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.

Highlights:
03:53 - Scott's telecom background and first exposure to entrepreneurship
08:22 - Working at a small $10M company provides exposure to all business functions
14:27 - Curiosity as the foundational skill for success in any endeavor
17:25 - Be careful what you pursue - ensure your goals align with the life you actually want
23:25 - Be rigid in your destination but flexible in how you get there
28:10 - Finding your North Star through trial and error
32:33 - Building a business as a side hustle while keeping your day job
38:15 - How AI is disrupting businesses and why companies must disrupt themselves first
43:30 - The four types of leverage: capital, technology, people, and media
49:00 - One person can now build a million - dollar company with minimal capital
52:30 - Disruption versus innovation
01:06:30 - Internal versus external locus of control
01:13:30 - Content creation strategy
01:27:26 - Media and AI are already transforming traditional industries like restaurants

KEY TAKEAWAYS
*Define your North Star before you start running. Many people pursue success without clarity on what they actually want. If you have tenacity and skill, you’ll eventually succeed… so make sure you're climbing the right mountain.
*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.
*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.
*Media is the ultimate leverage. If you don’t build a personal or company brand, someone in your industry eventually will.
*Content is business R&D. Social content is the best testing ground for messaging.
*Attention over time creates trust. The companies, creators, and leaders who show up consistently earn trust.
*Internal locus of control is a superpower. Entrepreneurs who take ownership — good or bad — create their own luck and navigate volatility more effectively.

QUOTES
Scott Clary:
“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.”

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.

Links:
Website: https://www.scottdclary.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary
Podcast: https://www.successstorypodcast.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottdclarypage/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottdclary
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdclary

Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan
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Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/
Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com

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.