Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Eggert. Them and their team share their story with us below:
This Minnesota professional has a history of turning small business into big business and connecting the brains of the Twin Cities community. With roles in several businesses as both an advisor and investor, co-founding a non-profit called Minneapolis HOPE, and proof of his incredible ability to grow an organization – it isn’t hard to believe that he has a knack for initiating and maintaining great relationships and great business. Aaron made his first major breakthrough at an office products distributor when he broke the first three years sales record that had been in place longer than he had been alive. Then, at age 29 he became Vice President of Sales leading the company into more profit and took a mediocre office furnishings division from bland to booming in 2 short years. That’s when he was noticed and recruited to join iSpace Environments, which at the time was a medium sized office furnishings business. In 5 years, Aaron led the company to 270% growth through brand awareness, strategic planning, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
The beginning of this journey began in the summer of 2017. Aaron Eggert had just turned forty years old and found himself in a bit of a predicament.
As a partner in a successful office furnishings and technology firm that had grown exponentially over the past few years, he should have been on top of the world. However, it was quite the contrary. It’s not like he was going through a mid-life crisis or anything, he was just missing something. So, Aaron took some time off to reflect and get to the root of what was causing this void. During his reflection it became abundantly clear how fortunate he was.
He has lived a life filled with success and fantastic experiences, his wife is a complete rock star independent business owner, and they own a hobby farm with a chocolate lab (Una) along with five chickens. What’s not to love about that? Then it hit him. Aaron found himself asking “What am I doing to create purpose and solidify my legacy?”
After spending a couple years assisting small businesses with revenue strategy, the idea around creating a community for leaders and entrepreneurs at all levels was beginning to boil. It was becoming abundantly clear that in the midst of a pandemic, people were searching for meaningful connection and building deeper relationships. Then, in the spring of 2020, Aaron leaned into this idea and began the creation of Coalition9.
Coalition9 was created around one simple premise. Bring good people together, regardless of their progress in the leadership journey, with a focus on Character First. They strive to create a community where a diversity of experiences in business and life is celebrated. The Coalition9 vision is to be the future of business by building a member-centric community rooted in transparency, vulnerability, and authenticity.
Doing business with other members should make life just a bit easier. Surrounding yourself with top leaders at all levels will push you to be your best. Focusing on the things that really matter – your impact on the business community and those you lead – will change you for the better. Lastly, they believe it is important to make this financially accessible, yet exclusive, based on character. They are working hard to bring good people together to ignite a leadership revolution.
Aaron’s role as Chief Vision Officer is to ensure that they are driving the experience and community forward. The role of the Members and facilitators is to guide this community and be a constant voice for growth, education, and relationship building. All Members will have access to and play a part in the sustainability of the organization, and their voices will be heard on how to continue providing an unmatched experience. The Members and their voices are the foundation of this community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t believe that any road in entrepreneurship is smooth. The bumps along the way are what create perspective and opportunities along the way. Starting this community in the midst of a pandemic created its own challenges, probably too many to list out here. For example, we started out with groups meeting via Zoom and that was tough. It’s really hard to build a true relationship and trust via video where personal connection and eye contact are missing. Our groups started meeting in person in May 2021 and that took things to the next level and our Member Experience Score reflected that.
We’ve been impressed with Coalition9, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our memberships are designed to promote interactive learning regardless of your leadership position while connecting you to the resources and people that will help you be your best.
Vision:
Changing business nine leaders at a time.
Key Beliefs:
We believe in living and leading with Character First.
We believe in building a community with Insatiable Curiosity, always focused on the “why”.
We believe All Ships Rise. As the tide of our community rises, so do our Members.
We set titles aside and focus on the character of our members. A collection of good people like you who operate from genuine candor, integrity, and authenticity.
We create a trusted and innovative space where you can focus on your business rather than being in your business.
We educate and inspire so that you see rich progress in all areas of your business and life, not just your bottom line.
Annual Membership Includes:
– Monthly half day connection with 8 other like-minded individuals through our proven LeadForward™ process designed to create synergy and spark ideas. Hosted via video or in-person based on the current environment.
– Private interactive online community to promote relationship building. Enhances your opportunity to connect with members within your group, the entire community, and individually.
– Additional access to the broader leadership community via SPARK Series events and relationship building opportunities.
Currently, we are a community of 120 Members and growing!
What matters most to you? Why?
Building a community that is diverse and inclusive of gender, skin color, zip code, or experience. By bringing people together that align with our Key Beliefs, we have the opportunity to change how business is done. Good people need to know good people and that expedites the relationship building opportunities and trust. This community can have a profound effect on the greater community by being a better leader and human being than we were yesterday.
Pricing:
- $2950.00/Year
- $245.83/Month
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.coalition9.com
- Instagram: @coalition_9
- Facebook: Coalition9
- Twitter: @coalition_9
- Other: www.powerofninepodcast.com
Image Credits
Coalition9 Marketing Team
Brenda Harvieux
Ian Marquez
