<description>&lt;p&gt;In this conversation, Dwayne sits down with entrepreneur and creator Scott Clary, host of the &lt;em&gt;Success Story Podcast&lt;/em&gt; with 30M+ downloads. Scott opens up about his unlikely path from a government-family upbringing to becoming a media-first entrepreneur, the early exposure that ignited his drive, and why curiosity and tenacity can outperform almost anything.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Scott walks through how small companies create the best “entrepreneurial classrooms,” why every creator should think like a founder, and how success hinges on defining your personal North Star before you start sprinting. The episode dives deep into &lt;em&gt;AI disruption, content strategy, internal vs. external locus of control, personal branding&lt;/em&gt;, and how businesses of every size can prepare for the next wave of transformation.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Scott offers tactical clarity on building a media-first business, testing content efficiently, disrupting yourself before the market does, and why attention—sustained over time—is the most valuable commercial asset any entrepreneur can build.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;03:53 - Scott's telecom background &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;08:22 - How working at a small company provides exposure to all aspects of business&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;14:27 - The importance of curiosity as a foundational entrepreneurial skill&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;17:25 - Warning: Be careful what you pursue - success requires understanding your true goals&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;23:25 - Finding your North Star: Be rigid in goals but flexible in execution&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;28:10 - Identifying what energizes you through trial and error&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;32:33 - Building a business while working full-time: The side hustle strategy&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;38:15 - How AI is disrupting businesses and the need for constant self-disruption&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;43:15 - The four types of leverage: Capital, technology, people, and media&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;51:00 - The power of AI to make individuals 10-100x more productive&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;01:06:30 - Internal vs external locus of control and taking ownership&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;01:13:30 - Content creation strategy: Testing ideas at scale on forgiving platforms&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;01:27:26 - How media and AI are already transforming traditional industries like restaurants&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;KEY TAKEAWAYS&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Define your North Star before you start running&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;Many people pursue success without clarity on what they &lt;em&gt;actually&lt;/em&gt; want — a lifestyle business, a scalable company, privacy, or fame. If you have tenacity and skill, you’ll eventually succeed… so make sure you're climbing the right mountain.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Curiosity is the foundation of career acceleration&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;Scott attributes almost everything in his career to relentless curiosity — the willingness to ask questions, learn widely, and self-educate.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;AI won’t replace people but people who use AI will replace people who don’t&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;The companies thriving in this era are disrupting themselves before someone else does. Every role can be up-leveled 10x–100x with the right tools and mindset.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Media is the ultimate leverage&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;Capital, technology, people… &lt;em&gt;and media&lt;/em&gt;. If you don’t build a personal or company brand, someone in your industry eventually will — and they will take market share.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Content is business R&amp;amp;D&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;Social content is the best testing ground for messaging. Use it to refine your voice, validate ideas, influence sales scripts, and improve marketing before spending ad dollars.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Attention over time creates trust&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;p&gt;The companies, creators, and leaders who show up consistently earn trust — which compounds into opportunity.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Internal locus of control is a...</description>

The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast

Dwayne Kerrigan

116: Attention Over Time Builds Trust: Scott Clary's Playbook for Modern Entrepreneurship

DEC 3, 202585 MIN
The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast

116: Attention Over Time Builds Trust: Scott Clary's Playbook for Modern Entrepreneurship

DEC 3, 202585 MIN

Description

In this conversation, Dwayne sits down with entrepreneur and creator Scott Clary, host of the Success Story Podcast with 30M+ downloads. Scott opens up about his unlikely path from a government-family upbringing to becoming a media-first entrepreneur, the early exposure that ignited his drive, and why curiosity and tenacity can outperform almost anything. 

Scott walks through how small companies create the best “entrepreneurial classrooms,” why every creator should think like a founder, and how success hinges on defining your personal North Star before you start sprinting. The episode dives deep into AI disruption, content strategy, internal vs. external locus of control, personal branding, and how businesses of every size can prepare for the next wave of transformation. 

Scott offers tactical clarity on building a media-first business, testing content efficiently, disrupting yourself before the market does, and why attention—sustained over time—is the most valuable commercial asset any entrepreneur can build. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

03:53 - Scott's telecom background  

08:22 - How working at a small company provides exposure to all aspects of business 

14:27 - The importance of curiosity as a foundational entrepreneurial skill 

17:25 - Warning: Be careful what you pursue - success requires understanding your true goals 

23:25 - Finding your North Star: Be rigid in goals but flexible in execution 

28:10 - Identifying what energizes you through trial and error 

32:33 - Building a business while working full-time: The side hustle strategy 

38:15 - How AI is disrupting businesses and the need for constant self-disruption 

43:15 - The four types of leverage: Capital, technology, people, and media 

51:00 - The power of AI to make individuals 10-100x more productive 

01:06:30 - Internal vs external locus of control and taking ownership 

01:13:30 - Content creation strategy: Testing ideas at scale on forgiving platforms 

01:27:26 - How media and AI are already transforming traditional industries like restaurants 

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

  1. Define your North Star before you start running 

Many people pursue success without clarity on what they actually want — a lifestyle business, a scalable company, privacy, or fame. If you have tenacity and skill, you’ll eventually succeed… so make sure you're climbing the right mountain. 

  1. Curiosity is the foundation of career acceleration 

Scott attributes almost everything in his career to relentless curiosity — the willingness to ask questions, learn widely, and self-educate. 

  1. AI won’t replace people but people who use AI will replace people who don’t 

The companies thriving in this era are disrupting themselves before someone else does. Every role can be up-leveled 10x–100x with the right tools and mindset. 

  1. Media is the ultimate leverage 

Capital, technology, people… and media. If you don’t build a personal or company brand, someone in your industry eventually will — and they will take market share. 

  1. Content is business R&D 

Social content is the best testing ground for messaging. Use it to refine your voice, validate ideas, influence sales scripts, and improve marketing before spending ad dollars. 

  1. Attention over time creates trust 

The companies, creators, and leaders who show up consistently earn trust — which compounds into opportunity. 

  1. Internal locus of control is a superpower 

Entrepreneurs who take ownership — good or bad — create their own luck and navigate volatility more effectively. 

QUOTES 

From Scott Clary: 

  • “If you have the right skill set and you have the right tenacity, whatever you go after, you will find a way to become successful at that thing.”  
  • “Be rigid in where you want to end up, but very flexible in how you get there.”  
  • “Attention over time builds trust.”  
  • “The best employees are entrepreneurs, just in a different season of their life.”  
  • “If you don’t disrupt yourself, someone else will come along and take your lunch.”  

From Dwayne Kerrigan: 

  • “Every bad idea I’ve ever had started with a good idea at the time.”  
  • “Be careful what you wish for  because you might actually get it.”  
  • “Pros get paid to practice.”  

Scott Clary is a dynamic entrepreneur, investor, and author. He hosts the Success Story podcast, where he has candid conversations with some of the most prolific business & thought leaders in the world. 

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Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.