Scott Cooper

The truth is that creating something unique is very time consuming and does not happen overnight. Be patient and practical.

 

Scott Cooper is the CEO and founder of Scott Cooper Miami, a lifestyle brand that highlights everything Miami-Dade and South Florida. His goal is to bring more attention to this beautiful international city and help everyone find something that interests them. After working for many years in several high-level positions, from banking to technology, Cooper decided it was time to make a change and pursue his passions. With that came the birth of Scott Cooper Miami, specializing in various interests, including fashion, art, events, and local news. When Cooper isn’t bringing his brand to the masses, he enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

Where did the idea for your company Scott Cooper come from?

The idea for Scott Cooper Miami came from my love for the city. I have lived in the Miami-Dade area for more than two decades and I want to share all of the places I have discovered that are not well known to locals and visitors. They will, like me, fall in love with the relaxed atmosphere and the fun vibe you get from spending time in Miami, whether it be during the day or at night. So, I thought why not start up a lifestyle brand and create an adventurous community? From there, Scott Cooper Miami began.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I don’t have a typical day. Part of owning an online company is being prepared to work whenever necessary. If you’re looking for more structure, stick to a 9-5.

I plan my days around appointments and whatever is on my to-do-list. I try to get the most important tasks over with in the morning as I am most productive before noon. However, like I said, I must be flexible because you never know what could happen. Sometimes writers don’t get their work done on time, a website crashes, or a new event is announced and I want to cover it asap!

How do you bring ideas to life?

I find my best work is when I am focusing on my own passions. But I recognize that to cover all Miami has to offer, I must focus on other people’s passions as well. One of the ways I do this is through reader feedback. When readers tell me what they want to see, I come up with a plan and talk to the writers. We put our own Scott Cooper Miami spin on it and test it out with a few articles here and there. If the idea/ topic is popular enough, we make it into its own website and go all in.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The one trend that I am finding to be excited doesn’t exactly have anything to do with business. But more companies are being more involved in the communities around them. More customers are researching local brands and services to support local creators. Additionally, we are being more conscious, spending our money on companies that give back to communities. I love this ethical consumerism.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I have two habits which help me become more productive and ahead of the game. Firstly, I like to tackle any tasks that are challenging and get them done before lunch. I feel energized in the mornings and I find more problems need my attention later in the day. Secondly, I keep a to-do-list that I create the night before. This way I know what is on my daily agenda and I can knock them out throughout my day. Something about writing tasks down and crossing them off one by one is very rewarding.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to be more patient. It can be very stressful when you are starting a business from the ground up, but too much stress can restrict you from being successful. You start to doubt yourself and you start believing there are easier ways to make money. The truth is that creating something unique is very time consuming and does not happen overnight. Be patient and practical. Do not make poor decisions just because you are stressed. Go to the gym, take a walk, do something to release stress and get back on track.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?

For a long time, I was telling people from all over that Miami was soon going to be a major hub for business over the next few years. But, everyone I was telling kept disagreeing with me; they thought Miami was a party city that was growing old. Now, Miami-Dade and South Florida are one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, for both business growth and professionals from all over the world are coming here in droves.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Keep everything that has to do with your business organized to make it easier to focus on your goals! I understand that we cannot remember everything, but staying organized will help you make sure that a vital appointment isn’t missed or a deadline isn’t forgotten. When things are organized, it helps any new and seasoned business-owner keep their eye on the goal: to achieve success!

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

The one strategy that I have used for several years that has ultimately helped me grow my current and former businesses is the ability to communicate with and listen to my customers’ needs effectively. Without being able to communicate or listen to what a customer is saying, then I don’t know how to keep improving the products and services. People’s needs change, and I need to be ready.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Hiring people who have ended up missing deadlines or giving me low quality work have been a major cause of stress, and have been a waste of my time and money. As a business owner, you will realize that it is very important to be straightforward with your employees; explaining what you want from them, what they need to improve on, and if the relationship is not working out, just be honest and go your separate ways.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

My business idea is to start researching untapped markets, specifically services and products that do not have any companies that specialize in them. For example, as we start living longer than our ancestors and focusing on health and wellness, there will be a vast untapped market for our aging adults. Whether it is financial services, starting a concierge business, or anything that caters to the well-being of our elders while they enjoy their retirement years. You can take what skills you have already and then tweak them to tap into this soon-to-be multi-billion-dollar industry.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

A few weekends ago I took my family out for dinner and a movie. Being able to spend time with family is important because I tend to get so busy with my work that I miss out on big family events or milestones. Doing things like this gives us a chance to reconnect with each other and reminds me why I work so hard.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

The one app that I’ve started using that has been helpful is called Slack. It’s an app that you can download on your phone and computer to stay in contact with your employees. It is very helpful for organizing the different parts of your business, such as marketing, writers, social media, and so on. You can share files, send announcements to the entire team, and have video calls. It’s the best tool to keep track of your team when you all work on different schedules.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

There are a couple of outstanding business books, which have helped me a lot with growth, organization and how to market any opportunity to the right people. The first book I am going to recommend to those who visit your site is “Good to Great, Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins. It’s an excellent book to understand why some organizations triumphed through all stages, whether times were tremendous or bad. It goes into the DNA of super successful companies and what they’ve done to install these great qualities, into any company to achieve greatness. The book was based on a study Jim did during the nineties and the findings that came about from his extensive research.

The second book I am going to recommend is “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change” by Stephen Covey. This book has helped business-minded people from all walks of life for more than two decades. Stephen Covey discusses lessons that help with attaining your goals by aligning yourself with the right mindset and balancing getting the desired results while nurturing what has helped you achieve the results you are looking for. These are split into seven easy-to-follow lessons that are simple to produce over and over again.

What is your favorite quote?

One of my favorite quotes is by Tom Peters, and it’s very motivational for those who are new or seasoned in the business world.
“If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.”
It tells you that if an opportunity comes before you, whether it is big or small, then seize the chance to pounce on it, to make things happen.

Key Learnings:

● Be passionate about what you do
● When you come across an opportunity, take the plunge and pursue your passion
● Being determined is everything, search for the bigger picture and keep your eye on the goal