Testimonials

David Goldberg. Alberta Development Partners, LLC. Co-Chair 2006

I got involved with BBK through Steve Leonard at Pacifica . I worked there and it became a passion. I ask for money from Banks, Contractors, Law Firms, architects, friends, etc. that I do business with as well as The Big Sticks Invitational golf tourney. It is always easier to ask for money from someone you have a strong relationship with and have done business with. Very difficult to “cold call”. I always ask for $2,500. Better to shoot high and end up at a lower number. You never know until you ask.

My sales pitch is what a great cause BBK is and that $.90+ of every $1.00 donated goes to the charities. Also this is the big Commercial Real Estate Fundraiser of the year. I also ask people that I know most likely will give. BBK has been in my routine for 12 years now, so it is just something I do. In many of my business conversations I bring it up.

I have met and forged relationships with many people that I otherwise wouldn't have met. I have gotten to meet a lot of younger brokers as well. Personally, I really feel like I am giving back and doing my part, however small that may be. We have been fortunate and I have always been taught to help those less fortunate than you. I have been to these charities and seen firsthand how they impact people's lives.

Brian Watson. Northstar Commercial Properties. Co-Chair 2005

• How did you get involved with BBK? Through Brad Neiman's request.
• Who do you ask for money? Vendors, clients, etc.
• When (in the relationship) is it OK to ask someone for money? Whenever you have a business relationship, or they want your business.
• What is the size of a typical donation? $2,500
• What is your "sales pitch"? Great organization that I support, big community impact, match of funds
• How do you find time in the week to be involved with BBK? You just do it for the cause. Also, in the normal course of meetings/calls/business
• Do you see any business benefits to your involvement? Absolutely. People like to know you have more depth and are calling on them beyond business.
• What personal benefit do you receive from your involvement? Impact for the kids/community. Lots of business relationships have been furthered through effort.

Brad Neiman. Northstar Commercial Partners.

I was asked by Steve Leonard the founder of BBK to be involved.  I typically asked owners of real estate for whom I represented as a real estate broker. The best time to approach for someone in a new business relationship is just before/after a deal closes.

For new contributors:Almost no resistance at the $100 level; moderate resistance at $250; resistance increases substantially at $1000 and above.

Sales Pitch (keep it to 30 seconds):  the real estate industry in Denver is huge.  BBK is the only community service event in which the entire industry joins together as a single group.  Make the point that you contribute also (even if you don't name the amount.)

I just make the time.  It can be as little as 10 minutes a day.

Wearing a "white hat"  and talking with people about community service always makes it easier to actually talk business at a later time. I think it is important to give back to the community.  The Denver real estate community is very blessed with high incomes.  Recognizing your good fortune and giving something back is part of our culture.

Daniel Markofsky. Daniel B. Markofsky, Attorney at Law, P.C. DA 20-30. Co-Chair 2003.

1. How did you get involved with BBK?  Membership in Denver Active 20-30 
2. Who do you ask for money?  People in Real Estate 
3. When (in the relationship) is it OK to ask someone for money?  Whenever the topic comes up 
4. What is the size of a typical donation?  Varies, but push for $2,500.00
5. What is your "sales pitch"?  Let the facts of event sell itself 
6. How do you find time in the week to be involved with BBK?  That's a challenge! 
7. Do you see any business benefits to your involvement?  Tremendous networking with motivated and like minded real estate professionals. 
8. What personal benefit do you receive from your involvement?  Doing my part for our children 
9. The energy of BBK allows the even to generate far more fundraising than would happen if people were left to their own devices.  The vent costs are low and the payout to the needy children of our community are huge! 

Tina Rutherford. Land Title Guarantee Company.

• How did you get involved with BBK? I went to work for Steve Leonard in 1994 – no choice :)
• Who do you ask for money? Everyone I have a good business or personal relationship with
• When (in the relationship) is it OK to ask someone for money? When you believe in the cause
• What is the size of a typical donation? My contributors aren't typical – but $2,500
• What is your "sales pitch"? It has been - You can contribute to an individual charity – or do it through BBK and they get more $$ with the match from the McCormick Foundation – guess I'll have to change that now.
• How do you find time in the week to be involved with BBK? I MAKE time – and my firm supports my giving time to BBK
• Do you see any business benefits to your involvement? I can see where it would benefit some firms to have the association with the charity as an industry recognition
• What personal benefit do you receive from your involvement? You get what you give – and it feels good to give to this organization and the kids that benefit from the proceeds 
• Any other comments... I'm trying to make time in my life for a more personal involvement outside raising funds for BBK.  There isn't a more dedicated group of people than the Denver Active 20-30 and the commercial real estate industry to this cause.  It is so easy to feel passionate about BBK.

Paul J. Ruff. Triumph Real Estate Corporation.

• How did you get involved with BBK? Originally it was by virtue of working at Pacifica Holding Company in 1994-1996.  Then, in 1998, I was asked to be a team captain for a group that had not formerly had a team, which was just prior to forming my own development company.
• Who do you ask for money? Generally I go to vendors including contractors, title companies, bankers/lenders, roofers, maintenance companies, etc, as well as financial partners and significant clients with whom I would typically be prepared to reciprocate with a gift to their charity of choice.
• When (in the relationship) is it OK to ask someone for money? The easiest time is after you have utilized their services, recommended them to others, made money or created some kind of business opportunity for them, and it's also powerful with vendors who are seeking business from you through referrals.  However, it is also a very effective tool towards the building of a relationship.   When you are just getting to know someone and trying to make the relationship personal in addition to business, you can mention your involvement with BBK as a conversation piece.  After describing the great things BBK does, you may see an obvious opportunity to ask if they would like to be involved as well.  It is a fantastic way to show a prospective client that you care about your community and as a building block towards a deeper relationship with that person.
• What is the size of a typical donation? Initially I was able to generally get $100- $500 donations pretty easily.  However, as the years went by and people saw the good we were doing in the community, the opportunity to raise Major Sponsor donations ($2,500- $5,000) became much more apparent.  Now, over 90% of the funds I raise every year are in the form of Major Sponsorships!
• What is your "sales pitch"? I like to explain both how much good BBK does for the charities we support, but also give a strong pitch toward business interests by identifying the companies within the real estate community who support and participate in BBK each year, and letting them know that “everybody who is anybody in real estate is involved with this, so your exposure through a sponsorship is seen by very important people, and similarly, your absence from sponsorship may also be noticed by the real estate community.”
• How do you find time in the week to be involved with BBK? I like to set aside one hour a week to work on it, and I schedule it just like a meeting.  I send incoming calls to voice mail, avoid responding to incoming emails, and shut my office door, just as if I had an important client to meet with.
• Do you see any business benefits to your involvement? Only insofar as I believe my involvement really helps “humanize” me in the eyes of my clients, investors, and vendors.  And I think people like to do business with people who actually DO something about improving the world we live in.  I don't stand on a soap box or anything, but I think people respect it very much.
• What personal benefit do you receive from your involvement? Knowing that I have a chance to help make a child's life better is all I need.

Renee Woehl. First Industrial Realty Trust.

• How did you get involved with BBK?   Worked with founder, Steve Leonard, at Pacifica Holding Company and have been a part of BBK ever since.
• Who do you ask for money?  We ask all of our service vendors.
• When (in the relationship) is it OK to ask someone for money?   Anytime - just ask.   
• What is the size of a typical donation?  250-500 
• What is your "sales pitch"?  We just send the letters out and follow up with a call and a check is in the mail.
• How do you find time in the week to be involved with BBK?  It's tough right now - sometime during my very busy work day.   
• Do you see any business benefits to your involvement?    Yes, of course.
• What personal benefit do you receive from your involvement?  I have received the most wonderful personal benefit.  I have been a volunteer for a child from Colorado Christian Home for over 4 years.  She is like a daughter to me and I am so blessed that she came into my life.  She is back home with her family now after being rehabiltated for 2 years and I am still able to spend time with her.