BNI Possum Town

10/06/2026

Has Renee Sanders or United Way impacted your life?

If you’ve been around this community very long, there’s a good chance the answer is yes, whether you realized it at the time or not.

Renee Sanders with United Way of Lowndes County spoke to BNI Possum Town this morning about $12 for 12: finding 12 people willing to give $12 a month for 12 months so United Way has funds available for the needs that don’t always fit neatly into an existing program.

The needs that are real, urgent, and often invisible until someone calls asking for help.

But one of my favorite parts of this morning was hearing people in the room talk about Renee herself.

People called her intentional, encouraging, powerful, an incredible leader, and a light in our community. Several people shared stories about how she had personally pushed them, believed in them, invited them in, built their confidence, or gotten them involved in something they never would have done on their own.

One person summed her up pretty perfectly: if Renee believes something needs to happen, she finds a way to make it happen.

That’s the thing about Renee. She doesn’t just care about people. She gets other people to care, too. She rallies people around a need and gets them moving.

I’m one of her 12.

So if Renee or United Way has ever impacted your life, maybe this is a good opportunity to return a little of that impact.

Give 12. Find 12. Or give Renee 12 minutes with your church, workplace, board, small group, or circle of friends.

09/01/2026

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: CRYSTAL BRECKENRIDGE | RENASANT BANK

When you think of a great banker, you might think numbers, accounts, and transactions.

When the members of BNI Possum Town talk about Crystal Breckenridge with Renasant Bank, they talk about something else: trust.

Crystal recently shared some incredibly practical information with our chapter about protecting businesses from fraud, including check fraud, compromised information, and one of the biggest red flags we can all remember: when someone is rushing you, slow down. She emphasized education, knowing who you’re dealing with, and having a trusted banking relationship you can call when something doesn’t feel right.

But what may say even more about Crystal are the things her fellow members said afterward:

💬 One member said they loved that Crystal will offer advice and insight without trying to sell you something, because it makes it clear she genuinely wants to help.

💬 Another described her as someone who has a real passion for people, saying Crystal isn’t focused on what she can get from someone. She simply helps people, and that stands out.

💬 And because Crystal has worked her way through different areas of the branch, she brings a real understanding of how banking works while consistently putting the customer first.

That’s the kind of person you want on the other end of the phone when you have a question, something looks suspicious, or you simply need a banker you can trust.

If you’re a local business owner looking for a banking relationship that feels a little more personal, Crystal Breckenridge at Renasant Bank is someone you should know.

That’s what BNI is all about: knowing the person behind the business well enough to confidently say, “Call Crystal.”

08/19/2026

“Meeting with Christine is like you woke up in a room, you’re strapped to a chair, the light cuts on, and all of a sudden a water hydrant is being sprayed in your mouth. But you feel refreshed. It actually works.” 😂 -BNI Possum Town member

Today’s BNI Possum Town feature presenter was Christine Holland Lawson of Compass Consulting

Christine shared how she helps business owners get out of the fog by taking in the full picture of the business, identifying the real challenge underneath the obvious one, and finding the most important move that will create the greatest progress.

Her process:

Investigate. Strategize. Execute.

She talked about the importance of understanding the owner, the people, the team, the numbers, the systems, the positioning, the vision, and the current reality before trying to “fix” anything.

From there, she helps facilitate clarity, focus, alignment, and traction for business owners.

Afterward, members shared what working with Christine has been like:

“Christine is traction.”

“You just help provide clarity and sanity.”

“When she’s for you, she’s really for you.”

One member described Christine as someone who can see what a business owner can’t see while they’re standing inside their own forest, and who cares about the business with a level of passion that is hard to find.

That same theme came up again and again: Christine doesn’t just look at the business from the outside. She takes the time to understand the people inside it, pours into them, earns their trust, and genuinely cares about helping them move forward.

One member put it simply: “She’s real with me, so I feel safe to be real with her.”

Christine closed with an easy way to refer her:

When you meet a business owner who is overwhelmed, stuck, growing, restructuring, spinning their wheels, or simply too close to the business to see what needs to happen next:

“You need to talk to Christine. Buckle up.”

Great presentation today, Christine! 👏

08/05/2026

🌍✈️ This week at BNI Possum Town, we learned that great travel is about a lot more than booking a flight.

Our featured speaker, Lisa Dawkins Jeffcoat with LJ Travel, shared how she helps travelers turn ideas into fully planned experiences.

From understanding a client’s budget, interests, and travel style to coordinating hotels, transfers, excursions, and logistics, Lisa focuses on creating memorable trips while removing the stress and guesswork from the planning process.

Lisa walked us through a real-world example of a Greece and Croatia adventure she planned, complete with island hopping, private tours, ferries, airport transfers, and carefully selected excursions.

One thing that stood out was how much thought goes into the details travelers never see. When everything is coordinated ahead of time, travelers can spend their vacation enjoying the experience instead of figuring out transportation, schedules, and logistics.

Several members shared their experiences working with Lisa, including help planning Disney vacations, honeymoons, and other major trips.

The common theme was simple:
Lisa makes complicated travel feel easy. Whether it’s finding better options, handling unexpected issues, or coordinating all the moving pieces, she serves as a trusted guide throughout the process.

If you’ve been talking about taking that dream vacation, planning a honeymoon, organizing a family trip, or finally checking a destination off your bucket list, now is a great time to start the conversation.

📍 Featured Speaker: Lisa Jeffcoat, LJ Travel
✈️ Specializing in customized travel planning, vacation packages, cruises, honeymoons, international travel, and more.

Who do you know that’s already talking about their next trip?

07/22/2026

What landscaper in Columbus would you trust enough to recommend to your family, friends, or clients? Tag them in the comments! 👇

Our chapter is looking for the best Landscaper to fill the landscaping seat at BNI Possum Town! In fact, we already have landscaping referrals waiting for the right business.

We’re not just looking for someone who cuts grass. We’re looking for a company that:

✅ Has a reputation for exceptional work
✅ Delivers outstanding customer service
✅ Shows up, follows through, and communicates well
✅ Has the capacity to take on new business and referrals
✅ Wants to build long-term relationships, not just chase leads
✅ Believes in serving customers with excellence

As the only landscaper in our chapter, this business will become the go-to landscaping referral partner for dozens of local professionals who are actively looking for someone they can confidently recommend.

What is BNI?

BNI (Business Network International) is the world’s largest business referral organization, built on one simple philosophy: Givers Gain®.

Every Tuesday morning, local business owners and professionals meet to build genuine relationships, exchange qualified referrals, and help one another grow. Unlike traditional networking groups, BNI allows only one business per profession in each chapter, giving members an exclusive opportunity to become the trusted referral partner for their industry.

People join BNI to:
• Grow their business through quality referrals
• Build meaningful relationships with other local business owners
• Increase visibility in the community
• Learn from like-minded professionals
• Be part of a team that’s committed to helping one another succeed

📍 BNI Possum Town
🗓 Tuesdays
🕗 8:00–9:30 AM

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
2011 6th Street North
Columbus, MS 39705

Think you’d be a great fit?

We’d love to have you visit BNI Possum Town and experience a meeting for yourself. Come meet our members, see how our chapter works, and discover how referral networking can help grow your business.

Link to visit in the comments!

Have questions? Send us a DM right here on our page! We’d be happy to answer them and help you determine if BNI is the right fit for your business.

We hope to see you on a Tuesday morning!

07/22/2026

This week at BNI Possum Town, we had the privilege of hearing from Joshua Phillips with J.P. Construction and Remodeling, LLC as our Featured Speaker.

Josh shared not only what his company does, but the values that drive it: faith, family, integrity, craftsmanship, and treating every customer’s home with the same care they’d give their own. As he reminded us through Proverbs, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.”

JP Construction specializes in:
• Roofing
• Replacement windows
• Doors
• Custom shutters
• Home exterior improvements

Throughout the presentation, one thing became incredibly clear: Josh has earned the trust of the people who know him best.

Our members shared testimonial after testimonial:

• A local Realtor shared that one of her clients repeatedly said, “Josh is the only one I trust,” after seeing the quality of his work and planning multiple projects with him.

• Another member who has worked alongside Josh on job sites said his crew leaves homes cleaner than they found them, communicates well, and works with exceptional efficiency.

• Members highlighted the professionalism of the entire Phillips family, describing them as respectful, dependable, and a wonderful example of a family-run business.

• One homeowner shared that Josh was punctual, honest, responsive, and stood behind his work, returning promptly whenever questions arose. Her recommendation was simple: “I can’t say enough good things about you.”

That’s exactly what BNI is all about: building relationships with professionals you can confidently recommend.

Thank you, Josh, for an excellent presentation and for reminding us that a strong reputation is built one customer at a time. We’re grateful to have you as part of the BNI Possum Town family!

Give them a call at:
662-617-4046

07/22/2026

If you ever thought about getting your kids involved- this is a great opportunity to visit Golden Triangle Theatre!

You're Invited to the GTT Academy Open House!

Whether your family is already part of GTT or you're thinking about getting involved for the first time, we'd love to meet you!

Join us on Sunday, July 26, from 5:00–7:00 PM for a casual evening where you can:
✨ Meet our amazing staff
✨ Learn about our classes, productions, and opportunities
✨ Ask questions and see what GTT Academy is all about

Come explore, connect, and discover why so many families call Golden Triangle Theatre home.

We can't wait to welcome both familiar and new faces! 💙💛❤️

Our company strives to make arts education accessible for all ages within the Golden Triangle. Your experience here will be unique and engaging as you learn and develop your talents with us. Our comprehensive curriculum lays the foundation for any student to cultivate their gifts in a safe and fun e...

07/07/2026

Broker/Owner of BOSS Realty, as our Feature Presenter.

Ashley McGregory with BOSS Realty 662.902.2677 gave an outstanding presentation on the world of commercial real estate, breaking down commercial property types, zoning classifications, and helping our members better understand how to recognize opportunities for referrals. She took a topic that can seem intimidating and made it practical, engaging, and easy to understand.

One thing that stood out was Ashley's heart for education. As a former educator, she brings a teacher's mindset to every client interaction, believing that informed clients make confident decisions. Her integrity, professionalism, and depth of knowledge were evident throughout her presentation.

If you're looking to buy, sell, lease, or invest in commercial real estate across Mississippi or Alabama, Ashley is an incredible resource. From office buildings and retail spaces to industrial properties, land, multifamily developments, churches, schools, and self-storage facilities, she has the expertise to help you navigate the process with confidence.

Thank you, Ashley, for investing in our chapter and equipping us to become better referral partners. We appreciate all you do!

06/09/2026

This week at BNI Possum Town, our featured speaker was Gray Griffin of Griffin Security & Technology

Gray gave a hands-on demonstration of commercial access control systems and shared something many of us had never considered: not all access control systems are installed the same way.

One of the biggest lessons from his presentation was the potential danger of improperly installed magnetic locks (maglocks). Gray explained that when these systems are wired incorrectly, they can fail in ways that prevent people from exiting a building during an emergency, creating a serious safety hazard. He has seen situations where doors would not release properly and even cases where poorly mounted hardware became a physical danger.

What stood out most was Griffin Security & Technology’s commitment to doing things the right way. Their focus isn’t just on securing a building. It’s on designing systems that are safe, reliable, code-compliant, and built with the end user in mind.

Whether it’s access control, security systems, commercial cameras, mobile credentials, or integrated security solutions, Griffin Security & Technology helps organizations protect what matters while avoiding the costly mistakes that come from poor installation.

If you’re evaluating security upgrades for your business, school, church, municipality, or facility, Gray is someone worth talking to.

06/02/2026

🎤 BNI Possum Town Spotlight: Josh Gillis, Catfish Alley Studio 🎶

This morning, we had the privilege of hearing from Josh Gillis of Catfish Alley Studios, and his presentation was a powerful reminder that people connect with authenticity long before they connect with a product.

Josh shared the journey from teaching music lessons in his sunroom to building one of the most unique creative spaces in Columbus. Along the way, he tried a lot of things, learned a lot of lessons, and discovered an important truth:

“Post your working, not your work.”

People want to see the journey. They want to know the person behind the business. Authenticity builds trust, and trust builds brands.

Catfish Alley Studios offers:

🎸 Guitar Lessons
🎹 Piano Lessons
🥁 Drum Lessons
🎤 Voice Lessons
🎼 Songwriting Instruction
🎙️ Podcast Recording
🎵 Song Recording & Production
🎭 Performance Opportunities & Student Showcases
🎶 Summer Songwriting Camps

What stood out most was hearing how Catfish Alley isn’t just teaching music. They’re helping students build confidence, creativity, communication skills, and the courage to get in front of people and perform. As several members shared, the impact goes far beyond learning an instrument.

Josh’s three practical marketing takeaways were:

1️⃣ Turn the camera around.
2️⃣ Document instead of trying to create perfection.
3️⃣ Authenticity sells.

If you’ve been looking for music lessons for yourself, your child, or someone you know, Catfish Alley Studios is a fantastic local resource right here in Columbus.

👇 Want to learn more or sign up for a FREE lesson?
Scan the QR code in the comments and get started today!