The Advantages of a Peer-to-Peer Network

Running a business can be rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. Leaders are often expected to know all the answers, even in the face of challenges they’ve never encountered before. That’s why one of the greatest advantages of a peer-to-peer network is knowing you don’t have to go it alone.

At EFBC, members find more than networking—they find a trusted circle of peers who share experiences, offer perspective, and help each other grow as leaders and as people.

A Place of Safety and Sharing

EFBC is grounded in the Forum experience, where members meet in small groups to work through real business and personal challenges. As partner Deanna of Cray Kaiser put it:

“It is a place of safety. It is a place of sharing of best practices. It is really a community.”

In these safe, confidential spaces, leaders can be open about struggles and gain insight from those who have walked similar paths. That shared experience is one of the clearest advantages of a peer-to-peer network.

Learning and Growth Beyond the Classroom

Business ownership doesn’t come with a manual—but peers provide wisdom you can’t find in textbooks.

Brian McIlwee, an EFBC member since 1998, explained:
“It’s an organization that allows business executives to continue to learn and grow and develop as leaders.”

EFBC empowers members by focusing on emotional intelligence, education, and peer connections. This blend of professional and personal growth sets peer-to-peer learning apart from traditional business education.

Real Solutions for Real Problems

Each month, EFBC members bring challenges to their Forum groups. Whether it’s succession planning, conflict resolution, or scaling a company, the process is practical and impactful.

As Adriana Osorio of Osorio Metals shared:
“Each member once a month presents and we do a lot of problem solving. We give feedback. Everything is confidential.”

Peers don’t hand out prescriptions—they share how they’ve overcome similar situations, giving members tools to make their own decisions. Or, as Brian put it:
“It’s, here’s some options of how I’ve gotten through something. That allows them to make their own decision.”

Personal and Professional Transformation

The advantages of a peer-to-peer network go far beyond business tactics. Members often find that EFBC impacts their entire lives.

Bob Giammanco of 2XL Corporation reflected:
“The EFBC brought to me shared experiences with other members that really moved the needle for my business. And it created a jump in my personal and in my professional growth.”

From reducing stress, to becoming a better leader, parent, or spouse, members consistently point to the holistic benefits of being part of EFBC.

More Than Business

Perhaps the most powerful takeaway is that EFBC is not about transactional networking.

As Deanna summed up:
“This is not about getting business. This is about getting better at your business.”

Or, as Brian said:
“It’s like having a board of directors for not only just the business, but for life.”

That’s the essence of EFBC: a trusted circle of peers who are committed to helping each other succeed in business and in life.

Learn More About EFBC
At the Entrepreneur and Family Business Council (EFBC), we equip business owners and their families with the peer support, education, and resources they need to succeed for generations.

Get in touch with us to learn more about membership or upcoming programs.

EFBC Member President’s Message:

Joel Spencer on Intention

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the second installment of the President’s Message.

Last month, I talked about momentum—how we build energy, surround ourselves with the right people, and create forward movement in our leadership and our lives.

This month, I want to shift gears and talk about something just as important: intention. Momentum gets us going, intention keeps us headed in the right direction. And the reality is, staying intentional as a leader can be hard. There’s always a fire to put out, meetings to run, and hard decisions that we have to make. It’s easy to stay busy and somehow still feel like we’re drifting.

But when we pause, even briefly, we create space to think. For me, that pause often comes through something simple called the clarity break, which is just dedicated time to step away from the noise and reconnect with what matters most.

We’ve all had those moments where clarity hits during some downtime. Maybe it’s on a drive, sitting with a cup of coffee, or just walking without distractions. These moments can be rare if we don’t make time for them, and it can be hard to carve out that time consistently, yet they lead to important discoveries and direction as leaders.

That small investment of time helps me refocus and lead with greater purpose in my business.

So this month, I want to challenge all of us:

• don’t just move,

• take a break and ask yourself, why am I doing this?

• What outcome do I really want?

• And how do I show up in the process?

The EFBC is here to support that kind of leadership. We’re a community where leaders think more clearly, connect more deeply, and lead more intentionally.

So let’s keep building momentum, let’s keep leading with intention, and let’s keep showing up for ourselves and each other.

Thank you for being part of this community, and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Have a good day.

Joel Spencer
EFBC President 2025-2026

EFBC Member President’s Message:

Joel Spencer on Building Momentum

Hi, I’m Joel Spencer, your EFBC President for 2025–2026.
As I reflected on what I wanted to share this month, one word kept coming to mind: Momentum.

• Momentum as leaders isn’t about speed—it’s about intention:
•  Surrounding ourselves with the right people
• Growing our skills and knowledge
• Strengthening our emotional intelligence

EFBC provides the space, structure, and community to support that kind of growth—and we’ve got some exciting ways to keep the momentum going this summer:

• DePaul Partnership
  We had a great brainstorming session with DePaul this week, continuing our strong strategic partnership.
  This relationship brings value to our members, DePaul students, and the broader business community.

What’s Coming Up:

• Prospect Forum – August 7
  Our first session is already full! It’s a great way for prospective members to experience a real Forum.
  Our next session is in October—keep the referrals coming!
• Summer Social – August 21 @ The Salt Shed
  Join us for food, drinks, entertainment, and community.
  We’ll also honor outgoing President Darrin Shillair with our Annual Leadership Award.

Thanks for being part of this incredible community. I’m excited for what’s ahead—let’s keep building momentum together.

Joel Spencer
EFBC President 2025-2026

EFBC’s Summer Reading List

Meet the 2025-2026 EFBC Board of Directors

Before You Hit “Accept”: Top 5 Tips for Reading the T&Cs of Off-the-Shelf AI Tools

AI tools have reached the tipping point for small businesses. In a September 2024 survey by The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Teneo, nearly every small business – 98% – said they are utilizing a tool that is enabled by AI with 40% using generative AI tools like chatbots and image creation*.

This transformation brings with it healthy doses of excitement, fear and trepidation, especially when it comes to your company’s data. The Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) behind many of the off-the-shelf AI tools aren’t the standard software terms we’ve all fallen into the routine of hitting “Accept” without reviewing. Popular Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and the zillions of tools that use their models to provide AI services all rely on data to fuel their neural networks and sharpen their pattern recognition, the basis for the interactions that mimic human intelligence. And it is why data privacy, security and ownership clauses in these contracts are vastly different from standard software terms.

So before you click Accept, here’s five clauses it’s imperative you truly read.

1. If you’re not paying with dollars, you’re probably paying with data.

AI tools get smarter by learning from you (and everyone else whose data is used for training) courtesy of the inputs you give and interactions you have with the platform. That means the very first thing to check in any T&Cs is how the tool uses your data.

What to look for:

• Does this platform use my data to train its models?
• Do different plans have different data usage guidelines?
• Can I opt out if my data is used for training? If yes, how?

Key Takeaway: Many LLMs tap data from users on Free plans to fuel future model training, while paid plans often provide separation between your data and their training. “Often” does not mean always, and sometimes you must manually exclude your data. The key is – as it will be in every one of our recommendations – Read before you Accept.

2. Your data needs a bodyguard, not just a login.

Off-the-shelf AI platforms don’t only store your data. They can copy it, manipulate it, process it and sometimes even move it across borders if you aren’t careful. This can expose most small business owners to additional liability risks they don’t see coming. Especially if you’re working with customer data, employee info, or proprietary content. Before you trust an AI tool with sensitive information and sign on the dotted line, you need to know exactly how and where your data is handled.

What to look for:

• Does the platform encrypt your data both in transit and at rest?
• Do they meet recognized data and security standards like SOC2, ISO27001, HIPPA, GDPR, CCPA, etc.?
• Where is your data stored and processed? Which country, which cloud provider and under what laws?
• Does the vendor allow third-party access or subcontractors, and under what terms?
• Are there clear timelines for data deletion if you cancel or stop using the platform?

Key Takeaway: Look for vendors that talk explicitly about AI security practices and standards, not just general cybersecurity. If the terms are vague or overly broad, assume the protections are too.

3. Just because it was built with your data, doesn’t mean you own it.

Most of these tools are referred to as Generative AI because – you guessed it – they generate new content from the data they have been given. So when you’re working with one of these systems, who owns what is created? Many off-the-shelf tools include terms that give themselves license rights to use, share, or even commercialize the outputs generated on their platform, even if those outputs are based on your proprietary data.

What to look for:

• Who owns the AI-generated content? You, the platform or both?
• Are there any “joint rights,” “derivative works” or “license to use” clauses? What do they provide to the software company versus you?
• Do the terms restrict how you can use what you generate? Internal use only, not for commercial sale, etc.?

Key Takeaway: If an off-the-shelf AI tool helps you create something central to your business, such as training material or a product design, you’ll want full control and clarity on ownership. Don’t assume it’s yours just because it came from your prompt.

4. You’re still in charge, even when AI is doing the work.

AI can aid in efficiency and speed, but it doesn’t guarantee accuracy, fairness, or compliance. Whether it’s accessing patient records, analyzing candidates for hiring, or drafting sensitive content that is bound by an NDA, the responsibility still falls on you to make sure it’s right…And legal. If you’re using AI for anything that touches hiring, healthcare, financial decisions, or compliance-driven tasks, you need to know how the tool handles risk. Don’t assume it’s playing by your rules, rather make sure it’s written into theirs.

What to look for:

• Disclaimers about output accuracy or reliability (they’re almost always in there)
• Language that puts the burden of verification on you (also quite common)
• Any clauses that deny liability for misinformation, bias, or harm
• Commitments (or lack of) to regulatory compliance—HIPAA, GDPR, EEOC, etc.

Key Takeaway: As we always preach at Trybl, treat any AI solution like a promising intern: useful, fast, smart and largely capable but not yet trustworthy enough to fly solo.

5. No one wants a bad breakup.

The pace of AI advancements is mind-boggling. New features roll out before you learned the current ones. Models get upgraded before you see any limitations to the old one. And to go right along with those moves, T&Cs of off-the-shelf AI tools get rewritten at almost as dizzying a pace. That’s part of the promise, and also part of the risk.

If an update suddenly changes how the tool performs for you, suddenly you might find yourself stuck with a tool that no longer fits your business. And if you can’t easily export your data or models, switching vendors can feel more like starting over.

What to look for:

• Does the vendor give you notice (30+ days) before making material changes to the product or terms?
• Can you opt out of updates that affect your integrations, workflows, or user access?
• Are there documented exit options, including data portability, export formats, or API access?
• Can you retrieve both your raw data and AI-generated content before terminating?
• And finally (not limited to just AI tools by the way) – Is there an auto-renewal clause that could lock you in for another term without warning?

Key Takeaway: Choose vendors that are upfront about versioning, model updates, and sunset timelines. Bonus points if they offer backward compatibility or let you freeze your configuration. Your workflows shouldn’t break just because your AI got “smarter.”

One Last Thing…

Off-the-shelf AI tools aren’t just another addition to your tech stack. When deployed well, they become partners in decision-making, inputs into workflows and tech teammates for your employees. That makes the fine print in these T&Cs just as strategically important as the details of any customer contract or vendor deal.

Before you lock into a platform, run the terms past both your legal team and someone who understands how AI really works, not just how a tool is marketed on a website. Skipping that step can cost you more than a surprise renewal fee. It can compromise your data, your IP or even your customers’ trust.

Can’t find a tool that checks all your boxes once you dig into the T&Cs? Then it might be time to build one that does. A partner like Trybl can help you create AI tools built for your business – not just for businesses like yours. You keep control of the data, the decisions and the outcomes. As it should be.

*https://apnews.com/article/small-business-artificial-intelligence-productivity-f6fa7b2a1ce0a9f2e5b8b48670b3098a

NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Conor Walsh, Commercial Risk Advisor at J. Krug

Welcome to EFBC, Conor! Can you tell us a little about what you do and how you got to where you are now? 

I’ve been at J. Krug for eight years now. It’s a family-owned independent insurance brokerage that started in 1986. I work on the retail side, so I go out to business owners and help them with their insurance needs. Before this, I was in banking. 

I just knew I couldn’t sit behind a desk all day, every day. Some people thrive with structure. I need the opposite. So I started meeting with people, exploring different parts of the insurance industry. I talked to a mentor, and from there it was like a chain reaction. Everyone I met gave me more names, and eventually I met Tom at J. Krug. He was one of the first people to really encourage me to consider the retail side. I was 24 at the time, and the idea of walking into businesses and trying to sell them insurance felt kind of intimidating. But Tom gave me some confidence. And I liked that it was a smaller company—I’ve always been drawn to that. 

Why the preference for smaller businesses? 

I grew up working for small businesses. My dad had a manufacturing business, so I saw firsthand what it’s like. And at a small company, you can actually see the impact of your work. Since I joined, we’ve expanded the office and doubled in size. You can feel that growth in a real, tangible way. 

How did you first hear about EFBC? 

Dave Horvath told me about it. Our families have been close for as long as I can remember. He mentioned EFBC years ago, maybe around 2020, but COVID had just hit and I didn’t really look into it. 

Now that I am at the right stage in my career to join, I started thinking about the group again. So I texted Dave and was like, “Hey, what was that group you were telling me about?” When I went to the first meeting I kind of got the vibe that it’s not about speed-dating-style business development. It’s more about having a problem and a platform where you can voice that—not around your colleagues—and get candid answers and real help. And at the same time, you don’t want to come home to your family and vent all your daily issues either. So it was like, this is kind of perfect. 

What drew you to join? 

I’ve done a lot of traditional networking. Early in your career, you have to do that to build something. But at a certain point, you want something different. EFBC felt like a place where I could just be myself. You’re not pitching, you’re not trying to impress anyone—you’re just being real. And I think that’s actually a faster way to make real connections. 

What do you like to do outside of work? 

I play a lot of guitar. I golf—which, yeah, I know, everyone golfs—but I really enjoy it. And I’m really into skeet shooting. I actually have a tournament in Peoria coming up and will be there for three days. That’s one of my big hobbies. 

Welcome to EFBC, Conor!