Utah Tech Spotlight Events

Local Review: EO Utah

Posted by Steve Spencer

Article posted on Feb 20

As followers of this Blog know, we strive at the Spotlight to bring more visibility to Utah in two key areas:

1- What cool companies and products are there in Utah.

2- What events and organizations in Utah seem to be worth attending to bring value to your business.

For this post I want to focus specifically on the second of those two items. About a year ago I joined EO Utah (Formerly known as YEO, or the Young Entrepreneurs Organization.) EO is basically aforum that allows fellow business owners to get together wit other business woners in a sae environment, and learn from eachothers’ experiences. It has a very strict non disclosure policy, and is a wonderful, safe environment to discuss things with people who have gone through things like what you might be facing. It can be hard as a business owner sometimes… who do you confide in? If you are troubled about your financing, or that new sales VP, or what have you, is there anyone in your company you can really discuss it with? Do your friends or spouse really have any valuable insight? Well, here is a group of a dozen or so people who will, over time become your closest friends, who have faced just those types of challenges and opportunities.

EO is no easy to get into. You need to have $1m in revenues (amoung other criteria), and it costs $2k per year to be a member. Additionally, it really takes time to get value out of. Unlike most organizations where I can write a glowing or a scathing review after one or two meetings, EO really takes about a year to really hit your stride.

I can say that, becuase I feel I really have now. If you had asked me even six months ago I would ave given EO a mixed review. But having just come back froma three day offsite with my group, I can say that this is one of the most valuable organizations I participate in. I learn so much, and feel like I am building such valuable relationships with very special people.

Sorry, I can’t share much mroe detail than that… that’s what makes it safe, and that’s what makes it so valuable. If you’re abusiness owner you should check it out.

As a note: When I linked to the EO site, I noticed how terribly out fo date it is. Please don’t judge it by that :) after all, these people all ahve companies to run… just like you do.