Kimberly Porrazzo's Page

What is your name?

Kimberly A. Porrazzo

Are you currently heading a woman-owned business?

Yes

If you are in business, what is the name of your business?

MyWomanOwnedBusiness.com

Where did you get your idea for your business or the business you'd like to start?

I have written about women-owned businesses for years as staffer at OC METRO Magazine, a business magazine covering Orange County, CA. I attended meetings of the Orange County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO; www.nawbo-oc.org). I couldn't help but be impressed by the willingness of women to share ideas about business with each other, even in a competitive situation. I wanted to create a space where women could come together to ask questions of one another in a nonthreatening atmosphere; a place where like-minded women could ask for advice about a business situation or problem, for suggestions on how to grow their business - and, a place to shout out their successes in order to inspire other women.

Where is (will) your business located? (City and State)

Southern California

If you already have a website, what is the address for your business?

http://www.mywomanownedbusiness.com

How long have you been in business? (Or when do you plan to open?)

This site launched August 12, 2007.

How many employees do you have, if any?

0

What is your annual revenue?

$0-$999

Describe your product or service, or the product you plan to introduce to the market.

This is a social networking site which is dependant on the network members sharing their page with others and inviting them to join. I am also reaching out to the media.

How did you (or plan to) fund your business startup?

personal savings

What was (is) the biggest hurdle in getting your business off the ground?

Finding someone who could assist me with the technical aspects of creating a social networking site. I started with Yahoo's small business webservices, which allowed me to create my home page in less than an hour. Partnering with Ning helped me create the social networking platform.

What would you advise other women interested in starting a similar business?

To keep plugging away. I had a partner initially, who vanished. I was left with just an idea and no means of executing it. Lots of late nights and a gazillion hours on google searching for alternative ways to carry out my vision later, and you're looking at the final product - MyWomanOwnedBusiness.com.

What has been your biggest mistake?

Being willing to turn over part of the business to a partner, not knowing her well enough, in order to get where I needed to go. I just needed to forge ahead a little longer on my own. Now I have complete control and don't have to worry about a partner's tendencies. (Although, I believe stats show that having a partner increases your chances of success.)

What has been your smartest move?

To tap into a network of really amazing women with whom I've gotten to know over the years. This is the first time I've reached out to them for help with a personal project of mine, and they've all been so helpful, supportive and inspirational.

Are you willing to answer questions from other women business owners about your business?

Yes

What is your email address?

kporrazzo@mywomanownedbusiness.com