It’s no secret that starting a business is a lot of work.  It’s a ton of work and it’s hard!  There are always too many things to do and too many distractions.  We love our DIY culture, but DIY is not the best (or fastest or cheapest) way to launch or grow your biz.

I know what is…and it involves meeting at 9,000 plus feet where the air is thinner and squeezing every minute out of an event!

This weekend I’m heading to the mountains of Colorado for a retreat of sorts.  A group of 20 or so like minded entrepreneurs—some with very different business ideas—meeting for an intense weekend of planning for 2010.  We’re different from the 9 to 5 crowd.  And this weekend will be more like 7 to midnight or later.

Here’s why Free Agent Academy events are the best place to learn how to launch and grow your business:

Proven Leaders
The events are led by Kevin Miller and Chuck Bowen.  Kevin is a former professional bike racer turned branding and positioning guru (he can put legs on your idea like no one else).  Chuck is a former business executive and is now one of the finest coaches in the world (he can put your idea into action).  Kevin and Chuck don’t always agree…which is perfect.  They do go together like peanut butter and chocolate. 

Interaction with Experts
But it gets better: they pull in other experts to be a part of the events: folks like 48 Days to the Work You Love author Dan Miller (Kevin’s dad), social media expert and Seth Godin’s SAMBA grad Jon Dale, and El Presidente of Saddleback Leather Dave Munson (who’s leather bags are the greatest in the known universe).  Other events may have bigger names of equal caliber, but I don’t know of any that provide the level of interaction and intimacy that FAA events do.

Caring Community
Event attendees come from all over the country.  They are at different stages in their businesses (from just having an idea to full-time enterprises) and come from various industry focuses.  Some are young and some are,…more experienced.  All have passion, and the passion is contagious.  Ideas and suggestions flow freely, and all are supportive and encouraging.  The event is just the opportunity to do what we do online in a concentrated form.  Every time I go I meet friends in person for the first time that I already know from our online interactions.

Faith and Fellowship
Free Agent Academy is not a faith-based organization and all are welcome, but because of the deep faith of the Millers the community has attracted some of the most committed Christians I know.  We share our faith freely, including our fears, needs, doubts, frustrations and set-backs.  In many ways, is what church is meant to be.

Extreme Value
So the event is $600 for active members.  Throw in airfare, lodging and food costs…and the price doubles.  But for one extended weekend I’m going to get advice and support from proven experts who are now friends amounting to about 30 hours of planning and coaching.  I’m going to be energized and have a plan for moving my business to the next level.  I’ll have new friends who aren’t social media “friends”—I’m talking about REAL friends you can laugh and cry with.  Value: Priceless