SANDPOINT — When Jennifer Whitmyer arrived in Sandpoint one year ago, one thing she noticed about the community was the limited number of networking opportunities.  

Drawing on her experience and previous Idaho homes, she sought to bring a Women in Business chapter to Sandpoint. The process was admittedly easier than Whitmyer expected and alongside Tiffinay LeAnn Vargas, a month ago she put together an application and began to get the word out to the local community. 

"I wasn’t expecting as many [RSVPs] to come through and a wide variety of different skills sets, which is great,” Whitmyer said. “The group looks like a partnership in the community, standing behind each other and wanting to support one another.” 

Beginning Tuesday, Whitmyer will be hosting the Women in Business meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at Luther Park in Sandpoint. Whitmyer said meetings function similarly to a Rotary or Chamber Commerce meeting, with a business presenting about what they do in the community. 

While similar, Whitmyer said the meetings will be free to attend and differ from the other community organizations because of the group’s makeup. 

"Rotary and Chamber events are wonderful, but there’s something to be said about women supporting women,” Whitmyer said. “Being able to help each other soar in what we believe in and what we stand for.” 

Whitmyer said the community’s response to the organization’s announcement was overwhelmingly positive and picked up around a week ago. Attendees must RSVP to attend, and Whitmyer said she’s been flooded with interest and excited phone calls. 

Aside from networking and building a support base, Whitmyer wants to see the chapter become a force for good in the community. She said when she was a part of the Post Falls chapter of WIB, they would often volunteer in the community, and the experience was moving for her. 

Whitmyer said she hopes to bring that to the Sandpoint chapter as well as other contributions like raising money for local charities. 

"It’s going to be a really great way of welcoming comradery in the community,” Whitmyer said. “I think brining businesses involved to see how charming Sandpoint is and what it has to offer, is going to be really great.” 

The first meeting will take place at Luther Park on Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interested attendees can RSVP by emailing Whitmyer at [email protected].