The sixteenth Annual Bigelow Forum focused on the theme of intention.
This year’s Bigelow Forum was a milestone event, marking the official release of INTENTION: Unlocking the Lifeforce Inside High-Performing Entrepreneurs. With nearly 100 Entrepreneur Owner-Managers and their spouses or significant others in attendance, we focused our collective attention on the inner journeys, decision-making frameworks, and mindset shifts that shape entrepreneurial success.
The highlight of the opening day was a keynote conversation with Dr. Daniel Gilbert, Harvard psychologist and bestselling author of Stumbling on Happiness. Dr. Gilbert offered profound (and often hilarious) insights into human cognition, perception, and the psychology of future-oriented thinking. His message landed squarely with our audience of owners who are constantly making consequential decisions amid uncertainty.
Friday’s sessions featured two dynamic panels of EOMs:
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“Awakening: The Capital Gain Journey,” moderated by Stephen McGee and Warren Widener, explored the full arc of ownership—from Discovery to Awakening. Panelists shared their stories of growth, challenge, alignment, and ultimately, how they intentionally prepared for a capital gain. Their reflections underscored the gap between merely thinking about a capital gain versus actually preparing for one.
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“Dedication: An EOM Preparation Story,” moderated by Rob MacLeod and Chris Fincke, featured Christopher and Maren Boothby of Boothby Therapy Services. This in-progress case study demonstrated how intentional alignment, strategic planning, and cultural clarity can dramatically improve a company’s trajectory—and valuation—long before a transaction event.
The conversations reflected the power of intention in both business and life—and reminded us why the Bigelow Forum continues to be a unique and irreplaceable space for high-performing EOMs.
