Shared Faith,
Shared Ambition,
Shared Experiences.

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.

Forged By The Frontier

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.

The History of BANDED

Banded began with a simple observation. Many successful leaders were carrying enormous responsibility but had very few places where they could speak honestly about the pressures of leadership. The higher they rose in their organizations, the fewer trusted peers they had who truly understood the weight they were carrying.
 
After years of coaching leaders and working with entrepreneurs, Ben Hardman began gathering small groups of leaders who wanted more than networking or surface-level conversations. These early groups were built around trust, honest dialogue, and the integration of faith, leadership, and life.
What started as a few rooms of leaders quickly grew into a community. Through small peer groups, curated experiences, and leadership trips, Banded developed into a space where leaders could engage authentically, sharpen one another, and pursue lives of purpose and resilience. Those early gatherings shaped the culture that still defines Banded today: honest conversation, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to becoming the kind of leaders who build things that last.
 
Banded Virtual expands that vision by creating space for Christian executives, team leaders, and key decision-makers across the country to participate in the same kind of trusted peer environment. Many leaders carry significant responsibility inside organizations even if they are not the owners themselves. Banded Virtual exists to connect those leaders with a circle of peers who encourage spiritual growth, leadership excellence, and Kingdom-minded impact in every domain of work and life.
 
Today Banded continues to grow as a community dedicated to helping leaders pursue clarity, purpose, and faithfulness in both their leadership and their lives.

Ben Hardman

Founder and National Director

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.

FAQs

Banded is designed for high-capacity leaders who want more than surface-level success.

Our members are founders, CEOs, executives, and entrepreneurs who carry significant responsibility and are looking for a trusted community of peers who understand the weight of leadership.

If you’re building something meaningful, navigating complex decisions, and want a space where you can be honest, challenged, and supported — Banded was created for you.

No. Banded is not coaching or therapy.

Banded is a peer community built around honest conversation, shared wisdom, and accountability. Instead of a coach or expert directing the conversation, members learn from each other through guided discussion, real-life leadership challenges, and shared experiences.

Many members find that the collective insight of the group provides clarity and perspective that can’t be found alone.

Groups are intentionally curated to create meaningful and trusted relationships.

Members are placed in small groups of 6–10 leaders who share similar levels of responsibility and leadership experience. This allows conversations to be relevant, honest, and impactful.

The goal is to create a space where every member feels understood and challenged by peers who truly “get it.”

Banded offers two membership options depending on how you want to participate.

In-Person Membership
$675/month
Includes monthly in-person gatherings with your peer group and access to community experiences and retreats.

Virtual Membership
$250/month
Includes participation in a virtual peer group with the same structure and intentional conversations.

Both options provide access to a trusted network of leaders committed to growth and accountability.

Most leaders participate in Banded as part of their company’s leadership development investment.
Healthy organizations regularly invest in developing their leaders. Research from organizations like the Association for Talent Development shows that companies commonly invest between 1–5% of revenue or payroll in leadership development and training. Many leaders use that same budget to participate in peer advisory groups like Banded.
 
Because the work in Banded directly strengthens leadership clarity, decision-making, and organizational health, many companies see it as one of the most practical development investments they can make for their senior leaders.
In some cases leaders choose to invest personally, but in most situations the company covers the cost as part of its commitment to developing strong leadership.

Submit an application through our website and a member of the Banded team will connect with you to learn more about your leadership journey and what you’re looking for in community.

If it’s a good fit, we’ll place you in a group with leaders who will challenge, support, and walk alongside you.

Embrace the power of the collective

By opening a Banded branch, you can bring the transformative power of our company model to create a space where entrepreneurs like yourself can connect, grow, and make a lasting impact. 

Let’s work together to create a thriving business ecosystem in your city.