When New York financial adviser Darya Allen-Attar moved to Los Angeles in 2002, she joined a networking group for businesswomen. But she was soon frustrated.

Men’s networking sessions tend to be quick and useful, but Allen-Attar noticed that women tend to socialize more.

“The conversation that you have as a woman in the business environment very often is not quite as direct and on point as perhaps men in the business world have,” she said. “I was feeling really frustrated.”

So, in 2008, inspired by several groups in New York, Allen-Attar started a networking group for women where the focus is clear: It’s all about money and power. Called Broads Circle, the group targets senior-level L.A.-area businesswomen with “a proven ability to drive revenue or grow capital.” It has about 1,300 people on its mailing list, and 35 dues-paying members. Allen-Attar said the mailing list has grown quickly because the group is open to a mix of industries, which allows richer networking opportunities.

“In effect we’re trying to create a group that’s not overrun by one group or another,” said Allen-Attar, who personally interviews all potential dues-paying members and hopes to boost their number to 100 by year’s end.

And what about networking results? She claimed the group has already led to a number of concrete business opportunities, including for herself.

“This group has allowed me to get referrals that are very well suited to what I’m trying to do,” she said.