BNI Business Spotlight – Nicole Potts

Wednesdays are my FAVORITE days!  Not just because they are BNI spotlight days, not just because they are BNI meeting days – but because they are PILATES DAYS!  I met Nicole just a little over a year ago and it couldn’t have been better timing – she was just starting her pilates business + I LOVE pilates = perfect match!  Not to mention she is ridiculous & fun – we have the BEST time chatting the morning away.  If you didn’t know, chatting makes working out way easier, the hour just flies by!

A couple of weeks ago, Nicole & I met at her studio in Madison Valley (right behind The Essential Baking Company) to snap a couple of portraits for her business portrait, she is just so cute they were all great but this is one of my favorites:

A little info first please:
Who are you? Nicole Potts
What do you do & Where? Pilates Instructor – Kinesio Pilates -Madison Park
How can we reach you? 206.484.5865 – 2719 E. Madison St., Ste #101, Seattle, WA 98112  – nicolepotts@mac.com

Now – tell us more!

1)    How long have you been in your business? How about BNI? I’ve been teaching for 2 years and in BNI for 1 fabulous year.
2)    What made you choose to join the Madison Marketeers? I joined the Madison Marketeers first of all for the location, but then really loved the members – they are silly & fun yet there is enough seriousness that really makes this group work well.
3)    What has BNI done for your business? BNI has been huge in my success – about 50% of my clients come from BNI (Thank You!), the group has also given me a lot of confidence to try new things and of course it really helps with public speaking.
4)    What do you like most about work? I love learning & applying what I’ve learned to my clients to help improve their workout and overall the quality of their lives.
5)    What is an average day like for you? It is filled with daily rituals like spending time with my family, working out, focusing on growing my business & any chance I get – going to see the Mariners play!
6)    Is there anything you specialize in with your business? I really enjoy rehabilitating athletes – Golfers, baseball players, swimmers – during each workout we customize the routines for each person to help them excel in their sport.
7)    What sets you apart from your competitors? (Besides being way cuter than all the rest?!) Well – each week the body changes and has different issues, I make sure to pay attention and change the workout to fit their needs that day.
8)    Describe your dream client: A fun person who isn’t uptight, loves to work towards getting in shape and wants to get the most out of their workout.
9)    Where can people find you or read about you? Biznik, LinkedIn, Facebook, & coming soon www.kinesiopilates.com
10)    Any Hobbies?? I am a tri-athlete and love to train, listen to music, read & of course travel!
11)     Why did you get into this business? I wanted to help people & I have a true passion & love for fitness and would like to help people live a healthy cohesive life!
12)     Do you travel for work? I would love to teach pilates all over the world!
13)     What is one interesting fact about you? In 1988 I was the Miss White Rock Pageant Queen!
14)     What would you like people to know about you… your business and why they should hire you! When you come to see me, you will see – I am not intimidating – I will be your personal trainer, help you create goals get you on a program (that isn’t too strict) to reach those goals so you will be a healthy, happy, well balanced person!

So – if you know someone looking for a fabulous new workout – have them call Nicole!  Here is her info one more time:

Nicole Potts – Pilates Instructor – Kinesio Pilates -Madison Park
206.484.5865 – 2719 E. Madison St., Ste #101, Seattle, WA 98112  – nicolepotts@mac.com

If you are interested in visiting our BNI chapter to see if it would be a good fit to help grow your business, please do so!  We meet on Wednesday from 1-2:30 at the Starbucks in Madison Park. You can email our President, Mr. Travis Banducci if you have any questions. travis@thedetailors.com

Be our friend on Facebook:  Friend Link

BNI Business Spotlight – Amy Gray!

Today’s BNI featured member is a long time Madison Marketeer – she is so sweet, a great listener, fun loving, super supportive & always has time to share & brainstorm ideas.  She is a fabulous wife & mother (photos here) – in fact she is now over in Spokane with her wonderful husband Jim as he is recovering from a successful heart operation.  All of our hearts & well wishes have gone out to the Gray family this past week.  We can’t wait for you to come home!

On top of all that Amy Gray is a professional organizer with Empty Your Nest Professional Organizing – she is a clutter flow analyst who includes design, Feng Shui and color principles in her organizing. She is also expert in paper management, home offices and filing, and people with ADD/ADHD.

Not long ago I spent the morning at Amy’s house photographing her for her latest business portrait – here is one of my favorites:

Who are you? Amy Gray
What do you do & Where? Professional Organizing & Feng Shui Consultant, Seattle

How can we reach you?:  amy@emptyyournest.com (206) 719-7525

1)    How long have you been in your business? How about BNI?  Both since 2006
2)    What made you choose to join the Madison Marketeers? The MM’s are the friendliest, yakkiest, funnest bunch!  Plus savvy marketers…
3)    What has BNI done for your business? BNI has helped me focus my message and find support in this interesting economic times we live in.
4)    What do you like most about work? I love helping people experience the AHA! moments that often happen in organizing projects.
5)    What is an average day like for you? There is no average day, thank goodness.  I’m either networking or marketing or doing a Feng Shui consultation or helping a client get organized.  Sometimes I’m even walking the doggies.
6)    Is there anything you specialize in with your business? We are one of the few organizing companies who likes to work with people with hoarding issues.  In addition, I am a Feng Shui practitioner as well as a professional organizer.
7)    What sets you apart from your competitors? First of all, I have an incredible team of organizers that I’ve trained who bring all sorts of skills to the table:  closet design, family management skills, paper management, relocation… the list goes on and on.  Secondly, I am trained as a Feng Shui practitioner and I always see an organizing project through Feng Shui eyes, which adds an exciting dimension to helping people clear clutter and uncover the lives they want to lead.
8)    Where can people find you or read about you? (this is your chance to brag awards, accomplishments here) I was featured in Seattle Magazine
and also the Seattle Times which had the worst  photo of me.  I wish I could have used one of yours, Barbie!
9)    Any Hobbies?? Travel, reading & dogs
10)     What is one interesting fact about you? My great uncle started the Cinerama movie chain.  (WHAT?!  SO COOL!)

Here are some photos of those cute doggies she mentioned: 

So, if you know someone who would like to get organized – it makes you feel better, live better and be SO much more productive – give Amy a call, she is the best!  Here is her info one more time:

Amy Gray ~  amy@emptyyournest.com (206) 719-7525

If you are interested in visiting our BNI chapter to see if it would be a good fit to help grow your business, please do so!  We meet on Wednesday from 1-2:30 at the Starbucks in Madison Park. Just email our President, Mr. Travis Banducci if you have any questions. travis@thedetailors.com

Be our friend on Facebook:  Friend Link

Spur Slideshow

Thank you so much to Spur for hosting such an amazing party!! It was amazing!!  Thank you also for those people who were able to come to Spur last night!  It was great seeing everyone!  The images are on display (best viewing is after dark) for the next month or so – so if you have time for a drink & some delicious food, I would HIGHLY recommend it!!

For those of you who are wonderful supporters from out of town – I completely understand and give you a pass, but wanted you to enjoy the show as well!  Here you go:

If I laugh – you will win!

Okay – today is the 1st – the Deadline to choose the funniest comment!

There were SO many runners up – my old time favorites, the cat on the fan, the cat video, CAT NORRIS!! HAHAHAHA – the breakup letter is a new favorite.  BUT the one that when I read out loud brought tears to my eyes, doubled over with that crazy silent laughter gasping for breath was the…. CHILI CONTEST!!  HILARIOUS!!

You must read it out loud!  Congrats to Jen MacNiven!!!

For two weeks now I have been trying to come up with some fun, clever, interesting way to give away a $75 gift certificate to my favorite Belltown Bar – Spur.  I’ve come up with, nothing… but I do love to laugh!  I would say laughing is near the top of my 10 favorite things, so here are the rules:

If you want to win $75 (perfect for a dinner for two with drinks) at Spur Gastropub you must make me laugh.  Chuckles are nice, but I’m looking for screaming laughter  un-believable tear causing, side-splitting, gasping for breath, soda shooting out of my nose – best stomach workout of my life!  (if you know me, you’ll understand that it is easier than you think… in fact, when doing a little research this morning on YouTube it happened within two minutes)

So if you have/know of a funny story, poem, quote, link, photo – leave a comment with it on my blog (or email me barbie@barbiehull.com and I’ll post it for you).  The winner will be announced on July 1st – please feel free to post more than once, share with your friends & re-post this contest on your blog.  If you live outside of Seattle, you can still play then either come and visit to use your certificate or give it to one of your deserving friends who will use it!  (don’t forget… leave me a way to contact you so I can let you know if you win!)

** Spur has been a HUGE supporter of me & have featured my travel artwork twice now, I love the people, the food & the atmosphere and would recommend them to EVERYONE!!**

30 fabulous images from Louisiana photos are being displayed -

Okay – I’ve received over 40 emails (yay!) from people submitting funny things, so I’m going to post a few of them here for everyone to see & enjoy!!

Angela Shen – enjoying the taste of scotch for the first time:

Here is a photo submitted by Mama Bee of Baby Bee:

These were from my Mom – she says this is what we have to look forward to:

This Hilarious Photo was submitted by Nicholle – an accidental perfect timed photo with a smooth elbow to the face/cup-o-water!

Um… this REALLY made me smile!  Submitted by TC

An email forwarded by Brian Bratton – Cat Norris is BEYOND my favorite!

A Link Submitted by Nicholle Chandler – Inspired by Kittens!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtX8nswnUKU

A group submission by Laurel – she must’ve been cracken up at her office today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtmFM3nsYlQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffailblog.org%2Fpage%2F3%2F&feature=player_embedded

http://failblog.org/2009/06/22/kiddie-ride-painting-fail/

http://failblog.org/2009/06/20/chandelier-fail/

http://failblog.org/2009/06/16/fire-safety-fail/

http://failblog.org/2009/06/13/fail-van/

HILARIOUS!!!!  Submited by RJB

- http://www.ebaumsworld.com/flash/play/741/

oooh who wouldn’t love this?!?

-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4eWEb0q29I

Here come a few more from Ryan -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XtuPvwBa2U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfNluQ888g4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4

BNI Business Spotlight – Jen Gaspar

Welcome back to BNI Business Spotlight Wednesday!  Today’s featured member is one of my favorite people – she is THE sweetest, kindest most caring individuals you will ever meet!  Jen & I met almost four years ago (I think it was four years) when she used to be known as Jen Holeman, since then she married into a fabulous family and is now expecting her first baby (boy!) this fall!!

Two weeks ago Jen and I met for breakfast at our favorite neighborhood restaurant (that’s right, we’re neighbors!) the Blue Star – we laughed and talked the morning away and were both a little sad to have to go back to work.  We probably could have stayed and chatted all day!!  Here is one of the images we snapped, so you can see who Jen is:

Who are you? Jennifer Gaspar
What do you do & Where? Gaspar’s Handyman Services – We are a Seattle & family based Handyman Company on Capital Hill.  Typically we work with homeowner’s who are frustrated with contractors only wanting to do large projects, who are fearful because they might be taken advantage of and who are embarrassed because their home does not reflect who they are or how they see themselves.
How can we reach you?: 1406 E Pine Seattle 98122 – 206-324-8199 – jeng@gaspars.com – www.gaspars.com –

Now tell us more – in Jen’s words:
1)    How long have you been in your business? Gaspar’s has been in business for 35 years.  I have been an account manager here for a year.  How about BNI? Gaspar’s has been involved with BNI for 4 years but personally I have been involved for 6+ years.
2)    What made you choose to join the Madison Marketeers? – The people.  They are like family.
3)    What has BNI done for your business? It has allowed us to get our name out and to meet people who have connected with others (potential clients and connectors) to help our business grow.
4)    What are your goals? (this year, 5 year, life?)  This year I want to build relationships with 20 homeowners who move forward with small, medium and large home improvement projects.  In life, I want to encourage smiles and have lots of amazing experiences with my family and friends.
5)    What do you like most about work? Interacting with people and helping them through this process so it is smooth and stress free.
6)    What is an average day like for you? Communicating to home owners where they are at in process, and making sure our team is meeting their needs & expectations.
7)    Is there anything you specialize in with your business? Handyman services which are at least a day’s worth of work and small projects.  Also, restoration & remodeling older homes.
8)    What sets you apart from your competitors? High level of integrity – we are up-front about costs and are honest to our clients.
9)    Describe your dream client – a busy couple who do not have the time to take care of their home but want it to be in wonderful condition.  They want someone to manage everything so they don’t have to worry about anything.  This couple also wants to do a small project in their kitchen & bathroom but do them in phases.
11)    Any Hobbies?? Gardening, outdoors, boating, Pilates, triathlons, and traveling

12)     Why did you get into this business? Wanted to be apart of the family business and help it grow.

So now you know a little more about Jen & her family business – if you know of a homeowner who wants to love the place they live, call Jen she will take care of them!!

Here is her contact info one more time:

Jen Gaspar, Gaspar’s Handyman Services

1406 E Pine Seattle 98122 – 206-324-8199 – jeng@gaspars.com – www.gaspars.com -

If you are interested in visiting our BNI chapter to see if it would be a good fit to help grow your business, please do so!  We meet on Wednesday from 1-2:30 at the Starbucks in Madison Park. You can email our President, Mr. Travis Banducci if you have any questions. travis@thedetailors.com

Be our friend on Facebook:  Friend Link

BNI Business Spotlight – Travis Banducci!

Happy BNI Business Spotlight Day!!!

Today’s featured member is none other than our fearless leader – the President himself, Mr. Travis Banducci!  Travis is not only the man who runs our BNI meetings each week but also the owner of Detail Oriented -  everyone’s FAVORITE auto & marine detailing company.  I met Travis about two years ago and right away you could tell what kind of person he is – honest, kind & incredibly sweet!

We had SO much fun at Cafe Ladro during our one to one (where we were probably way too loud snapping some HILARIOUS photos) mostly chatting about the BNI chapter, our businesses & Travis’s family, Jazmine (his beautiful wife) and his three incredibly smart kids (all under the age of 10 and better at computers than both of us) and of course Liam (his brother-in-law and one of the reasons his business is so successful!).   Here is one of the photos we took that day:

So, first tell us – Who are you?  What do you do? and How can we reach you?

Travis Banducci
Detail Oriented
Auto and marine detailing.
We offer a full service auto salon from an enthusiast level to high paint correction.
Call us: 888-697-1813
Email us:  thedetailors@gmail.com

In Travis’s words:

1)    How long have you been in your business? We started detailing cars in the year 2000.

2)    How about BNI? I have been a member with the Madison Marketeers for coming up on 2 years.

3)    What made you choose to join the Madison Marketeers? (over other groups) The Madison Marketeers have a certain energy within the chapter that is unparralled with any other group I visited.  A welcoming, uninhibited, fun experience every time.

4)    What has BNI done for your business? BNI has expanded my skills in public speaking, networking, and people skills.  As far as our business goes we have grown consistently with a great referral network since day 1.  People in the chapter look out for you and qualify referrals well.  It’s been a very positive experience for our company.

5)    What are your goals? (this year, 5 year, life?) We hope to have a few divisions.  A consumer grade company, offering quality detailing, affordable to the general public.  Like a Jiffy Lube if you will.  Then a high end shop offering paint correction, wet sanding, and minor body repair for the discerning client or people who collect and show cars.  There would only be one of these and I would work there for sure.  After this a boat division that expands into fuel polishing, bimini fitting and repair, eisenglass sales and installation, bilge services…not just detailing.  A full spectrum of boat needs all in one company.

6)    What do you like most about work? I have a passion for detailing on a high end level and love the result of a high quality finished product.  I love learning new techniques and figuring out how to fix mistakes.  Most of all I love the clients and meeting new people.  Creating good relationships is very important to me and I try my best to get to know my clients on a personal level even if I never see them again.

7)    What is an average day like for you? I keep busy.  An average day will consist of being on the phone a lot.  I typically handle all the calls and client questions.  Liam, our head detailer, is usually on the road or on job sites making it happen.  He’s a pro.  I enjoy time with my family quite a bit and try to work from home as much as possible.  We homeschool so I spend time with my kids.  I run errands to fix the cars, or paint a room, get groceries.  I kiss my beautiful wife.  I do quite a bit of detailing as well but I have a few “needy” clients I spend most of my time “working” with.

8)    Is there anything you specialize in with your business? Paint Correction.  We have mastered a system for de-blemeshing auto paint which can take hours and hours.  It’s the crem-de-la-creme of detailing and can be very expensive.  The result is worth every penny.  It requires extensive time and patience.

9)    What sets you apart from your competitors? What sets us apart is probably the high touch.  The way we try to develop relationships and build a friendship first, and do business second.  This has always proved to work well for us and we will continue to do it.  We also offer guarantees and warranty all our work.  Why?  Because I want to be treated by businesses I use the way I treat people who use our business.

9)    Describe your dream client. A dream client for us is a collector who needs our services week in and week out.  A client who will fly us to a car show in Australia to wash and manage their automobile on site.  A client who gives us complete authority over the proper methods for the car and enjoys our presence and understands our efforts.

10)    Where can people find you or read about you? (this is your chance to brag awards, accomplishments here) You can probably find us online looking for reviews.  We were once in boating world magazine, featured under the companies in Seattle who detail.  Nothing spectacular…for now.   Our awards and accomplishments are primarily documented by the owners of cars and boats.

11)    Any Hobbies?? Sure!  I’m interested in upholstery and custom boat interiors.  I’d love to get into this…it’s a time issue now, but I’ll get there.  Currently I play the drums and a plethora of other instruments.  We are an active family with hiking, camping and outdoors crazyness.  Have to keep those kids running or else…

12)     Why did you get into this business? My business started as a hobby level, enthusiast, keeping my car nice deal.  Progressively I became more interested and got better at it.  Then I had to charge based on friends and family wanting me to do it for them.  I started with 1 bucket, a crate, 2 wash mitts, and maybe 3-4 products.  That was the good old days…

13)     Do you travel for work? I do travel for work…No where exotic yet but I’ve detailed in Texas, Washington and Oregon.

14)     What is one interesting fact about you? An interesting fact…hmmmm.  I can grow an afro…A good one too.

15)     What would you like people to know about you… your business and why they should hire you! People should hire us based on our integrity.  We do a good job, and so do lots of other detailing companies.  What we can offer is a high touch approach that most people won’t.  Having a personal relationship with clients can be touchy sometimes and people find it easier to keep it all business.  I’ve found more fulfillment getting to know families and clients and letting them get to know my family as well.  This guarantees clients for life and we still have our very first client…Dale and Carol Duskin from Arlington Washington.  They are the owners of the Arlington Pharmacy and we work with him every single week, year round…Matter fact, he’s a dream client and a best friend!

So, now you know about THE BEST auto & marine detailing company you can find, if you (or someone you know) needs this service – give Travis a call!  Here is his contact info once again:

Travis Banducci
Detail Oriented
Auto and marine detailing.
We offer a full service auto salon from an enthusiast level to high paint correction.
Call us: 888-697-1813
Email us:  thedetailors@gmail.com

If you are interested in visiting our BNI chapter to see if it would be a good fit to help grow your business, please do so!  We meet on Wednesday from 1-2:30 at the Starbucks in Madison Park. You can email our President, Mr. Travis Banducci if you have any questions. travis@thedetailors.com

Be our friend on Facebook:  Friend Link

I’m sorry – but Travis was TOOO funny in front of the camera, so I had to share a few of the photos that show off his “real” personality – enjoy!

Chris, Miriam…. and XAVI!!!

About two years ago I met Chris & Miriam and we hit it off right away – I was lucky enough to photograph their engagement portraits (see here) and soon after their BEAUTIFUL wedding (see here) and nine(ish) short months later – little baby Xavi was born!!  Well now he’s walking and talking and HILARIOUS!!  Last week we all spent an hour playing outside their new home and laughed the entire time, here are a few shots from the morning – enjoy!

Anna Lisa & Jason – Married!

Last summer while photographing the Rasmussen family reunion I met Anna Lisa & Jason – as we took the photo of just the two of them we joked that it would be their engagement photo too – well it was!  Over this past snowy winter they got engaged!! (I love their engagement story too!)  Then on a gorgeous spring day with 20 or so of their closest friends & family they got married!!  The ceremony & reception were both at the cutest little house in Belfair that sits on the beach we enjoyed the ocean view and a sweet sweet ceremony (Annemarie Juhlian was the officiant, I just adore working with her) – the setting couldn’t have been more perfect, here are a few photos from the afternoon:

BNI Business Spotlight – Lucinda O’Halloran

Hello BNI business spotlight day!!  Today’s fabulous featured member is none other than the talented Lucinda O’Halloran of Spirit Garden Design.  I have had the pleasure of being friends with Miss Lucinda (& her sweet husband Jim) for a couple of years now and my world just wouldn’t be the same without her!  Lucinda is one of the  sweetest most caring people you will ever meet – she volunteers with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, is always the first person to show up and support her friends at any event they may be throwing & just meeting her you will see right away what an amazing person she is!

Last week Lucinda and I met at the Diva Espresso Cafe to have our one to one & I learned about a couple of her new projects that I cannot wait for her to release to the public!!  Here is one of the photos we snapped that morning:

Who are you?  Lucinda O’Halloran

What do you do?  Spirit Garden Design – I create beautiful, sustainable gardens that make people and the earth happy.

How can we contact you?  www.spiritgardendesign.com

Email - Lucinda@spiritgardennesign.com Cell - 206.697.0896   Snail Mail - 1523A 30th Ave So, Seattle, WA 98144-3905

In Lucinda’s Words:

1)    How long have you been in your business? 12 years How about BNI? 2 1/2 years

2)    What made you choose to join the Madison Marketeers? (over other groups)  The people in the group!  =)

3)    What has BNI done for your business?  Last year, BNI referrals were 50% of my business, I’ve met quality business owners who are also great people.  Being in BNI has also helped me develop my message & my public speaking.

5)    What do you like most about work? I love helping people & beautifying the earth.

7)    Is there anything you specialize in with your business?  My gardens are earth friendly & low maintenance for my clients.  I specify the right plant for the right place so the plants are happy thereby making my clients happy.

8)    What sets you apart from your competitors?  I am very attentive to my clients & the earth.

10)    Where can people find you or read about you? (this is your chance to brag awards, accomplishments here)  I had a design published in “Organic Gardening” magazine & I designed three garden habitats for the Backyard Habitat TV program on Animal Planet! (WOW!)

11)    Any Hobbies??  Gardening; Exploring; Volunteering

12)     Why did you get into this business?  It’s my passion!  =)

13)  Are you adding any new products or services? Yes!  I am introducing plantings for small garden areas and containers.

14)     What is one interesting fact about you?  I gave up a successful career in the corporate world to follow my passion.

15)     What would you like people to know about you… your business and why they should hire you!  I listen attentively to my clients & pay attention to what they tell me.

16)  Barbie, Thank you for all of your efforts in building the Madison Marketeers & your passion and excitement for Life. =)  (this goes on the blog too!)   awww… thanks Lucinda!

So, if you know someone who would like to have a gorgeous outdoor area created specially for them & their space – you now know who to call!!  Here is her info one more time:

Lucinda O’Halloran – Spirit Garden Design

Web – www.spiritgardendesign.com – Email - Lucinda@spiritgardennesign.com Cell - 206.697.0896

Snail Mail - 1523A 30th Ave So, Seattle, WA 98144-3905

If you are interested in visiting our BNI chapter to see if it would be a good fit to help grow your business, please do so!  We meet on Wednesday from 1-2:30 at the Starbucks in Madison Park. You can email our President, Mr. Travis Banducci if you have any questions. travis@thedetailors.com

Be our friend on Facebook:  Friend Link

A Pike Place Poem –

On Tuesday morning I drove up to the market and found some rockstar parking – but I noticed this guy running up to each passerby asking a question and it ended with them shaking their heads and walking away quickly.  Being the wimp that I am – I debated moving the car and looking for new parking.  This was a REALLY good spot – and I just couldn’t give it up.  So I busied myself in my car looking around and hoping he would go away – finally I had to get out so I put my head down and bee lined it for the meter, I didn’t make it. As soon as I heard his voice I knew he was nice – he was very young and seemed sweet.  He asked if he could write me a poem because he was working on a book and needed some inspiration.  So of course I said yes, I ran and got some coffee and when I came back this is the poem he had written.  (What a fun start to the day – I love people in the city!)

Before a mirror of perfection, A wonder of a smile in cosmic beauty Rests upon a mountain of dreams to Bring a golden seed into your Inner right, in an Embrace of burning rose that it grows to become, for your life’s most precious Truth.