Zach Adkins | Unsettled with Neil Wattier | S1 E9

From Bedroom Jam to Business Enterprise Zach Adkins is a nationally recognized guitar player and entrepreneur from Omaha, Nebraska. After winning the Ibanez Flying Fingers competition in 2017, Zach built more than a music career—he built a business empire. Today, his company operates four thriving music schools serving hundreds of students while also mentoring educators who want to scale their own programs. In this conversation, Zach shares his journey from bedroom guitarist to business owner, the discipline that fuels both his playing and leadership, and what it takes to turn passion into sustainable success. We explore the balance between creativity and entrepreneurship, and how Zach is shaping the future of music education while still staying true to the craft that started it all. Whether you’re a musician, entrepreneur, or someone chasing a dream bigger than yourself, Zach’s story offers both inspiration and practical insight. What you’ll hear in this episode: • How Zach went from competition winner to music school founder • The challenges and lessons of scaling to four locations • The daily discipline behind musical mastery and business success • Why mentorship and systems matter in both music and entrepreneurship • What’s next for Zach as a performer and leader This episode is about more than music. It’s about vision, grit, and daring to build something that lasts. Because ambition isn’t the enemy of peace. And peace doesn’t mean standing still. Stay grounded. Stay unsettled.__________________________________☕ Support the podcast → Buy Me A Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/life_of_neil)📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes → Subscribe (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil?sub_confirmation=1)🔗 Connect with Neil → @Life_of_Neil- TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@life_of_neil)- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@life_of_neil)- Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/life_of_neil)🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms- Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5vQ4Pnxj1FxxPHNHwu93RD)- Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/id1833676118)- RSS.com web site (https://rss.com/podcasts/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/?_gl=1%2a98fffs%2a_gcl_au%2aODM1OTE5MzkwLjE3NTI1NDQ5MDI.#episodes)- Pandora (https://www.pandora.com/podcast/unsettled-with-neil-wattier/PC:1001108036)- iHeartRadio (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-unsettled-with-neil-wattie-289725707)