January 29, 2025

Persistence, Passion, and Pilgrimage: A Journey with Scott Pate

When he was just seven, Scott Pate took his first job in the family business for $o.12 cents an hour and would later become the first college graduate in his family. Continuing the legacy of three generations of entrepreneurs, Scott’s 30-year career includes technical, operations, and corporate management in the oil exploration and environmental industries. In 1996, Scott founded Sierra Piedmont, an environmental engineering/consulting firm. Scott strives to find innovative ways to provide a superior client experience and develop long-term customer relationships.

Contact Information: 

770.792.6200

spate@sierrapiedmont.com

 

Show Notes:

In the first 2025 episode of the Small Business Matters Podcast, Sierra Piedmont’s founder and CEO, Scott Pate, joins Tim and Taylor to discuss the importance of the client experience and delivery speed to small business success. Scott shares his journey as a third-generation entrepreneur who began in the oil industry and ultimately founded a business in environmental engineering. Please tune in for insights on leadership, maintaining a healthy level of passion for your business, and how hiking the Camino de Santiago can change your business—and your life.

Episode Highlights:

  • What Matters to Small Business [0:3:10]
  • How It Began [0:03:45]
  • Leadership Roles [0:06:49]
  • Employee Interaction [0:07:48]
  • Benefits of a Peer Group [0:09:15]
  • Competitive Advantages [0:11:40]
  • Learning from Mistakes [0:13:52]
  • Advice to Aspiring Business Owners [0:14:59]
  • Experiencing the El Camino [0:16:08]
  • Analogy Between Small Business and the El Camino [0:18:59]
  • Rapid Fire [0:20:40]
  • Contact Information [0:24:45]
  • Takeaways [0:25:12]
  • SBM Announcements [0:27:43]