Supply chain entrepreneurship is hard,
but you don’t have to do it alone.

Supply chain entrepreneurship is hard,
but you don’t have to do it alone.

Welcome to Ballast

Based on feedback from supply chain entrepreneurs across the world we created Ballast – the world’s first private community for logistics Founders.

In Ballast, everyone is vetted and trusted.

When a Founder is stuck, someone knows the answer.
Or knows someone else who knows the answer.

When left feeling isolated or burnt out, others are there to listen and offer support.

When it’s time to celebrate the big win, it’s gratifying to share it with those who know what it took to get there.

That’s why the most compelling entrepreneurs keep coming back.

For Ballast.

What Our Members are Saying

Member Benefits

As the world’s first private community exclusively for logistics entrepreneurs, we are selective. For those who are accepted we offer personal growth and a sense of belonging through several deliverables.

  • Monthly virtual sessions with 8-10 other Founders

  • Private digital community
  • Discounts to key industry conferences

Membership Fees

We offer different membership rates based on company stage and complexity. While not an exact science, we have found a simple approach that works for nearly everyone.

Early Stage

For Early Stage Founders we offer Ballast at $2,500 per year or $250 / month.

Common Discussion Areas Include

  • Product Market Fit
  • MVP demos and feedback
  • Fundraising
  • Sales and marketing
  • New lead generation
  • Brainstorming / talking shop

Later Stage

For Later Stage Founders we offer Ballast at $4,500 per year or $450 / month.

Common Discussion Areas Include

  • Scaling sales and operations
  • Financial planning & analysis
  • Executive development
  • Leadership team dynamics
  • Risk management
  • Exit planning

Join Now

Sign up to visit our next meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Group Sessions vary depending on Founder stage. Earlier stage core groups often spend time workshopping key issues together, sharing tools and offering introductions to help each other. Later stage core groups often discuss business strategy, risk management and scaling their operations.

Both session types are led by a moderator and follow a similar structure each time. Each 90 or 120-minute session includes a group check-in punctuality is required), personal and professional updates, scheduled discussion topics and a final check-out at the end. Guest speakers may be brought in by request to speak on key issues relevant to the Founder community such as fundraising, leadership, technology and talent to name a few.

Prior to each session, members are encouraged to complete a personal reflection on the state of their professional and personal wellbeing. Key issues are surfaced for discussion and notes are prepared to share with your Group.

Our first in-person event will be June 16-17, 2025 in Minneapolis, MN. Please contact us for additional information.
We consider annual revenues, company stage and complexity along with overall Founder experience. While not an exact science, we have found a simple approach that works for nearly everyone.
Founder

Nate Shutes

I love logistics.

I mean I really, really love it.

And I love being around entrepreneurs.

So for the last few years I’ve shared Founder stories on The Bootstrapper’s Guide to Logistics getting up close and personal with some of the most compelling entrepreneurs in supply chain. Each time I came away inspired and grateful to share their story with others. But behind the scenes I also heard about the toll entrepreneurship can take.

So I invited a few Founders to meet and see if they could help each other. It turned out to be much stickier than I expected, so we kept meeting. And the number of Founders kept growing.

What started as just a way to help my new friends has now grown into a passion for supporting a much larger community. I am Founder-first and fully committed to supporting each and every one of them on their journeys.

Contact Us

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Listen to the Podcast Now