Olympia Boss Society: 'Networking without the ick'

Megan Gillespie was tired of feeling awkward, out of place and unseen at networking events. At the same time, she realized the value of networking and its importance in growing a business and making connections.

Gillespie decided she still wanted to network, but was going to create her own community that felt different to those who attend so people could walk away feeling like they made genuine connections.  

About two years ago, she created Olympia Boss Society — a local networking community for women in business. She describes it as, “Networking without the ick.” 

The first event she hosted through Olympia Boss Society had a larger response than she ever expected — about 40 women showed up to the event in May 2023.

She heard people say it felt different, introverts were more comfortable, and people were building friendships beyond business. Gillespie said she’s gotten nonstop feedback from people saying they felt seen, supported, and actually enjoy networking now.  

“Clearly people really needed something like this,” Gillespie said. “People are really seeing they can get into rooms without the intimidation or discomfort.” 

Gillespie hosts “connection nights” — a monthly two-hour event that pairs networking with education. A local businesswoman speaks at each of the events, giving advice and information on a specific topic related to growing a business.  

Olympia Boss Society hosts other events, some for any woman who wants to come and some for members only. One member-only event is for content and co-working, where attendees help each other create content for their business, such as posts and reels for social media.  

The networking group also spotlights different members on their social media, and provides weekly co-working sessions, and questions and answers with business mentors. Olympia Boss Society works with local businesses and does collaborations to gain visibility for both the business and group.  

Gillespie began her business journey in high school, creating a community event for teens and finding her passion for leadership. She said she’s lived many lives since then — from going to cosmetology school, managing a salon at age 21, moving into the real estate business, and becoming a mom.

Real estate taught her a lot about building a personal brand, she said. Gillespie asked herself, “How can I show up as who I am and be authentic and build this brand for myself and also be seen as a respected professional?” 

Motherhood then helped her continue that brand and want to keep it authentic; now she is working to help other women build their business in a way that feels authentic to them.  

“Motherhood really made me double down on this whole idea of this personal brand and just keeping it real and removing the filter and building my business around the lifestyle that I wanted,” Gillespie said.

“Which inspired the business mentorship that I do now, because I've taken all of these different community building and leadership positions in my life and experiences, and now help other women really build their business in a way that feels authentic to them as well.” 

Olympia Boss Society is filled with a wide range of women in all types of business, whether it’s online-based, service-based, or product-based. Some of the businesses of the women who are involved include a marketing agency, insurance agency, metaphysical shop, succulent plant pop-up shop, realtors, lenders and financial workers.  

Most of the main events so far have been hosted at Studio Hanson, but the events are beginning to outgrow the space. All event spaces they use and collaborations Olympia Boss Society participates in are with local woman-owned businesses.  

Forty-two people are a part of Olympia Boss Society’s monthly membership, and it has about 1,500 followers on Instagram now, Gillespie said. New events are always being added, and she has a team of volunteers that help her with organizing the events.

The organization has now hosted more than 50  events with over 650 women. In March, Olympia Boss Society launched a podcast called Boss Society Podcast to amplify local female business owners' voices, share tips, resources and expertise.  

Gillespie says the events are full of welcoming energy and are great for entrepreneurs feeling lonely.  

“I think the biggest thing is there’s room for everyone at the table, it really is true. Someone can walk into a room and not know anyone, leave and feel like they met 20 new best friends," she said.

"No one is standing alone in the corner, it’s a supportive group. Businesses that are competitors team up to support each other. It’s really, really special the way it’s not cutthroat. It's welcoming.” 

As the membership grows, the people who are members are becoming really close, she said. She’s gotten feedback from first-time attendees who say they saw a group of bonded, supportive women, and wanted to be a part of that.  

The group attracts a lot of introverts, she said, and no one is ever put on the spot. It’s about empowering women and letting them feel comfortable in this sort of space, Gillespie said.  

People who are interested in attending an event or becoming a member should visit www.olympiabosssociety.com.