4. Why I left BNI after more than a decade, by Cami MacNamara

Posted on WebCamiCafe.com, June 15th, 2022.

In this episode, I share why after almost 12 years of being a member of the BNI organization, I decided to leave for a significant change in my life. Although BNI was one of the best moves I ever made as a business owner, circumstances made me realize I needed a break from the routine.

About the author: Cami MacNamara, otherwise known as WebCami, has 21 years of experience running a small, profitable, one-person web design business, so she can walk her dog whenever she likes. She has co-hosted a beginner WordPress Meetup in Seattle since 2018 and has been an active member of the Seattle WordPress community since 2013. Cami has designed nearly 600 websites, provides services to 350 active clients, and manages over 200 websites monthly as a solopreneur.

The original blog post can be found here: ⁠ https://webcamicafe.com/why-i-left-bni-after-more-than-a-decade/

Related links:

West Seattle Champions:  https://bninw.com/wa-seattle-west-seattle-champions

BNI:  https://www.bni.com/

Find a chapter: https://www.bni.com/find-a-chapter

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/webcamicafe/

Transcript of Cami's Commentary:

It’s been nearly a year since I left BNI.  The first few weeks were hard because I was so wired to attend the weekly meetings.  However, the reason I left, to spend time with my Dad and help my sister care for him, played out as I had expected. 

Dad passed away at the end of November.  The grief I felt was overwhelming.  Focusing on business growth and passing referrals was the farthest thing from my mind. I spent extended time with him over the summer and headed home when he entered hospice in the fall.  I have no regrets about moving on.

I am so grateful for the time I spent in BNI and the relationships I made. Those relationships continue, and I’m happy to say I still receive and give referrals within the network.

If you are a web designer struggling to get new business, I encourage you to visit a BNI group.  When we met in person, the investment was around $1200 a year in membership dues and monthly fees.  Worth every penny, in my experience.  Networking is a skill that you develop over time. Remember, you can visit two times at no charge.  Different chapters have different personalities, so visiting all the options in your area is a good idea.  Some chapters now meet exclusively online. 

I’ve included links to BNI in my show notes and a link to my original blog post.  Also, check out my Facebook group, WebCami Cafe, to connect with fellow web designers.  

Tune in next week for another episode of the WebCami podcast.