Leadership and entrepreneurship have always been a part of Scott Garvis, and you could say it’s built into his DNA. Scott Garvis was raised by a family that built its life around Dale Carnegie, a recognized leadership, communication, and professional development organization. Garvis watched his father, a sales manager, inspire others through these exact leadership principles. After graduating from Florida State University in 1994, he followed in those principles and those footsteps, eventually purchasing the family business from his parents 20 years ago. Garvis, now the second-generation owner and President & CEO, continues that legacy across Southeast Florida.
“I own the Southeast region, which equals 13 counties,” said Garvis. “We’re about empowering leaders, making teams stronger, and helping businesses and all people unlock their full potential.”
It began as a vision for a family in 1970 that’d eventually grow into one of Southeast Florida’s premier leadership development organizations. Founded by Larry and Marlene Garvis and now led by their son, Scott Garvis, Dale Carnegie Training Southeast Florida remains family-owned and they’ve operated for more than five decades.
“I was an HVAC technician that switched roles into sales,” said Barret Garrison. “My communication skills at the time, were subpar and the stress of my new role was very difficult for me to manage. Thanks to Scott’s recommendation of the “How to Win Friends and Influence People” class, my communication and stress management skills helped take my sales and confidence to a new level. I truly recommend at minimum a consultation with Scott [Garvis].”
From its Fort Lauderdale headquarters to West Palm Beach, Scott Garvis has grown the business into a dynamic team of 10 full-time trainers. They also have a network of part-time instructors who are experienced helping professionals, executives, and organizations sharpen their leadership, elevate communication, and unlock lasting success.
“I love sales,” said Garvis. “But that’s a fourth of what we do. I was even going door-to-door.”
Scott Garvis wasn’t a stranger to taking the physical action of pounding the pavement, knocking on doors and dialing one cold call after another. He was learning that every conversation was an opportunity to earn trust and that face-to-face turned curiosity into genuine relationships. He also opened doors for others by coaching others to embrace the challenge of cold calling, helping them transform a hesitation, a fear, into confidence.
Scott Garvis credits those early experiences with sharpening his resilience, communication, and authentic leadership skills. These continue to define both his approach to business and the culture of his organization today.
“It’s about taking a genuine interest in people,” said Garvis. “But the world of sales and connecting with people has changed because now we have emails that are listed and things like that. But it’s not about babysitting a customer. It’s about going out, shaking hands, and overcoming that fear of reaching out to strangers because you never know who you’ll help.”
One example was when Scott Garvis boarded a plane, and it took off into something greater. He was having a conversation with a fellow passenger on a flight, and this led to one of his longest-standing client accounts. A plane ride that was a reminder that life’s biggest opportunities often begin with a simple hello. For Garvis, that story embodies the heart of Dale Carnegie: meaningful conversations create meaningful connections. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workplace, he believes there has never been a more important time to sharpen the one skill technology can’t replace.
“The ability to connect, communicate, and earn someone’s trust,” said Garvis. “Will always help you stand out.”
The same way he learned by watching his own family, Scott Garvis now dedicates himself to helping the next generation to help them discover that same confidence and sense of direction. He hopes to expand one-on-one coaching to create a more intimate environment where lasting growth can take root. Scott Garvis is making sure the next generation are carrying timeless people skills into an ever-changing world. For Garvis, the greatest legacy isn’t simply continuing a family business—it’s passing the torch of authentic leadership one meaningful conversation at a time.
“It’s about investing in people,” said Garvis. “Investing in each other is important now more than ever.”
