Professional Connections - BNI Chapter

Professional Connections - BNI Chapter BNI Professional Connections - Orlando's top business networking chapter from the world's largest referral organization. We're a LIVE Chapter focused on growth!

Join local business professionals every Wednesday 7:00-8:45 AM. Professional Connections meets Wednesday mornings at 7 AM to 8:45 AM

Curious how a room full of Central Florida business owners actually works together? Come see a Wednesday morning meeting...
09/01/2026

Curious how a room full of Central Florida business owners actually works together? Come see a Wednesday morning meeting for yourself: professionalconnectionsbni.com/visit-our-chapter/

Home loans and title work sit on either side of the same closing table, and last Wednesday our chapter got to watch that partnership up close.

Kristi Bryner of Broker's Title of Longwood picked it up from there with title insurance and everything that happens between contract and closing. She and Bill work the same transactions regularly, so the two presentations ran as one. brokerstitlelongwood.com

Bill Sholk of Contemporary Mortgage has been a residential lender in Central Florida for more than 34 years. He took the loan side of a purchase, from approval through to the closing date, and made the case that returning every call the same day is what keeps a deal on schedule. contemporarymortgage.com

Marketing Tip of the Week: be specific about who you are looking for. "Anyone who needs a plumber" gets you nothing. "Property managers with buildings over 20 units" gets you an introduction.

Our chapter lost someone who helped shape it.Norma Katherine "Kay" Stelling, March 30, 1950 to July 12, 2026.If you spen...
08/25/2026

Our chapter lost someone who helped shape it.

Norma Katherine "Kay" Stelling, March 30, 1950 to July 12, 2026.

If you spent any time around Kay, you already know what made her different. She believed in people before they believed in themselves. She mentored business owners, celebrated other people's wins like they were her own, and had a way of making someone feel capable of more than they thought they were. That is the whole idea behind this chapter, and she lived it without ever having to be asked.

Her family's memorial program asked everyone to carry her legacy forward. The list reads like it was written for a room like ours.

Encourage someone who needs confidence.
Offer a helping hand without expecting anything in return.
Celebrate another person's success.
Make a new connection.
Be the person who believes in someone else.

Two videos from Sunday's celebration of her life, shared by her family. Both are worth your time.

Remembering Kay: https://youtu.be/pEH9lVt5Zm8

Slideshow with music: https://youtu.be/NXdoMVP-ptA

Kindness is a legacy that never ends.

Two presentations last Wednesday, and both landed on the same idea: what you cannot see is usually what is holding thing...
08/25/2026

Two presentations last Wednesday, and both landed on the same idea: what you cannot see is usually what is holding things up.

Curious about the chapter? We meet Wednesday mornings in Orlando, right off I-4 and Lee Rd. Come see how it works: https://professionalconnectionsbni.com/visit-our-chapter/

Chris Aird, With Purpose, LLC. Chris made the case that a business has a pulse, and that purpose is not a slogan, it is the operating system that turns pressure into progress. He reads the numbers, the people and the performance gaps behind a company. withpurposellc.com

Xavier Fernandez, MyoFusion. Xavier brought a full skeleton to the front of the room and walked us through postural leveraging, showing how alignment drives what you feel by the end of a workday. His whole approach comes down to move better, feel better. myofusionmindbody.com

MARKETING TIP OF THE WEEK
Jason Jennings put it best: it is not the big that eat the small, it is the fast that eat the slow. Most small businesses take hours to answer an inquiry, and the one who answers first usually gets the job.

Great meeting last Wednesday at ORRA. Strong room, good energy, and a good reminder of why we show up every week.Thinkin...
08/18/2026

Great meeting last Wednesday at ORRA. Strong room, good energy, and a good reminder of why we show up every week.

Thinking about visiting? Come see how the chapter works: https://professionalconnectionsbni.com/visit-our-chapter/

FEATURED PRESENTERS

Rick Locke, Hilldrup Moving and Storage. Rick walked us through what a professional move actually looks like, from full service packing to short term and long term storage, plus commercial relocations and moves that cross state lines or oceans. His crews are trained and background checked, and realtors are his ideal referral. As Rick says it best, if you are moving around the world or around the block, call Rick Locke. https://www.hilldrup.com/locations/orlando-fl/

Trace Carlson, Roundbox Creative. Trace builds WordPress websites and runs the SEO that gets them found. https://roundboxcreative.com/

We also re-inducted a couple of members who renewed their commitment to the chapter. Good to see people doubling down on this room.

MARKETING TIP OF THE WEEK
Ask every new customer how they found you, and write the answer down somewhere you will actually look at it. Most business owners are guessing where their leads come from, and the guess is usually wrong.

Next meeting is Wednesday at 7:00 AM at ORRA, 5421 Diplomat Cir, Orlando.

Another strong Wednesday morning at Professional Connections BNI. Good energy in the room and two solid member presentat...
08/11/2026

Another strong Wednesday morning at Professional Connections BNI. Good energy in the room and two solid member presentations.

Thinking about visiting? We meet every Wednesday at 7:00 AM at ORRA, right off I-4 and Lee Rd. Come see what the chapter is about, and bring someone you know who is ready to grow their business.
https://professionalconnectionsbni.com/visit-our-chapter/

Last week we heard from two of our members:

Gregory Krak of Insurance Dispute Law Group helps Florida property owners fight unfair insurance claim denials, from hurricane and fire to water and mold losses. If an insurer has lowballed or denied a claim, he is the one you want in your corner.
https://www.insurancedisputelaw.com

Bobby Lee of Plumber Near Me handles plumbing for homes and businesses across the area, from everyday repairs to the problems you do not want to put off. Dependable work from someone the chapter trusts.
https://floridaplumbernearme.com

We also handed out our monthly Notable Networkers awards. Great job to everyone recognized for showing up and giving first.

Last Wednesday was Visitor Day at Professional Connections BNI, and the room was full.Curious what a Wednesday morning w...
08/04/2026

Last Wednesday was Visitor Day at Professional Connections BNI, and the room was full.

Curious what a Wednesday morning with us looks like? Come see for yourself. Our next meeting is Wednesday, August 5 at 7:00 AM at ORRA. Learn more and tell us you are coming at professionalconnectionsbni.com/visit-our-chapter/

We welcomed thirteen first time visitors for Visitor Day. That kind of turnout does not happen on its own. Thank you to every member who invited a guest and made them feel at home. This is what a chapter that shows up looks like.

Coming up this Thursday, August 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM: the BNI Cross-Chapter Social at 1to1 Plans of Florida in Sanford. Come meet members from across the region.

Looking to add some CEUs? Check out the weekly BNI podcast at https://www.bnipodcast.com/

Visitor Day is tomorrow. Wednesday, July 29, 7:00 AM at ORRA, right off I-4 and Lee Rd. Our members are in a friendly co...
07/28/2026

Visitor Day is tomorrow. Wednesday, July 29, 7:00 AM at ORRA, right off I-4 and Lee Rd. Our members are in a friendly contest to see who can bring the most guests, so you will be walking into a full room.

If you have been meaning to check us out, this is the morning to do it.

Last Wednesday set the bar high.
Mary Hynick with Mary Moments Photography reminded us what photographs are actually for. Not marketing. The moments you will want back in twenty years, and the people who will be glad you made that investment. professionalconnectionsbni.com/member/mary-hynick/

Stuart Suitt with Ironsmith Fire played a video from inside a home with no fire suppression. The room got very quiet. Fire alarms, sprinklers, and low voltage systems are the things nobody thinks about until the morning they matter. ironsmithfire.com

We also re-inducted Rick Locke. People come back to this chapter for a reason.

professionalconnectionsbni.com/visit-our-chapter/

Good Wednesdays start with people who show up ready to give, and last Wednesday two of ours did exactly that.Meynard Jul...
07/21/2026

Good Wednesdays start with people who show up ready to give, and last Wednesday two of ours did exactly that.

Meynard Julien with Surprise Electric might be the sharpest dressed electrician you will ever meet, and the work backs up the look. Panel upgrades, rewires, old unsafe panels, he takes the surprises out of the job. surprise-electric.com

Robert Bonesteel with Certified Best Roofing changes the mold on what an honest roofer looks like. Professionalism and integrity show in everything he does, from replacements to repairs and gutters. certifiedbestroofing.com

A seat in this room has averaged more than $50,000 in closed business over the past year. Not casual networking, a structured referral system built on trust and real relationships.

Visitor Day is Wednesday, July 29, and our members are racing to see who can invite the most guests. If you have been meaning to check us out, that is the morning to do it.

professionalconnectionsbni.com/visit-our-chapter/

Last week's presentations hit a little different.Carlos Sanchez with Sanchez & Brown walked us through his family's jour...
06/30/2026

Last week's presentations hit a little different.

Carlos Sanchez with Sanchez & Brown walked us through his family's journey to the United States. It was honest and emotional, and it had some of us in tears. The same heart he brought to that story is what he brings to his personal injury clients every day.
professionalconnectionsbni.com/member/carlos-sanchez/

Jacob Nachtsheim with Paychex opened up about his own family and the road that shaped him. Knowing where someone comes from changes how you trust them with a referral, and Jacob made that easy. If payroll or HR is weighing on you, he is the one to know.
professionalconnectionsbni.com/member/jacob-nachtsheim/

Some mornings remind you that behind every business card is a real person and a real
story. That is the room we get to show up to every Wednesday.

Visitor Day is coming! Follow us on Facebook to get the details.

What do florists, travel agents, locksmiths, and window covering professionals have in common? They all have an open sea...
06/23/2026

What do florists, travel agents, locksmiths, and window covering professionals have in common? They all have an open seat in our chapter, and our members average $52,000 per year in closed business through referrals. Come see if your category is still available. Visit us tomorrow morning!
professionalconnectionsbni.com/visit-our-chapter/

Last week's presentations:
Tim McCoy with My Maintenance Man Tim broke down what real home maintenance looks like. Interior, exterior, hourly or full-day rates. His point was clear: if it is not on a schedule, it is not going to get done. Property managers, realtors, and busy homeowners, Tim is your guy.
professionalconnectionsbni.com/member/timothy-mccoy/

Andrew Grant with EnteraVoice tackled a problem every business owner knows: the phone maze. His AI-powered answering solution makes sure your callers get a real response instead of voicemail. If missed calls are costing you leads, Andrew is the conversation to have.
enteravoice.com

We also celebrated a couple of member renewals last week. When people keep renewing, it tells you the relationships here are worth it.

Visitor Day is coming! Follow us on Facebook to get the details.

Address

Orlando Regional Realtors Association (ORRA) 5421 Diplomat Cir
Orlando, FL
32810

Opening Hours

7am - 8:45am

Website

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