Alan Mills Premier Mortgage Northwest July 15, 2007 Barbara Olson Business Network International 101 N. Evergreen Spokane Valley, WA 99216 Dear Barbara, Within 2 weeks of starting work here in the US I had the chance to join a BNI chapter which was forming. That was March 2006. I have received many referrals (converting 20%) – so that 90% of my income has come ‘from’ BNI. My business, residential mortgages, is relationship based and can be long term. 87% of the relationships I have can be attributed directly or indirectly to BNI. “Givers Gain” – I’ve given a similar number of referrals to my colleagues which lead to sales eight times out of ten. Also, I have served my BNI business partners in a leadership role. Clearly, the training, structure and committed attitude of my partners in BNI has sustained my growing success. Your personal support has been invaluable – advice and counsel in what is a very New World. Thank you, Barbara & BNI. Yours sincerely, Alan L Mills Senior Mortgage Consultant, Premier Mortgage Northwest a division of Premier Northwest Mortgage & Finance Corp (State of Washington Loan Originator license: 510-LO-36016)

Matt Graupner Farmers Insurance July 15, 2007 Barbara Olson Business Networking International 101 N. Evergreen Spokane Valley, WA 99216 Hello Barbara, This is just a note to let you know how much I believe in BNI. I joined the Northiside Networkers chapter in Spokane back in April of 2005, and if I had to pick one thing that has made more of a positive impact in my business than anything else I have done so far, it is BNI. I can tell you that in my line of business (Insurance) the competition is extremely fierce. However, BNI has taught me that the power of referral networking through relationship building is much more powerful than all the money my competition spends on advertising. Many of our current members are clients of mine and additionally, many of our ex-members remain clients of mine. Even the members who have left BNI still continue to refer their friends, family, and clients to me because of the relationships and also the trust that BNI has helped me establish. In my particular industry, the failure rate is quite high for new agents. I have seen many agents come and go in the last 3 years and many of them ask me “how do you stay so busy all the time?” I tell them that it is critical that they find a networking group, or start one! Being self employed, as many of us are, I encourage them to bring that entrepreneurial mindset to the next level – marketing and growing their own networking group. Without BNI, I can say with confidence, I would probably be at least a year behind where I am today. When I attended a meeting as a visitor, I was skeptical (as I am with most things that seem too good to be true) however, had I left the meeting that day without filling out that application –I cringe when I think of how devastating that mistake would have been. Although growing my agency is obviously my number one goal, the relationships I have established and friends I have made through BNI are another positive factor worth mentioning. I get all kinds of clients who move to Spokane from all over the United States; most of them don’t know anyone in Spokane when they get here. So, since I have earned their trust, they ask me for example “where is a good place to get my car worked on?” I can tell them about Duane’s Automotive Plus, and knowing Duane well through BNI, I can feel confident sending my clients there. I know Duane will take good care of them, and it will also be a positive reflection on me as well. That is just one example of how I try and refer to my fellow BNI members. BNI works so well for me, I figure that I am probably in BNI for life, or retirement, whichever comes first! Thanks again Barbara for all that you do! Sincerely, Matthew Graupner Insurance & Financial Services Agent 9119 E. Boone Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99206 Office (509) 232-8085 Cell (509) 951-2039

Kevin Weir ActionCOACH Barbara Olson Business Network International 101 N. Evergreen Spokane Valley, WA 99216 Dear Barbara: This letter is to express my appreciation about being a member of Business Network International. I have been a member of BNI since August of 2002. I joined shortly after I bought my business coaching franchise, and fully committed myself to the chapter in Puyallup. By November I signed my first client at $1200/month from a BNI referral, and it just took off from there. I have calculated that in my almost 5 years of membership with BNI, I have made over $100,000 in revenue through my activities. However, the benefit that I get from BNI goes far beyond the money (although that is the main benefit). I have belonged to two chapters in my 5 years, The South End Business Builders in Puyallup, WA, and the Northside Networkers in Spokane, WA. In both chapters, I have developed relationships that have benefited both me and my clients that have paid dividends over the years. It is an amazing feeling knowing that I can refer my clients out to other members, and know that they will be treated with the utmost respect and care. Another great benefit of BNI is networking education. When I started with BNI, I had very little idea on how to "Do" networking. Through the classes and educational section of the meetings, I have acquired a vast amount of knowledge that I use in some of my other networking activities. This has greatly contributed to becoming one of the top 10% of coaches worldwide with Action International. I can confidently say that without BNI, I would not be where I am today in business. Thank you Barbara for all the great things you and BNI do for my business. Sincerely, Kevin Weir Licensed Business Coach ActionCOACH (509) 455-5053

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