19 Nov Why Only 4% of Businesses Scale — And How You Can Become One of Them

At the heart of what we do, our mission is clear: to provide world-class services and cutting-edge solutions to help businesses grow and succeed. The most important part of that mission — and the part I’m most passionate about — is helping businesses grow and succeed. Growth isn’t just a metric; it’s a transformation. And one of the biggest contributors to my ability to grow and continually succeed as an entrepreneur was joining the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

I became a member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization in 2020 — a global network of more than 20,000 founders — and it has made a meaningful difference in every aspect of my life. EO helped me become a stronger business owner, a more intentional leader, and a better partner and parent.

Entrepreneurship is exciting, liberating, and deeply rewarding, yet at times it can also feel incredibly isolating. We’re often surrounded by employees, advisors, and family members — yet still have no place to openly discuss the pressures, challenges, and decisions that keep us up at night. EO changed that for me. I gained a safe, trusted community where I didn’t have to filter what I said, minimize my goals, or pretend I had all the answers.

That same spirit continues through the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Accelerator Program (EOA), designed specifically for business owners who are working toward breaking through the $1M revenue mark and building the muscle to scale beyond it.

In the article ahead, you’ll discover why only 4% of businesses ever scale past $1M. If you’re exploring how to grow with greater clarity and support, I’d be happy to share my experience with Entrepreneur’s Organization and answer any questions — feel free to reach out anytime.

The Real Challenge Isn’t the Idea — It’s Capacity

We often assume companies stall because demand or enthusiasm fades. In reality, most companies stall when the founder hits the limits of what they know — not what the business could become. If the entrepreneur’s knowledge, leadership skills, tools, and systems don’t expand, neither can the company.

Only 4% of businesses ever grow past $1M in annual revenue. Yet surprisingly, it’s easier to run a business above that mark than below it. Under $1M you’re wearing all the hats, reacting to issues, making every decision, and often doing it without a playbook. Above $1M, structure, leadership, systems, and team dynamics take over — and you can finally shift from operator to CEO.

EOA was built to help founders cross that threshold with clarity, structure, and community — not guesswork.

How the EOA Experience Works

A few things make this program truly unique:
– No equity taken — ever
– Stay for up to three years or more
– Open to both product- and service-based businesses
– No soliciting and no referral expectations

This is not a networking group – It is a professional growth platform built on trust and confidentiality.

Your experience centers on three core components:

1. Small Monthly Accountability Group
You meet monthly with a group of fellow founders who are also scaling toward $1M. These sessions are honest, strategic, and action-driven — all designed to help you solve real business challenges faster than doing it alone…and all confidential.

2. Four Full-Day Learning Days
Each learning day focuses on one of the four critical business pillars — based on the Scaling Up® framework:
– Cash
– People
– Execution
– Strategy
These sessions are hands-on, practical, and taught by leaders who have been where you want to go.

3. Access to Local EO Chapter Experiences
Although Accelerator is a separate program, members are often invited to chapter events where you can learn alongside entrepreneurs who have already exceeded $1M and, in many cases, scaled far beyond that.

A Global Path — Not Just Local Support

While I’m personally part of the Boston Chapter, there are EOA and EO chapters all across the country and around the world. No matter where your business takes you — or where you choose to live — your access to this global community continues.

If you’ve already crossed the $1M revenue mark, the full Entrepreneurs’ Organization membership may be exactly what you need to accelerate even further. EO is built for business owners who are ready for continued growth, deeper leadership development, stronger peer groups, and broader international access.

For those who choose deeper involvement, volunteering on the chapter board opens doors to the annual Global Leadership Conference (GLC) — an unforgettable leadership development experience held in incredible destinations such as South Africa, Singapore, and Hawaii, with most expenses covered by the chapter.

Where This Leads

Being part of EOA helps you grow in a way that isn’t solely about revenue — it’s about evolving into the kind of leader whose business has no choice but to scale. It builds confidence, capability, and a network that understands your journey. Ultimately, EOA helps prepare you for full EO membership, where impact and growth only accelerate further.

If you’re building something meaningful and you’re ready to push it past the $1M mark — let’s have a conversation. You do not need to figure this out alone, and there’s a community ready to walk every step with you. There is an application process and in the last year only 20 Entrepreneurs were brought in.  We want to bring in founders who are committed, want to scale and are accountable to the group. 

I would love to share my experience and answer any questions on Entrepreneur’s Organization, one of the best kept secrets all business founders and entrepreneurs need to know about! Feel free to reach out anytime!