BNI - Business By The Bay

11/11/2025

10/08/2025

🚨BNI Business by the Bay Members & Friends!🚨
We’re getting together with our friends at BankUnited for a Mix & Mingle Open House Tour — and you’re invited! 🎉

📍 BankUnited Sarasota Branch
1575 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239
📅 Tuesday, October 21, 2025
🕔 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Come network with fellow professionals, enjoy refreshments, and tour the new Sarasota branch. This is a perfect after-hours chance to grow your connections and support a long-time partner of our chapter.

👉 RSVP by October 15th:
📧 rdavenport@bankunited.com

📞 (941) 334-4083

Let’s show some BNI energy and fill the room — remember, Givers Gain starts with showing up! 💪

10/08/2025

🌿 Join Us for a Special BNI-Partner Event! 🌿

Our friends at The Wellness Way South Sarasota are celebrating their Grand Opening — and our BNI Business by the Bay chapter will be there to show support and connect with other amazing local professionals!

📅 Thursday, October 17th, 2025
🕔 5–7 PM
📍 5602 Marquesas Cir, Suite 105, Sarasota, FL 34233

Enjoy healthy food, drinks, exclusive giveaways, and health talks — all while expanding your network with some of Sarasota’s best in business!

👉 Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit to RSVP!

Let’s represent BNI Business by the Bay and show some love to a growing local business! 💪🌴

10/07/2025

🚨 BNI Business by the Bay is Looking for an Estate Planning Attorney! 🚨

Are you (or someone you know) an Estate Planning Attorney looking to grow your business through quality referrals — not cold calls?

Come visit BNI Business by the Bay, Sarasota’s premier referral networking group. We’re a high-energy team of professionals who meet weekly to help each other grow — and we have an open seat for YOU.

🗓 When: Wednesdays @ 7:30 AM
📍 Where: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
☕️ Food & coffee provided (because great referrals start with caffeine).

Come network with local business owners, enjoy breakfast, and see why BNI members passed over $2.5 Million in referrals last year.

👉 Click here to visit and register:
https://bniswfl.com/fl-southwestern-bni-business-by-the-bay/en-US/visitorregistration?chapterId=1299

10/02/2025

Hi BNI, if anyone wants to sponsor a hole or put together a team for the tournament, this is for my kids elementary school. It’s our largest fundraiser and always a fun event. Bonefish will be catering and they’ll be alcohol and drinks on the course. If anyone has any items they can donate like gift cards, services, etc. for raffles that would be appreciated. 

09/25/2025

BNI “Business by the Bay” – Meeting Recap

Date: September 24, 2025

Chapter Recognition

We recognized the Top 10 members with the most one-to-ones:
• Ron
• Penny
• Valerie
• Kim
• Daryl
• David C
• Chris
• Christina
• Top 2: Rayne Davenport & Jakob Hart

Great work building strong connections across the chapter!

Education Moment

Ron Freedman, closing out his tenure as Education Coordinator, reflected on the legacy of lifelong learning he hopes to leave behind. He encouraged us to continue developing ourselves and each other as professionals.
• Ron also left the group with a new AI tool for answering BNI and process-related questions—a resource members can use going forward.

Featured Speakers

Peter Anderson – Roof Maxx (Roof Weatherproofing & Reconditioning)
• Originally from Connecticut, Peter loves working with people and serving the Sarasota community.
• Explained the recent law change: insurance companies can no longer automatically require roof replacement at 15+ years.
• Roofs can now be reconditioned, warranted, and certified—and insurance companies will accept this.
• Roof Maxx treatment costs up to 75% less than replacing a roof.

Scott Van Der Kooy – Acrisure Insurance (Home & Auto Insurance)
• Proud dad of two, Connor and Riley.
• Discussed credits available for home and auto policies.
• Explained why Florida’s insurance rates are among the highest in the nation (13% of all U.S. losses).
• Past storm-related roof claims and fraudulent claims have significantly driven up homeowners’ insurance costs.

Announcements
• Membership Committee: One application currently in process.
• Open Seats: Interior Designer, Massage Therapist, Payroll Services, Life Insurance Agent, Caterer, Pool Service, and Duct Cleaning.
• Events:
• 🎄 Plans are underway for a Christmas Party—details coming soon.
• 🏦 Bank United Open House: October 21, 5–7 PM (Tamiami Trail location).
• 🩺 Dr. Canaan’s Grand Opening for The Wellness Way: October 17, 5–7 PM (more details coming soon).
• Housekeeping: Keep your BNI profile up-to-date. If you need help, reach out to Ron Freedman, Chris Tennant, or Dr. Canaan—they’ve built strong examples and can even show you how to use AI for creative rewrites.

09/24/2025

BNI “Business by the Bay” – Meeting Recap

Date: September 17, 2025

Chapter Recognition

We highlighted the Top 10 members for Year-to-Date Business Passed:
• Valerie Hall
• Joe Muscatel
• Chris Tennant
• Daryl Schmucker
• Jakob Hart
• David Drab
• Pat Tan
• James Calvert
• Top 2: Peter Anderson & Craig Clark

💡 Action item: Let’s schedule one-to-ones with these leaders to learn their best practices for identifying qualified referrals and properly entering them into BNI Connect.

Education Moment

Ron Freedman shared the concept of the Trust Curve:
• Building trust with both new and seasoned members takes time and consistent effort.
• Remember—what we do outside of BNI reflects on us inside the chapter. Watch those social media posts!
• Ron also shared a QR code with resources for BNI’s Code of Ethics and related questions.

Featured Speakers

James Calvert – Advanced Plumbing Solutions & Design
• Born in Ohio, raised in Sarasota.
• Enjoys golf, fishing, hunting, and boating.
• Proud family man—his wife (high school sweetheart) is his rock, and together they have three daughters.
• Comes from a plumbing family and believes in lifelong learning and being a pillar in the community.

Julian – Impact Windows Specialist
• Originally from Boston, moved to Florida 5 years ago with his family.
• Background in solar sales and roofing.
• Demonstrated the heat advantage of impact windows—showing how double-pane windows blocked a 200° heat source, preventing 99.81% of heat transfer.
• Also emphasized checking weatherstripping to ensure energy efficiency and protection.

Open Seats

We’re actively looking to fill these Top Open Seats:
• Interior Designer
• Massage Therapist
• Payroll Services
• Life Insurance Agent
• Caterer
• Pool Service

Announcements
• Leadership transition begins in October.
• A standing ovation went out to Jake Friedman, our exiting President, for his outstanding leadership this year. 🙌

09/16/2025

BNI “Business by the Bay” – Monthly Recap

July 2025

Chapter Recognition
• July 16: Recognized Chris Tennant for completing over 800 hours of CEUs! Chris shared how he stays consistent by time-blocking Tuesday mornings to review referrals, set one-to-ones, and often listens to podcasts while handling paperwork.
• July 16: Members were also reminded about the importance of building relationships and highlights from the monthly regional call.

We also spotlighted our Top 5 Open Seats throughout July—referrals here could be game-changers:
• Massage Therapist
• Payroll Services
• Interior Designer
• Life Insurance Agent (noted on July 16)
• Caterer (added by July 23/30)
• Pool Service

Education Moments
• July 16: Ron Freedman spoke on lifelong learning, encouraging Green members to act as mentors to others. Sometimes just a quick five-minute call can make all the difference in helping a member reach the next level.
• July 23: Ron emphasized maintaining a positive attitude. He suggested Green members connect with Red members by asking, “What’s something cool you did last month?”—a conversation that counts both as mentoring and as a one-to-one.

Featured Speakers

July 16:
• Damen Childs – Terminus Services (IT Consulting): With 20 years of computer engineering experience, Damon works with CIOs to ensure businesses run smoothly. His services include IT infrastructure, help desk support, remote login, and management. On a personal note, Damon is a big family man, with a wife who (fun fact) loves skunks.

July 23:
• Pierre Chicoineau – Aerospective (Photography): A true veteran of his craft, Pierre got his first camera in 1960 and has since photographed in 65 countries. He is also a certified drone pilot, specializing in real estate listing photos, aerial photography, and safe roof inspections via drone.
• Craig Clark – Best of the Best Home Inspection: Educated members on the importance of four-point inspections and wind mitigation inspections, explaining what they include and why they matter for homeowners and insurers alike.

July 30:
• Brett Willis – Gulf Coast Homes & Remodeling LLC: With 4 years of experience building custom waterfront homes, Brett provides full-service, personalized client care using a digital portal to keep clients updated. He showcased before-and-after project photos.
• Joe Muscatel – Time Saver Fitness: Highlighted how their gyms differ from the typical setting, offering personalized one-on-one training in clean, comfortable spaces. They also provide digital booking and virtual programs for clients on the go.

09/16/2025

BNI “Business by the Bay” – Monthly Recap

August 2025

Chapter Recognition
• August 6: Recognized Green Members, who shared how consistency—especially one-to-ones—helps keep them in the green.
• August 20: Celebrated Pat Tan as our Notable Networker YTD.
• August 27: Recognized Top Members YTD:
• CEUs: Chris Tennant
• One-to-Ones: Daryl Schmucker
• Referrals: Pat Tan

We also spotlighted our Top 5 Open Seats—referrals here could be game-changers:
• Massage Therapist
• Payroll Services
• Interior Designer
• Caterer
• Pool Service

Education Moments
• August 6: Ron Freedman discussed the effective habits of great workers: sleep, eat, work, repeat. He emphasized mindset—commitment, privilege, and consistency—as the traits of a strong entrepreneur and BNI member.
• August 20: Ron highlighted the importance of time-blocking for CEUs and one-to-ones to build consistency and momentum.
• August 27: Ron introduced the Confidence Curve—showing how building confidence with members leads to stronger, more specific referrals. He encouraged focusing on CEUs for skill growth and reminded us to respect the bell during 30-second presentations.

Featured Speakers

August 6:
• David Manning – Spirit Movers: Shared his Navy background in Alaska, and how technology (including AI-powered self-surveys via smartphone) has transformed efficiency in moving and storage.
• David Clark – Pipas Law Group (Personal Injury): Presented Personal Injury 101—what to do after a crash, how to protect yourself, and why reviewing your insurance coverage is crucial.

August 20:
• Ron McKeever – Gallagher Insurance (Health Insurance): With 14 years in BNI and 15 years as a Florida Blue agent, Ron shared how his military and HR background shaped his career, and the significant changes he’s seen in health insurance over the years.
• Sherman Anderson – Arbor Landscapes: Shared his journey from Minnesota to Sarasota with little more than the shirt on his back. Now he runs the landscape design team serving residential and commercial clients with full-service offerings.

August 27:
• Ron Freedman – All American Pest Control: Demonstrated how AI tools like AI Chat bots and ChatGPT Interface have turbocharged his business. By streamlining operations, he’s freed up time to focus on clients instead of administrative headaches.

09/16/2025

BNI “Business by the Bay” – Meeting Recap

Date: September 3, 2025

Chapter Recognition

We recognized Peter Anderson for being #1 in bringing new visitors to our chapter. Visitors are the lifeblood of BNI—they help us grow our chapter and increase business opportunities for every member. Great job, Peter!

We also spotlighted our Top 5 Open Seats—referrals here could be game-changers:
• Massage Therapist
• Payroll Services
• Interior Designer
• Caterer
• Pool Service

Education Moment

Ron Freedman, our Education Coordinator, reminded us that one-to-ones are key to really getting to know fellow members and being able to give strong, qualified referrals.
• He encouraged us to focus on what we can control—whether that’s adding CEUs, scheduling one-to-ones, or submitting referrals consistently.
• Pro tip: Many members use Tuesday mornings as a time block to catch up on CEUs and input referrals.

👉 Takeaway: Be intentional, do the work, and watch your stats move into the green.

Featured Speakers

Valerie Hall – Lang Hall Law (Estate Planning)
• Shared her Child Shield Plan and discussed how proper planning can help families avoid probate.
• Explained that in Florida, spouses can make medical decisions without a medical directive—but emphasized why having clear directives in place is still vital for protecting your family.

Chris Tennant – Fairway Funding (Residential Mortgage Lending)
• Spoke about the values that set him apart, many of which he credits to lessons from golf: honesty, integrity, and focus.
• Stressed the importance of specialization—being an expert in 3–4 loan types rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
• Encouraged members (and clients) to interview loan officers by looking up their NMLS number to review education, experience, and track record.

09/16/2025

BNI “Business by the Bay” – Meeting Recap

Date: September 10, 2025

Chapter Recognition

We celebrated the Top 4 members who achieved a 25%+ increase this month:
• Pat Tan
• Robert Richardson
• Joe Muscatel
• Daryl Schmucker

Great work raising the bar for all of us!

We also spotlighted our Top 5 Open Seats—referrals here could be game-changers:
• Massage Therapist
• Payroll Services
• Interior Designer
• Life Insurance Agent
• Pool Service

Let’s work together to fill these!

Education Moment

Ron Freedman, our Education Coordinator, reminded us of the importance of keeping our BNI profiles sharp. An up-to-date profile can lead to impromptu one-to-ones and even unexpected business opportunities.
• Example: Rayne Davenport landed business internationally through her profile.
• Canaan Andrews set a great example with an impressive new member profile.

👉 Takeaway: Update your profile this week—opportunities are waiting.

Featured Speakers

Pat Tan – Residential Realtor, Coldwell Banker
• Realtor since 2004 with Coldwell Banker, a firm with 118 years of global tradition.
• Built her business on honesty and integrity.
• Shared insights on the current market slowdown—listings are now averaging 63+ days on market, which is unusual.
• Emphasized the imbalance of too many listings and too few buyers.

David Drab – Pelican Roofing
• Entered the family business in 2021 with a focus on modernization and growth.
• Pelican Roofing now boasts 200+ five-star reviews and averages 4 new roofs per week.
• Provided valuable tips on hurricane roof prep—before, during, and after storms.
• Shared about his family life with two young kids (future roofers in training!).

Announcements

🎉 Congratulations to Scott Van Der Kooy, who is celebrating 17 years in BNI as our dedicated insurance agent.