Purpose
Help each other grow our businesses through referrals.
About Missouri Business Referrals
Connections That Build Business, Friendships and Impact
MBR exists to help local business professionals build trusted relationships, make meaningful introductions, and help each other grow through referrals.
Why MBR Exists
Help Each Other Grow Our Businesses Through Referrals
Meetings are not the purpose. Attendance is not the purpose. Exchanging business cards is not the purpose.
The purpose is to build relationships strong enough that members understand who they can confidently introduce to one another.
Our Story
Built From Practical Experience
Missouri Business Referrals grew from Jen Wheeler's experience with relationship-based business networking.
She saw firsthand that consistent professional relationships could lead to introductions, partnerships, business opportunities, community connections, and genuine friendships.
MBR was created to keep the parts of structured referral networking that create real value—regular connection, business understanding, trusted relationships, meaningful referrals, and professional community—while reducing unnecessary participation pressure.
Know People. Trust People. Understand Their Businesses. Help Each Other Grow.
That is the practical idea behind the MBR model.
Meet Jen Wheeler
Founder, Missouri Business Referrals
Jen Wheeler is a Missouri business owner and community connector whose work has repeatedly centered on relationships.
Her professional background includes Rock Bridge Insurance, while her community work has included Safi Sana and participation in the establishment of City of Refuge in Columbia.
MBR grew from her practical experience with structured referral networking and her belief that trusted introductions can create meaningful opportunities for businesses and communities.
Purpose · Mission · Vision
What Guides MBR
Mission
Bring local business professionals together to build trusted relationships, make meaningful introductions, and help each other grow through referrals.
Vision
Build a growing network of Missouri business communities where trusted relationships help local businesses, people, and communities move forward.
Our Values
What MBR Should Look Like in Practice
Trust
Take responsibility for the reputation behind every referral.
Relationships First
Know the person before expecting the opportunity.
Integrity
Represent yourself, your business, and other members accurately.
Give & Receive
Healthy referral relationships create value in more than one direction.
Community
Strong local businesses contribute to stronger local communities.
Growth
Progress can include customers, partnerships, visibility, knowledge, and stronger relationships.
Accountability
Follow through on commitments and introductions.
Professionalism
Represent your business and MBR well.
The MBR Philosophy
Structure Should Support Relationships
MBR Believes
- People refer businesses they trust.
- Trust requires interaction.
- Better understanding creates better referrals.
- Local relationships matter.
MBR Avoids
- Pressure for its own sake.
- Scorekeeping as the purpose.
- Careless referrals.
- Unnecessary bureaucracy.
Interested in Starting a Group?
Bring MBR to Your Community
If you are interested in helping establish an MBR group in another Missouri community, use the Contact MBR form and choose “Start a Group in My Area.”
Contact MBRTell Us
- Who you are
- Your business
- Your Missouri city or area
- Why you believe an MBR group could help the community
Come Meet the People Behind MBR
Choose a group, meet the members, and decide for yourself whether the community fits you and your business.
Find a Group