It started out as a couple of friends referring customers to other friends and turned into a group of business owners and employees working to increase networking around the county. Now, they’re looking for more people to join the circle.
“It started in my front office, hanging out and talking,” said Cindy Eibl, a Mary Kay independent sales director and advisor for the network. “We thought, let’s open it up to other people.”
From there the group brainstormed and discovered they had friends in real estate, car sales, fitness, travel, photography and more, Eibl said. Instead of working independently from each other, they decided to work as a team.
“The main purpose of the Orleans County Business Network is to exchange referrals,” Regina Schunk said.
Schunk, the wellness consultant for XanGo and president of the network, said only one member from each profession, such as hair styling or realty, can belong to the group.
“If you had a referral for someone looking for a gym membership and you had two people, who would you give it to?” Schunk said. “It causes problems.”
The referrals come in several different ways. Each person has business cards for the other members to give out to
potential customers, and monthly meetings update everyone on specials and promotions taking place at the various businesses in the network. When a member makes a referral, they fill out a card with the information. Likewise, when someone gains a customer that was referred by another member, they fill out a card. The referrals are then tracked at the monthly meetings.
“If someone came up to me and said, ‘I’m looking for a hairstylist,’ the first thing I would say is, ‘Here, let me give you Edee (Hoffmeister)’s card,” Schunk said.
The group alternates each month between Medina and Albion for meetings, where they share marketing strategies, give an “infomercial” on upcoming events, pass out business cards, exchange referrals and discuss other business.
“It’s a chance for us to mix and mingle and share stories,” Schunk said.
Eibl said they are always looking for new members to join.
“Definitely,” she said. “We don’t have a mechanic, we don’t have a plumber ... We are looking for new members because we want to grow.”
Eibl said it is important for local businesses to work together.
“In a small community like this, we need to share our customers,” Eibl said. “You need to market amongst yourselves because no one’s going to do it for you.”
As far as the effect the networking has on business, Edee Hoffmeister, a hair stylist at Celebrity Day Spa, said it helps bring in customers.
“Every month we’ll track our leads we get,” Hoffmeister said. “It’s a great way to track business. I know where referrals are coming from.”
The group also tries to make a difference in the community by donating portions of their dues to charitable organizations. In the past year, they have given to the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund and Community Partners programs.
The next meeting of the network will be July 13 at Wiggly & Jiggly’s English Pub in Albion.
Contact Holly Weber at (585) 798-1400, Ext. 2225.
Local News
Related Photos
-
HOLLY WEBER/STAFF
Discussion
June 13, 2006
Power Of Networking
Group works to improve contacts and provide referrals to other county businesses
- Local News
-
- Test story
-
Market on Main will offer fresh produce, baked goods
Medina’s Main Street has more than its fair share of spots to pick up prepared food, but starting this summer there will be a place to buy artisanal bread and locally-grown produce.Dave and Bonnie Reigle have operated a produce stand on their Ridge Road farm for 17 years. They plan to open Reigle’s Market on Main in the former Whole Nine Yards and be open year-round as a bakery and produce store.
-
Lyndonville BoE approves budget propositions
The Lyndonville Board of Education approved the four propositions district residents will vote on May 15, including the school’s $12,964,687 budget.The 2012-13 budget decreases spending by 1.28 percent, but the property tax levy will rise by 1.95 percent to $4,620,374. The estimated property tax rate is $18.40, an increase of 1.38 percent and a bump of a quarter for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
-
Medina BoE OK's budgets for May 15 vote
Medina Central School District residents will have the option this May to vote for a budget that does not raise the property tax levy next year, but does increase the district’s budget by 1.74 percent.
-
Ridgeway sets public hearings
The Ridgeway Town Board will hold two public hearings at its next meeting on May 21.
-
Hoag will host STEM summer camp
The Hoag Library in Albion isn’t set to open until the weekend after Independence Day, but preparations are well underway for a two-week summer camp for a select group of Albion students.
-
Growing like a weed
The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Home and Garden Show had a new home this year, and a record crowd came out to Knowlesville for helpful advice, information about local businesses and organizations, and a wide range of activities, promotions and giveaways.
-
Village budget talks continue
Medina’s 2012-13 budget is coming together at a series of meetings between department heads and village board members that largely focus on projected spending plans and areas where cuts can be made and additional revenue can be found.The board met Monday with Police Chief Jose Avila, who said his department budget will be less than the current year despite increasing salaries and associated benefits.
-
Hoag Library era nears in Albion
The transition of Albion's long-time library to a modern South Main Street facility is quickly approaching, which had the Swan Library Board of Trustees discussing the closing of the current library in early June, a month of movement and plans to resume service at the new Hoag Library on the day after the facility's July 7 grand opening at their Wednesday meeting.
-
Pillars hosting Titanic evening
The extravagant experience that the high-class passengers enjoyed on the first and final voyage of the RMS Titanic will be replicated in a dinner at The Pillars Estate’s new ballroom this weekend.The Pillars echoes the luxury liner’s grand staircase and chandelier, with historic touches throughout the restored County House Road mansion’s ballroom.
- More Local News Headlines
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
