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Tony Hatchell

From Rock Bottom to Resilience – Tony Hatchell

Tony Hatchell is the President of Bennu Enterprises, a leading planner, designer, and manufacturer of healthcare, hospitality, and Class-A office signage. With 22 years of experience in the industry, Tony leverages innovative lighting, materials, and technology to build sculptures, light features, and dynamic signage.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn

  • [1:35] Tony Hatchell’s experience as an early EO member navigating business compliance issues
  • [4:25] How a roller skating accident altered Tony’s perspective on work and life
  • [14:32] Tony reflects on how he built his company with cash
  • [19:50] The importance of being vulnerable in EO forums
  • [23:11] Advice for making the most out of your EO experience

In This Episode

For chronically stressed entrepreneurs, facing catastrophic events may force them to reevaluate their priorities. While no one wants to face significant setbacks, these events can catalyze personal development. Hear how a strong-minded entrepreneur reassessed his views on work and life following adversity.

During the 2008 recession, Tony Hatchell lost $2 million in yearly revenue, struggled to make payroll, and breached industry compliance regulations. After a roller skating accident caused him to break his femur and lose a crucial deal with the bank, Tony realized his chronic stress and anxiety caused him to have brittle bones. He restructured his business and began prioritizing health, wellness, and fulfillment. Tony credits joining a trusted EO forum and expressing vulnerability to gain support and encouragement.

In today’s episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson chat with Tony Hatchell, the President of Bennu Enterprises, about how he reevaluated his life and business approach. Tony shares the importance of joining an EO forum you can connect with instantly, how he built his company using cash, and how he joined EO in the organization’s early days.

Quotable Moments:

  • “I knew how to grow a company, but I had no idea how to deconstruct one.”
  • “After the bank called my note, I was pacing on crutches and literally thought, ‘Finally I’m done.'”
  • “Cortisol made my bones like chalk. It’s just stress. It is unbelievable.”
  • “I think getting the right forum and the right chemistry is kind of nice to have.”
  • “Business is not as important to me as it was when I was younger. What’s important now is my health and peace of mind.”

Action Steps:

  1. Embrace vulnerability and seek support: Sharing challenges openly, especially with trusted peers or support groups like EO, can provide valuable insights and emotional relief. Tony Hatchell’s story highlights how isolation magnified his challenges, and being vulnerable in supportive environments could have offered him guidance and comfort.
  2. Prioritize health and wellness: Stress can significantly impact physical health. Focusing on mental and physical health can prevent burnout and ensure long-term well-being, allowing entrepreneurs to be more effective in their roles.
  3. Diversify your support network: Building relationships with a diverse group of people outside your immediate circle can offer fresh perspectives and solutions. Tony mentions how surrounding himself with a certain type of crowd influenced his behavior; altering this could have provided healthier influences.
  4. Adopt a cash-flow-first business model: Operating without reliance on extensive credit or loans can provide more stability during economic downturns. Tony’s experience taught him the importance of building a business on cash flow, reducing dependency on banks, and minimizing financial risk.
  5. Focus on family and personal relationships: Strong personal relationships can provide stability and happiness outside of business challenges. Tony’s journey underscores the value of being present with family, which greatly contributed to his personal growth and sense of fulfillment.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Sponsored by:

This episode is brought to you by EO Nashville.

The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a high-quality support network of nearly 15,000 like-minded leaders from over 60 countries.

EO helps transform entrepreneurs’ lives through life-enhancing connections, shared experiences, and collaborative learning.

EO Nashville is the largest EO chapter in the US, third in the world, and has the most female members of any US chapter.

To learn more about how EO Nashville can benefit you, visit eonashville.com.

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