American cultural and fashion icon Gloria Vanderbilt once said, “I always believed that one woman’s success can only help another woman’s success.”
One local networking startup is taking that idea and bringing it to life by hosting various events around the city.
Laura Walter — a Baton Rouge transplant post-college — and New Orleans native Caitlin Minshew founded The New Orleans Girls Club in December 2023 and officially launched a month later. The goal was to create a space for women across the city to gather, exchange ideas and support one another.
“Many women in the city, including myself, work remote jobs or have a hard time finding ways to make new friends,” said Walter. “The New Orleans Girls Club brings together women across different age groups and provides the opportunity for support, connection and mentorship in New Orleans.”
The network hosts a variety of social events each month around the city — both free and ticketed. A recent calendar lineup included a $35 networking event with wine and light bites, a champagne and Botox party, and a casual pool party at the Royal Sonesta.
Social media connection played a big part in not only the formation of the original idea (the co-founders met via Instagram), but it also continues to impact how the company reaches new members.
“We have only used social media and word of mouth to market our events and brand,” said Walter. “It has helped us bring so many women together.”
The response to events has been both positive and informative for organizers, local businesses and attendees. The club has partnered with hotels including the Hyatt, Royal Sonesta and Virgin Hotel New Orleans, boutiques such as Hemline and Krewe Eyewear, fitness centers, restaurants, and our sister publication New Orleans Magazine.
The events offer local businesses increased exposure to a new audience while providing a forum for eventgoers and The New Orleans Girls Club, which typically charges a percentage of ticket sales for collaborative events.
“My favorite event was our cooking class at New Orleans School of Cooking,” said Minshew. “It was a smaller and more intimate event, which allowed us to get to chat more one-on-one with the women who attended.”
While events are structured around entertainment, it’s not all just fun and games for Walter and Minshew. The two are serious about making sure meaningful connections are made for lasting relationships among participants.
“Our goal is for women to build connections and grow their circle of supportive and like-minded women,” said Minshew. “We hope that women can build upon their support system and feel encouraged and empowered to accomplish their biggest goals.”
Among those goals could be receiving better wages, which Minshew noted could be aided by women creating connections and sharing wage and work information. She also added that the club’s newly launched Facebook group aims to create a hub for women to connect and share resources — such as finding roommates and job opportunities — in a safe, online environment.
Beyond its calendar of monthly events, The New Orleans Girls Club’s own agenda is already packed for the next few months. The club has released an exclusive digital “how to” guide for those looking to launch a networking club in other cities, and a “Pink Dress Crawl” in the French Quarter is on the books for this October. The fundraising event will benefit the National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.
Looking to the future, Walter and Minshew said they are planning an expansion of the club basic model, with new levels and programs that will allow women to network in a new way while continuing to collaborate with businesses across the city.
“The [Girls Club] is launching an official membership program at the end of 2024,” said Walter, “where members will be better able to connect, have access to volunteer opportunities, get special perks and discounts at our favorite New Orleans businesses, and more.”
Founders Walter and Minshew rely on the power of social media and connections made through events to reach potential members and partnership opportunities. A new membership program and the inaugural “Pink Dress Crawl” are in the works for this fall.
TheNewOrleansGirlsClub TheNewOrleansGirlsClub.com Instagram: @theneworleansgirlsclub // Facebook: @theneworleansgirlsclub
By the Numbers
According to a recent survey of 751 women at and above management level in the U.S.:
80%+ report using networking to advance their careers.
The women reported using networking to aid them in:
Joining a board — 90%
Breaking into the C-suite — 84%
Taking a new job with better pay — 81%
Winning new business — 85%
Implementing new frameworks or models — 84%
Source: Survey reported in July 2023 by Chief.com in collaboration with Morning Consult
