Photographic projects are often a team sport. Depending on the brief, I hire assistants, makeup and hair specialists, wardrobe consultants and the like. Since everyone, myself included is a freelancer, I choose skill first then consider how each person will fit my team. This gives each contractor the opportunity to meet someone new who might need their services or could refer them to other jobs. This builds commeradrie and makes my shoots go smoothly. Clients benefit from the skill that each team member bring to them.

In the mortgage world, I regularly connect clients with trusted Realtors and service providers—insurance agents, contractors, plumbers, electricians, handymen, and more. When someone is buying a home, things move fast, and they often need reliable help right away, whether during the loan process or before move-in. My goal is to be a go-to resource by providing great referrals my clients can count on. When I do that well, it builds trust and naturally leads to long-term relationships and future mortgage referrals.

As a solo criminal defense attorney, I’m selective about who I bring into a client situation because the right fit can create value for more than just me. For example, when a client’s case involves mental health or substance-use issues, I can refer them to treatment providers who operate in circles that align with the client’s real-world issues, not just their legal needs. I look for people whose involvement strengthens the client’s position and gives that professional a real opportunity to help and be seen. I know it’s the right fit when the referral benefits everyone involved, not just my practice.

My nanny was hit by a semi truck on her way to my house to watch my girls while we were working. Salah Harrell, a former PowerCore member who specialized in personal injury cases is who I brought in to help because of her extensive knowledge in injury cases such as this one. After 2 years of back and forth with the insurance company she was able to secure a large settlement for my referral which showed she knew exactly how to handle this case.
 I also knew Salah was looking to start a family and we weren't going to need our nanny for much longer which also was perfect because that introduction led to Salah hiring our nanny to watch her baby when she was going back to work. 

Whenever I bring someone into a client situation nine times out of ten it will create an opportunity for the person that is brought in. Therefore, it's never just about me when a situation with a client calls for additional help or service(s).

For example, I had a personal injury case and the patient was not sure if they would retain legal representation. Initially, it seemed as if they would not. However, I encouraged them to have a consultation with the personal injury attorney on my PowerCore team, Norm Sawyer. This allowed the patient to weigh their options. Also, I knew that Norm would consult with the patient without being pushy.

Thankfully, my patient signed with Norm because the at fault party ended up disappearing for a while and no one was able to make contact. Any individual without the expertise, experience and resources of a personal injury attorney who decides to represent their self will struggle to resolve complicated cases like this. Thanks to Norm a resolution occurred without a lawsuit being filed. Also, it did not take years to settle this case due to Norm's work.

Usually, my clients work with me because they’ve been experiencing chronic pain. I work one-on-one with them, which allows time for meaningful conversation and careful observation. I listen closely to both what they’re verbally sharing and what their bodies are communicating.

I’m clear about my field of expertise, and if a client presents an issue outside of my scope, I make it a priority to bring in someone who has the specific skills to help. My goal is always to create support that benefits the client, not to further my own network.

For example, last week a client reached out about a swollen, painful toe. Based on my understanding of their body, I suspected the pain was related to arthritis rather than a fracture. Because I don’t have the ability to perform imaging, I sent them a recommendation for an orthopedic doctor and suggested that they get an X-ray to confirm what was going on in their foot. The X-ray showed no break, and the orthopedic doctor confirmed the pain and swelling were due to arthritis. In this situation, involving the orthopedic specialist created opportunity and clarity for the client’s care, ensuring they received the right support.

Like so many things in business, my work revolves around relationships. When I send my clients overseas to unfamiliar places, I want someone on the ground that will take care of them. These partners need to make the client's experience worth the premium they pay but also step in when problems arise. These partners regularly come through Atlanta to meet with travel agents like myself. A positive personal interaction makes me much more likely to try them. I had one such vendor based in Greece. I met with them in Atlanta and then they invited me there for a week where they let me experience for myself what they do and how they operate. I got to travel from a client's perspective, travel with the owners, and watch them pivot when bad weather interrupted plans. It was an amazing trip. So when my top clients wanted to go to Greece, you know who I hired to help me plan their vacation!   

In my line of work as a Business Banker, I am a connector to trusted professionals in other areas such as: CPAs, Payroll & HR Advisors, Marketing & Advertising Agents, Insurance Agents, Financial Advisors, and Estate Planning Attorneys just to name a few of the professionals I connect my clients with, When someone in my arena is looking for a Business and/or Commercial Loan my responsibility is to provide the right financial advice to provide the best solution that matches the need. When I provide the right financial advice to my clients that works in their businesses it build loyalty and trust that when my cleints have other needs they turn to me and I then connect them with the right people. This is how Healthy Ecosystems and Healthy Communities are built.

Connecting my clients with people that match or communicate well with their style or personality is first. Currently I'm working with the family of a business in transition. I've not worked with the new discision makers but have consistently followed up with them, offered my network (PowerCore) and arranged to have meeting(s) with Business Brokers. I asked the Brokers, if this was an opprtunity that would fit their expertise and appetite. I've explained the challenges and options that have been mentioned. This is a difficult time, and this will be an indelible memory.

Everyone has provided an overview of what they can do to assist, and what they need from the family to make a desision about the direction they should move.  Each has offered multiple solid paths forward to honor the family legacy. They will have a new client or two with a succesful transaction. 

I always think about the client's personality first.  Some vendors are not a good fit for one client but are perfect for another.  That process starts with a vendor discussion showing the vendor the problem/situation that I needed fixed along with an idea of what the client is like (demanding? go-with-the-flow? etc.)  Once I find a good vendor for a client, I let the client know what the vendor is supposed to accomplish and the costs involved in meeting those goals.  

Six months ago I had a client pass away, leaving his wife to handle both his lawsuit as well as his personal affairs.  The client is using her future settlement funds to hire an estate attorney to set up her late husband's estate.  I found a lawyer in Alpharetta for her who I've known for a long time.  The lawyer is relatively close to the client in Cumming.  The lawyer has a more hands-on, take charge approach that my client appreciated.  It also allowed the lawyer/vendor to meet someone in the local Cumming community who can be a gate opener for her small but growing law firm.

The first step in working with a client is to have a Discovery Call. During this call, I am able to learn what the clients needs and goals are and if there is a plan in place. This let's me know if we should take the next step, the Diagnostic Review. Also during this call, I will hear from the client what their pain points are. There will be areas in their business where they have little to no support, knowledge or training to accomplish a goal. For example, If my client was overwhelmed with phone calls and scheduling, I would recommend Jennifer Parlier at Management Virtually Powered. If it was web site design or SEO, that would be Ryan Williams with Websuasion. Most recently, a client wanted to change to a seasoned tax strategist from an accountant and I sent them to Yvette Best with Best Accounting. If I can assist my client in other areas of their business and help them be more successful by sending them to my referral partners, I will be successful as well from their referral they send me.

The process of choosing someone is fairly simple, I will only bring someone else into a client meeting or situation that is going to directly benefit the client. Recently, I have been having end of year meetings with clients and finding out that they either need help with establishing a trust or having some tax issues/questions. In these situations I immediatley think of referral opportunities for both Ariel and Richelle. I simply let the client know that I have someone in my network that could be of help to them. Then just send an introductory email. 

In my work, I try to be a trusted point of contact for my clients, not just someone focused on my own piece of the business. When a situation comes up that’s outside my scope of knowledge or what I do directly, that’s when I look to bring in someone else who can better support them.

Part of what I do with Aflac is helping clients through the claims process, and in more serious injury or sickness situations, people are often dealing with a lot more than just the claim itself. My priority is always to help get the claim handled so they’re paid, but when I can, I’ll also connect them with someone who can help ease other stresses so they can focus on their health and recovery.

When I make those referrals, I’m intentional. I think about who is the right fit for the client, the personalities involved, and who I believe will handle the work correctly and fairly. Credibility matters to me, because I want both the client and the person I refer to feel confident in the connection. When that happens, the referral supports the client first, gives the other professional a real opportunity to add value, and builds trust that goes well beyond any single transaction.

When I am looking to introduce my clients to someone, I want to make sure that it is an area that they need help in and that I am not an expert in. My priority is to make sure that my client is getting the best help they can even if it's not for me

I was with a customer yesterday because we are going to replace the carpet and I had to bring him some carpet samples.

He was telling me that this year he is trying to not spend money eating out, that he just realized last year he spent more than $3,000 eating out and he is goint to try to invest this year instead of visiting restaurant and I immidiately thought about Joel and I told him I could reffer him with Joel if he wants more ideas to invest.

I know Joel could be very helpfull for him and he is a very nice man to work with.

As a tax professional I work with people from a range of industries with a range of issues. I meet clients that are either reacting to IRS notices or  being proactive about avoiding significant tax liability, so network opportunities often present themselves. For instance if the client is interested in tax strategy I know that a financial advisor like Joel, or an estate planning attorney like Ariel, or business banker like Brian would also likely be of great help. And if they're facing real estate related tax liability and opportunity which is often the case lately, I would look to people like Clay, Kurt - or Alex from the Gwinett team. That's the beauty of PowerCore for me...I have so many excellent colleagues to introduce as a value add when the situation dictates.