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St. Louis Contractors Network (Business-Building Alliance)
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We hope this question-and-answer session with John Higdon, director of St. Louis Contractors Network (STLCN), will help you decide whether this Yellow-Tie Business-Building Alliance is a fit for you.
If you want to visit a future STLCRN meeting to determine whether the group fits you and you fit the group, contact John Higdon using any of the means specified below and ask to be invited.
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Q: With what chapter of Yellow-Tie is your group affiliated?
A: We're part of the St. Louis, MO, USA chapter.
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Q: We would like to hear your story -- why did you start this group?
A:
My agency works with several contractors. We insure home builders, commercial contractors, road/highway firms, landscaping contractors, floor/tile, granite/stone, excavation, electric, framing contractors, etc. Contractors are a major target market for several industries like: Heavy equipment sales, auto dealerships, nurseries/greenhouses, roofing and other building supplies, as well as insurance agents, accountants, lawyers, lenders, Real Estate agents, and many more.
Basically there are a lot of people who are in the business of helping contractors, including other contractors. The purpose of the group is to build a strong network of relationships among different types of contractors and industry specialists to aid in the individual growth and prosperity of its members and their companies.
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Q: Within the choices of business to business (B2B), business to consumer (B2C) or both, how would you best classify the prospects to whom your Business-Building Alliance members sell?
A: We sell primarily business to business, but several of our members offer individual services as well. For example kitchen and bath remodeling, personal tax services, and home and auto insurance are all offered by members of our group to direct consumers.
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Q: How else would you describe the prospects to whom your members sell, and/or the people you want in your group?
A: The ideal clients for members of the St. Louis Contractors Network are different for the contractors themselves and the industry specialist. The contractors will look for referrals from other contractors on portions of commercial and government jobs, or on projects that the general contractor may not be able to complete. Contractor members may also look to partner with other members while bidding on projects, purchasing materials or services, and receive referrals for direct residential or commercial jobs.
For industry specialists, those who are not actually contractors but provide valuable services to contractors, may look to provide services to the contractor members themselves, or receive referrals from those contractors. Subcontractors of larger firms would come into play here.
Plus,
everyone will look to share knowledge and resources wherever possible.
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Q: When, where and how often does your Business-Building Alliance meet?
A: We meet at 7:30 a.m. on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month in Sunset Hills at the Schmersahl Treloar & Co. office building. Contact one of our members for exact directions/location.
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Q: Who are your current members?
A: At this time, our Business-Building Alliance includes these people:
- John Higdon, HSHC Insurance, Inc.
- John Schwent, Profit Recovery Systems
- Linda Howdeshell, CPA, Schmersahl Treloar & Co.
- Mike Hurley, McKelvey Properties
- Richard Terry, Accolade Kitchens & Baths
- Chris Brauner, Cornerstone Financial
- Joseph Blanner, Behr, McCarter, & Potter, P.C.
... and several others who are in the process of joining, but are not yet official Yellow-Tie members.
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Q: What else do you want to tell people about your group?
A: The group is not about pushing our products and services on to the other group members, or even group membership to our guests. The group setting allows us to learn from each other, find the niches we each have, put us in touch with people who can benefit from our niches, and grow both professionally and personally.
When a contractor visits the group, hopefully he or she will learn about how each of our members may be able to help. But more importantly, we want to learn about what they do best and what kind of client they are looking for, and concentrate on how we're going to put them in touch with that client.
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Q: How do you want people interested in your network to contact you?
A: If interested in attending a meeting you can call John Higdon @ (314) 630-5795, or Via e-mail using this form:
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