a drink. While there, she bumped into another friend and met the woman with her. The four of them started talking, laughing and sharing. They agreed their time together was great — and that they should get together more often. Applewhite committed to get something going to help them stay connected with friends, reconnect with old friends, and make new connections.
The four people who met serendipitously that night in the restaurant bar became the beginning of the Ladies Night networking group. Applewhite invited them and 10 others via Facebook for the next gathering.
The invitation read: ”Smart, fun ladies making new friends and talking about smart ideas to improve ourselves and our communities. All who love to see-good, say-good, and do good are invited!”
The get-togethers are short, casual, and fun. “There is no agenda, though we have circulated some topics in advance that we want to make sure we discuss,” Applewhite says.
After two meetings of about two dozen folks, the group agreed to start meeting at various locations.
The group has evolved to 49 “members,” though it is not a closed group. The location moves each month to a woman-owned or -operated business and has met consistently every month for the last six months. The only rule about coming to Ladies’ Night is that participants have to be focused on the positive.
“Since the group started, I’ve made new friends, started doing business with other women, and introduced women to each other,” Applewhite says. “It is a simple idea that anyone could make happen. You just have to begin!”
Those interested in attending Ladies Night can connect with Applewhite on Facebook.