The real ROI of relationships

In this episode, Alane shares how joining the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program completely reshaped the way she approaches business growth—and why no founder should try to build alone.

What started as a 12-week crash course on scaling a company became something far more powerful: a network of entrepreneurs who understand the highs, lows, and relentless pressure of running a business. From presenting on stage in front of thousands to finding real friendships that extend beyond business, Alane and Micah discuss how community isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s essential.

You’ll hear:

• Why joining the right peer group can accelerate growth faster than any marketing strategy
• How to find communities that genuinely support founders (and not just sell to them)
• The long-term impact of relationships built through programs like Goldman Sachs 10KSB and EO
• What isolation costs leaders—and how connection restores purpose and perspective
• Why investing time in people creates exponential returns for both your business and your wellbeing

For founders used to doing it all themselves, this episode is a powerful reminder: your network is the one system that can’t be automated—but it will scale everything else you do.

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For more information, visit our website at biggestgoal.ai.

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Transcript

0:00:00 - (Alane): Welcome to Automate Your Agency. Every week we bring you expert insights, practical tips, and success stories that will help you streamline your business operations and boost your growth. Let's get started on your journey to more efficient and scalable operations.

0:00:18 - (Micah): So, Alane, a couple weeks ago you went to, I think an. An annual event in Washington, D.C. it's not annual.

0:00:27 - (Alane): It is more sporadic.

0:00:29 - (Micah): Okay, so like a sporadic event in D.C. for Goldman Sachs 10,000 small business programs. Right. And we've talked about this 10 KSB program, man, I don't, I don't. Last year, I don't know, I don't remember when, what episode we talked about it in. But they're cool groups to join. And I thought it'd be interesting if you wanted to share some of your experiences there because I, I get it secondhand as you're getting excited and being at these events, but maybe we can just talk about it so other people can get the insight into what goes on. And what are these not only just events, but the 10 KSB program as a whole?

0:01:10 - (Alane): Yeah, I mean, that program really changed my life personally and then changed our business as well because of the network that we've made from it. So I didn't have any idea what this Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program was until I got referred to the program by a lady in our town in Tennessee. It is the best way I can explain it is a crash course MBA program for you and your business because you're going through this program, working on your business.

0:01:44 - (Alane): It's 12 weeks. It's so tough because, you know, we already work a lot. It's not like we're sitting there going, man, I wish I had more things to do. So it's a lot of work because you're working on your business throughout this program while you're running your business. And the content is so valuable, number one, because you're really thinking about a growth plan. What is it that I want to do to continue to grow my small business?

0:02:09 - (Alane): And at the end of it, that's what you do. You have this growth plan, but you're going through this program and you're finally around other business owners, which in a lot of times you're kind of isolated if you're not a part of these business groups. And then when you're an alumni, you are a part of now 17,000 other business owners that have gone through it.

0:02:33 - (Micah): So the original, it was called 10,000 small business. The original name was. Was that their goal or what?

0:02:41 - (Alane): That was their goal. Yeah. We just, they Just started this year was their 15 year anniversary of starting the program. And Goldman Sachs has a foundation that covers all the costs. So this is free for business owners that are eligible. So there's certain eligibility. You have to apply, but yeah. So their goal 15 years ago was to have 10,000 people through it and this year marked their 15th anniversary and had 17,000 businesses, business owners.

0:03:07 - (Micah): That's super cool. I remember when you were going through the program and how much effort and work it was. It was like you were in college all over again trying to get your homework done, trying to get, you know, all right, I got to catch up with this. This is due tomorrow. They're expecting this. I've got to present on this. And while that sounds intense, it forced you, and I don't want to put words in your mouth, but from an outside perspective, it forced you to look at things that you probably wouldn't have just opted to go, well, I'm gonna spend extra time looking at this today.

0:03:39 - (Alane): Yeah, I mean they have a module on finance and I just don't love that part. And mo, that's most people's sentiment. And going through the program too is like this part. But you do really learn a lot about your numbers and not just cash flow, but balance sheets and how all of those things work together. Leadership, you know, there's, we are forced to be leaders, but what kind of leader are we and how do our teams perceive us and how do we improve based on our type of leader?

0:04:11 - (Alane): And so each week is a different module. And yeah, it did feel like you were in college, but the stakes were bigger because this is your business. Not just something, you know, that you're striving to do over four years, but something that you've got 12 weeks to do.

0:04:25 - (Micah): Yeah. And so you went through the program, you've met, I mean, maybe share some of the like people that you've met and relationships that you gained from. It might be a better way to ask that question.

0:04:37 - (Alane): So I'll back up just for one second. So the reason the, the summits aren't, they're sporadic is The Goldman Sachs 10,000 small business program is really just about that 12 week program. And then they have this alumni piece piece to it and every so often they announce that there's a summit. And I mean, Micah, whenever they announced it, I immediately tagged you in front and was like, oh my gosh, they're doing another one. I am there for it. And I was probably one of the first people to register because there's only so many spots out of 17,000, they had 2200 spots to go to this.

0:05:14 - (Micah): Wow.

0:05:15 - (Alane): And so it's. It was such a big deal. And so back to your question about the relationships.

0:05:20 - (Micah): So.

0:05:20 - (Alane): So I had the opportunity to be a handful of people that they interviewed there for some recording. And I got emotional talking about it. And I can still feel the emotion. Emotions bubbling up right now because I have got the greatest friendships from this program that have changed my life. I mean, I've traveled. Traveled the world with them. They have become dear friends. I mean, I'm going out to New York in December to celebrate Brenda's 20th anniversary of her company.

0:05:52 - (Alane): I'm gonna be there with her team because that's how close we are now. And so, you know, that has just. It's given me so much to be a part of this. And I. In even just looking at the previous summit that I went to, they had one three years ago, was the last one that they had. And from having a conversation with one of the alumni, that's how we became members of eo. And being an EO and just how much even being a part of that has changed our.

0:06:20 - (Alane): Completely in our businesses. You know, that's the biggest thing is like, we. You finally have people to go to to talk about business stuff. And sometimes that's casual conversations, and sometimes that's. I'm really having a hard time.

0:06:35 - (Micah): Yeah. And so, I mean, I think even your involvement, because you. I guess if we were to relate it to, like, school, you've gone above and beyond. You went for that extra credit. You, whatever you put into it, you got back in 2x3x. Who, like, I don't know if we could measure that. But you have. Definitely. I mean, I've. I've watched and seen you go through the. The program. And then when you were done, you weren't just like, well, that was fun. Cool. I'll move on with my life and never think about this again. You did follow up with those people. You did follow up with those relationships. You've stayed in touch with the people that are putting on the summits.

0:07:15 - (Micah): And so you got to do something very special at this summit. Do you want to share what that was?

0:07:22 - (Alane): Yeah. And I will say so. What I always tell the 10KSB program is for every minute I invest in 10x10KSB, I get 10x the value because it has given me so much. And that's a true statement.

0:07:37 - (Micah): I measure it.

0:07:38 - (Alane): I measure it like that. And I do stay in touch. I put so much effort into it. When they will announce, as an alumni, they will announce different in person events throughout the country. And I always go to one of them. You know, they might have three different, three different ones across the US but same topic, I'll pick one and go. And because of that, every minute I spend, even if I'm traveling to go to this in person workshop for the day, I get 10x the value in it.

0:08:08 - (Alane): And so I keep popping up all these places. And so the 10KSB team knows me and it's just been an incredible relationship and the energy that they have and the energy that I bring. And so I had the opportunity to get interviewed while I was there and also be on stage presenting one of the presenters. It sounds silly saying that, but part of the program and going to the summit is they need or they asked 10 KSB alumni to be on stage and present one of the big speakers. So this year we had the founder of Home Depot, Michael Phelps, Martha Stewart, two of the Sharks, Kevin o' Leary and Damon Johns, like these huge names. And so they look for businesses that are similar that a 10 KSB alumni owns to present the next presenter. And so I got that opportunity to, to be on stage in front of 2,500 people.

0:09:07 - (Alane): And it was just so amazing to be a part of that and go through what it looks like on the inside too because I had to write a script and go to rehearsal and be on stage in front of that many people and get comfortable with it in a very short amount of time.

0:09:27 - (Micah): I mean, that's so cool because even out of the 17,000 there were what, 2200 you said that could be at this event. And how many people were actually asked to intro the presenters?

0:09:40 - (Alane): I mean, maybe 10 or 15. I can't remember how many. But yeah, it's a small percentage.

0:09:43 - (Micah): It's a very small percentage.

0:09:45 - (Alane): Yes, it is.

0:09:46 - (Micah): Yes. So that's.

0:09:49 - (Alane): Go ahead, Micah, go ahead. The, the biggest key that I've found is the people have and this is in business, this is anything in our lives. People have to know who you are and not. And I never expected anything in return. I wasn't going to these events go in. I'm going to get something from them other than knowledge. I'm going because they are giving something to us for free. The only thing I have to do is get myself there and I'm going to learn something. I'm going to build a new friend. I mean, I know I cut you off, Micah, but so I was wondering.

0:10:25 - (Micah): Why we were going the same same direction. So.

0:10:28 - (Alane): So you Never. All of these small things, you. You don't realize when they're happening, right? Because there's small. It's a one relationship that you've made that was really, you know, you think it's an honor at that time because you've got. Made that relationship, but you don't realize what has been building over the last. So I graduated in 2021 from the program, so it's been over 20. So it's four years I've been an alumni.

0:10:52 - (Alane): And I'm walking around my. With my friend Amy that her and I graduated together. And we're at the closing reception, and she grabs my arm and she's like, how does every single person know who you are? And I'm like, because I've just been. We graduated the same time. But she saw how many people knew me by name and stopped me. Like, we couldn't walk 10 steps without somebody stopping me and saying hi.

0:11:22 - (Alane): And Micah, I sent you two pictures while I was there because people listened to our podcast and they were a fan. They were like, I listen to you every single week. And it was just. I was so excited to have that moment with them and having that, like, real person experience that's been listening to us and saying how much they enjoy hearing us. So it was just this real surreal moment for me. But, yeah, Amy was like, how do people know who you are? I'm like, because I'm always around.

0:11:52 - (Micah): And so, I mean, I think what. What I hear when you. When you talk about this, too, Alane, and we talk about this internally a lot, but it's. You know, we can do all kinds of content. We can be out on the web and we can get these forms and leads filled out. But it's a whole nother story when you're interacting in person, when you're presenting, when you're on stage in front of 2,200 people, right? Like, when you're always showing up at these events, when you're taking that extra effort instead of avoiding that or not taking that. And that's just. It's such a big impact for us and that network. And, I mean, I even think about all the. All the things that we run into.

0:12:38 - (Micah): And, you know, you're always coming up with ideas on, like, oh, well, I could call this person, and like, maybe somebody knows this. And, you know, you've. You've done amazingly well building these networks because of this.

0:12:53 - (Alane): There's something that changed in my mindset when I had this opportunity. I was in such a dark place. And Micah, you and I have a mental health episode on just our own depression.

0:13:04 - (Micah): Hell, I have mental health episodes every week. What are you talking about?

0:13:08 - (Alane): I mean a podcast episode about.

0:13:10 - (Micah): Podcast episode. Got it.

0:13:12 - (Alane): And you and I building our previous agency together, we were so alone.

0:13:19 - (Micah): Yes.

0:13:20 - (Alane): We constantly said if we just had someone to call. We said that all the time because we knew no one. We had no one in our network. And somehow we still built up that company. We still sold it. And I just think had we had more relationships that didn't need anything from us other than to be in our bubble of friends, we could have done something bigger and better had we not been so alone. And so coming out of that experience and knowing what I don't want to do is why I have invested so much time and effort into it, is because I don't want to be through that again.

0:14:03 - (Alane): Even if we ever grow something and we sell it again, I don't want to be lost without a community. Now, no matter what happens, I still have a fallback community to be on because my life does not revolve around the community I've built in this business. My community is outside of this business. And so people look at me and they think, wow, how do you have the time? And I'm going, because I know what it's like not to have this.

0:14:29 - (Alane): And you don't know until you know what that experience is like.

0:14:32 - (Micah): I mean, I think that's a perfect close to this episode. Alane. That is the like. I don't want to diminish that point at all. That is exactly the point of all of this. If I could add anything to it, you've changed my mind on all of this because I used to try to avoid things like this. And we went through that sale and we didn't have the network. Every contact that we had with that business left with the sale.

0:15:00 - (Micah): And we just sat around looking, going, huh, Cool. Now what?

0:15:05 - (Alane): Yes. So if anybody is interested in it, there is certain eligibility, but I'd be happy to send you the information on it and be a referral, because I want to change your life just like it changed mine. Thanks for listening to this episode of Automate Your Agency. We hope you're inspired to take your business to the next level. Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review.

0:15:28 - (Alane): Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners. If you're looking for more resources, visit our website at biggestgoal.ai for free content and tools for automating your business. Join us next week as we dive into more ways to automate and scale your business. Bye for now.