BNI CORE Southern Illinois

06/02/2026

Bni Core is proud to have member Isaac Coleson. Isaac is always looking for ways to help his customers get the job done. Integrity’s financing is just one of those ways.

With a tough economy, Integrity offers payment plans to help offset the cost. Don’t settle for less, you deserve better. For as low as $89 a month, we can help you protect what matters most. Give me a call today for your free consultation. (618)697-2928

05/13/2026

Listening to our members this week reminds us how much homeowners juggle that they never learned in school.

Roof maintenance.
Insurance coverage.
Property upkeep.
Taxes.
Home value.
Cleaning and maintenance schedules.

Most people are figuring it out as they go.

That’s why having trusted professionals matters so much. Not just to “sell” something — but to educate and guide people before small problems become expensive problems.

That’s the value of good local businesses.

05/13/2026

One thing we love about our networking group is hearing real examples of how businesses earn referrals.

Not through gimmicks.
Not through pressure.
But because people trust them.

Things like:
• detailed work
• educating clients
• standing behind your service
• helping people before they ask
• solving problems calmly

That’s the kind of marketing that lasts.

Your reputation is still your best advertisement.

05/12/2026

A reminder from this week’s meeting:

Big improvements usually come from tiny consistent adjustments.

Not giant overnight transformations.
Not “hustle culture.”
Not working yourself into exhaustion.

Just:
• improving systems
• communicating better
• refining processes
• learning from mistakes
• getting 1% better over time

That applies in business, health, finances, and honestly relationships too.

Small habits compound just like interest.

05/12/2026

One thing about our BNI chapter is hearing how differently each business serves clients — but the common thread is professionalism and care.

This week we discussed:
• clear communication
• detailed photos before work starts
• setting expectations with clients
• consistency in customer service

None of those things are flashy.
But they build trust.

A lot of business success comes from doing the basics really, really well.

05/12/2026

One note from BNI CORE this week:

“Be the change if you want to change. Habits will follow who you think you are.”

That one hit a little harder.

Sometimes we wait until we “feel motivated” before we make changes.
But often the change starts first:
• Showing up consistently
• Speaking more confidently
• Taking better care of ourselves
• Becoming more organized
• Making difficult phone calls
• Starting before we feel ready

Little habits eventually become identity.

And honestly, most success stories are just ordinary people doing ordinary things consistently for a long period of time.

03/09/2026

You know that feeling.

You’ve worked all day… and then someone says, “We’re having company.”

Suddenly you see:
• The dishes
• The dust
• The baseboards
• Everything.

She calls it the “company’s coming clean.”

And sometimes? She becomes the clean fairy.

She’s helped families by stepping in before guests arrive — staging, shining, and refreshing homes so when company walks in, it feels peaceful instead of stressful.

She doesn’t just clean.
She restores calm.

03/08/2026

Every business has a beginning.

Hers started in the back of her car.

Self-taught — but not alone. She learned from mentors, online programs, certifications, and even TikTok techniques. She invested in training, licensing, and professional development so she could offer more than “just cleaning.”

Today she services:
• Homes
• Businesses
• Medical offices
• Apartment complexes
• RVs & campers
• Real estate move-outs
• Duct cleaning
• Hoarding situations

This isn’t a side hustle.
It’s a licensed, trained, serious operation built from passion and grit.

03/07/2026

Member Spotlight – Getting to Know Amanda

At this week’s meeting, we asked some fun questions to learn a little more about one of our members.

Here’s what we found out:

🎤 Dream TED Talk Topic?

Saving people money through proper vehicle maintenance.

Her philosophy?
Take care of the small things now so you’re not paying for the big things later.

And personally — she’d also talk about the importance of taking time for yourself. (Preach.)

03/07/2026

Amy Penninger – House to Home Realty

When someone lists their home, they have choices.

Many sellers interview multiple realtors before deciding who to trust with one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

If you hear someone even thinking about selling, that’s the time for the introduction.

Amy Penninger with House to Home Realty (Anna & Marion offices) would love the opportunity to interview and show what sets her apart.

Referrals start with conversations.