If you know me (Kim), you know that I am my best when I’m with people. I love networking! When Brian asked me to leave my career as an educator, I thought he was crazy. How would I transition from education to marketing a small business? He trusted me and had faith. He knew I’d educate myself and I’d be great with people. I did it through business networking.
Fast forward 16 years later and hundreds of small business networking events and here we are in Hammond, Louisiana running a marketing agency based on relationships.
There is no shortage of great networking opportunities for small businesses in Hammond, Louisiana. Last week, my BNI (Business Networking International) Chapter - “Trade Wins” - held a very successful “Vistor’s Day”.
What is Visitor’s Day?
It’s a day where the members of our chapter invite non-members to come experience a BNI meeting, network, meet other business professionals and make great connections. It’s that simple.
BNI meetings are very structured meetings - there is no wasting time here! Everything happens for a very strategic reason. Starting with leadership introductions, an educational moment, followed by reports of chapter performance and then members and visitors have an opportunity to stand up and introduce themselves. After this on a typical day a member will spend 10 minutes educating the rest of the group on how to refer to them, but on Visitor’s Day a special guest speaks to the visitors about BNI. We had the pleasure of having Cami Miller, Area Director for BNI. Finally the meeting ends but only after folks have had a chance to pass referrals & testimonials.
Some say BNI is too strict and structured. For me, it separates those who are serious about networking and growing their business. It is a commitment for sure. I am happy to be a part of a group that is well known, successful and worth my time and money.
As you can see from the photos — in Hammond, Louisiana — small businesses can thrive when they network with one another. The philosophy of BNI is “Givers Gain”. The meaning is simple - the focus is giving business. It’s the law of reciprocity.
We business owners need to stick together, help each other grow and watch all of our businesses flourish. Doing business in Tangipahoa Parish is easy!
If you’re a small business in Hammond, Louisiana or in the Southeast, I encourage you to be my visitor at my BNI Chapter in Hammond. We meet on Thursday mornings at 8:15am at Tope La Catering in downtown Hammond. See a list of our current members.
Email me if you have questions! I’d love to have you as my guest.
