Anyone in business will tell you that relationships do matter, and building a strong network of like-minded people and businesses is a definite plus for all involved. What many people have forgotten (or put on the back burner) is that those relationships do take time and effort.
Cervices has been a part of both formal and informal networking groups for its entire existence. Before COVID, networking was almost exclusively an “in-person” event. Some attendees would come with a stack of business cards and work a room like there might be a prize for most cards given/collected. Some would spend time in deep conversation with a small group. In either case – the value of the event was in the connections. Not just between attendees, but between the past customers of one who are future customers of the other! Like so many other aspects of business – the virtual world has made its mark on how companies network. We have (and will continue to) participate in virtual events, but for us, there is nothing like face-to-face interaction.
Cervices is currently a member of The Preferred Partners chapter of BNI with Mitch Wessel currently serving as vice president. We are also members of the Bullitt County Chamber of Commerce Leads group where Shawn Bauer represents Cervices. Terry Riggs is an affiliate member of Kentucky Real Estate Exchangers (KREE). Dana Brown serves on the leadership team of the Kentucky Council for National Women In Roofing (NWIR). Each of these groups takes on a specific and unique role for their members, but the common element is the connection.
Dana Brown has been involved in BNI on and off since 1999 – and while the structure and rigor of the group may not be a perfect fit for some it has been a source of not only business contacts but true and lasting friendships. “There are people that I met in my very first BNI chapter who have stayed in touch now for 25 years. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens naturally though when you have top tier professionals who all care about their customers and making sure they are connected to other top tier professionals.” she says.
Now that Mitch Wessel represents Cervices in BNI – he has found the same thing! This long-standing chapter continues to win awards for retention and is an attractive chapter for new members! Cervices has been doing business with Preferred Partners members regularly for years – our business insurance agent is in the group, and the HVAC company we refer our customers to use is part of the chapter. These relationships grow over time, there is no shortcut, but customers get the benefit of that relationship right away.
When Cervices relocated to Bullitt County in 2020, it was a no-brainer for Cervices to have a presence in the Bullitt County Chamber of Commerce. In 2024 when the Chamber announced that it would start a leads group – it was a perfect opportunity for Cervices to bring their networking skills to a new audience.
Terry Riggs is our multi-family and commercial specialist, and being a KREE member “just makes sense”, he says. The specialty of members in the group lends itself to mutual benefit – it is all about connecting the right people with the right people!
Dana is proud to serve the Kentucky Council of NWIR and further the mission to educate more women about the roofing industry and the opportunities it can provide. There is such a strong connection to the other ladies in the industry. Outside this chapter, we are fierce competitors, but when we are together we support each other and encourage each other in ways that are impossible without the deep respect and understanding that comes along with NWIR membership.
If you would like to visit any of these networking groups – please feel free to reach out to us at (502)749-7663 and we will be happy to get you registered as a guest.