Meet Ben Hardman | CoFounder Banded

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben Hardman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started Banded because I kept meeting business owners who were succeeding in their companies but quietly struggling behind the scenes. I’ve lived that tension myself. As an entrepreneur and a dad, there were seasons where it felt nearly impossible to juggle family, faith, and business. I didn’t need more information or another leadership podcast. I needed a trusted circle. A place where I could be fully myself, talk about the stuff that rarely gets said out loud, and grow alongside people who understood the weight I was carrying. Banded was born out of that need—for soul health, for honest community, and for leadership that actually lasts.

What should our readers know about your business?
Banded is a trusted community for business owners and leaders who want to grow their business without losing their soul. What sets us apart is that we don’t just focus on strategy or performance. We care just as much about what’s going on behind the scenes—who you are when the doors close and what kind of life you’re building as you lead.

We meet in small peer groups where leaders get to be real, ask better questions, and find alignment between their inner life, their relationships, and their work. It’s not a networking group. It’s a space for ambitious, faith-driven leaders to grow with others who understand the weight they carry.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. Like a lot of entrepreneurs, I had to learn through trial, risk, and failure. I’ve started things that didn’t work. I’ve chased things that didn’t matter. But I kept coming back to this idea that impact only lasts when it’s built on something deeper. That’s been my biggest lesson. If you don’t prioritize soul health, your success will eventually outpace your ability to sustain it.

What I want people to know is that I care deeply about keeping the best leaders in the game for the long haul. I want them to accomplish their dreams and still love the life they’ve built. I want them to be able to look back on the journey with joy, not regret over what they lost along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was in town for a week, I’d make sure they got a full taste of what makes Atlanta great—good food, meaningful time with people, and time outside.

We’d start with dinner at Marcel. It’s my favorite spot in the city. I’d also take them to Little Sparrow, which is another place I really enjoy. Since we’re season ticket holders, we’d definitely catch an Atlanta United game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, even though they’re off to a rough start this year.

We’d get outside and hike Kennesaw Mountain, then probably hit the BeltLine for a walk and some tea or coffee. I’d take them to Ponce City Market for lunch and to hang out for a bit. At some point we’d visit the King Center and Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. I love that a movement as powerful as the civil rights movement started in such a small, humble space.

And if the weather’s good, we’d end one night with a backyard hang or a fire pit with friends. For me, the best part of Atlanta is the people, so I’d want them to experience that more than anything.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All the people who invested in me before I had anything to offer them in return. The ones who gave me time, opportunity, and encouragement when I was still figuring it out. I’m especially grateful for those who saw something in me and had the courage to call it out. Their belief became fuel. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today without them.

Website: https://www.joinbanded.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_hardman/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hardman-189b38217/