COFFEE, croissants and commerce seems like an unlikely mix to bring success.

But a group of businesses in Torquay meet weekly using exactly this formula, and have benefited from £2million of new business.

"We refuse to join the recession," said Danny Corder, director of the Torquay Brunel Chapter of BNI.

"We support each other and provide weekly referrals for new business opportunities that we have learnt about during our working week. This helps our own customers and our members as we know we are giving a personal recommendation to each party based on experience. The most powerful form of marketing is by word of mouth."

Few businesses were talking about recession during the early part of 2008. In September, however, everyday business language changed. But the doomongers seemed to act as a spur for the Brunel group. Collectively they refused to participate in the recession.

For the past seven years the group has been meeting regularly at 7am each week at Living Coasts in Torquay. The procedure has worked extremely wellwith six thousand referrals for new business opportunities passing between members since the chapter began. Each one averages £340 and with 22 members this brings £250,000 of business over the year.

"We set a target each year and we always reach it. This year it is £250,000," said Chris Fleet, registered with the NHS Directory of Complementary Practitioners. "In some respects it is easier to find business for others than oneself."

The mix of membership from accountants to web designers provides much of the success. But the membership is widespread.

There is a strong financial group of insurance, accountant, mortgage broker, financial adviser and a solicitor.

Another budding power group is health, with hypnotherapy, Bowen Technique and the latest recruit in reflexology.

Photographer Clive Figes has just won two international awards. "My work has increased and now includes a great diversity of requests. Portraits, weddings, commercial photographs for marketing even personal photographs of injuries sustained after an accident," says Clive.

Karen Eggerton runs her business The House Vet, which is a mobile vet service for pet owners.

"We hear about fat bankers, but I run a club for fat cats too. The Fat Club is an ideal way for pet owners to keep their pets healthy and sprightly," says Karen.

For each of these businesses, networking has become their major marketing method.

By meeting at 7am and sharing a hearty cooked breakfast the business day is unaffected. It becomes the most important weekly meal for the business people in Brunel Chapter of BNI. The meeting is well thought-out and active. "We would encourage businesses in marketing, travel and property sales to visit us. We have business for these sectors now," says Danny Corder.

"Referrals are the single most important marketing and sales tactic making profits happen".

Brunel is part of a worldwide network.

Its members are part of the global family of more than 100,000