The Sisterhood

INSPIRATION STARTS HERE

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The Sisterhood

Startup Sisters was founded by Nina Bondarook and a group of entrepreneurial women who became acquainted through business connections. While each belonged to other successful professional and networking organizations, all of the groups had a certain dispassionate sameness to them. So the women began meeting -- two or three at a time -- over coffee, lunch and after other organization meetings, to discuss their goals and find inspiration for their business ideas.

As their informal gatherings grew more frequent, Ms. Bondarook picked the name "Startup Sisters," registered the domain, and jokingly invited them to help her build a "Good Old Girls Network." And, over time, it became obvious that Startup Sisters was filling a real need among women who had greater career and financial aspirations.

So they put enough structure in place to provide the organization with membership, mentoring and growth guidelines. But they were careful to leave things loose enough to accommodate the diversity of interests, personalities, experiences, industries and ideas, which they represented.

After member Molly Murrah designed the group's logo, "The Sisterhood" moved into high gear. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, they met for the Startup Sisters' inaugural luncheon at Wild Ginger in Bellevue, Washington.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

MEMBERS

Nina Bondarook , Kirkland, Wash.*
Carol E. Calhoon, Redmond, Wash.
Fran Fuller, Woodinville, Wash.
Aileen Fredericks, Issaquah, Wash.*
Elisabeth Garza, Kirkland, Wash.*
Susan Gordon, Orlando, Fla.*
Teresa Grimm, Redmond, Wash.*
Christine Khemis, Snohomish, Wash.
Nadine Krefetz, Vancouver, Canada
Carol Loe, Seattle, Wash.*
Sarah Love, Woodinville, Wash.
Meri G. McCormick, Issaquah, Wash.
Jane Marshall, Seattle, Wash.*
Kate Maxwell, Kenmore, Wash.*
Sharon Murakoshi, Bellevue, Wash.*
Molly Murrah, Kirkland, Wash.*
Karen Roehl, Kirkland, Wash.
Avril Salter, Redmond, Wash.*
Jun Wang, Redmond, Wash.*
Portia Wright, Lynnwood, Wash.*

*Founding Members

MEETINGS

Startup Sisters meets the fourth Thursday of each month, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Metropolitan Market of Kirkland's Community Room, 10611 Northeast 68th Street. In November, we meet the third Thursday, because of Thanksgiving.

We also schedule periodic field trips, workshops and special events for members and guests, both on the Eastside and in Seattle. For more information or if you would like to be invited to an upcoming meeting, please contact us via e-mail.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. We exist to help women succeed in business.

2. We strive to attract a diverse mix of professionals so we can learn about businesses beyond our own areas of expertise.

3. Members are expected to participate in as many Startup Sisters meetings and activities as possible, and to help mentor others.

4. Any member can invite a prospective member to a meeting for membership consideration.

5. Anyone to whom we offer membership or assistance is expected to pay those good deeds forward.

6. Startup Sisters groups will be large enough to ensure participation of at least 5 or 6 members per meeting, yet small enough to allow members to really get to know each other.

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