Local optician Garry Kousoulou reflects on how BNI Enfield has helped his and many other local businesses as it marks its 20th anniversary

Enfield mayor Mohammad Islam (centre left) joined regular members of BNI Enfield last Friday morning

While most of Enfield sleeps, something remarkable happens in the early hours of Friday mornings.

As the sun barely hints at dawn, a diverse group of local business owners make their way to Bush Hill Park Golf Club. By 6.15am, the room buzzes with energy, conversation, and the aroma of fresh coffee.

This is the Enfield branch of Business Network International (BNI) and, for 20 years, it’s been quietly transforming the local business landscape, one early morning at a time.

The story of BNI Enfield’s impact is written in numbers that matter: £65million in business revenue generated, with 80p of every pound staying in the local community. But the real story lies in the faces around the room – the nervous start-up owner giving their first presentation, the established business mentor offering quiet words of encouragement, the proud member sharing their latest success story.

Founded in the US by Dr Ivan Misner and established in the UK since 1996, BNI provides structured networking opportunities for local business owners to generate referrals and forge valuable relationships.

BNI Enfield is 47 members strong and ranges from sole traders to professional services, entrepreneurs and family businesses spanning generations. It has become Enfield’s melting pot of enterprise.

For the 20th anniversary event last Friday (25th), Enfield mayor Mohammad Islam joined the early morning breakfast. “When local businesses succeed, the whole community thrives,” he said.

“BNI chapters are doing tremendous work by uniting businesses on a single platform, fostering trust within the Enfield community. It’s an innovative approach that drives businesses to strive for greater success while contributing to the community’s wellbeing.”

As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver this week’s budget, amid economic uncertainty, these early morning meetings have become more than networking events – they’re anchors of stability in turbulent times. The weekly rhythm of meetings has created a resilient business community where support goes far beyond referrals.

I’ve been a long-standing member of BNI Enfield for 17 years, representing my opticians firm, Good Looking Optics. When I first started the business from scratch in 2004, I had no idea how to build a network. A friend suggested I attend BNI, and it was love at first sight once I joined.

Throughout the years, BNI has been there, supporting my growth every step of the way, always providing the guidance and connections I needed to move forward. When I was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis), I worried about maintaining the level of commitment BNI requires, but the support from this community has been extraordinary.

Even this week at church, I ran into someone who got their current job through BNI connections. That’s the real impact we have – it goes far beyond business meetings. Watch any Friday meeting and you’ll see the transformation happening in real time.

A member who once trembled at the thought of public speaking now confidently delivers their 60-second pitch. Another who started as a sole trader now leads a growing team. The chapter’s 75 vetted businesses represent not just economic growth, but personal and professional transformation.

Without these connections, initiatives like the Enfield Business Awards would be next to impossible. It’s this web of relationships, forged in early morning meetings, that keeps the local economy resilient. Every referral passed, every connection made, every success celebrated ripples through the community, creating opportunities and fostering growth.

BNI Enfield president Jonathan Kaye Loss, a local loss assessor, said of the 20th anniversary: “I’ve been a member of the group for over ten years now and in that time I’ve grown, my business has grown and I’ve made some great connections. I can’t wait to see how the chapter continues to grow and see new members join and take their businesses to the next level.”

Being a BNI member has shown me the true power of local business collaboration. In these uncertain times, having a trusted network of business partners provides the security and stability that every entrepreneur needs. From networking across Europe, America, and Dubai, to sharing Christmas parties with 70 colleagues who’ve become friends, BNI makes the entrepreneurial journey less lonely and more rewarding.

As dawn breaks over Enfield each Friday, BNI members continue their tradition of early starts and mutual support. They’re not just building businesses – they’re strengthening the fabric of the local community, one handshake, one referral, one success story at a time.

For more information about joining BNI Enfield or attending a meeting as a visitor:
Email [email protected]

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