A Cut Above

Getting a little help from your friends

Hi, my name is Karen, and I'm an entrepreneur." Although you may never hear these exact words at an Entrepreneurs' Edge meeting, the San Diego-based peer group has a lot in common with other problem-solving organizations.

For starters, the primary goal of Entrepreneurs' Edge is to encourage the growth of small businesses and enhance entrepreneurs' management and leadership skills. Second, members air their problems at monthly meetings where heavy feedback is part and parcel of the program. "They help each other make the tough decisions that go with running a business," says Faith Maybury, Entrepreneurs' Edge's national director.

Formed in 1994, the group meets monthly for four hours; four times a year, members also hear speakers address topics they choose.

Membership in Entrepreneurs' Edge is by invitation only. To qualify, businesses must have gross revenues of at least $750,000, have been in business three years, employ five to 25 people and be growth-oriented. In addition, says Maybury, "We expect [small-business owners] to be open about their financials and about their businesses because they're not going to get honest feedback if they're not putting honest information on the table."

This article was originally published in the July 1996 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: A Cut Above.