Testimonials
Elisa A. Snyder
First Federal Bank
Dear BNI Fellow Members:
As a BNI member of approx. 1 year, I would like to share one of my BNI success testimonies. Upon my first visit to the BNI Money Makers chapter, I was given the chance to do my 60 second commercial on behalf of First Federal Savings Bank. Everyone at that chapter was very welcoming and made me feel very comfortable. After that first visit, I had pretty well made up my mind that the Money Maker’s Chapter was a chapter that I would like to be a part of.
Upon arriving back at my office after the very positive meeting, I received a phone call from another visitor who had visited the same chapter that morning. He said he had been very impressed with my 60 second commercial and he was interested in learning more about my bank as he was very unhappy with his current bank.
After a couple more phone calls and a follow up meeting, I was able to switch this visitor over to our bank from one of our competitors. Since that time, we have developed not only their business deposits and business loans, but their personal banking business as well. He has become one of First Federal’s best customers and all because of a visit we both made to a BNI meeting on the same day. Obviously the moral to this story is every visitor is not only a potential BNI member, but also a potential customer to all BNI members and their visitors as well.
Thank you for allowing me to share my BNI success story.
Sincerely,
Elisa A. Snyder
Asst. Vice President/Banking Center Manager
812-492-8203
4601 Bellemeade Avenue
Evansville, IN 47714
|
Leticia Dominguez
Awaken Your Potential
For the past year I have held the Life Coach seat in a Louisville chapter BNI. Prior to 2009 I successfully filled the Employee Benefit seat for several years developing lasting relationships. BNI and its members have helped me to develop both personally and professionally with abundant resources including advanced trainings. BNI offered opportunities to expand my network, build professional relationships and through proven processes allowed me to broaden with a successful career change. A word of mouth marketing team with a 'givers gain" philosophy is what you will find in BNI.
Leticia Dominguez, Certified Life Coach
Awaken Your Potential
502-377-1266 Phone
Leticia@joyislife.com
|
John Trusa
Barrier Waterproofing Systems
I have been a BNI member for 6 months and my business has increased by $23,000 dollars during the past 2 months. My best single referral produced business worth $12,000 to me.
The best other single thing about BNI for me is realizing the power of word of mouth referrals.
• I also have over $80,000 in quoted projects, some
of which will close by years end.
• My greatest return on my advertising dollar occurs
through BNI word of mouth advertising. It far
surpasses newspaper ads,yellow page ads, and
internet
John Trusa
615-257-1060
BarrierofTN@charter.net
Cookeville, TN
|
Jim Storsberg
HonorGuard Pest Services
Jim Storsberg
HonorGuard Pest Services
BNI has truly been a blessing for my growth in Rutherford County. I just moved to Tennessee 2 years ago and after dominating the real estate inspection/certification market in Kings County, California for 14 years I found myself in new unfamiliar surroundings with few, if any, contacts. Since joining BNI the networking has been invaluable in my growth. The investment in BNI has turned into resources, contacts and business that no other venue could offer.
As I renew my membership I say thanks to everyone in the BNI-Boro Business Network chapter for your continued support and confidence.
BNI is a business commitment that works! “Givers Gain” . . . A true philosophy!
Jim Storsberg
HonorGuard Pest Services
“The Best in Pest”
615-545-7578
|
Chris Phillps
Keller Williams Realty, Murfreesboro TN
Christopher Phillips, with Keller Williams Realty in Murfreesboro, states that consistency is the key. “We meet every week at the same time, and we are all there for the same purpose, to grow our businesses. In our day to day lives, whether customers or friends, we have conversations with people about repairs they need to get done around the house or to their cars, business services they feel they could be getting cheaper, or just general dissatisfaction with their current insurance, mechanic, phone service, etc… Those conversations open the door for me to refer them someone in the group. In turn, the receiver of this referral will want to help my business grow as well. Since I joined the group, my business has increased over 30%, which is especially helpful in a down market.” Christopher also states, “Not only has this type of networking improved my sales, it has conditioned me to think outside the box on specifically who my clients are and how to get myself in front of them.”
|
Bryan Dihigo
Your Local Directory
I wanted to drop you a line to say, "Thank you for helping me see the value in BNI." As a new business owner, I understand that every dollar counts. Like many who look at BNI's annual investment to join, I too wanted to believe that I would see a good return on my investment. Well, I just totaled up my BNIreferrals from 2008, and I'm excited to say that BNI helped me generate $17,964.35 in closed business! What a great return!
I would certainly recommend BNI to local business owners looking to expand their customer base with solid word-of-mouth relationships.
Sincerely,
Bryan Dihigo
Owner
Your Local Directory
yourlocaldirectory@comcast.net
(615) 220-9040
|
Kevin Stanko
Allstate Agency Owner - Stanko Agency, Inc
Yes, The most important factor in my renewing membership was the time I spend Networking day to day in my business. BNI referrals made up 27% of my property and casualty business for 2008, my first year as a member. I did not know a soul in Murfreesboro before Jan 08', so establishing networks and centers of influence was crucial for my success. I have expanded beyond BNI and Murfreesboro this year to continue to grow these resources. My daily networking activities now make up more of my day than prospecting to individuals for insurance.
You're in Good Hands. Mine
Kevin M. Stanko
Agency Owner - Stanko Agency, Inc
Allstate Insurance Company
2670 Memorial Blvd, Suite D-5
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Phone: 615-494-3733
Fax: 615-494-3734
Email: kstanko@allstate.com
|
Crystal Ridenour
Western Rivers Corp
I am so glad that two ladies from Paducah, KY decided to drive to Bowling Green, KY in order to learn about BNI and bring it back here to us. The BNI Impact Chapter in Paducah, KY is just under a year old and already I have met people that I would not have met, had it not been for BNI, and have received referrals that I would not have otherwise had an opportunity to get. This truly is the best way to network. BNI has also helped me with my speaking and presentation skills. Each week I get up in front of a group of 40-50 people to advertise my business. In doing this, it has helped me to overcome the fear of speaking in front of large groups. BNI provides training and education not found in most networking organizations. I am so excited to be a part of this organization!
Crystal Ridenour, CIC
Western Rivers Insurance
703 Jefferson Street
Paducah, KY 42001
Phone: (270)442-3533
Fax: (270)442-8275
|
Travis Hinkebein
Hatter Hinkebein & Barlow Insurance Agency
Participating in the Pacesetter program from the State Auto Insurance Company I was required to join a BNI group. Having never heard of BNI I was not sure what I was committing too. At the end of my Pacesetter year I had written just over $160,000 of new business, with 40% of that coming from BNI referrals. With that type of new volume I earned an incentive vacation for my family. Without the referrals that came through BNI I would not have been able to reach my goal or earn the vacation. I would like to thank BNI and let everyone know that it is 1 year since my required participation has ended and not only am I still a member; I am our chapter’s president. BNI WORKS!!
Travis Hinkebein
Hatter Hinkebein & Barlow Insurance Agency
502-499-0400
502-767-3429
Travis@Hatterinsurance.com
|
Paul Stagner
ANCHOR APPRAISALS
A Realtor friend, Jodi invited me to a BNI meeting in early 2006. I knew it was for me right away! Through the contacts I have made in BNI, my company has added several big clients that give us business week after week. Right now, I would estimate that over 60% of my appraisal orders come from BNI members or contacts I have made through referrals from BNI. This is by far the best organization I’ve ever seen for growing a business! Also, my friends and associates know that I have trustworthy people to do almost any kind of job they might need. I got people! Being invited to that first meeting was a true gift.
Thanks,
Paul Stagner
ANCHOR APPRAISALS
1612 Westgate Circle, Suite 113
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 394-2605
(615) 574-6041 Fax
" We'll try not to sink your deal! "
|
Steve LoJacono
Multi-Task Solutions, LLC
“Being in the Promotional Products and Advertising Specialty business, BNI has increased my current book of business nearly 30%. In my business, its all about building great relationships and providing excellent service. BNI has afforded me the ability to farm those relationships into more business. There simply is no better means of marketing than working with my BNI “Sales Force” to secure business from those prospects that I otherwise would have had difficulty in garnering via other traditional means. BNI works. Period.”
Steve LoJacono, VP Customer Happiness
Multi-Task Solutions, LLC
615.385.2566 o
615.260.9090 c
|
Connie Bratcher
Mary Kay
BNI has truly been an incredible networking opportunity for my business. I started in the Dollars and Sense Chapter to work with professionals in the Bowling Green, Ky. area. BNI has allowed me to expand my business as I meet with 30 or more professionals on a weekly basis. I am most excited that my chapter has introduced me to over 100+ new customers in my area!!! This is an organized, friendly, and consistent group to build any business!
Thanks BNI for this awesome networking organization!
Connie Bratcher
Independent Sr. Sales Director
Mary Kay Cosmetics
"You never get a second chance to make a First Impression"
270-779-2677
www.marykay.com/cbratcher
cbratcher@marykay.com
|
Scott Bouldin
Signature Blinds and Shutters
BNI has been the single most effective form of advertising that I have invested in. Within my first 4 months as a member, I generated over $30,000 in closed business from my referrals I received. BNI has helped me grow as an indvidual by developing my speaking, networking, and creative abilities. For the amount of time and money BNI requires, is is the best investment you can make....period.
Scott Bouldin
Signature Blinds and Shutters
270-793-9118 office
270-991-4425 cell
sbouldin330@bellsouth.net
Dollars & Sense BNI chapter
Bowling Green, KY
|
Nathan Monroe
Smith Barney
"In 2004 I moved to Evansville knowing absolutely nobody. As one of the founding members of the first Evansville BNI Chapter, I can confidently tell you that being in a BNI chapter has enabled me enormous opportunity in meeting business and community leaders and truly becoming a part of the Evansville community - and quickly. It is unlike any other networking organization - it requires a commitment, is structured, and is supported by a staff of directors to help coach/mentor on an ongoing basis. BNI has been immeasurable in terms of the direct and indirect business benefits for me in building my business."
Nathan Monroe
Smith Barney
1 Main Street, 601 Old Nat'l Place
Evansville, IN 47703
Email: nathan.l.monroe@smithbarney.com
Website: fa.smithbarney.com/monroe/
Direct Number: 812-421-6109
Cell Phone: 812-430-0712
Toll Free Number: 1-800-457-3177
Fax: 812-421-6100
|
Bill Carrico
Carrico Jewelers
MSP 2.0 Testimonial
I enjoyed the training and learned a lot that I could relate to and have seen in our BNI Group as a new member. I now understand why some of my own thought processes about referrals were wrong. I had been only thinking on a Tier 1 level and had a self perception that most all of my referrals would only be coming from within the BNI group. This thought led me to believe BNI was a group purchasing goods and services from each other which is definitely NOT the case. The referral confidence curve got my train of thought in sync with the real BNI world. I also see with the amount of tier 1 referrals I have had so far, BNI could be the start of major business success especially since my business is new and I am new to the area.
I also absorbed the 60 Second Commercial Outline Part IV (the ask) like a sponge. This helped me think in more precise terms of what I am looking for in referrals and how to present it to my group.
Prior to this training, I thought my 10 minute presentation should show how to be a Jeweler. Fact is we should talk about our services (LCD) and provide information that equips our BNI group to provide service oriented well targeted referrals and recognize when they are in the midst of a good referral for us.
Thank you for the training I feel it helped me immensely.
Bill Carrico
Carrico Jewelers
www.dreamscometruejewelry.com
|
John Dintamin
Padgette Business Services
MSP 2.0 Testimonial
By far the biggest impact is the refined focus on a target industry/client. This gives the members an exact customer and type with which they can assist in referring. I also really liked the "ASK" which again tells each member exactly what I need. Not only can it generate a possible hot lead if a member knows the targeted business owner, but the other members get the message of the targeted business that they should know business owners which they can contact and generate referrals. This will result in a much more productive 60 sec commercial.
Likewise, expanding this approach into the 10 minute presentations and telling the members what to say and what to look for will definitely increase the feedback and referrals from the presentations.
The new MSP 2.0 is a marked improvement and gave me a definite renewed enthusiasm for the BNI system. I know this will improve my referral generation.
John Dintaman - Business Achievers Chapter
Pasdgett Business Services
|
Wendy Katz
MSP 2.0 Testimonial
MSP 2.0 re-energized me! Some of the changes were startling (and I even wanted to resist them at first) but after thinking about them and trying some on, my 60 second spiel has improved greatly and I’m looking forward to a turbo-charged 10 minute presentation.
I think the confidence curve worksheet will be very helpful as a confidence booster and will show new members specific things they can do to increase the referrals they receive.
Wendy Katz - Lexington Lunch Chapter
Harmony Dog Services
|
Craig Mayfield
Craig On-Site
MSP 2.0 TESTIMONIAL
I’d say the biggest thing I received from the MSP 2.0 training were the funnel concept on how to ask for a direct referral and what to cover in your 10 minute presentation. I am currently working on my presentation for next week and I have an excellent template to work from by attending your MSP 2.0 training session.
At first I was skeptical on if I would benefit from the class or if I would be able to offer quality leads to my BNI chapter members.
With your coaching I feel much better about my future in BNI...
Thanks!
Craig Mayfield
Central Kentucky Chapter
|
Mike Smith
Financial Advisor-Waddell & Reed, Inc.
MSP 2.0 Testimonial
I just wanted to thank you, Mary Ann, and Amy for the training you provided at the most recent BNI Member Success Program version 2.0. The ideas and strategies presented are right on target to empower members to get more specific about the referrals that will help their business become more profitable. It became crystal clear that the best way to do this is to ask for a personal introduction to the actual person that can send you multiple referrals, regardless of the type of business. The steps that described the right way to handle a referral were also extremely helpful, and should turn more referrals into clients.
I am looking forward to using the information learned at the training to increase the profitability in both my business as well as the business of the other members. As a founding member and current President of the Brownsboro Rd. Chapter, I found great value in the training and would highly recommend ALL BNI members attend. Thanks again.
Michael H. Smith, CMFC
District Supervisor
Financial Advisor
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
9300 Shelbyville Rd., Ste. 1310
Louisville, KY 40222
502-426-8777 ext. 117
|
Rafael Naar
Close Up Video Services
I joined BNI in March of this year and it has been a fantastic experience. My Chapter “Money Makers” was created in April, we all had the training with Bart Giles and it fills like we are family, helping one another to be successful in every one of our professions and businesses.
I have been working hard to build the trust doing lots of one on ones and, working with two power teams, and is been worth it because I have been getting good referrals and I am projecting for the end of the year to meet my goals. So far my sales has been increased
45 %, since I joined BNI.
There is another chapter in Evansville, and my wife Ines just joined few weeks ago so we are looking to double the amount of referrals per week.
BNI is an opportunity to implement a low cost marketing for our business and I am glad we have it.
Rafael Naar
Close Up Video Services
866-221-9194
www.close-updvd.com
Evansville, IN
|
Tracy Zeller
Tracy Zeller Jewelry
BNI has been a wonderful experience for me. BNI has reassured my belief that one of the keys to being successful is networking. The more people I meet and the better we get to know each other, the more we will share in being successful together.
Joining BNI is structured, strict, and a commitment to take seriousley. That's what makes its members successful. My advice is to remember "the more attention you give it, the more successful you will help others become which will result in your own success."
Join BNI and share in the success.
Tracy Zeller
Tracy Zeller Jewelry
812-423-4376
Evansville, IN
www.tracyzeller.com
|
Linas Sudzius
Law Offices of Linas Sudzius
I joined BNI in early 2002, just after starting my estate planning law practice. BNI was a perfect fit for me for several reasons. First, because I had just left a career working as an executive for an insurance company, I wasn't connected to other local business professionals. BNI connected me. Second, I needed to build my business through referrals. BNI provided the mechanism to do that. Third, I needed access to a local professional support group. BNI provided that access.
I am proud to say that my move from career to entrepreneur has been--and continues to be--a success. Roughly 95% of my business is from referral sources. Of that 95%, about half is from BNI sources.
BNI is not for everyone. However, it has been a blessing to me and for my business.
|
Empower Your Business Through Word of Mouth Marketing
Copyright © 1998-2008 by BNI, Kentucky, Southern Indiana and Middle Tennessee. All rights
reserved.
Home - Events - Substitutes - Success Stories - Photos - Members Only - Contact Us
|
|
Members Only
