Friday, August 14, 2015
A small group of local business leaders meet on the 6th floor of downtown Fargo’s Black Building for a coffee roundtable. Kurt McSparron, North Dakota Representative with the National Federation of Independent Business, proposes the idea of a new club designed exclusively for CEOs, Presidents, Founders and entrepreneurs – “key decision-makers”.
“What’s the premise?”, is the first question. “A trusted inner-circle of colleagues, where conversations take place that can’t generally take place with employees, spouses, even leadership teams. Conversations around the challenges of leadership; the feelings of isolation; and the day-to-day onus of running an organization”, he replied.
“What are the rules?”, followed. “There’ll be no ‘rules’, just ‘guidelines’. We’ll allow the Members to form our agenda; to create their own value; to chart our direction…a ‘business initiative’.
INITIATIVE
- the ability to assess and initiate things independently.
- the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do.
“What’s it going to cost to join?” “Let’s keep it simple. How about a dollar a day?” – Kurt suggested.
Wes Henry, Founder/CEO, True IT, took his checkbook from his briefcase, wrote a check for $365.00, becoming Member #1, and The100, Inc. Business Initiative was born.
Later that day, Kurt submitted his resignation to the NFIB, cashed out his 401k and began to recruit the Founding Members of the club.
