In 2016, I joined Better Referral Network, a Berkeley/Albany chapter of the global professional networking organization, BNI. The opportunity enhanced my life in three ways:

  1. I improved how I spoke about my business and what I do
  2. I opened my eyes to a wealth of local small businesses to whom I could refer business
  3. I received referrals to new clients and continued to grow my network

This edition of Mac Mondays is dedicated to highlighting some of the professionals who have become my friends, colleagues, and referral partners through our association with BNI.

[Update: Better Referral Network is still going strong, though I resigned from it at the beginning of 2022. I’m still connected to the below professionals and many others who might serve your needs in ways I cannot.]

Resolving the Unknown

Srinika Narayan’s work is steeped in mystery. She specializes in identifying the underlying causes of ailments that Western doctors tend to sweep under the rug, give unhelpful names, or prescribe generic medications.

Srinika is a nutrition analyst and, through muscle testing, her fingers work magic and miracles to divorce her patients from chronic ailments, autoimmune conditions, and other unexplained phenomena.

When I first saw Srinika for general immune support, she was quick to discover my overexposure to electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation and stray electricity, which I quickly resolved at home. She also observed my high consumption of soy, dairy, and specifically ice cream, all of which I’ve significantly reduced in my diet in order to be healthier in general.

Easing Stress, Relieving Pain

Marie Bowser, licensed acupuncturist, specializes in transformational acupuncture, particularly to help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression, and heal pain. She’s also skilled in the five elements and helping people find alignment and ease in their life.

Joanne Cosgrove, certified massage therapist, promotes ease and makes pain and swelling float away. She has an incredibly gentle touch yet she does wonders through therapeutic massage and manual lymph drainage. After each of my appointments, Joanne has sent me home with tools and resources that enable me to continue healing on my own.

Foundation of a New Home

In search of a house to buy and the funding to do so? You’ll want to connect with Jason Wizelman and Declan Spring.

Jason is a mortgage lender and all around problem solver. He loves humans and helping them find an appropriate path forward, no matter the challenge.

Declan is one of the best connected residential Realtors in the East Bay and beyond. His astute listening skills and personal touch have made him one of the most loved, too.

Shine a Light on You

John Van Dinther at Two Hats Consulting headed the project of redesigning my website last year. We were particularly blown away by their illustrator’s creation of its graphics, way better than the stock photos we previously considered.

Two Hats also offers a full range of marketing and branding services. They love helping businesses that are trying to make a difference in the world — a positive one, that is.

This barely scratches the surface of the nearly 40 members of my BNI chapter and their many resources, connections, and skills. I encourage you to learn more about them and let me know if you’d like an introduction to anyone.

Are you a small business owner or employee? I would be happy to connect you with, and invite you to visit, Better Referral Network as a possible source of new business. The group meets weekly for members and guests to further educate each other about their businesses and to give referrals.