I first heard about BNI thanks to my osteopath, of all people. Just before Christmas last year, he invited me to a meeting, saying he thought my experience with networks could really bring something to the table. I lead a team of trainers and coaches who deliver online language training and executive coaching to help professionals around the world think better, do better, and be better, both at work and in life. He was absolutely right: BNI turned out to be exactly the kind of network I didn’t even know I was looking for.

At the end of January this year, I officially joined BNI Millenium in the Marche region of Italy. I went in hoping to meet a few more professionals and entrepreneurs in my area. After all, I’m a Canadian living in Italy, and building local connections was important to me. But what I got was much more than that.

Every week, I walk away from our meetings with fresh insights and ideas I can bring back to my team, thanks to the incredible group of people I now consider my BNI family. At any time of day, I can reach out for advice, feedback, or even a little encouragement, and someone is always there. But the best part? Being able to give back, share what I’ve learned from my own journey, and support others. That’s the real thrill of being in BNI: knowing you’re helping others succeed while growing yourself.

Our chapter is thriving — we’re growing by double digits, with a focus on sustainable success that strengthens our little corner of the world.

Turns out, building a business is a lot more fun when you don’t do it alone. And honestly? Wednesdays have become my favorite day of the week.