Caerusnet founder and facilitator, Steven Zyskowski interviews Caerusnet Brighton Tuesday 8AM team member, Penny Wilson, owner of A Path 2 Transformation. Caerusnet treasures the diversity of businesses that are making a difference on our facilitated referral teams in Michigan. Be sure to give this a watch:
Click here to connect with Penny
https://apath2transformation.com/
Enjoy these bonus pictures of Penny’s property and her special horses:
Katie Blacker from Michigan SEO Group has been an active and welcoming Caerusnet member on the Ann Arbor Tuesday 11AM team since first joining in June, 2018. In addition to writing digital content for her company’s clients, she also helps Michigan SEO Group with local relationship marketing. She’s athletic and competitive and is involved coaching a high school volleyball team. She very rarely ever misses a Caerusnet meeting and is active in helping grow her Caerusnet team. She stood out last year as the team’s 2021 MVP. We recently had a chance to connect with Katie about her success.
How long have you been in your profession and what is the best thing about your business/career?
For seven years now, I’ve loved every minute of helping small and medium sized businesses grow. Especially working with family-owned businesses and learning why they’re the best at what they do – 
it’s incredibly rewarding.
How are you different? Michigan SEO Group really strives to help businesses with presence, care, and compassion. We not only work for our clients, we form personal relationships with them and we never treat them like a number on a spreadsheet.
What is it about the Caerusnet model that you like most?
I love that Caerusnet cultivates relationships. In the years I’ve been at Caerusnet, I’ve made great friends, not just partners in referrals.
Share a success story about why giving referrals/bringing visitors are beneficial to you.
Giving referrals and bringing visitors to Caerusnet fits right in with our vision at Michigan SEO Group – helping businesses grow and thrive. When I can bring someone to our team or pass a referral, I know I’m helping that business succeed.
Any tips on learning how to find situations where you can create a referral or invite a visitor?
Active listening is so important. Many organic conversations don’t include the buzz words we look for to pass a referral, but maybe the person is saying it in a different way. If they’re talking about struggling to get the word out about what they do or if they’re having a hard time generating interest, the answer could be visiting a Caerusnet group.
What is your approach to positioning yourself as a resource in the community?
At Michigan SEO Group, we know that there are so many facets to being successful at marketing and SEO. It is generally very overwhelming for most business owners to take on themselves. Our goal is to be a resource for businesses in the community gain knowledge from, even if they don’t ultimately end up working with us. We believe in being abundant and sharing what we know is the recipe to help others succeed.
Tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet?
Have a positive mindset, be a good listener, and practice great attendance! Even if you don’t pass a referral at every meeting, being in the meetings regularly shows the other members you’re dedicated to the team.
Click here if you’d like to connect with Katie.
Additional resources:
Website: https://www.michiganseogroup.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourSEOteam/
https://open.spotify.com/show/4uEPtSoL96119EFavMPyjE?go=1&utm_source=embed_v3&t=0&nd=1
Getting married, and starting a business…
What do these two things have in common?
While we romanticize and have a grand vision for what a relationship and owning a business is going to be like. The truth is both starting a business and getting married have very high failure rates.
When the going gets tough, and the going will get tough, what keeps you there? What motivates you to learn, grow, adjust, survive, thrive???
As Steven Zyskowski shares it takes far more than shallow reasoning such as “Because I can make a lot of money” or “Because he/she is hot.” Jason Tracey, sales coach with Roar Consulting, leads a great interview with Steve that covers a mountain of topics.
ADDITIONAL:
“You’re never going to make it.” “Somebody else is already doing that.”
If you are an entrepreneur you have probably heard phrases just like these along your journey. What did you do to push through the skeptics?
For those of you that have dreamed of starting a business, but are currently being caged by the skeptics use Steven Zyskowski story as an inspiration! After all, great businesses simply solve problems that are presented in the market place.
Because Steve is a product of the product he saw firsthand the glaring holes within networking organizations, and was able to create a solution to serve #smallbusinessprofessionals with Caerusnet.
In this episode of Staying Connected, Caerusnet founder, Steven Zyskowski interviews Livonia team Facilitator, Kevin McGuire. Kevin shares why he facilitates and what he enjoys most about facilitating a Caerusnet referral team. We wish 2020’s best new Caerusnet Facilitator the absolute best as he continues to grow team Livonia and add more teams to his footprint over the years! Want to connect with Kevin McGuire? You can book time with him here: https://myreferralteam.com/
Wendy Griest absolutely loves kids, community, and connection. As a person with high empathy, Wendy thrives on building positive relationships with others and loves nothing more than creating long lasting, beneficial relationships. As a Caerusnet networking veteran and a person with marketing vision, Wendy saw an opportunity to bring joy into her community with her new business, Party in The House. We had a chance to connect with Wendy and learn more about her new business and how it all got started. If you have been ever been searching for a unique way to throw a party or truly impress your significant other with a creative picnic for two, Wendy would love to help make your memory forever lasting!
How long have you been in your profession and why did you start this business?
I have planned parties for family and friends for over 20 years and now I do it professionally. Party in the house began as an idea based on universal need for human interaction and familiar fun during an unprecedented time. Covid has rocked the world literally in our country 
seemed more divided than ever. Our communities were hurting. Parents were and are still hurting because their kids are confused and unable to see extended family and friends, or even go to school at some points. Daily routines have been significantly disrupted. Weddings, birthday parties and even simple date nights were limited and restricted. Some small businesses closed or came close to closing and I just knew that I could make a difference in those areas.
What is the best thing about your business/career?
We have been blown away by the response from our clients, their friends, and our community. We have had moms cry out with joy. Watching their little kids and seeing their expressions when they see their party for the first time brings us so much happiness. These parties have been great for kids to get back some sort of normalcy this year a party like ours is a way to remind your kids that they can still have fun with their friends and family but safely.
How are you different and/or what is your niche?
We have themes to suit adults and kids of all ages. Our most popular packages are kids slumber parties, adult slumber parties, charming indoor and outdoor picnics, moms or lady’s night out, date night in, and ‘mommy and me’ parties. We have many more themes broken up by age group on our website at www.partyinthehousemi.com and we do allow custom themes, for an up charge, if what we offer doesn’t suit your needs perfectly. We also have a lot of add-on entertainment from games, arts and crafts, character visits, karaoke machines, popcorn and cotton candy makers to cooking classes, psychic readings, cocktail making classes, Dj photo booths, mini photo shoot, private chefs and more.
What is your approach to positioning yourself as a resource in the community?
Giving back is everything to us. Our “Parties for a Purpose” program allows us to accept nominations for someone in your life who is going through immense hardship, illness, loss of a loved one or any life altering tragedy. We pick one winner each month for a free party with all the bells and whistles as our way of spreading hope, cheer, and joy. We aim to be a source of joy and happiness for everyone as we have all struggled through a truly crazy year. This program allows us to help those in need in a way that will brighten their spirits and it fits our one true mission which is to create and spread joy and smiles.
Share a success story about why giving referrals/bringing visitors are beneficial to you? Just today in my Caerusnet team a visitor was attending who is a DJ. It just so happens we are looking for a DJ vendor. You never know how the person you are bringing could connect and benefit those in your group. So, what do you have to lose by inviting them? Nothing!
Can you share how your Caerusnet members have positively influenced you or your business beside passing referrals?
I have been a Caerusnet Members for many years now. It is so inspiring to hear other Members sharing their successes and challenges. We are very real with each other. Caerusnet has given me so much in both my professional and my personal life. I’m an entrepreneur and I can’t see my life without Caerusnet in it. It has blessed me in so many ways.
What do you like best about being on a Caerusnet online team?
I have been a Member for many years and was accustomed to meeting in-person. However, the online platform is so convenient for my busy lifestyle it is hard to not see the benefits of doing it this way
Your thoughts on passing referrals and inviting guests to the meetings?
Referrals are so important, whether big or small. There are so many ways to collaborate to benefit the people on your team for referrals. When you have a guest attending, you may think they will connect with certain members and be surprised at how many additional members are affected by their visit! Someone who recently visited one of my teams was not somebody I could connect with directly however they had so many people in their circle that they connected me with that I was able to add much needed vendors
Want to pass Wendy a referral for Party In The House? Click here!
Trisha Turner has been turning heads in Caerusnet. Her energetic and honest presence is felt at every meeting. Until she joined Caerusnet a couple years ago, she didn’t know much about the farming process involved in growing a business by referral. That knowledge has come in handy this year as Trisha launched
Turner Design – a full-service landscape design and installation firm. It’s been great to watch Trisha grow her business by doing right in the community and we had a chance to connect with her to share her story.
How long have you been in your profession? 16 years. I started as a landscape laborer and worked my way up the ranks.
How did you get into this field? From a horticulture elective class taken at Michigan State University my freshman year of college. My parents said that I would ‘find my way’ with the programs available at State and they were right.
What is the best thing about your business/career? I get to play outside! Plus, free vitamin D😊!
How are you different and/or what’s your niche? I am different because I care about the lasting effects of my advice and designs. Right plant, right place is a real thing and I will not propose design solutions that are not realistic for a homeowner to afford or maintain. If you don’t like the color red, there will be no red roses in your design! I want clients to feel they can afford my services, so I offer complete design and installation as well as a la carte services for the do-it-yourselfer.
What is it about the Caerusnet model that you like most? I like that every member truly cares about their reputation and services provided. I know if I refer a client, friend or family member to any member of Caerusnet that they will be taken care of well above my expectations.
Share a success story about why giving referrals/bringing visitors are beneficial to you. I had a client last year that was new to the area. I was able to recommend a doctor to her and a pet sitter (both of which were members of Caerusnet). Experiences with both professionals referred made incredible impacts on her life! She was able to remedy her illness with holistic remedies and get off medication and able to enjoy vacations with her family out of state without worrying about her animals. It felt good when she told me, “Wow Trisha, you are quite the resource!” She was impressed with my network and I was happy to help. Taking care of my clients means more than making sure their landscape is flawless. We are all people with various daily concerns and when I can be more than ‘just your landscaper’ I jump to the chance!
Any tips on learning how to find situations where you can create a referral or invite a visitor? In the beginning I was too pushy, and it pushed people away. I didn’t understand why people were not as excited as I was about joining this referral group that has helped me so much. I realized, during a trust builder with another Caerusnet member, that I have to be more casual in my approach. I network with professionals at least two times a week. I don’t want to invite just any one to this group but people that truly care about their service and their clients. When I come across winners, I spread the word and follow up with an email. I verbally introduce them to Caerusnet and allow them to check out the website themselves. I have found that not all people are comfortable with putting themselves out there. I wasn’t either and was forced by a former boss to attend so I get it. Once you become part of the family, though, it’s hard to not shine!
What is your strategy with your member minute and your spotlight presentation? Talk about ‘hot’ landscape items and myself. People want to work with and purchase from someone they know and trust. By outlining my personal life along with pros and cons of hot topics I feel my message gets across.
What is your approach to positioning yourself as a resource in the community? To genuinely help people. I just so happen to be a landscaper and designer, so I can specifically help people achieve their plant goals! I recently joined the Howell Chamber of Commerce and am already feeling more incorporated in my community by getting to know other businesses and business owners in my neighborhood despite the challenges of networking due to COVID. I want my name out there and I want to refer others so I can be a complete resource for my clients.
Tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet? YOU MUST DO TRUST BUILDERS! One to one meet ups are critical to fully understanding what other members do in their professional and personal life. Both aspects are important to fully understand a person. I try to do one trust builder with everyone in my team once a year atleast and then reach out to a couple of additional Caerusnet members from different groups throughout the year as well. Motivated people seem to find other motivated people so it is not hard to find another member to enjoy a lunch with. Often times one meeting turns into, “ I know someone I think you need to meet!” The rest is history!
Share how your Caerusnet members have positively influenced you or your business besides passing referrals. Members have directed me to extracurricular programs for my toddler (more significant pre-COVID), I was connected with an incredible holistic doctor that has completely changed my daily life for the better and through a presentation in Caerusnet I was introduced to the Yes Network that opened my eyes to entrepreneurism and helped me take the jump into starting my own business.
Do you have a referral success story (passed or received) that you’d like to share? Recently, I met with one of the ambassadors of the Howell Chamber of Commerce. I casually mentioned Caerusnet and she was very interested. Just like myself, she is always looking for incredible people to network with. I sent her an email introducing her to my facilitator and wrote my positive experience with the group and why I think she would benefit. She will be visiting the group next week! That same day, a Caerusnet member called me and referred me to one of his clients for landscape services. He did, what we call a warm referral, and introduced me to her verbally and told her I will call her tomorrow afternoon. With him and I both being Caerusnet members, he KNOWS that I will call her tomorrow afternoon and take wonderful care of his client. What a day?!
Trisha shares a great testimonial here with her Brighton Wednesday 10AM Caerusnet team:
Caerusnet & ReferralTopia sincerely thanks Justine Altman for contributing valuable content to our ON DEMAND ReferralTopia 2021 Library!
Enjoy this full presentation of “Want To Know How To Prevent Burnout & Grow Younger?” by Caerusnet Canton Member. Justine Altman, https://journeytovitality.com/. Without health, there can be no wealth so be sure to DRESS for Health Success (more on this in the video below).
On June 30th, well over 100 Caerusnet Members and guests attended the first annual Caerusnet Member Breakfast at the Crystal Gardens banquet center in Howell. Caerusnet spared no expense by offering the most deluxe breakfast buffet the Crystal Gardens offered. Devonna Snowden (Crystal Gardens / Brighton Wednesday 8AM) was busy promoting the event long before it kicked off and the turnout was fantastic.
The Members and guests had an incredible morning reconnecting, making new relationships and enjoyed sharing the morning together. Caerusnet’s Steven Zyskowski, Chuck Dodge and Karyn Kokeny all gave uplifting presentations to an inspired audience who, during the pandemic, had been starved of in-person networking.
The Member Breakfast was exactly what everyone needed to fill their buckets. Caerusnet Brighton Wednesday 10AM team’s newest Member, Dr. Shawn, rocked the house with his awesome Caerusnet branded photo booth (leave a review for Shawn here), which provided tons of enjoyment at the event.
Enjoy this awesome photo gallery (courtesy of DJ Shawn) and you can watch a recording of Caerusnet’s Founder, Steve Zyskowski’s opening presentation on YouTube.
Caerusnet founder, Steven Zyskowski was recently interview by Kris Hingst of Krommatic Marketing in Brighton on the “J K Podcast” to discuss how Caerusnet was named and the concept of farming vs hunting. Both of these short videos are worth watching!
As a Member of the Caerusnet Canton team, Evan Raoof is passionate about helping his clients train for the performance of their lives. He helps his clients
understand how to approach fitness in a way they can successfully adopt into their lives to become a meaningful part of their daily living. We had a chance to connect with Evan to learn more about him and get his take on the world of referrals!
How did you get into this field? I have always been into to exercise and truly, exercise saved my life. I was born with a type of Cerebral Palsy that impacts a portion of the right side of my body (leg and arm). When attending summer camp at age nine, I didn’t wear my brace for three months. I was faced with walking the right way or being in a wheelchair. We all have a story that allows us to be who we are. In adversity comes strength and will to create happiness.
How are you different and/or what’s your niche? I love the opportunity to help someone get healthy though fitness. My business has transformed me from being simply a personal trainer to also a lifestyle mindset coach. The truth about weight loss and your life is that it is not actually about weight loss sometimes. It is the relationship with yourself first and to others -family and friends. It’s all connected. At FitLiving Academy, I help clients achieve much more than health. I have recently started implementing weight loss and wellness programs into other health related practices and am excited to create such possibilities to impact more people. This helps be broaden the scope of referrals I can create for our clients in all aspects related to fitness, health and wellness.
Share a success story about why giving referrals/bringing visitors are beneficial to you. The mindset of giving will come back to you 10 x! It took about 8 months to become the “know, like, trust” person and to get a referral from the team – yet that referred client is still paying me monthly. Months later, a Member referred someone who had money saved in a flex spending account without and they invested that with me to start a four-month health program. I value every relationship and take a stand for my clients results Referrals make it easier.
Any tips on learning how to find situations where you can create a referral or invite a visitor? The power is in the Trust Builder Meetings with Caerusnet Members.
As I connect with people I want to help make introductions for, I invite them to visit Caerusnet, where they can meet 25-30 of my powerful referral partners.
What is your approach to positioning yourself as a resource in the community? I want to be known as a resource for all things related to fitness, health, and wellness. Caerusnet
is critical in helping get connected to the right people to help me get the word out.
Tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet? Steve Zyskowski runs a fantastic organization with a lot different teams – each with a unique culture, yet they all speak the same language. Visit each team in your area or territories and expand your network. Treat it like an interview. Because it is! Build relationships based on wanting to help others and serving your customers by being a great referral source. Plan on entertaining and educating. Each Member minute is an opportunity to educate, engage and connect with all Members of the Caerusnet team. Educate your Members in your Member Minute, Spotlight Presentation, and the important Trust Builder Meetings. Wear your sales manager’s hat and help other Members see where and when it’s the right time to refer you.
Click here if you woulf like to connect with Coach Evan!