Taking Flight: The Entrepreneurs Journey Podcast

Hosted by Taking Flight

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Episodes

Latest episode

Jan 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Embark on a journey of entrepreneurial discovery with Sarah Tourville, the Communications Board Chair of the Atlanta Chapter Entrepreneur's Organization. In this podcast, Sarah engages in heartfelt conversations with guests from EO Atlanta. Guests share their “First Flight Chronicles" and capture the pivotal moments when they took their initial leap, providing listeners with an intimate look into the challenges and triumphs of the startup world. Join us for a bi-weekly dose on Wednesday’s for an inspiring exploration into the essence of entrepreneurship. This show is proudly sponsored by EO Atlanta.

Listen to episodes

52 recent

January 15, 2026Episode 5237 min

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.

December 18, 2025Episode 5111 min

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.

November 20, 2025Episode 5044 min

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.

November 6, 2025Episode 497 min

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 valueHow customer diversification and recurring revenue boost valuationsThe advantages (and challenges) of running a family businessHow agility and empathy set Sofer Advisors apartTune 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

October 22, 2025Episode 4844 min

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.

October 8, 2025Episode 4711 min

Building Brands with Soul: Jaci Lund on Creative Freedom, AI, and the Power of Design - Taking Flight - Episode 47

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Jaci Lund, founder of Treebird Branding, a creative agency that’s redefining what it means to build meaningful brands in a fast-changing world. Jaci shares the honest story behind starting Treebird out of creative frustration, the philosophy that drives their unique brand-building process (yes, it involves a little "witchcraft"), and how a floor tile at an Atlanta restaurant became a viral branding win. We also dive into the role of AI in marketing, the balance between creativity and professionalism, and why being “weird” might just be your agency’s greatest strength. If you're passionate about branding, design, or entrepreneurship, this is an inspiring conversation you won't want to miss.Connect with Jaci on LinkedIn and follow her company Treebird Branding

September 24, 2025Episode 4611 min

Reinvention, Fire Codes, and Building a $12M Business – Christian Dodder of Fire Protection Services - Taking Flight #046

In this episode, Sarah Tourville sits down with Christian Dodder, founder of Fire Protection Services and longtime EO Atlanta member, to celebrate EO Atlanta’s 30th anniversary and unpack an inspiring entrepreneurial journey.Christian shares how he transitioned from selling his first company under a non-compete to diving headfirst into the complex, regulation-heavy world of fire and life safety systems with zero prior experience. Discover how he scaled a small mom-and-pop operation into a $12M powerhouse with 77 employees, all while staying focused on his niche: inspections and maintenance, not construction.We cover:Why recurring revenue and regulation made fire safety attractiveHow saying “no” became a competitive advantageThe power of focus and strategic growthReinventing yourself mid-careerScaling leadership and stepping out of the day-to-dayWhether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or looking for your next pivot, this conversation is full of practical insights, real talk, and lessons in building something meaningful from the ground up. Recorded live in celebration of 30 years of EO Atlanta.

September 9, 2025Episode 4513 min

Capturing Light and Luxury: The Art of Hospitality Photography - Galina Juliana Coada - Episode 45

In this inspiring episode, host Sarah sits down with Galina Juliana Cuada, founder of Galina Juliana Photography, a boutique production company specializing in cinematic, high-end architectural photography for luxury resorts and hospitality brands.Recorded live at EO Atlanta's 30 Year Anniversary Event, this intimate conversation dives into Galina’s journey from journalism to hospitality photography, her unique visual style, and how she brings spaces to life through meticulous storytelling, technical mastery, and an unwavering commitment to quality.Galina shares how her work has helped prestigious resorts elevate their brand presence, the power of over-delivering in business, and why generosity and attention to detail are her greatest competitive advantages. From scouting locations months in advance to recreating golden-hour light on a rainy day, her dedication is unmatched and it shows in the results.Whether you're in hospitality, branding, photography, or just love hearing from passionate entrepreneurs, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry that helps luxury destinations make unforgettable first impressions.

August 13, 2025Episode 4413 min

The Importance of Evolving Your Leadership & Systems - Brad Stevens - Taking Flight Episode #044

In this episode of Taking Flight, we're reconnecting with Brad Stevens at the EO Atlanta 30th Anniversary Celebration.Brad is a former president of EO Atlanta (2020–2021), a University of Pennsylvania alum, and the Founder & CEO of Outsource Access - an outsourcing firm supporting 75+ industries worldwide with a team of over 500 professionals.In this conversation, Brad and Sarah dive into the challenges of scaling a global business, how he's equipping his team with AI skills, and the real-world strategies he’s using to integrate AI into operations. Brad also shares his insights on where AI is headed and what that means for entrepreneurs in the years ahead.Tune in now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch the full episode on YouTube.

June 11, 2025Episode 4335 min

A Grassroots Approach to Entrepreneurship - William Fogler - Taking Flight Episode #043

In this new episode of "Taking Flight", Sarah chats with William Fogler, Founder and Principal of WM Events, a full-service event house known for its creative and logistical prowess. Since launching WM Events in 2004, William has transformed it into an award-winning company with a reputation for sky-high standards and unforgettable experiences.Originally from Denver, William chose Atlanta for his entrepreneurial adventure and built his business around a belief in doing everything with intention. Now leading a team of 30 full-time professionals, he has made his mark on the city’s event landscape while demonstrating a deep commitment to philanthropy and service. A longtime member of EO Atlanta, William also brings over 20 years of entrepreneurial insight—and his signature energy and smile—to every room he enters.Tune in as Sarah and William dive into his journey from startup to standout, his move to Atlanta, the power of community and connection, and the lasting impact EO Atlanta has had on both his personal and professional life.