Dena Thorp

I grew up watching my dad navigate the rewards and realities of being self-employed. There were good years and lean years, but through it all, he taught me to think like an entrepreneur: take charge, solve problems, stay flexible, get creative, and find a way forward.

Those lessons shaped the entrepreneur I am today. Running a business still brings the familiar challenges of cash flow, inventory, and finding capital to grow. But I’ve learned that challenges often require us to think differently.

My experience with Edgewater Education introduced me to the language of the market and the idea of building a “second engine” alongside my business. It changed the way I think about financial education, opportunity, and creating additional paths forward.

That shift is exactly why the Founder CEO Program means so much to me. It speaks to entrepreneurs who know that growing a business shouldn’t always mean working harder, waiting longer, or carrying the entire financial load on one engine. Learning how to make my money work alongside my business changed my perspective, and now I want to share that possibility with others.

I’m an entrepreneur at heart and a rule breaker by nature, shaped by a lesson I learned early: when the traditional path doesn’t work, get creative, stay savvy, and build a path of your own.

Now I want to help other founders and CEOs do the same.