Local Networking Group for Professional Women

Professional and business women who think typical networking leaves something to be desired may want to connect with Femfessionals, a  Miami-based women’s only network that recently established a local presence.

“I was initially attracted to Femfessionals because of the ‘female-only’ connecting concept,” said Karina Alvela, president of the Paramus FemCity, as the local branches are known.  

An inaugural luncheon held earlier this month at restaurant attracted nearly 20 North Jersey businesswomen from diverse industries, reported Alvela.  She said Femfessionals offers a “comfortable environment to empower women through community connections, mentoring, and information-sharing.”

According to the company website, the ideal “Femfessional” is savvy, ambitious, positive and interested in forming strong relationships with like-minded women. Support for the success of others, diversity and contributing to the betterment of one’s community are key ideals of the organization.

Alvela fits the description. A public relations and event-planning pro, she worked for 10 years for Fortune 500 companies such as Toys R Us and CompUSA and works as Director of Marketing at Neptune Communications in Maywood. She is also active in several professional organizations and is the public relations officer of the Northern New Jersey Wedding and Event Professionals.  

“FemCity Paramus will bring a very innovative and cutting-edge way to connect and build business relationships to our community,” said Alvela.  “Our members will not only be able to grow their business connections and learn new business techniques, they will also have the opportunity to make new friends.” 

With the trademark  "Innovatively Connecting Ambitious Women," Femfessionals was  founded in 2009 by Miami entrepreneur Violette Sproul.  “My mission was to establish a circle of unity where professional women would assist and support each other in the business world,”  Sproul writes on the company website.

A fitness pro who ran successful women-only exercise studios in North Carolina and Florida, Sproul joined a female networking organization in North Carolina and discovered that both she and her business benefited from that group’s unique approach.

When she returned home to Miami, Sproul sought a similar network but could not find one that was the “right fit.” That’s what motivated her to form Femfessionals.

Though total membership numbers were not provided, the organization currently has 10 “FemCities” in seven states and Washington, D.C. and plans to expand internationally next year, especially in Europe and Latin America. Alvela said members include dentists, accountants, attorneys, public relations execs, fashion designers and business owners of all types.

Annual membership is $175 for an individual and $450 for a group. Members are listed in the organization’s online professional directory, receive discounts on Femfessional functions and advertising, and may partner with the organization or start a branch. Local FemCities hold monthly lunches, quarterly workshops and other special events for members.

FemCity Paramus will hold their next meeting  June 10 at noon, at Nisi Restaurant in Englewood.  Cost is $35 and the luncheon includes a seminar by stylist and personal shopper Louise Spence of Lil Shopaholick.  The topic of discussion will be Dressing Your Best in Business.  

Correction: Karina Alvela was identified as the owner of Neptune Communications, however, she was the director of marketing at the time of publication, according to the company.