Ep 8 - Neil Sweeney: Mastering the Hustle, Heart & Health of Business

Episode 08 – The School Photo Podcast

What happens when you mix entrepreneurial drive, a passion for team culture, and a seriously sharp business brain? Well add in some great teeth and a tan and you get Mr Neil Sweeney!

In this in-person episode, Neil joins us to talk through his journey from commercial property sales and security to high-growth startups and now into the world of school photography as Managing Director at Carmel Jane Photography.

We dive into:

• What healthy business culture really looks like (hint: it's more than pizza Fridays)
• Why trust and transparency aren’t just buzzwords—they’re business strategy
• The highs, lows, and hilarious moments of scaling and selling national companies
• EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) and how it can bring clarity to chaos
• What makes a business valuable when it comes time to sell
• The emotional side of ‘success’—and why the celebration isn’t always what you expect
• How the school photography industry is evolving—and where we all go next
  
  

Expect laughs, lightbulb moments, and some seriously good advice for anyone building something meaningful.

🔑 Key Topics & Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome to Colchester!
2:00 – Neil’s unexpected path into business
6:30 – Starting lean and staying real
10:50 – What healthy culture really means
15:30 – Why trust beats talent
19:00 – Business exits: confetti or confusion?
24:00 – Discovering EOS and finding focus
29:00 – Stepping into school photography with fresh eyes
37:30 – Why team buy-in changes everything
45:00 – How the industry is shifting
53:00 – The value of vulnerability in leadership
1:00:00 – Final thoughts: scale smart, lead with heart

🎙️ About Neil Sweeney

Neil is a seasoned entrepreneur, leadership coach, and EOS implementer with a passion for people, performance, and doing business the right way. He’s built and exited multiple companies, and now plays a key role at Carmel Jane Photography—driving strategic growth and culture-led leadership in a fast-moving industry.

🔗 Connect with Neil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-sweeney-23763b52/
📸 Learn more about EOS: https://www.eosworldwide.com/neil-sweeney

💬 Let’s Chat!

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