For 30 years, EO has been led by countless members who have volunteered their time to help strengthen the organization. Each year, thousands more do the same through the Path of Leadership (PoL) program, which equips members with the tools, knowledge and networks they need to grow as leaders. In this special interview, EO South Australia’s DAVID BARTHOLOMEUSZ, a longtime member leader and EO Accelerator trailblazer, opens up about his PoL journey, finding his purpose as a leader and giving back to get ahead.
It was midnight on a Saturday when my phone rang. It was one of my business partners, Barnabas Carrega. After the previous 72 hours—which were beyond grueling—I didn’t really feel like talking to anyone.
That Thursday, we decided to pull the plug on our first promotional event set to take place during the Sony Open in Miami, Florida, USA. The event we had created failed us in several ways: not enough people had RSVP’d; no high-profile celebrities were confirmed to appear; and most of the budget was allocated for PR. Reluctant and beyond tired, I picked up the phone anyway … and I froze in my tracks. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing:
“Nadal and Djokovic’s publicist called and wants them, respectively the number one and number two tennis players in the world, to participate in our event.”
“You can’t be serious,” I replied. Hadn’t we failed on Thursday night?
In all corners of the world, entrepreneurs are playing an integral role in the development of communities, economies and industries. And it all starts with engagement. For Rosemary Tan, a member of EO Malaysia and EO’s former Global Chairman, the art of engaging has helped her find success and significance in business and beyond. In this featured interview, Rosemary shares the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey, the value of EO leadership and how through engagement, she continues to find new value in herself, her business and her life.
Your family has played—and continues to play—a major role in your life, encouraging you to get the most out of everything you do. How have they contributed to your success?
RT: I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for my family. I am the oldest of six siblings, and am blessed to have everyone so close by; we stay in touch regularly and meet every Sunday for a three-generation dinner. My grandma taught me how to seize every opportunity and ‘taste’ everything in life at least once. My dad, who was a successful entrepreneur, taught me the value of hard work and that experience is the best MBA you can get. And my mom, who’s a paraplegic, taught me the power of perspective and to always lend a helping hand. I am truly blessed for the strong foundation my family has given me, as well as the many lessons they’ve provided over the years. My family inspires me to engage the world every day to see what it has in store.
When people ask me what it’s like being an entrepreneur, as stressful as it can be, I always find myself talking about how lucky I’ve been to travel and live around the world.
When it comes to running a business, there is no go-to manual for greatness or a secret recipe for success. There are, however, key ingredients that can contribute to entrepreneurial excellence. As EO Montréal’s Moranne Elarar and Marina Byezhanova can attest, it all starts with hustle and heart. In this special interview, the co-founders of Pronexia—a new generation recruitment firm—open up about their bootstrapping days, their unique hiring methodology, and the role authenticity plays when building relationships and company culture.
It’s 5:30 p.m., and you’re just about to leave the office — but are you actually leaving? Let’s unpack this. Work is technically over, but has your mind stopped thinking about it? Are you still coming up with solutions to your work problems as you’re commuting home? This kind of ‘grit’ is what a lot of people equate to ‘resilience’. But is this what resilience is? Is this what we should all strive for?
In a world of fierce competition, the key to success could be an unsuspecting one. How can small businesses beat larger contenders while retaining strategic talent? According to Raúl Cristián Aguirre, it all starts with love.
Pioneering up-and-coming technologies is no small feat, and it’s even more impactful when these discoveries are saving the lives of millions around the world. For 16 years, Anu Ancharya, an EO Hyderabad member and CEO of MapMyGenome, has been revolutionizing personalized healthcare through the production of specialized software and accessible genomics testing. In this interview, Anu talks about the increasing impact of biotechnology in her community and beyond.
How would I describe my entrepreneurial start? It was a lot like running my first triathlon. Although I trained heavily, I had no idea what to expect. The result: plenty of sweat, scratches, tears and a few curse words. And yet, when I crossed that finish line for the first time, I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride. Above all, I was motivated to keep moving forward at all costs. The same went for building my first business, though it wasn’t easy.
Like many of my peers, my entrepreneurial sprint brought with it several “a-ha” moments and quite a few failures. After going public with my business, we found ourselves growing exponentially. Before long, we had acquired a company in Silicon Valley, expanded to three locations in Canada, opened a facility in Mexico City and completed a joint venture in Chile. We had hit a wildly successful rhythm … and then came the obstacles in the road.
In entrepreneurship, opportunities can present themselves in various ways. For participants of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), EO’s flagship program for nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, opportunities for leadership and business growth are boundless. Just ask Violeta Martinez, winner of the 2016 EO GSEA Global Finals and founder of VAIZA, an El Salvador-based, luxury brand crafted from the heart. In this special interview, Violeta talks about the importance of giving back through business, empowering women to be strong leaders and the invaluable role EO GSEA plays in the lives of student entrepreneurs everywhere.