Stephen Scoggins, founder of The Journey Principles Institute is an entrepreneur that has paved a path for long term success in his countless endeavors within the business world. Encountering unique adversities from a young age led him to muster the courage to build a diligent work ethic that would guide him in all areas of his life. Stephen is a best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur of multiple businesses with multi-8-figure revenues, a motivational speaker, and the creator of the proprietary Life-Mastery Framework affectionately named, “Transform U.”
Was there a particular person who gave you the most help or encouragement to be who you are today? Can you share a story about that?
As I look back at my life and personal story, there is one common denominator that each of these people had in common that changed me from the inside out. They gave me encouragement and hope. Further, they instilled in me the will — and the wherewithal — to face the numerous high-pressure moments I would need to master in order to succeed in my own life and create a future.
One of the most transformational moments I had came first through Steve Myrick. He watched my father and grandfather struggle with alcoholism. My grandfather survived Pearl Harbor, but not the after-effects. Over time, this bled into my father’s household and I think Steve was just trying to break what appeared to be some kind of family chain to alcohol. And that is when it happened. On a very warm summer afternoon in my late teens, Steve pulled around the corner in his white Jeep Grand Cherokee and motioned for me to come down to his car. It was so hot that I would have done just about anything for some air conditioning.
He took it upon himself to ask me a question that changed my entire way of thinking about life and possibilities. He said, “Stephen, what is the difference between a rich man and a poor man?” And without thinking about it, I replied, “Duh, money.” If he could have thumped me on the top of my head, I think he would have! He said, “Absolutely not! It is the way they think!” He went on to say, “People with wealth are always looking for ways to invest in their future, and those who remain poor spend all they have.”
Can you share one of the funniest things that occurred to you in the course of your career?
As someone who struggles with Dyslexia, my funniest moments always center around spelling and grammar. And, as it turns out, the words “louver” and “lover” are two totally different words. Clearly, this can send the wrong message to your customer. It’s like saying “I love you” to the boss and you’re not married to them!
If someone would want to emulate your career, what would you suggest are the most important things to do?
There are really two pieces of advice: one from Steve Myrick and one from Susan Batts. I will share Susan’s shortly, but Steve taught me to live by this motto and it has carried me this far: “Be willing to do today what others won’t and you can have tomorrow what others don’t.”
What book impacted you the most and why?
Built to Serve by Evan Carmichael.
I was attracted to this book because I always believed the greatest purpose in life you will ever have is “serving the person you used to be.” We often don’t grasp the importance of sharing how adversity has shaped our lives for the better. Each one of us has faced many challenges in our lives that can give someone else hope during the time that they are facing similar challenges.
