Scott Conine

Chief Operating Officer at Rise Interactive - Entreprenuer, Rock Star (Former) and a Solid Baylor Bear Fan!

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

We’re often taught to chase security. Get a job, collect a paycheck, work your way up.

Some are happy with this path, but for others, security isn’t the same as freedom. For some of us, true fulfillment comes with ownership—of a business, of our time, and of our future.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

Tech alone doesn't change outcomes, but I've found that direction can become clearer when it's connected to a tangible goal.

I think AI is one of the most powerful tools available to any business, but it's up to businesses to take advantage of that.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

One point from this article that's really stuck with me:

"AI is already helping small businesses work smarter, but business growth comes from using it with purpose."

Purpose makes all the difference. https://t.co/OImqMM1Sx5

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

What seems to be most effective is staying intentional by making space for traditions to carry forward while also creating new ones that reflect where the company is now.

I don't think growth and culture have to be at odds. I actually believe culture can make scale possible.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

I've come to believe that growth tests your culture just as much as it tests your strategy. A business plan can look airtight on paper, but when things move fast, it’s the daily behaviors, unspoken norms, and shared values that hold everything together. https://t.co/VFtvOvgw92

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

The hard part is that culture doesn’t scale automatically. I've heard so many businesses say that growth has come at the expense of their culture. They've lost their rituals, inside jokes, etc.

To be perfectly honest, I don’t think there’s a perfect solution to that.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

It’s not easy. Saying no to low-margin deals or resisting the temptation to spend just because revenue is up takes real discipline. But the businesses that do this seem to end up not just bigger, but healthier.

That’s the kind of growth worth chasing.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

I’ve noticed that “scaling” can become a goal in itself. I don't think that's inherently a problem, but I’ve also seen how easy it is for revenue to grow while margins quietly shrink. That kind of growth ends up feeling more draining than energizing. https://t.co/fJXYFU531X

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

From what I've seen, what seems to work better is starting small and making sure the economics make sense before trying to grow. Then, when you do scale, you’re building on something solid.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

People often see compliance and innovation as opposites. Honestly, I never have. The most successful companies I've noticed build strong data foundations. When you control your data and rely less on third parties, compliance and innovation stop competing and start uniting.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

I've learned over time that goals can't change you.

Becoming something new takes time, consistency, and daily commitment. Whether you’re a leader, business owner, or anything in between, your identity has to evolve, and that takes repetition.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

I’ve always found the phrase “underpromise and overdeliver” a bit tricky. I get the idea, but it can sometimes sound like we’re afraid to be honest up front. I've found that being realistic and consistent builds more trust than trying to impress later.

https://t.co/S11hYpCBo5

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

I've always been excited that with AI being so accessible to anyone, small businesses finally have some of the same tools that historically, only big players had.

Business owners still need business knowledge, but so many controllable barriers can be taken down.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

One line here says it all for me:

"Small businesses are the backbone of every economy, but passion alone can’t protect a business from failure... today, AI offers the most powerful and accessible system-building tool available to entrepreneurs." https://t.co/lty7uSuL3C

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

And I think on paper, that may look like dedication, but in practice, it can create bottlenecks and burnout teams.

The leaders I've always admired most have been the ones who have built me and those around me up. That's been empowering. That's what made scaling a reality.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

I really appreciated the emphasis here on not trying to imitate someone just because they're successful. I often find that I don't vibe with the styles of some of the most powerful people for one reason or another. https://t.co/Mjohwk1yi8

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

There's a fifth common leadership quality that I want to add here:

Confusing control with leadership.

In my experience, businesses often run best when entrepreneurs aren't touching every decision. Sometimes, when we try to keep the reins too tight, nothing ends up moving.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

Where are we going? What will it look like when we get there? How can we make that happen?

Once the destination feels real, the commitments and tasks almost write themselves. A strong narrative makes the work worth doing and makes the outcome hard to ignore.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

I've seen so many teams set ambitious goals, only to hit the next quarter and wonder why no real progress has been made. In my experience, it's rarely because the goals were wrong. More often than not, it's because no one could see themselves in the story.

[Scott Conine @scottconine]

That's honestly why I ditched OKRs years ago. I've found NCTs (narratives, commitments, and tasks) much more beneficial.

Instead of starting with the numbers, I've found a lot of value in starting with a story and asking bigger questions: