Cleveland Connection

👥💼 Member Spotlight: Colby Goforth of Customer Driven Staffing - Cleveland, TN 💼👥

Last week at Cleveland Connection, we had the opportunity to hear from Colby Goforth of Customer Driven Staffing, a leading employment agency helping businesses find dependable talent and job seekers find meaningful employment opportunities.

Colby and his team understand that the right people make all the difference. Whether a company needs temporary staffing, long-term employees, or help filling critical positions, Customer Driven Staffing works to connect employers with qualified candidates who fit their needs and culture.

What Colby Does Best:
🔹 Temporary staffing solutions
🔹 Temp-to-hire placements
🔹 Direct hire recruiting
🔹 Workforce management support
🔹 Matching qualified candidates with the right employers

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Helping businesses quickly find reliable employees while helping job seekers find opportunities that fit their skills and goals

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Businesses struggling to fill open positions
🔹 Manufacturers needing workforce support
🔹 Companies experiencing seasonal hiring demands
🔹 Job seekers looking for new opportunities

Ideal Referral Partners:
🔹 Business owners
🔹 Human resource professionals
🔹 Plant managers
🔹 Operations managers

📍 80 Mouse Creek Road Northwest, Cleveland, TN 37312
🌐 www.customerdrivenstaffing.com

If you know a company looking for quality employees or someone searching for their next career opportunity, connect them with Colby and Customer Driven Staffing. Let’s show our support by liking, sharing, and sending referrals his way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships, meaningful connections, and quality referrals. Come visit and experience the power of networking!

🛡️🏡 Member Spotlight: Mark Shepherd Agency - Shelter Insurance 🏡🛡️

Last week at Cleveland Connection, we had the pleasure of hearing from Mark Shepherd of Shelter Insurance, a trusted local agent dedicated to protecting families, homes, vehicles, and businesses throughout our community.

Mark's journey is one of entrepreneurship and service. After bringing the first Zaxby's franchise to Tennessee and growing it into four locations, he transitioned into the insurance industry and opened his Shelter Insurance agency in Cleveland in 2020. Since then, he has earned multiple company awards and built a reputation for exceptional customer care and advocacy.

What Mark Does Best:
🔹 Home insurance
🔹 Auto insurance
🔹 Rental property insurance
🔹 Life insurance
🔹 Personalized local insurance service

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Helping clients who want a local agent that will advocate for them when they experience a loss

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Individuals who have been non-renewed by their current insurance carrier
🔹 Homeowners seeking better coverage or service
🔹 Families looking for a trusted local insurance advisor
🔹 Rental property owners

Ideal Referral Partners:
🔹 Real estate agents
🔹 Mortgage lenders
🔹 Other insurance professionals

One of Mark's favorite BNI stories is realizing that BNI became much more than a way to grow his business. Through Cleveland Connection, he gained a network of trusted friends and professionals he can confidently refer to his clients, family, and friends. That's what makes our chapter special. 🤝

📍 2334 Keith St, Cleveland, TN 37311
🌐 www.shelterinsurance.com

If you know someone looking for a local insurance professional who truly cares about their clients, connect them with Mark. Let's support him by liking, sharing, and sending referrals his way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world's largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships, meaningful connections, and quality referrals. Come visit and experience the power of networking!

💼📊 Member Spotlight: Chelsey Willson of Miller & Mcphail, CPA's, PLLC 📊💼

Last week at Cleveland Connection, we had the pleasure of hearing from Chelsey Willson of Miller and McPhail, CPAs, a trusted firm helping individuals and businesses navigate their financial world with confidence and clarity.

Chelsey and her team provide professional accounting and tax services designed to help clients stay organized, compliant, and financially prepared. Their experience and personalized approach help business owners make informed decisions and stay focused on growth.

What Chelsey Does Best:
🔹 Tax preparation and planning
🔹 Business accounting services
🔹 Financial guidance for businesses and individuals
🔹 Helping clients stay compliant and financially prepared

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Small business owners
🔹 Entrepreneurs and startups
🔹 Individuals needing tax support
🔹 Businesses wanting stronger financial guidance

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Helping clients simplify accounting and reduce financial stress while planning for long-term success

If you know someone looking for a dependable CPA or accounting partner, connect them with Chelsey and the team at Miller and McPhail. Let’s support her by liking, sharing, and sending referrals her way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.

🏡📄 Member Spotlight: Melissa Erjavec of Cleveland Abstract & Title Insurance Company

At yesterday’s Cleveland Connection meeting, we heard from Melissa Erjavec of Cleveland Abstract & Title Insurance Co., a trusted partner in ensuring smooth and secure real estate transactions.

Melissa and her team play a critical role behind the scenes of every property closing, helping protect buyers, sellers, and lenders by making sure titles are clear and transactions are handled with accuracy and professionalism.

What Melissa Does Best:
🔹 Title searches and title insurance
🔹 Closing and settlement services
🔹 Ensuring clear ownership and protecting against title issues
🔹 Supporting smooth real estate transactions from start to finish

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Preventing and resolving title issues that could delay or disrupt closings

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Homebuyers and sellers
🔹 Real estate agents and brokers
🔹 Lenders and mortgage professionals
🔹 Investors purchasing property

If you know someone buying or selling property, make sure they have the right team behind them. Connect them with Melissa and Cleveland Abstract & Title Insurance Co. Let’s support her by liking, sharing, and sending referrals her way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.

“We’ve got this… just not yet.”

That’s the sentence we hear when a connection wants your help, but nobody’s offering anything specific.
This month, BNI members passed 1.3M+ referrals in Feb 2026, driving $1.9B+ in revenue, and the pattern is simple: clear, timely offers.

Weekly challenge (starting today):
Post or write ONE offer in plain language:
“I can help with…”
Then follow up within 24 hours.

If you do that consistently, you’ll stop waiting for referrals to find you.

Next step: invite a local professional to our next Cleveland Connection meeting.
Visit our weekly networking meetings.

🚜🌱 Member Spotlight: Riley Nicholson of Rut Excavation & Land Management LLC 🌱🚜

At yesterday’s Cleveland Connection meeting, we heard from Riley Nicholson of RUT Excavation & Land Management LLC, a trusted provider for excavation, land clearing, and septic solutions.

Riley and his team specialize in preparing properties for success from the ground up. Whether it’s clearing land, installing septic systems, or handling dirt work for new builds, they bring the equipment, experience, and reliability needed to get the job done right.

What Riley Does Best:
🔹 Septic system installation
🔹 Land clearing and site prep
🔹 Dirt work for residential and commercial projects
🔹 Building preparation services

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Preparing land and installing septic systems for new construction

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Real estate agents working with land or new builds
🔹 Property owners preparing to build
🔹 Contractors needing reliable excavation support

Ideal Referral Partners:
🔹 Realtors
🔹 Plumbers
🔹 Landscapers
🔹 Contractors
🔹 Property owners
🔹 Insurance agents

If you know someone getting ready to build, develop land, or install a septic system, connect them with Riley. Let’s support him by liking, sharing, and sending referrals his way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.