BLOG
From AI Experiments to Working Systems: The Infinite Leverage
What happens when you give a room full of entrepreneurs two days, a real business problem and the tools to build an AI solution themselves?
At EO Melbourne’s Infinite Leverage retreat with AI entrepreneur Dave Hajdu and experienced AI engineers, the answer was 25 live sites, along with CRMs, dashboards, AI agents and a room full of members who left with something they could actually use. Held at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, the two-day hands-on experience took AI out of the realm of experimentation and put it to work on real businesses.
Beyond the Success Story: Tim Gurner on Building, Scaling and Leading
What does it really take to build a business that lasts?
For EO Melbourne members, an afternoon with Tim Gurner, founder of GURNER™ GROUP and Saint Haven, offered an unusually candid look behind the success story. Rather than focusing on the polished version of entrepreneurship, Tim shared the setbacks, relentless work, difficult decisions and lessons that have shaped how he builds businesses today.
Inside EO Melbourne’s Dinner Conversation with Hon Tim Wilson MP
EO Melbourne’s exclusive dinner conversation with Hon Tim Wilson MP, Australia’s Shadow Treasurer and Federal Member for Goldstein, provided exactly that opportunity. Held in an intimate setting and facilitated by EO Melbourne member Steven Pell, the evening brought together a small group of members for a candid discussion about taxation, regulation, housing, productivity, business costs and the broader economic landscape.
The Future of Longevity: Investing in the Health Behind the Business
Every founder understands the importance of investing in the assets that drive a business forward. But at The Future of Longevity, EO Melbourne members were challenged to consider whether they give the same attention to the asset that makes everything else possible: their own health.
EO Melbourne Mentorship Program 2026: Starting the Journey with the Right Questions
What happens when you put the right people, the right questions and the right structure around an entrepreneur?
For this year’s EO Melbourne Mentorship Program, the answer began at the Mentorship Launch and Training, where members and Accelerators came together to kick off a 10-month journey of learning, reflection and growth.
EO Members Served Up Connection at the Pickleball Socials
Laughter, friendly competition and plenty of new connections were on the agenda as EO Melbourne members came together for another successful EO Pickleball Socials at Dink & Drive Pickleball Club in Port Melbourne.
Following the popularity of our first session earlier this year, members returned to the courts for an afternoon that perfectly balanced fun, movement and meaningful connection. With spouses and partners also joining in, the event created a relaxed atmosphere where everyone, from complete beginners to more experienced players, could jump in and enjoy the game.
Your Story Is Your Competitive Advantage
In an era where businesses can be copied, products can be replicated and AI can generate almost anything, one advantage remains uniquely yours: your reputation. That was the challenge at the heart of EO Melbourne's Personal Brand, Storytelling & Influence Masterclass, where award-winning communications specialist, TEDx speaker and author Bernadette Schwerdt invited members to rethink one of the most under-utilised assets in business: the founder behind the brand.
A Night of Recognition, Connection and Celebration
The EO Melbourne Annual Awards and Gala Dinner brought members, Strategic Alliance Partners and guests together for an evening of celebration at 1 Hotel Melbourne, recognising the people whose leadership, generosity and commitment shaped another outstanding year for the chapter.
Set against the theme UNITE: Better, Together, the evening reflected on a year of meaningful growth, stronger connections and shared success. President John Bevitt opened the celebrations by highlighting the chapter's achievements across its three strategic priorities: elevating the entrepreneurial ecosystem, creating diverse experiences and deep connection, and ensuring forums deliver transformational growth. A highlights video captured the energy of the past 12 months before the focus turned to the individuals who made those achievements possible.
Robotics Revolution with Steve Sammartino: Turning AI into Action
The future of AI is no longer confined to screens. It is taking shape in factories, warehouses, construction sites and even humanoid robots. At Robotics Revolution with Steve Sammartino, EO Melbourne members explored what this shift means for business and, more importantly, how to respond before the future becomes the present.
Member Connect Dinners: Where Conversations Turned Into Connections
Member Connect Dinners brought EO Melbourne members together for an evening centred on meaningful conversations and genuine connection.
Held across three venues on the same night, the dinners created intimate settings where members could connect beyond the usual event format. Gatherings at Marmelo and From Here by Mike brought together members from across the chapter, while Entrecôte hosted a special dinner in the private Le Conservatoire dining space for new members and those with seven or more years in EO.
Celebrating Growth and Connection at the Mentorship Program Wrap-up
EO Melbourne recently gathered to celebrate the conclusion of another successful Mentorship Program for FY 2025/26 — a program that continues to be one of the most valuable benefits of EO Membership.
The wrap-up brought mentors and mentees together to reflect on the conversations, breakthroughs and relationships formed over the past year. More than just professional guidance, the program created space for honest discussions, shared experiences and the kind of perspective that only comes from entrepreneurs learning directly from one another.
Inside Society: An Unforgettable Evening with Chris Lucas
There are some events that stay with you long after the room has emptied, and Inside Society: A Private Evening with Chris Lucas was undoubtedly one of them. Hosted by EO Melbourne, the evening brought members together for a rare and deeply insightful conversation with one of Australia’s most respected hospitality entrepreneurs.
Leadership in Motion: How EO Shaped John Bevitt’s Leadership Journey
John Bevitt joined EO in 2019 with a simple intention. He wanted to grow. What followed was a series of decisions to lean in, say yes to opportunity, and explore what leadership could look like for him. Over time, that curiosity evolved into commitment, leading him to spend more than half of his EO journey serving on the board. His story reflects what can unfold when you choose to step forward and make the most of what EO offers.
AI in Action: Where EO Melbourne Members Turned Possibility into Practice
Some conversations shift your thinking. Others shift your behaviour. AI in Action: Real AI Use Cases from EO Members did both.
EO Melbourne brought members into a room where AI moved beyond headlines and into hands-on application. This was not a session about what AI might become. It was a clear look at how founders are already using it to write code, run experiments, and sharpen decision-making inside their businesses today. The shift in perspective was immediate, with many realising that the potential to free up both themselves and their teams to focus on higher-value work was far greater than they had previously understood.
Anou Khanijou on Breaking the Glass Ceiling and Turning Challenges into Breakthroughs
For a 30-year-old woman to lead an organisation with a strong male presence is no easy feat. Moreover, being part of a community filled with goal-oriented entrepreneurs, business owners, founders, and CEOs is not for the fainthearted. Yet, in FY 2001–2002, Anou Khanijou stepped into the role of EO Melbourne president, guiding the chapter through a transformative period and helping strengthen its foundations.
Inside EO Melbourne’s Sales & B2B Lead Gen Masterclass
The conversations in the room made one thing clear from the outset: deals were not being lost in dramatic fashion, they were quietly slipping through the cracks. Promising leads stalled, follow-ups lost momentum, and pipelines felt more reactive than reliable. EO Melbourne’s Sales & B2B Lead Gen Masterclass stepped directly into this tension, offering founders a way to turn scattered effort into structured, repeatable growth.
The Masterclass delivered a dual lens on the problem. It paired a hands-on sales workshop with a deep dive into modern B2B lead generation, ensuring that attendees did not just learn how to close better, but also how to bring the right opportunities into the funnel in the first place. Each session reinforced the other, creating a cohesive approach to revenue growth.
Leading with Wonder: Brad Montague on Creative Compassion, Culture and the Power of Small Shifts
Entrepreneurs spend much of their time solving problems, making decisions, and pushing their organisations forward. What often goes unnoticed are the quieter forces shaping how teams think, connect and grow.
That was the focus of EO Melbourne’s recent session with Brad Montague, who travelled to Australia to deliver Wonder Work: How Creative Compassion Builds Better Leaders and Joyful Communities. Known for his thought-provoking storytelling and creative approach to leadership, Montague invited members to slow down and look beneath the surface of how they lead.
Sowing the Future: Antony Sormann and the Growth of EO Melbourne
Returning to EO Melbourne after a few years away, Antony Sormann stepped into a chapter that felt both familiar and astonishingly new. The modest beginnings he once knew had blossomed into a thriving, dynamic community, a living testament to the power of connection and shared vision. The transformation filled him with pride.
EO Melbourne Senior Leadership Program Launch
On 28 November 2025, EO Melbourne was proud to host the launch of our new Senior Leadership Program, delivered in partnership with Debra Chantry-Taylor and Adam Harris from Business Action.
This program has been created to support the senior leaders who work alongside our EO Members, particularly in entrepreneurial & family businesses that are growing fast, facing increasing complexity, or preparing for their next stage of scale.
EO Melbourne Explores Demographic Certainties at AGM and “Outrageous Optimism” with Simon Kuestenmacher
EO Melbourne gathered for a productive Annual General Meeting that set a clear course for the chapter’s year ahead, bringing members together to reflect on achievements, review key updates, and align on the path forward. The evening then shifted gears as members welcomed renowned futurist and demographer Simon Kuestenmacher, Co-founder and Director of The Demographics Group, for the highly anticipated session Outrageous Optimism: Demographic Certainties – Running a Business in Volatile Times.