In this episode of Staying Connected, Caerusnet Founder, Steven Zyskowski connects with Mark Howell, Founder of the non-profit “Fund a Life”. Phenomenal story. Mark has been on both sides of giving and receiving help in life. Let’s support him in his BIG HAIRY GOAL of reaching $1,000,000. in funding for to help others with unfortunate “life” events and help them get back on their feet! To learn more, support and donate, request funds, click (copy/paste) here: https://www.fundalife.org/
Caerusnet isn’t like your Dad’s *NI “Chapter”: Does your referral team have a non-profit involved that you can help support? Talk with your Facilitator and see if you can make that happen. This is just part of the beauty of the Caerusnet Facilitated Referral Team System. We’re not like those “other” referral “chapters” out there. We form TEAMS of amazing referral professionals. While there’s no “i” in team, there is the US of CaerUSnet!
Hassan Hodges’ was invited to visit the Caerusnet Ann Arbor 11AM referral team by Jim Campbell (a long standing, successful Member of the team who holds the world record for helping more professionals learn about Caerusnet than just about anyone). While having first seen Hassan’s photographic images on Facebook, Jim could see that Hassan had a lot of talent. Jim reached out to Hassan and discovered he was ready to get “out there” and grow his new photography business. Hassan accepted Jim’s offer to visit and quickly joined in the following weeks. He’s been a wonderful addition to the team and has been dependable, creative and consistent in his efforts. We were thrilled to spend time with Hassan and to learn from Hassan’s ½ year journey in business and as a newer Caerusnet Member.
How long have you been in your profession? As a profession, I’ve been doing this for 6 months. As a hobby, I’ve been taking pictures for 20+ years. Amazingly, I attended my first Caerusnet meeting on my second week in business.
How did you get into this field? I got started with photography at my college newspaper documenting Rutgers football during a 1-10 season which was a great introduction to making interesting images from a smoldering pile of disappointment. I resisted the desire to start a photography business for more than 10 years while I had two other careers in media and technology before taking the leap last fall.
What is the best thing about your business/career?I feel everything happening around me more deeply than other people do, and photography is my outlet for expressing what I feel. The thing that makes me the happiest is sharing what I see in the world with other people.
How are you different and/or what’s your niche? I have one speed: Full go, and I don’t do well with constraining myself. I don’t aim for perfection; I aim for beautifully authentic. I feel everything around me, and that’s what I try to capture: the feelings. I could also list a dozen technical skills I use, but at the end of the day, it’s the image that matters.
What is it about the Caerusnet model that you like most? I like the combination of building relationships and having tactical referrals. I’ve been in other group that have been good for making friends, and groups that have worked well for business contacts. Caerusnet has a great combination of the two. I thought that starting a business would be transactional, but it’s more like farming on Mars.
What is your strategy with your member minute and your spotlight presentation? I love that we get the same minute every week, which gives me a chance to practice the same pitch with variations and see what resonates. The first part of my strategy is to not draw a blank. After that, its just to be interesting. There are a lot of characters in my group which means I need to be on top of my game to standout.
Tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet? The more you can work with people in your group and get them to also sing your praises in their member minutes and positive focuses, the better off you’ll be. I did a shoot with my friend Leah McChesney and her six kids and she got some great photos and I got a lot of promotion in my group. A win-win for everybody. That’s that way that small business work though, we’re all in this together and lift ourselves up by lifting others.
As I’ve gotten to know Julie Palmer, I realized that she has an unmistakably unique presence, anchored by personal warmth, enthusiasm and creativity. She’s following her passion in Caerusnet, expanding her network and helping Members and their referrals plan their next amazing events. She’s the driving force behind ReferralTopia, Caerusnet’s annual Michigan Member extravaganza (scheduled for Sept 17th this year in Ann Arbor). If you’re a Caerusnet Member and you don’t have a trusted event Member on your team ready to handle personal and corporate events, please consider passing Julie a referral (using the button at the bottom of this Member Success Story).
How long have you been in your profession? 3.5 years.
How did you get into this field? I’ve always loved planning events. It all started in high school when I was tapped to plan the school’s homecoming celebration. Still, it took 25 years in the “corporate” world to decide to follow my true bliss and start my own business.
What is the best thing about your business/career? The best thing is doing what I love, every single day. Even my most challenging day with JEM Events is better than the best day in my corporate job.
How are you different and/or what’s your niche? I am different because I choose not to carve a narrow niche for myself. I love the variety. I also focus on the experience, both that of my client’s as well as their guests/attendees. I love to challenge myself to create an experience that sets my events apart from other, similar events.
What is it about the Caerusnet model that you like most? I love the connections that go beyond business to become friendships. I love the trust we share and the heart & soul of our generous Facilitator.
Share a success story about why giving referrals/bringing visitors are beneficial to you. I’m delighted that I’ve been able to bless others with referrals that turn into customers. I’ve also been blessed with guests showing up to my meeting and referring me. I’m proud of the experience visitors have when they spend an hour with my team. A significant portion of my current work is because of Caerusnet and the referrals I’ve received.
Any tips on learning how to find situations where you can create a referral or invite a visitor? I suggest people approach it as they would tuning a radio. Tune your mind to being curious about how you can serve the person you meet. Listen with that curiosity and ask questions that encourage others to speak openly. One never knows when that perfect moment appears. If you’re not tuned in, you won’t recognize it.
What is your strategy with your Member minute and your spotlight presentation? I want to be a positive blessing to others. For me, it’s about speaking from my heart and not my ego. I love celebrating the wins and I’m certainly proud to have my team celebrate my wins. I see what I do as a service to help others experience joy, connection and community. The more I convey these three elements, the more I know that my authenticity shines through.
What is your approach to positioning yourself as a resource in the community? I often tell others that I love blessing my friends & loved ones through the work I do. I also know that the more I do work for other Caerusnet Members, the greater our collective success story is.
Tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet? Show up, share and give! The model truly works when we come from a space of giving first in order to receive. Be authentic and trust the process. Invest the time to connect deeply with your team Members. The resulting trust is beautiful. Have fun! Yes, this matters. Make the time you share with your team joyful.
Share how your Caerusnet Members have positively influenced you or your business besides passing referrals. Oh my goodness. This is the icing on the Caerusnet cake! Or for me, it’s the whipped cream on top. I love whipped cream even more. This yumminess includes the life-long friendships I’ve already formed. These are the people who care if I’m OK. The hugs we share are authentic and I trust their hearts. I also know that unlike many of my family and friends, Caerusnet Members get it, completely. We share the entrepreneurial bug. We know what it takes and what each deals with. Together we’ve created a home. It’s safe and warm and we laugh a lot.
Want to connect with Julie Palmer? You can find her listing on the GODDESSES OF OPPORTUNITY team listing or by using the Member Search Engine!
Want to pass Julie a referral? Click button below!
Pt. 1: Why is having a referral network important to all types of businesses? It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Pt. 2: What advice or what do you say to owners that focus mainly on networking events vs. joining a referral network to actually building relationships? Referral networks are not just business people. They are both personal and professional. What are some general networking tips that could help listeners get the most out of this method? Does this change if long term habits change? Pt. 3: I am sure you have heard business owners focus on building relationships with the Chamber of Commerce or even being involved in their DDA, Main Street or Convention & Visitors Bureau. These are great organizations to help grow businesses so why should a business join a regular referral group? Pt. 4: What types of industries benefit from a referral network? Why when businesses look at referrals they tend to shy away if they are a retail or restaurant business? Pt. 5: Why is the CaerusNet and CaerusNet Connections philosophy of give to get so important and so different?
For more insightful business discussions, be sure to add Trailblazer to your Spotify favorites to be informed of new additions when they happen!
Years ago, I was deeply disappointed by the company I hired to revamp the Caerusnet website. As a result, I had become very skeptical of people in the website design space making promises they couldn’t deliver on. I asked a Caerusnet Member and Facilitator, David Kozler from Kingdom Cartridge, if he knew of someone he really trusted to work on my website. I said “Please don’t refer me to someone, unless you really feel they’re fantastic.” Dave said, “I have the guy you’re looking for!” and he quickly referred me to Brian Surowiec from Essential IT. Since then, Brian’s company not only fixed the issues with the Caerusnet website but they’ve since gone on to do more work for me and I am an extremely satisfied customer. Brian also joined Caerusnet as a Member and a couple years later, decided to launch the Caerusnet Milford team as a Facilitator. Brian is also instrumental in a company he and his wife run together, Strawesome, which sells reusable glass straws all over the world. I had the chance to interview Brian for this unique and informative success story.
How long have you been in your profession? 25 years.
How did you get into this field? I was offered an entry-level IT job right out of high school at Oakwood Healthcare in Dearborn (now part of Beaumont).
What is the best thing about your business/career? It’s like a game of basketball – a constant movement that requires changing, adapting, problem-solving, creativity, new relationships, teamwork, keeping score, training, coaching, etc.
How are you different and/or what’s your niche? Essential – in that we also work well with essential business, like hospitals, etc.
What is it about the Caerusnet model that you like most? I like that it’s facilitated – both as a Member and as a Facilitator. As a Member, I can just show up to the meetings and focus 100% on connecting with the team rather than having my attention split between connecting and doing some other job/role. I’m an ‘ex-BNI’ Member who served in all the leadership roles during my 5 years in that organization; it felt like it was like having a second job to me. As a Facilitator, I enjoy leveraging my networking and small business experience with the great tools and structures Caerusnet provides to lead my group. Facilitating a group to benefit my local small business community is very satisfying and fulfilling to me.
Any tips on learning how to find situations where you can create a referral or invite a visitor? I always ask my customers what marketing methods they choose to grow their business. Usually, that opens up the conversation where I might learn something new and they typically ask me the same question back. It leaves a wide-open opportunity to share Caerusnet or anything else that might be valuable for them to explore.
Tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet?
Two part answer. A) Set your intentions. Make a list of what you want to create or have happen out of your participation in Caerusnet. Then make a list of actions you could take to move towards those outcomes. Pick a few and take action. Show up and participate. Look back at your intentions from time to time. You might be amazed. B) Do Trust Builder Meetings every week. Find ways to get to know and trust your Members; work-related and personally, if possible. I find getting to know what life experiences the other person has and what they are interested in supercharges my ability to become aware of ways I can support them in addition to referrals.
One thing is for sure, using online video meeting platforms is a great way for “Caerusnetters” to stay connected. With virtually everyone working from home these days, this is the perfect opportunity for us all to connect online and do those all important Trust Builder Meetings. When the social distancing orders are lifted, those of us who used our at-home, online time wisely will be in a great position to succeed when the world returns to “normal”.
Before the social distancing orders were put in place, the Founder of Caerusnet, Steven Zyskowski, paid a visit to the Caerusnet Milford team where he met transformation coach AJ during their team meeting. Then, the two connected on LinkedIn and agreed to follow up by doing an impromptu Trust Builder Meeting on ZOOM, which they agreed to share with the Caerusnet network.
From Soundcloud’s “So, your in sales?” podcast, enjoy listening to this new “know, like, trust” discussion between Michigan Caerusnet Members Roger Burnett (Social Good Promotions) and Val Kearns (Paychex). Especially important if you do hunting and farming in the sales world.
Payroll processing industry vet Valerie Kearns joins me for a look at the COVID_19 economy to learn which industries are still open and working, how employers are approaching their own payroll and how changes in approach-ability among business owners make this a unique opportunity in sales for those still willing to put in the work!
Most of our Caerusnet Member Success Stories come from Members who have been around for a year or more. In this piece, we will get the perspective of a newer Caerusnet Member, Sarah Harrier from Blue Lotus Therapy Services in Brighton. Her fantastic charm, confident smile and humble intelligence make for a fantastic combination of someone the Brighton Tuesday 8AM team Members are encouraged to get to know, like and trust – and start referring to. Caerusnet Members throughout Michigan should be inspired to share this story with therapists in their communities an encourage them to visit and possibly join their team!
How long have you been in your profession? I graduated from my master’s program in 2010 and began working in the facility where I completed my internship during school immediately following graduation. But, my program had us start doing therapy after only one semester of school! So I’ve been actively practicing therapy since the beginning of 2009.
How did you get into this field? I took a class in psychology when I was 16 years old. I knew at that time I wanted to be a therapist. Upon pursuing my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I realized that I wanted to not only work with individuals, but couples as well. My undergraduate advisor recommended I look into an accredited marriage and family therapy program for graduate school and I never looked back.
Brighton Tuesday 8AM Referral Team
What is the best thing about your business/career? I love being able to help facilitate positive changes in people’s lives, both directly and indirectly. I have received client feedback over the years that I have helped prevent suicides, divorces, panic attacks, and isolation for people, by providing therapy services with them. That kind of feedback is extremely humbling and valuable to me. I know I am doing something special and helpful for people who are ready to work on their struggles.
What is it about the Caerusnet model that you like most?
I have only been a Member of Caerusnet since September, 2019 and thus far I can say that I really enjoy both the concept and the process. I like the idea of not having competitors in the same team, that it doesn’t meet every single week of the year, but that there is a clear connection between the Members in the team. It’s nice to see familiar faces and engage in Trust Builder Meetings outside the team meetings to get to know people even better on a personal and professional level. It’s all encouraging without feeling forced.
Share a success story about why giving referrals/bringing visitors are beneficial to you.
I think it helps to build that trust piece. It shows that you are listening to what people say in the meetings and are keeping your eyes and ears open out in the world to look for opportunities to connect people. After all, I am all about helping others! Connecting someone to a service provider they are looking for is just another way to provide help and appreciation on both sides.
Any tips on learning how to find situations where you can create a referral or invite a visitor? Because I’m so new, I’m still learning this myself! I think it’s really a matter of paying attention to opportunities out in the world. Who is struggling with a concern that now you suddenly know of someone who can help them? The attention to detail shows people that you are listening to their stories, and in my experience, people are generally open to receiving a connection to another professional.
What is your strategy with your Member Minute and your spotlight presentation?
For my Member Minute I like to share both positive feedback I have received from clients as well as moments where I have seen success and growth in clients because of interventions I have incorporated to help them. What I choose to share for Member Minutes varies based on who I have seen recently or something I am particularly proud of having accomplished. I think it’s nice for the Members to hear the confidence in my abilities, as well as indirect feedback from my clients to help them build trust in me that I am a qualified therapist to refer to. To date, I have done one 10 minute Spotlight Presentation. In it, I wanted to focus on educating the team on what therapy is, what my particular license and degree means regarding the work I do, and the population I serve. I also wanted the team to learn a little something about coping strategies they could practice at home, so I gave a sneak peek as to what that might look like. I like to help people feel empowered and educated, so I strive to convey those pieces in my presentation.
What is your approach to positioning yourself as a resource in the community?
Word of mouth referrals have been the most impactful in helping me to become a better known resource in the community. My name has popped up in mom-to-mom Facebook teams multiple times as a valuable and helpful therapist, and my clients have told me that they pass along my information to other potential clients. Additionally, I have reached out to a few medical professionals in the area so that my name can become part of a conversation for someone seeking services. Of course, my connections have continued to grow through Caerusnet! Tips on how to be successful in Caerusnet? Participation! To this point I have attended every scheduled Caerusnet meeting for my day and time; because of this I feel like I am getting to know my team Members better, they’re getting to know me better, and we’re building trust together. I think it helps to do Trust Builders, one-on-one outside of the team for an even more personal approach. I find it very rewarding to not only find and connect with various professionals in the area, but even start to build a friendship where I can joke around with the other Members. I regularly have my team Members on my mind and when someone in the outside world is looking for a referral I do a quick reference to see if I know someone that could help them. If I do, I ask if I can make a connection. Most of the time I am met with a happy “Yes, that would be great!”
Share how your Caerusnet Members have positively influenced you or your business besides passing referrals. For one thing, I have been able to utilize some of the services personally, which has been incredibly helpful. Additionally, I think the attitudes of the different Members play a big role in the desire for me to keep coming to the meetings. I like looking forward to the meetings and getting a chance to chat even before the business aspect begins.
This episode of Staying Connected In Caerusnet features Caerusnet Founder, Steven Zyskowski and Executive Wealth Management CFP, James “Jimmie” Plaskey. How has today’s world shaped the view of this intelligent, young CFP? Any thoughts on staying strong and positive? #knowliketrust#godsofopportunity#caerusnet
Listen in on this “So, You’re In Sales?” PODCAST featuring Caerusnet Facilitator, Wendy Caverly (Caerusnet Connections) and Caerusnet Member, Roger Burnett (Social Good Promotions) for a valuable discussion about her path toward capitalizing on her biggest strengths and finding the courage to go for it when nothing even suggested success was waiting. We also cover the exploding referral team trend and why participation in one-on-one networks has leapfrogged digital platforms in creating meaningful scale for small and medium sized businesses.
Love the mechanics of selling? Looking for ways to improve your skills? Wonder how other successful salespeople manage their lives? Time spent listening to guests of the “So, You’re In Sales?” podcast will sharpen your ax and make you better at what you do. Be sure to check other the other treasures in the free library of podcasts found on the “So, You’re In Sales?” podcast. Follow, like and share!
