If you walked into Smyrna First Baptist Church at 6:55 on a Thursday morning, you might not immediately realize what you’re seeing.
There’s no spotlight. No stage. No hard sell.
Just coffee cups, early-morning laughter, and a room full of business owners who have chosen — week after week — to show up for one another.
Burke Scott, this year’s president of the Smyrna chapter of BNI and the publisher of Smyrna Vinings Lifestyle, describes networking done well as “intentional and relationship-driven, not transactional.”
It’s about trust.
And trust, he says, takes time.
While many business owners approach networking as a short-term strategy — something to try when business slows — the rhythm inside this room feels different. Members meet weekly. They learn each other’s businesses deeply. They listen carefully. They follow up. And then they return.
Over time, something shifts.
The Smyrna Business Exchange chapter now ranks among the top 10 largest BNI chapters in the country for membership and attendance — a remarkable milestone. But Burke sees that growth less as ambition and more as a reflection of culture.
“It reflects the value members experience,” he says. “There’s accountability, but there’s also genuine support.”
Support shows up in referrals, yes. But it also shows up in guidance, perspective, and encouragement.
Imagine navigating your first hire. Adjusting pricing. Facing a difficult season. Now imagine having a fractional CFO, an HR strategist, an IT consultant, a commercial real estate attorney, a health insurance specialist, and a service business owner all within arm’s reach — not as competitors, but as advocates.
Consistency turns into familiarity. Familiarity turns into trust.
“You become known, trusted, and remembered,” Burke says. “People understand not just what you do, but how to refer you well.”
And the impact of those relationships doesn’t stop at individual businesses.
For the past five years, the Smyrna Business Exchange has partnered with the BNI Foundation through the Business Voices Initiative to host an annual Casino Night charity event. What began as an evening of entertainment has raised more than $75,000 for local schools, including Fair Oaks Elementary, a Title I school serving families right here in our community.
This year, the group will present $25,000 to Principal Cathie Siebert to directly support teachers and students.
Richard Hunt, a chapter member and owner of OTG Technology Partners, says it simply: when businesses come together with purpose, the results are transformational.
It’s easy to measure success in revenue and referrals. It’s harder — and far more meaningful — to measure it in strengthened classrooms, supported educators, and a local business community that genuinely wants to see each other succeed.
That kind of investment begins in a room where people keep showing up.
And in Smyrna, long before most of us have poured our second cup of coffee, that quiet work is already underway.
Member Round-Up
Stephanie Diamond
Diamond Chick Consulting (Business Health Insurance)
diamondchickconsulting.com
Joining a chapter of this size and caliber was pivotal for both my professional and personal growth. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and prepared me to take Diamond Chick Consulting to the next level. What surprised me most was the depth of community involvement and the opportunity to make a real impact. This group is about commitment, growth, and Givers Gain in action.
Stephan Gosch
Granite Risk Advisors (Commercial Insurance)
graniteriskadvisors.com
Being part of this BNI completely changed how I approach business development. Instead of chasing cold leads, I now grow through trusted relationships. The referrals come with built-in credibility and lead to stronger long-term partnerships. What surprised me most was how quickly networking became genuine friendship. It’s not just a networking group — it’s a built-in sales team and support system.
Sergio Q. Santos
SQS Photography (Headshot Specialist)
sqsphotography.com
BNI made me a connector. I have incredible referral partners on speed dial who help me better serve my clients. I was surprised by how quickly you meet competent professionals — and how energizing the atmosphere is. It’s productive and fun at the same time. The diversity of businesses in the room opens doors you didn’t even know were possible.
Rachel Congleton
RC Operations, Fractional HR
rc-operations.com
Showing up consistently has elevated my visibility in the Smyrna business community. When you genuinely support others, trust builds — and that credibility grows. What surprised me most was how quickly it felt like real community. The worst-case scenario is you meet great people. The best-case scenario? You build relationships and a referral network that grow alongside your business.
Jose Hernandez
Helix Garage Doors & Gates
helixgaragedoors.com
Being part of BNI shifted our focus from chasing the next job to building long-term relationships. As a family-owned business serving Smyrna, that mindset matters. I was surprised by how structured and disciplined the group is — it’s a system built around accountability and growth. When we refer someone, we’re sending them to someone we trust. It’s about growing the right way, in your own community.
Pull Quote: “BNI is built on a simple idea: Giver Gain. Simply stated, when you consistently help others grow, your own business grows as a natural result."