>>For Cynthia Mitchell, business is largely about connections-people connections as well as mind-body-spirit connections. That's her focus as both an entrepreneur-she owns A Beautiful Florida Wedding and Time for What Matters, a holistic business and home consulting firm-and as the incoming chair of the Women's Network of Collier County board.

Tell me about your businesses.

I'm a business mentor who creates second streams of incomes with people who work from home. [My businesses] endorse greener living, nontoxic lifestyles. For 30 years I was a relationship therapist. This is about lifestyles [that aren't harmful], prevention of disease and financial wellness.

What is the Women's Network of Collier County?

Eighteen years ago, a group of women got together and it has evolved. It went from a women's club atmosphere to a women's educational atmosphere to what it is today-a woman's networking atmosphere. We have approximately 192 businesses [as members]; approximately 43 percent of them have more than 50 employees.

We're not a charitable organization, but we do [give a year's scholarship] to an International College [student] who is a businesswoman who has gone back into the workplace and will enhance our community with her expertise and diversity.

Our mission statement [emphasizes] promoting one another's businesses. The way we do business in Naples is word-of-mouth referral. Building long-term relationships ought to be a skill that people are taught in their training, even in college. But we graduate with our M.B.A.s and we haven't been taught how to market.

How do you teach that skill?

Every October, we survey the membership as to what skills they would like to develop in the networking arena. We see, "How to get referrals." We see, "What's the difference between cold and warm marketing?" We see, "Marketing our business." Every other month we have a structured networking exercise. That's the meat and potatoes of what we do. During the month we have [one-on-one sessions]. That's where [two people get together and learn] the who, what, where and when [of each other's business]. You actually don't leave that meeting without saying, "These are three people I know that I could introduce you to," and you make that call. It's phenomenal.

What issues are particular to women working in Southwest Florida?

I'm noticing the squeeze on the middle class-a lot of women working two and three [jobs] who are single moms. I also notice women who are working 9 to 5, coming home and working with the children, working with their marriage partners. What has to happen is that we pay women what women are worth.

When I say "middle-class squeeze" here in Naples, I'm talking about the influence to live the life of paradise, [although] more is better in the eyes of some. [Instead of focusing on money] women [could be] finding what's important. That's why my Web site is named Time for What Matters.

Any chance the network will open to folks who are not women?

Over the years we have been challenged. Remember our name is Women's Network of Collier County, but I would be more than happy to train men how we do what we do.

-Interview by Sammy Mack