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Entrepreneur Growth Code: How to Crack the Inc. 5000

Interviews by Jonathan Kersting

What does it take to build a company that grows fast enough to crack the Inc. 5000? In Growth Code: How to Crack the Inc. 5000, Jonathan Kersting talks with Dan Desko, Founder of Echelon Risk + Cyber, about the core values that helped propel the company to number 433 on the prestigious list. Across this three-part series, Dan breaks down how client focus, teamwork, personality, trust, fun and continuous improvement helped Echelon build serious momentum. It is a practical playbook for tech entrepreneurs looking to grow with purpose, culture and a little more cowbell.

Growth Code: Tech Entrepreneur Lessons From Echelon's Inc. 5000 Growth

In this first episode of Growth Code: How to Crack the Inc. 5000, Jonathan Kersting talks with Dan Desko, Founder of Echelon Risk + Cyber, about the first value that helped power Echelon’s rise to number 433 on the Inc. 5000: being truly client-centric.

Dan explains why Echelon does not think in terms of “customers,” but instead builds real client relationships rooted in trust, urgency and service. He also digs into why cybersecurity is a team sport, especially when companies are facing sophisticated threats and need partners who will show up fast.

Growth Code: Tech Entrepreneur Hiring Lessons From Echelon Risk + Cyber

How do you build a high-growth company without hiring a team full of clones?

In this episode of Growth Code: How to Crack the Inc. 5000, Dan Desko, Founder of Echelon Risk + Cyber, shares why one of Echelon’s key growth values is hiring people with personality. For Dan, technical talent matters, but so does curiosity, character and the ability to work with people when the pressure climbs.

Growth Code: Tech Entrepreneurs Need More Cowbell!

Can having more fun actually help build a more serious company?

In this episode of Growth Code: How to Crack the Inc. 5000, Dan Desko, Founder of Echelon Risk + Cyber, explains two of the values that make Echelon’s culture stand out: more cowbell and turning pro.

Dan talks about why teams doing intense cybersecurity work need room to celebrate, laugh and stay connected. He also shares why “turning pro” is not a one-time achievement, but a constant commitment to getting better for clients, teammates and the business.

Listen to Dan's entire TechVibe interview here.