Shane Shaps, owner of 520 East Brands, is someone who screams from the “virtual rooftop” about the brands she works with. As the voice of about a dozen brands, both locally and nationally, Shane spends her days online, communicating on behalf of some amazing companies. While these businesses are busy building what they build and making what they make, Shane is online telling people about it, helping to build their brand and spread the word.

It took me but a moment to determine my absolute favorite thing about Louisville. Now, this may not sound incredibly glamorous, but it’s true, so here goes. The one thing I love most about Louisville is our women’s business networking community. Across boundaries, throughout various pieces of this community, I have found that the women in this town are like none other.

A few years ago, I started my own business serving as an online voice for my clients – engaging one to one with their consumers and potential customers. Soon after taking the leap to begin this business, I met an amazing woman, Heather Howell, who introduced me to more amazing women like Steph Horne, Holly Houston, Jackie Keating, Noelle Penta, Lopa Mehrota, the list goes on and on. These women have inspired me as a person, as a mom and as a professional. And some days I want to just pinch myself that I’m in their company. They have become confidantes and resources – there when I need them and always an influence. I know I can call on them anytime – and I hope they know that works both ways.

The first time I met my Twitter pal, Stacey Servo (@new2lou AND @downtown_LOU), I was shocked that while she was such a close online friend, the reality that I’d ever have the chance to actually get to know her never really entered my mind. Same goes for Robyn Sekula (@itsrobynwithay) until one day we said, “Let’s meet. Let’s have lunch.” And a real friendship was born off-line. Michelle Jones (@michellej) was one of the first people I really got to know on Twitter, and when I found out she was local, it was like worlds were colliding. So, to me, Louisville is kind of a big small town.

The “do you know…” game is played often here in Louisville and more and more I find that the answer to that question is a resounding, “YES! I do know her.”

Louisville women are so incredibly supportive of other women. It’s like an open network – one cool woman meets another and they introduce them to more cool women. And so on and so on and so on.

We each have our own communities – whether through our synagogue or church, our children’s schools or our social scenes. But when we come together in a business networking atmosphere, we are all one. We all see each other as amazing women doing amazing things and we put each other high on a pedestal and support one another.

As a child, I was always told by my parents that girls can do anything – and it’s something I repeat to my daughter over and over. The women I get the chance to network with in Louisville remind me how true that is each and every day.