Member Stories
In the summer of 2024, we interviewed the following ‘BIPPers’, asking them to truthfully share their experience so that anyone considering a new home for their business conversations and growth could read them.
ROI reported seems to be anything from financial benefits, clients and referrals, through to finding great suppliers, business partners, new knowledge, new ideas, new ways to be productive and new ways to market. They also reported personal development ROIs, the social ones and the number one common feeling of community, kindness and people ‘like you’. Together they were achieving this deep sense of having a business lifestyle through BIP100, the effortless and fun way of growing your business in so many ways.
A mature thinking, growth minded, progressive, fun and kind group of people, this is what makes up the BIP100 community. Read these unedited transcripts, deliberately not doctored or changed, so you can see how you identify with them, and perhaps we can connect you and you can chat through why BIP100 is their business home.
Onur: A new member experience
Why did you join?
I joined BIP100 because I’ve tried lots of business networking, and most of the time, business networking has been a pitch fest. No one likes that, you don’t get chance to build a relationship with them. I thought this was different because we get to build a relationship with people and work with people that we like and that we know can deliver the job. Being an invitational network, that has a bit of process before you can join, gives me confidence that the people I’m talking to are similar; business owners like me, and they’ve either done what I’ve done, or they’ve done what I want to do. I can learn from them, and I can also help give back, but also we can collaborate and work together on things which I thought would be really cool.
What’s been your experience so far?
Fantastic. I’ve been a member for a few weeks now, probably just under a month, and it’s been brilliant. You know, the conversations are amazing, when you elevate yourself and work with people of a higher level you talk about concepts and ideas. You don’t talk about the little stuff. BIP100 has helped me to do that a lot more. And you can’t do that with a lot of networks. It’s very difficult. It’s very rare thing to find a safe place where you’re openly talking with business owners who are in a similar position to you, but you’re now talking about strategy and concepts. As a business owner, it’s very lonely. Joining a network like this gives you the chance to talk to other people about things that you’re going through that might be the same that they’ve gone through, and they’ve already solved, or they can give you some ideas that make you think differently about that problem.
How was the onboarding process? What was it like? How did you come in? What did they do?
It just felt natural as a network. You have a chat with Thomas, you have a chat with Penny, and it’s just lovely. You know, they’re lovely people, and it’s just nice to talk to them, and everyone’s very open and welcoming, and people want to talk to you. It’s not like, “Oh, you’re the new guy in the room and you’re in the corner and no one wants to have a chat”. You’re actually welcomed in and it’s actually nice to be new, because you feel a bit special. It’s brilliant. Everyone should join.
Erik: Leaving the corporate world and building his new network
Why did you join?
I joined BIP100 in January 2024 because I was in between roles and I was looking to build out my network in the UK, coming out of a number of corporate roles and being involved in AI, I was looking to find new business associates.
And how would you describe it?
It was surprising for me, because really, I meant it to be just a network, it was meant to be just a place where we can connect and talk to people and get to learn people and build out that network. It’s a very special place. It’s unlike anything I think I’ve found before. It’s a place there a sense of well-being for the members that are here, but it’s an amazing place to find business and create new businesses.
What would you say that are the main benefits and ROI that you’ve gained.
There’s been a couple of projects that have come directly out of my BIP100 relationships, directly and indirectly, working with some of the folks inside the organization, we found opportunities to go help solve other people’s problems. I come from an aspect where I’m using AI, using technology, and it’s a very hot space right now, people are very interested in learning about AI, learning about how we can apply it, and we found some opportunities together to go and drive business value, which has been Fantastic.
What does BIP100 mean to you?
I refer to BIP100 as my business network, but it’s more than that. It is a network of people that are connected as friends, people that support each other. But I think what’s most amazing thing about the BIP100 and the BIP100 network is, every time get together this group of people, every time you talk to an individual from BIP100, you find things that you connect on at a different level that you never have expected. I think that has a lot to do with the process for how people get into BIP100 and become part of the BIP100 membership. So it’s wonderful, I I’m eternally grateful for Thomas and Penny for their ability to be master networkers and to be able to also create a community where we can feel safe, we can feel connected, we can feel supported, and we can feel part of something that’s bigger than the sum of the parts.
Lucinda: Experienced the BIP100 Lunch and joined
How did you learn about BIP100?
Thomas had sent out a couple of messages to me, asking if I like to come along to a lunch, and I quite fancied coming down and meeting some other people in business. Before the lunch he sent me the list of people and their LinkedIn Profiles, which freaked me out completely, because they’re all really successful people. I was almost not going to come because I felt I didn’t know what I’ve got to contribute. I turned up to the lunch, and the moment I walked in the room I felt like I really belong here, what a lovely community.
Why did you join BIP100 and how long have you been a member?
I joined BIP100 in November (2024) and I’ve been to every lunch, the Social and The Referral lunches.
I joined because I wanted to be part of a community, to learn and the richness of everyone’s experience, and to give whatever little bit I can give.
How is it going for you, one year in?
The online Zooms that we have in the community are amazing. Hannah’s Flow Performance Session,. Tj’s DOSE, the AI meetings, it’s opened my mind up brilliantly. The 121 meetings I’ve had are amazing. I’ve met some amazing people. I didn’t come into it thinking, what’s my return on investment? But it’s happening. I’m getting to work with some lovely BIPPers and the great thing is the trust amongst us, because we wouldn’t work with each unless we knew we could do a great job for one another. There’s so much support there, we’re all there to support anyone if they’re having a bad time and they need some introduction, or just some support to see them through. We are there for each other. And I love that. The wealth of knowledge that is in our group is just mind blowing, it’s incredible, the support and the knowledge that we have. Absolutely love it, it’s amazing. This community works perfectly for me and it’s a lovely family, it’s a community. It’s a business. We earn money, we make money between ourselves, we support each other, and we grow together. There’s a journey, for all of us, to enrich our lives, enjoy our lives and to being the best person. BIP100 helps us be the best version of ourselves to enjoy our lives in the way that we want to. I’m enjoying being part of BIP100.
Jane: A reluctant networker until BIP100 - now entering her 3rd year with us
Why did you join BIP100?
Because I am a entrepreneurial businesswoman, and whilst I have a group of associates that work for me, I didn’t feel that I had people that I could tend to communicate with and express honestly how things might be for me at that moment in time.
What did you expect when you took that leap of faith and joined BIP100?
If I’m honest, I didn’t really know. I’m not a networking person. I found Networking quite challenging as my experience was based on people trying to sell me something. For me I wanted somewhere that was all about that journey that I was going on as a businesswoman, BIP100 is so different from being in a networking environment or a networking association. I didn’t expect friendships. I’ve made the most amazing friends. I’ve also had people who have commissioned me to do different sort of projects. Members have come in my training courses. That’s is all great, however, for me, it’s just been able to have those friendships where, when times are great and when times are not so great, you can pick up the phone and say “help me, talk to me, support me”. And that’s what is so good.
What does BIP100 mean to you?
It’s a great community of people who are friendly, supportive, kind, loving, considerate, and they are interested in you. It’s not about what they do, it’s about them and about you. They ask those questions, which is lovely. BIP100 is amazing. It bring me joy, It is the most fantastic group of people that I’ve met, and I’ve been in business now for many, many years. But the difference it has made to me in my confidence and how I see things and how I react to things.
Who do you think is the perfect member? What would they be like experiencing in their day to day right now that you think could be improved or enhanced by being a big part of BIP100?
BIP100 people reach out to each other. And so therefore, I’m not sure who the perfect member would be, but I think it just encapsulates the different moments that you might be in your life. You could be the top of the tree, experiencing the most amazing things in your business. You could be mediocre. You could be at the bottom. There is always a BIP100 member that is able to support you through all of that.
David: An experienced investor and advisor -discovering the extra bits of BIP100 was a joy
Why did you join BIP100?
I joined BIP100 because I wanted to be part of a community of people where it wasn’t pushy. I’d been to several networking organizations and didn’t like them. I knew Thomas and Penny. I’ve met them a few times before, and when they told me about it, I got invited to one of their dinners at St Pancras, and it just felt good. I joined to meet good people and grow my business and help them grow their business.
What did you expect?
I expected a good community. I expected events like we’re having today, where there are 50 to 60 interesting people. I arrived and then sat with a group of people at lunch, and then I moved to other people. Someone said, “Oh, you must meet so and so” and took me over and introduced me, and we sat down, and we’re now connected and talking about doing things together.
What have you experienced that you didn’t expect?
Some of the regular online events, like Hannah’s Monday sessions. A year ago I started coming to Hannah’s Monday Flow sessions. And it probably took me another three months before I started to join Tj’s DOSE Sessions. I didn’t expect those those extra little things that have become a valuable routine for me.
What has been your ROI?
A community of really cool people, people that I can reach out to, people that I can say, “hey, I’ve got a problem, can you help me, or know someone that can?” It’s about the “business is personal”. It’s making those human connections with people”. BIP100 is a network of really nice people who are like minded, but different and who really want to help other people.
John: Post exit and creating a new UK based business
Why did you join BIP100?
I’ve known Thomas and Penny for over 20 years. I was a very early member of Ecademy, Penny and Thomas’ Social Network back in the early 2000’s. I did very well commercially out of the Ecademy and met lots of very great friends. When, some years later, I was looking to get back into general networking, rather than working in a specific industry, I just looked up what they were doing, because it was the natural thing to do. I found BIP100 and I rang Thomas, and I joined.
How long have you been a member?
Three years.
What’s kept you around? What benefits or ROI have you gained?
That is easy to say. I would have joined even if there was no financial ROI, however I have five clients now who are BIP100 members, and a couple of other clients who have been introduced to me by BIP100 members, I made more money than I’ve spent. It’s a lot more to do with a community and being part of it and just having a group of people you can always depend on.
Do you network elsewhere?
I’m a member of, I think at last count, 15 different networks of different types. They range from a City Livery to a group of people who have got no interest other than blockchain and cryptocurrency. BIP100 sits as something that it isn’t specific, doesn’t have a particular industry, it’s just a whole group of people who are all in all business. It’s unique in that everything else I do, and I do a lot of networking, is more specific.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I’ve known Thomas and Penny for many, many years. So I would have joined it, even if it was of no particular value whatsoever. But it’s been great. I have done very well commercially out of it. However, even if I hadn’t made a penny out of it, it wouldn’t matter, because I like being part of the part of the group, part of the whole support network and everything else that comes with it. I think probably the most important thing is, years ago, Thomas said to me that you should be open, random and supportive, and that’s kind of stuck with me. I ask people if they need help, and if they need help, I help them. And then, amazingly, a little bit along, business comes along, and I make some money, but I don’t try and do that. I just try and help.
Mindy: Now in her 5th Year with BIP100
Why did you join BIP100?
I really needed a community of businesspeople with heart; businesspeople who I could relate to and share with. When BIP100 launched it was perfect timing for me, I was so excited to hear that it was starting and jumped in straight away. I joined from the beginning, over 4 years now, and am very pleased to be BIP100 Member 6.
What do you enjoy, what did you expect?
The funny thing is, I didn’t have any expectations, which I think is a rather good way to approach these situations. When you have an expectation and then that expectation is not met, there can be some frustration. I was just thinking, I need to be in this place with like-minded people. And that’s pretty much all I considered. Other people might have a clearer idea of what they want and what they expect to get from a community like this. But no, I was just open to see what happened, open to the magic.
What are the benefits that you gained, what surprised you, what’s good, what’s kept you around?
I have a lot of experience in networks and communities, and I came in with the idea that I would meet a lot of people, see what happens, the ORS principle being open, random and supportive, and trying to meet all the other members. It’s tricky as the community gets bigger and bigger and more people come in, but I really tried to have a lot of conversations, and it has led to business, which is fabulous. I’ve been able to use the services of some BIPPers and refer others and put together the five books written by the BIP100 community. It’s been really rewarding. But most importantly, when I have an issue or a moment I think, who can I contact in my BIP100 family, and who would understand? Just have that chat.What does BIP100 mean to you? How would you describe it?
I’ve just referred to BIP100 as a family, which might sound strange, but hopefully some of the other members have said similar things. You know, it’s different because it’s a chosen family, so it’s not like the family that you’re stuck with. It’s a place where you know that people are going to get you. It’s kind of an intangible thing that everybody has business experience. Like-minded people who get me, and I get them, and we can have some good discussions about business, but also lots of other amazing things.
Anything else you want to add?
I just think it’s fabulous that we’re living in this time when Thomas and Penny have set up this community. You know, how lucky we are that it exists, and I’m so thrilled that many people check it out and have the conversation, go to lunch, consider joining us. I feel really, really blessed to be part of it.
Andrew: Joined BIP100 for personal development and to be challenged
Why did you join BIP100?
I joined BIP100 post lockdown because I needed a change. I kind of locked down and found that I was thinking differently and the opportunity to join BIP100 came along at the right time in terms of me getting out there, networking, doing something different in my business, and thinking differently.
How would you describe BIP100, what were you expecting? What surprised you?
I did a mini research project for Penny the year before I joined, so I had some insight early on in terms of what BIP100 was. It felt very different. I sort of had some understanding what it was about. However, I had no expectations when I joined. It’s all about personal development and experience and talking to different people that I would never normally get exposed to and they challenge me in a different way. They’re all entrepreneurs coming from a totally different angle. They’re not normally from the world that I the people that I speak to.
So, you were seeking personal development?
Without doubt that was my desire and my experience, it is a friendly, safe space to be in, sociable, accepting and a world that researchers like me don’t normally operate in.