BNI Northern Networking Neighbors

Name: BNI Northern Networking Neighbors
Address: 901 Michigan Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, US
Telephone: +12489318387

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BNI Northern Networking Neighbors

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BNI Northern Networking Neighbors | We help West Michigan businesses grow through weekly referrals, trust, and accountability.

Join us to build relationships, sharpen your pitch, and generate qualified leads.

10/20/2026

🔨 Trade business owners, this is a connection worth making!

We’re excited to welcome Freshta Tori Jan as our featured speaker this Thursday at 7 AM!

Freshta is a Grand Rapids Realtor who helps first-time and first-generation homebuyers across West Michigan. She makes the homebuying process easier to understand, with guidance on affordable housing and down-payment assistance programs.

Fluent in Farsi and Dari, Freshta also helps Afghan, Middle Eastern, and multicultural families navigate the path to homeownership with patience and personalized support.

Her passion for community goes beyond real estate. Freshta has a large network and loves connecting people in the trades, from builders and electricians to plumbers and HVAC technicians. She understands the value of knowing trusted professionals and bringing the right people together.

📅 This Thursday
⏰ Starting at 7 AM, so you can connect before heading to work.

Get to know Freshta: https://micontinentalrealty.com/freshtatorijan/

Calling all trade business owners: You’re invited! Come meet Freshta, introduce your business, and build relationships with people who could become your next referral partner. We’d love to see you there!

10/16/2026

SEPTEMBER AWARDS!

Please join us in congratulating our September award winners!
💬 Most Referrals Given = Freshta Tori Jan
💰 TYFCB (Thank You For Closed Business) = Zack Foster
⭐ Outstanding Performance = Zack Foster

Are you looking to grow your business? Why not join multiple other business owners who are all about helping each other reach their goals?

👏 Big applause for our award winners!

Do you want to be a 2026 award winner? Simply visit us, become a member, put in the work, and receive your awards.

10/14/2026

Meet our featured speaker for this Thursday morning: El Diana of DiverseTek LLC - Tech Support & Cybersecurity! 👏

Slow computers, unreliable Wi-Fi, and suspicious emails can bring a busy workday to a halt. DiverseTek helps businesses solve those problems with practical IT support and clear guidance.

We’re excited to welcome El Diana, founder of DiverseTek, as our featured speaker!

Based in Grand Rapids, DiverseTek helps local businesses support and secure the technology they use every day, including:

💻 Business IT support: Computer setup, troubleshooting, and everyday support for staff.

🔐 Cybersecurity: Account protection, phishing-risk reduction, and security reviews.

📧 Microsoft 365: Help with email, account access, permissions, and multifactor authentication.

📶 Wi-Fi and networks: Support for weak signals, dropped connections, and business connectivity.

💾 Backup and recovery: Guidance to protect important files and prepare for disruptions.

What stands out? DiverseTek focuses on clear communication, practical recommendations, and remote or on-site support, without pressuring businesses to replace an IT provider who already serves them well.

Join us this Thursday to meet El and learn more about DiverseTek’s approach to business technology support.

Know a business owner who could use dependable IT help? Invite them to connect!

Learn more: https://diversetek.com/

10/08/2026

Is your health insurance still the right fit for you?

Today’s featured speaker, Stefan Kaiser with HealthMarkets Insurance, shared what individuals, families, and self-employed business owners should know before choosing or renewing coverage.

Here are a few takeaways from today’s conversation:

📅 Marketplace open enrollment starts November 1.
Want coverage that starts January 1? Choose your plan by December 15 and pay your first premium.

👨‍⚕️ Check your doctors and prescriptions, not just the monthly price.
A lower premium doesn’t tell the whole story. Make sure your doctors are in network, your medications are covered, and you understand your deductible and out-of-pocket costs.

🔄 Review your coverage every year, even if your plan renews automatically.
Your health needs, prescriptions, doctors, or household income may change. Last year’s plan may not be this year’s best fit.

💰 You may qualify for help with monthly premiums.
Marketplace savings depend on household income and other eligibility rules. Stefan helps clients understand their options rather than assume coverage is out of reach.

🏥 Ask about Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
If you’re eligible, an HSA can offer tax advantages and help you set aside money for qualified medical expenses. It’s separate from your insurance plan.

👶 Certain life changes may let you enroll outside open enrollment.
Getting married, having a baby, or losing qualifying health coverage may open a Special Enrollment Period.

HealthMarkets Insurance - Stefan Kaiser focuses on individual and family health insurance in Michigan, including options for self-employed professionals and small business owners. He offers appointments at his Hudsonville office, as well as phone and virtual consultations.

Have questions before November 1? Connect with Stefan for a free consultation:
https://www.healthmarkets.com/local-health-insurance-agent/skaiser

Watch today’s Q&A: https://youtu.be/FsCXaibhZhA

10/06/2026

📣 Featured Speaker Spotlight: Stefan Kaiser

We’re excited to welcome Stefan Kaiser, a licensed HealthMarkets insurance agent serving Grandville and communities across Michigan, as our featured speaker!

Stefan helps individuals, families, and small businesses explore insurance options that fit their needs and budget. His work includes health, life, Medicare, and long-term care insurance, with personal guidance and free consultations.

Open enrollment for Medicare is starting Oct 15 and for all health coverage on Nov 1. Join us to learn more about Stefan’s work and connect with local business owners who grow through trusted referrals. Interested in visiting our BNI group? Send us a message, and we’ll share the details.

10/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Freshta Tori Jan and Scott Stirdivant for completing the Passport to Success!

It’s a guided mentoring program that helps new BNI members get to know the group, learn about one another’s businesses, and build the relationships that lead to strong referrals. Great work taking these important steps!

Want to grow your business through referrals? Come visit our group, meet local business owners, and see how we help each other succeed. Send us a message to learn more!

10/02/2026

The strongest BNI referrals often start with a 1-to-1.

A BNI 1-to-1 is a meeting between two members outside the weekly chapter meeting. It gives both people time to learn more about each other’s business, goals, clients, and referral opportunities.

During a strong 1-to-1, members discuss:
• Their ideal client
• Their best services or products
• Common client problems
• Referral partners they want to meet
• Ways they can help each other grow

Trust takes time. A 1-to-1 creates that time.

The more members understand one another, the easier it is to make confident referrals. It also leads to stronger partnerships, better client experiences, and a more connected local business community.

BNI is not about collecting business cards. It is about building relationships that create real business over time.

Ready to build stronger business relationships and receive more qualified referrals? Come visit our BNI group. Send us a message to reserve your spot at an upcoming meeting.

10/01/2026

Today’s Featured Speaker: Zack Foster of Lake State Mortgage

What should you do if a lender declines your mortgage application? Zack’s advice: don’t assume that means homeownership is out of reach. A different loan program or a clear plan to improve your credit, savings, or paperwork may help you move forward.

With 10 years of experience, Zack helps buyers and homeowners explore options for situations that may not fit a standard loan. Depending on the borrower and their eligibility, those options may include down payment assistance, VA or USDA loans, bank-statement programs for self-employed borrowers, and financing for investment properties or new construction.

One point that stood out: A solid pre-approval takes careful review. It’s better to understand the details upfront than to find out later that a deal won’t close.

Zack brings clear communication, creative loan structuring, and a focus on timely ex*****on. If the deal is easy, a lot of lenders can close it. When it’s complicated, emotional, or falling apart, call Zack!

Have you ever been declined for a mortgage, or know someone who has? A second look may be worth having. Not every program fits every borrower, but one lender’s answer may not be the only option.

Watch Zack Now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASHf-mjisPM

09/29/2026

Please join us in welcoming Zack Foster of Lake State Mortgage as our featured speaker!

Zack is a Grand Rapids loan officer who helps homebuyers better understand the mortgage process and explore loan options that fit their situation. Whether someone is buying their first home, purchasing another property, or considering a refinance, having a trusted local mortgage professional can make the next step feel much clearer.

Lake State Mortgage provides guidance for home purchases and refinancing, with resources designed to help buyers make informed decisions about mortgage financing.

Come visit us, make new local connections, and hear from Zack during his featured presentation.

Learn more about Zack and Lake State Mortgage:
🔗 https://www.lakestatemortgage.com/index.htm

09/25/2026

AUGUST AWARDS!

Please join us in congratulating our August award winners!

💬 Most Referrals Given = Zack Foster
💰 TYFCB (Thank You For Closed Business) = Freshta Tori Jan
⭐ Outstanding Performance = Zack Foster

Are you looking to grow your business? Why not join multiple other business owners who are all about helping each other reach their goals?

👏 Big applause for our award winners!

Do you want to be a 2026 award winner? Simply visit us, become a member, put in the work, and receive your awards.

Address

901 Michigan Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI
49503

Telephone

+12489318387

Website

https://bni-nnn.short.gy/group-details, https://bni-nnn.short.gy/visit, https://bni-nnn.short.gy/members, https://bni-nn

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