EFBC Member President’s Message:

Giving Thanks for This Community

Hello EFBC,

It’s that week, the start of a busy holiday season, and the opportunity for that final push to close out the year strong. Amidst all the chaos, I hope you’ll take some time to slow down and enjoy what matters most.

Spend time with loved ones, keep the traditions that make this time of year feel special, and maybe start some new ones. This time always reminds me of how grateful I am for the people in my life, my family, friends, and peers, and this EFBC community that feels like all three.

So as you pass the stuffing or serve up a perfectly round slice of canned cranberries, don’t forget to tell the people at your table how much they mean to you.

Wishing you all a safe and joyful Thanksgiving.

Thank you.

Joel Spencer
EFBC President 2025-2026

EFBC Member President’s Message:

The Courage to Disagree

Hello again,

Joel Spencer here with your next President’s Message.

In September, I mentioned The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, a framework many of us in EFBC are familiar with. We explored the first dysfunction in absence of trust. Today, I want to talk about the second, which is a fear of conflict.

When trust is strong, people feel safe enough to speak their minds. But when that trust is shaky or never fully formed, teams avoid real conversations, and we settle for false harmony.

For many of us, that’s not surprising. We’ve been trained, consciously or not, to keep the peace. Don’t make waves, don’t challenge the group, and there’s often even an unspoken agreement: Don’t cause conflict for me, and I won’t cause conflict for you.

That silent agreement can feel like protection, but it’s actually a trap. Because when we avoid conflict, we avoid clarity. We dodge the truth, and that sacrifices alignment and growth.

But conflict, when it’s rooted in trust and purpose, isn’t dysfunction — it’s discipline. It’s how teams clarify what matters, it’s how we as leaders grow, and it’s how organizations break through to the next level.

So here’s what I want to offer this month:
It’s a reminder that disagreement doesn’t have to be divisive — it can be clarifying. What it means is that people care enough to be uncomfortable. It means that they’re paying attention. And the most effective leaders and the most cohesive teams don’t fear conflict. They embrace it with respect, structure, and a shared intent.

So ask yourself:

• Is there a conversation you’ve been avoiding?

• Is there tension hiding under the surface, pretending to be alignment?

• Is there someone on your team who needs to know it’s okay to speak up?

At EFBC, we talk about vulnerability and growth, and this is where they meet.
Let’s keep building trust. Let’s welcome the kind of conflict that makes us stronger. And let’s keep growing as leaders, even when the conversations are hard.

Thank you for being part of this community.
I’ll see you soon.

Joel Spencer
EFBC President 2025-2026

EFBC Member President’s Message:

Building on Trust

Hello again,

Joel Spencer here, back with the third installment of our President’s Message.

So far, we’ve talked about momentum, the energy that gets us moving, and intention, which gives that movement purpose. This month, I want to talk about something even more foundational, trust.

If you’ve read the book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, you know that trust sits at the very bottom of the pyramid. It’s the foundation, and when it’s missing, everything else can break down.

Without trust, we tend to avoid healthy conflict. Without conflict, we get surface-level commitments. And without those commitments, we stop holding each other accountable. And when there’s a lack of accountability, results can suffer.

But let’s be clear. Trust in the team isn’t about being polite or nice. It’s about vulnerability.

A trusted environment is 1 where people can raise concerns, challenge ideas, and speak up without the fear of judgment or backlash. And it’s not from a place of resistance, but from a place of shared ownership. And when people feel heard, even if the final decision isn’t what they hoped for, they’re much more likely to buy in.

That’s where trust begins, and that’s where real teams start to form.

So here’s my challenge for this month. Where is trust strong in your business right now? And where is it fraying? Are there conversations you’ve been avoiding? Tension going unspoken? Are there gaps in communication that need to be addressed?

Trust doesn’t get built in an all-hands meeting or in strategy decks. It gets built in small moments, the honest conversations, the hard feedback, and the willingness to listen.

Trust is a cornerstone of EFBC’s success and a major reason why our forums are so impactful. They give us the space to practice vulnerability, accountability, and have real support.

Do you have that kind of trust in your business?

Let’s keep building momentum. Let’s keep leading with intention, and let’s keep building teams that are rooted in trust.

Thank you all for being a part of this community, and I’ll see you soon.

Joel Spencer
EFBC President 2025-2026

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 President’s Message: Leading Through Transition

Dear EFBC Members, 

For this month’s letter, I’ve been thinking a lot about Transition, the role it play in our businesses and our lives. 

We’ve had our final official EFBC board meeting for this fiscal year, and will be meeting next month to transition and onboard our next leadership team.  Whether it’s handing off a leadership role, bringing in a new team member, or even preparing the next generation to lead, transition is always happening. And while we often treat it like a moment in time, the truth is: good transitions are a process. 

They take preparation, communication, and, perhaps most importantly, humility. That includes the willingness to let go – of control, of routines, and sometimes even of the sense that everything needs to be done our way. Letting go isn’t easy, especially when we care deeply. But it’s often the most generous, most effective and most forward-looking thing we can do. 

The same idea applies in our companies. The best transitions happen when we plan and invest early – building people up, creating clarity, and trusting others to carry things forward. That kind of preparation helps things run smoothly, but more importantly it creates room for growth. 

So this month, I’d invite you to reflect on the transitions ahead in your own world. Are you setting them up with intention? Are you preparing others—not just with information, but with encouragement? And are you making space for new ideas to emerge by letting go where needed? 

Transitions are never perfect. But when done well, they can unlock the next chapter of growth for both an organization and the individuals within it. 

Thanks for reading, 

Darrin Shillair – EFBC President 2024-2025

EFBC President’s Message: Gratitude

Dear EFBC Members, 

I have a short letter for this month – speaking briefly to Gratitude.

As we celebrated our 30th anniversary gala last Friday, I feel personal gratitude for getting to see many of our members and celebrate with you all.

I feel a great gratitude to the EFBC organization, it’s history, and the great value that it has provided not just to me, but to multiple generations of business leaders over the past 3 decades.

And last, but certainly not least, I feel a great gratitude and appreciation for our amazing staff, who pulled off an impressive and seamless event for us all to gather.

On a lighter note, I feel gratitude that the sun is shining today and it feels like spring is finally here.

Warm regards,

Darrin Shillair – EFBC President 2024-2025

EFBC President’s Message: Resilience = Success

Dear EFBC Members, 

I am back with another themed letter, and this time I am thinking about Resilience.   

Running a business isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes grit, adaptability, and – sometimes most importantly – resilience. The reality is stark: about 20% of small businesses don’t make it past their first year, and 70% fail within a decade. But those that survive aren’t just lucky – they’re resilient.  Sometimes the key to outperforming your competitors is just to outlast them. 

So, how do we build that resilience? A few key things make all the difference: 

• Plan for the Unexpected – Have a game plan for downturns and challenges before they hit.  I often do scenario planning with my team around big risks, e.g. the loss of a large customer, implementation of punitive tariffs, etc. 

• Keep Finances Strong – A financial cushion can be the difference between weathering a storm and closing up shop, and it is prudent to be very careful with debt. 

• Stay Adaptable – Markets change, and the most successful businesses evolve with them.  We make a strategic plan for the year, but we never hesitate to change it when circumstances demand it. 

• Lean on Your Network – Customers, vendors, and fellow business owners are invaluable sources of support and insight.  The EFBC and our strategic partners are an invaluable resource for this. 

• Keep Learning – The best leaders never stop looking for ways to grow and improve, whether it’s from their EFBC Forum or one of our many educational events. 

Challenges will come, but they don’t have to define us. What matters is how we respond. By staying prepared, connected, and open to change, we not only survive—we thrive. 

Here’s to the resilience that it takes to build businesses that stand the test of time. 

Speaking of Resilience and organizations that have stood the test of time, the EFBC is celebrating our 30th anniversary this year, and GALA REGISTRATION IS OPEN.  I am looking forward to seeing you all there. 

Warm regards,

Darrin Shillair – EFBC President 2024-2025

EFBC President’s Message: Building Positive Momentum in the New Year

EFBC President’s Message: Core Values at the Negotiation Table

Dear EFBC Members,

I am back with another themed letter, and this time I am thinking about Negotiations, and specifically how they are guided by Core Values.

Negotiations are a core part of any business leader’s role. Whether it’s a high-stakes contract or a simple agreement, we all bring to the table a toolbox of strategies—understanding our BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement), leveraging data, and staying prepared. But beyond tactics and strategies lies a deeper dimension of negotiation: the alignment with our values.

In the pursuit of a win, our competitive energy as entrepreneurs can be activated, and it’s easy to focus on the tactical and analytical aspects of negotiation. However, the most meaningful and sustainable agreements often come from a softer, values-driven approach. This means prioritizing respect, empathy, and integrity throughout the process.

I am currently working through a high-stakes negotiation around potential M&A for my business. I know the tactics, and I know the data, so I am well-positioned. But I also keep re-visiting both the core values for my business and my personal principles. I am actively seeking to avoid an outcome where I have “won” but caused myself future harm by straying from what has served me well to-date.

As you go through the inevitable negotiations in your businesses, I encourage you to leverage the EFBC way of emotional intelligence, and the support of your forum and the broader EFBC community to help you stick to your personal values.

Warm regards,

Darrin Shillair – EFBC President 2024-2025