Founder Note

Why I built this room.

“I built Phoenix Forum because I couldn’t find a room that held both sides of me.

In recovery circles, talking about the business felt unsafe. I was grateful for what sobriety gave me, but I needed a place to say I just closed a deal I’m proud of. And in the same breath, admit I might need to let someone go who’s been with me three years, and I’m terrified of it. Recovery tools help me carry the weight. But the room wasn’t designed for this.

In the business world, I walked into YPO dinners and mastermind retreats. Every one had a bar. I learned to navigate it, but I was always performing. Managing the optics of not drinking instead of being present. And I could never bring the story that explains how I actually lead, decide, and think about risk.

“Revenue doesn’t fix resentment. The bottleneck is you.”

I asked other founders in recovery if they felt the same split. Every one said yes. Some had never said it out loud. That told me the problem was real and the room did not exist.

Phoenix Forum is that third option. Not a meeting. Not a mastermind. A vetted circle where your recovery is the prerequisite, your business is real, and you don’t choose which one shows up.

The first cohort launched with eight members. By the third meeting, they were saying things they’d never said in any other room. Not because the format required it, but because the room was safe enough. That’s when I knew it was working.

Every prior group has sold out, and a new group is filling now. The fit call is 20 minutes. No pitch. We figure out together whether this is the right room for you right now.

Andrew Lassise