The CEO who answers: An American success story

The Sea Turtle Mindset: Struggle, Significance, and Building Something That Lasts

Scott Eckart [https://www.linkedin.com/in/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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-eckart/]  Join the Velocity Network: https://www.velocoaches.com/ [https://www.velocoaches.com/]

The 7% Rule: A Path to Building a Lasting Business

Lise Stewart [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lise-stewart-00bb9b2/], organizational psychologist and founder of Galliard Family Business Advisor Institute, has spent decades working at the intersection of family and business, helping owners navigate one of the most complex challenges they face: building something that lasts beyond themselves. In this episode, she joins Scott Eckart to break down the realities of leadership, succession, and what it truly takes to run a successful business. Drawing from her experience advising family-owned and closely held companies, Lise challenges the common belief that every business owner is an entrepreneur—and explains why that distinction matters more than most realize. Lise zooms into a critical issue many business owners struggle with: making the right decisions for the future while balancing family dynamics, legacy, and emotion. From understanding the rare traits of true entrepreneurs to navigating succession without ego, she shares practical insights on how leaders can step back, develop others, and ensure long-term success. In this episode, you'll hear about: * Why only a small percentage of people are true entrepreneurs and what sets them apart * The difference between succession planning and long-term success planning * How family dynamics impact business decisions and leadership transitions * Why strengths can become liabilities when overused * The importance of aligning leadership roles with the future needs of the business Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to Lise Stewart and her background (02:00) Identifying the gap in family business support (06:00) Building, scaling, and selling a consulting business (10:00) The key traits of effective entrepreneurs (15:00) Understanding time orientation and leadership styles (20:00) Navigating succession in family businesses (27:00) The role of advisory boards and outside perspective (30:00) Discovering your true value as a leader (34:00) The impact of “shadow generation” in family businesses (38:00) Why succession is really about long-term success (40:00) Making difficult decisions without guilt Resources: Lise Stewart LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lise-stewart-00bb9b2/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lise-stewart-00bb9b2/]Join the Velocity Network: https://www.velocoaches.com/ [https://www.velocoaches.com/]

Who You Are vs. What They See

What happens when you achieve your childhood dream yet feel completely empty? In this episode of FutureProof, host Scott Eckart [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-eckart/] sits down with Caleb Campbell [http://linkedin.com/in/iamcalebcampbell], West Point graduate, NFL athlete, speaker, and executive coach,  for an honest conversation about the hidden cost of a performance-driven life. A single moment in the NFL spotlight shifted him from chasing success to desperately protecting the image of it, and he shares what it finally took to close the gap between his external success and internal reality. Caleb digs into why "fake it till you make it" is terrible advice, how to turn pressure into growth instead of burnout, and what authentic leadership actually looks like. He also previews his upcoming book, Unstriving: 12 Lessons on Authentic Success from a Recovering Overachiever [https://www.calebcampbell.me/unstriving]. If you've built something impressive on the outside but sense something is off on the inside, this one's for you. In this episode, you'll hear about: * Why chasing success might actually be fear in disguise  and how to tell the difference * How to separate your worth from your performance before life forces you to * What it means to build internal capacity so pressure becomes a pathway for growth instead of burnout * Why vulnerability isn't weakness but the most courageous thing a leader can do * How to stop managing the image of success and start building a life that feels as good as it looks Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction (01:25) Why uncertainty and compounding pressure matters now  (02:56) Caleb's story from West Point to the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall  (05:05) The childhood moment that tied performance to worth  (06:52) The "America's Athlete" label and the shift from chasing success to protecting it  (08:58) Living externally successful and internally bankrupt  (11:39) The decision to walk away from the NFL  (14:29) Moving to Canada and becoming a janitor to heal from the inside out  (16:13) The identity problem every leader eventually faces  (19:02) Why stillness is the most important tool at a pivot point  (22:17) Why letting go of a business feels like a death — and how to prepare  (25:53) Why some leaders rise under pressure while others burn out  (27:22) How Caleb works with leaders and teams today  (28:33) What liminal space is and why you can't rush through it  (35:12) Your ceiling is someone else's floor  (36:58) Caleb's book Unstriving and who it's for  (38:31) Why AI will drive a massive pivot back to our humanity Resources: Caleb Campbell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcalebcampbell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcalebcampbell/]  Join the Velocity Network: https://www.velocoaches.com/ [https://www.velocoaches.com/]

The CEO who answers: An American success story

What do you do when you have a product people love but nobody is searching for? David Ferree, founder and CEO of Anson Belt & Buckle [https://ansonbelt.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo2irllBE2RyO7ULEYJbL6UDIGnNbotgRKQbAAet3mO3COqhkF2], joins Scott Eckart to share how he and his father took a little-known concept from Asia to the US market with no storefront, no outside investors, and for years, no paycheck. Just a product they believed in and the persistence to introduce it to the world one customer at a time. This is what playing the long game really looks like. In this episode, you'll hear about: * How a trip to China sparked a multi-million dollar business idea * Building and running a business with family and childhood friends * Why David went all in on e-commerce before most people trusted the internet * The pivots that made Anson Belt what it is today * Why unreasonable hospitality has been at the heart of their success Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to David Ferree and Anson Belt (02:00) How David got involved in the family business (07:00) Discovering the concept of micro-adjustable belts (12:00) The decision to take risks and dive headfirst into business (18:30) Launching Anson Belt online (22:00) The evolution of marketing and advertising strategies (25:00) Overcoming obstacles and finding fulfillment in the journey (30:00) Why customer service is key to success in a competitive market (35:00) Balancing family, business, and life with David’s entrepreneurial philosophy Resources: David Ferree LinkedIn: Anson Belt & Buckle’s Website: https://ansonbelt.com/ [https://ansonbelt.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo2irllBE2RyO7ULEYJbL6UDIGnNbotgRKQbAAet3mO3COqhkF2] Join the Velocity Network: https://www.velocoaches.com/ [https://www.velocoaches.com/]

Falling Forward: Beauty, Resilience, and the Journey of Lesle Lane

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslelane/], owner of Studio 13 [https://www.studio13online.com/] 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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslelane/]  Studio 13’s Website: https://www.studio13online.com/ [https://www.studio13online.com/]  Join the Velocity Network: https://www.velocoaches.com/ [https://www.velocoaches.com/]