Beyond 8 Figures

Scot Wingo’s entrepreneurial journey can be characterized by his commitment to continuous learning! In this episode, Scot talks about the various ways in which he has deliberately worked on enhancing his business skills and the success that he has achieved as a result. The world is full of endless opportunities for learning; don’t let them slip past you. 

About Scot Wingo:

Scot Wingo is a 4-time serial entrepreneur from the Research Triangle Park, NC region. He is currently the CEO of Spiffy, a company that provides on-demand car care services. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, he is widely recognized as a thought leader in E-commerce, E-service, and the future of mobility. He has received numerous awards, including Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year and Triangle Business Journal’s Businessperson of the Year. In addition to his professional achievements, Scot is also an avid Star Wars fan and owns every piece of Star Wars paraphernalia ever created (almost).

Episode highlights:

• Don’t neglect customer service! Post-pandemic, companies have been placing less emphasis on this element of business, but your customers are the ones who are going to sustain you. So, look after them as best you can. (21:16)
• Consumers can be divided into two broad categories: value-oriented and convenience-oriented. If you choose the one you want to serve through your business and commit to doing it properly, customers will flock to you! With Spiffy, Scot is filling a gap in the market for convenience-oriented car services. (27:10)
• Books are one of the best ways to learn lessons from the entrepreneurs who have come before you. Rather than making the same mistakes yourself, learn from the mistakes made by others (so that you can make new ones!) Read our blog for a list of our favorite business books! (33:39)
• Work hard on your listening skills so that you can really understand your clients’ needs! Making customers happy can be difficult, but if you are willing to listen intently and really take on board what people are telling you, you are well on your way to success. (34:20)
• Don’t let rejections from funders put you off your mission! Use the no’s as a learning opportunity to improve your proposal and come back stronger. (35:01)
• Don’t assume that other people understand the value of what you are selling. As a business leader, your ability to develop the skill of persuasion (i.e. sales) will do wonders for your business. To do this, Scott recommends attending pitch events and roadshows (and watching Shark Tank) so that you can learn from others. (39:01)

Scot’s best advice for entrepreneurs:

“Making a customer happy is a little tricky. There’s a nuanced way of asking them questions to get to their pain.” (34:39)

Connect with Scott:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Website

Resources Mentioned:

• Good to Great
• Crossing the Chasm
• How to Fail At Almost Everything and Still Win Big
• Mad Men – The Carousel

Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Website