A local business promotion group is looking to pump up membership as it nears its first year anniversary in the coming months, according to member Lynn Sullivan of the local LeTip chapter.
LeTip, a worldwide organization, has 16 networking chapters on Long Island, each made up of professional representatives from each part of the business rainbow spectrum.
The Twin Forks chapter was formed last summer and is up to 13 members so far.
“Bascially, we meet every Wednesday morning for breakfast at Hotel Indigo and we exchange tips with one another,” said Sullivan, a group spokesperson and Allstate Insurance representative. “I think in this type of economy, networking is more important because people are more hesitant to spend money, so if someone says I know someone and they’re good, that makes all the difference in the world.”
Tips exchanged between members, who each represent non-competing businesses, are job leads that one member said can prove to be lucrative.
“I’ve gotten two leads with the potential of making $7,000 so far,” said Diane Loper of Landmark Real Estate in Wading River.
In addition to tips, members also bring in guests because “the more guests the more tips you end up getting,” according to Sullivan.
LeTip is looking to increase membership to include representation from some industries currently not being championed by a group member.
Those occupations include a florist, painter, electrician, plumber and a landscaper, according to Sullivan and Lopez, who said all professionals must be properly licensed before the group will consider accepting them as a member.
“We also have an investigator, so if someone wants us to consider them as a member, we will send her out to find out more about their business,” Sullivan said, adding board members can also decide to boot group members if necessary.
Fortunately, that has not been the case in the East End group, she said.
“Our objective is to grow to a larger group where each member has a power partner,” said Sullivan. “I’m in insurance, so a power partner for me would be a mortgage banker.”
Anyone interested in joining the group should send an email to twinforksletip@gmail.com or call president Paul Thompson at 631-566-5457.
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