BUILDING COMPANIES THAT LAST – A COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE
by Dr . Tom O ’ Neal Founder , GrowFL
Second-stage companies , those that have reached at least a million dollars in revenue and have an intent and desire to grow beyond second-stage , can make the greatest impact on the economy . Those who have received help through GrowFL ’ s programs and services have grown at a three-times greater rate than their peers who navigate the journey alone . These successful companies are rooted in the area , remain in the area , and continue to contribute to the region ’ s job growth and economic prosperity .
To create an entrepreneur-focused economy , the region ’ s leaders must understand the concept of entrepreneurship , and how entrepreneurs fit into and affect the ecosystem . Once this is understood , a region
Unleashing a spirit of entrepreneurship can happen anywhere , but it does not typically happen by accident . It requires a specific environment where innovation , collaboration , cooperation , and regionally based support systems are aligned to create the cooperation that makes an economic impact . Organizations like GrowFL supply an environment for CEOs to connect and learn from each other while supporting the continued growth of their companies . can begin to develop an economic blueprint that nurtures an environment of entrepreneurial success , which in turn supplies wealth , opportunity and growth to the region .
While creating an environment where entrepreneurs can survive and thrive is essential , the challenge is that all entrepreneurial endeavors are unique . If you have met one entrepreneur , you have met one entrepreneur . Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes and have many reasons for starting the journey . Building companies that
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