Small Business Referral Network
Joining together to help small business work like big business.

The Small Business Referral Network Vision

For years now I have been meeting, networking with, and getting to know other business owners out there. I have been a part of many online communities, volunteered on many as a Community Leader or Manager, and gained a lot of experience.

I noticed in most cases, these networks seemed to lack a way to really get their members involved in finding ways to support one another, as well as the community, and help in finding ways to truly do business "better".  

Some people, while preaching they are "pro" small business, really did not walk the talk. They did not give their members the true support or platform to connect and grow a better business. While they were good places to meet others, and yes network, they offered no true resource or support to actually get involved and grow.

Our mission is to bring these small businesses together to support, assist, offer services and groups that will give you the tools and resources that do matter. We will teach you how to connect and join together in a way that will benefit you personally, as well as those you choose to do business with.

Our primary goal is to build a truly interactive community where members are involved and supported, and yes even rewarded, for the efforts of growing with us as we help you grow your business. We wish to develop the benefits, services, and rewards that will help you launch your business and take it to the next level.

It is our hope to create the first true cooperative program of small business owners who'll come together to actively support the network in helping each other grow. It is our belief that to survive, a small business needs access to every possible advantage available.  We also believe that as this community grows, members will be able to connect with help both on the internet and within their local communities.

And while we may not be high-priced marketing or internet gurus, we draw on the vast experience of our members who have "been there and done that" in real life to help you grow a better business. We don't believe that it should cost you thousands of dollars to learn what you need to know, and by developing affordable service, and giving you access to others in the same types of business, we believe that we can offer you real solutions to your every day business problems. We are here to help every member make the most of their business and again, raise it to the next level of success.

Sincerely,

Nancy F. Johnson
Founder and Director of the SBRN

Read Our Business Profile as Posted at Idea Cafe and profiles all of 2007.

ByOurShoeStrings.com Marketing LLC SmallBusinessReferralNetwork.com   Name: Nancy Johnson Location: Cheshire, OR 97419 Type of Business: We are a home-based business networking group.

What does your business do? I stated the Small Business Referral Network with a group of friends. We are a support group and real networking group online. Just like an offline group we chat, do meet and greets, etc. With our online events we take the hassle out of being in networking groups. It is networking in your own time. No getting dressed up or driving to meetings (for me that was 50 miles round trip) and buying expensive lunches that are not very good. When and why did you start the biz? We started the SBRN in Feb, 2002 with a small group of people that wanted to share ideas, support each other, find ways to do business together, and help others do the same. We wanted to offer our expertise to help others grow and learn from each other. Over the years we have expanded and in 2003 added online Expos and sales event. How Many People are in your Company? We have myself and 15 leaders that help out and volunteer and 3 more chat hosts. Where's your office? After years of having an office in our living room, in 2002 we moved here and now I have my very own office. It is small and we have not yet remodeled it so the walls are bare, but it is my very own space with a westward facing window of my own. What's the toughest part of running your biz? Well, sometimes I get discouraged when members do not embrace our way of doing things LOL. We offer a lot but the best things we offer are the free chats and Mixer. What's the most fun part? Meeting our members and helping them experience all that working from home can offer for those that are truly dedicated to growing their business. I enjoy our Sat. Biz Mixer and getting to talk to real live people from all over. Right now I can truly say the friendships I have made with members have enriched my life and I get as much from them as I am sure they get from me. Anything you would have done differently? I would have left my offline Job sooner, but my husband was holding me back. I also would have developed a committee a lot sooner. What's next on the horizon for your biz? We are currently getting ready to launch our Local Chapter section. We have members all across the US and Canada and it is time to help them connect on a local level. We will also be offering more tools for home based businesses. What advice do you have for others? Get involved online on list, on sites and in chats as often as you can. Do not just post ads but get out there and make real contacts with real people and help and touch as many as you can. Volunteer, write some articles, share your expertise even if you don't consider yourself an expert. We all have something we can give back even if it is just listening to someone else. BUT if you make a commitment to someone to assist them then honor that, and treat it with respect. Do your best; do not blow people off. Treat your business like a business. When you hold yourself out as a business person your time is no longer your own, you create obligations to others and you need to know that your problems are not your customers' problems. Treat your customers the way you wish to be treated as a customer. How do you use Idea Cafe to help your biz? I like reading the boards and do not get here as much as I used to. I do make it a point to drop in when I can and keep updated and read some profiles. I have always enjoyed this site. School (where, still in school, degree)? I have a degree in marketing from Chippewa Valley Tec. College Prior jobs or business? I have done many things: retail for 10 years, newspaper ad sales, taught dog training, pet sitter, direct sales rep, and Dental assistant. Favorite Food? Pizza What are your pets' names? Lexi , Ace, Matt, Sport Do any of these pets help with your biz? Lexi is the SBRN Offical Mascot. You can see her picture at wwww.smallbusinessreferralnetwork.com Is there any one person or event in your life that led you to go into business for yourself? Not a person but a website - ivillage.com is where I landed when I first came online and met so many other homebased women but felt we could not really promote our businesses there because of their cooperate sponsors so we started our own network to do that. Anyone you publicly want to thank? I want to say hi to all the SBRN and Expo Connect Members -we do it for you.   Contact Info: Nancy Johnson Cheshire, OR 541-998-2014 management@smallbusinessreferralnetwork.com   Website: http://smallbusinessreferralnetwork.com