EPISODE TITLE: From GE to Sydney Pole

Podcast Series: Small Business, Big Lessons
Host: Mark Sheppard
Theme: What it’s really like to go from corporate life at General Electric to co-owning a community-driven fitness business.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this opening episode, Mark Sheppard shares his journey from the corporate world of GE to the hands-on, people-powered environment of running Sydney Pole—a successful pole and aerial fitness studio with seven locations. He explores what skills translated (and which didn’t), how decision-making shifts when you’re close to the action, and why small business—despite the messiness—can be deeply fulfilling. This is a personal and practical guide for business owners, whether you’re already in the trenches or contemplating the leap from big business to something of your own.

OUTLINE

Introduction

Mark opens with his professional background—20 years in high-level corporate roles at GE—and the unexpected leap into co-owning a dance and fitness business. He explains what Small Business, Big Lessons is all about: practical, honest, and sometimes funny stories that connect corporate logic with small business reality. The audience includes small business owners who want structure and clarity, and corporate folks curious about how the other half lives.

The Shift

He shares what it was like transitioning from boardrooms and budget cycles to fixing WiFi, answering front-desk questions, and managing day-to-day chaos. Unlike corporate, where there’s space between leadership and customers, in small business you’re immersed in the action. That closeness brings intensity—but also insight.

Everything is Visible

In small business, there’s no delay in feedback. If a schedule change doesn’t work or a process fails, you hear about it instantly. Mark discusses how this forces you to lead clearly, communicate authentically, and see your business through your customers’ eyes—every single day.

Corporate Habits That Helped

Not everything from corporate life is tossed out. Mark outlines the valuable habits he brought with him: structured operating rhythms, basic data reporting, scorecards, and simple process documentation. These practices helped bring stability to Sydney Pole without over-complicating things.

What Didn’t Translate

Some things had to be unlearned. He had to let go of control and perfectionism, learn to delegate earlier, and realize that titles don’t matter—presence does. In small business, credibility is earned through consistency and contribution, not job descriptions. Feedback comes fast, and action beats polish every time.

The Reward

Despite the steep learning curve, Mark shares what makes it all worth it. He highlights the deep satisfaction of seeing your work have a direct impact, leading a tight-knit team, building real customer relationships, and learning new dimensions of leadership, empathy, and resilience. The work is harder—but it’s also more meaningful.

Outro

Mark closes by recapping the core contrast: corporate gave him systems, but small business gave him purpose. He previews the next episode—how to build structure in a small business without getting bogged down—and invites listeners to share, subscribe, and connect.