Article by:
Kieran Murry
PUYALLUP, WA | What if one of the best ways to grow your Puyallup business was to drive a few miles down the road to Tacoma?
For Goods Automotive, an automotive repair business serving Puyallup and surrounding Pierce County communities, that approach has generated some impressive results.
$76,000 in referral revenue over the past two years!
And according to Joe Battaglia of Goods Automotive, that number represents only part of the value the company has received through its involvement with Ignite-U Networking in Tacoma.
The story offers an important lesson for entrepreneurs throughout Puyallup, South Hill, Sumner, Graham, and Pierce County.
When it comes to growing your business, relationships matter more than city limits.
Goods Automotive provides automotive maintenance and repair services to drivers throughout the Puyallup area.
From oil changes and vehicle diagnostics to brake repairs and other mechanical services, the company operates in an industry where trust and repeat business are essential.
But even a great automotive repair shop needs a steady stream of customers.
That's where business networking entered the picture.
For approximately three years, Goods Automotive has participated in Ignite-U Networking, a business networking organization that meets three times each week at Tower Lanes in Tacoma.
Rather than limiting their relationship-building efforts to Puyallup, representatives from Goods Automotive regularly travel to Tacoma to connect with fellow business owners.
That commitment has paid off.
During a recent video interview with Ignite-U Networking co-founder Kieran Murry, Joe Battaglia shared financial results the company has tracked from its networking activities.
Over the most recent two-year period, Goods Automotive documented approximately $76,000 in revenue attributable to Ignite-U referrals.
That's revenue from customers who were connected to the business through networking relationships.
And here's what makes those numbers especially interesting.
Goods Automotive isn't selling a once-in-a-lifetime product.
The company provides services that almost every vehicle owner eventually needs.
When someone needs automotive repairs, maintenance, or diagnostics, having a trusted recommendation can make a real difference in where they choose to take their vehicle.
For Goods Automotive, those recommendations have developed into a meaningful source of business.
The lesson for Puyallup business owners?
You don't need hundreds of random contacts. You need relationships with people who know you, trust you, and are willing to recommend your business.
During the interview, Joe explained that the company's Ignite-U relationships created opportunities beyond direct customer referrals.
One of those relationships was with Chun Li of Digital Encounter Marketing, another Ignite-U member.
Through that connection, Goods Automotive received help with its Google presence and online marketing.
Joe reported approximately 267% growth in Google-related business performance following that work.
Although the interview didn't establish the exact metric behind that percentage, it illustrated an important point.
Business networking can introduce you to people who help your business grow in ways that go far beyond traditional referrals.
Joe also mentioned working with Luke Moyer, another professional he met through Ignite-U, for video content.
Think about what that means.
One networking organization helped Goods Automotive connect with potential automotive customers, a digital marketing professional, and a video content creator.
Those are three different types of relationships supporting different parts of the business.
And they all started with showing up and meeting people.
One misconception about business networking is that you should only attend meetings within the city where your business operates.
But customers don't necessarily follow city boundaries.
Someone who lives in Tacoma might work in Puyallup.
A business owner in Sumner might have customers throughout Pierce County.
A contractor based in South Hill might regularly complete projects in Lakewood, Tacoma, and University Place.
That's why expanding your professional relationships beyond Puyallup can make good business sense.
Consider the potential benefits:
1. More opportunities to meet potential referral partners
Every new relationship introduces the possibility of reaching customers who might otherwise never hear about your business.
2. Connections with businesses you can use yourself
Marketing professionals, accountants, contractors, insurance agents, automotive specialists, and other business owners can become valuable resources.
3. Greater exposure throughout Pierce County
Building relationships in Tacoma can help Puyallup businesses become better known across the South Sound.
4. Long-term relationships instead of one-time transactions
A strong referral relationship can continue producing opportunities for years.
5. Access to experience and ideas
Sometimes the most valuable conversation at a networking meeting isn't about a referral at all. It's about learning something that helps you run your business better.
There's another important detail in the Goods Automotive story.
Joe and his colleague Zach have made a habit of regularly participating in Ignite-U meetings.
Joe frequently attends Wednesday networking lunches, while Zach commonly attends Tuesday lunches and Friday breakfasts.
That consistency matters.
When people see you regularly, they get to know you.
When they get to know you, they begin understanding what your business does.
And when they understand your business, they're better equipped to recommend you when an opportunity comes along.
That's not a guarantee of referrals or revenue. Results depend on the business, the relationships, and the effort invested.
But Goods Automotive demonstrates what consistent participation can help accomplish.
For business owners exploring networking opportunities near Puyallup, Ignite-U Networking offers a different approach from organizations with strict participation requirements.
Ignite-U has spent more than 20 years connecting businesses throughout Pierce County.
Members enjoy:
No mandatory attendance requirements
No referral quotas
No industry exclusivity
Three weekly networking opportunities
A welcoming environment focused on relationships and business growth
Whether you operate a Puyallup auto repair shop, construction company, insurance agency, marketing business, or professional service firm, the goal is simple.
Meet good people. Build genuine relationships. Help each other grow.
Ignite-U holds three weekly meetings at Tower Lanes on 6th Avenue in Tacoma.
Tuesday Networking Lunch: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Wednesday Networking Lunch: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Friday Networking Breakfast: 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
Business owners from Puyallup, South Hill, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Graham, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, and surrounding communities are welcome to attend.
Your first visit gives you the opportunity to meet members, make connections, and decide whether the group is a good fit for your business.
For Goods Automotive, the answer includes approximately $76,000 in documented referral revenue over two years, along with valuable relationships that helped support the company's marketing efforts.
For another business, the results could look completely different.
The important question isn't whether every business can duplicate those numbers.
It's whether you're creating enough opportunities for people to discover, understand, and recommend what you do.
If you're a Puyallup business owner looking for more referrals, stronger relationships, and opportunities to grow throughout Pierce County, perhaps it's time to expand your networking circle.
You don't have to move your business to Tacoma to benefit from the relationships being built there.
You just have to show up.
Goods Automotive is a locally owned automotive repair business serving Puyallup, Tacoma, and surrounding Pierce County communities.
From routine maintenance and oil changes to diagnostics and mechanical repairs, Goods Automotive helps local drivers keep their vehicles running smoothly.
As an active Ignite-U Networking member, Goods Automotive demonstrates how building strong business relationships can create opportunities beyond city limits.
Visit Goods Automotive's Ignite-U Business Listing
Join Kieran and Sherri Murry and the members of Ignite-U Networking for an upcoming Tacoma networking meeting.
Come meet fellow business owners, discover new opportunities, and see firsthand why businesses like Goods Automotive continue making Ignite-U part of their growth strategy.
Learn More About Ignite-U Networking and Visit a Meeting
Ignite-U Networking | Connecting Business Owners Throughout Tacoma, Puyallup, and Pierce County for More Than 20 Years.
