That is what the tombstone of Edward Lowe reads.  Edward Lowe was a very successful entrepreneur in the packaged goods industry.  He conceived of kitty litter.  Made it into a very successful business.  Edward loved cats.  He also loved entrepreneurs. 

Upon his death the Edward Lowe Foundation was created.  The Edward Lowe Foundation has developed expertise in entrepreneurship and peer learning.  The foundation does two things. 

It hosts leader retreats for founders, owners, and CEOs of what they call second-stage companies.  Businesses that have moved beyond the startup phase and are focused on growth issues rather than survival.  They define this as more then $1 million in revenue or more then 9 employees.

It also holds retreats for organizations that support entrepreneurship and economic growth. That is why I was in Big Rock Valley.  To learn how to be a better facilitator of peer group meetings via their PeerSpectives methodology.

Big Rock Valley is a beautiful place.  Twenty six hundred acres of forest, farmland, and ponds make a unique background for learning.  Coupled with the boxcars and big men it creates quite the creative environment.  I was able to step away from the demands of electronic communication for a day (though the place is all Apple and has Wi-Fi).

During my time there I learned some interesting things.  Things that I think that can be put to work to extend the reach of ATDC beyond its traditional model.  That is all I will say for now but if you are a second stage entrepreneur ATDC may have a nice program for you in the future.