BNI: Crooked River Chapter - Cuyahoga Falls, OH

09/24/2026

Let's put our hands together for these Crooked River BNI Chapter Rockstars! It was a morning of recognition for Thank you for Closed Business, Referrals, CEU's, Inviting Visitors and Attendance!

Well done!

Josh Muller, Jeff Shupe, Ginger E. Cook Will Sumser Bryan Rush Jamie Davis, Justin Gamble Vic Ing Dan Thompson Ricky Cutlip and Bobby Cates

Also, a Special Thank you to our leadership team from the last year! Vic Ing, Bryan Rush and Justin Gamble! You accomplished great things and we appreciate your hard work and dedication to the chapter! 💖

09/24/2026

🎉 Please join us in welcoming Daniel Miller of D. Miller Home Solutions LLC to BNI Crooked River!

Daniel joins us in the Builder/General Contractor classification. We’re excited to have him as part of the chapter and look forward to helping him grow his business through connections and referrals.

Welcome to Crooked River, Daniel! 👏

09/24/2026

This morning at BNI Crooked River, we heard from David Russo, owner of a local restoration company helping homeowners and businesses recover from water, fire, smoke, odor and mold damage.

David’s team offers 24/7 service, free inspections and IICRC-certified technicians, with a focus on helping homeowners restore their property safely while minimizing unnecessary disruption.

Think of David when you hear:
• “I have water in my basement.”
• “My toilet overflowed.”
• “We had a kitchen fire.”
• “There’s a musty smell I can’t figure out.”

David also shared how important family, integrity and keeping your word are to both his life and business.

And one impressive fun fact — David completed the Ironman World Championship in Kona in 2022!

Thanks, David, for a great presentation!
David Russo

09/17/2026

⚖️ TODAY’S FEATURED SPEAKER: Ricky Cutlip | Shapero & Green

Today at BNI Crooked River, we heard from Ricky Cutlip of Shapero & Green. Ricky may practice law, but at the heart of his work is something pretty simple: helping people solve problems and move forward.

Ricky works with individuals and business owners across a variety of legal needs, including business formation and transactions, business litigation, real-estate matters, property management and evictions, commercial debt issues, and domestic relations. When clients need assistance outside his practice areas, such as personal injury, he can also connect them with trusted resources.

One area Ricky especially enjoys is working with entrepreneurs and small-business owners, helping turn the idea of owning a business into something real—and providing guidance as that business grows and encounters new challenges.

We also heard a great testimonial from a fellow BNI member whose referrals have repeatedly had positive experiences working with Ricky. Having an attorney you know, like and trust can make a difficult situation much easier to navigate.

🎯 Great referral partners for Ricky include commercial Realtors, business brokers, property managers, general contractors, CPAs and, of course, small-business owners.

And something we didn’t know about Ricky? He’s a classically trained pianist who has been playing since age seven. 🎹 Apparently, contracts and concertos both benefit from attention to detail!

Thank you, Ricky, for a great presentation and for showing us the many ways you and the team at Shapero & Green can serve businesses and individuals throughout Northeast Ohio.

09/17/2026

🎉 THREE NEW MEMBERS TO WELCOME TO BNI CROOKED RIVER!

We’ve had a busy and exciting couple of weeks at BNI Crooked River, with three new members joining our chapter!

Please help us give a warm welcome to:

🏡 Nicholas Destefano | Ruoff Mortgage
Residential Mortgages
Nicholas is our go-to connection for individuals and families navigating the residential mortgage process and working toward their homeownership goals.

❤️ Michael Solosky | Haven of Rest Ministries
Nonprofit Organization
Michael represents Haven of Rest Ministries and fills our Nonprofit Organization seat, helping us strengthen the connection between our business community and an organization serving individuals and families throughout Northeast Ohio.

🔑 Lisa Mazzola | Century 21 Wilbur Realty
Property Management
Lisa holds our Property Management seat and is a great connection for property owners and investors looking for professional assistance managing their rental properties.

We’re excited to have Nicholas, Michael and Lisa as part of the Crooked River family and look forward to getting to know them, learning more about what makes a great referral for each, and helping them build valuable relationships within our chapter.

Please join us in giving all three a big BNI Crooked River welcome! 👏🎉

09/17/2026

🎤 FEATURED SPEAKER for September 10th:
Bill White Jr. | Murphy Business Sales

Bill White Jr. of Murphy Business Sales gave us a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes into selling a business—and why planning should begin long before an owner is ready to sell.

From determining a business’s true value and confidentially marketing it to screening buyers, negotiating offers and navigating the path to closing, Bill helps business owners through what can be one of the biggest transitions of their lives.

One of the biggest takeaways from Bill’s presentation:

Don’t wait until you’re ready to sell to start planning your exit.

Understanding what your business is worth today can help you make better decisions now—and potentially build greater value for the future.

As someone who comes from a multigenerational family business himself, Bill understands that selling a business isn’t simply a financial transaction. For many owners, it represents years of hard work, family, employees, relationships and a significant part of their identity.

🎯 A great referral for Bill is:
• A business owner beginning to think about retirement
• Someone who wants to know what their business is worth
• An owner interested in exit planning—even years before a sale
• A buyer considering a business purchase or merger
• An accountant, attorney or wealth manager advising a business owner through a transition

And we got to know a little more about Bill himself—the local guy, former pizza-shop owner and live-music fan behind the business intermediary!

Thank you, Bill, for an informative presentation and for reminding us that the best time to start planning the future of your business is before you need to.

And what an perfect give away for a lucky referral partner!

09/17/2026

Be sure to check the details for this fun BNI event!

🏀 THE GIVERS GAIN GAME TICKET SALES ARE NOW OPEN! 🏀

BNI NEO members — it’s time to bring your team, friends, and family and get ready for an exciting night at Rocket Arena! 🎉

Join fellow BNI members for the BNI Givers Gain GAME as we network, connect, and cheer on the Cleveland Cavaliers — all while supporting the BNI Foundation and its work supporting children’s futures through Givers Gain Grants. ❤️

🎟️ ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW:
👉 https://www.rocketarena.com/bni

Use code: BNICAVS26

BNI members are encouraged to select seats in:
📍 207
📍 210
📍 M103
📍 M110
📍 C106 — this section includes in-seat food delivery!

WHAT’S INCLUDED? 🎉

🤝 5–6 PM Pre-Game Networking
Connect with BNI members and guests in our designated BNI area before Rocket Arena opens to the public at 6:15 PM.

🧢 Co-Branded Cavs & BNI Hat
The first 150 members* to purchase tickets will receive a special co-branded hat to pick up at the pre-game networking event!

🇺🇸 National Anthem Flag Bearer Opportunity
The first 150 members* to purchase tickets will be entered into a drawing for 35 members* to hold the American flag on the court during the National Anthem.

👕 FREE Givers Gain GAME T-Shirt
Purchase your tickets by October 9 and you’ll be included in the BNI-sponsored shirt order! Watch for a separate email requesting your name, shirt size, and chapter.

And there’s more to come! 👀 Keep watching for updates about our local nonprofit members, the BNI Foundation, and a ♦️SPECIAL GUEST♦️ joining us for this exciting event!

Yes, non-BNI guests are absolutely welcome! Bring your spouse, family, friends, coworkers, or other professionals and make it a night of networking and fun. 🙌

🎟️ Tickets will be available through game day or while supplies last, but October 9 is the deadline to be included in the additional BNI-sponsored activities.

Let’s pack Rocket Arena, make connections, support an important cause, and have a great night together!

Givers Gain. 🏀 Gives Back. ❤️

09/04/2026

🐸 PLEASE WELCOME OUR NEWEST BNI CROOKED RIVER MEMBER!

We’re excited to officially welcome Megan Oyster, owner of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Stow, to the Crooked River Chapter of BNI!

Megan and her team help businesses, schools, teams, organizations, nonprofits and individuals bring their ideas to life through custom apparel and branded merchandise. From T-shirts and polos to embroidery, screen printing, team gear, spirit wear and more, Big Frog makes creating custom apparel easy—and fun!

Big Frog of Stow also offers free design help, a variety of printing options and even no-minimum options for certain types of orders.

👕 Think of Megan when you hear someone say:

“I need shirts for our company or event.”

“We need new embroidered polos for our team.”

“We want spirit wear for our school or organization.”

“We’re planning a fundraiser and need custom apparel.”

“We need branded gear—but I have no idea where to start!”

Megan is passionate about supporting the local community and helping organizations stand out with high-quality custom apparel. We’re looking forward to learning more about her business, helping her grow through referrals and having her as part of the Crooked River family!

Welcome to BNI Crooked River, Megan! We’re glad you’re here! 🐸👏

Learn more about Megan and Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Stow.

09/04/2026

Congratulations to Vic Ing of Viking Sales Consultants for achieving Club 100 Green status!

09/03/2026

🎤 TODAY’S FEATURED SPEAKER: Heidi Bailey | Aflac

What happens when a serious illness strikes—but the mortgage, groceries and everyday bills keep arriving right on schedule?

Today at BNI Crooked River, Heidi Bailey of Aflac shared how supplemental insurance can help families manage the financial impact of an unexpected illness or diagnosis. While traditional health insurance helps pay medical providers, Aflac benefits are paid directly to the policyholder, giving families added flexibility when they need it most.

For Heidi, this work is personal. Cancer has touched her family many times, giving her a firsthand understanding of the emotional and financial strain it can create.

“Cancer isn’t a headline to me. It’s my family.”

Heidi also introduced us to My Special Aflac Duck®, an interactive companion created to help children with cancer and blood disorders express their feelings and feel supported during treatment. Seeing the impact of that program was part of what inspired Heidi to pursue this work.

She also reminded business owners that you don’t have to be a large company to offer supplemental benefits. Even employers with just a few employees may have options to help their team prepare for the unexpected.

Thank you, Heidi, for a heartfelt presentation and for helping families and businesses think about protecting more than just their health.

If you know an individual, family or small business owner who could benefit from learning more about supplemental coverage, Heidi Bailey would be a great introduction.

Heidi Bailey-Fields