Cleveland Connection

🛡️🏡 Member Spotlight: Mark Shepherd Agency - Shelter Insurance 🏡🛡️

Last week at Cleveland Connection, we had the pleasure of hearing from Mark Shepherd of Shelter Insurance, a trusted local agent dedicated to protecting families, homes, vehicles, and businesses throughout our community.

Mark's journey is one of entrepreneurship and service. After bringing the first Zaxby's franchise to Tennessee and growing it into four locations, he transitioned into the insurance industry and opened his Shelter Insurance agency in Cleveland in 2020. Since then, he has earned multiple company awards and built a reputation for exceptional customer care and advocacy.

What Mark Does Best:
🔹 Home insurance
🔹 Auto insurance
🔹 Rental property insurance
🔹 Life insurance
🔹 Personalized local insurance service

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Helping clients who want a local agent that will advocate for them when they experience a loss

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Individuals who have been non-renewed by their current insurance carrier
🔹 Homeowners seeking better coverage or service
🔹 Families looking for a trusted local insurance advisor
🔹 Rental property owners

Ideal Referral Partners:
🔹 Real estate agents
🔹 Mortgage lenders
🔹 Other insurance professionals

One of Mark's favorite BNI stories is realizing that BNI became much more than a way to grow his business. Through Cleveland Connection, he gained a network of trusted friends and professionals he can confidently refer to his clients, family, and friends. That's what makes our chapter special. 🤝

📍 2334 Keith St, Cleveland, TN 37311
🌐 www.shelterinsurance.com

If you know someone looking for a local insurance professional who truly cares about their clients, connect them with Mark. Let's support him by liking, sharing, and sending referrals his way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world's largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships, meaningful connections, and quality referrals. Come visit and experience the power of networking!

💼📊 Member Spotlight: Chelsey Willson of Miller & Mcphail, CPA's, PLLC 📊💼

Last week at Cleveland Connection, we had the pleasure of hearing from Chelsey Willson of Miller and McPhail, CPAs, a trusted firm helping individuals and businesses navigate their financial world with confidence and clarity.

Chelsey and her team provide professional accounting and tax services designed to help clients stay organized, compliant, and financially prepared. Their experience and personalized approach help business owners make informed decisions and stay focused on growth.

What Chelsey Does Best:
🔹 Tax preparation and planning
🔹 Business accounting services
🔹 Financial guidance for businesses and individuals
🔹 Helping clients stay compliant and financially prepared

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Small business owners
🔹 Entrepreneurs and startups
🔹 Individuals needing tax support
🔹 Businesses wanting stronger financial guidance

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Helping clients simplify accounting and reduce financial stress while planning for long-term success

If you know someone looking for a dependable CPA or accounting partner, connect them with Chelsey and the team at Miller and McPhail. Let’s support her by liking, sharing, and sending referrals her way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.

🪟✨ Member Spotlight: Coleman Curry of Louver Shop Shutters of Chattanooga, Cleveland & Ooltewah ✨🪟

Last week at Cleveland Connection, we had the pleasure of hearing from Coleman Curry of The Louver Shop of Chattanooga, specializing in beautiful, custom window treatments that add style, value, and functionality to homes.

Coleman helps homeowners create elegant, energy-efficient spaces with high-quality window coverings tailored to fit each home’s unique design and aesthetic. His expertise and attention to detail help transform ordinary spaces into stunning interiors.

What Coleman Does Best:
🔹 Custom window treatments
🔹 Interior plantation shutters
🔹 Solutions for privacy and light control
🔹 Energy-efficient window coverings
🔹 Protecting floors, furniture, and interiors from sun damage

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Increasing home value while improving aesthetics, privacy, and energy efficiency

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Custom home builders
🔹 Realtors
🔹 Interior designers
🔹 Homeowners with homes valued at $400K+

Ideal Referral Partners:
🔹 Custom home builders

Top Product:
🔹 Interior Plantation Shutters

🌐 www.louvershop.com

If you know someone building, remodeling, or upgrading their home with custom window treatments, connect them with Coleman. Let’s support him by liking, sharing, and sending referrals his way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.

🚗🔧 Member Spotlight: Jonathan Smith of Smith Automotive Solutions, Inc. 🔧🚗

Last week at Cleveland Connection, we heard from Jonathan Smith, owner of Smith Automotive Solutions, Inc., a trusted local shop providing professional automotive repair and maintenance services in Cleveland for over 13 years.

Jonathan and his team are known for quality workmanship, honesty, and reliability, with a strong reputation for servicing both personal and fleet vehicles. He especially specializes in Honda repair and service, helping customers keep their vehicles running safely and efficiently.

What Jonathan Does Best:
🔹 Automotive repair and maintenance
🔹 Honda repair and service
🔹 Fleet vehicle maintenance
🔹 Diagnostics and preventative maintenance

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Companies with fleets of vehicles
🔹 Government agencies
🔹 Businesses relying on service vehicles daily

Ideal Referral Partners:
🔹 Trades professionals
🔹 Insurance professionals
🔹 Anyone connected with fleet management

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Successfully operating a skilled labor business for over 13 years while delivering dependable automotive service

One of Jonathan’s favorite BNI success stories came from being personally introduced to a business owner with a large fleet of vehicles, eventually becoming their trusted repair facility. That’s the power of referrals and relationships in action! 💼🤝

📍 2445 South Lee Highway, Cleveland, TN 37311
🌐 smithautosolutions.com

If you know a business or organization needing reliable automotive or fleet service, connect them with Jonathan. Let’s support him by liking, sharing, and sending referrals his way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.

🏡📄 Member Spotlight: Melissa Erjavec of Cleveland Abstract & Title Insurance Company

At yesterday’s Cleveland Connection meeting, we heard from Melissa Erjavec of Cleveland Abstract & Title Insurance Co., a trusted partner in ensuring smooth and secure real estate transactions.

Melissa and her team play a critical role behind the scenes of every property closing, helping protect buyers, sellers, and lenders by making sure titles are clear and transactions are handled with accuracy and professionalism.

What Melissa Does Best:
🔹 Title searches and title insurance
🔹 Closing and settlement services
🔹 Ensuring clear ownership and protecting against title issues
🔹 Supporting smooth real estate transactions from start to finish

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Preventing and resolving title issues that could delay or disrupt closings

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Homebuyers and sellers
🔹 Real estate agents and brokers
🔹 Lenders and mortgage professionals
🔹 Investors purchasing property

If you know someone buying or selling property, make sure they have the right team behind them. Connect them with Melissa and Cleveland Abstract & Title Insurance Co. Let’s support her by liking, sharing, and sending referrals her way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.

🦽🏡 Member Spotlight: James Kreminskiy of HomePro Mobility 🏡🦽

Last week at Cleveland Connection, we had the privilege of hearing from James Kreminskiy of HomePro Mobility, a business dedicated to improving quality of life through mobility solutions.

James helps individuals and families regain independence and safety in their homes by providing customized solutions for everyday challenges. From stairs to entryways, HomePro Mobility makes homes more accessible and easier to navigate.

What James Does Best:
🔹 Stairlifts for safe movement between floors
🔹 Ramps for easy home access
🔹 Vertical platform lifts and home elevators
🔹 Flexible financing options available

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Helping people overcome mobility challenges in their own homes

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Individuals struggling with stairs or mobility at home
🔹 Families caring for aging parents
🔹 Anyone needing safer, more accessible living spaces

Ideal Referral Partners:
🔹 Medical professionals
🔹 Veterans Affairs contacts
🔹 Health insurance professionals

🌐 homepromobility.com

If you know someone who could benefit from improved mobility and independence at home, connect them with James. Let’s support him by liking, sharing, and sending referrals his way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.

🌱🌿 Member Spotlight: Tucker Brown of TurfScapes of Tennessee LLC 🌿🌱

Last week at Cleveland Connection, we had the pleasure of hearing from Tucker Brown, owner of TurfScapes of Tennessee, specializing in chemical lawn care services that keep properties looking healthy, green, and well-maintained.

Tucker focuses on providing the right treatments at the right time to help lawns thrive throughout the seasons. His approach helps property owners maintain strong, vibrant turf while preventing common lawn issues before they become major problems.

What Tucker Does Best:
🔹 Professional lawn treatment programs
🔹 W**d control and prevention
🔹 Fertilization for healthy, green lawns
🔹 Ongoing lawn health maintenance

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Landscapers
🔹 Lawn maintenance professionals
🔹 Property managers needing reliable turf care

Ideal Referral Partners:
🔹 Landscapers
🔹 Lawn maintenance companies

🌐 turfscapesoftn.com

If you know someone who wants a healthier, better-looking lawn or a professional partner to handle turf care, connect them with Tucker. Let’s support him by liking, sharing, and sending referrals his way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.

**dControl

“We’ve got this… just not yet.”

That’s the sentence we hear when a connection wants your help, but nobody’s offering anything specific.
This month, BNI members passed 1.3M+ referrals in Feb 2026, driving $1.9B+ in revenue, and the pattern is simple: clear, timely offers.

Weekly challenge (starting today):
Post or write ONE offer in plain language:
“I can help with…”
Then follow up within 24 hours.

If you do that consistently, you’ll stop waiting for referrals to find you.

Next step: invite a local professional to our next Cleveland Connection meeting.
Visit our weekly networking meetings.

🚜🌱 Member Spotlight: Riley Nicholson of Rut Excavation & Land Management LLC 🌱🚜

At yesterday’s Cleveland Connection meeting, we heard from Riley Nicholson of RUT Excavation & Land Management LLC, a trusted provider for excavation, land clearing, and septic solutions.

Riley and his team specialize in preparing properties for success from the ground up. Whether it’s clearing land, installing septic systems, or handling dirt work for new builds, they bring the equipment, experience, and reliability needed to get the job done right.

What Riley Does Best:
🔹 Septic system installation
🔹 Land clearing and site prep
🔹 Dirt work for residential and commercial projects
🔹 Building preparation services

Top Problem Solved:
🔹 Preparing land and installing septic systems for new construction

Ideal Referrals:
🔹 Real estate agents working with land or new builds
🔹 Property owners preparing to build
🔹 Contractors needing reliable excavation support

Ideal Referral Partners:
🔹 Realtors
🔹 Plumbers
🔹 Landscapers
🔹 Contractors
🔹 Property owners
🔹 Insurance agents

If you know someone getting ready to build, develop land, or install a septic system, connect them with Riley. Let’s support him by liking, sharing, and sending referrals his way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.

🏡✨ Member Spotlight: Pat Gates Realtor, KW Cleveland Keller Williams ✨🏡

Last week at Cleveland Connection, we had the pleasure of hearing from Pat Gates, a trusted Residential Real Estate Agent with KW Cleveland Keller Williams.

Pat is dedicated to helping clients successfully navigate the buying and selling process. Her focus is on finding the right property and negotiating the best deal possible, all while making the experience smooth and stress-free.

What Pat Does Best:

-Helps buyers find the perfect home
-Guides sellers through a successful sale
-Negotiates strong deals for her clients
-Communicates clearly every step of the way

Ideal Referrals:

-Buyers or sellers planning to move within the next 6 months
-Anyone relocating to or within the Cleveland area
-Homeowners curious about their property value
-Friends or family ready to make a move

🌐 patgates.kw.com

If you know someone thinking about buying or selling, connect them with Pat. Let’s show our support by liking, sharing, and sending referrals her way! 🙌

💼 Cleveland Connection is part of BNI, the world’s largest referral networking organization. We grow our businesses through trusted relationships and consistent referrals. Come visit and see how networking can work for you.