BNI Business Builders - Rochester NY Region

09/02/2026

07/08/2026

💰 What if life insurance could help your business while you're still alive?

In our meet up this morning we discussed how when most business owners hear life insurance, they just think of something their family receives after they're gone...

What many don't realize is that, when designed properly, certain permanent life insurance policies can become a financial tool you can access during your lifetime.

This strategy is often called Infinite Banking.

It's not a bank. It's not an investment. And it's definitely not a get-rich-quick strategy.

Instead, it's a way to build cash value that can potentially be accessed for opportunities throughout your life while your policy continues working in the background.

Some people use it to:
✅ Buy a vehicle without going to a bank
✅ Help pay for a child's college education
✅ Fund business opportunities or equipment purchases
✅ Create an emergency reserve
✅ Bridge temporary cash flow needs
✅ Leave a tax-advantaged legacy for their family*

For many business owners, it's about creating another source of liquidity—one they control.

The biggest surprise? It's often not just about the long term. Properly structured policies can begin building accessible cash value much sooner than many people realize, depending on the design.

Infinite Banking isn't the right fit for everyone, but it's a strategy more entrepreneurs should at least understand before deciding it's "not for them."

If you're a business owner who has always assumed life insurance was simply an expense, it might be worth learning how some people use it as part of their overall financial strategy instead.

Who do you know that's a business owner who should learn about this strategy?

Policy loans accrue interest and reduce death benefits if not repaid. Tax treatment depends on policy design and applicable law. Consult a qualified financial professional to determine whether this strategy fits your situation.

07/06/2026

4Jul2024 Tips to Make the Butterfly Effect of Networking Work Years ago, I was in the Caribbean, relaxing on Necker Island where I was meeting with 20 business leaders including Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways and owner of the Island. My journey to that island is a dramat...

03/10/2026

In contracting — and honestly, in most industries — the real test isn’t the install day.

It’s what happens after.

Questions come up.
Weather happens.
Sometimes something just needs attention.

Steve Klein from Graves Brothers summed up their philosophy simply during our BNI meeting:

“We answer the phone.”

That sounds basic — but it’s rare.

Graves Brothers doesn’t disappear once the job is done. They stay reachable, accountable, and responsive, because long-term trust matters more than short-term wins.

✔ Follow-through after the work
✔ Clear communication
✔ No chasing callbacks

That’s why referrals matter so much in this industry — and why business owners in any field care who they put their name behind.

👉 www.GravesBros.com

02/24/2026

You can find more information about Mindset and Skill set on my website. https://ivanmisner.com/networking-is-all-about-referrals/

02/23/2026

Inconsistent bookkeeping turns simple questions into long conversations.

Revenue?
Expenses?
Cash flow?

If the numbers aren’t kept current, even basic answers get fuzzy — and that’s when problems start.

That’s why Emerald Tax & Accounting emphasizes consistent, tailored bookkeeping for businesses that want clarity instead of guesswork.

Gary Smith said it best during our BNI meeting:

“One plus one sometimes equals two.”

When books aren’t kept consistently, even math stops behaving.

✔ Stay tax compliant
✔ Know your real financial position
✔ Avoid penalties and cleanup work

Good bookkeeping doesn’t make things complicated.
It makes them make sense.

Learn more at www.EmeraldTaxLLC.com

02/18/2026

The returns you receive through networking are like the apples you pick from an orchard that you started from a single seed. You don't expect anything the first year, or even the second or third. However, in the fourth year that tree will not only bear fruit, it will spread the seeds that ultimately become a whole grove of apple trees.

With business networking, the time scale is not that daunting; it may not take years to start seeing results, but it will probably take many months. You might get a few early referrals, but the real payoff in measurable business comes after you invest the time to build relationships and create a substantial referral network. IvanMisner.com

02/16/2026

Most tax stress doesn’t come from the math.
It comes from missing pieces, last-minute scrambling, and not knowing what’s still needed.

At Emerald Tax & Accounting, Gary Smith helps families simplify the process by getting clear upfront — so tax season doesn’t drag on longer than it has to.

As Gary said during our BNI meeting:

“If you don’t have all the information, that’s when it gets slow and annoying.”

That’s why preparation and communication matter.

✔ Clear expectations
✔ Fewer delays
✔ Less last-minute stress

Question for you:
What’s the one thing you’ve forgotten (or struggled to find) during tax season?

Learn more at www.EmeraldTaxLLC.com

02/15/2026

💬 “I’m happy to be a resource — even before someone is ready to move.”

During our Business Builders BNI meeting, Bonnie Pagano of Core Agency RE shared this line, and it perfectly captured her approach to real estate.

Bonnie spoke about how much of her work happens before a transaction ever begins — answering questions, helping people understand their options, and being a steady guide long before a decision is made. It’s not about pressure or timing — it’s about being available, informed, and trustworthy when people need clarity most.

That mindset is why relationships matter so much in real estate — and why the right advisor makes all the difference.

If you or someone you know has questions about buying, selling, or planning ahead, Bonnie is happy to be a resource.
Learn more at www.coreagencyre.com

02/13/2026

Know Who You’re Talking To

Not everyone listens the same way.
If someone is transactional, don’t bury them in relationship talk.
If someone is relational, don’t hit them with bullet points and numbers.

Meet people where they are.

One clear, relevant point—delivered in their language—will outperform a long explanation every time. That’s true in business and it’s critical in networking.

https://tinyurl.com/yhpvcnen