BNI OK East

05/25/2026

Growing your Business
How Much Time Does BNI Take?

Wondering how much time BNI requires? Learn about weekly meetings, follow-ups, and the real time commitment involved in being a BNI member.

05/13/2026

$27 BILLION.

That is not just a statistic. That represents conversations, relationships, trust, credibility, and business professionals intentionally looking for opportunities to help one another succeed.

Every single day, Members throughout BNI are proving that referral marketing still works — and works at an incredibly high level.

What makes this even more impactful is that these results are not driven by advertising algorithms or cold outreach. They are driven by relationships. By Members showing up consistently, building trust over time, and becoming a true referral-based sales team for one another.

Right here in Oklahoma and Northeast Texas, we continue to see the impact firsthand. Chapters are growing, visitors are engaging, businesses are scaling, and Members are generating meaningful business through intentional networking and collaboration.

When you surround yourself with people who genuinely want to help you grow, incredible things can happen.

The question becomes:
Who’s in your corner helping you grow your business?

05/10/2026

Today we celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, and women who lead with strength, care, wisdom, and compassion every single day.

Your ability to build relationships, support others, and create impact both at home and in business does not go unnoticed. Thank you for the countless ways you inspire those around you and embody what it means to lead with heart. ❤️

05/07/2026

There’s something powerful about seeing business professionals come together not just to grow their businesses—but to create impact within their community.

A huge thank you to Happy Hands Education Center, the incredible non-profit member of Deco District Dynasty, for hosting our OK East Speed Networking event this week.

Throughout the event, professionals from multiple BNI chapters had the opportunity to build relationships, exchange referrals, and most importantly, connect around a greater purpose. One of the most meaningful moments was seeing attendees engage with the Prayer Wall and learn more about the mission and impact Happy Hands is making in the lives of children and families throughout our community.

We’re grateful to have members and visitors from:
• Broken Arrow Rise & Refer
• Midtown Money Makers
• Boomtown Referral Leaders
• Metro Business Builders
• Jenks Elite Referrals
• Deco District Dynasty

This is what BNI is about—business growth with purpose, relationships that extend beyond transactions, and a network of professionals committed to strengthening the communities around them.

When businesses and non-profits collaborate intentionally, everybody wins.

05/01/2026

Hearing Mary Kennedy Thompson, the CEO of BNI, break leadership down into something this simple — and this practical — really stood out.

She shared 5 elements that ultimately set the tone as a leader:

What do I say?
The words you use shape belief. In a chapter, that means how you talk about referrals, visitors, and opportunity. Are you reinforcing growth… or limitations?

How do I act?
Your actions set the real standard. Showing up prepared, being consistent, following through — that’s what people actually follow.

Am I resilient?
Not every week will be perfect. Visitors won’t always show. Referrals can fluctuate. Strong leaders stay steady and keep momentum moving forward.

Do I show courage?
Courage is addressing what others avoid. Having the tough conversations. Holding the standard. Continuing to invite even when it’s uncomfortable.

Do I act with care?
This is where culture is built. When people feel valued and supported, they lean in, stay engaged, and refer more.

The tone in these five areas doesn’t just impact a meeting — it shapes the entire chapter.

Leadership isn’t occasional. It’s constant.

04/29/2026

That slide from Edna Castillo hit hard.

“Hesitation is not a skill issue; it’s a set point.”

Let that sink in.

Most of us already know what to do in our business…
But hesitation shows up and quietly costs us:

• Not asking
• Not following up
• Overthinking
• Delaying

That’s not just behavior—that’s lost influence.

And in BNI, influence = opportunity.

No ask → no referral
No follow-up → no conversion
Too much thinking → no momentum
Too much delay → no income

The reality:
Your business doesn’t grow from what you know.
It grows from what you actually execute.

Shift the set point:
Ask anyway.
Follow up again.
Move faster.
Act now.

Because on the other side of hesitation isn’t just action…
It’s your next deal, your next referral, your next breakthrough.

Where are you hesitating right now?

04/27/2026

At the recent BNI U.S. & Canada Convention, we used a simple—but incredibly effective—team building and icebreaker activity that sparked meaningful conversations almost instantly.

Each prompt (rolled like a dice) led to questions like:
• What did you learn from a recent mistake?
• What do you hope to learn this week?
• What qualities make a good friend?
• What book or podcast has impacted you recently?
• Who is a leader you admire? Why?
• What is good advice you’ve been given?

What stood out wasn’t just the answers—it was how quickly barriers came down. People opened up, found common ground, and built real connection beyond surface-level networking.

Something you may not have considered:
Activities like this aren’t just for large conventions. They can be easily implemented in your team meetings, leadership retreats, or even weekly sales huddles.

Why it works:
It creates engagement, not just attendance
It builds trust faster than typical introductions
It encourages personal growth alongside professional development

If you’re looking to strengthen culture, deepen relationships, or simply get your team more connected—this is a simple tool that delivers.

Givers Gain starts with knowing people beyond what they do.

04/26/2026

Once an oil boomtown, Tulsa is experiencing another kind of resurgence. This time it’s led not by prospectors, but by artists and chefs.

04/23/2026

This is where it starts.

We’re building something from the ground up in South Tulsa/Bixby—and the people in the room on May 5th will be the ones who shape it.

Spartan Edge isn’t just another chapter. It’s a group being built with intention—one strong business per seat, committed to helping each other grow through real referrals.

If you’ve been looking for a better way to grow your business, this is your opportunity to get in early.

The Apply & Pay Party is where momentum turns into commitment.

Be in the room.