Networking Stories
Local business networking is a powerful way to grow and sustain your business in any economy. Our Michigan business professionals enjoy giving and receiving referrals from people they can trust. Below are just a few stories from real members.
I wanted to let you know that we just had our roof done by Mark Harvey, The Roof Resource. He did a great job with the time restrains I had along with the weather getting colder. Our homeowner’s insurance was going to cancel my insurance if the roof was not done by the end of the month. Very long story and was very stressful for me not knowing if I would be able to keep my insurance.
Mike took care of everything and communicated very well with me going above and beyond while I have been vacationing in Florida. I would greatly recommend him to others. I am very happy he is part of SNG!
Euchre was a winning night for me, but it wasn’t from the cards I was dealt, I actually came in last place, lol! The win was the opportunity to meet Dan Gillespie, owner of Shores Mitigation Services, and a member of the Macomb Group.
I was on a call from a landlord I do plumbing service work for, and one of her rentals had a leak coming from the ceiling. When I opened it up, MOLD was everywhere! At that point, I remembered Dan, whom I met at Euchre, did mold remediation. I gave him a call and he was over there the next day. Even better, he was able to address a bigger issue at the actual landlord’s house who had an even bigger mold problem in her attic. We both came out looking like stars…all because we showed up to the SNG Euchre Night.
Most of my SNG successes happen from the events and leagues. Bocci, for example, is my #1 SNG business generator. I don’t really like playing bocci, to me, it’s like watching paint dry! But, instead of standing there waiting my turn, I make the most of it between turns to converse with the other players. On most occasions it has allowed me to address people’s plumbing needs. I have also made a lot of new friends, and friends refer business. I have made many lasting friendships I would not have made without the SNG events. You just need to show up, it is that easy!
I just wanted to share some of my experiences with events. Hopefully it puts a smile on your face knowing how much business success the SNG has brought me.
The Networking Events, the bi-monthly meetings, the frequent news updates and the SNG desire to help people grow their business and make a difference in their lives is a great recipe for success. My compliments to your hard work and passion.
Recently, I decided to sell one of my businesses. Having had many “one-on-ones” with members from other SNG groups, the only person I thought of to market the business for me was Don McKnight. Don has a great personality, strong contacts and years of experience. He was the right man for the job!
Within a few months he had reached out to his contacts, many of which were also SNG members, and found a buyer, who was also a member of the SNG. The business I sold, with the new SNG owner, is doing great! The buyer, the seller, and the business broker, all came from the SNG. Good Job!
Bob Mihelich, CBRE Commercial Real Estate, referred me to a client that signed our agreement, and placed a job order for Monday. Also, I just opened up a new client; who was referred to me by Bob Walker, from English Gardens. This company is looking for Staffing Network to provide 30-40 employees for 5 months. What a wonderfully, large order…I’ve only been a SNG member for less than two months.
The company Bob Walker referred me to have two antiquated buildings in Madison Heights. I toured these facilities and the manager stated they are in the process of looking for a larger, and more modern, facility. I asked if I could have Bob Mihelich contact them to find them a new facility, and, with their permission, I sent their contact information over the Bob Mihelich this morning.
Funny, how things go full circle when everyone is “Net-WORKING!”
I have a really interesting SNG networking story for you. I was recently engaged by a person who was former SNG member. Although he has not been a SNG member FOR YEARS, he went to the SNG website to find a lawyer!
I have been a member of SNG for quite a number of years. I have always found it insightful when meeting the other members in the group and what their interests are. This, many times, is done on a one-on-one meeting. On one of those meetings, one of the SNG members, knowing I was a dentist, mentioned his daughter just graduated from hygiene school. Since we were in the process of looking for someone to work for us, we hired his daughter, Jessica. She ended up traveling to Haiti with us, and was working alongside me providing local anesthesia and cleanings for the orphan children and other Haitians. I would never have guessed that conversation, with our SNG member, would lead me to a foreign land working with his daughter. She has been a blessing to know and work with. I would encourage others to get out of their comfort zone and to get to know the other members.
After a water pipe burst, I had a giant hole in my ceiling, and a weekend house party coming up. The SNG contractor from my group, made me a priority and came to my rescue. They knocked out the project in one day, at a very reasonable price, and cleaned up the whole room after the work was completed in time for the party. The ceiling looks great, and they even left behind some extra ceiling touch up paint for us!
I also had a client with a very unique physical infrastructure issue and trouble obtaining a new phone system install. We sent Denise Hubbs from Techmode to see my client. She designed and implemented a new phone system to connect the buildings my client was told were unconnectable! Way to go Denise!
I wanted to tell you that Aaron Ranka sent me a lead last month. I ended up closing the business and made enough off of it to pay for my SNG dues for the next several years! I own Aaron a good lead or nice gift!
Of course, with a new house, we would need a fresh new paint job! We met with a few different painters and decided to go with Trevin Case from Paint Pals. Trevin pulled off the impossible! We asked for the entire interior of our house to be painted within five days so we could move in…he got the job done in FOUR and his work was amazing!
We are also using Jim Daves from Avery Professional Lawn Care for our lawn service, he is very professional, and does great work! I will recommend all their services any chance I get…who needs Google when you can just go onto the SNG website and search for what they need?” 😉
I love the part about, “Think SNG first,” I must be training her properly. Why not show your employees how to use the SNG Website for all their purchases? In the example above, four of our members benefitted from their SNG membership from just one person. Tell your employees to…use the SNG Website and to use your name!
Of course, with a new house, we would need a fresh new paint job! We met with a few different painters and decided to go with Trevin Case from Paint Pals. Trevin pulled off the impossible! We asked for the entire interior of our house to be painted within five days so we could move in…he got the job done in FOUR and his work was amazing!
We are also using Jim Daves from Avery Professional Lawn Care for our lawn service, he is very professional, and does great work! I will recommend all their services any chance I get…who needs Google when you can just go onto the SNG website and search for what they need?” 😉
I love the part about, “Think SNG first,” I must be training her properly. Why not show your employees how to use the SNG Website for all their purchases? In the example above, four of our members benefitted from their SNG membership from just one person. Tell your employees to…use the SNG Website and to use your name!
“I have a neighbor/good friend whose daughter is getting married this Saturday. Because of COVID-19 the venue cancelled and then the food cancelled. The wedding was moved to our neighborhood and an alternative food supplier was found. Late Friday night the florist called and cancelled. I remembered you had sent out an email about English Gardens offering a Mother’s Day special. I called Bob Walker first thing Monday morning and he was able to help get her setup and back on track. Many kudos to Bob and you for the endorsement email, as I would not have thought of English Gardens without that email.”
“Since I joined SNG in August, I have been introduced to many business owners and decision makers that have listened to what I do, provided counsel, and sent referrals. Every event I meet more and more people that are passionate about helping me and my business. My team and I have set aside time every week to review what opportunities we might have for fellow SNG members so that we can reciprocate. With COVID-19, I can’t imagine where my business would be if it weren’t for SNG.”
Steve does what everyone else can do, but many of you don’t…he shows up. At our last event, he had an opportunity to talk to an influencer he had been trying to get through to. With him showing up, it gave me an opportunity to personally introduce him.
A few years ago, I started my own business, and it was a life-changing decision. I would have started sooner but I had a fear that the clients wouldn’t be there.
Being a new business meant I had to use my resources mindfully. My journey in business changed the day I was brought into a breakfast meeting hosted by the Sunrise NETWORKING Group.
Not only did I start feeling like a part of my new-city community, but I immediately received business relationships that eventually changed my entire life! The SNG has brought me over 30-clients in my first year as a member. Astounding, I know!
I can confidently say that all the clients, referrals, and opportunities I have now, are a result of someone in the SNG leading me to them. Looking at the big picture, there are first, second, third, and even fourth generation connections leading back to someone at the SNG. A butterfly effect that has led to more current business clients, referral partners, and friends than I ever thought was possible for me.
If you are interested in building business relationships, the SNG would be invaluable to your business. It doesn’t carry the negative or pressure energy that is common with other networking groups. Plus, the SNG offers amazing events for relationship building, and the mixers are free.
Beyond business, the SNG gave me a sense of community. I have had the opportunity to build multiple relationships with local business owners in a much larger area than I could have reached on my own.
With the help of the SNG organization, you, too, can get out of the clouds and start making your dream business a reality!
I have been a member of SNG for less than a year, through attending breakfasts and going to many of the scheduled mixers, I have met a number of people that are interested in the same thing I am… growing our businesses. I have received business from these contacts and have also passed on some referrals.
It takes time to develop relationships, but, through the SNG, we have accelerated this process. One referral that turned into a very nice sale, and continued opportunities, was through meeting Dan from Forest Lake Country Club. We met at a breakfast, I attended a mixer at the country club, and, at the mixer, Dan introduced me to his general manager. During our conversation I learned he needed patio furniture and umbrellas for his outside patios and decks.
Within a short time, we had a very nice sale and Forest Lake had beautiful new furniture for their members and guests. Without SNG this transaction would not have happened. Thanks, Dan and SNG!
Thank you, Wayne, for always putting together such a wonderful event at the FOX Theatre for our Christmas event. Each year seems better than the last and I don’t know how this can happen, but it does! I enjoyed the performance as well as the food. The entire atmosphere was MAGICAL! I always LOVE my seats. Thank you for giving me special consideration when seating me, I really appreciate all that you do!
You MAKE SNG work! You are a great leader and example of how to be genuine, honest, and successful.
Hello All: One of the BEST Ladies of SNG get-togethers was conducted last eve, whoever didn’t show up, missed out!!! GREAT turnout, great presenter…English Gardens was a terrific host!
Bob Walker, thank you for the $10 off coupon. My Sister in law, my son (who joined us after the presentation) and I all made purchases and I saw quite a few other Ladies of SNG in line at the checkout, with arm full of great things. Thanks again.
Recently, I had a pot luck gathering to attend and I thought about Steve Davidson, the owner of Wingstop of Warren, because just about everyone loves wings. Over the phone, he walked me through the menu (although I could have looked it up online, but I was in a hurry). They have about a dozen flavors and he gave me the top three, most popular. He gave me a great price, PLUS the SNG discount.
In conversation, I discovered he gives back to the community, especially, the schools in the local area…one of which is a high school where I do photography. The principal there says Steve supports their charitable events with food, offers job opportunities to his students, and is an all-around good guy. Steve is my wing-man from now on.
Another SNG Member referred me to a retailer that had 60 stores from Virginia to New York. We are installing security cameras for them.
“Marcus Palazzolo from Safety King came through for me. As you are aware, we are expecting our first Grandchild any day now. My son and his family are staying with us and we wanted to make sure our ducts were cleaned and sanitized before the baby came. The previous owners had many dogs and cats and you could tell it when the heat came on.
“Safety King took pictures before and after…WOW I had no idea how bad it was. We had over an inch of dirt and dust laying all in our duct work and mostly likely causing my wife’s headaches. They cleaned and sanitized the ducts and you would think it was all new duct work, I was amazed! My wife cannot believe the difference in the air quality and her headaches are gone. I referred my business partner, as well, and Marcus promptly got him going with the SNG experience.
“Without the SNG, I would have had to do a ton of research and probably would have been disappointed in some way. With the SNG you just know you are getting the best of the best. At the SNG, we treat each other like family, and know we will get special above-and-beyond service every time!”
“Bob Walker, from English Gardens has gone above and beyond. I ordered 5 Arborvitaes and 4 Rose of Sharon’s. Not only did he set me up with a SNG 20% Discount and delivered my shrubs, he made sure I had everything I needed. He suggested soil conditioner, mulch, and sent specific instructions on how to plant my shrubs as the last batch I purchased somewhere else did not make it a season. He also guarantees the shrubs for one full year. I have referred Bob to one of my employees and he is giving him that SNG experience as well.”