Sound familiar?
Growth gets lonely at the top.
Every decision lands on your desk.
Hiring, cash, customers, culture. You're the one who has to decide, and usually alone.
You've outgrown your own playbook.
What got the business here won't get it to the next level, and you know it.
You don't have a mentor yet.
No one around you has walked this road, and no one is asking you the hard questions.
This room is for you if
You're ready to change.
You want to invest in yourself and your business and see a real return, many times over what you put in.
It's not for you if
You're comfortable where you are.
If you've been stuck for years and aren't looking to change, this group will feel like a lot of work.
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."Proverbs 15:22
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."Proverbs 27:17
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."Ecclesiastes 4:12
Who it's for
Leaders at the top of their company.
Every member runs the business. When the room is made up of true peers, the conversations go deeper.
You'll fit right in if you're
- Owner, founder or CEO. You're the one running the organization.
- Already generating revenue. Solo entrepreneurs are welcome, but you're past the idea stage.
- Trying to scale and don't have mentorship yet.
- Leads by faith and sees business as ministry.
Most members run businesses with roughly $100K to $2M in annual revenue.
You have to be on the battlefield, not just holding an idea.
That's what makes the counsel in this room practical.Probably not the right fit if
- You're still working on the idea and don't have revenue yet
- You're looking for sales leads or referral networking
- You can't commit to showing up every month
A commitment, not a subscription
A gym membership never got anyone in shape. Showing up does.
You can't just sign up and disappear. Members show up, report honestly on their progress, and the group notices when someone doesn't do the work. That accountability is the whole point.
Inside the room
What a forum meeting looks like.
Three hours, once a month, with the same group of leaders.
15 min
Devotional and prayer
Every meeting starts here, with Scripture tied to leadership.
45 min ยท The heart of the meeting
Monthly growth reports
Each member shares their own assessment of the past month in business, leadership, personal life and faith. Then the group responds.
45 min
Topic or guest expert
A focused business topic. Some months a subject matter expert joins for about 30 minutes, then Q&A.
10 min
Break
45 min
Issue processing
A member brings a real decision. The room brainstorms, asks hard questions, and offers counsel.
20 min
Commit and pray
Everyone names next steps for the month, then the group prays for each other's businesses and families.
Sample format. Meetings may be held mornings or afternoons depending on the group.
How Neal leads
Neal facilitates. The room does the work.
This isn't a lecture. Neal's job is to keep the discussion rich and draw everyone in, which sometimes feels like herding cats.
- Every leader speaks, every meeting
- No two people carrying the conversation while ten listen
- Counsel comes from peers who run businesses too
Curriculum
A 12-month curriculum. Start any month.
Each month covers a practical topic for growing companies. Every topic stands on its own, so it's useful no matter when you join.
Join in April and start with the April topic. The year comes back around.
Delivered through [curriculum platform name].
Your on-ramp as a new member
Onboarding
Get to know Neal, the group, and how the forum works.
Assessment
An honest look at where you and your business are today.
Learning
A short set of lessons to get you up to speed, so you can engage from your first meeting.
Your forum leader
Neal Millsaps
Neal has seen firsthand how peer counsel drives growth. If you're leading without it, you're missing out.
Neal spent more than 40 years in volume photography and publishing. He ran his family's third-generation business for about 20 years, then led it on his own for another decade before selling it to Lifetouch National Studios. At Lifetouch he held several senior roles, including Senior Director over $85 million in sales and a team of more than 400 people.
Along the way he learned that the way to grow a business is to grow its people. He has coached emerging entrepreneurs through SCORE, led discussion groups for the Wake Forest University Family Business Center, and earned his coaching certification through Coach Training Alliance. Today he also serves as a Chair with C12 Business Forums in Greater Charlotte.
Neal and his wife, Pam, have five adult children, four grandchildren and a golden retriever named Annie. They are active members of Calvary Baptist Church.
Membership
What's included.
- When
- [Day of month and time]
- Where
- [Venue], Charlotte
- First meeting
- [Launch date]
- Attendance
- Expected at every meeting
Questions
Before you book.
What does membership cost?
Neal walks through membership details in your first conversation, once you both know it's a good fit.
Can solo entrepreneurs join?
Yes, as long as the business is already bringing in revenue. The group is for leaders who are out there doing it, not still planning to.
Why is it invitation-only?
The group only works if members trust each other and show up ready. Keeping it small and selective protects that for everyone.
What if a competitor is in the group?
Neal screens for conflicts so members can speak openly. Direct competitors won't be placed in the same forum.
What if I have to miss a meeting?
[Neal's policy for missed meetings]
Your next step
Book a time with Neal.
A confidential, no-pressure conversation to see if Project Ascent is a good fit for you and your business.
Booking link: [Neal's scheduling link, e.g. Calendly]
Know an owner who belongs in this room? Send Neal their name.