Ode to ROM

The MIT Endicott House is more than just a stunning estate; it’s a sanctuary where history meets nature in perfect harmony. Spread over 25 acres of lush gardens and serene woodlands, this French-style mansion captivates with its timeless elegance.

It is so fitting that this year, our brilliant and creative classmate Ken Polanco organized a fashion show featuring the fall collection of his brand, Sanctuary . Sanctuary brand at the sanctuary of MIT Endicott House—what a perfect match.

Yet, it’s not the beauty of Endicott House that draws entrepreneurs back year after year. These entrepreneurs, hailing from around the globe, are bonded by their graduation from the Entrepreneurs' Organization Entrepreneurial Masters Program and their shared passion for learning and for investing in this community.

I graduated from this program in 2018. Our alumni cohort includes members who graduated as early as 2015. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, we maintained our connections virtually.

These walls have witnessed countless stories.?

I remember Kendra Scott sharing her experience of battling imposter syndrome in this very room a decade ago. As a single mother running a $2M/year jewelry brand, she then led a $1 billion+ enterprise that touches children’s lives in every city. I don’t remember her jewelry—that's not my thing—but I remember her proudly sharing that her team throws parties at every Children’s Hospital in every city where they have a retail location.

Another Speaker discussed building the best place to work in Canada. He had to sit down to collect himself when in the middle of his presentation, he checked his email during a quick break and an M&A deal came through and his life was changed forever.

Hearing from Jeff Hoffman and Warren Rustand for the first time is etched in my memory. These remarkable entrepreneurs and philanthropists have dedicated their lives to serving others, and I am eternally grateful to call them my mentors and friends.

Outside of COVID, I return annually for a reunion called ROM (Return of the Masterminds). What sets the reunion apart isn’t just the content, although it’s incredibly enriching to have EO, YPO members, and guests share their experiences and teach us. The real value lies in reconnecting with friends I’ve known for over eight years.

There are many quotes that capture the importance of this connection:

• “Proximity is power.”
• “You become the total of the five people you spend time with.”
• "Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher"

Twelve years ago, at my first Tony Robbins Business Mastery event, Tony said something that stayed with me: “The biggest chokehold on the success of a business is the psychology of the entrepreneur.”?

This truth, further explored in a timeless piece on CEO psychology by Ben Horowitz , co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz , underscores the importance of managing one’s mindset.

ROM is a peer group that has been through all the same learning as you and is going through a lot of the same problems as you and...and quite possibly had to make some of the similarly challenging decisions as you

The difference between the EO or YPO forum and the EMP alumni is shared memories, knowledge, and history. It's not just sharing your 5% stuff with your forum. It's sharing with people with the same foundational knowledge as you because they all graduated from the same program.

The opportunity to put yourself in this environment is simply invaluable.

It’s important to acknowledge Brian Brault pivotal role. Brian, as the facilitator for all the groups that now convene as ROM, has been instrumental in our journey.

Our class also has an honorary member, retired Navy Seal Commander Jimmy May . I once asked Jimmy why drill sergeants yell at new recruits. His answer was profound: the drill sergeant represents the enemy, and a shared adversary unites the recruits. What the drill sergeant achieves through yelling, Brian Brault accomplished through love, honor, and respect.

Over the past eight years, I’ve had surreal experiences where my connection with a speaker uplifted me. Pursuing relationships with these speakers profoundly impacted my life, pushing me to new heights. Just like this year, 15 minutes into listening to a presentation by Siri Lindley , a world champion triathlete and cancer survivor. I knew I wanted to be friends with her, and I wanted to talk to her about coaching me.

We can't talk about ROM without recognizing Steve LeVine , one of our alumni. Steve opened his professional Rolodex to our community to not only bring some of the most impactful speakers but also help professionally organize some of these experiences, such as a fashion show this year.

Each year, as we gather at Endicott House, we are reminded of the power of proximity. We surround ourselves with those who inspire and challenge us. The gardens and halls of this historic mansion echo our shared struggles and triumphs, providing a backdrop to our collective growth. If these walls could talk…..

The lessons we’ve learned here go beyond business strategies and entrepreneurial tactics. They have shaped us as leaders and as individuals, teaching us the value of resilience, empathy, and collaboration.?The friendships forged here are more than professional networks; they are lifelines, sources of unwavering support and inspiration.

I booked the dates for 2025 reunion the minute I got the email with the registration information. I make my schedule around this very important week-long event in my life.?

Reflecting on my journey and the incredible people I’ve met along the way fills me with gratitude. This year, one of our speakers, Jerome Myers, CEPA, MBA , challenged us—it takes six people as pallbearers to take us on our final journey. Do we know who those people are going to be? Who are our closest six friends?

Tony Robbins once said, “The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.”?

Here, at the MIT Endicott House, surrounded by friends and fellow entrepreneurs, I find that our imagination and commitment know no bounds. Together, we will continue to reach new heights, support one another, and create a legacy that extends far beyond these beautiful grounds.

And… I hope some of the people who will carry me on my last journey will come from that room.