You Are Who You Hang Around With

Kevin Porter, Greg’s Office Furniture & EO Queensland Member of the Year 2025

When I joined EO Queensland nine years ago, it was because I believed something simple but powerful: you are who you hang around with.

Back then, I was in awe of the people in the room. Seasoned entrepreneurs with insight, energy, and experience that I could only hope to absorb. But over time, something unexpected happened—not only did I learn from them, I began to transform alongside them.

This hasn’t been an overnight shift. It’s been a long game. And looking back now, I can see how EO has shaped me—not just as a business owner, but as a person.

Through EO, I built structure in my life I never had before. A morning routine. A wellness rhythm. A mindset focused on persistence, not perfection. I began to understand that consistency creates flow—and that the real magic happens when you show up, again and again, even when it’s hard.

I’ve also learned that I don’t need to be the loudest in the room to be seen or to lead. I’ve let go of the pressure to perform and instead embraced the strength in showing up authentically. Quiet leadership is still leadership. And sometimes, it’s exactly what’s needed.

Being named EOer of the Year is an honour—but more than that, it’s a moment of reflection. I now see my role differently. It’s not just about what I take from this experience—it’s about what I give. I want to “hang a picture” for those coming up behind me, to show what’s possible, to represent what steady, grounded leadership can look like.

That original belief—that who you surround yourself with matters—has come true for me in ways I never imagined. And now, I’m committed to being that presence for others.

Because transformation isn’t a one-time event. It’s a journey. And EO has been the path that helped me walk it—with purpose.