Scott Eckart has spent his career helping entrepreneurs build legacies and secure their futures.

In this episode, he opens up about his personal journey - from being let go after 9/11 to becoming a successful business owner. Scott reflects on the struggles and triumphs that shaped him, revealing how leaning into adversity fueled his success.

Scott zooms into a crucial issue many business owners overlook: while they pour their heart, soul, and resources into their companies, they often fail to plan for the future. He emphasizes the power of generational wealth, succession planning, and ensuring a business thrives long after its founder has moved on.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Overcoming personal and professional struggles to build a successful business
• Why business owners need to focus on their legacy and plan for the future
• The importance of mentorship, wise counsel, and surrounding yourself with the right people
• How to navigate industry disruption and business transitions

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to Scott Eckart and his journey
(03:00) Lessons learned from overcoming early struggles
(10:00) The importance of succession planning and preparing for the future
(15:30) What it means to build a business that lasts
(21:00) The value of mentorship and having the right people around you
(27:00) How to ensure the next generation of leaders is ready
(34:00) Why business owners should focus on both success and significance
(38:00) Building a system to extract value from your business
(40:00) The power of feedback and learning from others in business

Resources:

Scott Eckart’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-eckart/

Join the Velocity Network: https://www.velocoaches.com/

She lost her business, her studio, and even her marriage during the 2008 financial crisis. Starting over was not optional. It was the only path forward.

Lesle Lane, owner of Studio 13 and a third generation commercial photographer, joins Scott Eckart to share the story of how she rebuilt her career after losing nearly everything during the Great Recession. From growing up in a family photography business to betting $200,000 on early digital camera technology, Lesle explains how foresight, persistence, and the willingness to embrace change helped her survive industry disruption and economic collapse.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Resilience and rebuilding after business failure
• How entrepreneurs navigate industry disruption and technological change
• Why foresight is critical for long term business success

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introduction to Lesle Lane and Studio 13
(02:00) Growing up in a third generation photography family
(10:00) Learning through failure and the importance of practice
(17:30) The $200,000 decision to switch to digital photography
(21:00) Surviving economic shocks
(22:30) Losing everything during the 2008 recession
(27:00) Going back to school for an MBA and rebuilding confidence
(29:30) Launching Studio 13 after starting over
(30:30) How AI is changing the photography and marketing industry
(43:00) Building systems and a team to scale the business
(44:00) Why being a light for others matters in business and life

Resources:

Lesle Lane’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslelane/

Studio 13’s Website: https://www.studio13online.com/

Join the Velocity Network: https://www.velocoaches.com/

They swapped CEO seats on a family vacation. This one decisive role shift changed the trajectory of their business.

Bryan Neale, founder of Blind Zebra, and wife Stephanie Neale, Blind Zebra’s CEO and Integrator, sit down with Scott Eckart and tell the story of how they combined their strengths to create a company that promotes a healthy, sustainable approach to sales.

Bryan and Stephanie discuss the challenges of working together as a married couple and business partners, the importance of knowing your identity outside the business, and the wisdom in acknowledging that no entrepreneur starts out knowing what they’re doing. Plus, Scott answers questions from Bryan and Stephanie about mentorship and the future of leader development programs.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• The importance of having operating systems for your life and your business
• The valuable role of integrators and visionaries
• The return of authenticity in the age of AI

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Meet Bryan and Stephanie Neale

(01:43) What it means to make selling simple

(06:02) How Bryan and Stephanie started their life together

(10:35) A fatal flaw in family businesses

(15:29) Changing roles

(19:09) The importance of embracing vulnerability and failure

(25:09) Work-life integration

(28:20) Struggling with mattering and identity

(39:20) Changing Blind Zebra’s business model

(50:53) Business in the age of AI

(53:12) Embracing authenticity in sales

(54:15) Leadership development is slowing down

Resources:

Bryan Neale’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanneale/

Stephanie Neale’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesummersthompson/

Blind Zebra LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blind-zebra/

Blind Zebra website: https://blind-zebra.com/

Join the Velocity Network: https://www.velocoaches.com/