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My husband and I own an audio/visual business.  That means we discard many boxes at our town’s recycling center.  I am often there to dispose of boxes and packing material.  So it was not out of the ordinary that I went there this summer to throw out large boxes from an installation we had just completed.  A man was in front of me throwing out small boxes.

I asked him if I could take two of his small boxes to send packages to my girls at camp.  He said yes and asked me where my girls went to camp. “Pennsylvania,” I replied.

We chatted for a few minutes about.   He mentioned that his son was at camp in Colorado and that the family was new to town.

That was all I needed to hear!   Within 15 minutes I was in his home (which turned out to be a large, several million dollar home).  That afternoon, my husband Saul (a member of BNI Strategic Connections) went by to give him a formal estimate.

Within 48 hours we had a signed contract for a $16,000-job! But, as I am a good BNI networker, the story doesn’t end there.

From that introduction, we were able to refer people in both our chapters:   the landscaper was hired for snow plowing work, the painter was hired to paint the rooms, the electrician was brought in to hang fixtures, the carpet/flooring man furnished a new runner and bedroom flooring.  And the referrals continue to grow as our new client’s needs grow.

How did all this happen?  Because I met a guy at the town dump and engaged him in conversation. You really don't know where business may come from!  You’ve got to have your antenna up, be thinking, asking questions, and listening.

I consider myself a good networker, but finding referrals at the town dump?  This one takes the cake!  The moral of the story:  think outside the boxes!


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