Story & Lesson Highlights with Steve Feld of Scottsdale

Steve Feld shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Steve, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I usually get up before my alarm goes off at 4:30 am. The first 90 minutes of my day are all about setting the tone for focus and momentum. I start my day with a high-intensity workout to boost my energy and clear my mind. After that, it’s time for a strong cup of coffee and a quick moment of stillness. I spend a few minutes journaling—capturing thoughts, goals, and priorities for the day. This routine keeps me grounded, intentional, and ready to tackle whatever comes next.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Steve Feld. With over 30 years of experience in leadership and business strategy, I’ve had the privilege of building and leading successful businesses, from startups to high-revenue enterprises. I specialize in helping business owners thrive by providing actionable insights on operations, leadership, marketing, and financial management. I’ve authored 20 books for entrepreneurs and small business owners, and I host the “Million Dollar Marketing Secrets” podcast, where we dive into practical strategies for business success.

What makes my approach unique is my hands-on experience across various industries, including tourism, regional development, and economic growth. I’ve also held senior roles in Fortune 500 companies and worked with boards to guide strategic growth. My mission is to empower business owners with the tools, strategies, and mindset to drive growth and make a meaningful impact.

I also speak at associations that serve business owners and conferences, sharing my expertise on how to scale, lead, and adapt in today’s fast-paced business world. Providing business owners with actionable strategies and tactics to help them grow their business immediately.

Currently, I’m focused on creating more resources for small business owners through my platform and helping them navigate the complexities of scaling and adapting in today’s market.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A defining moment that truly shaped how I see the world happened during my early days in Toastmasters. I gave a speech about glossophobia—fear of public speaking, which I personally struggled with. Standing in front of that club, palms sweating and heart racing, I shared my story not as a polished speaker, but as someone terrified to be seen and heard.

That single speech became a turning point. The encouragement I received and the sense of empowerment I felt helped me realize that fear can be a doorway, not a wall. I kept showing up, speech after speech, turning fear into fuel.

That journey took me from avoiding the spotlight to becoming a professional speaker, now invited to speak around the world and at associations and conferences that support business owners. Toastmasters didn’t just help me find my voice; it transformed how I view fear, growth, and the power of human connection through storytelling.

It taught me this: the world doesn’t need perfect speakers—it needs authentic ones willing to share and serve. That shift changed everything.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely, there were many times I almost gave up in my businesses. Entrepreneurship isn’t a straight path—it’s full of highs and lows. I remember moments when the pressure felt overwhelming: the cash flow wasn’t there, a key deal fell apart, or I was just mentally and physically drained. But deep down, I knew giving up wasn’t the answer. Instead of throwing in the towel, I reached out. I leaned on mentors, peers, and coaches—people who could give me a different perspective and remind me why I started in the first place. Often, they helped me see opportunities I was too close to recognize. Those moments taught me that seeking help isn’t a weakness—it’s a strategy. And every time I pushed through, I came out stronger, wiser, and more committed to my mission.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Great question. In the beginning, the public version of me definitely wasn’t the real me. I built this polished, overly professional persona because I thought that’s what people expected from a business owner and coach. But it always felt like I was performing instead of connecting. One of my coaches gave me a piece of advice that changed everything—they told me to own my quirks and humor. That was the shift. Once I started showing up as my true self, my business became more authentic, more fun, and yes, more successful. I did lose a few clients along the way, but I realized they weren’t aligned with who I really was anyway. The clients I attract now? They get me. They trust me. And we thrive together. So today, the public version of me is the real me—quirks, humor, and all. And that authenticity is my edge.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I spent years trying to follow what others told me I should do—chasing titles, structure, and the so-called “safe path.” But deep down, I always had the entrepreneur’s mindset. From selling soda and snacks out of my locker in elementary school to doing students’ taxes in college, I was building businesses before I even realized that’s what I was doing.

For a long time, I tried to suppress that entrepreneurial side. I thought I had to conform to what success looked like instead of what it felt like. But the turning point came when I embraced what truly lit me up—helping small business owners grow, thrive, and turn their vision into something real. That’s when everything clicked.

So no, I’m not doing what I was told to do. I’m doing what I was born to do. And once I owned that, everything in my life and business aligned.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bizcoachsteve.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bizcoachsteve/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefeld
• Twitter: https://x.com/BizCoachSteveF
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bizcoachsteve
• Youtube: https://bit.ly/2AaIeGj