Business helping business on Hamilton Mountain and beyond

It’s about companies helping each other.

Every Friday morning since last spring, a group of business owners and executives from Hamilton and Halton meet at the Courtyard by Marriott in Upper James for a bit of breakfast, networking and most importantly, sharing business strategy and industry information and growing their businesses through leads and referrals .

They are all members of the Business Executives Organization Inc (BEO).

The group of 28 has existed since 1986 and they are always looking for new companies to join them.

“We’ve tried virtual (meetings due to COVID), but networking really needs to be in person,” said Dr. Reginald Gates, Burlington chiropractor and president of the group. “That’s how business works, it spreads by word of mouth.”

The business people gather around 7:30 am to chat and have breakfast, and the meeting starts about 40 minutes later.

Each week a different businessperson speaks for five minutes about the leads they receive and how they work for them, followed by a 20-minute assessment interview in which a different representative talks about their business.

Leads are exchanged during the networking portion of the meeting, which typically ends around 8:30am

The cost to join is approximately $1,000 per year, which covers the cost of breakfast and other social events throughout the year.

Only business owners or “decision makers” who have been in business for at least three years are accepted, and only one member per classification or business category is allowed.

Mountain Hygienist Julie DiNardo (Gleam Smile Centre) has been a BEO member for 13 years.

She said the leads she receives have helped grow her business.

“It was wonderful,” said DiNardo. “Not only do you get referrals, but we know everyone else is a quality company.”

DiNardo added that she also enjoys hanging out with group members.

“You make friends,” she says. “People you trust to do business with and people you like to do business with.”

Garo Magakian, Branch Manager of Alexanian Carpet and Flooring in Upper James, has been a BEO member for 30 years.

He said being part of the group is good for business.

“We help members with their flooring needs,” Magakian said. “I do business with about 85 percent of the group on a regular basis.”

Visit beonetworking.com for more information.

SHARE: