The Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization views its being awarded Fort Worth Inc.’s Supporter of Entrepreneurship as an opportunity — naturally.

“Exposure for the chapter is fantastic and just it helps us connect with more entrepreneurs and frankly helps our visibility in community,” says Cliff Price, president of the chapter.

Ultimately, that means nurturing more startups and fortifying the foundation that supports Fort Worth’s entrepreneurs.

Each year, Fort Worth Inc. presents a person or organization the award for advocating for and assisting the startup community. EO fosters growth of entrepreneurs by helping them achieve success in their business and personal lives through peer-to-peer learning, connections to experts, and “once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”

“I’ve been there — the late nights, the doubts, the grind,” says Craig Wasilchak, a member of EO Fort Worth and small-business owner. “But being part of EO has been a game-changer. It’s not just about networking. It’s about real growth, learning, and thriving alongside like-minded entrepreneurs.

“Through workshops, inspiring events, and a global network of peers, EO helps us push boundaries, innovate, and elevate our businesses.”

EO has been at the front supporting and connecting business owners worldwide for more than three decades. With roughly 20,000 members worldwide, it can credibly call itself the world’s most influential entrepreneurial community.

Says Price, who is in the wholesale business: “It’s a very giving group in the fact that they’re more than willing to help another business owner have success. I think that’s one of the things I found about the group was really pretty amazing.”

Jeremy Brandt, the founder of the Fort Worth chapter in 2012, accepted the award on behalf of the local community during Fort Worth Inc.’s Entrepreneur of Excellence gala Nov. 13.

Brandt, founder of We Buy Houses, says he saw at the time in Fort Worth “the region’s most dynamic entrepreneurs.”

In order to move from a startup chapter to an official EO chapter, the group was required to recruit and maintain a membership of at least 25 within 12 months. EO Fort Worth exceeded that number within four months.

In addition to Brandt, the founding board included Doug Tonne, Mitchell Allen, Jason Pettigrew, Tony Pompa, Holly Shields, Hillary Strasner, John Cornelsen, Gary Walker, and Michael Windhorst.

“I think EO is the best-kept secret for business owners in Fort Worth,” says Price, who described the city as a great environment of ambitious and driven people. “It’s a great community of people who share and work together and really are focused on helping each other be successful.”