You can do it, even if it isn't corporate team building!

Member spotlight: Everything matches up for Julee Wasserman When DinnerGrrls.org member Julee Wasserman founded her own outdoor tours company, she knew it would take a lot of hard work to attract and retain corporate clients for teambuilding events. But she didn’t know that her initial idea would also evolve into a totally new area: a unique and – judging from a 300-person membership, a full calendar of monthly events, and even several wedding invitations – very successful events service for singles. Julee founded Julee’s Gorge Tours in 1999 after working at a Columbia Gorge nonprofit. “I just decided I wanted to be my own boss,” she says. Her goal was to boost tourism in the Gorge by organizing recreational teambuilding exercises for Portland-area corporations like Nike and Tektronix. But as the economy began to dip in 2001, Julee saw a corresponding slump in her business. “Corporations didn’t have that much money in their budgets to do teambuilding,” Julee says. “I realized that I couldn’t make a living just doing corporate events, so I decided to branch out into recreational singles events, as well.” Julee started organizing some informal events and found that demand was high. By fall 2003, she had started a full-fledged outdoor social club for singles. Today the club holds everything from board-game nights and happy hours, to rafting trips and snow-shoeing expeditions. Julee’s efforts have matched up many Portland-area singles and resulted in at least three weddings so far. Even Julee has gotten in on the action—she met her current boyfriend at a “speed dating for outdoor enthusiasts” event several months ago. Julee sums up her advice for other women entrepreneurs in one word: patience. “The worst thing is that people get too financially stressed and give up,” she says. “You’ve got to be patient and give it a few years. It can be three years – sometimes five – before you start to see profits.” Julee has attended several Portland-area DinnerGrrls.org events over the past year, including a potluck that she hosted at her home. “I love the female energy and trying out new restaurants,” she says. “I just think it’s fun.” Given that she spends most of her time organizing outings for others, it’s only fitting that she adds, “I also love it because it’s an event that I don’t plan!” For more information on Julee’s Gorge Tours and the Singles Outdoor Social Club, see http://www.gorgetours.com.