The Sunnyvale Sun

Business

Business Builders chapter marks its 5th anniversary

By Emilie Crofton

The Cupertino Business Builders Chapter of Business Networking International has had a lot to celebrate this month.

In addition to celebrating its five-year anniversary, the chapter has hit the $3 million mark in closed business for its members.

Located in Cupertino, Business Builders is made of more than 30 local business owners, including a number from Cupertino and Sunnyvale. The BNI chapter helps local businesses increase their clientele through word-of-mouth marketing.

"In a home-based business it's easy to get stuck in the office all by yourself," says Patti Glick, a founding member who runs a business from her Cupertino home. "I like BNI because we're able to get out there, network with others, help each other out and grow our businesses."

Glick says BNI has done wonders for her greeting card business Hand to Hand Contact.

"Eighty percent of my business this year came through BNI in one way or another," she says.

The Cupertino BNI chapter also teaches members business techniques and improves business owners' presentation and public speaking skills.

Carol Stephen, a professional organizer who runs her business from her Sunnyvale home, joined the Cupertino chapter three months ago and has already seen significant changes to her business.

"It has definitely helped both myself and my business," Stephen says. "I find it's very well organized and structured."

The 32 members meet once a week at BJ's restaurant in Cupertino, leaving business owners knowledgeable and confident when making referrals.

"When we make referrals we're putting our name and business on the line. You want to refer people that you know, trust and feel good about," Glick says.

Both Glick and Stephen say Cupertino BNI, which includes everybody from real estate agents to massage therapists, is most beneficial to small local businesses

"Small businesses don't have a large budget to work with so we need help to get the word out," Glick says. " I could never have done it without BNI."

For more information, visit www.cupertinobni.com