Russell’s Restaurant (The Barn!) in Bothell welcomes the organization, Eastside Women in Business, which meets there the first Wednesday of each month. The organization provides a low-pressure, non-stressful venue where people enjoy each other as individuals and encourage each other in their business ventures.

More than 50 Eastside women arrived at a recent gathering. Russell’s Catering featured Caesar salad, glazed salmon, grilled potatoes, stir-fried vegetables and an assortment of desserts. Festive white lights lined the walls of The Loft, the large upstairs event room.

Each businesswoman is assigned a table where she mingles with others interested in networking. I joined the buffet line a little late and returned to my table, plate in hand. However, I realized I had no silverware.

“I’ll get you silverware,” said my tablemate, Vasi Rusu, a charming John L. Scott Realtor with a delightful Romanian accent.

When she returned with everything I needed, I knew I was in the company of not only savvy women, but folks who also exuded a deep caring and support for one another. I found myself still eating the gourmet meal when the meeting and “30-second elevator” sales speeches began.

This day the highly innovative and skilled “elevator” speakers included among others, a housing specialist for seniors, a virtual office assistant and a lady from the American Insurance Company in Bothell looking to hire someone.

After listening to impressive success stories from every imaginable job description, I was delightfully entertained. But it wasn’t until I heard the keynote speaker, Elizabeth Tackett, from Tackett Internet Marketing, talk on the benefits of online Web sites, blogging, Facebook and even setting up a You Tube account, that I knew I really needed to listen carefully.

Elizabeth stressed the importance of keeping a Web site active and the need to specify five key words for a search engine.

She stressed the importance of meeting a global marketplace on the Web to increase business endeavors, and advised, “You have four seconds to impress someone on the Internet.”

The main message, to site visitors and potential customers, better be clear, with the headliner appearing top and center on the site, and contact information readily available.

Elizabeth emphasized using the words, “Please call me!” to portray an “I want to help you” attitude.

The meeting continued with several longer demonstrations, one from Signs Now based in Mill Creek for designing banners, business cards and graphics.

“Branding is important, so be creative!” advised owner Rani Bal.

Lauren Archer talked about motivation, personal programming, hypnotherapy and biofeedback while promoting her CDs. Lauren, author of 13 self-help programs, is a lecturer and educator on wellness. She also serves as executive director of Eastside Women in Business.

To end the meeting, several women spoke of how they have been helped by other women in the organization. Participants enjoyed plenty of time following the meeting to network and socialize.

Eastside Women in Business also hosts book clubs and happy hours. More on this worthwhile organization, that emphasizes collaboration, not competition, can be found at www.ewib.biz.

Come see where your entrepreneurial talents or corporate business acumen can take you.

Eastside women truly do mean business.

Suzanne G. Beyer is a Bothell resident.