When friends Jennifer Bellofatto and Cherry Mendoza wanted to connect with each other from opposite sides of the country, they could not find a social networking Web site for professional women that was free of unwanted MySpace- and Friendster-esque solicitors. Their solution? HerOrbit.com.
Bellofatto and Mendoza, both Filipino American, created HerOrbit.com as a sophisticated, women-centered social space where women can nurture relationships, build business clientele and expertise, and share experiences in a safe environment.
Based in Orange County, Calif., the two developed HerOrbit Inc. in July 2006 and launched HerOrbit.com the following April to cater to all women ages 25-55.
“Unlike other women-oriented social networks, we don’t isolate mothers or businesswomen, because we believe that women find it difficult to communicate in a social network where they don’t fit in,” Mendoza said.
With a focus on social networking, members can create a free personal Web page, keep journals, catch up with special interest news, and engage in picture and video sharing and forum discussions. Men are welcome to join, but the site is not meant for dating, and any abuse of the site or inappropriate content is strictly monitored.
Members can connect with women of similar interests to seek advice, friendship and support. “We chose the name HerOrbit because ‘Her’ defines the site as a place for women, and ‘Orbit’ refers both to a woman’s world — the one she has created for herself, including her circle of friends, her business circle and her personal network — and to the fact that our social network helps women network globally, around the planet,” Mendoza added.
According to Mendoza, one member began posting her workout regimens on the site as a way to monitor her personal weight loss program. She has successfully lost weight through making a visible commitment to herself and through the encouragement of the many friends she has made on HerOrbit.com.
HerOrbit.com gets its primary source of funding from the Orbit Marketplace, which allows entrepreneurial members to open a Web storefront where they can showcase and sell their products.
Since networking on HerOrbit.com, one woman who sells beauty products has gained customers from across the country who would not have otherwise known about her business, Mendoza said.
Bellofatto and Mendoza attribute their entrepreneurial success to their Filipino roots. Daughters of Filipino immigrants, and Bellofatto an immigrant herself, they learned the art of perseverance and sacrifice by watching their parents overcome poverty to achieve success in the United States.
“I pattern my life after my parents and grandparents, because they had a strong sense of family, pride in their culture and diligence. I hope to pass the same values on to my children,” said Bellofatto, who, like Mendoza, has two children.
Mendoza, who also works as a neurosurgical physician assistant, said: “I helped create HerOrbit.com to empower women, and show them that they can connect with good people who support them and encourage their dreams.”