Transformative Guidance: The Mentorship Journey of David Bachsinar and Bevan McLeod

Mentee David Bachsinar (left) with his mentor, Bevan McLeod (right).

In the dynamic world of business, where challenges and opportunities intermingle, mentorship stands as a beacon of guidance and growth. EO Melbourne's Mentorship Program, which pairs seasoned business leaders with entrepreneurs and business owners, exemplifies this. Here, we explore the inspiring mentorship journey of David Bachsinar, Founder and Managing Director at BACH Commercial, and his mentor, Bevan McLeod, Managing Director at BlueRock.

The Start of an Empowering Relationship

David Bachsinar joined the EO Melbourne Mentorship Program for the first time, seeking guidance beyond his immediate circle. "I faced challenges I couldn't discuss with my team or solve alone," David recalled. "I had wanted to join the Mentorship Program for some time, hoping to find someone who could provide the support and perspective I needed."

In contrast, Bevan McLeod returned for his second year as a mentor. "The first time around was incredibly rewarding," Bevan shared. "Helping individuals and seeing them apply that knowledge in their businesses is immensely satisfying. I also learned a lot about myself in the process."

Their journey began at the welcoming event, a crucial first step that laid the foundation for their mentorship. "The EO Mentorship Program's structure helps establish a bond early on," Bevan noted. "Locking in that first meeting and learning about each other on a personal level is key." For David, this initial interaction revealed unexpected common ground. "We both have a keen interest in sports and fitness, which created an immediate connection," he said. "Bevan's background in manufacturing, particularly his experience with his father's business, resonated deeply with me. Additionally, he had a wealth of experience and knowledge that I could learn from."

Learning and Growing Together

Over the past 12 months, the mentorship journey proved transformative for both David and Bevan. Navigating the complexities of managing his growing business, David found Bevan's guidance invaluable. "Bevan's executive director experience opened my mind to high-level management, organisation, and team structure," David shared. "Before this, I was trying to figure everything out on my own, which was incredibly challenging."

One of the most significant changes David implemented was aligning team values and celebrating individual contributions, which he learned from his mentorship sessions with Bevan. "Introducing an MVP or Most Valuable Player of the Month award has been a game-changer," he explained. "It brought so much positivity and recognition within the team. Letting the team nominate the MVP themselves created a sense of ownership and pride."

Another thing David learned from Bevan that he is set to introduce to his team is the Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument, which will aid him in better understanding team dynamics. "That's something I’ve got underway at the moment. I’m excited to see how it unfolds," he stated.

Bevan, too, found the mentorship experience enriching. "We challenge each other, and I always learn from understanding different business perspectives," he observed. "There’s a nervous anticipation before our sessions, not knowing where the discussion will go, but it's always rewarding." The intuitive connection they developed allowed their conversations to flow naturally, leaving lasting impressions on both mentor and mentee. "I never had to take notes because our discussions were so memorable and impactful," Bevan added.

Practical Applications and Business Impact

David applied several key lessons from Bevan to his business. "Implementing a value-aligned team culture and recognising individual contributions were pivotal changes," David said. These practices, stemming from Bevan's insights, provided a framework for David's growing business. "Coming from a one-man band to managing a team of 30 staff and numerous subcontractors was daunting," David admitted. "But Bevan's guidance through this growth has been invaluable. I've begun to put managers in place but lacked a structured framework. Bevan has been instrumental in guiding and supporting us through this transitional phase as we continue to expand."

Bevan found immense satisfaction in seeing his advice implemented effectively. "Hearing how our discussions on values and team management have positively impacted David's business brings me great joy," he said. "The fact that the advice was received well and acted upon is deeply rewarding."

Inspiring Others to Join the Journey

For those considering joining the EO Melbourne Mentorship Program, David and Bevan’s experience highlights its transformative potential. David emphasised its profound impact on his perspective and business acumen. "It’s an amazing program that opens your mind and provides support and strategy to overcome challenges," David stated. "I’ve also formed a great friendship with Bevan, which is the best part."

Bevan encouraged experienced business leaders to become mentors, noting the personal and professional rewards. "Mentoring offers a fresh perspective and reinforces the impact of your own practices," Bevan concluded. "It’s about giving back and learning from each other. Seeing the positive changes in David’s business has been incredibly fulfilling."

Overall, the mentorship journey of David Bachsinar and Bevan McLeod exemplifies the profound benefits of EO Melbourne's Mentorship Program. Through shared learning, practical applications, and mutual respect, both mentor and mentee experienced significant growth and satisfaction. Their story serves as an inspiring testament to the program’s potential, urging others to embark on this rewarding path.

Walking the Path of Mentorship: A Journey with Jacob Spencer and Amanda Walker

In the bustling world of entrepreneurship, the path to success can often feel like a solitary one. Yet, amidst the chaos of business, there exists a beacon of support and guidance: mentorship. In the EO Melbourne Mentorship Program, transformative mentor-mentee relationships illuminate the profound impact of shared experiences and mutual learning.

One such tale unfolds between Jacob Spencer, Owner & Managing Director of Mobile Skips, and his mentor, Amanda Leigh Walker, Co-founder at Lord of the Fries, a life & personal development coach for women. Their mentorship journey was not just a series of meetings; it was a dynamic walk through the forests of insight, growth, and camaraderie. Instead of adding more to their already fully loaded  “to-do” lists, it was about cutting back, distilling ideas and practices down to their essence and refining their formula for success. 

Embracing the Journey: A Purpose-Driven Partnership

Although Jacob has previously engaged in the EO Mentorship Program, he opted to enrol once more for this intake, aiming to derive further benefits from the program. He shared, “I joined again because I was looking for different perspectives and experiences around things that I was going through and to have my blind spots opened up. I've always leaned into the idea that if you want to have a great business and a successful life with your family or personally, then you've got to start to work internally first. The mentorship program does that. It helps you focus on yourself and think about what you're getting from your endeavours and who you are as a person.”

It is also Amanda’s second round as a mentor in the Program. Her decision to participate again as a mentor stemmed from her love of learning from others while supporting them on their path. Together, they found a seamless connection rooted in their shared values of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Their mentorship journey was characterised by service-mindedness, transforming business discussions into opportunities for personal and collective growth.

Walking the Talk: Lessons Learned Along the Path

Their sessions weren't confined by four walls; instead, they chose to meet for monthly walks and talks along Merri Creek. Through their exchanges, they unearthed many valuable lessons including embracing the whole path of reaching goals instead of focusing on the end game.

“On our walks, we don't have any distractions with devices, it's very informal. That, in itself, is excellent. We are completely present and in a space and mindset to have a really good open vulnerable discussion,” Jacob explained.

Amanda shared that she loved walking for the fact that “we get to enjoy the freedom of our business that allows us to get outside, open our minds and be creative, instead of tied to a desk.”

One of the key things that Jacob learned during his sessions, was that he has something valuable to offer others in every stage of goal creation. By sharing his journey with Amanda, together they were able to pull out nuggets of wisdom that would be valuable for people who are on the same path.

They found that the beginning, middle and end of any goal is equally as important as the finished product. To get to the finish line and only share the outcome is to miss the lessons along the way. We are all standing on the shoulders of others who have had to take the path to success. It can be messy and difficult to build it’s powerful too. Like in nature, the leaves are just as important as the roots. 

The Path Unfolds: Applying Insights for Growth

Another area they worked on together was the importance of aligning one’s business with personal values. Doing this resulted in a fresh understanding of Jacob’s corporate culture and purpose. “When you're leading a business and the heartbeat of the business comes from the culture that you bring, it starts with your values. I've seen that when I waver in my values or if I'm not using them to help guide the way we operate, the business and its people become misaligned quickly,” he stated.

Authentic Leadership 

A theme that ran through their sessions was about walking the talk and being an authentic leader. They share the similar idea that to be your best in business is to have a clear and positive outlook, an abundance mindset, be open to feedback, be willing to upgrade sluggish ideas, align personal and business values and create habits that anchor you to being your best self. To tell others to be on top of their game but not to practice the self-care and self-awareness required oneself is to be a hypocrite. In their mentorship, they held each other to those standards and encouraged congruence in the business.

Navigating the Terrain: Benefits of Mentorship

For Jacob, the EO Mentorship Program offered more than just guidance; it provided a platform for personal responsibility and vulnerability. By embracing these principles, Jacob unlocked the true potential of mentorship, leveraging it as a catalyst for self-discovery and growth. 

“To talk about the benefits, I'm going to bring it back to some of the core principles in EO and what we get out of the forum. We start with this wonderful gift that we have — somebody who is very experienced in business and life, who has been on a great journey and willing to give you time. Then it's up to the participant to get what they want out of it. The mentee is the person who should take responsibility for how they meet, what their discussions are about and what the goals are,” Jacob said. 

As for Amanda, she found fulfilment in supporting Jacob in his continued growth, relishing the opportunity to witness his evolution as an entrepreneur and individual. Amanda quipped, “It is a privilege to be a part of someone's journey, to be part of their business and life journey. It is an   to be able to walk with someone along  their path during this experience.” Not only that but Amanda was able to gain insight into her own business practices, values, and leadership by being with someone who embodies all that she strives to be: successful, humble, kind, aligned and service-minded. 

Walking Together: A Privilege and Honour

As Jacob and Amanda traversed the winding paths of mentorship, they discovered a profound truth: the journey is as enriching as the destination. Together, they embarked on a voyage of self-discovery, camaraderie, and shared growth, guided by the principles of purpose and authenticity. Their mentorship walks became more than just a physical activity; they symbolised a dynamic exploration of entrepreneurship, friendship, and the human spirit.

From Homelessness to Hero: Harry Sanders Inspires EO Melbourne Members with Tales of Triumph

EO Melbourne recently played host to a learning event that left attendees spellbound and inspired. The gathering served as a platform for the extraordinary journey of EO Melbourne Member Harry Sanders, the visionary Director and Founder of StudioHawk. In a narrative that echoed the very essence of resilience and triumph, Harry took EO Melbourne members on a gripping ride through his tumultuous yet triumphant path to success.

Against the backdrop of adversity and uncertainty, Harry's story emerged as a beacon of hope and determination. From his challenging beginnings, grappling with homelessness at just 17 years old, to founding StudioHawk, Harry's journey exemplifies the transformative power of unwavering resolve.

As Harry recounted his journey, attendees were drawn into a narrative rich with invaluable insights and wisdom. With each word, Harry painted a vivid picture of resilience in action, showcasing how he overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles with sheer determination and grit.

Central to Harry's narrative was the founding of StudioHawk, a journey fraught with challenges yet illuminated by moments of sheer brilliance. Attendees hung onto every word as Harry shared the secrets behind StudioHawk's rise to prominence, culminating in the prestigious title of the 'Best Large SEO Agency – Globally.'

Guiding the conversation with finesse and insight was Rob Roy Rankin, EO Melbourne's Member Engagement Chair. Through his expertly crafted questions, Rob unearthed deeper layers of Harry's journey, offering attendees a rare glimpse into the heart and mind of a true entrepreneur.

Harry's accolades speak volumes, with recognition pouring in from esteemed platforms such as Forbes 30 Under 30 and the Australian Young Entrepreneur Marketing Award. Yet, amidst the glittering accolades, Harry's true passion lies in giving back to the community. As an ambassador for the Lighthouse Foundation, Harry channels his success towards combating youth homelessness, embodying the spirit of compassion and empathy.

As the event drew to a close, attendees departed with hearts brimming with inspiration and minds buzzing with possibility. Harry Sanders' journey serves as a poignant reminder that no obstacle is insurmountable, and every challenge is an opportunity in disguise.

In the grand tapestry of entrepreneurship, Harry Sanders stands as a testament to the indomitable human spirit, a shining example of what can be achieved with unwavering determination and a relentless pursuit of one's dreams. As EO Melbourne continues to pave the way for transformative learning experiences, members can rest assured that the journey to success is as much about the obstacles overcome as it is about the triumphs celebrated.

The Secrets of Capital Raising and IPOs: Insights from Maria Halasz

EO Melbourne recently had the privilege of gaining invaluable insights into IPOs and capital raising from Maria Halasz, a seasoned expert in the field. Hosted by EO Member Samantha Dybac, the event provided attendees with a unique opportunity to delve into the intricacies of funding rounds and explore the dynamic world of investment.

Maria Halasz, with her impressive credentials, including a B.Sc., MBA, and GAICD, brought a wealth of experience to the table. As the CEO and co-founder of Stride Equity, Australia's pioneering venture-backed equity crowdfunding platform, Maria has been at the forefront of bridging the funding gap for emerging businesses. During the fireside chat, attendees learned about Stride Equity's innovative approach, which includes providing cornerstone investment of up to 20% to companies successfully raising capital on the platform.

Drawing from her extensive background, Maria shared insights on various aspects of capital raising and IPOs. Participants discovered how to assess their business's attractiveness to investors, strategies for preparing for a successful funding round, and the nuances involved in the IPO process. From understanding the different sources of capital to identifying hot sectors for investment opportunities, Maria's expertise provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the landscape.

Maria's illustrious career includes 15 years as the founder and CEO of ASX-listed company Anagenics Limited Ltd. Additionally, she has spent a decade in corporate finance and venture capital, executing IPOs and assisting with global expansions. As a Non-Executive Director of the Garvan Research Foundation and an advisor to the Digital Health CRC, Maria continues to contribute significantly to the business and investment ecosystem.

Prospective EO Melbourne members also had the chance to participate in the event, followed by a Membership Information Session presented by EO Melbourne President James Murray and Membership Chair Kate Save. They learned about the advantages of being part of the EO community, where entrepreneurship thrives through knowledge sharing, networking, and mentorship.

The event underscored EO Melbourne's commitment to providing its members with opportunities for growth and development. By bringing together industry experts like Maria Halasz and facilitating meaningful discussions, EO Melbourne continues to empower entrepreneurs on their journey to success.

EO Learning Day Navigates the Path to Prioritising People

Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Melbourne recently hosted a dynamic Learning Day as part of its acclaimed Accelerator Program and Key Executive Program. Focused on the crucial theme of PEOPLE, the event aimed to equip participants with the insights and strategies needed to elevate their businesses by placing a premium on their human capital.

The session kicked off with a poignant reminder of the paramount importance of prioritising people within the business framework. Drawing on compelling research, attendees were urged to recognise the pivotal role that well-being and engagement play in driving organisational success. Participants were challenged to reflect on fundamental questions regarding their stakeholders' satisfaction, engagement levels, and the alignment of core values.

Throughout the day, delegates engaged in thought-provoking discussions and interactive exercises aimed at delving into the intricacies of motivating and nurturing talent within their organisations. Strategies for leveraging core values in the recruitment and retention processes were explored, underscoring the significance of building a team that aligns with the company's ethos and vision.

One of the highlights of the session was the exploration of DiSC Profiles, a valuable tool for understanding individual behavioural preferences and fostering effective communication and collaboration within teams. Additionally, participants gained invaluable insights into defining and operationalising their company's core purpose, values, and BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal), essential elements in creating a cohesive and purpose-driven organisational culture.

A key takeaway from the event was the introduction of the Function Accountability Chart (FACe), a powerful framework for clarifying roles and responsibilities within the business. By delineating clear accountabilities and reporting structures, participants were empowered to streamline operations and maximise efficiency.

Reflecting on the Learning Day, participants expressed enthusiasm about the practical strategies and tools they acquired to enhance their approach to people management. Many underscored the importance of integrating the insights gained into their business strategies, recognising that a focus on people is not only morally imperative but also critical for long-term success and sustainability.

Overall, the PEOPLE Learning Day served as a catalyst for participants to re-evaluate their approach to talent management and cultivate a culture where people thrive. As EO Melbourne continues to empower entrepreneurs and executives on their journey towards excellence, the event underscored the enduring truth that investing in people is the cornerstone of organisational growth and prosperity.

Damian Blumenkranc's Remarkable Journey: From Online Entrepreneurship to Business Transformation

In a recent episode of the EO Business podcast, Linh Podetti sat down with Damian Blumenkranc, a prominent member of EO Melbourne, to delve into the captivating story of Sunset Sleepers' acquisition and its subsequent transformation under Damian's visionary leadership since March 2021. Join us on a compelling journey as we explore the triumphs, challenges, and insights that have defined Damian's entrepreneurial career.

Damian Blumenkranc, a dedicated father of two - Tali and Max, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at the young age of 14, where he launched Argentina's first online shop using BBS. In 2003, he migrated to Australia and has since demonstrated unparalleled versatility by founding over five successful businesses spanning IT, Beauty, Video Production, and Technology. Damian's strategic prowess is evident through the sale of four ventures, showcasing his ability to not only build but also profitably exit businesses.

At the heart of Damian's entrepreneurial spirit is his latest triumph – the remarkable overhaul of Sunset Sleepers, a venture acquired in March 2021. Linh Podetti skillfully uncovers the inside-out transformation of Sunset Sleepers, revealing how Damian's leadership doubled its size in turnover, people, and space in just over two years. Gain valuable insights into the challenges faced when entering the manufacturing industry, as Damian's diverse expertise, ranging from IT to beauty, shapes a visual journey of business acquisition.

But Damian Blumenkranc's contributions extend beyond his businesses. As a respected figure in the entrepreneurial community, he serves as a mentor to aspiring business leaders and holds a pivotal role on the investment board of an emerging markets VC fund. His past presidency of EO Melbourne and current position as a Regional Council Director exemplify his ongoing commitment to shaping the entrepreneurial landscape.

Currently at the helm as CEO of a manufacturing business in the construction industry, Damian Blumenkranc continues to embody a commitment to innovation and growth. His story is not just a testament to success but also a source of inspiration for those navigating the complex world of entrepreneurship.

Listen to the EO Business podcast episode featuring Damian Blumenkranc to gain unparalleled insights into the mind of a seasoned entrepreneur who has not only conquered diverse industries but has also left an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial landscape.

- Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-121-mastering-business-acquisition-insider-tips/id1440350419?i=1000637747023

- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/41z3f42GVWMowczXj1v6Lq

- YouTube - https://youtu.be/98AqZ_mdQJ8?si=xFO88v8XUfl8GAwz

Igniting Success: EO Accelerator/Key Executive Learning Day on Strategy

In November, the dynamic energy reverberated through Creative Cubes South Melbourne's MicDrop Room, setting the stage for our eagerly awaited EO Accelerator/Key Executive Learning Day focused on Strategy. Entrepreneurs and business leaders converged to explore the nuances of profit strategies, navigate emerging trends, and gain profound insights into genuine customer needs.

The event commenced with an exhilarating workshop led by EO Melbourne Member Jeni Clift, our EO Accelerator Trainer for the day. Participants immersed themselves in the value, purpose, and benefits of strategic planning, with a specific focus on crafting a One-Page Strategic Plan for clear and effective business growth. The workshop covered essential concepts like Core Customer, Brand Promise, Sandbox and Differentiating Activities, and the Business Model Canvas, also delving into Michael Porter's perspective on "What is Strategy?"

Injecting a dose of reality into the learning experience, a panel of EO Melbourne Members, featuring John Anderton, Dean Cherny, and Carlo Santoro, alongside Strategic Alliance Partner Debra Chantry-Taylor from Business Action-EOS, shared their insightful experiences from the Accelerator journey. Their narratives provided valuable insights into the pragmatic application of strategic principles.

Concurrently, the chapter unfolded an Accelerator Strategy Day & Membership Session for those eager to join the EO Accelerator Program. This exclusive event offered a sneak peek into the secrets, tools, and strategies that have propelled leading entrepreneurs to remarkable success. Accelerator Chair Anthony Lam adeptly guided participants through this invitation-only event, tailored for Melbourne's ambitious entrepreneurs, introducing them to the Accelerator Program.

The day wasn't just a learning opportunity; it served as a platform for entrepreneurs to connect, engage, and deepen their understanding of the EO Accelerator Program and how it can propel their businesses to greater heights. The collaborative atmosphere fostered meaningful discussions, networking, and the exchange of ideas crucial for entrepreneurial growth.

In the heart of South Melbourne, the chapter witnessed more than a learning day – it became a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit and the pursuit of excellence. As the echoes of insights and experiences lingered, inspired participants departed armed with knowledge and strategies to propel their businesses to new heights. The EO Accelerator/Key Executive Learning Day wasn't merely an event; it marked a milestone in the entrepreneurial journey, unlocking the doors to future success for all in attendance.

Diversity and Inclusion: Empowering Entrepreneurs to Challenge Unconscious Bias

In a world where diversity and inclusion have become paramount, organisations are recognising the vital role these principles play in creating an accepting and integrated workplace. EO Melbourne acknowledges the significance of Diversity and Inclusion not only within its own ranks but also in the businesses of its members. As a testament to this commitment, EO Melbourne recently hosted an enlightening event titled "Empowering Entrepreneurs: Understanding Unconscious Bias," a Diversity & Inclusion Lunch and Learn featuring the esteemed Hana Assafiri.

Businesses that champion diversity, equity, and inclusivity are better equipped to navigate challenges, attract top-tier talent, and cater to diverse customer bases. With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the forefront of their minds, companies are exploring innovative ways to support their employees. In recent years, numerous organisations have taken significant steps towards integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into their policies and recruitment strategies. The question arises: Why settle for an average team when you could lead an exceptional one?

Extensive research consistently demonstrates that companies with diverse teams not only foster a more inclusive and innovative work environment but also enjoy substantial performance advantages. According to a groundbreaking study by McKinsey & Co., businesses with diverse teams are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors. The challenge of employee retention, a concern for many companies, comes with promising solutions. Research indicates that implementing specific diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategies can lead to a remarkable 22% reduction in turnover rates.

During the Diversity & Inclusion Lunch and Learn event, attendees had the privilege of having their questions answered by none other than Hana Assafiri, the founder of the renowned Moroccan Soup Bar. Hana, a revered figure within the Victorian community, is celebrated for her unwavering commitment to both generosity and business success. In 2019, she was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her outstanding services to women and the broader community. Throughout her life, Hana has tirelessly supported disadvantaged women through her business ventures, offering training and development opportunities. An engaging presenter and trainer, Hana captivated the audience with her profound insights into intersectional social justice issues and her fervour for driving positive change.

The "Empowering Entrepreneurs: Understanding Unconscious Bias" event underscored the pivotal role that diversity and inclusion play in our evolving business landscape, highlighting that fostering a more diverse and inclusive workplace not only benefits employees but also contributes to improved business performance and social progress.

Steve McGown talks on “Freedom is an Attitude” at the EO Melbourne learning event

"5 years & 8 months is a long time. I believe that I'm like any other person. I’m no different. We all have problems, and we shouldn’t judge one another, as we have different coping mechanisms and breaking points. I do, however, believe that our attitude separates us and determines how we cope. Some people give up too easily."

"If they are not going to kill me then I might as well use this time to go home a better person."

- Stephen "Steve" McGown

EO Melbourne recently had Stephen McGown, Al Qaeda's longest-held prisoner and now International Speaker and Best Selling Author, as its speaker where he shared his survival story and how it can be applied to one’s entrepreneurial journey.

In 2011, Steve, then a tourist on a motorcycle, was abducted by Al Qaeda up in North Africa, Mali. He was taken beyond his will far into the Saharan desert for the following six years to be either negotiated out of captivity or executed. In 2017, he was released to return home to his family.

In this EO learning event, Steve talked about resilience and overcoming adversity amidst harsh weather conditions, a different culture, language and religion. He also discussed the value of making important decisions, the importance of acceptance and communication, and the concept that Freedom is an Attitude.

As a normal guy whose life was thrown into disarray, he has become a much sought-after speaker with his self-taught methods of adjusting, being resilient, and making the most of what life throws at us. In this session, he will inspire you and leave you questioning your own attitude and dilemmas.

His survival story can be directed to many specific areas of interest, including one's entrepreneurial journey. Living outdoors in harsh conditions meant that he had to acquire a variety of new skills including how to protect himself from the elements as well as how to communicate across language and cultural boundaries. But most of all, he learned how to stay alive; remain positive and be present when everything was stacked against him. Uncertain as to whether he would ever be released or die in the expanse of the Sahara, he made a decision to not let his situation get the better of him. He decided to rather hold onto hope and take control of his attitude. 

Hearing his story, participants found inspiration from the “amazing story shared by the speaker.” There key takeaways from Steve’s talk are the importance of the power of the mind, a positive attitude is everything, that you can control your attitude and approach in life, and resilience and a positive mindset are key and relationships can save lives.

Steve is the best-selling author of 6 years a hostage (Captured by Islamist Militants in the desert) which was nominated for Book of the Year in South Africa. He is involved in running workshops about resilience and was voted best speaker of the year at a number of EO chapter events internationally.*

*According to ICMI (https://www.icmi.com.au/stephen-mcgown/).

Mentorship is having someone walk with you on your entrepreneurial journey

Mentorship pair Conor O’Malley and Nyree Hibberd.

Much has been said about the entrepreneurial journey being a lonesome path, but not when you’re surrounded by like-minded individuals, such as being part of a group like EO and having someone to walk with you, such as a mentor, for instance.

This is how EO Melbourne Member and mentee Nyree Hibberd, CEO at Koh Living, and mentor Conor O’Malley, a known Executive Coach who calls himself “The CEO’s caddy”, described their mentorship experience.

Conor still remembers the first time he and Nyree met, which was at the induction day of mentors and mentees at last year’s intake. He recalled, “I met with Nyree, and we had a great conversation, however, I had to leave early. Nyree very kindly offered to continue our discussion and offered to leave that space by walking with me to the train station. From there, I thought, this sounds like something I'd really like to do, which is to work through the EO channel and support Nyree.”

Nyree, on the other hand, is thankful to have someone who can be with her during this part of her entrepreneurial journey. “I'm a big believer in the motto or saying that ‘you don't know what you don't know.’ As a business owner, it seems like I don't know a lot. So, it was all about connecting with the right person to help me progress in my path, personally and in the business,” she stated.

One of the things that Nyree learned throughout their sessions was finding answers to things she wanted to know. She described how she was learning new things along the way, “Conor's approach was really to question – asking, probing – almost, ‘you know the answer but you've got to find it in there and then let me know.’ This really worked for me, so using questions more is what I actually do now with the staff as well, which is quite good because before, I’d also tell people the answer, ‘just go and do this and this,’ and they wouldn't learn the same way as I would. I wasn't learning by just being told, so that was quite good in comparison for me.”

She further expounded on the learnings she picked from her conversations and interactions with Conor. “I think I went into it with a ‘what next, what now’ and ‘how do I get it from here to where I know it can go.’ So, the key learnings were really about pushing back on me and seeing myself as the leader rather than the doer because there's no scaling if I was going to be still 5% in everybody's role. That was the big thing.”

“The second thing was about holding the space,” Nyree continued. “I've got a couple of challenging relationships at times within the business, and it’s just this kind of concept of allowing them to hold their space, that I didn't need to jump in and do anything. I just respected that they had that opinion and felt the way they did, and it allowed me not to jump into their story and not enflame situations as well. It kind of worked quite well. 

Then the third one is with my son, personally holding the personal state not just with my son but with my partner as well. I would often get home, I'd have dinner, put my son to bed, and I'd sit on the couch with my computer and keep going when my partner was around, but there was no real quality time. I don't know if it naturally just stopped or I made a decision to, I can't remember. But when I’m with them, it is to literally be present and not try to do two things at the same time. So, yeah, these are the three really big things for me.”

But it was not just Nyree who was learning from their mentorship. Conor also has picked new ideas and lessons from Nyree’s experiences. “From a commercial perspective, Nyree and her business partner are in a really interesting stage of growth in their business and, in my words here, ‘taking it to the next level and then looking at what the next horizon is.’ There's no doubt for me that there was a really good learning opportunity of working with an entrepreneur who's taking a business, with a business partner, from scratch to an amazingly successful business to where it is now, and going, ‘Okay, what next? Where next?’” he remarked. 

Conor added, “It’s the opportunity to co-learn, co-create and, in some cases, introduce people in my network to Nyree, some of whom resonated and some didn't. That was real learning for me in terms of who in my network resonated and who didn't. And there's no right or wrong there. For me, that was commercial learning, walking – and we literally did – as we had many walking sessions and conversations around an entrepreneur taking a business to another level and looking at what the next three-year vision really is and how to get there.”

He also stated that the whole experience did not only contribute to his professional growth but also to his personal development. “On a personal level, COVID was part of our journey, and I was learning from Nyree in terms of her perspective and how she and her family and I were managing through COVID. It was a challenging time, and there's no doubt that I certainly learned through that time as well,” Conor enthusiastically shared.

For Nyree, their sessions also had her thinking about how she deals with her business and personal areas of her life. “I read this book called, What Got You Here Won't Get You There, and I realised that one of my bad habits or difficult challenges is trying to over-add value rather than allowing other people to take initiative and responsibility. That's one of the main things that seemed to keep coming up as a theme that had a big effect on me and how I run the business because I was constantly in people's roles, feeling like I had to help them do their roles rather than give them the tools they needed to do the role themselves. I enjoyed actually being able to be challenged on that and step back and watch what happened.”

“The other area was in my personal life where I've got a four-year-old son, and just that balance of spending time with him, I really found it quite challenging because the business is so busy that even when I was with him I wasn't present. So, Conor had this saying, ‘for the sake of what,’ but we changed it to ‘for the sake of who.’ When I started doing activities with my son, even if I was walking down the street with his pram, I would ask myself, ‘for the sake of who am I doing this?’ And it'll be for him and it's to spend time and to talk about cars or whatever he wants to talk about rather than me thinking what am I supposed to be doing right now. So, it was a nice tool that I used personally to just bring myself back to where I was, at the time,” Nyree explained.  

Both Nyree and Conor were glad to have walked together along the business path, sharing their stories and exchanging insights with each other. Although they have already finished their Mentorship Program, they were grateful to have formed a connection as a mentor and as a mentee, which has blossomed into a friendship.

In Conor’s words, “The metaphor I have in my coaching practice is to be a caddy. I'm a golfer, and I see myself as the person's caddy who walks alongside that person, and Nyree knows that she's got a caddy walking alongside her and she can reach out. Let's say, in this case now that the programme is over, the caddy's walking outside of the ropes, but anytime she wants to, she can pull this caddy in. I'll be on the bag and I'll walk inside the ropes with her.”

The beauty in diversity: a mentorship experience

Learning comes from various things and in many ways, and oftentimes, how we differ from each other helps us widen our knowledge and understanding of the space we live in and move around. Such can be said for mentor Emma Duffy, Learning Director at ProActive Training, and mentee Hayden Brass, Founder and Managing Director of Zea.

Mentor Emma Duffy and mentee Hayden Brass share their mentorship experience and learnings from it.

Other than running a business and being business owners, they haven’t necessarily spotted their similarities or commonalities. But despite having different businesses, they found themselves at a very good start when they met for the first time at the Mentorship training.

“Working together in the training session that Carlo ran, I thought that was a really strong start to the whole program for us as I feel that we got to know each other pretty well and understand what we both wanted out of the program and that we at least got a framework to build on from that,” said Emma.

Hayden concurred, “We have very different businesses, which are, in some ways, what you’d want. Although we had no common ground for this, I think we've learned a lot from each other in that way as well because we've had different experiences and different industries, which has been really great. So, it's been a great element of the mentorship.”

He continued, “We started off really strong catching up almost the same time every month and being able to come away with different viewpoints that I have not necessarily thought of. 

We have quite different businesses, quite different lives, and quite different ages as well. A lot of different elements allowed for really valuable insights and learnings from that perspective. I think that just having those differences made it really valuable in making me think outside the box and think about things differently.”

The whole journey has also provided them with more insightful experiences and new learnings. For Emma, it has encouraged her to think in an unusual way. She narrated a time when she was frustrated with not being able to give training ideas to Hayden because what her business did could not necessarily fit his needs or his team’s needs. 

“After our last catch-up when it came up again, I thought, ‘Well, I'm not going to walk away and stay frustrated or feel like I don’t have an answer in my area of expertise.’ In fact, it has prompted me to come back to my desk and actually do a whole lot of research into various apps and system processes that are available in the marketplace and find ways so that when we catch up next, I could go back to Hayden and say, ‘Well, these are some ideas that you could take into your business and use in your business.’ So, it's really stretched me to think a little bit differently about what businesses need in terms of training. It's then pushed me and my business partner to really reconsider how we set up some of our own compliance requirements in the business and how we could potentially develop them into a type of software that we could take to the marketplace. It's a huge gift that that sort of thinking pushed me to do something really different for me, my day-to-day work, and our business. I would never have done research on apps and processes otherwise,” Emma explained.

On Hayden’s part, he has gained a lot of ideas and perspectives from their mentoring sessions throughout the year. “What happened was with the first six months, and they're very well aligned, we had these three sets of goals which we set around leadership, etc. I think for me it was a lot about being able to come to the table with a little leadership challenge or a hiring challenge and then hearing a perspective that's quite different and new. That's been really valuable. It's also been good in that we've been able to bounce different ideas off each other within a meeting. I'd come either pre-planned, and we've done it before, and mentioned a few key things that we wanted to cover. It's given us a chance to reflect on it and review it, whether it's a staff leaving or a staff deciding to ask for a big wage increase or whatever challenge it might be that I’m having. It's just that back and forwards and getting that new perspective on whatever it might be.”

For the duration of their mentorship journey, both Emma and Hayden enjoyed their interactions and the key takeaways they get from their conversations.

Emma shared, “I really enjoyed the consistent and regular catch-ups. Hayden's business has gone through amazing growth in the last 12 months in the time that we've been working together. It was really interesting to see and learn about that. That was I guess one of the main things, from my point of view. It was just great. I've really enjoyed those conversations and I walked away each time hoping I might have added a little bit of value.”

As for Hayden, “It was a very broad goal that I've set in becoming a better leader. I think it doesn't come down to one or two things. It comes down to a multitude of things that have happened in the mentorship program and also in the growing of the business and coinciding with one another to get that. It's a long way to go, but definitely, I think I've achieved that in that 12-month period. A lot of it comes down to little bits and pieces that have come together to make a big difference in mindset or ways that we are reacting to different scenarios. It's all been really valuable from that perspective.”

And what’s the secret behind a successful mentorship experience that others may consider when getting into mentorship?

“Commitment is definitely one of the biggest ones,” Hayden remarked. “You need to go in there with the commitment that you're going to do this on top of your normal workload and normal forum and whatever else you've got going on. The other aspect would be to be really clear on what you want to get out of it when you're applying for it, who the type of mentor that you're looking for, and what is the specific area that you want to get the most value from because if you're very specific on that, that helps the team to assign a good mentor to you. I think it’s being very specific on those and differentiating it to what you want to get out of your forum or other learnings or whatever that might be and have a really specific goal for your mentor-mentee relationship because that can make a big difference as well.”

Emma was in agreement on the importance of commitment to make one’s mentorship journey a valuable one. “I completely agree. With preparation, just to do a bit of thinking beforehand to maximize the one hour, Hayden was really disciplined about contacting, setting the meeting time up, and turning up. We were there for one hour and then we were gone. It didn't linger on. There was really a focused time commitment.”

EO Melbourne’s Mentorship Program is one of the significant programs of the organisation that members can take advantage of and benefit from. Each experience is different and unique, and the value it can provide to both the mentor and the mentee can be priceless.

Futurist Sarah Owen talked about “Future Forecast 2024” to EO Melbourne

How will young people think and behave in 2024? 

Trend forecaster and futurist Sarah Owen, Co-founder & Global Futures Director at SOON Future Studies, recently shared how SOON Future Studies has uncovered “the global drivers of change as well as 30 emerging trends that will help drive business decisions over the next few years.”

SOON is a futures think tank focused on human insights. Hosted at The Taboo Group, office of EO Melbourne Member Andrew Mackinnon, the "Future Forecast 2024" EO x SOON Event with Sarah Owen was attended by EO Melbourne Members, Strategic Alliance Partners and members of the SLP Forum. 

At this event, Sarah, also a social scientist with a background in studying youth culture and social media, revealed that “In 2024, a social, political, and environmental tipping point will drive people to drastically reform and rewire their world. From reinventing the notion of work and challenging the current growth narrative to reshape societal norms and developing entirely new digital realities, this report outlines the emerging mindsets and movements unfolding in the next few years.”

She pointed out that “We live in a liquid society; a period in time where the concepts of identity and individuality are becoming more and more elastic.”

Sarah then gave an overview of the different Drivers of Change and possible News Headlines in 2024. She also talked in detail about the various Key Trends, such as Life Wellbeing, Meta-worlds, Age of Awareness, Reworking Work, Revenge Travel, Retail Revival and the Post-Growth Paradigm, illustrating the emerging trends for each.

The insights shared and discussed allowed the participants to better understand how Gen Z and Millennials would approach work, travel, food, gaming and shopping in the future. It then gave the members ideas on how they can align their businesses with the emerging trends taking into consideration the various drivers of change.

Participants say that “the content was great” and “it is so diverse and eye-opening” that they hope for “more future events because this was incredibly inspiring.”  An EO Melbourne member who came to the event shared that he got at least eight good take-outs from the session.

Leadership teams from various sectors now look at futures studies with interest as these studies provide them with tools for dealing with uncertainties, building resilience among their teams, and mapping out the future of their businesses or organisations.

Mentorship: it’s a two-way learning

It was a first-time for both mentee Laiken Kerr Clarke, Director at Medisound, and mentor Catherine Duncan, COO at Matthews Steer Accountants & Advisers, to take part in EO Melbourne’s Mentorship Program and both found it enjoyable. Plus, they found the program nicely structured, which allowed them to go through their objectives for this mentorship journey.

“We did have that prior time where you thought about your goals and what you wanted to achieve through the mentorship. I think it just set a nice foundation that you could work off from, as you continued on along the journey with the mentor,” Laiken remarked.

Recognising common ground

Catherine recalls how they began with their journey, “Laiken and I met at that session where we were paired up. How they set that up that morning of us getting to know each other, I found it really good fun. I think we got to know each other pretty quickly in a short space of time.”

To which Laiken concurred, “We just had the same outlook on a lot of things – the same values and the way we saw the world and our kind of place and role in it. It was definitely something that I picked up immediately. Also, we have similar interests like yoga and the spiritual side of things, which clicked us quite quickly. It was a nice surprise, I guess. It wasn't something that I thought would happen to go into it, but it was a very good addition. We had lots of interests outside of business that was aligned.”

And there’s an interesting story to their similarities, which Catherine explained. “Apart from the fact that we've both got an accent as well, which is another similarity, the really quirky, funny thing was Laiken’s name and the background to that. It’s a place in Scotland where I actually lived 20 minutes from, and it's a very remote part of Scotland where she was referring to. So, I thought that was quite spooky, actually. We were very well matched in a lot of similar interests, which were fantastic.”

Finding direction through their conversations

As they found many parallelisms and similarities in their background, Laiken and Catherine also learned a lot from each other. “There were so many that came out of it, so it's hard to just go down on one,” Laiken pondered. 

She continued, “I heard a great quote a little while ago and it was something like ‘good mentors give useful answers but, great mentors ask great questions.’ I think that's what Catherine did really well and just effortlessly. Coming from that side of it, it helped me to solidify what I wanted to do and which direction I wanted to go. That then propelled me to make certain decisions based on those questions and conversations that we had. So, I think that the key learnings would definitely be to ask better questions and really dig down into what your motivations are for why you are choosing to do certain things and go in certain directions.”

But the questioning and learning were not just coming from one side of the mentorship because Catherine, too, was picking up insights from Laiken. “For me, the questioning part is interesting because, likewise, Laiken does ask a lot of really good questions. I think a lot of our discussions ended up about whatever Laiken was doing in the business or thinking about doing. It was actually tapping into how she was feeling about it. It’s that connection with both the health and the whole being of the person. It’s not just about your business but also about your heart, soul and mind. That was really easy to help align Laiken into where she was going because she's very clear and structured in what she's doing. And she's done wonderful things and got an incredible vision of where she wants to go.”

“It was just really tapping into that and checking in with herself along the way. Doing that with Laiken reminds me to do it with myself. That's the thing when you're working with somebody. It's about applying it back to yourself and going, ‘Oh, am I doing that for me, too?’ It's very easy to do it with somebody else because you're talking to someone than applying it to yourself. So, that was great learning for me. I guess it's that validation of surrounding yourself with good and like-minded people but in totally different industries and totally different walks of life, yet you have so many similarities that you can navigate together. I just love that I always come away percolating what we talked about. So, it was always two ways for me,” Catherine added.

Recognising a solidifying, powerful experience in mentorship

Not all the time one can experience a positive experience in mentorship, but for those who do, it can be so impactful to them. In the case of Laiken and Catherine, their mentorship experience is something they will always treasure. 

“The whole experience in itself is really solidifying, how powerful that can be. Also, a lot of people would struggle to find a mentor, but just the uniqueness of this relationship is quite nice. I had thought there might be an element of forcedness or that it wouldn’t quite work, but it's just been really a nice experience and something I’ve really enjoyed, and I’m very happy I got into it,” Laiken professed.

Catherine couldn’t agree more. “For me, it comes back to that whole thing of validating. When you talk to somebody in a place of trust, you get deeper into those visions and those goals that you become more familiar with what the purpose behind it is. For me, another learning is you need to talk things out what you're thinking just to really validate back to yourself. What is the purpose? What am I trying to do? Why am I trying to do this? It’s a simple thing of talking about building different relationships with a certain person and then seeing what difference that would make if you do that across a wider range or how that would change you. Those deeper discussions really resonated with me, and Laiken’s been great in sharing that and just helping me validate the need for those deeper discussions and deeper relationships with people who you can trust. It's been great to get that opportunity through EO to do that.”

There’s so much that mentorship can offer. In fact, many entrepreneurs have recognised the value of mentorship in their journey and growth. If you’re interested to know more about EO Melbourne’s Mentorship Program, visit https://www.eomelbourne.org/mentorship. 

The beauty of mentorship: having someone focused on your growth

The EO Mentorship Program runs for 12 months where mentors and mentees have regular monthly catch-ups, which usually last for only an hour or more. But for mentees like Jeni Clift, Owner and Co-founder of Otto, those regular conversations with her mentor, Anthony Closter, Director at Urban Land Developments, were precious to her. 

Jeni Clift enjoys being a mentee as it provides her with the opportunity to learn from someone who is focused on her growth.

“For me, I think the real value is in taking a couple of hours out every month and sitting down with somebody who is completely focused on me,” Jeni remarked.  “I didn’t always have specific questions or know what I needed coming to our meetings but Anthony was great at picking up on something in my month’s update and leading the conversation,” she said. Jeni understood how important it is to have someone focused on her entrepreneurial journey because she, too, has been coaching other business owners and executives as an EOS Implementor.

“I’m usually the mentor. But, yeah, I decided to throw my name in the hat to become a mentee and to be on the other side of the table for a change, to be learning from somebody else and having somebody available to reach out to when I had questions or just didn't quite know what to do,” she explained.

As a mentor, Anthony Closter appreciates that the program has given him the structure to actually help and provide some mentorship.

Anthony admits that the prospect of mentoring someone who’s been doing it herself is quite intimidating. “I was a little bit intimidated by the prospect of trying to help or mentor somebody who generally mentors other people. We first caught up with the training with Carlo and it was a little bit daunting at the time because obviously, as Jeni’s already mentioned, she trains people so she's a business/life coach in her business life.”

Although it was their first time to meet during the Mentorship Program training day, they instantly bonded well as a mentor and a mentee because they share a few common things. Jeni calls it “intimacy” (instant intimacy through EO’s confidentiality) – a term that is often used in EO – because Anthony is an ex-EOer himself. 

It is for this same reason that Anthony agreed to become a mentor for this program. “I was a member of EO from 2006 to probably 2016 – for about 10 years. I got a lot out of EO and loved it and loved the way they went about it and the benefits of being a member. So, when I was asked by James Murray to be a mentor, I thought I’d jump at the opportunity and, hopefully, get to meet some more people and also give a little bit back to EO for everything that I took out of it over the 10 years.”

Apart from that, they also share other commonalities, which is why Jeni found it easy to have that trust with Anthony as her mentor. “Anthony's background appealed to me. He is regional-based, I’m in Geelong, but I’d lived in country Victoria for 20 years. He'd had some big businesses, such as in hospitality, with lots of staff. I wanted to learn from his experience managing lots of staff, as we were growing towards a bigger business,” Jeni shared.

Jeni appreciates that she could reach out to someone when she’s got concerns with her business. She recalls, “I’ve just been through some “stuff” in one of my businesses and just rang Anthony and said, ‘Hey, have you got a minute?’ He said to me at the end of the call, “Ring me every week”. I did that until things started to settle down. Having somebody that you know is on your side, that you can reach out to, knowing that those conversations are confidential and just having somebody that can give you a whole different perspective, is valuable. He's bought and sold different businesses and exited businesses so I trusted his insight.”

She adds, “It’s having somebody on your side where there's no expectation of anything in return. There are some people when you ring them and you know that they're going to expect something in return. I know that I can ring Anthony, ask him a question, he'll give me an answer and I know that he's on my side.”

Another thing Jeni values in mentorship is learning new insights from Anthony. “I don't know anything about hospitality or land development, but some of his experiences have really triggered ideas in me that I can go and put into action,” she explained. Anthony’s knowledge about connections and tapping into what he’s done before to expand his network helped Jeni to think of various ways to grow her consulting business, the EOS business, which is still in startup mode.

But it’s not just Jeni who’s learning from their regular catch-ups. Anthony has also picked a lot of ideas from Jeni as well, especially with her work on EOS. Other than business learnings, they also get to talk about life and family. For Anthony, the beauty of the EO Mentorship Program is it's being structured. “This is the first proper structured mentor process that I’ve been through and so far, it's been really good. It's a great experience. I love catching up monthly and talking about things that we’re going through. Sometimes, there are specific issues we've got to talk about and sometimes, it's just a general chit chat about what's going on in our lives.”

He added, “It has been something that has given us some structure to actually help and provide some mentorship. Hopefully, Jeni is finding that she's getting something out of it because it is a really difficult time that Jeni's in a startup and it's really hard to start a business when you've been locked down for 240 days or whatever has been. It's really tough, so I think all credit to Jeni for doing what she's doing and forging through with her business.”

Anthony has imparted encouraging words that still ring in Jeni’s mind. She recalls, “A few things that Anthony said to me through the course of our conversation that I’ve now got in the back of my mind that keeps popping up to remind me, which is to stay positive and to just keep an eye on my business and make sure that that’s still okay.”

This is what makes Jeni appreciate her mentorship journey even more, which is having a mentor who looks after her welfare as an entrepreneur. “When do you get having somebody sitting there for two hours and they're just completely for you in that time frame? But to me, that's the biggest value – the thought process that I go into before our meeting and then all I take out of that meeting to put into action over the next couple of weeks.”

Like Jeni, many EO Melbourne members are also reaping the benefits of the Mentorship Program. Recognising its value to the members, another intake is about to take place this March 2022. EO Melbourne members who are interested to be part of the program are welcome to apply at https://www.eomelbourne.org/mentorship. 

Taking mentorship to a different level the second time around

Mentorship is a significant factor in one’s entrepreneurial development. Having a guide along the challenging path of the entrepreneurial journey helps accelerate one’s growth, progress and momentum. The good thing about mentorship is that it can be done over a specific period or can be repeated at certain points of the journey or can be done continuously, depending on one’s need. 

For Costa Vasili, CEO of Ethnolink, this is not the first time he is taking part as a mentee. “It’s my second time in the mentorship program. I had a really good experience in 2019 and learned a lot of helpful experiences, particularly around leadership and people management. This time, I was looking for a mentor who had skills in significant growth and also who had potentially exited a business at some point in their career as well. I was really looking for something different just for a different type of mentorship experience. They're both very different, but both are very, very helpful.”

This year, Costa’s mentor is Stuart Marburg, Director of TenPaces, who was once an EO member himself. Stuart accepted the invitation to become a mentor this year to support other entrepreneurs. “I’ve been doing it for a number of years. I used to be an EO member myself and I thought some of my experiences could be helpful to other EO members who are growing their business, that's why I got involved.”

Despite this being his second time in the mentorship program, Costa admits that he still has a lot to learn and that there’s always room for improvement and growth. He is thankful that through his mentorship sessions with Stuart, he is able to acquire additional knowledge. “My blind window of what I don't know is being further opened by Stuart because he knows so much and has experienced so much in his career, and I get to learn from his experiences in a considerable way. For me, that's been the most important part. It’s not just getting advice but actually learning about things to avoid and hearing stories about similar experiences that he's gone through or similar issues or challenges in his career.”

Stuart’s entrepreneurial story is something that Costa finds very inspiring. “Stuart sold his business to iinet - one of the largest telecommunications companies in Australia in 2010. He and his business partner were the shareholders and they sold Netspace for $40m. In order to do that, they were able to grow the business to a significant level in a relatively short amount of time and position the business in a way that was really desirable for a potential acquirer. In that case, they were able to have a really strong exit. So, they had a great business and they sold it for a really great price and I think that, in particular, has been really, really insightful for me,” Costa shared.

On the other hand, Stuart acknowledges that he also learned from Costa during the mentorship process. “I’ve enjoyed it and I hope he has as well. I’ve learned some different things about his business. Hopefully, some of my experiences have been helpful for him. I just find it interesting learning about different businesses and different ideas, different ways that different people market and run their business and the like, especially in this current era of everything being online and having to manage people remotely,” Stuart said.

It also helps that Costa and Stuart found a lot of commonalities when it comes to their values and goals. Costa expounded on this, “I can tell that Stuart's a very caring person. He cares about his family, he cares about his people, he cares about what he applies himself to as well. He's extremely considerate in the way in which he approaches issues. He fights for fairness and he's just a very, very ethical person. Working with someone in a mentorship capacity who is similar to me in that way has been really, really helpful because I don't feel as though the advice I’m being given is in direct conflict with my own values.”

Stuart added, “The common ground is that I was an EO member, he is an EO member and I’m pretty passionate about helping people who are truly on their way to having success in the business and growing their business.”

Costa is grateful for all the positive things that mentorship has contributed to his growth and the growth of his company. “Stuart's been instrumental in helping shape the strategic direction of Ethnolink for the next five to ten years. Without his push and without his mentorship, I probably wouldn't have been able to find the courage independently to make some big decisions about the future of our enterprise. Absolutely, I'd say it's been very life-changing,” Costa acknowledged.

He appreciates taking a break in between his mentorship programs to fully absorb all his learnings and being able to apply them to his journey. “Because I took a break between 2019 and 2020, I found that having that one year break just gave me a bit of time to absorb the year prior. So, it gave me time to reflect and review the notes from the mentorship. One thing I find about coaching or mentorship, in general, is that sometimes it's just so fast-paced, always doing and always executing, rather than having the opportunity just to settle and reflect. So, I think having a year off the mentorship program was really helpful for me to also find that renewed vigour to go in for this second year,” he explained.

Overall, it’s something that Costa and Stuart recommend for entrepreneurs to experience, whether as a mentee or a mentor. Stuart remarked, “I think that just for the same reason they've joined EO and for the same reason that they contribute and go to a forum that's why they should do it. At the same time, they need to be open about themselves and be open to their mentor and to them (Mentorship Committee), I think it's James who runs the mentorship, about what they're trying to get out of it so that the right mentors can be paired with the right mentees.”

What are your experiences having a mentor or being a mentor to someone? EO Melbourne will be having another run of its Mentorship Program for its members in March 2022. To learn more about the program, visit https://www.eomelbourne.org/mentorship. 

Becoming a polished gem through mentorship

Steve Wood (mentor) and Edric Taing (mentee).

Although he already has over a decade of experience running their family business, Edric Taing, CEO of SH Jewellery, still finds ways to polish himself further so that he can be a sparkling gem in the entrepreneurial space. He thought that having a mentor would help him become a finely cut entrepreneur, someone whom he could bounce ideas off, just like how a gem would bounce light to produce a beautiful masterwork.

Becoming part of EO Melbourne’s Mentorship Program, Edric found that “The biggest value for me is really being able to have a solid person to share my thoughts and ideas and current progress and also being able to talk without judgment about the challenges that are rising.” 

As solid as a rock, a jewel in the crown

A solid person is what Edric found in Steve Wood, Director at Roaring Success and an author of five books. With Steve having written books related to business, Edric feels he has hit a gold mine as he sees it as an added bonus to their mentorship.

“What I found really good with Steve is that he's written a lot of papers and books. It's quite common that I would present a current challenge -- and it's happened a few times -- and he'll email me a white paper that is written or something that’s got research behind it with his name on it, which quite impressed me. We then use that as a foundation for our discussions, as well. That I didn't expect from mentorship, but that's been a bonus that's been thrown in there,” Edric remarked.

Edric is glad to have Steve as his mentor. “I’ve had business coaches in the past, but not really a mentor. I just thought that would be a good relationship and friendship to form over time and somebody to be able to bounce ideas off and workshop ideas with,” Edric said. “Some of the immediate benefits (with having a mentor) have been having somebody when you've got a challenge or something that you want to share. To some extent, it’s with somebody who's been there, done that and has worked with a number of different people in that field as well. That always makes the conversation and workshopping really smooth.”

To this, Steve explained, “To be honest, the only reason I’m able to do that is I’ve worked with over 100 companies. They've been my training ground for experiences, which then I just gather. Then, Edric turns up. We can talk about what I’ve seen in the past -- working with a different company, what they did well, what they did badly, in my opinion -- and therefore, options for Edric to consider for making his own decisions to move forward. So, I’m very fortunate that I’ve worked with many companies that basically provide experience.”

The backstory as to how Steve has gotten involved with EO Melbourne’s Mentorship Program is quite interesting. As a management consultant, he had the opportunity to work with EO Melbourne Mentorship Chair James Murray in his business. James asked Steve if he would be interested to partake in this program as a mentor and he willingly lent his help.

Cast in the same mould

Finding a common ground is often a good starting point for mentors and mentees. Although they only met in April this year during the first meet-and-greet for the mentorship program, it was easy for Edric and Steve to instantly find things that can tie them together. 

“I'd say that in that first session, it wasn't long before we realised we had similar things. I realised Steve was growth-oriented and really into learning. Obviously, we're both in the business space, and we're looking at business improvement. On a personal development level, we ran a few exercises through that workshop. From that conversation, I felt that we gelled pretty well and the flow of the conversation was just really easy to be had. It has continued that way for the last few months as well,” Edric narrated.

Steve concurred, “I recognised in Edric a younger version of me -- a smart cookie, hard-working, leader -- all those sorts of things. I was thinking, ‘Yep, I like this fellow. I can help him. He's going to do the right thing by himself and by me. He's not going to waste my time. He's going to be in charge of the process,’ which he was.”

Even though the current situation has limited their face-to-face interaction, nothing has hindered their mentor-mentee relationship and the friendship that has formed along the way. According to Edric, “If I think about this relationship during COVID and if COVID wasn't to exist -- and in the short time, we've had both, actually, with our course -- the principle has been the same. I would say that the structure and what we aim to get is the same. It's about bringing what are your top challenges that you want to discuss and what are the updates that are going through. Whether in COVID or not, I think the help and the support level has been equal. It's really in line with that progress and that growth and just attacking things that are on top of the list to get done.”

Mentorship: a treasure trove of learnings

Both Steve and Edric found great value in mentorship. Both learn from each other and both have taken something out of the program. The learning process has accelerated as they were able to sit down and discuss various aspects of their lives. 

Edric was able to pick up nuggets of wisdom and knowledge during the course of their mentorship. “It's like a compounding thing over time. Now, we've been in this for three-four, maybe even five months now, and I can feel that the problems that I’ve brought to the table, I’ve come away with more clarity of mind about how to address those things. Maybe in five months, there isn’t one exact thing that's to say, ‘Oh, I got this really good result,’ but I’m sure if I compounded that over time, the results would be really, really amazing.”

He continued, “Sometimes, even unpacking it myself as I explain things to Steve, I’m kind of working out solutions just by being able to go there openly and talk about those things. So, the biggest things or biggest wins and value adds for me are really having that relationship -- a solid person that you can talk to, get feedback on and also workshop things together in that mindset of growth, then improving things. That's probably my biggest takeaway.”

Steve is also amazed at the whole experience as he gets to learn new things. One of those that really stuck to him during their discussions is on the lifeline diagram. “Edric showed me the life cycle or the life stages diagram -- The lifeline. Again, that's a model I’ve never seen before. Edric talked me through his (lifeline diagram) and then I talked him through mine. What's very interesting is that our personal learning happens in times of good stuff, but it also happens when it's really difficult. And when it's really difficult, I reckon we learn actually more because we have to be resilient and we have to work out what to do and how to do it. And then, that builds our skills, our mental muscles, our physical muscles, and our logic muscles to be able to figure out what to do next. I hadn't seen that model before, but it reinforced that we learn in many ways and we should always be open-minded to those sorts of things.”

Moreover, Steve enjoins those who are considering becoming a mentor themselves, “I would certainly say it's worth giving a go. It's not about you or me as an individual. It's actually about helping others to achieve what they can do. And actually, that's quite a skill. If you're able to do that, that's quite a skill that you're building for yourself. For me personally, I get huge satisfaction out of helping others grow, helping others get through maybe challenging difficult situations and moving forward.”

There are many more gems to mine out of mentorship. If you have experienced mentorship, feel free to share with us your precious learnings by commenting below.

Mentorship as a game-changer in the entrepreneurial journey

For most business owners, the entrepreneurial journey is full of challenges, but the experience is very rewarding. There are moments when they hit an obstacle or arrive at some crossroads along the way. Having someone to guide them can be a huge help in leading them where they want to go. And that’s what mentorship does.

“It's been the biggest game-changer for me,” said EO Member and Davidson Technology Consulting Director Gary Lorden regarding the EO Mentorship Program. He continued, “It has provided me with a lot of value around growth. It has added an even further challenge on how I approach things and look at things in terms of connecting the key rocks in my life.”

Gary is grateful to have as his mentor in this program Greg Tucker, former CEO of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and Chair of Claims Funding Australia and now Non-Executive Director of Thompsons Solicitors LLP, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network.

Mentor Greg Tucker and Mentee Gary Lorden.

Having the right match of mentor

Although Gary admitted that he wasn’t open at first to join the program because he had a mentor at that time. He was thankful that EO Melbourne Mentorship Chair James Murray never gave up on inviting him to take part in the program. “James persisted and followed up and said, ‘you'll be surprised with the different matches that you can get.’ I was certainly open to looking at how I could take the next step in my journey and luckily I got matched up with Greg from there, which was good,” he recalled.

Similarly, Greg was also convinced by James to be a mentor for the EO program. “I've mentored a fair bit in the past, both as a CEO of a big organisation, where I mentored people internally for years, and when I left that organisation in 2019, where I have mentored senior people in all sorts of walks of life, mostly in professional services.”

Having somewhat of a different setup now as a minority shareholder after a previous business transaction, Gary has been going through different challenges where he needs support, advice and guidance from someone articulate on shareholding, legalities, and the like. He then pointed out that Greg’s skills and experience fit the profile that he’s been looking for in a mentor. “There were a couple of things I highlighted. Greg has a strong background from his professional career in financial markets and shareholding, and he comes from the legal profession as well. On paper, we matched up from day one. I was really surprised, and it surpassed expectations around that alignment. Everything I asked for was pretty much matched up in the person that I was looking to be matched with,” shared Gary.

The beauty of the EO mentorship

With his experience on mentorship, what Greg finds special with the EO Mentorship Program is that “it provides a structure at the start so that both parties understand how to get going.”

Greg expounded, “My experience in mentoring is that once you've got that structure, you then take off where the mentee wants to go. You need a structure to start with, which EO does. There are regular check-ins, six-monthly or something, which is good because some mentoring relationships can go off the rails. I think having guard rails at the start of how you should begin it and then having check-ins is a really good idea. That's different from what I've experienced. Mostly it's been me. At the organisation I was at, we had our guidelines for establishing mentor-mentee relationships. So, I'm used to that. This is a little bit more structured. With Gary and I, we look at what the areas are, and then it's all about refining those and then doing whatever EO wants us to do in terms of reporting back and shaping the journey further.”

As for Gary, he sees mentorship as a way for him to be challenged and to grow. “From a mentee perspective, I want to be challenged. Ultimately, the success of it is that you feel like you've grown and matured in different ways. The journey is probably not where I expected it to necessarily go completely at the start, although I believe it will still cover all the initial goals and things I wanted to cover. It's probably encapsulated in different areas of my life around joining the dots, around how they all need to come together from a personal perspective – health, business, personal assets, and family. They’re all interconnected and we're bringing all these together. It’s probably a bigger journey, and it challenges my thinking around and approaches to things. It feels like I'm on that pathway of growing. Particularly with COVID, mentorship has helped me around how I'm supposed to be coping with that and progressing as well, which is good.”

Getting great value from the mentorship journey

Through mentorship, Gary was able to break down the various things in terms of the hats he wears professionally and personally. “In my business, I've got four different roles that we've identified and broken down. I need to understand how I'm performing in each of those roles separately and then how they interact together to get the best outcomes and the best interest of my business. I also need to have that approach around the hats I wear in my family, with my friends and in my business. I need to focus on them separately but also on them as they connect, which will ultimately give me the best outcome that will make sure that I’m happy and healthy and driving towards the goals that I want to do personally.”

Gary went on, “I talked about health and family and business and personal assets. We're building out to four quadrants, then understanding that they all impact each other around how you are personally. The success of one results in the success of another one, around how they're interconnected. So, by actually breaking them down, it has simplified things around how I view some key components in my life. But I also need to make sure that I'm focused on all of them individually to make everything work in the right direction. So, that's been real learning for me, around focusing on core areas of my life, both business and personal, and driving towards making them better.”

Yet, it’s not only Gary who reaps the benefits of mentorship. Greg acknowledges that he, too, is learning in this mentorship journey. “There's that learning part, which I think a mentor needs to have. If they’re interested in learning and listening, there are those, and then there's the giving back. Making that difference is rewarding that's why I mentor because of making a difference to someone. Then, there are the challenges along the way. In my life, I've always found it beneficial to be able to articulate or vent my challenges. Just doing that alone helps. Having trust in someone enough to articulate your challenges helps in itself, let alone anything that comes out of the discussion,” Greg noted.

Greg further added, “I certainly get something out of it. The learnings we tease out between each other in the sessions always give me insights into my own life. That's the value of it for the mentor. I guess a lot of people would ask, ‘why would you do it?’ But it's got value because it clarifies your way of thinking and gives you insights into your own life. That's a powerful way of providing a mirror to yourself like self-learning, and that's a learning in itself for me.”

Like Greg and Gary, you, too, might find the mentorship program a game-changer in your entrepreneurial journey or professional growth. If you’re interested to become a mentee or mentor in the upcoming EO Mentorship Program, apply now at https://www.eomelbourne.org/mentorship. 

Realising true entrepreneurial freedom

by Jamie Lingham 

As an entrepreneur, I want the benefits of not only being my own boss but also having the ability to do what I want, with who I want, where I want and when I want. After 20 years of running my immigration business, dealing with staffing issues, long nights, long weekends and time away from my family, COVID was the one to push me to take on the ultimate travel, work, and family adventure around Australia.

“My business works better when I get out of the way. As much I would like to think that I am the centre of my business universe, the reality is that after 20 years, the business is just fine without me.”

The year 2020 was particularly bruising for the immigration advice industry. Instead of laying off staff, as our competitors did, we circled the wagons and took on the message from our EO Melbourne WhatsApp group to double down on marketing and use the resources around us to get through this together. As a result, we not only survived but also grew the team during this period. Personally, it was taxing and stressful, yet it was also exciting as it reignited my entrepreneurial fire and reconfirmed my ability to manage a crisis.

Fast-forward to January 2021, my wife, Penne, and I decided to purchase a camping trailer, take the kids out of school, rent our house out on Airbnb and drive around Australia, while still working on the business. Four months later, our Instagram handle ‘@leadingremotely’ was born and we were on the road!

Nine weeks in and I have already learned some great lessons:

Why didn’t we do this sooner? – Our business allows us to work anywhere with internet access, and our clients don’t care if we are in Melbourne or Mexico. As a family with young kids at this age (10, 7 and 5), we feel the timing is perfect. Home school can be a battle, but we figure that they are learning more every day than they will at school.

Systems, processes and preparation – We have spent the past few years (over)-engineering the systems and processes in the business. We have also employed the right people in the right seats and invested heavily in their success (two of my team are in EO’s KEP and we are trying to get something similar for another team member in New Zealand). These team members get the same buzz that I do after the forum and it’s amazing to see their growth.

My business works better when I get out of the way – As much I would like to think that I am the centre of my business universe, the reality is that after 20 years, the business is just fine without me. This has challenged my purpose and relevance, yet the best news is that it allows me to unshackle myself of everything but the top-level strategic decisions.

It’s my eat-love-pray moment – No matter how spontaneous the trip felt, it is apparent that there is a deeper meaning to this journey. Rather than a holiday, it is a lifestyle, outside of leading remotely. It’s about letting go, as well as it’s about connection - connection with myself, with Penne and, most importantly, with my kids, before they seek connection away from our guidance and are lost to us forever.

We have already travelled more than 14,000kms over this vast land, changed three tyres, busted the water tank on our camper, and I have also torn all of the ligaments in my ankle after falling off the roof of my car. Despite this, we are still only 40% in of our planned journey, and not only am I excited for the next six months but I am also eager to meet the family that will soon to Melbourne and the impact that this amazing life experience has had on us as individuals, as a couple and as a family unit.

For more updates on working remotely and our outback journey please follow us on Instagram @leadingremotely.

*Jamie Lingham is a member of EO Melbourne and the Global Immigration Leader of Absolute Immigration.

Mentorship: Accelerating growth by learning from others’ experiences - The Salt & Fuessel’s experience

Have you come across this quote by Jordan B. Peterson: “Experience is the best teacher, and the worst experiences teach the best lessons”? True, hard lessons are those you experience yourself, but surely, there are other ways to avoid the common pitfalls and save yourself from losing time and money, which can be done by learning from the experiences of others.

This is the beauty of mentorship because one can get tips and tools on how to fix things and do them right through having one-on-one conversations with entrepreneurs who have more experience than you. It is one of the many benefits of having a mentor that Gabriel Esseesse, Co-Founder at TestMate and Salt&Fuessel, has come to recognise as a participant of EO Melbourne’s Mentorship Program. It is why he is thankful to have Sue Jackson, Chair and Director of Solterbeck Events, as a mentor who provides him with guidance, support, and assurances.

Finding like-minded individuals

Entrepreneurship is not an easy road, and often a solitary one. Sue has experienced it herself and hopes she can be there to guide and keep Gabriel’s company at this part of his entrepreneurial journey.

“It's very lonely when you run your own business and there's no one there to defer to or ask a question. It's helpful if you've got a business partner so you're in it with someone else, but still, every single decision is yours because the buck stops with you,” she described.

Gabriel agrees that it is reassuring when someone more advanced in the entrepreneurial journey helps those who are still getting to the point where mentors are right now.

“That reassurance of someone tapping on your shoulder and saying, ‘Yeah, everything is going to be okay. Just keep at it, as I've done that. I know how hard it is, so just keep moving.’ That is sometimes all you need and people from the outside don't see that. I mean, my wife would not understand that, my friends would not understand that. It's just someone who has done that road and built the businesses that know the constant struggle and the lonely struggles that you face. That's why I'm always thankful to Sue for all the words and knowledge that she provides.”

Opportunity for growth

Growth is an ongoing thing that even entrepreneurs have come to recognise as something important in personal and professional development. “Since I joined EO, I realised more and more how important education was and how important learning from others was going to be in my career. Just by having a mentor, especially like Sue, someone who has done it and was already in a place where I would love to be in a few years, I thought it was going to be an amazing opportunity for me to accelerate that growth and that knowledge,” Gabriel explained.

However, it is not just Gabriel who is growing through mentorship. Sue also admits she’s picking some insights from Gabriel as well. “I equally learn from Gabriel. I don't know everything about his business, so that's fascinating. I'm always interested in other businesses and other stories so I can continue to learn,” she shared.

“It is valuable and enjoyable because when you get to my stage of your career, you sometimes forget how much you've learned and how many trials you had along the way. It's not until you know the younger entrepreneurs coming up and you realise that they're facing the same things that you did – from how you manage your time to how you manage your growing business and the different phases of the business and what it's like managing five people versus 15 people versus 35 people versus 80 people. I think it's fascinating and it's valuable to share those insights and try to help. I hope I can fast-track Gabriel a little bit and that he can learn how to cope with those things faster than I did. If I can save him a month or a year or three years then it’s fantastic,” Sue added.

Key learnings

One of the many tips and tools that Gabriel has picked from his conversations with Sue was getting middle managers and filling certain positions in his company. “Aside from getting amazing tools and tips on how to fix things that aid me along the way at whatever I'm going through, it's that feeling to be reassured that things will turn out fine. It's going to be good and then we will continue growing. So far, every single time I come out with two or three or four specific action items that I need to do, I can go back to the office and implement with the team,” Gabriel noted.

“The number one thing that I enjoyed the most is realising that not everything bad is that bad and not everything good is that good. It's just a journey. To start learning that, you will find that there is light at the end of the tunnel. There are batches where things are not that good but better times will come. At the same time, when better times come, there might be times when things will get rocky so you just need to keep pushing forward. But you need to start enjoying the journey. Whenever I spoke with Sue, it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, I've done that and this is what happened. And yes, you will get there.’ That's always the feeling that I get out of my mentoring sessions and I get reinvigorated and re-energized, telling myself, ‘Well, it's not that bad. Let's move on. We will improve it,’” he added.

Sense of fulfilment

One of the reasons why Sue has taken part in the program is that it has allowed her to help other entrepreneurs, which is a rewarding feeling and a worthwhile experience.

“As I was once part of EO Melbourne, I always found it invaluable to hear the insights and experiences of both EO members and other business people. Given that I found it valuable then, it may be that at this stage in my career, as I’m on the other side now in terms of the time frame, wherein my experiences equally might be valuable to someone else as well. So, that was the primary motivator. The secondary motivator was to give back to EO because it's a fantastic forum for entrepreneurs worldwide,” Sue remarked.

She went on, “I think, as a mentor, you get enormous satisfaction out of being able to share stories and histories of what you've been through and hope that it could be valuable to someone else. It's great to be able to give back and be able to support the next generation of entrepreneurs because entrepreneurs are incredibly valuable to the business world. Personally, it helps keep that fire and how to help you continue to see that that fire in the belly of people. That spirit is uplifting for yourself because it's not just you’re sitting there and telling a few stories but also you're getting much more out of it.”

In a challenging journey like entrepreneurship, it is helpful to find other people who can guide you along the way and help you accelerate your growth so that you can achieve your goals at a faster rate. This is what mentorship has provided Gabriel and many more who took part in the program.

EO: A strong business support system during challenging times

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

– Helen Keller

A few years back, no one has ever imagined that we would be experiencing this tough global crunch that we have today. Every corner of the world has been affected by the pandemic, affecting many industries and economies. It is undeniable that it has also taken a lot of toll on business owners.

However, being among peers and colleagues and surrounded by like-minded individuals who are going through the same worries and lending support to each other can be a huge help during this time of crisis. As depicted in a fable, a single stick can be easily broken while it would be difficult to do it on a bundle of sticks.

The same can be said for entrepreneurs who have strong support from a group like EO. For members of EO Melbourne, the chapter is a huge help and comfort as they navigated through the crisis. One of the benefits that they pointed out in belonging to this group is the Forum.

Jason Ellenport, Principal at Edison Partners, echoed this sentiment. “Above all else, it was my forum which assisted me to navigate the crisis. We went to twice forum meetings per month to ensure we were there for one another.”

Information sharing

At a time when movements were limited and things were at a standstill, connecting with people is essential and helpful. It is also necessary for business owners, especially in getting the necessary information about various industries and recommendations for leads.

“The (EO Melbourne) WhatsApp group helps a lot by quickly sharing information and links to resources. Because of the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 crises, it was good to have information shared so quickly and, more importantly, verified or dismissed as a rumour. We changed our forum to twice monthly, which helped to disengage from the frenzy and take a higher-level view of life with the other forum members,” said Liston Newton Advisory Director John Liston.

These sharings also includes first-hand experiences, especially on products and services that others have availed and used. For RetailCare Founder Carlo Santoro, the network of connected like-minded people has helped him ensure that he stays on top of all the latest ideas and government regulations by learning from the experiences of others.

Relatability

Having someone or a group that understands what you are going through is very important at this crucial point of our global events. People who can empathise with your situation can often help lift the burdens that you have been carrying all along.

According to Cesar Aldea, Founder and Managing Director of Aldea Consulting, “As a group of business owners, we shared our challenges, fears and wins during these difficult times. The level of relatability makes the group a safe platform to share EVERYTHING that’s happening to you personally or with your family and business.”

Supporting each other

When one is going through difficulties, whatever kind of help – big or small – can go a long way. “Certainly, having my forum has been the biggest support,” Cesar declared.

Gry Tomte, HÜD Skin + Body Director + Founder, still remembered how it was when the pandemic started. “I was fortunate enough to start EO at the beginning of COVID. I remember clearly my forum training with Carlos the very day everything went haywire. One of my first experiences was a breakfast meeting where listening to so many EO members already having lost their entire business – but with the resolve to turn things around – was a humbling, emotional and pivotal moment.”

She further elaborated, “When I was placed in a forum, I had no idea what to expect. It’s taken me a long time to understand exactly what forum is about. But now that I do, I can honestly say my forum has pulled me through some of the most difficult times I’ve ever experienced in business and life. I said this just recently, ‘I am so lucky to have stumbled into this forum at the perfect time.’ Having a group of absolutely awesome humans with such vastly different but often with the same core experiences is priceless. It’s such a blessing knowing you’re not alone. And all the things you go through as an entrepreneur, while it seems as though everyone else is breezing through it, most have been there or will be there. Oftentimes, we can’t see the gold because we’re too absorbed in digging through the dirt. My forum had helped me see the gold in so many situations. I’m forever grateful for joining EO.”

At this time, we may still not know what the future – short-term or long-term – holds for every one of us. But having a strong support business during a challenging entrepreneurial journey can help you stay on track and continue towards your goals by a considerable margin than when you’re all by yourself. Helen Keller’s inspiring quote “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” still rings true in our present time.