About Us

How OGN (Old Girls’ Network) got Started

After twenty-plus years of attending various networking groups, I’d had enough. I gave out loads more than I received, and felt that the meetings were often couched as “educational” or “social.” It was very tiresome and I felt my time could be better spent elsewhere.

Never one to complain about what others did without a possible solution, I put my alternate plan in to play and started my own group.

So, I sent a dozen or so emails to smart successful women I am lucky enough to call friends and clients, asking them to come to my new networking group. The cost was free, but with the proviso that they were committing to bring one or more fabulous women to the first or a future meeting.

Imagine my surprise when my conference room held twenty-six talented and accomplished businesswomen on that exciting day December 17th, 2003. We shared ideas, referrals and our own businesses with each other.

The group took on a life of its own as these women introduced other fabulous women in fulfilling the mandate. Friendships formed too, and social times outside the meetings led to more ideas, referrals, laughter and support. I am proud to say I have met more amazing women in this first year than I have in the last ten. It is logical though; we share so many commonalities and dreams.

What makes us different? A few things:

• We encourage members to give referrals and their own business to the group first.
• We share and receive back with appreciation and respect.
• As trust builds, we are comfortable enough to ask members if their services and products are appropriate for us, affordable, etc.
• Many of us discount or give free consultations to the members.
• These kinds of connections allow us to explore new ideas and grow our businesses.

I was always a matchmaker for others, but thanks to the OGN my business is growing, as is my clout with others allowing me to help the other members get publicity and other additional business.

As the group has grown we saw a need to help the younger women have a forum, too. The Young Girls’ Network was formed to serve the needs of women under 35 with less than 10 years experience in their current occupations. I have been setting up mentorships for the YGNs with the OGNs at their request. I wish I’d had a woman, or any mentor for that matter, when I was starting out. I had to learn everything on my own, and often over the objections of men who told me I could never succeed. I barged ahead anyway and I am still here, but how great it would have been to have women role models!

This group owes its success to the efforts of many, but I am so proud to have started this unstoppable force.

Who Should Join?

• Mid to senior level business and professional women.
• Those who nurture, understand and appreciate the concepts of giving and sharing their contacts, ideas and support.

For women to succeed in business we have to show the world that we do business with other women. That our dollars go to women first when all else is equal (or better).
Shameless networking is different than what you’ll find at other groups – if we need it, we ask for it, and we usually get it.

Dream your dreams, but to make them happen you need help, support and a cheering squad. Be those things in this group and you will receive more than you thought possible, and sometimes in unexpected ways.

IF you want to do more business and have fun, OGN is for you!

Linda R. Lane
Empress of the Old Girls’ Network

(Where Empress came from - My husband told me that any woman can be a Jewish Princess, it takes someone special to be an Empress! After sharing that story with OGN friends, the title stuck)