Meetings link business people with opportunities

The group started the first of the year with three businessmen.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Every Wednesday morning, a group of business people gather at a downtown restaurant to network.
"It's all about building relationships," said Dick Trigg, an assistant director with Business Network International.
"People generally don't do business with people they don't know or don't like," Trigg told the group at Amen Corner when they last met.
Since January, 15 members have joined BNI. They will officially become the Trumbull County chapter of BNI when they meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 26 at American Legion Post 235 on High Street.
The members are recruiting other business people and expect 60 to 100 to attend. It's not only a drive for more members, but a chance for businesses to gain exposure.
Group's founders
"We're bringing these business people to Girard," commented Michael A. Costarella, a group founder and chief operating officer of Costarella Innovations LLC of Girard.
Costarella started the group with Daniel E. Betts, financial consultant planner with Smith Barney, and Don Fleck, an owner of Amen Corner.
"You tend to refer people you know and trust," said Betts, who has been named president.
Gary Mariano, loan officer with Home Mortgage Co. Inc. in Youngstown, is vice president, and Violet Gizdic, an agent with Miller's Insurance in Niles, is secretary-treasurer.
Meeting activities
During the informal meetings, members provide a "commercial" describing their businesses and what type of referrals they are seeking.
For example, Carol Smith, a sales associate with real estate company Howard Hanna, said a lot of lakefront properties at Lake Milton have hit the market. She's looking for potential buyers who have expressed an interest in living on the water.
Mariano is looking for those who need financial help for summer projects at their homes.
Trigg, whose full-time job is as a senior associate with Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc. in Conneaut, and Betts pointed out that to avoid conflict, only one member from each profession is allowed per chapter.
The ideal size of a chapter is 35 to 40 members so each can present a commercial during the meetings.
"It's a form of marketing goods and services," Trigg said.
The group keeps track of those members giving and receiving referrals. Those who take referrals but don't make them can be asked to leave the group to make way for a member in the same profession.
"It's a weekly commitment," Betts asserted.
Trigg explained that those who don't receive referrals must be patient. "As you get referrals, you'll want to give," he added.
Dues to join BNI are $265 annually, with a one-time $75 registration fee.
yovich@vindy.com