MountainWest Capital Network: Welcome to the Winners' Circle
Business & Finance
About
Meet Cheri Waldron and Jason Roberts, your hosts for the MountainWest Capital Network Podcast—the gateway to Utah's Winner's Circle. For nearly two decades, Cheri has been the driving force behind MountainWest Capital Network as Executive Director, orchestrating Utah's most prestigious business celebration, the Utah 100. Jason brings 22 years of global business consulting expertise as Managing Director of Protiviti's Salt Lake City office, having grown the local team from 2-3 people to over 70 professionals. Together, they've created something unprecedented: intimate access to the exclusive Winners’ Circle—that electrifying pre-event gathering where Utah's fastest-growing company CEOs and founders connect before taking the stage. Now, for the first time, they're bringing that same energy and insider access directly to you through candid one-on-one conversations with the business leaders shaping Utah's economy.
Episodes
- HealthEquity and the Future of Healthcare | Dr. Stephen Neeleman’s Insights on HSAs
Dr. Stephen Neeleman, founder of HealthEquity, discusses the company's evolution and the importance of HSAs for long-term financial health. The conversation covers healthcare business insights and entrepreneurial lessons.
- The Cynosure Story | Inside Cynosure’s Success Strategy with Bud Scruggs
Bud Scruggs from The Cynosure Group discusses his company's success strategy and navigating a complex business environment in Utah. He shares insights on private equity, credit, and capital management, emphasizing company culture, long-ter…
- Turning Slush into Scale | Inside the Frazil Growth Story with Kyle Freebairn and Sam Owens
Kyle Freebairn and Sam Owens of Frazil discuss how they scaled their beverage brand. They cover operational, cultural, and commercial strategies, including the "Free Frazil Friday" campaign and the importance of continuous improvements and…
- The Woman Who Refused to Quit | Building a Meaningful Life with Mary Crafts
Mary Crafts, an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and author, joins Jason and Cheri to discuss her life story. She shares insights on building a meaningful life, overcoming challenges, and her mission to help others see their potential.
- One Utah Family’s Sweet Success | Building Andersen’s Crazy Candy with The Andersens
Jared and Heather Andersen, founders of Andersen’s Crazy Candy, discuss the journey of building their family business. They share insights into creating a new product category, balancing business growth with family life, and navigating the…
- Leading Through Hypergrowth to Reinvention | Crofter Market with Bobby Clayson
This episode features Bobby Clayson, co-founder of TaxBit and founder of Crofter Market. He discusses leading through hypergrowth and reinvention, sharing insights from his experiences in various industries.
- Turning Private Aviation into a Growth Engine | The Founding of SkyShare with Cory Bengtzen
Cory Bengtzen, Founder and CEO of SkyShare, discusses his journey from car dealerships to building a private aviation company. He shares how SkyShare evolved from aircraft brokerage to fractional ownership and charter services.
- Turning Employee Experience into Growth | The Founding of Nectar with Trevor Larson and Andrew Hollis
Trevor Larson and Andrew Hollis, co-founders of Nectar, discuss how they built their software company, focusing on employee recognition and scaling growth. They share insights on team building, company culture, and the role of community in…
- The Journey from Idea to Impact | How Scott Porter Built San Diablo Churros From the Ground Up
Scott Porter, founder of San Diablo Artisan Churros, joins the podcast to discuss his journey of building a business from an idea to a company focused on impact. He shares insights into entrepreneurship, growth, and the importance of purpo…
- Entrepreneurial Lessons from Utah’s Top Founders
This episode compiles insights from Utah's top founders and business leaders. It covers topics such as navigating crises, building values-driven company cultures, and understanding the unique collaborative business ecosystem in Utah.
- From Crisis to Client-Centered Growth | How Kristy Pack Built a New Tax Model for Real People
Kristy Pack, founder of Pack Tax, joins the podcast to discuss her journey from working mother to entrepreneur. She shares how she built a tax firm focused on real people, emphasizing transparency, accessibility, and human connection.
- Setbacks & Second Chances: The Rise of Jim Sanders & Nest Tiny Homes
Jim Sanders, founder of Nest Tiny Homes, shares his entrepreneurial journey, including overcoming a franchise collapse and building a successful ADU company. He discusses resilience, team culture, and navigating regulations in forming one…
- Hope, Healing, and Honest Ingredients with Karalynne Call
Karalynne Call, founder of Just Ingredients, shares her story of overcoming depression and building a successful health brand. She discusses the importance of real food ingredients, transparency, and balancing entrepreneurship with persona…
- Legacy, Leadership, and Lasting Impact | Kevin Jessop on Utah’s Business Evolution & the Future of MountainWest Capital Network
Kevin Jessop, outgoing president of MountainWest Capital Network, discusses the organization's growth, Utah's business evolution, and the importance of service, consistency, and connection in leadership. He shares insights on mentorship, c…
- How Crystalee Beck Built a Life-First Business That Empowers Women
Crystalee Beck, founder and CEO of Comma Copywriters, shares her journey of building a successful business that prioritizes a "life-first" approach. She discusses how her company, recognized as one of Utah's fastest-growing creative agenci…
- From Bootstrapping to Breakthroughs: Earl Foote on Grit, Growth, and Giving Back
In this episode, Earl Foote, founder and CEO of Nexus IT, joins hosts Cheri and Jason to discuss his journey building an IT and cybersecurity firm. He shares insights on overcoming challenges, the importance of integrity, and balancing lea…
- Maximizing Founder Exits: Lessons from M&A Advisor Garit Lawson (Forbes Partners)
This episode features Garit Lawson, Managing Director at Forbes Partners, discussing how founders can maximize outcomes during exits. He shares insights from his M&A experience, covering topics such as common founder traits, avoiding pitfa…
- How Hayden Wadsworth Built HydroJug Into a Hydration Phenomenon
Hayden Wadsworth, CEO of HydroJug, shares his experience building HydroJug from a startup into a global brand. He discusses the company's growth, challenges, and the importance of design, resilience, and community.
- How Clark T. Bell Is Using Nanotechnology to Redefine Agriculture
Clark T. Bell, CEO and founder of Nano-Yield, discusses his company's use of nanotechnology to innovate in agriculture, aiming to help farmers increase yield with fewer resources. He shares his journey from farming roots to leading a compa…
- From Credit Cards to 500 Employees: How Carson Poppenger Built Squeeze Into a Lead Conversion Powerhouse
Carson Poppenger, founder and CEO of Squeeze, shares his journey of building a national lead conversion company. He discusses starting the business with limited funds during the 2009 financial crisis and scaling it to employ over 500 peopl…
- Building an 8-Figure Business from College: Ben Perkins' Blueprint for Turning Ideas into one of Utah's Fastest Growing Companies
Ben Perkins, founder and CEO of &Collar, shares his experience building an 8-figure business from a college idea. He discusses how his company, which creates performance dress wear from recycled materials, became one of Utah's fastest-grow…
- The Lifestyle Revolution: How Rich Eggett & Ariel Faloon Built Rockwell Into More Than a Brand
Rich Eggett and Ariel Faloon transformed Rockwell into a lifestyle brand centered on strong relationships, innovative products like floatable eyewear, and faith-driven principles. They share insights on creating a business where work feels…
- The Creative Revolution: How Miranda & Jim Built Cricut Into a Billion-Dollar Platform That Changes Lives
This episode discusses how Miranda and Jim built Cricut into a billion-dollar platform. They share insights on leadership, innovation, and creating impact, detailing Cricut's transformation and its global reach.
- How Trevor Farnes Turned Business Crisis Into Global Impact
Trevor Farnes, former CEO and co-founder of MTN Ops, turned personal bankruptcy into a mission that has provided 7 million meals. His story demonstrates how he built one of Utah's fastest-growing companies from business failure and food in…
- Building More Than Buildings: Old School Foundation, Next Generation Growth
Dave Layton, CEO of Layton Construction, shares insights into his company's success, focusing on employee ownership and a culture that fosters long-term loyalty. He discusses the "Layton Way" philosophy and how it has driven growth and tra…
- Welcome to the Winners' Circle
Cheri Waldron and Jason Roberts host the MountainWest Capital Network Podcast, offering insights into Utah's business landscape. The podcast provides access to business leaders and discussions on the state's economy and entrepreneurial suc…
- Introducing the Winners' Circle
This episode introduces the MountainWest Capital Network podcast, Winners' Circle. It includes standard disclaimers regarding the informational nature of the content and investment risks.