HNG Hamptons Networking Group

02/19/2026

http://www.hngli.com

We are a focused group of professionals from various industries who meet each week in the Hamptons to help one another grow our businesses by sharing referrals, providing education, engaging in philanthropy, and holding one another accountable.

12/24/2025

Tomorrow we’ll be featuring a very special guest speaker who has extensive experience in logistics, supply chain management, global distribution, and last-mile delivery ~ especially under extreme deadline pressure.
He’s known for:
• Managing a massive operation with limited time
• Delegating to a highly skilled (and sometimes mischievous) workforce
• Delivering results when everyone else is sleeping
• Wearing a signature red outfit with confidence
You may already know him.
🎅 Our featured speaker tomorrow is Santa Claus.
There is no meeting this week ~ just a reminder to slow down, be present, and enjoy time with the people who matter most.
Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas, peace, good health, and a little magic this season.
See you next year.

12/19/2025

Last meeting of the year and we definitely went out the right way.

We had two guests going head-to-head for Josh Newhouse’s old seat, and let’s just say it wasn’t a quiet application process 😄. It was insighted (and maybe lightly refereed) by Maggie Bopp, with the rest of the group chiming in like a well-seasoned jury.

Plenty of laughs and real stories came out:
The unicorn-wearing perp in a courtroom story that somehow still makes sense if you know the case
Joe Scuderi’s auto body deductible story, which hit home for a lot of us
Mike Altieri’s rush-order window deal, proving once again that timing and trust matter
And the all-too-real story of the client who called eight times before the inspection even started, which perfectly reinforced the value of a pre-inspection walk & talk

We also spent time going over how our new systems will operate as we transition from BNI into HNG, setting expectations and getting aligned for what’s ahead.

Big thanks to Rich Cave for the steady guidance and words of wisdom ~ exactly what the group needed as we close one chapter and open the next.
Great energy, great conversations, and a solid reminder of why this group works: real people, real stories, real value.

Onward into the new year ~ HNG is just getting started.
"what comes around goes around"

12/17/2025

Hi Team,
Tomorrow is our final meeting of the year, and it’s a good moment to pause, reflect, and finish strong as we prepare to step into 2026 and our transition into HNG.
Nothing fancy ~ just solid connection, presence, and intention.
Here’s what to bring and focus on:
✅ Roster
Please bring or print your updated copy so we can head into the new year with clean, accurate contact info.
🎤 Spotlight / 60 Seconds
Share what’s real ~ wins, referrals, gratitude, or even lessons learned this year. Keep it honest and useful.
💵 50/50 Pot
We’re already over $500. Bring cash if you’d like to participate.
☕ Extras ~ Business cards, ideas, thoughts for the group’s future ~ anything that contributes to growth and clarity.
As we close out the year, let’s acknowledge the momentum we’ve built and carry it forward. January will bring new structure, clearer systems, and a renewed focus as we move fully into HNG.
Thanks for showing up this year ~ for the early mornings, the referrals, the conversations, and the consistency. Let’s finish this chapter well and step into the next one together.
See you tomorrow morning,
HNGLI Leadership Team

12/11/2025

Our Educational Moment on Momentum

This morning I shared a quick Educational Moment on momentum ~ something simple but powerful.
I talked about how momentum isn’t loud or flashy.
It’s just small steps done consistently… one thing leading to the next, making everything feel a little easier.
And I shared a line I use all the time during mansion inspections:
“You don’t eat an elephant in one bite.
You do it one bite at a time.”
That’s how you get through big houses…
and honestly, that’s how you get through big goals too.
With our shift from BNI to HNG, this is exactly the energy we need to carry forward — steady, focused momentum.
Not rushing.
Not trying to do everything at once.
Just building, piece by piece, together.
One action.
One improvement.
One conversation.
That’s how momentum happens.
Let’s keep it going.

12/11/2025

HNG Featured Speaker Spotlight ~ Alfredo Alvarado, Pink Lady Cleaning
This morning’s Featured Speaker was Alfredo Alvarado from Pink Lady Cleaning, and he absolutely delivered.
Huge thanks to Maggie Bopp (and her husband for the emergency adapter drop-off 🚗💨).
Without that, all of Alfredo's effort and prep would’ve gone to waste. That’s the kind of teamwork that makes this group different.
Alfredo gave us a clear look into what Pink Lady Cleaning offers:
Services:
• Airbnb turnovers
• Office & commercial cleaning
• Deep cleaning
• Move-in / Move-out
• Post-construction cleaning
• Property management support

Why choose them:
• Fully licensed & insured
• Law enforcement background — trust, professionalism, reliability
• High attention to detail
• Bilingual
• Flexible scheduling
• Experienced with high-value homes
• Covering all of Long Island: Nassau → Suffolk → The Hamptons → West to Montauk → NYC
Alfredo Alvarado and his team move with integrity, precision, and pride exactly the type of business we love highlighting in HNG.
Great job, Alfredo.

11/15/2025

Featured Speaker Spotlight: Jason Engleman – Big Sky Electric ⚡

Huge shoutout to Jason Engleman from Big Sky Electric for absolutely crushing it Thursday morning!

Jason stepped up on the fly to cover for an absent member — no notes, no slides, just genuine heart and authenticity — and delivered one of the best presentations we’ve had.

He shared how he built his wall of 5-star Google and Yelp reviews, not by chance, but by showing up fully for every client, every time. From holding regular team meetings to elevate communication and workmanship, to owning an honest, old-school work ethic… Jason makes it clear why people trust him with their homes and businesses.

Our whole group could feel it — his sincerity, his pride in his craft, and his commitment to excellence. An outstanding member of our chapter, and someone we’re proud to spotlight.

11/15/2025

🧠 Mentor Moment

I shared something important at our meeting, and I want to put it here too because I think it matters for all of us, in business and in life.

One of the best reminders from Dale Carnegie is this:

“Asking questions instead of giving direct orders makes people want to cooperate instead of resist.”

I’ve been paying attention to this, we all fall into the habit of telling instead of asking.
But when we shift to:

“Would it be better if…?”

everything changes.

When we say, “Do this,” people naturally push back.
But when we say, “Would it be better if we tried this?” it opens a door.
It creates teamwork instead of tension.
Respect instead of resistance.

And yes, I brought this up because I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this tiny shift can be.

Small change. Big impact.

This is something I’m working on myself, and it’s something I want for our whole group, better communication, better cooperation, and stronger relationships.

So this week, try using that little phrase:

“Would it be better if…”

I promise it’ll change how people respond, and how we grow together as a team.
~Cheers~

10/30/2025

🎤 Featured Speaker Spotlight: Nick Labella – Allstate Insurance

This week, we had a great presentation from Nick Labella of Allstate, who broke down some important insights on liability coverage — especially what happens if you’re ever sued. 🧾

Nick explained how Allstate can underwrite liability protection through your other lines of insurance — such as home and auto — to keep your coverage balanced and efficient. He also touched on:
🏍️ Motorcycle insurance (and why having MedPay is a smart option)
🚗 Auto protection and liability limits
🏡 Homeowners coverage, including loss of use, medical, and additional living expenses

It was an informative and engaging session — and of course, our president’s dog Nacho made a special appearance 🐶💼 adding his own kind of leadership charm!

Great job, Nick — thanks for keeping us better protected and better informed! 👏

10/30/2025

🧠 Educational Moment – Dale Carnegie Wisdom

In How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie tells a great story about leadership through respect — not authority.

Charles Schwab once walked into a mill and noticed workers smoking under a “No Smoking” sign.
Instead of calling them out, he smiled, handed each man a cigar, and said:

“I’d appreciate it if you’d smoke these outside.”

They laughed, thanked him, and did exactly that — no hard feelings, just mutual respect.

💡 Lesson: A little kindness and tact can achieve what criticism never will. True leaders inspire cooperation, not compliance.