Ever find yourself questioning whether you’re cut out for entrepreneurship? I think we’ve all been there at some point—whether you’re just starting out or a few years into the grind, there’s that moment when you wonder if you’re doing it right. That’s why I had to get Scott Greenberg on the Never Been Promoted podcast. His journey from being a motivational speaker to running a multi-unit franchise and now coaching others on business performance is full of real-world insights that anyone can relate to.
Scott’s not someone who just talks theory—he’s been in the trenches, and his lessons on business and leadership are hard-earned. In this conversation, I took away two key lessons about success, leadership, and what it really takes to thrive, whether you’re running a franchise or any other business.
Franchising: Success Isn’t About Control—It’s About Execution
One of the first things Scott mentioned was that franchising isn’t for control freaks. If you’re the type of person who needs to reinvent every part of your business or do things your way, then franchising might not be for you. Scott spent 10 years running Edible Arrangements franchises, and during that time, he learned that the key to success wasn’t micromanaging or doing things differently—it was about sticking to the system and executing it well.
“If you’re the real entrepreneur who needs to control every aspect of the business, stay away from franchising,” Scott said. “What I found was that the people making the most money in franchising didn’t try to reinvent the system. They stuck to it and just executed really well.”
Scott didn’t just hand over the reins and sit back, though. He was fully involved, but he knew that trying to overhaul the system would only slow him down. “You don’t have to figure everything out,” he added, “you just have to execute and make money.” There’s something to be said about focusing your energy on what matters most instead of getting lost in the details.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Stick to what works, especially in a franchise setting.
- Focus on executing the plan well—this is where you’ll make your money.
- If you’re too obsessed with control, franchising isn’t the right path for you.
Leadership and Culture Are Your Biggest Assets
As our conversation moved to leadership, Scott shared some hard-earned lessons about managing people. One thing was crystal clear: leadership isn’t about barking orders or offering pay raises every time there’s a problem. It’s about building a culture that people actually want to be a part of.
Scott spent years studying what makes top-performing franchises tick, and it wasn’t just marketing or having a great location. “The most successful franchisees focused on the human side of the business,” he explained. “It’s about creating a culture where people feel a sense of belonging and pride in what they do.” He’s not wrong. I’ve seen it myself—throwing money at employees to keep them around only works for so long. If they’re not invested in the company’s culture, they’ll eventually leave, no matter the paycheck.
One of the most interesting things Scott mentioned was the connection between customer experience and employee experience. “If you want your customers to have a great experience, your employees need to have a great experience, too,” Scott said. “You can’t separate the two.” It makes perfect sense. If your team isn’t engaged, motivated, and happy, how can they deliver a standout customer experience? The energy they bring to work every day will show up in how they interact with your clients.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Culture is everything. Pay alone won’t keep employees—building a sense of belonging will.
- Leadership isn’t about control; it’s about creating an environment where people want to give their best.
- Customer experience starts with employee experience. If your team isn’t happy, your customers won’t be either.
Reflections from the Interview
Talking with Scott reminded me of how essential self-awareness is in business. As entrepreneurs, we can’t afford to point fingers when things go wrong. Scott was refreshingly candid about the importance of self-reflection and owning your role in both successes and failures. “If you keep blaming other people, you won’t be an entrepreneur for long,” he said. “You need to reflect on where you’re falling short, not just where you’re excelling.” This really stuck with me. It’s easy to get defensive when things don’t go as planned, but lasting success comes from being brutally honest with yourself.
Another thing Scott stressed was adaptability. After ten successful years with Edible Arrangements, Scott decided to sell his franchises to focus on his true passion: speaking and coaching. “It wasn’t that I didn’t love running the business,” he explained, “I just saw a bigger opportunity and knew it was time to pivot.”
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Self-reflection is key: If you aren’t brutally honest with yourself, you’ll struggle to grow.
- You can’t do it all: Outsourcing creativity or innovation, especially in franchising, allows you to focus on execution.
- Adaptability is crucial: Knowing when to pivot is a big part of entrepreneurial success.
- Leadership is about culture: Great leaders don’t just give orders—they build an environment where people thrive.
- Customer and employee experiences are connected: Treat your team right, and they’ll pass that energy onto your customers.
Final Thoughts
Talking with Scott Greenberg left me with some valuable reminders. Entrepreneurship isn’t about having control over every little thing—it’s about executing well, creating a culture that people want to be part of, and constantly reflecting on how you can improve. Whether you’re running a franchise or building your own business from scratch, the principles remain the same.
If you’re at a crossroads, wondering whether to keep pushing forward or make a pivot, Scott’s journey shows that sometimes stepping back and assessing the bigger picture is the smartest move. As entrepreneurs, we often get caught up in the hustle, but real growth happens when we take the time to reflect, adapt, and lead with purpose.
CONNECT WITH SCOTT GREENBERG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-greenberg-1b17539/