Though there are so many networking opportunities for women to choose from, Maureen Campaiola found it difficult to find a setting that offered substantial exposure to various industries but was also intimate and cozy. Realizing there was a need for this type of environment, Maureen determined to create her own networking group in an effort to meet that need. The first hurdle was coming up with a name. She wanted something snappy and snazzy—something other than her own name which she finds is too difficult to pronounce. "Italians can't even spell it!" she said, laughing. Maureen wanted a company name that was embracing, but bold. "I've always loved the word 'phenomenal'" she said. It was catchy, unique, and it stuck. By March 2009, DARE To Be Phenomenal was born.

Down the road, Maureen added the credo, "Rise Above Mediocrity" to the name to further emphasize her favorite word. "You can't be phenomenal and mediocre," Maureen said. "They can't exist in the same realm, in the same place."

With her undergraduate degree in business and a masters in systems management, Maureen was well prepared to take on the role as president of a new organization. She had also networked extensively prior to creating DARE To Be Phenomenal, which she believes helped her withstand the challenges. "I just said I was going to do it, and did it," she said. The first event brought out 13 women and from there, the venture has exploded to include more than 600 women.

Her mission is to foster the growth of female business owners and entrepreneurs. Maureen is a business coach who desires to bring women together to create an environment where women have the freedom to help one another create joint ventures, cross refer, and build relationships. "'Hopeless, drained, and overwhelmed' shouldn't be the first words you think of when someone asks you about your business!" she says on her website. The group's monthly networking events, luncheons, trainings, and special events allow women within the Boston Metro area to engage themselves with other business women. And as a seasoned coach, Maureen is anxious to help women see their potential, realize their strengths, and propel them into a successful career.

Maureen is not your typical coach. She grew up in Methuen, MA, and has not budged an inch since then. Though she did go to college for a stint, she came back after a couple of years "to recover," she says. Not long afterward she gave birth to her beautiful daughter and five years later, returned to school to complete her degree. "I'm not a big traveler," she says. Though living in Methuen her entire life gave her fewer places to explore, the good news, she says, is that she knows a tremendous amount of people. Her familiarity with the town and the area, in turn, gives her a greater networking range and more contacts.
The economy is Maureen's greatest challenge. In the beginning, DARE To Be Phenomenal was a free networking opportunity. "It got to the point where I couldn't do that anymore," Maureen said. "The venues weren't making money. [Members] would order water at the venue," she said. Before the slump in the economy, Maureen held events at different venue locations that would not charge, assuming the attendees would order food and beverage. However, as more guests were ordering water sans a meal, the venues began charging. Hence, Maureen was forced to require a fee. "People dropped off and that is purely understandable," she said. "It really separated the girls from the women. [Women] who don't mind investing in themselves are going to be the ones that are here a long time. If you sit on the sidelines and don't network, you won't be here–you won't be in business."

And Maureen's greatest reward? The friends she has acquired through the networking organization, and the feedback she has received from others who have made wonderful, professional relationships with other women. "It's always heartening when new members write things on our message boards about how it has helped them," she said.

Though only a year and a quarter old, Maureen already has big things in store for DARE To Be Phenomenal. "I want to replicate this in other parts of the country," she said. "That's my goal." Though she may or may not end up in that direction, she says, her visions and ideas are always new. "In time, the group will look a little different," she said. "I've been a business owner for a long time and I have a lot of different experiences. This was a different kind of venture. I had a vision and I just made it happen," she continued, going on to say that more often than not, people hinder the fruition of their dreams by putting too much emphasis on the difficulties.

Having a good support team is also imperative, Maureen says. As her dreams continue to grow and new ideas come to life, she says she relies on the encouragement of her daughter as well as her own personal coaches. "Everybody should have a coach. It's hard to be in business by yourself," she said. "If you have a vision, realize that nothing has to be perfect in order for you to move forward. Do yourself a favor and hire a coach to support your vision and goals and the things you want."

For more information, contact Maureen at 978-794-4991 or Maureen@DareToBePhenomenal.com or visit her website at: www.DareToBePhenomenal.com.

For more Inspirational Women article or articles on different topics visit the Applaud Women Library.