COVER STORY

Network gives women monthly bartering opportunities

Five years ago, Simone Kelly-Brown became frustrated with networking events that either felt too social or too stuffy. A professional marketing coach, Kelly-Brown created her own networking group that lets women barter their services and products.

Unlike with a trade exchange or website, bartering through Kelly-Brown's Give 'N Take Network is face-to-face. During the group's monthly meetings in Aventura, each woman lists on one side of a card the services and products she can offer and, on the other, the items she needs. As women work the room, they find matches, Kelly-Brown said.

''You can exchange with them to create a win-win situation,'' she added.

Some items exchanged: bookkeeping services, public relations and timeshares.

Kelly-Brown started the network in New York City, then expanded it to four other cities, including Miami. She moved to Pembroke Pines in May 2006 and created the Miami chapter. Now, about 4,000 women attend networking events in the five cities.

Every woman doesn't find a perfect trade for what she wants, Kelly-Brown said, but women they meet through the network may help with referrals: 'That person might say, `I have 10 friends who would love your product.' '' -- ANGELA TABLAC