Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Greenberg.
Hi Scott, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After graduation from UCLA and heading to NYU in film school in the 90’s, I thought I was on track to become a filmmaker. I really wanted to tell stories. But I was in New York for only a semester when I was diagnosed with cancer, forcing me to drop out and return to California for what would be a long but successful fight. The day before my last treatment, I was invited to speak at a conference about my experience and how it applied to leadership. That one presentation led to more invitations to speak. Since then, I’ve given thousands of presentations in all 50 states and through the world about leadership, resilience, and peak performance. My material has evolved considerably and today most of my audiences are businesses looking to improve their leadership, boost employee performance, and create memorable customer experiences. In the middle of all that, I’ve built and owned some franchise businesses, written a book (“The Wealthy Franchisee”), and have found a path to still tell stories, but in a way that really helps people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish is was! In between some great speaking experiences, there’ve been some challenging groups. During my presentations, I’ve seen fights break out, I’ve faced drunk hecklers, and even had a crowd get attacked by a swarm of bees (while my client yelled out to me, “Keep speaking!). Once on a speaking trip, I was on a flight that had to make an emergency landing and we had to evacuate down the slide! The pandemic cleared my calendar of all speaking engagements and revenue in 2020. My retail businesses definitely had ups and downs, and my book proposal was rejected by every publisher but the last (who fortunately was my first choice). However, almost every setback directly or indirectly propelled me forward in surprising and unexpected ways. I’ve come to believe that opportunity often comes disguised as adversity.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I help people think, lead, and serve at a higher level so they can build their businesses and improve their organizations. Most of what I do is live and virtual keynotes and workshops, which I love. I also write for several business publications including Entrepreneur.com, Global Franchise Magazine, and Nation’s Restaurant News.
I avoid the cheesy motivational stuff on stage and try to keep things authentic. Still, my presentations are interactive and hopefully quite meaningful to my audiences, both personally as well as professionally. I also customize all of my talks. I really get to the known group, their struggles, and their goals, and then build experiences wrapped around those elements. My job is to get each group from point A to point B. If I succeed, they’re standing up not to give me an ovation but because they’re so excited to get to work improving their own lives and organizations. I want them leaving thinking about themselves, not me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe there’s a lot in our world we can’t control. Those things have absolutely impacted my life and business in both good and bad ways. Our job is to work hard and be prepared. You learn to play poker as best you can and then wait and see the cards you’re dealt.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.scottgreenberg.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottcgreenberg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MotivationalSpeakerScottGreenberg
- Twitter: @GreenbergScott
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrtq7im7wJJTJXjVN-CARsg
