06/11/2026
One of the biggest challenges I faced in business was finding professionals who truly put their clients first. Not once or twice, but every time.
Giving a client, who trusts you implicitly, the name of another professional carries a lot of responsibility.
Having personally been referred to a contractor, hiring them based on the trust of that referral, and then receiving half-done work of terrible quality (a lot of that was on me for not doing more due diligence), I came to really respect the responsibility that comes with giving a referral.
When I joined BNI, I was incredibly skeptical. However, I knew someone I had a close business relationship with in the organization, specifically the BNI Vista chapter.
With a healthy dose of skepticism, but an equal measure of optimism, I decided to give it a shot and join the chapter.
It's been quirky, and it certainly comes with a time commitment, but I'm glad I did it.
I've been in BNI for seven months now, built some awesome relationships, and one of the biggest benefits wasn't something I expected.
I've received business from BNI, more than I expected, but the biggest value has been the accountability.
At first I didn't see it, but over time I came to a realization.
In a BNI chapter, everyone works together. Every week they talk. Every week everyone is accountable for the work they do.
It sounds simple, but it solves a major issue business owners face: the worry of giving a bad referral.
When a contractor has a 10-year history working alongside the same professionals, they end up helping the friends, family, and clients of everyone in the chapter.
Over time, this creates an environment where the professionals who truly care, who go above and beyond, thrive. Those who do not hold themselves to that standard tend to move on.
For the first time in 11 years, I have been able to refer people with complete confidence, knowing the professionals I am trusting to help my clients have repeatedly proven they show up and do what they say they will do.
If you always do the best you can for your clients and want to be surrounded by others who do the same, send me a message and I'll happily share my experience with BNI in more detail.
Keaton Kirkwood
Mortgage Broker
BNI Vista