Coworking spaces offer countless businesses a home while in the growing phase and really are a budget-friendly way to get things off the ground. Scot Duke and Mark Neace, business partners and members at Venture X Dallas North – Alpha Road, TX. Duke is Chief Operations Officer and Operations Director for SyncLab Media while Neace is Co-Founder and Creative Director. We spent time getting to know these members and their role at SyncLab Media.
What does SyncLab Media do?
SyncLab Media is a video-centric digital marketing and consulting firm that helps organizations synchronize their digital marketing efforts with their business objectives to achieve better outcomes. We asked Duke and Neace some quick Q & As to get to know them and their career journey. Here’s what each had to say:
- What made you want to get involved in this line of work?
Duke: I enjoy Social Media and like project management, plus I have been in operations management for over 40 years. Neace: I helped a friend out on his thesis film project during my freshman year at the University of Hawai’i and immediately changed my major to communications with a film and television focus. After many years of working in the industry, I had the unique opportunity to help beta test the YouTube platform. That experience opened my eyes to the impending need for businesses to have the right strategy and content to market their products and services directly to their prospects online.
- What has been the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Duke: To see the look on our client’s face when they see the finished video we produce. Neace: I’m a serial entrepreneur and small business owner. The most rewarding thing I can do every day is help another business owner achieve their vision of success through what we do at SLM.
- What’s the biggest challenge that you have faced in business and how did you overcome it?
Duke: The biggest challenge is getting our story told to the professional who makes the decision on a business’ digital marketing strategy. We have not found a way to overcome that . . . looking to recruit a sales influencer who would fit on our team. Neace: Many entrepreneurs and independent business owners face the challenge of wearing too many hats, but feeling insecure about bringing in partners to share the load. One of the best business decisions I have made was asking for help and bringing on partners that share the same vision.
- What business tips would you like to share with others?
Duke: Always get help with your marketing. A business has too much invested to let poor managed digital marketing bring it down. Neace: Be authentic and sincerely care about bringing value to each relationship. Communicate your “Why”.
- What has been your favorite part about working at Venture X?
Duke: I enjoy helping Venture X develop its digital footprint. Neace: We just became Venture X members, but are already expanding our network with great connections and finding out we can add value to the community.
A Personal Look at Scot Duke and Mark Neace
While getting to know Duke and Neace, we asked who or what had been their greatest inspiration and were surprised and impressed to hear Duke say Google . . . “Google contacted me to ask if I would be interested in partnering with them to launch Google+ and YouTube. I was impressed that the local staff had been following my blog for 6 years. It inspired me knowing that someone noticed what I do and LIKED it. I must be doing something right.” Neace said, “My parents have been my greatest inspiration. Sounds cliché, but they exemplified the character traits of integrity, hard work, caring for others and entrepreneurship.” In their spare time, both Duke and Neace enjoy playing golf. Duke says he likes to travel to other states to play golf. We know golf requires incredible strategizing and concentration so we weren’t very surprised to hear that’s their sport. Interestingly, though, Duke also enjoys playing blues guitar. Maybe we convince him to play something during our next social event at Venture X Dallas North – Alpha Road. Neace makes it a point to go camping at least once a month with his son’s Scout troop and also spends time volunteering with his Rotary club and their Scout district and council. He also used his love of golf to work as a professional caddie with well-known golfers and celebrities during Web.com, Futures and LPGA tours, and many Pro-Am events. Are you full of ideas and looking for a convenient and fun place to spend your working hours each week? At Venture X, you’ll be able to network and share ideas with creative people like Scot Duke and Mark Neace on a daily basis. Venture X has new locations opening each month. We would love nothing more than to watch your business or startup take off within our office spaces. You’ll love working at Venture X with our affordable and flexible membership plans. Contact Venture X today and schedule a tour!
