Getting Comfortable in the Uncomfortable: Scott Bliss on Reinvention, Sales, and Staying Driven
What happens when a high-level corporate career comes to an unexpected end? For many, it’s a moment of crisis. For Scott Bliss, it was the beginning of something much greater.
In a recent episode of Grit Won’t Quit, Tom sat down with Scott Bliss of Sandler Sales Training to unpack what it really takes to pivot mid-career, launch a business from scratch, and thrive through challenges that would sideline most.
A Corporate Career… Until It Wasn’t
Scott Bliss had the kind of resume many aspire to—decades in corporate sales leadership, a solid salary, bonuses, company perks, and stability. But in his late 40s, after 12 years with the same company, he was suddenly let go. “It was the first time in my life I was unemployed,” he said. “I didn’t even know how to file for unemployment.”
But rather than panic, Scott leaned on a philosophy he’d practiced for years: preparation. He had savings, a supportive family, and something even more powerful—a long-held dream to run his own sales training company.
The Power of Partnership
When Scott floated the idea of starting his own Sandler franchise, his wife Janine asked just one thing: “What do you want to do?” That belief in him, he says, made all the difference. “To have someone who believes in you maybe even more than you believe in yourself—it changes everything.”
With her support, Scott turned down a high-paying corporate offer and made the leap into entrepreneurship.
Building from the Ground Up
Scott bought a Sandler Sales Training franchise in 2017. Sandler provided the tools, the curriculum, and the brand—but not the clients. That part was up to him.
He got to work immediately, leveraging his local network and connections in the Brick, NJ business community. “I started small—four people in my first training class,” he recalls. But over time, he built a roster of clients ranging from solo entrepreneurs to companies with national sales teams.
Adapting Through Crisis
Like many small businesses, COVID-19 threw a wrench into Scott’s operation. In-person classes were no longer feasible. Fortunately, he had already invested in remote training tools and quickly transitioned to virtual sessions. Even now, the majority of his clients prefer remote learning thanks to the flexibility and engaging format.
In fact, when it became clear that training from home was going to be a long-term need, Scott built a custom studio in his backyard. “We had three dogs and four kids in the house,” he laughed. “Training in the kitchen next to someone pounding chicken cutlets didn’t quite work.”
Sandler: More Than Just Sales Training
One of the most misunderstood aspects of Scott’s work is that it goes far beyond basic sales techniques. His training encompasses leadership development, customer service, professional communication, and ongoing coaching. “We’re not just trainers,” he says. “We’re coaches, therapists, and accountability partners.”
Sandler’s public training programs are open to all industries, while private corporate programs allow for custom instruction and deeper engagement. Whether it’s an insurance agent, architect, or CFO, Scott’s approach helps professionals across verticals communicate more effectively and close more deals.
Lessons in Grit and Growth
For Scott, staying successful comes down to three daily disciplines: prospecting, selling, and training. Without the safety net of a corporate paycheck, staying motivated is about both the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. “If I take my foot off the gas, my pipeline dries up,” he says.
His favorite piece of advice? “Get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Whether you’re cold-calling, pivoting your career, or finally betting on yourself, that’s where real growth begins.
“If you’re 100% comfortable in everything you do, you might just be mediocre.”
Final Thoughts
Now seven years into running his business, Scott isn’t slowing down. He continues to grow his practice, travel nationwide for corporate training, and support professionals at all stages of their careers.
Whether you’re a seasoned executive or just starting out, Scott Bliss has this to say: Don’t wait until it’s too late to chase your dream.
This podcast episode was filmed at Wingman Planning in Belmar.
