How Scouting Led To Success
In our conversation with Jeff Hayward, Program Manager at Startup Sioux Falls, we discussed a variety of topics from our childhoods, including how being a boy scout led Jeff to start his own business, Dakota Adventure Supply to our favorite movies, music and more.
With two Jeffs featured on the show, we took care to specify the particular Jeff to whom we were referring!
We kicked off the conversation with one of Vince’s random questions regarding how well a scout troop could be led by either Captain America, Superman, or Yogi Bear.
We discussed other memorable scenes from "Back to the Future," Jeff H’s family's love for oldies music, and songs that stick in our heads. The conversation also touched on movies with multiple sequels, including "The NeverEnding Story" and "Star Trek." We noticed a theme of time travel in Jeff’s movie preferences.
We talked about our favorite "Star Trek" characters, the first live-action Super Mario Bros. movie, and childhood memories related to those films. The conversation then took a turn to breakfast foods, specifically pancakes and unique breakfast preferences. One of the unique breakfast preferences we talked about was putting sugar in pancakes rather than syrup. We talked about different breakfast traditions and the creative ways people prepare breakfast foods. We reminisced on memories of important life skills our fathers taught us including driving a stick shift and cooking. This part of our conversation was filled with anecdotes and personal memories.
Jeff H. discusses his experience as a Boy Scout and his journey to becoming an Eagle Scout. Vince shares a humorous story about almost hitting his mom with an arrow while practicing archery during a Cub Scout camp. The conversation also touches on Scout fundraisers, including pancake feeds and popcorn sales. Jeff H. recalls a valuable life lesson he learned as a young senior patrol leader, where he had to deal with older Scouts not listening to him, leading to him learning to handle uncomfortable situations. We playfully mentioned "submission hold badges" and inquired about Jeff H.’s favorite and least favorite merit badges. Jeff H. also talked about how his experiences as a Boy Scout influenced his journey into entrepreneurship. The conversation touches on the importance of mentorship, seeking advice, and being open to learning as an entrepreneur. The guest also discusses his startup, Dakota Adventure Supply, which focuses on creating durable and versatile outdoor gear made in South Dakota.
The conversation then turned to a discussion on the importance of being open to criticism and constructive feedback. Jeff P. shares a story about a surgeon who received valuable advice from an older surgeon, highlighting the significance of learning from others' experiences. The conversation touches on generational differences, specifically regarding the level of comfort and instant access to information in today's society. Jeff H. shared a story about a formative experience he had during a youth leadership training program in the Boy Scouts, emphasizing the value of facing challenges and figuring things out.
When Jeff H. shared about Dakota Adventure Supply, he spoke about the significance of reconnecting with nature and creating experiences in the modern world. We then exchanged patches that represent camaraderie and adventure and concluded the nostalgic conversation.
To connect with Jeff Hayward, find him on LinkedIn.
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