The Scotty Kay Show

Business doesn’t grow in isolation — it grows in community. In this episode, we sit down with Andrew, co-founder of Brick & Mortar, to talk about building inspiring workspaces, creating business hubs in local communities, and why environment plays a huge role in productivity and growth. We discuss how Brick & Mortar started, why coworking in the suburbs matters, and how intentional spaces can help entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and leaders do their best work. This conversation ties directly into the heart of Level Up Labs — bringing people, ideas, and resources together to help the community grow. Topics Covered Why environment matters for productivity and creativity How Brick & Mortar started and evolved The shift from city commuting to neighborhood workspaces Building coworking spaces that feel inspiring, not corporate Creating business hubs within local communities The power of collaboration and shared resources Why community is essential for business growth How physical space impacts mindset and performance About Our Guest Andrew is a co-founder of Brick & Mortar, a coworking and collaboration company with locations throughout Chicagoland. Brick & Mortar creates thoughtfully designed spaces that help individuals and teams focus, collaborate, and grow. Level Up Labs Event Info This conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour, in-person Community Business Summit designed to help professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders move forward. 📍 Location: Brick & Mortar – Glen Ellyn 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 🧠 What You’ll Get: Access to local experts, meaningful conversations, and real-world resources 🎟 Spots Are Limited 👉 Sign up for your spot: https://yourbrickandmortar.com/level-up/

What if success didn’t have to come at the expense of your family, health, or peace of mind? In this episode, we sit down with John Farlow, leadership and performance expert, business builder, and YouTube creator with over 9 million followers, to challenge hustle culture and redefine what success actually looks like. John breaks down the “grind movement,” explains why ambition and inner peace can coexist, and shares practical ways high achievers can protect their energy, strengthen relationships, and still perform at a high level. Topics Covered * Why hustle culture and the “grind movement” are broken * The difference between working hard and living exhausted * Redefining personal success on your own terms * Why winners sometimes need to quit — and how to do it well * The importance of boundaries, energy management, and focus * How self-talk impacts leadership, family, and fulfillment * Protecting your best energy for the people who matter most * Building a life where ambition and peace coexist About Our Guest
John Farlow is a leadership and performance expert, business builder, author, and YouTube creator with over 9 million followers. His work focuses on helping high achievers win the inner war, lead healthier lives, and create sustainable success without burnout. Level Up Labs Event Info
This conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour, in-person expo designed to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals grow without sacrificing what matters most. 📍 Location: Brick & Mortar – Glen Ellyn
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🧠 What You’ll Get: Real conversations with experts in leadership, growth, mindset, and performance
🎟 Spots Are Limited 👉 Sign up for your spot:
https://yourbrickandmortar.com/level-up/

Venture capital sounds flashy — but what is it really, and who is it actually for? In this episode, we sit down with Mark Phillips, Founder and Managing Partner at 11 Tribes Ventures, to break down venture capital in plain language. Mark explains what venture capital is (and what it isn’t), when raising money makes sense, when it doesn’t, and why giving up ownership too early can be a costly mistake. This is a must-listen for founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners curious about scaling the right way. Topics Covered What venture capital actually is (without the jargon) The difference between investors, angel investors, and venture capital When raising capital makes sense — and when it doesn’t Why raising money isn’t the same as business success How venture capital firms evaluate founders and businesses What “scalability” really means The importance of timing when raising capital Why equity is more valuable than most founders realize About Our Guest Mark Phillips is the Founder and Managing Partner of 11 Tribes Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in founders and businesses poised for exponential growth. Mark works closely with entrepreneurs to help them scale responsibly and intentionally. Level Up Labs Event Info This conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour, in-person workshop built to help entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders level up how they grow and lead. 📍 Location: Brick & Mortar – Glen Ellyn 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 🧠 What You’ll Get: Direct access to experts in capital, growth, leadership, and business fundamentals 🎟 Spots Are Limited 👉 Sign up for your spot: https://yourbrickandmortar.com/level-up/

What happens when the “safe” path stops feeling right? In this episode, we sit down with Eric Weber, a real estate entrepreneur who left corporate America, built and sold a successful real estate services company, and now focuses on real estate development and giving back. Eric shares what it really took to walk away from stability, how a side hustle quietly turned into a scalable business, and why fulfillment, culture, and purpose ultimately mattered more than the paycheck. We also talk about leadership, risk, and using success as a platform to make a difference. Topics Covered Making the leap from corporate America to entrepreneurship Turning a side hustle into a scalable real estate business Building recurring, service-based revenue What it takes to grow and eventually sell a company The importance of culture, vision, and leadership Knowing when it’s time to make a change Using business success to give back Lessons that apply to entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders About Our Guest Eric Weber is a real estate entrepreneur, developer, and former founder of 33 Realty, a real estate services company he built and successfully sold. He is also the Chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, where he applies his business and leadership experience to making a meaningful impact. Level Up Labs Event Info This conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour in-person experience designed to help professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders level up how they work. 📍 Location: Brick & Mortar – Glen Ellyn 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 🧠 What You’ll Get: Conversations with experts in business growth, leadership, real estate, and personal development 🎟 Spots Are Limited 👉 Sign up for your spot: https://yourbrickandmortar.com/level-up/

Growth doesn’t come from “new year, new you” motivation alone — it comes from solving real problems and building smart systems. In this episode, we sit down with Brian Zisook, co-founder of Audiomack, to talk about identifying gaps in the market, building a business with purpose, and scaling through strategic partnerships. Brian shares how Audiomack grew from a simple idea into a global platform with over 50 million monthly active users, and how those same principles apply to entrepreneurs, small business owners, and leaders at any stage of growth. Topics Covered Why growth starts with identifying a real problem How Audiomack was built to serve independent creators Spotting gaps in the market before others see them Building a business with purpose, not just profit Scaling through partnerships instead of competition Adapting as technology and industries change Giving creators and entrepreneurs more control over their work Business fundamentals that apply to any industry About Our Guest Brian Zisook is a co-founder of Audiomack, a global music streaming and discovery platform with over 50 million monthly active users and the #1 streaming service in 22 countries. With decades of experience in music, media, and business, Brian brings real-world insight into building and scaling modern companies. Level Up Labs Event Info This conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour, in-person business growth workshop designed to help you take actionable steps forward. 📍 Location: Brick & Mortar – 411 N MAIN ST, Glen Ellyn 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 🧠 What You’ll Get: Direct access to local experts in business development, growth, social media, and leadership 🎟 Spots Are Limited 👉 Sign up for your spot: https://yourbrickandmortar.com/level-up/

Social media is essential for small businesses — but it doesn’t have to feel like a second full-time job. In this episode, we sit down with Shalane and Nicole from Be Social, a social media agency built specifically to support small business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are overwhelmed by content creation. We talk about the biggest mistakes businesses make on social media, why chasing trends can actually hurt your brand, and how storytelling and personality matter more than perfectly edited posts. If you’ve ever spent hours on a single post and still felt unsure about it, this conversation is for you. Topics Covered Why social media feels so overwhelming for small business owners The biggest mistake businesses make: chasing trends instead of their brand Why personality and storytelling matter more than what you sell How social media should support your business — not run it When to DIY social media vs. when to hand it off How Be Social helps businesses take social media off their plate Training options for business owners who want to do it themselves Why social media is “air coverage” for your business, not the entire strategy About Our Guests Shalane and Nicole are the founders of Be Social, a social media agency created to help small businesses grow without wasting time, energy, or money. Their focus is helping brands show up authentically, connect with their audience, and stop treating social media like a third job. Level Up Labs Event Info This conversation is part of Level Up Labs, a four-hour, in-person experience for business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders. 📍 Location: Brick & Mortar – 411 N MAIN ST, Glen Ellyn 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 🧠 What You’ll Get: Real-world strategies from local experts in business growth, social media, and leadership 🎟 Spots Are Limited 👉 Sign up for your spot: https://yourbrickandmortar.com/level-up/

On this #veteransday I’d like to introduce you to military veteran Dewayne! We talk about Dwayne’s incredible military journey, serving in both the Marine Corps and Army National Guard, and how Verizon helped relieve his medical debt. We discuss his experiences as a tank crewman, the physical challenges of military service, and his upcoming Bears game experience Forgiveco