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.

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.

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.