As the countdown to the 2026 National Leadership Conference continues, anticipation is building for keynote speaker Jared Ebersole. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative problem‑solving, Jared brings a perspective shaped by his FBLA experience and his journey as the founder of Lectec. To give members a preview of the insights he’ll share on the NLC stage, we asked him 10 questions about his path through FBLA, his business, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
This was purely because I couldn't afford it. So building it was my only option.
Public speaking, marketing, and learning how to build connections. I would say it was mainly relationship building, which I was lacking and there are no courses for in school, but FBLA provides.
As you go throughout the day, ask yourself: Why does this work this way? Or, could I make this more efficient? Or, this is too expensive—why is it too expensive? From there, find out what you're passionate about and what aligns with that list, and you have a business opportunity.
There are too many to count, but the most important thing is that I never accepted failure. I fixed what was wrong, tried again, and never accepted no for an answer.
Have a good community around you and don't do it alone. This doesn't mean that business partners or other resources are essential, but you just need to have a community around you to support you and occasionally take your mind off of things.
It really does. For 99% of people, success is earned. And it is a 24-7, 365-day sport. And if you're not willing to put in the work and someone else outworks you, they will win.
How real the sharks were versus my TV perspective. They were asking questions and making observations, so what you see on television is actually what you get in the tank.
I did everything I possibly could; watched every episode, paused it every time the entrepreneur was asked a question and answered it just like I was there in the tank, pulled in advisers from around me, and had every friend of mine help me practice the pitch. Anything and everything I could do to prepare, I did.
It's the point where I put a certain amount of work in and got an exponential return. Previously, I had only been getting linear returns, so how much effort I put in is how much success I get out. But really knowing that you have something successful is when you put effort in and you get results. A lot of entrepreneurs get trapped before they see an exponential return for a variety of factors.
Fail hard, fail fast, and fail often. Nothing worth achieving is comfortable. If you are not uncomfortable and failing, you are not learning and growing. This applies to everything in life from relationships to jobs to hobbies and FBLA events. Things that make you uncomfortable make you a better person. Try that new class or that new competition even if you don't think you'll be good at it. It's extremely easy to be comfortable and take the quick or short way of doing something. But you need to be constantly pushing yourself to become the better person you know you could be. This is not easy to do, and that's the goal.
