BNI San Diego Podcast

From being invited for 24 months… to building a business that now spans 26 states and 3 countries — Tommy Thornton, founder of Automates, joins us to share how BNI became the single most transformative factor in his company’s meteoric rise. 
In this candid, high-level, and eye-opening episode, Tommy shares how he: 
✅ Scaled from $300K to $5M+ in revenue in just 4 years 
✅ Grew from a 3-person team to 26+ employees 
✅ Went from fixing printers to disrupting the IT industry 
✅ Coaches 75+ other MSPs (Managed Service Providers) monthly 
✅ Landed on national tech magazine covers and shared stages with Shark Tank’s Robert Herjavec 
 
🔥 We also dive deep into the world of cybersecurity and AI: 
— Why ransomware is the new battleground 
— How solopreneurs and small firms can safely adopt AI 
— What business owners need to know NOW about compliance 
— The myth of “I’m too small to be hacked” 
— Why every company needs a secure AI strategy in 2026 
 
💡 “AI will make smart people smarter… and it’ll make lazy people lazier. It’s up to you which one you become.” 
🎧 This is a masterclass in tech, mindset, and BNI-powered growth. If you’re serious about scaling, tune in. 
📬 Want to share your BNI story? Email: [email protected] 
💬 Comment: What’s one way you’re using AI or cybersecurity in your business? 
👍 Like & Subscribe for more real-world BNI journeys 

Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  
Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Cameron Robinson, President of one of San Diego’s fastest-growing BNI chapters—BNI Carmel Valley—to hear his vulnerable, hilarious, and energizing story of transformation. 
 
From running morning meetings in New York to facing down a Times Square speech gone wrong (hello, New York Yankees punter?!), Cameron shares how he rebuilt his confidence, leaned into BNI, and grew into a magnetic leader whose chapter is on the verge of hitting 100 members. 
 
🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why public speaking confidence is earned through consistent reps
✅ How BNI Carmel Valley created a chapter culture that attracts top-tier professionals
✅ The power of “safe messages” vs. stretch moments in your weekly presentations
✅ What it really means to prepare a 30-second or 8-minute presentation (hint: it’s worth $$$)
✅ How chapter engagement, creativity, and leadership create compounding momentum 
✅ Why personal growth is BNI’s greatest ROI—more than just referrals 
 
💬 “What if you listened to that little voice in your head and actually did the thing that scared you?” 
 
🎧 Tune in to hear how Cameron uses BNI as a laboratory for growth—and how it’s skyrocketed his business and leadership impact. 
 
📬 Want to share your story? Email: [email protected] 
💬 Drop a comment: What’s your “get uncomfortable” goal this year? 
🔔 Subscribe for new weekly episodes from leaders across BNI San Diego 
 
Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  
Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

In this action-packed and encouraging episode, host Andy Cruz is joined by BNI members and media pros Jennie Edwards and Gavin Ha for a no-fluff conversation about what it takes to thrive in today's content-driven business landscape.  
🎯 If you’re a BNI member wondering how to get started with content (or questioning if you should at all), this episode is your blueprint. 
📹 In this 2026 Media Roundtable, we break down:
✅ Why content creation is no longer optional for credibility and growth
✅ How to overcome imposter syndrome and perfection paralysis
✅ Systems, habit-stacking & strategies for showing up consistently
✅ What kinds of content to make this year (YouTube, Reels, Shorts, etc.)
✅ Whether you should DIY or hire help — and how to know
✅ Why BNI tools (like your weekly ask and GAINS profile) are content goldmines 
✅ The truth about omnipresence and platform-specific strategies 
✅ How gratitude and authenticity drive camera confidence 
💡 “If you can stand up at a BNI meeting and talk about what you do… you can make content.”  
🎧 This episode is both a pep talk and a tactical playbook. Whether you're brand new to content creation or ready to scale your presence across platforms, Gavin and Jennie share real tools, stories, and inspiration to help you finally get visible—and stay visible—in 2026. 
📬 Want to be featured or share your BNI media success? Email: [email protected] 
👍 Like this episode 
🔔 Subscribe for weekly inspiration from across the BNI ecosystem 
💬 Comment: What’s holding you back from hitting “record”? 
Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  
Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

What happens when the future of BNI shows up early? You get conversations like this. 
Recorded live on the final day of the BNI Global Convention 2025 in Sydney, this episode features a heartwarming and insightful interview with Abbie Wilson (daughter of BNI San Diego ED Ed Wilson) and Ella Dominguez (daughter of Phoenix EDs Nate & Kelly Dominguez). 
At just 13 and 11 years old, these two future leaders have already: 
✅ Attended an international business convention 
✅ Taken notes in leadership sessions 
✅ Participated in a record-breaking speed networking event 
✅ Climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge (!), and 
✅ Learned what Givers Gain really means 
💬 You’ll hear their thoughts on: 
— The importance of “being where your feet are” 
— What it feels like to walk into a room of 2,000 professionals 
— How diversity, kindness, and curiosity shape great connections 
— Why you don’t need to “have a business” to feel like you belong at BNI 
And yes… they’re already preparing to be future Executive Directors themselves. 
🎧 Tune in for a refreshing reminder that leadership starts young—and connection knows no age. 
📬 Want to nominate a future leader for a spotlight? Email: [email protected] 
🔔 Subscribe for more global stories, leadership moments, and community highlights 
💬 Comment: What do YOU wish you knew about networking at 13? 
Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].  
Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter

In this special episode recorded at the BNI Global Convention 2025 in Sydney, Australia, Executive Director Ed Wilson sits down with one of the most respected voices in BNI worldwide — Kathryn Saggers, Executive Director of BNI Beverages (UK), global trainer, and mentor to thousands. 
With 20 years in BNI, Kathryn shares the true heartbeat of our global organization — not just the results, but the relationships, the resilience, and the real-life transformations that happen when we lead with Givers Gain. 
✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:
✅ Kathryn’s unexpected journey from interior design to global BNI leadership
✅ How one chapter rally rebuilt a member’s life after tragedy
✅ Why she defines BNI as “business karma” — give good, get good
✅ What it means to raise your hand and say yes to leadership 
✅ The impact of mentorship (and why “Uncle Phil” changed her life) 
✅ Why BNI is more than business — it’s family, friendship, and humanity 
💬 “We all joined for business. But what we stay for? That’s the real story.” 
🎧 Tune in to rediscover the humanity behind the referrals — and why BNI continues to grow leaders around the world. 
📬 Want to share your BNI story? Email: [email protected] 
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more global episodes 
💬 Who has been YOUR BNI mentor? Shout them out in the comments! 
Have a topic you’d like us to highlight? Please share with us via email at [email protected].   
Visit us online: https://bnisd.com

BNI is the world's most successful organization of its type in the world. Members pass millions of referrals which translates to billions of dollars in business.

BNI San Diego
(619) 255-2620

Visit a chapter: https://bnisd.com/en-US/findachapter