Business networking becomes much more powerful when a relationship develops into an intentional, working partnership.
In this special partnership deep dive episode of Connections That Matter, Andrew Johnson welcomes back two previous guests: Joe Pucci, owner of Choice Moving Company, and Austin Foss, Senior Loan Officer with Financing with Foss, powered by American Capital Mortgage Group.
Joe and Austin operate at different stages of the real-estate transaction, but they often serve the same clients and collaborate with many of the same professionals. Instead of simply exchanging names at a networking meeting, they have built a referral ecosystem designed to make the home-buying and moving experience easier for their clients.
They discuss how meeting through the NIA Elevate group helped them develop trust, why accountability matters when recommending another business, and how recurring collaboration has strengthened their relationship.
The conversation also explores their involvement in a Northern Colorado real-estate bus tour. The tour brings real-estate agents together to visit multiple listings, provide immediate feedback, build relationships, and create new business opportunities—all in a relaxed environment where genuine conversations can happen.
Episode Highlights
🔹 How a mortgage professional and moving company can serve the same clients at different stages of the real-estate process.
🔹 Why a strong referral makes both the receiving business and the person making the introduction look good.
🔹 How trusted partnerships create a “circle of accountability” around the client experience.
🔹 Why Austin and Joe evaluate integrity, consistency, and character before referring someone.
🔹 When Austin introduces moving, insurance, inspection, and other referral partners during the lending process.
🔹 How recommendations from several trusted professionals can build significant local brand authority.
🔹 How Joe and Austin met through NIA Elevate and moved beyond surface-level networking.
🔹 How the real-estate bus tour creates value for agents, sellers, sponsors, and other referral partners.
🔹 Why creating your own environment can be more effective than trying to enter someone else’s networking room.
🔹 How co-marketing, educational content, email campaigns, website links, and repeated visibility help referral partnerships grow.
🔹 Why successful networking requires consistently looking for opportunities to help other people.
Why You Should Listen
This episode is for business owners and professionals who want networking to produce more than occasional introductions.
Joe and Austin explain how to move from knowing someone to actively working together, advocating for one another, and creating repeatable opportunities that benefit both businesses.
You will learn how to:
🔹 Identify complementary businesses that serve the same clients.
🔹 Introduce referral partners at the moment their services become most valuable.
🔹 Create joint events that attract the professionals you want to meet.
🔹 Build trust through shared work rather than relying only on one-to-one meetings.
🔹 Promote your partners without making the relationship feel transactional.
🔹 Create a referral pipeline through consistency, communication, and mutual advocacy.
Their partnership demonstrates that the best referral relationships are not based on a single transaction. They are built by repeatedly finding ways to make one another more valuable to clients and the broader business community.
How to Contact Joe Pucci
Joe Pucci
Owner, Choice Moving Company
Website: https://www.choicemovingcompany.com/
Email: info@choicemovingcompany.com
Choice Moving Company provides residential and commercial moving and storage services throughout Colorado, with locations serving Fort Collins and Denver.
How to Contact Austin Foss
Austin Foss
Senior Loan Officer, Financing with Foss
Powered by American Capital Mortgage Group
Website: https://www.austinfoss.com/
Email: austin@myloanteam.org
Austin helps homebuyers navigate the mortgage process with a focus on education, clear communication, and reducing the stress associated with purchasing or refinancing a home.
Timestamps
1:00 – Meet Joe Pucci and Austin Foss.
2:18 – How their businesses work together during a real estate transaction.
5:55 – Meeting through NIA Elevate and developing referral trust.
9:56 – When to introduce referral partners during the mortgage process.
15:27 – How the Northern Colorado real estate bus tour works.
21:56 – Creating mutual value through sponsorships and collaboration.
32:33 – Daily referral habits, co-marketing, and long-term visibility.
36:37 – How to connect with Joe and Austin.
