Tony Meredith: Welcome to The BNI Effect, the home of insightful conversations with Brisbane BNI members, where we share tips on getting the most out of your BNI membership. I’m Tony Meredith, usually a business coach, but today I’m your host and fellow BNI member. I’m really looking forward to a great conversation. This is episode 30, and today’s guest is Gary Somerville. Gary, welcome!
Gary Somerville: Hi, Tony! Great to be here. Thanks for having me.
From Sole Trader to Business Growth: The BAAS Bookkeeping Story
Tony: Let’s start by having you tell us a bit about yourself, your business, and what you do.
Gary: Sure! My name’s Gary Somerville. I’ve been in BNI since around 2017, and I’ve been running my own business for about 13 years. I started as a sole trader doing part-time bookkeeping and, in 2021, partnered with another bookkeeper. Since then, we’ve grown exponentially.
Tony: That’s fantastic! What’s the business name?
Gary: It’s BAAS Bookkeeping. Originally, BAAS stood for “Bookkeeping and Administration Services,” but we recently changed it to “Bookkeeping and Advisory Services.”
Why We Chose BNI: The Decision That Transformed Our Business
Tony: I like the play on words! Where are your clients based?
Gary: Primarily in Southeast Queensland, but we’ve expanded. We have clients in Victoria and on the Sunshine Coast, where we also have team members. As bookkeepers, we can work remotely, which is a great advantage.
Key Advisory Services We Offer: Beyond Traditional Bookkeeping
Tony: You mentioned advisory services. Could you give an example of some of the advisory services you offer?
Gary: Certainly. We’re doing a lot of financial reporting these days. Clients ask for monthly reports, labor ratios, gross profit margins, and other insights. Small and medium businesses often don’t leverage these numbers, so we’re encouraging them to make use of information they already have.
Navigating the Early Challenges of BNI Membership
Tony: You mentioned joining BNI in 2017. What prompted you to get involved?
Gary: I was a part-owner in an electrical contracting business, and my business partner, Chris, was in BNI Aurora. He took me as a visitor, and I was hooked. When the bookkeeping seat opened up, I went for it. I knew the previous bookkeeper had done well, so I saw it as a great opportunity to grow my business.
Tony: And did BNI meet your expectations?
Gary: Absolutely, though it was a slow start. I didn’t make much money the first year, but I learned a lot and connected with experienced business owners. That alone made it worthwhile, and over time, the referrals and business growth followed.
The Strategic Role of BNI in Our Marketing Plan
Tony: How has BNI changed your approach to networking?
Gary: Completely! Before BNI, I’d go to Chamber of Commerce events, hand out business cards, and do a lot of “spray and pray.” But BNI brought structure and accountability to my networking, and I started seeing it as a strategic part of my marketing.
How BNI Membership Enhanced Our Team’s Professional Development
Tony: How has your business evolved since joining BNI?
Gary: Tremendously! We’ve quadrupled our revenue, and I have ambitious goals to grow another four-fold in the next three years. Networking through BNI has introduced me to key contacts, clients, and new opportunities that I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
The Secret to Effective Networking: Tips for New BNI Members
Tony: What advice would you give to new BNI members?
Gary: Identify three to five members in your chapter who can connect you to your ideal clients. Focus on building credibility and visibility with them first, and make it a goal to help them with referrals. The results will come back around to you.
Planning for the Future: Our Vision for Expanding BAAS Bookkeeping
Tony: You mentioned an ambitious goal of growing four-fold. How does BNI fit into that vision?
Gary: BNI will be a big part of it. As we expand, I plan to join chapters in other states. Being on this podcast makes it official, so now I’m committed!
Final Thoughts: Gary’s Advice for Business Owners and Networkers
Tony: If you could share one piece of wisdom with listeners, what would it be?
Gary: Picture your business three years from now. Plan it out, whether it’s growth, retirement, or something else, and work every day towards that vision. Once I started doing that, everything aligned for me.
Tony: That’s fantastic advice. Start with the end in mind, make consistent decisions, and work towards it daily. It’s amazing how effective that is.
Gary: Absolutely!
Tony: Gary, thank you so much. How can listeners learn more about your business?
Gary: You can find us at baasbookkeeping.com.au. If you’re in BNI, you can look me up in the bookkeeping category under BNI Business Power Team in Aspley. I’m always open to one-to-ones!
Tony: Thanks, Gary! And to our listeners, that wraps up another episode of The BNI Effect. If you enjoyed today’s discussion, please subscribe, and until next time, happy networking!
