The Secrets of Success: Turning Decades of Experience into a Powerful Book with Frank Spencer

In this episode of Entrepreneur to Author, host Scott MacMillan speaks with Reverend Dr. Frank C. Spencer, president of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church and author of The Secrets of Success: How to Build a Great Career and Live a Happy Life.

Frank shares how his career—from real estate and nonprofit leadership to ordained ministry—inspired the stories and insights in his book. Drawing on years of sermon writing and mentoring, he found the process of translating life lessons into book form both natural and fulfilling, completing the manuscript in just a few months.

Frank also explains how he built the book around key themes like commitment, compassion, and curiosity, along with his "Three P’s" framework: product, profit, and process. Writing honestly about professional failures and personal milestones made the work deeply meaningful. Now he’s using the book to spark reflection and growth within his organization, and among youth as well as emerging leaders.

SHOW LINKS

Get the book on Amazon
Website: fspencer.com

GUEST BIO

Theology and finance have combined in Dr. Spencer to create a unique perspective on faith, leadership, entrepreneurship and organization. After earning a BA at UNC-CH where he was a Morehead Scholar and an MBA at Harvard Business School where he was named a Baker Scholar, Frank had a distinguished career in real estate which included taking his company public on the New York Stock Exchange. He was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Southeastern Region in 2009. In 2011, Frank entered Union Presbyterian Seminary to pursue his Master of Divinity. He was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in February of 2015. He earned his Doctorate also at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte.
Dr. Spencer has led four non-profit organizations and four profit seeking enterprises. In addition to CEO of Cogdell Spencer Inc., his roles include President of Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, President of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Managing Principal of Parhelion Investments.

CONNECT WITH FRANK

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-frank-spencer-3b30a826/

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