Future Proof

Greg McRoberts , managing partner at Westpoint Financial Group,  joins Scott Eckart on Future Proof to share how he started in financial services at 18, learned leadership by sitting in real client meetings, and eventually helped build and scale a multi-state advisory organization. His perspective blends realism with long-term thinking, shaped by early mentorship, hands-on experience, and years of...

Scott Eckart has spent his career helping entrepreneurs build legacies and secure their futures. In this episode, he opens up about his personal journey - from being let go after 9/11 to becoming a successful business owner. Scott reflects on the struggles and triumphs that shaped him, revealing how leaning into adversity fueled his success.  Scott zooms  into a crucial issue many business owners...

Lise Stewart , organizational psychologist and founder of Galliard Family Business Advisor Institute, has spent decades working at the intersection of family and business, helping owners navigate one of the most complex challenges they face: building something that lasts beyond themselves. In this episode, she joins Scott Eckart to break down the realities of leadership, succession, and what it tr...

What happens when you achieve your childhood dream yet feel completely empty? In this episode of FutureProof, host Scott Eckart sits down with Caleb Campbell , West Point graduate, NFL athlete, speaker, and executive coach,  for an honest conversation about the hidden cost of a performance-driven life. A single moment in the NFL spotlight shifted him from chasing success to desperately protecting...

What do you do when you have a product people love but nobody is searching for? David Ferree, founder and CEO of Anson Belt & Buckle , joins Scott Eckart to share how he and his father took a little-known concept from Asia to the US market with no storefront, no outside investors, and for years, no paycheck. Just a product they believed in and the persistence to introduce it to the world one c...

She lost her business, her studio, and even her marriage during the 2008 financial crisis. Starting over was not optional. It was the only path forward. Lesle Lane , owner of Studio 13 and a third generation commercial photographer, joins Scott Eckart to share the story of how she rebuilt her career after losing nearly everything during the Great Recession. From growing up in a family photography...

They swapped CEO seats on a family vacation. This one decisive role shift changed the trajectory of their business. Bryan Neale , founder of Blind Zebra , and wife Stephanie Neale , Blind Zebra’s CEO and Integrator, sit down with Scott Eckart and tell the story of how they combined their strengths to create a company that promotes a healthy, sustainable approach to sales. Bryan and Stephanie discu...

A grounded conversation for business owners thinking about what comes next and how to leave well. Mark Miller , Founder and President of Cornerstone Environmental, Health and Safety , joins Scott Eckart to share the story behind building a people-first company and making a thoughtful decision to merge after nearly three decades of ownership. Mark walks through the moments that shaped his path, fro...

An inspiring story and strategies for entrepreneurs who want to turn their passion into purpose. Ralph Balber , Founder and President of ALO Property Group LLC , joins Scott Eckart to tell his story of leaving a job that made him miserable to start his company, which has gone on to be a leading commercial real estate brokerage in Indiana. Ralph shares the values that have helped him shape a fulfil...

What can focusing on your people’s growth do for your company? Mike Lantz , founder and CEO of trueU , sits down with Scott Eckart to share his philosophy that people are the greatest strategic advantages a company can have, shaped by his time developing culture and talent at Defenders Direct and F.C. Tucker Company. Mike talks about the importance of supporting employees in becoming the best vers...

What can redesigning your office do for your culture? Mary Beth Oakes , CEO and owner of Business Furniture , chats with Scott Eckart about transforming the 70-year-old business from a traditional dealership into a company that designs spaces to shape culture, climbing the ranks from showroom manager to CEO in the process. Mary Beth shares how she changed tracks from journalism to office interior...

How do you know when your successor is ready to take over? Katie Ittenbach , President & CEO of  SMARI Research , and SMARI founder Jim Ittenbach join Scott Eckart to talk about how their family business successfully transitioned from one generation to the next. For over a decade, Katie climbed the corporate ladder and showed her value to the company, until Jim knew she was ready to lead. Kati...

What does it look like to build a business around care instead of hype? Mark Moreland , founder of Body Outfitters , joins Scott Eckart to reflect on his journey from reluctant student to personal trainer to owner of a growing three-location business. With years of leading people and clients under his belt, Mark shares how his long-term mindset has shaped everything from client retention to talent...

How do you build a business on giving without losing sight of growth? Marcus Manges , Regional President at Accelerent Indianapolis, joins Scott Eckart to talk about how his career evolved from selling knives to creating one of the most effective business development platforms in the region. Now serving multiple markets, Marcus shares what he’s learned from bringing abundance-minded leaders into t...

What does it take to turn a family business into a thriving tourist destination? Lucas Dull and Dana Dull join host Scott Eckart to share how they transitioned from traditional grain farming to building one of Indiana’s most beloved agritourism businesses. As second-generation owners of Dull’s Tree Farm , they’ve expanded far beyond Christmas trees, creating a place where thousands of families ret...

The biggest shifts in a business often come from decisions no one else sees. Future Proof is a show for business owners facing the pressure to grow and the weight of legacy, often at the same time. Hosted by Scott Eckart, each episode features honest conversations with leaders who’ve made bold moves, stepped into succession, or redefined success altogether. You’ll hear what they were up against, w...