Meet Steven Zyskowski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Zyskowski.

Hi Steven, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
As an entrepreneur since the age of 23, I’ve owned and ran many types of small businesses, ranging from entertainment publishing, manufacturing, intellectual property licensing, financial services, mortgage lending, and real estate investing. After the lending crisis in 2008, I used my extensive experience starting member-ran small business referral teams to develop my own system- Caerusnet. Inspired by Caerus, the Greek god of opportunity, I designed referral teams that are led by a facilitator. The facilitator runs the meetings so that members could focus on growing their businesses and develop networking relationships. I coach my clients on how to create business opportunities for their teammates as well as themselves. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Any entrepreneur will tell you there is no such thing as a smooth road. I needed to demonstrate to the Livingston and Washtenaw County business communities that Caerusnet was different than the member-ran groups (example: BNI) that had existed since the eighties. I wanted to show them that networking and referral marketing did not have to be a second job- that it would be profitable AND fun! The biggest hurdle, however, was the pandemic. When Shelter in Place orders closed Michigan businesses, I was forced to migrate hundreds of members to an entirely online video-based experience. With precious little time and less experience, I was able to retool the business, and many of the previous limits to the business model have disappeared in the process. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The creation of Caerusnet and the relationships I’ve developed with my clients have been a great source of satisfaction, personally and professionally. Caerusnet is a series of guiding principles and commonly used strategies for growing referral teams and helping the local business community strengthen by referral. The Facilitator & the Members are partners in the success of their team. Members are never asked to be officers, chair special committees, or attend additional required training. Facilitators also have complete freedom to run their teams in a way they believe, based on their experiences, can be successful. Our referral teams are unique in that Every Caerusnet team is run by a Facilitator who is using the Caerusnet Referral Team System (CRTS) as their guiding principles. With instant, ongoing access to the Caerusnet federally copyrighted materials and know how the Facilitator runs the meetings, delivers education to the team to help them Master the Art of Referrals, sets the meeting agenda, and follows up with visitors. The Members are asked to learn how to consistently pass referrals and invite other professionals to visit the team. 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I can’t really think of anything specific, but I grew up with two brothers. We loved spending our summers in Howell, Michigan, hanging out together, riding our bikes around town, reading comics, and pretending to be our favorite superheroes. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://caerusnet.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaerusNet/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenzyskowski/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcMoBRdwf6ZURhMrBu3ktNg
• Other: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/caerusnet