Meet Ben Theis

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ben Theis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Ben, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I’ve developed confidence by putting myself in positions where I needed to perform and deliver. Whether it’s running Skol Marketing, working directly with clients, or leading my team, I’ve learned that confidence comes from preparation, follow-through, and seeing things through to the finish line.

I hold myself to a high standard. I show up, do what I say I’m going to do, and take pride in solving problems the right way — even when it’s harder or requires going beyond the original scope. That’s how I’ve earned trust with clients and built my reputation, and that’s what reinforces my confidence.

My self-esteem isn’t rooted in external validation; it comes from knowing I’m doing meaningful work, helping others succeed, and continually pushing myself to grow as a leader, as a business owner, and as a person.

Confidence, for me, is about consistency, accountability, and doing things the right way — day in and day out.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m the CEO of Skol Marketing, a digital marketing agency based in Minnesota. We specialize in helping small and mid-sized businesses grow through smart web design, SEO, and comprehensive digital strategy. What makes our work special is how we approach it — we meet businesses where they are, help them identify where they want to go, and fill in the marketing gaps to get them there.

What sets Skol apart is our ethics, transparency, and commitment to doing things the right way. Our clients own their accounts, their assets, and their data — always. We aren’t here to lock people in; we’re here to help them succeed, whether that means taking over their marketing completely or collaborating with their internal teams or other partners.

What excites me most is helping businesses who understand the value of marketing but need a partner to help them execute at a high level. We thrive when working with companies that want to grow but don’t have the time, bandwidth, or expertise to get it done themselves.

In addition to Skol, I’m involved in a few other ventures, including Tailgate Spices and Sports Legends USA. Tailgate Spices is about bringing bold flavors to sports fans through retail, fundraising, and corporate gifting channels. Sports Legends USA connects fans and former athletes through events, memorabilia, and experiences that celebrate sports history and legacy.

Across all of these, the common thread is creating value, building relationships, and helping people succeed — whether that’s a business owner growing their company, an athlete building their legacy, or a fan creating a lasting memory.

What’s New:

At Skol, we’re continuing to grow by focusing on businesses in that $2M–$50M revenue range who need expert digital strategy and execution.

Tailgate Spices is expanding into more retail locations and developing new partnerships in fundraising and corporate gifting.

Sports Legends USA is working on more events and unique partnerships with former athletes to help them share their stories and connect with fans.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Work Ethic
From the start, I’ve believed in simply outworking people. Not through burnout or hustle culture for the sake of it, but through consistency, showing up every day, doing the work, and taking pride in doing things the right way. That discipline has opened more doors than talent alone ever could.

Advice:
Put in the reps. It’s not about being perfect out of the gate — it’s about being consistent, reliable, and willing to go further than others are willing to go. Work ethic compounds over time.

2. Communication
Clear, honest, direct communication has been a cornerstone for me. Whether it’s with clients, my team, or partners, I’ve built trust and long-term relationships by saying what needs to be said, asking the right questions, and listening actively.

Advice:
If you want to get ahead, master how you communicate. Speak clearly. Follow through on what you say. Be honest, even when it’s uncomfortable. People will remember how you make them feel through your words and actions.

3. Problem Solving
Clients come to us because they need problems solved — not because they need more meetings or theories. I’ve built my career on figuring things out, taking initiative, and delivering results. Problem-solving isn’t just technical; it’s about being resourceful, proactive, and staying calm when things don’t go as planned.

Advice:
Train yourself to look at challenges as opportunities. Get comfortable with ambiguity. Don’t wait for someone to hand you the answer — take ownership, get creative, and figure it out. The people who solve problems are the ones who get trusted with more responsibility.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes — but I’m very intentional about who I collaborate with. I’m always open to conversations with people and businesses who share a similar mindset: growth-focused, ethical, action-oriented, and committed to doing things the right way.

At Skol Marketing, we often collaborate with:

Fractional CMOs, marketing consultants, and agencies looking for a reliable partner to help execute digital strategies — especially website development, SEO, and digital marketing strategies.

Professional service firms who want to bring more value to their clients by referring a trusted marketing partner.

Organizations or networks who work with small to mid-sized businesses and want to connect them with proven marketing solutions.

With Tailgate Spices, I’m looking for:

Retailers, fundraising coordinators, and corporate gifting partners who want unique, memorable products tied to sports and community.

Brands looking to collaborate on co-branded partnerships tied to sports, tailgating, or food culture.

With Sports Legends USA, I’m interested in:

Athletes, agents, and brands who see value in building connections between legends of the game and fans through experiences, events, and memorabilia.

The best way to connect with me is on my LinkedIn profile or [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Website: https://skolmarketing.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentheis/