BNI Members voice their thoughts...
Darren Marquardt - BNI Northern Virginia Business Alliance #N109
 
I just wanted to share what being a part of BNI has done for me and my real estate career. A few years back I made a life changing decision. I took the real estate licensing courses and tests, got my license to practice in Virginia, and embarked on a new career that I had absolutely no experience. For the first 10 months of being a "Realtor" I didn't sell even 1 house and as you might imagine, I became extremely frustrated and began questioning my decision regarding my real estate venture. Then just as I was about to throw in the towel, a mortgage lender I knew invited me to a BNI meeting. Wow! The best advice anyone has given me in years! Come to a BNI meeting and build your business with the “Givers Gain” philosophy.

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Darren Marquardt - BNI Northern Virginia Business Alliance #N109
 
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After that first meeting, I went up to the BNI-NOVA ambassador, Marvin Powell and asked “How do I join?” Marvin gave me some important information, guiding me through starting my own chapter, The Northern Virginia Business Alliance and mentored me as a new BNI member. I also took advantage of all the amazing tools made available to me through Sam Schwartz and BNI-NOVA and the trainings provided by Sam’s team, Kirk Johnson and Dave Boyd. The leaders of BNI-NOVA made it easy to turn my budding chapter into a highly successful BNI-NOVA referral “machine.” As my chapters membership grew, I found my own business grew too. I finished my first full year as the Top Rookie Producer in my office and third highest grossing Rookie Agent in my company out of 1000’s of new agents. When the economy started it’s spiral down, my BNI team chanted “We will Not Participate in This Recession!” And committed to each other that none of our sales would suffer and pledged to make it the best year ever! And you know what? Last year was my best year ever. When the average sales Agent in Northern VA in the Washington DC metro Real Estate Market sold less than less than 3 houses, My BNI team helped me to sell nearly 100 homes sold and over $18,000,000.00 in sales volume, putting me in a elite class of the top 1% Sales Producing Realtors in the entire country! I could have never accomplished my success without the driving support of the members of The Northern Virginia Business Alliance and BNI-NOVA.
Susan Evans - BNI Potomac Business Alliance #N113
 
A Testimonial from a BNI referral.....Susan Evans, AH&T Insurance

"Dear Susan,

I just wanted to let you know how satisfied I am in working with you during my search for property insurance. From our initial conversation until the time we closed the deal., you have provided me with an outstanding customer service! I can sense from speaking with you that you have the knowledge and experience, which showed when you present me with different options, as well as answering all my wuestions. Your professionalism but yet friendly manner is a wonderful asset to your company. The reason I decided to switch is because I have had a terible experience with my previous agent. I thanked my realtor in referring me to you.

Once again, thank you, it was a pleasure doing business with you. I will certainly refer you to my friends, families and colleagues.

Elaina M."
Susan Evans - BNI Potomac Business Alliance #N113
 
Back in early March, Meghan McDonald of Countrywide Home Loans, gave me a referral. This gentleman was applying for a loan to purchase an investment condominium.

In our initial interview, this prospect provided me with a spread sheet showing 14 different insurance policies, all with variety of different companies. Within the week, I provided him a written proposal which we went over in depth, a product comparison chart between my proposal & his current protection.

To make a long story short, this prospect went to his then current insurance agent requesting changes to his policies to be in line with my insurance proposals. Two months later and with no response from the prior insurance agent, my prospect is now my client with 6 policies, through two insurance companies and, a once horrible, billing issue resolved. This client even left the Senior VP of my agency a glowing voice message about my professionalism, knowledge and responsiveness.

He is a client for life.

Susan J Evans CIC CPIW
AH&T Insurance
Caroline Hart - BNI Virginia Business Alliance #N128
 
I was given a referral by one of my BNI chapter members. That client was so happy that she referred me to a neighbor. That neighbor referred me to a friend in the same subdivision. The original client also referred me to a close friend of hers. That client referred me to her mother. Her mother has a neighbor who liked the work I had done so much that she is going to use me in the future. I ended up with fives very happy clients who will in turn refer me to someone else. It is not atypical to have multi-tiered referrals from an original one from a BNI member. I have several multi-tiered clients which have evolved from the initial referral from a BNI member. Some of those referrals have come from other BNI chapter members. In addition to receiving and giving referrals, I have developed relationships through 1-2-1's with contractors whom I refer to my clients. Getting to know other members and their businesses helps build a high level of confidence when referring them. My clients are thrilled with the contractors, and the quality of their work, that I have met through BNI. In my business you must have contractors with a high level of integrity, expert workmanship and attention to detail , who deliver services according to schedule. BNI has done wonders to grow my business.
Caroline Hart
Welcoming Redesign
Lloyd Curtis - BNI Lake Ridge Red Eyes #N007
 
Ernest Marshall - Quality Carpet One

We have completed a major flooring project in our house with the installation of carpet, hardwood and bamboo flooring. The quality of the work was excellent as the flooring specialists worked very quickly and efficiently to complete the project in minimal time with the least amount of disruption. Quality Carpet One people were very professional as they explained the varius options so that we could make a good decesion on the type of flooring best suited for our needs.

They do a great job at reasonable prices! I would recommend them for all your residential or commerical needs.

Lloyd Curtis
KnowledgePoints