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Are you ready to Betty? Betty's ready for you! Launched in March 2008, BettyConfidential.com is already recognized as one of the fastest growing women's Web sites with original content. BettyConfidential.com offers an interactive presentation of content, social networking, and advice in a "roomful of women" setting, targeted to women ages 18-49.

So who is Betty?

We're glad you asked. Betty is your best friend ... only BETTER. She's the one you have coffee (or a martini!) with and then go home totally inspired about changes you can make in your own life - whether it's about opting out of the workplace, making a career change, finally potty training your child, buying a new book or something as silly and fun as trying out a new eye shadow. Betty helps you be the WOMAN YOU WANT TO BE. She understands and embraces the confidential YOU - the you who has unfulfilled dreams and desires that have gotten pushed to the backburner because of life. She challenges you to think outside of yourself and kick-start those dreams - and she will laugh, cry and cheer you along the way.

How did you choose the name BettyConfidential?

That's a good question and one we're asked all the time!

Betty is a well-known, trustworthy name that represents the qualities of our Web site. Think about a Betty you know - she'd never stab you in the back. Right? (OK, there could be a few exceptions, but for that most part ...) She's the one that dishes and bitches with you, but always HAS your back. She wouldn't steal your boyfriend or your favorite sweater, but she'll let you look through her purse and won't get all squeamish if you want to use her lipstick. She's not above talking about the latest celebrity dirt, but can also intelligently discuss politics or the current NY Times bestseller. There's nothing UGLY about this Betty. In sum - she's the woman we all aspire to be.

Confidential represents those hidden aspirations in all of us and getting back to living that life of possibilities.

Who is the typical Betty user?

There's no such thing as a typical Betty. We're all uniquely, extraordinarily fabulous. But if you must pin us down a little, we'll tell you that she usually is:

• 18-49 years old, with at least an undergraduate degree (or pursuing one)

• motivated to live that life of possibilities

• has an inexhaustible appetite to better herself

• outwardly successful, but inwardly feels chaotic

• shops at Nordstrom but also Target; Whole Foods but also Safeway and Costco

• eats out more than she'd like (trying to keep it healthy) at places like Chipotle or a local Thai restaurant, and sometimes treats herself to a really nice meal

• outsources her day-to-day chores, even though she has guilt about it

• greatly desires an improved lifestyle for herself and her family

• wants to be heard, but often feels unheard at work and at home

• knows that her internet time is her escape: to relax, to solve problems and to connect with other women like her

How did BettyConfidential.com come to be?

Fate brought together our two cofounders by chance in 2007, and they began germinating the idea. Deborah had conducted a multi-year research project on issues impacting the contemporary status of American women; and Shaun, a technical guru, had uber experience in Silicon Valley building online communities. It was a match made Web heaven, and they started to create BettyConfidential.com, which officially launched in mid-March 2008.

Deborah's research showed that...
Irrespective of the all the educational attainment or economic advancement among women, there was a deep desire to connect to other women who were similarly-situated in life stages.

The situations spanned every life stage: a 20-something woman who desperately wanted to find passion in her career, a 30-something woman who opted out of the workforce to stay at-home with her kids, or a 40-something woman who was contemplating a divorce and mulling what her life might look like as a single mother. Women at all stages were asking themselves, "Is this it? ... Is this the way my life was meant to be?"

Shaun recognized that, to be successful, a social-networking component would be required. But there was still a void in the marketplace for women to gather together as if "they were in room full of women," talking like "best girlfriends" about what is going on in their lives. So, we wanted to create that "room full of women" through two separate channels where women could gather and read about "real life" relevant information that was applicable to their everyday lives. As well, we wanted to connect these women who shared similar life stages, circumstances or goals, and created social networking opportunities in as public or as private way as she chooses. Our team developed that next generation of social networking where women could have as many relevant conversations as they wanted, and invite different people into private conversations-allowing no one else to see their dialogue except the invitees.

 BettyConfidential.com is a business unit of Desha Productions, Inc., a media production company creating and developing Internet properties specializing in women, pop culture, and politics.