Natalie Richards wants her new networking Web site, QuinceClub.com, to become an integral part of planning a girl’s 15th birthday celebration.

The 15th birthday celebration, or quinceañera, is a significant event for girls in Latin-American cultures. Like a wedding, the party can include a church service and an elaborate reception. It’s an occasion to dress up in a fancy gown, rent a limousine and say goodbye to one’s childhood.

Now more than seven years past that milestone, Natalie Richards is working on something just as big and complex. With backing from friends and family, she has started a company to help plan such parties for hundreds, or thousands — or as many people as she can accommodate.

The 22-year-old Escondido resident is president of Influential Hispanic Marketing Inc. and is the driving force behind a bilingual Web site called QuinceClub.com. The site launched in June.

“Be part of the coolest club where it’s all about you and making your Quinceañera a dream come true!” says the English version of the site’s home page. Resplendent in pink, magenta and orange, the site invites people to set up a personalized Web page devoted to their 15th birthday celebration. There they can post a blog or diary, post photos, post messages to the party guests and coordinate the pre-party shopping and activities.

Through the site, party planners can send invitations and e-mail blasts.

Quinceañeras typically include a choreographed dance involving the birthday girl and her court, and such a dance requires practice sessions. The Web site makes a good message board for such activities.

Preparations such as buying gifts or gowns require more family collaboration.

Richards offers a way to communicate and collaborate, and her service is free.

“Just one click of the button turns it into Spanish,” said Richards, demonstrating the site to an onlooker.

There are overtones of social networking sites such as MySpace here. And social networking, said Richards, “is where it’s all at.”

The site also presents a wealth of ideas, such as party themes and fashion advice. What’s more, it includes advertising for service providers such as bakeries, florists, tuxedo rental shops and photographers.

Small businesses have signed up for advertising, but so far, corporate America hasn’t bitten.

“We’ve been working this whole time on getting the hits,” said Richards.