Success Story with Scott D. Clary

Success Story Media
  • 4.6 (321)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Daily

Welcome to the Success Story Podcast, hosted by entrepreneur, business executive, author, educator & speaker, Scott D. Clary (@scottdclary). On this podcast, you'll find interviews, Q&A, keynote presentations & conversations on sales, marketing, business, startups and entrepreneurship. Scott will discuss some of the lessons he's learned over his own career, as well as have candid interviews with execs, celebrities, notable figures and politicians. All who have achieved success through both wins and losses, to learn more about their life, their ideas and insights. He sits down with leaders and mentors and unpacks their story to help pass those lessons onto others through both experiences and tactical strategy for business professionals, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. To get more of the Success Story podcast, go to www.successstorypodcast.com.

  1. Haresh Bhungalia - Serial Entrepreneur (3 Exits) | He Made $0 For 4 Years. Then Built $450M in Companies.

    2d ago ·  Video

    Haresh Bhungalia - Serial Entrepreneur (3 Exits) | He Made $0 For 4 Years. Then Built $450M in Companies.

    ➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory Haresh Bhungalia is a serial entrepreneur who has built, scaled, and exited companies generating over $450 million in enterprise value. He founded his first company at 25, grew it to 650 employees, and sold it to a private equity-backed platform. He then took over as CEO of Casepoint and turned it into the dominant enterprise eDiscovery platform trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense, Fortune 500 companies, and the SEC — scaling it to 500+ employees before successfully exiting to Thoma Bravo, one of the world’s largest software private equity firms.  ➡️ Show Links https://www.instagram.com/haresh.bhungalia/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/hareshbhungalia  ➡️ Podcast Sponsors Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/   Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott) Odoo – https://www.odoo.com  NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/  Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary Framer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory) LinkedIn Ads - https://linkedin.com/scottclary  Priori - https://priori.life/  Mars Men - https://mengotomars.com/  Upwork - https://upwork.com/  Xero - https://www.xero.com  Dell - dell.com/dell-pro  AutoPilot - https://www.joinautopilot.com/landing  Cohesity - https://www.cohesity.com/datacloud  Amp - https://amp.ai (Code: successstory) Whatnot - https://www.whatnot.com/ Monarch - https://www.monarch.com/ (Code: success) Hostinger - https://www.hostinger.com/success (Code: success) Cash App - https://cash.app/ (Code: cashapp10) MyFitnessPal - https://podcasts.myfitnesspal.com (Code: SCOTT) Plaud – https://plaud.ai/success (Code: SUCCESS for up to 17% off now for the Plaud device, limited discounts exclusively for Prime Day) ➡️ Talking Points 00:00 – Intro 04:44 – Haresh Bhungalia’s Origin Story 12:47 – The Biggest Lesson His Dad Taught Him 14:15 – Why Your Roots Matter 15:22 – The Myth of the Self-Made Entrepreneur 16:38 – Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made? 22:56 – What Adults Can Learn from a 16-Year-Old 30:30 – How to Pivot Without Failing 34:12 – Sponsor Break 38:59 – When to Bet on Your Team 46:33 – Should You Follow Your Passion? 49:17 – Why Intent Beats Talent 1:02:07 – How to Build a Team That Loves You 1:07:30 – CEO vs Founder: The Real Difference 1:13:39 – Knowledge Is Useless Without Action 1:15:40 – Employees First. Customers Second. 1:16:59 – Life After a Billion-Dollar Exit 1:21:46 – The Biggest Lie About Exiting 1:23:16 – Sponsor Break 1:27:06 – Why Founders Must Tie Their Identity to the Mission 1:31:52 – Building Your Second Act 1:35:55 – Letting Go to Level Up 1:44:06 – What AI Can Never Replace in Leadership 1:50:39 – Advice for Life After an Exit 1:57:09 – The Lesson He’ll Pass On to His Kids

    1h 58m
  2. Lessons - The Cybersecurity Expert The Wall Street Journal Calls After Every Major Breach | Mark Sangster - Author of No Safe Harbor

    3d ago ·  Video

    Lessons - The Cybersecurity Expert The Wall Street Journal Calls After Every Major Breach | Mark Sangster - Author of No Safe Harbor

    ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Mark Sangster, cybersecurity expert and author of *No Safe Harbor*, shares the essential habits that help individuals and organizations prevent costly cyberattacks before they happen. He explains why strong cybersecurity starts with simple practices like password hygiene, multi-factor authentication, and secure home networks, before breaking down how ransomware attacks unfold and why preparation is far more effective than reaction. Mark also discusses the role of law enforcement, insurance providers, and crisis planning during a breach, while offering practical strategies to strengthen digital security, minimize risk, and respond confidently when incidents occur. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/5tsrypjHUMw  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mark-sangster-cybersecurity-author-and-expert-the/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5yomF5180tj7hRiIrcUArW  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

    14 min
  3. Lessons - The TV Producer Who Got Her Clients on CNN, NBC and Fox Without Spending a Dollar on Ads | Cheryl Hunter - Founder of Magnify Your Message

    3d ago ·  Video

    Lessons - The TV Producer Who Got Her Clients on CNN, NBC and Fox Without Spending a Dollar on Ads | Cheryl Hunter - Founder of Magnify Your Message

    ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Cheryl Hunter, founder of Magnify Your Message and renowned media strategist, shares what it takes to earn credibility and land major media opportunities without relying on paid advertising. She explains why effective communication depends as much on the messenger as the message, how to tailor your expertise for different audiences and platforms, and why building genuine relationships with media gatekeepers before you need them creates long-term opportunities. Cheryl also discusses the importance of embracing feedback, refining your message through continuous iteration, and positioning yourself as a trusted resource to build influence, authority, and lasting credibility. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/O2cQkNckddI  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cheryl-hunter-best-selling-author-and-resilience/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4TlnOs4MNV5MQcXx3kopGT  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

    11 min
  4. Jon Ostenson - FranBridge CEO & Author of Non-Food Franchising | Why Smart People Buy Franchises Instead of Starting Companies

    Jun 28

    Jon Ostenson - FranBridge CEO & Author of Non-Food Franchising | Why Smart People Buy Franchises Instead of Starting Companies

    ➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory Jon Ostenson is the CEO of FranBridge Consulting and author of *Non-Food Franchising*, where he has established himself as a leading voice in the franchise industry. Drawing on his background as a former Inc. 500 franchisee and multi-brand franchise owner, Jon helps executives, entrepreneurs, and investors explore non-food franchise opportunities as a smarter alternative to building a business from scratch. Through FranBridge, he has guided hundreds of clients toward franchise investments that offer proven systems, reduced risk, and scalable growth — making the case that for smart, driven professionals, buying into a franchise is often a more strategic path than starting a company independently. ➡️ Show Links https://x.com/Jon_Ostenson  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonostenson/  ➡️ Podcast Sponsors Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/   Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott) Odoo – https://www.odoo.com  NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/  Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary Framer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory) LinkedIn Ads - https://linkedin.com/scottclary  Priori - https://priori.life/  Mars Men - https://mengotomars.com/  Upwork - https://upwork.com/  Xero - https://www.xero.com  Dell - dell.com/dell-pro  AutoPilot - https://www.joinautopilot.com/landing  Cohesity - https://www.cohesity.com/datacloud  Amp - https://amp.ai (Code: successstory) Whatnot - https://www.whatnot.com/ Monarch - https://www.monarch.com/ (Code: success) Hostinger - https://www.hostinger.com/success (Code: success) Cash App - https://cash.app/ (Code: cashapp10) MyFitnessPal - https://podcasts.myfitnesspal.com (Code: SCOTT) Plaud – https://plaud.ai/success (Code: SUCCESS for up to 17% off now for the Plaud device, limited discounts exclusively for Prime Day) ➡️ Talking Points 00:00 – Intro 04:59 – Jon Ostenson's Origin Story 06:35 – How He Discovered Franchising 11:55 – How to Pick a Winning Franchise 17:48 – Are You Built for Franchising? 19:59 – Alternatives to Starting a Business 26:17 – Franchise Red Flags to Avoid 28:35 – Sponsor Break 33:29 – Why Franchising Is AI-Proof 36:19 – Franchising in Fast-Changing Industries 39:28 – How to Build a Franchise That Scales 46:02 – What Makes a Great Franchise? 51:28 – How to Succeed as a Franchise Owner 52:54 – Sponsor Break 57:06 – Why 10X5 Failed 1:03:49 – Designing the Life You Actually Want 1:06:27 – Why Most People Never Take the First Step 1:12:29 – Escaping the 9-to-5 Through Franchising 1:16:38 – Jon's 5 F's of Life 1:20:55 – The Biggest Lessons Franchising Taught Him 1:22:26 – The Advice He'd Give His Kids

    1h 24m
  5. Lessons - She Built the altMBA With Seth Godin Then Raised $25M to Reinvent Online Learning | Wes Kao - Maven Co-Founder (Backed by a16z)

    Jun 27 ·  Video

    Lessons - She Built the altMBA With Seth Godin Then Raised $25M to Reinvent Online Learning | Wes Kao - Maven Co-Founder (Backed by a16z)

    ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Wes Kao, co-founder of Maven, explores why learning by doing is far more effective than passively consuming information when it comes to developing real-world skills. She explains how cohort-based learning combines accountability, community, and hands-on practice to accelerate growth, why proof of work is becoming more valuable than traditional credentials, and how learning directly from experienced operators can provide practical insights that academia often can't. Wes also shares why execution, consistent feedback, and investing in your own development are essential for building the skills needed to thrive in today's rapidly changing career landscape. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/DY4r-GqZzlk  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wes-kao-marketing-executive-entrepreneur-and-advisor/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hRuTuIOzZaInOuDmZ5DZ0  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

    10 min
  6. Lessons - The 2x Exited Founder on Why Most Business Coaching Is a Waste of Money | Polina Groman - Co-Founder of The Social Club

    Jun 27

    Lessons - The 2x Exited Founder on Why Most Business Coaching Is a Waste of Money | Polina Groman - Co-Founder of The Social Club

    ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Polina Groman, 2x exited founder and Co-Founder of The Social Club, shares why trust, real results, and authentic relationships outperform traditional sales tactics when building a coaching or service business. She explains how experience-driven offers create stronger client connections, why delivering value before making an offer leads to significantly higher conversions, and how social proof is earned through transformation rather than marketing. Polina also explores how entrepreneurs can build a scalable business model that reduces burnout, increases recurring revenue, and gives them the freedom to grow without creating another full-time job for themselves. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/-AfpW3kfC8w  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/polina-groman-co-founder-of-the-social-club/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KKy0IonUtlw6DMuvflC4m  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

    13 min
  7. Mark Pincus - Zynga Founder | What 10 Years of Failure Really Looks Like Before a $7B Exit

    Jun 25 ·  Video

    Mark Pincus - Zynga Founder | What 10 Years of Failure Really Looks Like Before a $7B Exit

    ➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory Mark Pincus is the founder and former CEO of Zynga, the social gaming company behind iconic titles like FarmVille, Words With Friends, and Zynga Poker. Before building Zynga into a gaming empire that reached a $7 billion valuation at its 2011 IPO, Pincus spent over a decade navigating a series of ventures that never quite broke through — including Freeloader, an early internet content aggregator, and Tribe.net, a social networking platform that predated Facebook but failed to gain lasting traction. Rather than stepping back from entrepreneurship after each setback, Pincus treated every failure as a forcing function, sharpening his instincts around product-market fit, viral growth mechanics, and monetization — insights he would later weaponize at Zynga to pioneer the free-to-play model at massive scale. His story is a testament to the compounding value of persistence: the decade of misfires wasn't wasted time, but the education that made a billion-dollar outcome possible. ➡️ Show Links https://www.instagram.com/markpincus/  https://x.com/markpinc https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpincus/  ➡️ Podcast Sponsors Hubspot - https://hubspot.com/   Huel - https://huel.com/scott (Code: scott) Odoo – https://www.odoo.com  NetSuite - https://netsuite.com/scottclary/  Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary Framer - https://framer.com/design (Code: SuccessStory) LinkedIn Ads - https://linkedin.com/scottclary  Priori - https://priori.life/  Mars Men - https://mengotomars.com/  Upwork - https://upwork.com/  Xero - https://www.xero.com  Dell - dell.com/dell-pro  AutoPilot - https://www.joinautopilot.com/landing  Cohesity - https://www.cohesity.com/datacloud  Amp - https://amp.ai (Code: successstory) Whatnot - https://www.whatnot.com/ Monarch - https://www.monarch.com/ (Code: success) Hostinger - https://www.hostinger.com/success (Code: success) Cash App - https://cash.app/ (Code: cashapp10) MyFitnessPal - https://podcasts.myfitnesspal.com (Code: SCOTT) ➡️ Talking Points 00:00 – Intro 04:56 – The Danger of Being "Almost Great" 07:48 – Are You Stuck at B+? 19:22 – Why Entrepreneurs Shouldn't Accept Failure 28:42 – Why Zynga Won & Tribe Didn't 33:50 – Sponsor Break 38:43 – Why Virality Isn't a Business 50:56 – When Legacy Companies Ignore the Signals 1:02:00 – Sponsor Break 1:05:45 – The Founder Skill That Changes Everything 1:10:16 – Navigating Life as an Entrepreneur 1:26:01 – The Biggest Lesson from Mark's Book 1:31:17 – The One Lesson Mark Wants to Pass On

    1h 32m
  8. Lessons - The CEO Who Refused to Sell His Company at Any Price | Chris Savage - Wistia Co-Founder & CEO

    Jun 23 ·  Video

    Lessons - The CEO Who Refused to Sell His Company at Any Price | Chris Savage - Wistia Co-Founder & CEO

    ➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory   In this "Lessons" episode, Chris Savage, co-founder and CEO of Wistia, shares the leadership principles that helped him build a lasting business without sacrificing innovation or burning out. He explains why effective delegation is about giving teams ownership while maintaining accountability, how creating space for strategic thinking leads to better decisions, and why great leaders stay connected to their product without micromanaging. Chris also discusses the importance of managing personal energy through healthy routines, protecting time for deep work, and building systems that allow both leaders and their teams to thrive over the long term. ➡️ Show Links https://successstorypodcast.com   YouTube: https://youtu.be/Iim2hrsopiY  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chris-savage-ceo-and-co-founder-of-wistia-taking-on-youtube/id1484783544  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2kPOyLkcvWgcPCTUML2bCq  ➡️ Watch the Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary

    10 min
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4.6
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Welcome to the Success Story Podcast, hosted by entrepreneur, business executive, author, educator & speaker, Scott D. Clary (@scottdclary). On this podcast, you'll find interviews, Q&A, keynote presentations & conversations on sales, marketing, business, startups and entrepreneurship. Scott will discuss some of the lessons he's learned over his own career, as well as have candid interviews with execs, celebrities, notable figures and politicians. All who have achieved success through both wins and losses, to learn more about their life, their ideas and insights. He sits down with leaders and mentors and unpacks their story to help pass those lessons onto others through both experiences and tactical strategy for business professionals, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. To get more of the Success Story podcast, go to www.successstorypodcast.com.

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