Banded exists to create the most soul healthy, well connected, inwardly strong and others focused leaders in their community. We do this through monthly peer groups, curated trips and experiences and a national network of peers striving to lead well and live well.
From the beginning of time, creatures have banded together in the name of survival. Without the right community, every piece of your life becomes marginalized. Going it alone leaves you vulnerable, burnt out, and out of sync with what you were created for. That goes double for those in positions of leadership. Families are depending on you to remain steady in the daunting face of entrepreneurial adversity – a task that simply cannot be done in solitude. Luckily, it no longer has to.
Banded was founded as a joint venture between Ocean and FCCI, blending the innovative leadership development of Ocean with FCCI’s legacy of faith-integrated business guidance. Ocean began by equipping early-stage business owners through its Accelerator and later expanded to support leaders across all stages of growth, helping them align their business practices with faith and values. FCCI (Fellowship of Companies for Christ International) has empowered Christian business leaders globally for decades, focusing on integrity, stewardship, and community impact through a strong peer advisory network and resources.
The vision for Banded emerged from the combined passion and experience of founders Ben Hardman and Luke Dooley, who saw a need for a community where leaders could grow with purpose and resilience. Over the past year, Hardman and Dooley have led Banded beta groups, curating meaningful experiences and trips and building a strong membership community among close friends and relationships. These early stages shaped Banded as a space for leaders to engage authentically and thrive in a supportive, values-driven environment.
Now, after a year of refining and strengthening the foundation, we’re thrilled to open Banded to the world in January 2025, welcoming leaders into a community dedicated to purpose, clarity, and navigating their journeys with faith.
Ben Hardman helps develop leaders who are soul healthy, deeply connected, inwardly strong and fully focused on serving others. His work aligns the inner life, relationships, and business strategy to create sustainable, meaningful impact.A serial entrepreneur, Ben is the founder of Banded, and the executive director of Grace Family of Churches. With 25 years of experience coaching thousands of leaders and launching entrepreneurial endeavors, Ben has built and successfully transitioned ownership of two consulting firms, helping individuals and organizations thrive through clarity, structure, and purpose.
His vision for the second half of his life is to help others achieve their dreams of impact and transformation, acting as a supportive figure behind countless redemptive and flourishing visions.
Luke Dooley is driven by a desire to see people understand their place in a larger story. He believes that living and leading well has a profound impact on the world. This belief motivates him to create spaces and content that inspire people to live and lead in ways worth following.
Luke enjoys leveraging his network to further the mission of Banded, ensuring the organization remains connected and influential both locally and globally.
Banded exists to give business leaders the right community so they can go deeper on their entrepreneurial journey than ever before.
