Conductor

Last week's 10x Accelerator session hit different. The Conductor team walked us through something that sounds simple but most founders miss: knowing your numbers isn't the same as knowing your business. Three things I'm implementing: 1. Find your North Star Metric Stop tracking everything. Pick ONE growth driver that actually matters. For us, it's not just revenue—it's the tangible value we create for clinics (labor hours saved, denials reduced). If that metric moves, everything else follows. 2. Leading vs. Lagging Indicators Revenue is a rear-view mirror. The real power is in knowing what moves the needle 30-90 days BEFORE the metric changes. What's your early warning system? 3. The 40/70 Rule Colin Powell's framework: make decisions when you have 40-70% of the info. Less than 40%? You're guessing. More than 70%? You've already missed the opportunity. Also learned that the smartest entrepreneurs aren't always right—they're just wrong faster. That one's going on a sticky note. Question for founders in the comments: What's the ONE metric you'd check first if your growth suddenly stalled? Curious what others are tracking as their north star. Thank you Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D., Jakob Michaelis, Glenn Crockett, Leslie McColgan, MBA, Grace Rains, MBA, PCED

Last week’s 10X session was all about strategic growth planning, diving deep into leadership, focus, and execution. Our cohort spent the day working alongside our 10X leaders to refine their strategies, set measurable goals, and create actionable roadmaps for scale. The energy, collaboration, and big-picture thinking in the room were incredible. We can’t wait to see how these growth plans turn into real results! ⚡️

Big thanks to everyone who joined us today for Skill Stacking with Mark McNair at the Arnold Innovation Center! 🙌 We explored how to build habits that actually last, avoid burnout, and stay consistent with the “EAT” framework, Easy, Accountable, Targeted. We loved seeing our community come together to learn, grow, and take action toward lasting success!

Think you need a CFO? Think again! 💰 Join us next week at UCA’s College of Business (Room 311) for Your Startup’s First CFO: YOU! Learn how to manage your books, understand your taxes, and make financial decisions that set your business up for success. Led by local CPAs Zee Barfoote and Austin Malone, this session will help you avoid mistakes, stay compliant, and keep more of your profits where they belong, in your pocket. 🙌 📅 Don’t miss it, RSVP now! https://luma.com/4lxdi07y

Happening TODAY! If you’re building a tech or product-based business, this one’s for you. Join Spencer Jones, medtech founder and innovator, for a no-cost, no-fluff workshop on Customer Discovery, how to test, validate, and refine your ideas before you build. 📅 Oct. 14 | 12–1 PM | Virtual RSVP while there’s still time ➡️ https://luma.com/gzocewn3

We’re all guilty of setting goals that fade fast. But what if we could fix that cycle? Join us this Thursday at the Arnold Innovation Center for Skill Stacking with Mark McNair, Co-Founder of Emprise Digital! Mark will show you how to: ✅ Build sustainable habits one step at a time ✅ Avoid the “21-day habit” myth ✅ Rebuild self-trust and follow through ✅ Create lasting change in your work and life This one’s for anyone ready to stop setting goals and start achieving them. 💪 📅 October 16th | 12–1 PM | AIC RSVP here:https://luma.com/991p7mrg

The Arkansas Department of Commerce has partnered with Grow with Google to bring FREE training and certifications in high-demand tech disciplines like cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing & e-commerce, IT support, AI fundamentals, and more. 🤯 This is powerful because it gives everyday working people the chance to upskill (or reskill) on their own schedule and open doors to new career paths. For ARise in particular, this is big news because launching a tech startup requires a certain amount of technical skill. With this new initiative, more people will be empowered with the knowledge and skill set needed to bring their tech dreams to life. So if you live in Arkansas and are curious how you can get started upskilling or reskilling in tech, this is an opportunity worth exploring. Here are all the details from the official press release and a link to apply - https://lnkd.in/gB5Jcufh #Arkansas #Google #Upskill #Reskill #TechForAll #ARise #GrowwithGoogle Arkansas Economic Development Commission | Hugh McDonald | Clint O'Neal, CEcD | Esperanza Massana Crane | Laura Kingrey | Mallory Race | Jeff Amerine, PMP | Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | Brett Amerine | Grace Rains, MBA, PCED | Kaitlyn Loughridge | Janell Owens Reeves, MBA | Jamie Wright | Amy Hopper Swan | Grow with Google

The AIC is more than a coworking space, it’s a hub of entrepreneurs supporting other entrepreneurs. The AIC Peer Groups are designed to give business owners a space to talk openly, gain perspective, and leave with actionable next steps. This is just one example of how members of the AIC come together to learn, connect, and grow. Becoming a member means joining a supportive, collaborative community built to help you grow. Want in? Join the AIC community today! https://lnkd.in/eqm-sCky

Pitching at Walmart’s Open Call? Let ARise help you crush it—for free. 🚀 We’re providing complimentary pitch prep + consulting to help companies refine their decks, sharpen their storytelling, and build confidence before the big pitch. We'll also share with you why Arkansas is a great place to grow and scale your business. Why trust ARise for your pitch prep? ✅ Backed by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission ✅ Powered by Startup Junkie (NWA) & Conductor (Central AR) ✅ A team that has advised thousands of entrepreneurs and helped create one of the region’s most respected startup ecosystems 👉 Sign up for your no-cost consultation today: https://lnkd.in/e3aeHFdE #WalmartOpenCall #OpenCall #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation Esperanza Massana Crane | Tyler Hale | Clark Cogbill | Laura Kingrey | Mallory Race | Chase Binnie | RetailWire | Progressive Grocer | Retail Dive | Inside Retail US | RetailNews | RetailNews.io | Jeff Amerine, PMP | Brett Amerine | Grace Rains, MBA, PCED | Jeff D. Standridge, Ed.D. | Kaitlyn Loughridge | Scott Benedict | Eric Howerton

This Thursday at the AIC, we’re exploring how leaders can transform their organizations from simply surviving to truly thriving. You’ll gain practical tools for execution, strategy, and culture that drive measurable results. Join us and take the next step toward extraordinary outcomes. RSVP here: https://luma.com/tl1lxuqn