From Sir With Love - Sirmantha Ellison - Taking Flight Episode #51

Keeping Pace with Technological Change - Jim McNamara - Taking Flight Episode #52

Entrepreneurship is hard - but the right perspective makes all the difference. In this episode of Taking Flight: An Entrepreneur’s Journey, host Sarah Tourville speaks with Jim McNamara, founder of 8 Penny Labs, about building businesses that can compete in a fast-moving digital economy. Jim shares his unconventional path from literature to global technology leadership, including years of working with international teams across the U.S., Europe, and beyond. After seeing how small and mid-sized businesses struggle to keep pace with enterprise-level technology, he launched 8 Penny Labs to help level the playing field through clear strategy, strong communication, and modern software solutions. This conversation dives into identifying real market gaps, leading global teams across time zones, addressing challenges head-on, and cutting through the noise surrounding AI and emerging technology. Jim also reflects on the importance of trusted co-pilots, decisive leadership, and why entrepreneurs can’t afford to delay tough conversations. A must-listen for founders and leaders navigating growth, technology, and change.

From Sir With Love - Sirmantha Ellison - Taking Flight Episode #51

Recorded live at EO Atlanta’s 30th Anniversary Signature Event, this episode of the EO Atlanta Taking Flight Podcast features Sirmantha Ellison, founder of From Sir With Love. Sirmantha shares her journey from public accounting to building a creative business centered on bespoke stationery, intentional corporate gifting, and the art of gratitude. She discusses working with corporations, nonprofits, and event planners to create thoughtful brand experiences, narrowing her niche from weddings to corporate clients, and balancing creativity, handwritten notes, and emerging tools like AI. As an EO Accelerator member and proud “gratitude enthusiast,” Sirmantha reflects on the power of community, focus, and values-driven growth.

From the Military to Entrepreneur by Acquisition - Mike Dames - Taking Flight Episode #50

In this powerful episode of EO Atlanta: Taking Flight, Sarah sits down with Mike Dames: West Point graduate, U.S. Army engineer officer, Afghanistan veteran, MBA from the University of Chicago, business investor, and CEO of Colography. Mike takes us on an honest and insightful journey through his transition from military leadership to entrepreneurship, revealing the highs, lows, and inner resilience required to “get the plane off the ground.” He introduces us to Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), a path many have never heard of, and breaks down how it offers a unique route for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to buy, lead, and grow existing businesses rather than start from scratch. Throughout the conversation, Mike opens up about: -The surprising challenges of becoming a CEO and why he calls it the role of Chief Emotional Officer.  -The cultural transformations required in a 40-year-old legacy business.  -Knowing your strengths, filling your gaps, and hiring the right “number two.”  -What excites him about the future of Colography, including new logistics-intelligence products launching in 2026. Mike also shares the personal side of his journey: growing up in a single-parent home, playing Division I sports, jumping out of airplanes at Fort Bragg, and navigating the shift from high-stakes military missions to corporate roles that didn’t feel meaningful, ultimately driving him toward entrepreneurship and ownership. This episode is packed with real talk, strategy, inspiration, and raw vulnerability. Whether you’re a veteran, an entrepreneur, an operator, or someone exploring ETA, Mike’s story offers remarkable insight into what it truly takes to build, lead, and scale a business while staying grounded in purpose. Tune in and get ready to take flight.

Building Business Value - David Hern - Taking Flight Episode 49

In this episode of the EO Atlanta Taking Flight Podcast, Sarah Tourville sits down with David Hern, CEO of Sofer Advisors, to dive into the art and science of understanding what makes a business truly valuable. David shares how his Atlanta-based, family-run firm helps companies of all sizes. From startups to long-established enterprises, he helps them discover their worth through detailed valuation services. He discusses the biggest factors that drive business value, including the importance of strong financials, reducing founder dependency, and building recurring revenue streams. Listeners will also hear David’s insights on why removing yourself from your business can increase its value, how to reduce “key person risk,” and why Sofer Advisors chose a name that reflects their mission, not a single individual. With themes of service, agility, and empathy at the heart of Sofer Advisors’ work, this conversation offers practical wisdom for entrepreneurs looking to grow, scale, or eventually exit their companies. Key Takeaways: * Why “working yourself out of the business” adds value * How customer diversification and recurring revenue boost valuations * The advantages (and challenges) of running a family business * How agility and empathy set Sofer Advisors apart Tune in for an insightful and down-to-earth discussion about what makes businesses thrive—and what makes them worth more. Listen to the full episode available now on Apple, Spotify and YouTube

From Foster Care to Founder with Erica Gwyn - Taking Flight - Episode 48

In this powerful episode of EO Atlanta Taking Flight, Sarah sits down with Erica Gwyn — an entrepreneurial powerhouse, faith-driven visionary, and purpose-led founder behind Seven Oaks Academy Montessori preschool in Gwinnett County, GA and The Nonprofit Guru, a consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations grow with clarity and impact. Erica opens up about her extraordinary journey — from growing up in foster care to becoming the owner of an award-winning Montessori school and a respected leader in the early education and nonprofit sectors. She shares how she has reimagined business models, expanded access to high-quality education across Georgia, and built thriving ecosystems rooted in equity, innovation, and legacy. Tune in to hear how Erica’s deep faith, unwavering focus, and fierce determination are fueling her mission to build lasting impact through education, community, and generational wealth — all while inspiring others to rise above their own beginnings and take flight.