BNI COI Referrals

01/06/2025

Meet Nicole Helmstetler, our current Vice President of BNI Centers of Influence Referrals chapter. Nicole will provide our program at this Thursday’s chapter meeting at 8:30 am at The Pavilion in Woodway.

Nicole is Senior Sales Coordinator for the global health food company, Juice Plus. Her passion is helping people foundationally feel better and live healthier with daily plant food support. Nicole understands the importance of nutritional support after struggling for 30 years with an undiagnosed eating disorder. Helping people fill their body’s pantry with nutrition to detox, fight disease and function optimally has turned her pain into purpose and her ministry is to help others live life with energy and health to fulfill their purpose.

Nicole loves to spend time with her hard working husband, her wonderful homeschooled children, and all of the animals on their acreage. Recently she’s started a NEW business helping people detox optimally, encouraging them to get the bad out and put good in with Juice Plus! Her favorite thing to do is help a fellow sister in Christ, and her children, to grow closer to Him. You can also find her regularly serving in the community with her children. Her encouragement and love can be felt all around her.

12/03/2024

Meet Joel Smedshammer, owner and operator of Bent-Hammer Properties. Joel will share his 10 minute presentation this week at our chapter meeting and we're excited about his first program. More about our group is below.

After years of teaching and coaching, Joel decided it was time for a change and opened up Bent-Hammer Properties in the Spring of 2024. He takes pride in helping property owners maximize their investments and helping tenants feel safe and comfortable during their lease. If you or someone you know is looking to invest in properties or looking for a place to rent, give Joel at Bent-Hammer Properties a call at 254-292-8822. When it’s your property, it is his priority!

BNI COI is the largest BNI chapter in Central Texas. Our meetings typically have 40 business leaders in attendance. If you’re looking for new business or just want to meet other leaders, visit us any Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. We meet at The Pavilion in Woodway. We are a closed category organization so you have the ability to lock out your competition. Reach out to see if your category is open.

08/09/2024

BNI COI Referrals Chapter had fun taking our new group picture yesterday. We were missing five of our members. If you’re looking for more business or to build strong business partners to help you in your business, we still have open categories. To find out if your category is open, reach out to us.

We meet on Thursday mornings at 8:30 am at The Pavilion in Woodway. We’d love to register you to visit.

08/06/2024

MEET DR RYAN!

Dr. Ryan Wigley is in his eighth year as a physical therapist. His experience includes traveling and working with a diverse population in Fort Worth, Arkansas, Hawaii, and now Waco.

Dr. Ryan treats and elevates his clients - from the weekend warriors to professional athletes. He started RISE WACO because he understands firsthand how broken today's medical system is and realized there's a huge need for people to get the exceptional care they deserve.

Multiple certifications and life experiences have shaped the unique care Dr. Ryan delivers. Come see for yourself, and RISE to your full potential.

08/02/2024

Meet our new C.O.I. member, Dennis Watkins. Denny recently filled our open Health Insurance category.

Denny is the Broker/Owner of TMW Insurance Agency LLC. He has 25+ years experience in the health insurance industry. He works with both individuals and small employer groups with 5 to 49 employees. As an independent broker, Dennis educates all his clients about their healthcare choices and then finds plans to meet their needs and budget.

We look forward to learning more about Dennis on Thursday.

10/30/2023

Birgitte Christensen born and raised in Denmark, is a renowned holistic practitioner with a career spanning nearly two decades. With an extensive background in holistic health and wellness, Birgitte has dedicated her life to helping individuals achieve a higher quality of life through a holistic approach to well-being. She earned a degree in reflexology, nutrition and supplementation and became well-versed in the art of nourishing the body through proper diet and supplements. This foundation laid the groundwork for her remarkable career in holistic health.

Before making her way to the United States in 2013, Birgitte had already made a significant impact in her community. She owned and operated her own health food store and holistic practice. Her dedication to her clients, her community, and her belief in the power of holistic health practices gave her a strong and loyal following.

Upon relocating to the U.S., Birgitte continued her mission of improving lives through holistic well-being. She embraced the online world and began offering her expertise and guidance through various online courses and services. Her approach resonated with many, and she quickly became a trusted source for those seeking to make positive changes in their lives. The unwavering passion for healthy eating led her and her husband down a new path in the fall of 2022. They started an excited new adventure into the Microgreens world, a superfood known for its incredible health benefits. Located in the greater Waco, Texas area, My Good Witch - Microgreens has rapidly grown into a thriving business. Birgitte and her husband are dedicated to growing and delivering the freshest microgreens to both local restaurants and residential customers. Their commitment to providing nutrient-rich, organic microgreens has made them a staple in the local health and culinary communities.

09/28/2023

We were excited to have our new C.O.I. referrals chapter picture made today. We had 3 missing members today. We inducted a new member today and we have 3 more to induct next week. We still have open categories. Let us know if you’re interested in visiting any Thursday morning at 8:30 at The Pavilion in Woodway.

09/26/2023

IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE AGENT IN WACO"S LARGEST BNI CHAPTER

The largest Chapter in Central Texas, BNI COI Referrals has an immediate opening for an experienced P & C Insurance Agent. We plan to fill this opening THIS WEEK. This agent will be an integral part of our chapter. These openings are very rare and hard to find.

We meet each Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at The Pavilion in Woodway. We are a close, dedicated group of professionals helping each other grow our businesses. In the past 12 months, we closed 1.82 million dollars in business.

If you are interested, you can attend this Thursday or you can apply online at BNIDFW.com, apply for membership. It's important to list our chapter name for your app to get to us: BNI C.O.I. Referrals - TX Austin.

You may also reach out here for additional information or email our VP, Diane Jenkins at [email protected].

07/10/2023

Meet Chris Hoke with Social Media Cowboy. Chis has been in online marketing and worked as a professional creative since 2009.

Chris has been interested in media and the arts since early childhood. His career began in corporate management in the transportation industry then transitioned to independent film production and online marketing.

Social Media Cowboys’ mission is to take the complicated and make it practical. He loves to ensure that his clients know that their money is working for them and that they are getting results. He never sells anything his clients do not need, and he provides them a working understanding of their online presence and approach. Chris believes a client who understands will appreciate.

Chris has worked with countless companies producing an incalculable amount of client content. When not working, he writes, plays video games, enjoys going to the movies, binge-watches shows with his family and grills. Chris is happily settled down with Trish and has three children and two grandchildren.

07/01/2023

06/30/2023

We were excited to hear Matt Blackwell’s program about Locals Love Us at yesterday’s chapter meeting. Our chapter had $49,000 in closed business last week has had $1.29 million closed since October 2022. We meet every Thursday morning at 8:30 at The Pavilion in Woodway. We have a few open categories and would love for you to visit. Reach out to us for more!

05/30/2023

We are excited to hear from our new travel agent member, Jennifer, this Thursday morning at our BNI COI Chapter meeting. We meet at The Pavilion in Woodway at 8:30 a.m. Reach out to ask us about open categories in our chapter. We are the largest chapter in Waco and we'd love to hear from you.

I am Jennifer Smith, the face behind Greatest Adventure Vacations, but you can call me your Disney BFF. I am a travel designer specializing in Disney Destinations. When I am not making Disney magic, you can find me chasing my two girls. I also love to cuddle on the couch watching a binge-worthy show or Marvel movies. I have an amazingly supportive husband who always encourages me to go after what I want.

We are Disney Vacation Club members, as well as annual pass holders at Walt Disney World. Before I became a Travel Professional (or knew being a Disney travel agent was even a thing), I was frequently giving friends and family advice on their Disney trips. I decided to turn my love of the parks into a career and started helping families create magical memories.

My favorite part of the job is being able to take away the stress that comes when planning a Disney vacation. I am able to bring not only my professional advice, but also my personal experiences when traveling with my own family. It is so true when they say you never work a day if you are doing what you love!

05/22/2023

Ashley Ulrey founded her business, Courageously Crowned Wellness, with a mission to inspire and empower people to live their best lives, even in the face of adversity.

Ashley believes in the power of a holistic approach to wellness, incorporating physical, mental, and spiritual health into her coaching and practice. Her passion for helping others is evident in her work, and she is always eager to support and uplift those around her.

Whether you're looking to improve your health, grow your business, or simply need a little guidance and encouragement, Ashley is the person to turn to. With her expertise, compassion, and unwavering faith, she'll help you reach new heights and become the best version of yourself.

Ashley loves serving the world by sharing her story and testimony: life as a teenage mom struggling with health issues, marrying her husband, a disabled Army Veteran, and becoming a successful entrepreneur.

05/15/2023

Donna Muhlman and husband Mike opened the very first Mr. Electric franchise in 1994. They have been providing quality electrical service and repair for the greater Waco area for over 29 years. Donna, a graduate of Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, has spent over 40 years in the business world. She wears many hats at Mr. Electric, focusing on accounting, marketing, and customer service. Donna has served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce for 14 years and has also served as Treasurer for Women of Waco for several years as well.

Donna and Mike have been married for 44 years and have two daughters, two son-in-laws, and seven grandchildren whom they LOVE spending time with! She loves volunteering at church, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She and Mike have enjoyed working together and are proud of the business that they have built. Customer service and quality workmanship are most important to them and will always be their #1 focus.

05/08/2023

We are excited to hear from Jennifer at our BNI COI Chapter meeting Thursday morning.

Hi! I am Jennifer Snyder, Certified Professional Organizer®, podcaster, author, and owner of Neat as a Pin® Organizing & Cleaning in Waco, Texas. Most days you can find me running around town, meeting new people, and trying to find ways to help them. I am mostly known for decluttering advice and silly Facebook posts. I love serving the world by connecting with people and understanding their needs. The things I am most passionate about in my life include my people, my faith, my work and baseball.

I work for people who need help with overcoming the overwhelm. I inspire people who are yearning for peace. I serve people who struggle with too much stuff or too little time. I coach people who desire to have more control in their life. I love to work with people who cannot figure out how to get started making a change.

I am lucky to give my clients the gift of perspective and nurturing them to see their things differently.

As a Certified Professional Organizer®, I’ve been featured on KCEN Morning Buzz, KXXV Central Texas Living, and even national media outlets, including the Amy Tobin Radio Show and Real Simple Magazine.

When I am not busy bringing peace and order to people’s lives you can catch me cheering for the Houston Astros, the Texas Rangers, or my son’s BLBA Select baseball team. I have a great husband, three precious sons, one almost-daughter-in-law, and my grandson, Linx, with whom I am completely smitten.

I love building relationships and making new friends. I welcome everyone into my world with love and acceptance and never meet a stranger. Bottom line: I love people!

If you are dying to hear more, here are five things you might not know about me:
1. Even though I am an organizer, I hire my organizing team to organize my house!
2. I love pizza!
3. I get up at 3:30 am every day.
4. I have always dreamed of being a storm chaser.
5. I never wear heels!

Still here? Let’s connect! Send me an email to [email protected]

05/01/2023

Meet Lance Summey, owner of Home Instead. Lance is another leader in BNI COI Referrals Group, the largest BNI group in Central Texas. The group meets every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at The Pavilion in Woodway. We are looking forward to hearing from Lance this week.

Lance originally came to Waco for graduate school at Baylor University. After completing a Masters of Social Work, he worked in India and Thailand, and then returned to Waco to be closer to his mother who was battling breast cancer at the time.
Lance grew up in a home where the care of others was always discussed. He knows the deep need felt as a consumer needing access to quality care, and the weight of responsibilities of being a provider. He can remember visits to facilitates and family discussions regarding his grandmother who had Multiple Sclerosis. Seeing, feeling and knowing the difference between ‘care’ and ‘quality care’ was something he will never forget. Lance chooses Home Instead because he values what they bring to clients, Care Pros and families. He loves gifting clients, staff and families with the resources and benefits that come with being the largest home care provider network in the world. From operational and care standards, to educational resources and best practices, to back office technologies…in a world where anyone can say they provide care, Lance loves being able to personally connect families with all that Home Instead offers.

Lance loves to spend time with his family and working at their recreational property in Bosque County. He coaches youth sports and is on the board of several local boards.

04/24/2023

We are looking forward to hearing from Andy Christensen for the first time at this Thursday’s BNI COI chapter meeting.

Andy’s business, My Good Witch - Microgreens, is a "direct to community" farm that offers quick home deliveries anywhere in the Waco area. Prices begin at $6 per weekly.

The company specializes in growing nutrient-dense microgreens. Learn more at www.mygoodwitchmicrogreens.com,

For more information about our chapter or about our open categories, please reach out to us.