EO Accelerator Graduates Share Successful Growth Tactics and Why They Joined EO

Photo: Congratulations to new EO Cincinnati members Brad Hill, Dan O’Keeffe, Michael Tindall, Sarah Crawford, Zak Nordyke, and (not pictured) Margee Moore.

World Entrepreneurs’ Day, celebrated each 21 August, honors the innovators, risk-takers, and trailblazers who shape industries, drive economic growth, and inspire others. At EO, we celebrate and support entrepreneurs on World Entrepreneurs’ Day—and every day!

The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a community of entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs everywhere. EO is purpose-built to create connections and belonging to help individual leaders grow, contribute, and achieve even more, together. EO supports entrepreneurs at every age and stage.

For first-stage entrepreneurs who have achieved initial success and want to grow further, the EO Accelerator (EOA) learning program serves as a catalyst for entrepreneurs aiming to surpass US$1 million in revenue. EOA supports growth through direct learning, access to mentors, leaders, peers, and experts.

Recently, six participants in EO Cincinnati’s Accelerator program achieved US$1 million in revenue, graduated, and joined EO as members: Brad Hill, Dan O’Keeffe, Michael Tindall, Sarah Crawford, Zak Nordyke, and Margee Moore. That’s an 86% success rate of Accelerator grads joining EO because of the direct learning, access to mentors, leaders, peers, and experts that made it irresistible to join EO.

Why did they decide to join EO as full members after achieving their initial growth goals? Margee Moore of BigOrange Marketing shared that, “The community of peers is so very helpful. Other people struggle and can share their paths to success! It helps you realize you are not alone.”

Michael Tindall of Modern Distribution agreed: “EO has built a great community, offers both fun and educational events, and great people who cheer you on and want you to continue to succeed and enjoy life.”

One reason behind the value EO Accelerator creates is that EO treats Accelerators as equals on par with regular EO members. “That feeling of inclusivity is critically important and valuable,” said Dan O’Keeffe of O’Keeffe PR. “What EO provides that no other group does is the camaraderie you experience among other business owners. It’s amazingly helpful to share challenges, opportunities, and experiences with people who understand what I deal with daily as a business owner. CEOs and executives do not understand any of that unless they themselves are business owners.”

For more insights, we asked EO Cincinnati’s newest members about their Accelerator experience:

What is the value of accountability and community for entrepreneurial success?

“You can confront your greatest challenges in a secure setting, with peers and coaches offering valuable lived experiences to help you navigate your own issues. I had an incredible accountability coach: Tim Rettig conveys his lived experience so pragmatically and gives insightful feedback. His guidance empowered many of our group members to grow like crazy.”  – Zak Nordyke, EO Cincinnati, founder, Evergreen Mentorship

“Accountability is a huge motivator: In one accountability group meeting, I said I would implement an employee profit sharing and a long-term incentive plan for my leadership team. So, I then had a month to do it. Just in time, I formulated a plan to share that connects my team more closely to our success.” – Margee Moore, president and CEO, BigOrange Marketing

“It provides the security to have frank conversations in confidence. You get advice from people who have been where you are without worrying about damaging your reputation. Also, people who own their own business are willing to call you out on what you are doing wrong, which makes you listen vs. feeling like ‘you don’t understand.’ Unlike other business owner communities, people aren’t joining to pitch you on their company’s products or services, so you can build real relationships and help one another. EO Accelerator gives you the tough love and support to take your business to the next level!” – Michael Tindall, co-founder, Modern Distribution

“The community component was invaluable. We came to appreciate and respect each other as partners and advisors in our respective journeys.” – Dan O’Keeffe, founder, O’Keeffe PR

Where were you “stuck” in your growth journey, and how did EO Accelerator help you get unstuck?

“EOA helped me learn that your company and entrepreneurial journey will have many evolutions as you grow, and therefore you should not get too attached at any stage of ‘how things are done.’ I was able to grow our monthly revenue by more than 30X in under two years without venture capital or angel investors.” – Michael Tindall

“In 2017, two freelancer friends and I founded BigOrange, a firm supporting flexible work for women balancing motherhood, marathons, or other pursuits. As a mostly freelance firm with contractors, it was very difficult to scale. Everything we learned in the EO Accelerator curriculum about People, Cash, Strategy, and Execution helped us in so many ways to take on one challenge after another—from hiring our first full-time employees to cash flow to planning a leadership team. EO mentors, including Tim Rettig of Intrust IT and Larry Kavanaugh of Navistone (two of many), were very helpful in our growth and success.” – Margee Moore

“I was stuck playing too many critical roles in my company. EOA gave me the confidence to find senior leadership to take on key tasks and embrace delegation. I now spend more time working on my business. I also struggled with creating a cohesive culture between different tiers of the organization. I dedicated a lot of time to implementing everything I learned in EOA to help my organization grow. I’m thrilled that it paid off, and I was able to scale my business enough to graduate and join EO. It feels amazing!” – Zak Nordyke

What would you share with entrepreneurs who want to join EO Accelerator to grow their companies?

“The biggest time savings is surrounding yourself with people who have accomplished what you are striving for. Save yourself 5 to 10 years of learning: Join EO Accelerator to connect with peers and mentors who can share the lived experiences you need to succeed. It’s a cheat code to build a better business, dramatically faster!”  – Zak Nordyke

“Like anything else in life, you get out what you put in. EOA Learning Days give you the perspectives of many other business owners from multiple industries. That can help you see things differently and take the foundation you’ve built and get where you want to go.” – Michael Tindall

“EO Accelerator was invaluable. You hear other founders’ stories and work together to help each other solve challenges and reach your goals. EO Accelerators get to connect with EO members and attend many EO events – so we could observe and learn from very successful entrepreneurs. That component is priceless and unmatched by any other group I’ve participated in.” – Dan O’Keeffe

When you’re ready to level-up your company in a supportive environment where trust and respect will help you grow together with entrepreneurs in a similar stage of business, apply to EO Accelerator and gain the insights you need to take control of your business and grow!

For more insights and inspiration from today’s leading entrepreneurs, check out EO on Inc. and more articles from the EO blog.