Testimonials
Ulises Pacheco
Budget Rent A Car
Since I became a member of BNI Homestead this past February, my business and I had benefited a great deal. I have a received a total of 76 business referrals this past month resulting in a total of $21,466.00 in revenue, placing me in the Top 10 in the country in the category of Insurance Replacements.
Just this past week, I received a total of 13 referrals from just one member. As an entrepreneur, I understand the importance and benefits of effective means of networking. It is evident by the number of hot referrals I have received and been given that BNI Homestead gets it.
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Ed King
Kaleidoscope Conspiracy
February 2008
Jeff,
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to write a little bit about my BNI experience. I have said to you that BNI has had a huge impact on my business. During the last week, I really took some time and thought about what BNI has actually meant to me.
My BNI experience has been a wonderful mix of education, motivation, and business prosperity. As a person who believes that you become what you surround yourself with, I knew that I needed to be a BNI member from the first meeting. Thank goodness for Dena Willman and her invitation to come to the South Beach chapter as her guest.
Education - I am a neo-pop artist. This means that I have a lot of skills that have nothing to do with running a business. Surrounding myself with people like Laurie Wynn and Jon Kidd have given me a lot of perspective about how to approach business that I never had before. The quality of the membership and the lessons I learn from being around them is priceless. Coupled with the educational coordinator and the mini networking workshops during the meetings has, for me, been like attending business school for pennies on the dollar. BNI continues to be a beneficial learning experience for me.
Motivation - BNI has forced me to become more motivated about my business. Being in the room means that I have to be prepared to talk about my business formally through commercials and 10 minute presentations. It also means that I have to be able to effectively sell myself to members and guests. This need to be prepared motivates me to critically think about who I am and what my business represents. It allows me to analyze what my approach will be with networking. It forces me to try new things and to discuss different strategies and options with existing members of the group. When I talk to other artists, they consistently tell me that they never think about these issues. I wonder if I would be like them without BNI... and this question speaks directly to my appreciation of the BNI philosophy.
Business Prosperity - I love saying that when I started BNI, I had a job and that within nine months of BNI, I was a full time business owner. How did it happen? My success in BNI boils down to hard networking and outreach with my BNI members. Through the EDM philosophy, having 1-1 meetings, and giving my 10 minute presentation as much as my group allows, I have been able to educate my group on who I am and what I need. My continual focus on corporate collaboration and the need to position myself as community leader in the arts has lead to amazing referrals. The quality of the membership has opened doors to arenas that would never have been available as a cold call or walk in request. The result of my relationships with BNI members have lead to a huge increase in sales, opportunities, and an expanded rolodex of new contacts. The growth has been amazing and, better still, I am extremely happy to have built a fine group of new friends who, on a personal level, are truly wonderful people. The prosperity is not cash based - it is the feeling of support and the joy from interacting with good, honest, and down-to-earth individuals.
All in all, BNI has been a defining source of success for my business. I can look back to one referral - a singular invitation to visit a chapter - as having a direct and inimitable effect on the growth of my business. It continues to give me new insights into how to become a better business person and for that, I am truly grateful.
Ed King
786-553-4528
www.kaleidoscopeconspiracy.com
info@kaleidoscopeconspiracy.com
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Matthew S. Sarelson, Esq.
SARELSON, P.A.
Dear BNI Friends:
Today mark’s the 1 year anniversary of Sarelson, P.A. Being a member of BNI gave me the chutzpah to start my own Firm at 28 when others said wait several more years. Not only has BNI given me the confidence and motivation to own my own business at such a young age, but it has helped me with revenue. I represent several members of South Beach and Miami Beach BNI (for confidentiality reasons I won’t mention who) and most of my largest clients have come through BNI. My long-shot goal of $100,000 in revenue my first year was shattered months in advance of today.
I moved to Miami on May 16, 2004 without ever stepping foot in the county and without knowing a single person (except the judge I was clerking for and who hired me from DC having never even seen the courthouse). For reasons unknown, I felt called to Miami (which is odd considering how people outside Miami view us). I knew it was here I would plant my seed and become a mensch. My father and I rented a u-haul and drove non-stop from Washington, D.C. When I dropped him off at the airport to fly home I was as alone as I’ve ever been in my life. For about 2 weeks the only in-person communication I had was the store clerk at the Coral Gables Baha Fresh, where I went everyday for a tasty Dos Manos. A quick three and a half years later and I’m well on my way to making it. People in town know who I am and my phone rings non-stop with potential business. I have great friends and colleagues. Short of a wife and kids, my life rocks.
The most important thing for me – lots of lunches and networking with BNI people outside of the regular meetings. I also make sure I go the extra mile for BNI referrals.
I’m not known for being overly emotional, but I honestly want to thank you all. It means more than I am capable of articulating.
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Jason Timmons
Great Florida Bank
Jeff,
I wanted to take a moment and thank you for the invite to the BNI breakfast this morning. I don’t believe that I have ever been impressed by a networking organization, let alone a single function put on by one.
This morning truly impressed me, two things particularly.
1- the sheer energy at the event which was unlike and chamber, beacon council etc.
2- secondly, and more importantly the approach that BNI has instilled in its members, the Give-Gain concept truly changes the way that members network.
Though I don’t need to, please allow me to elaborate from an outsider’s perspective, what I observed. I had mentioned to you that I do not always feel as if I do a good job networking and that I sometimes feel uncomfortable. This group’s members came to me at first and made me feel more at ease going up to them. I felt like they wanted to offer me something without directly asking for something in return; however in return I found myself offering referrals to complete strangers.
I am excited about the opportunity to Join BNI and hopefully one day the opportunity to create a new chapter of my own.
Thank you again,
Jason K. Timmons
Great Florida Bank
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Doswell C. Coakley
BNI Bahamas
To: Jessica Wilcox
Assistant Director
BNI Miami-Dade
Jessica,
Thanks for the invitation while in San Diego at the BNI Int'l Conference to attend your recent BNI awards event. Janice and I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with fellow BNI members from within your district.
It was also good to observe the BNI formula at work. I now look forward to attending a regular BNI network meeting of one of your chapters.
Please extend our thanks to the Executive Director and his team. Your Executive Director is very inspiring. I like his style.
Doswell C. Coakley
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Dena Willman
Family Resource Center of South Florida, Inc.
Todd…
BNI Miami Beach truly out did themselves at Thursday’s meeting with the toy drive benefiting Family Resource Center of South Florida, Inc. I brought the toys back to have the Full Case Managers so they could pick the toys for their foster kids and everyone was so excited to have such nice gifts that were age appropriate for teenagers. They are used to toy drives bringing in baby toys only. But the MP3 Player and Harry Potter were the hit! In all of the toy drives I have seen, yours was one that was off the charts. Your chapter donated nice, high quality, thoughtful and educational toys for our kids. And on Christmas Day, I hope everyone in your chapter remembers that from this toy drive, they made a difference in a child’s life and they put a smile on a child’s face which is amazing.
Dena Willman
Director of Development
Family Resource Center of South Florida, Inc.
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Michael Amaya
Processo Partners
Jeff & TEAM BNI MIAMI-DADE
Thank you for all your efforts for BNI. The event was outstanding!
Have a Merry Christmas -
Michael Amaya
Processo Partners
786.399.9609
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Dr. Corey Narson
Miami Beach Sports & Chiropractic
Dear Jeff;
The 2007 Member & Chapter Recognition Awards were AMAZING. You Jeff, outdid yourself this year!
We left feeling well.... musical.
Corey
Dr. Corey Narson
BNI South Beach
Founding Member
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Joe Haber
Haber Mortgage & Financial
Dear Jeff & TEAM BNI MIAMI-DADE;
Thank you for all the hard work you put into the MCRA today. This year, I was pleasantly surprised how improved the event was. I was particularly excited to hear the speaker, Freddie Ravel. I found his presentation to be fun and entertaining, with a strong message about trying harder to actively pay attention when networking. His method of fusing music and dialogue is refreshing.
The event was tight. Registration was easy. The venue was excellent. The coordination between you and the other Assistant Directors made the event run smoothly. The timing was managed efficiently. It was informative and well worth the cost to attend. It was a very enjoyable event.
Again, thanks for all your hard work. BNI has helped me, my business and my family over the years and I want you to know that it is greatly appreciated by this proud member.
Sincerely,
Joe Haber
President
Haber Mortgage & Financial
BNI Aventura Chapter
305.978.9513
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Kenneth Rader
The Cereal Bowl
Jeff,
Congratulations on this morning's event, which seems to have been a huge success. It was very impressive to see the amount of people you and BNI have been able to affect and personally I was able to learn a great deal, and best of all, make some valuable connections.
Kenneth Rader
President & CEO
The Cereal Bowl
[P](305)428-2695 x101
[F](305)662-2696
kenneth@thecerealbowl.com
www.thecerealbowl.com
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Debbie Blake
Hi Adam,
I wanted to let you know that even though I had to give up my BNI membership so that I can care for my husband during his illness, I still rely on BNI members to provide excellent service; I believe that when someone shows outstanding service, they should be recognized.
Today, I was at a hospital in Broward County with my Dan, who was having a very long medical test. He had a prescription to be picked up at Baptist Hospital and I knew there was no way I was going to make it before the pharmacy closed. It was important that I get the medicine for Dan, so Rick Machado from the Dadeland Chapter gave me the number of Johann Torres at Global Express Courier, a member of the Kendall Chapter. For some reason I was not able to get through to Johann, so I contacted Harmony Nix to ask for a recommendation; she gave me Johann's name, too! I told her that I was having difficulty reaching him, so she contacted him on my behalf. Johann was very quick in calling me and having his dispatcher call me to take the pick up instructions. Not only was Dan's medicine delivered promptly to my doorstep, about an hour later, Harmony followed up to be sure that Dan had received his medication.
I want to thank Johann so very much for the professional and fast service and I want to thank Rick and Harmony for referring me to him. Harmony's follow up went way beyond what was expected; as always, she is a great BNI member, as well as a great friend.Heartfelt thanks from Dan and me.
I now have his number stored in my phone and will definitely call him the next time I need this service.
Sincerely,
Debbie Blake
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BNI Charity Golf Tournament
Big City Mountaineers
November 3rd, 2006
Assistant Director Team
BNI Miami-Dade
Dear Assistant Director Team;
Thank you for helping sponsor the BNI Miami-Dade/BCM Charity Golf Tournament in September 2006. Your tax-deductible donation of $250 and the proceeds from this event (totaling over $20,000 and donated through the BNI Misner Foundation) will be used to support BCM's recreational mentoring program for at-risk teens.
As you may know, BCM (www.bigcitymountaineers.org) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, and is the country's leading volunteer organization devoted t providing significant mentoring during wildnerness trips from urban teens from some of America's most needy communities. I wanted to share with you, a note from a recent South Florida participant, which we received via email:
" In 1993 I had been in and out of the YMCA youth shelter in Sarasota, Florida on several occasions, when a call came that I had been picked as a kid to participate in the backpacking adventure. It was certainly a life changing experience as later on that summer I moved to a placement in Texas to live until I graduated High School. Well - I graduated High School, the organization paid for me to go to college, and long story short, I now have my Masters in Education/Community Counseling and I work for the organization that helped to raise me. Recently I was promoted from a casework position to an Intervention Specialist, where I will be utilizing several different forms of experiential therapy to work with teenage girls. We have a challenge course and use equine therapy, and this year, I will be integrating regular hikes and bike riding adventures into the program. I write all that to simply let you know that the work you guys do is amazing and an inspiration. I may have forgotten the names of the people, but I will never forget what they did for me."
Because of your generosity, BCM is able to provide outdoor experiences that inspire for a lifetime.
Sincerely,
Mark Godley
Executive Director
Big City Mountaineers
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Jake Poritzky
Esquire Express
Dear Harmony:
I must take a quick time-out to let you know that as soon as I walked into my meeting this morning I was bombarded with accolades regarding your representation of Esquire Express during my absence last week. Next month marks my four year anniversary with BNI and the consistently high level of professionalism within the entire organization never ceases to amaze me. I only hope that you enjoyed yourself half as much as I enjoyed taking credit for the wonderful job that you did. As stated in our previous emails, if ever you're faced with the need to have the favor returned, I sincerely hope my email address makes its way to the top of your list.
Thank you once again!
Jake Poritzky
Esquire Express, Inc.
1501 NW 29th Street
Miami, FL 33142
(786) 402-1521 Cell
jake@esquireexpress.com
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John Knowles
Photo Offset
To The Next Level
Turning Competition into "Co-opetition"
Turning category conflict into cooperative success.
by Mavis Lamb, PR & Event Coordinator—BNI Miami-Dade
We've all had someone like John Knowles visit one of our chapters. He is the visitor who represents a category in conflict with an existing member. But when we look deeper, there is room for something else: cooperation. John first visited the Coral Gables chapter of BNI more than eight years ago. There was already a printer in the chapter, so it seemed there was no opening for him. However, the representative for the existing printer, Dan Lincoln, didn't see competition—he saw a chance for cooperation.
Dan's company, Haff-Daugherty, is a large-sheet fed printer, focusing on big-scale jobs, like catalogs. He was frustrated with the fact that he could not directly help many of his fellow BNI members with their smaller projects—like brochures, business cards and letterhead. Working with John Knowles and the membership committee, they created two categories for the chapter: large project printer and small project printer. "I joined the chapter and took on the small printer role," explains John Knowles. "At first I wasn't sure I wanted to do this, because all the large jobs Haff-Daugherty specialized in, Photo-Offset could handle as well. But, I wanted to give BNI a try, so I only promoted our smaller project expertise in my commercials."
"After about a year, Dan ended up not renewing his membership, but to this day Haff-Daugherty is one of my top-20 referral clients," shares John. "I think one of the things that made the relationship work and has kept it consistent for so long is that Dan really gets Givers Gain. When I first walked into that chapter meeting, he could have seen me as the competition, but instead he was excited because he saw how I could help the rest of the chapter—and even his existing clients—where he could not."
So often our members get sidetracked with wanting to make sure no one takes a piece of their "BNI pie." But with a willingness to see the mutual benefit a co-opetition relationship can create, they'll actually end up with a bigger pie overall. Just ask John Knowles!
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Peter C. Leighton
The Sterling Aventura
Thanks to the assistance of our BNI Director team, we are the newest chapter of BNI in Miami! We enjoyed a great meeting today for our BNI Biscayne Connection chapter! High energy and total motivation are the hallmarks of our chapter, including our membership, our visitors, and our Leadership Team.
Presently our chapter is 20 Members, plus 3 new high quality applications currently being considered, which has all of us excited about the possibilities for "Giver's Gain." From 12/1/2006 through our meeting this week, we have 52 referrals passed, and approximately $4,500.00 in member revenue, known as "BNI Bucks."
As the newest chapter of BNI in Miami-Dade, we are proud to be a part of this organization.
Sincerely -
Peter
Peter C. Leighton
The Sterling Aventura
Luxury Assisted Living
786-295-5018
www.sterlingaventura.com
24/7 Quick Admit Program: 786-299-2146
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Lara Nezami
Visitor
I enjoyed meeting you at the BNI event today. I must say that your energy and enthusiasm is contagious! It was a terrific event and a great group of people.
You have done a fabulous job putting this organization together. It was networking, but in a relaxed and fun environment. I will be attending a chapter meeting tomorrow morning, and I look forward to it.
Thank you for hosting me in BNI!
Regards,
Lara
Lara Nezami
Mandel & Mandel LLP
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Jared Asch
Tomorrow's Strategies
Today I broke through to my chapter on a different level. I used a commercial and reference to another group member that I have used before, yet three people came to me and said... I get it!
- A member said, "let's have lunch next week, as I have two people you should meet with who need to know you."
- A visitor wanted to speak further with me about what we do, which was a first!
- Last week I asked for an introduction to Pashas restaurant, and four members offered to help me attempt to arrange the meeting.
- Judson Cohen made an introduction to his visitor and nailed the introduction to my business within 25 seconds, which was potent enough it lead the individual to follow up with questions.
- My best referrals from the group have all come from Robert Arkin, our General Contractor. Who would have ever thought! NOTE: Within 3 months, his introductions single handedly might make up 1/3 of my business.
My thanks to you all for your support over the last nine months. BNI is about relationships, and BNI Miami Beach is about turning relationships into business.
Jared Asch, CEO
Tomorrow's Strategies
"Opening Doors & Closing Deals"
305-677-3364 work
jared@jaredasch.com
www.tomorrowsstrategies.com
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BNI-Misner Foundation
BNI Franchise Corp
To: All BNI Miami-Dade Members
From: Jeff Stay, Executive Director
re: BNI Contributes to Tsunami Relief
Dear BNI Miami-Dade Members, Leaders, & Directors;
It gives me great pleasure to share with you the email from Dr. Ivan Misner, our Founder & CEO regarding the contribution that BNI has made to Tsunami Relief Efforts in 2005 through the BNI Misner Foundation.
"Givers Gain" is our core philosophy in BNI, and I am proud to say that in Miami, in the United States, and throughout our 23 Countries of BNI, our people make the difference and our level of giving spans well beyond the realm of business.
It is a privilege to serve You in BNI,
Jeff
Jeffrey J. Stay
Executive Director
BNI Miami-Dade
"Building Profitable Relationships"
Subj: $57,000 Given For BNI Tsunami Relief!
Date: 4/22/2005 1:19:13 PM Central Daylight Time
From: misner@bni.com
Distribution: BNI Directors and Board of Advisors
Please feel free to share this announcement (note: two schools will be named for BNI - go to the "Find out more here" section below).
$57,000 and Counting!!!
The BNI-Misner Foundation is thrilled to report that, thanks to all of your help, we have raised more than $57,000 during our Tsunami Relief Fund Campaign!
Pictured here (from left) is Marjan A. Manzil, National Director of BNI Sri Lanka; Dr. Ivan Misner, BNI's Founder & CEO; and Elisabeth Misner, Administrator of The BNI-Misner Foundation, with a check for more than $57,000, all of which will go to Relief Efforts in the areas devastated by last year's Tsunami!
Find out more at www.bni.com
THANKS to all of you who have helped us to help others in this program.
Additional donations for the Tsunami Relief can be sent directly to the BNI Foundation OR, credit card donations can be made directly at this URL:
http://calfund.org/8/giving_bnimisner.php
Ivan R. Misner, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO
BNI
Misner@BNI.com
www.BNI.com
www.MastersofNetworking.com
www.MastersofSuccess.biz
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Niri Patel
BNI INDIA
Hi Jeff,
Greetings from the UK (..and India)
Just a quick note to say how much Niraj and I appreciate your support. You are a shining example for BNI and Givers Gain.
Sincerely
Niri
National Director
BNI INDIA
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Linda Davis
BankAtlantic
I just wanted to share a great story with you and re-affirm the importance of the "one on one" meetings. Tom Washburn, President of Wilson, Washburn and Forster is a member of my BNI Chapter.
During a "one-on-one" BNI business building meeting, I realized that I had a referral for him, so I called my customer after our meeting. Of course, he stated to me
that he already had a commercial insurance agent. I told him that he needed to speak with Tom, because knowledge was power and just because he had the same insurance agent for years, did not make him effective.
Well, my customer listened to me and met with Tom. My customer now has a new insurance agent. Through our BNI one-to-one, Tom got a referral from me, that turned into new business for him, while saving my client $2,600!
BNI has provided a valuable tool for my business, and my clients, with the "one-on-one!"
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Lewis Feldman
Fine Arts Photography
I was first invited to BNI a number of years ago, but I was already a member of another networking organization, so I chose not to join. My photography business has been in Dade County for over 50 years, as my father founded it, and I have long since been successfully continuing it.
After a few years of meetings with the other organization, I noticed that I had received very few referrals. In fact, very little business was being done among the membership of this group.
What I most needed to grow my referrals, was education about word-of-mouth marketing. The difference between BNI, and other networking organizations, is the value of the education being offered to its' membership.
Thank you for teaching me "how" to network effectively.
Lewis Feldman
Owner/Photographer
Fine Arts Photography
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Drew Kern
Esslinger Wooten & Maxwell
To Whom It May Concern:
I am entering my 9th year as a Founding Member of BNI Coral Gables, the first chapter of BNI in Miami. Being a member of an organization for 9+ years says something about the return on investment.
I joined BNI as a relatively new realtor associate. Today, in part because of BNI referrals, I am in the top 1% of all realtors nationwide. BNI is a big part of my success, and after 9 years, I still look forward to Wednesday mornings with my sales team.
If you want more business, and better relationships, then BNI is the organization for you.
Drew Kern
Realtor
Top 1% Nationally
Esslinger, Wooten & Maxwell
"Buying or selling, old or new, call EWM and ask for Drew."
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Contact Jeff Stay, Executive Director, Email
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