Silicon Slopes Conversations: Recent Episodes
Silicon Slopes Conversations
Silicon Slopes podcasts provide an in-depth look inside Utah’s growing startup and tech community from the perspective of the entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders at the forefront of the industry.
In this Friday Conversation, we’re joined by Tyler, founder and CEO of Cozy Earth, a luxury bedding and loungewear brand known for its focus on sustainability and comfort. Tyler takes us through his entrepreneurial journey, beginning with his time at BYU, where he served a mission in Australia and learned Mandarin. He shares how this language skill led him to explore opportunities in overseas manufacturing, eventually launching Cozy Earth. We dive into his passion for creating high-quality products, the lessons learned from building a brand, and how staying true to a vision helped Cozy Earth become a market leader.
Tyler delves into the challenges of funding a consumer-driven business and the critical importance of choosing the right kind of capital. He explains how taking the wrong type of investment can shift your focus away from quality and growth, forcing you to prioritize investor timelines over long-term strategy. Although Cozy Earth initially took friends and family capital, Tyler recapped the business to maintain more control. He reflects on his early days in 2009, when digital ads were non-existent, and how that shaped his approach to scaling a brand. Without venture capital, Tyler had to rely on strong margins and careful planning, navigating cash flow challenges while gradually building a customer base.
Tyler explains how during a visit to a factory in China, he was told that Americans prioritize price over quality, with most opting for cheaper, disposable products. Despite this advice, he believed there was a market for long-lasting, high-quality goods. Drawing parallels to how people invest in iPhones for their value, Tyler saw an opportunity to focus on durable, well-made products that offer real benefits. Cozy Earth’s commitment is to ensure every product is at least 50% better than the competition in terms of comfort, durability, and sustainability, appealing to consumers who seek quality over quantity.
In this Friday Conversation, we’re joined by Robert Pedersen, founder of ZAGG, an innovative company that made waves with its screen protectors for electronic devices. Robert shares his journey from growing up in Utah, playing golf with his family, to the pivotal moment when ZAGG’s protective film for military helicopter blades was repurposed for consumer electronics. He reflects on his love for family, how the growth of ZAGG offers some key lessons for entrepreneurs and how ZAGG evolved from humble beginnings to become a household name.
Robert discusses how it’s not just about having a quality product, but about building trust through branding and customer service. While screen protectors were already available, ZAGG’s approach elevated the commodity through better distribution, market positioning, and a strong customer service ethos—offering 100% refunds and leveraging relationships with retailers like Best Buy. This combination led to a major breakthrough, turning a simple product into a multi-million dollar business.
Another topic of conversation included the valuable lesson that entrepreneurs should focus on building a solid team based on character and trust. Competency can be learned, but a team aligned in values and passion is invaluable. As your company scales, adding specialists for specific roles is necessary, but the core of a great team is built on trust and collaboration.
Robert has always had a passion for creating products and bringing ideas to life, whether it’s a physical product or a service. This passion is a core part of his identity, and as someone who’s always been proud to call Utah home, he sees the state following a similar journey. While Utah may not be as immediately recognizable as places like California or New York, Robert believes it is steadily making a name for itself, thanks in large part to the rise of Silicon Slopes. He often points out that Utah doesn’t need to reinvent itself – the state already boasts an incredible ecosystem of businesses and innovators. What’s needed is more effective marketing to showcase what’s already here.
Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.
In this Friday Conversation, were joined by Joey Albertson, the founder and CEO of Bookflow, the owner of the Profitability Project, and a fractional CFO. Joey shares her journey from corporate finance to entrepreneurship, highlighting her passion for helping others navigate the complexities of starting and growing their businesses.
She discusses her roots in Utah, her love for being a mom and business owner, and her evolution from a bookkeeping business to a revops firm. Joey also delves into the founding story of Bookflow and the Profitability Project, emphasizing the importance of overcoming imposter syndrome and taking the first steps towards entrepreneurship. She provides insights into the challenges faced by early-stage businesses and outlines the steps she guides aspiring entrepreneurs through, starting with clarifying their identity and moving on to branding, marketing, and optimizing systems. Joey's story is a testament to the power of embracing imperfection and pursuing one's entrepreneurial dreams with determination and resilience.
In the evolving landscape of bookkeeping, Joey discusses the significant trends and shifts she observes, particularly in the implementation of AI. She acknowledges the apprehension some may feel about AI in handling their finances due to the vulnerability of such data. Joey emphasizes the importance of trusting professionals in managing finances and sees AI as a powerful tool for analyzing, optimizing, and automating processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
Additionally, Joey highlights the rise of fractional executive roles, such as fractional CFOs, as a budget-friendly option for startups looking to access specialized expertise without the cost of a full finance team. She emphasizes the need for companies to carefully choose a fractional executive that aligns with their specific needs, whether it be in strategy, fundraising, operations, or other areas critical for growth and success. Joey's insights shed light on the changing dynamics within the financial and executive realms and the opportunities they present for businesses seeking sustainable growth and success.
Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Doug Maxfield and Sarah Clayton, both senior client partners at Korn Ferry. Doug has been with the firm for over two decades, starting from a small consulting firm in Provo before Korn Ferry acquired it. He now focuses primarily on the technology sector. Sarah, on the other hand, leads the global culture change management and communications practice. Her impressive background includes working in government and politics, including positions in the US Senate, Department of Education, and the White House before transitioning to human capital consulting.
Korn Ferry is recognized as the world's leading executive recruiting firm, with a significant global footprint comprising about 10,000 employees in 50 countries. They work with the majority of the world's most admired companies, specializing not only in executive search but also in consulting services that align organizational structure and people development with business strategies. In this conversation, Doug and Sarah dive into the fascinating topic of predicting CEO success, sharing insights from their extensive experience and recent research. They discuss current trends, the evolving role of CEOs, and the critical characteristics that define successful leaders in today's dynamic environment. They also explain how Korn Ferry supports CEOs globally, ensuring they are well-equipped to lead effectively amid ongoing challenges.
Doug & Sarah also explain the significant role of CEO reputation in a company's market value. Research shows that executives attribute nearly 50% of their market value to their CEO's reputation. The CEO's public image and how they handle social and cultural issues can dramatically impact the company's brand. They discuss the example of Elon Musk, whose actions and statements have both positively and negatively influenced the reputation of Tesla, Twitter (now X), and other companies he's associated with. CEOs must navigate the delicate balance of being visible and taking a stand on issues while staying true to their organization’s values.
Tune in to hear from these great entrepreneurs.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Ben Hodson Founder & CEO of JobNimbus, a company that has been revolutionizing business management for contractors since 2012. With advancements in technology and software, the space has seen significant improvements over the last decade. JobNimbus stands out by providing a comprehensive end-to-end business management solution that streamlines everything from lead management to payment collection, making it easier for contractors to run their businesses efficiently.
Ben explains what sets JobNimbus apart from other solutions in the market. Unlike traditional systems, JobNimbus integrates a full suite of tools, allowing contractors to handle everything digitally—from estimating and signing contracts to scheduling crews and ordering materials. This not only enhances professionalism but also significantly boosts revenue. On average, customers see a 43% increase in revenue within the first twelve months. By automating and simplifying business processes, JobNimbus empowers contractors to focus on what they do best, delivering exceptional service and earning stellar reviews from satisfied clients.
Ben also delves into his approach to continuous learning and personal growth. By going deep into various subjects and understanding their fundamentals, Ben enhances his problem-solving skills and creativity. He reads voraciously, averaging about a book and a half per week, and actively applies insights from diverse topics to his work at JobNimbus. This commitment to learning and curiosity drives innovation and adaptability, crucial traits for any successful entrepreneur.
Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Shaun Ritchie, Chairman of the Board at nClouds who recently transitioned from CEO of nClouds to a board position after steering the company's growth for the past two years. Shawn shares insights into the strategic move and the recruitment of a top-tier talent from AWS, highlighting nClouds' standing as a premier partner of AWS and the exciting developments on the horizon.
As Shawn delves into his entrepreneurial journey, tracing his roots from Arizona to Utah and recounting his ventures in internet marketing and venture-backed software businesses, we gain a deeper understanding of his diverse experience in the business world. His transition from founding and selling businesses to acquiring nClouds underscores the evolution of his entrepreneurial path and the dynamic nature of the tech industry.
Exploring the entrepreneurial landscape in Utah, Shawn sheds light on the unique advantages of building businesses in the state, emphasizing the supportive ecosystem, collective ambition, and the blend of resources available for aspiring entrepreneurs. Drawing parallels between Utah and other tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Shawn reflects on the distinctive community spirit and growth potential that make Utah a thriving hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Shaun also provides more insights on nClouds, a cutting-edge cloud services organization that empowers businesses to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape with ease. By leveraging their expertise and strategic partnerships, particularly with Amazon Web Services (AWS), nclouds facilitates the seamless transition of companies into the cloud era, enabling them to optimize operations and drive growth effectively.
Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Ben Young, CEO of Vozzi. Ben shares his unique journey from growing up in a military family to founding a tech company in Utah, highlighting the pivotal experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial spirit.
As Ben recounts his upbringing and the unexpected adventures he faced, such as being left on a bus in Korea as a baby, we gain insights into the resilience and determination that have driven his success. His transition from working in banking to venturing into entrepreneurship sheds light on the challenges and rewards of following one's passion.
At the core of the discussion lies Vozzi, a tech company revolutionizing the sports and entertainment industry by enabling teams to connect with fans through text messaging. Ben elaborates on Vozzi's mission to streamline ticket sales, merchandise offerings, and event promotions directly to users' mobile devices, emphasizing the power of personalized communication in engaging audiences.
Through anecdotes of landing their first client, the Utah Grizzlies, Ben shares the strategic approach Vozzi took in targeting the sports market and overcoming industry norms. The conversation delves into the intricacies of working with major sports teams like the Tennessee Titans, shedding light on the complexities of the sales cycle and the importance of building relationships within the tight-knit sports community.
Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Jeanette Bennett, Executive Managing Director of Colliers & Founding Editor of Utah Valley Magazine. Throughout this conversation Jeanette & Clint talk about Jeanette's career moves, changes in the Utah business landscape, and opportunities for future growth and collaboration in the state.Jeanette explains how she recently joined the commercial real estate company Colliers on the team of Brandon Fugal and Lou Kramer. This opportunity came about through conversations with Brandon Fugal. Jeanette was initially reluctant but realized it was too good to pass up.They discuss how Utah has changed with the breakdown of barriers between counties and Jeanette notes improvements for women professionals. She describes how, when she first worked on a "40 Under 40" article in 2006, finding women to feature was a challenge. Today, however, she is proud to report that she can achieve a nearly equal balance between men and women in the list.Jeanette shares insights from her publishing company, reflecting on economic cycles from the 2001 dot-com bubble to the 2008 housing crisis. They discuss the resilience and adaptability of Utah's businesses, particularly in network marketing, and emphasize the state’s potential for steady growth by diversifying across various industries.Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Beth Armstrong, Managing Director at Marcella Club & Ryan Kartchner with Capital Reef Partners. In this conversation, Beth and Ryan share their fascinating journey to Marcella, highlighting the resort's unique blend of golf and skiing experiences. They discuss exclusive offerings such as the Golf Course Home Sites and the success of Park City Club Memberships, which are nearly sold out.
Beth begins the conversation by discussing her career in hospital administration before moving to Utah for her son's ski racing. Ryan grew up in Utah and worked in golf club management, at Promontory and Hidden Valley Country Club. He started consulting for Reef Capital while at Promontory which is where Beth and Ryan met.
Ryan discusses how he pitched the idea for a high elite, over the top club, that was a little more on the exclusive side making it more appealing for people to join. With options to live on the ski hill or on the golf course, Marcella will be an attractive option because of its year-round options. Beth & Ryan discuss that Marcella will have 150 ski lots and 350 lots with golf memberships and the course will be over 7,500 feet with holes over 700 yards and 300 yard par 3s.
Ryan shares insider knowledge from working with Tiger Woods in designing the course. Ryan says he has also worked with Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. He finds it interesting to see how each designer has a different approach. Ryan says his initial meeting with Tiger to discuss the property got Tiger very excited about the possibilities at Marcella.
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In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Garrett Blood, Founder & CEO of Kajae. In this conversation, Garrett discusses Kajae's mission of connecting talented individuals from 26 different countries with opportunities at a variety of companies. Garrett explains how Kajae finds highly skilled professionals, such as accountants, engineers, and developers, and ensures they receive good pay and benefits while working remotely for client companies.
Garrett shares the story of starting Arctic Zero, an ice cream company he founded that became the number one pint of ice cream sold on Amazon. He discusses the challenges of creating a healthy ice cream and experimenting with different recipes. Garrett also talks about leveraging Amazon's shipping network to lower acquisition costs for customers. The conversation shifts to Garrett's experience serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico where he witnessed high levels of poverty, which later inspired him to create opportunities for talented people around the world through Kajae.
Garrett explains Kajae's business model, where they make a small margin by connecting professionals to long term jobs while prioritizing the well-being of their employees. Garrett and the interviewer discuss movies from the 1980s that influenced Garrett. They talk about Garrett seeing Ronald Reagan at Disneyland on his 11th birthday and exchanging words with the former president. The conversation ranges from movies to music to Garrett's vision for Kajae in the future.
Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.
In this Friday Conversation we were joined by Edson Barton, CEO of YouScience. Edson discusses how his journey from personal misjudgment to founding YouScience embodies the company's ethos of early talent discovery for effective educational and career mapping. The episode offered a glimpse into YouScience's impactful work in Utah schools and underscored the importance of recognizing and nurturing individual talents.
The core of YouScience's mission was discussed as Edson elaborated on their longitudinal platform designed to guide students from middle school through their careers, helping them uncover their innate strengths and interests. This sparked a question about Edson's personal connection to this work, leading to a heartfelt discussion about his own experiences misjudging his talents in school.
Delving into the practical application of YouScience's platform, Edson explained how they administer aptitude tests in Utah's public schools to empower students with insights into potential career paths. This data-driven approach aims to align students' educational journeys with their natural inclinations, a concept that resonated deeply with the host and listeners.
The conversation took a reflective turn as Edson shared his journey of self-discovery, realizing his passion for the arts amidst academic challenges and inconsistent grades. This personal revelation added a poignant layer to the narrative of YouScience's mission.
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In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Bubba Page, serial entrepreneur & angel investor, founder/CEO of venture capital syndicate Influence.vc. In this conversation Bubba shares his entrepreneurial journey starting from his college days.
After serving an LDS mission in Brazil and graduating from BYU, Bubba jumped into the startup world with his first company, Seatability, an office furniture company. He then went on to start Launch Leads, bootstrapping it for 5 years before bringing on a CEO. His next venture was Quota Deck which rebranded to Outro and raised VC funding. Although Outro did not succeed, Bubba reflects on the difficult emotional period that followed.
After spending time angel investing and supporting his wife's social media business, Bubba started Influence VC to syndicate deals and invest in startups leveraging his experience in influencer marketing strategies. He now finds fulfillment in helping portfolio companies scale through this work.
Throughout his journey, Bubba credits his faith in God for guiding him through the ups and downs. He believes God opened and closed doors at the right times, leading him down the entrepreneurial path. Bubba feels blessed and acknowledges God's hand in bringing the right people and opportunities into his life.
Tune in to hear more details on the twists and turns of Bubba's entrepreneurial path from college to now.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Cory Linton, CEO & Manoj Perumal, COO/CTO of Mojo AI. They discussed the founding of their AI safety company in 2018, how AI can help aggregate safety data to identify risks, and how their platform provides customized recommendations to improve worker safety.
Cory & Manoj discuss how initially, their original focus was on establishing an AI company, leading them to explore various sectors such as trucking and other things. However, their journey ultimately shifted towards prioritizing safety, which captivated the speaker due to its relevance, as demonstrated by the everyday occurrence of pretest planning meetings on construction sites.
They explained how a key turning point for them was acquiring a safety software platform from Facebook that large companies wanted to license but the original owners wouldn't due to data privacy concerns. This became the core of their product offering. They now work with companies of all sizes to aggregate safety data from the frontline workforce to identify risks.
They discuss how the platform also provides customized safety reminders and recommendations to workers. Companies of all sizes use their platform while continuing to improve safety practices. Corey and Minoj hire data scientists and engineers to build out the platform and they raise venture capital funding to scale the business.
Tune in to hear from these great entrepreneurs.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Wil Eyi, Co-Founder & CEO of Toolbox. In this conversation Will discusses his journey as a young boy from Gabon, Africa to being here in Utah with his wife and kids. Additionally, he talks about what he is doing to improve economic outcomes in Africa and create jobs.
Will has led an extraordinary life journey so far. Born in Gabon, he graduated high school at only 15 but was too young to attend university in France. So instead, he moved to the United States to learn English and attend community college in Texas. After getting associates degrees in biology and chemistry, Will was introduced to BYU by members of the LDS church. At BYU, he double majored in biochemistry and finance, inspired by the concept of impact investing.
After graduating, Will worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and private equity at Warburg Pincus. He later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. While there, Will decided to become an entrepreneur instead of returning to investing. He launched Toolbox as a labor marketplace, but eventually pivoted to focus on financial tools for small businesses after recognizing inefficiencies in scaling the marketplace model.
To date, Will has raised $10 million for Toolbox, including from Kickstart Fund where Tanner is a partner. He also moved the company headquarters back to Utah from New York during COVID. At just 30 years old, Will has already accomplished so much and is on an exciting entrepreneurial journey with Toolbox.
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In this Friday Conversation, we are joined by David Frazier, Managing Director at Frazier Group. This week David shares with us the history behind his father Scott, starting the first Angel Investor group in Utah, sharing insights into angel investing and client relationships.
David recounts the history behind his family's involvement in angel investing, starting with his father co-founding the first Angel Investor group in Utah, the Utah Angels, in 1997. Utah's market stands out for its young, driven demographic and solid values.
The Frazier Group prioritizes building relationships from the outset, believing in trust and loyalty as foundational to successful investments. David emphasizes the importance of founders nurturing these connections, ensuring room for investors like the Fraziers.
In a world of transactional investments, David's insights highlight the power of genuine connections and long-term partnerships. Join us as we explore angel investing and the role relationships play in shaping successful ventures.
Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.
In this Friday Conversation, we are joined by Karalynne Call, Founder & CEO of Just Ingredients. Karalynne discusses her own mental health journey and how it led her to learning how to fuel her body using whole foods and natural ingredients. The more she learned, the more she shared, which resulted in her growing a massive following on social media
Karalynne's journey began when she started an Instagram account focusing on simple swaps to help people feel better. As her audience grew, she realized the potential to offer more value. She created cheat sheets to sell digital downloads, and the response was overwhelming. In a remarkable turn of events, Karalynne made $30,000 in just one day.
With such a devoted following, Karalynne recognized an opportunity to extend her impact. She decided to start making products, emphasizing the importance of controlling what we use in our homes and what we eat. Her philosophy revolves around focusing on nourishing foods and eliminating the need for artificial flavors, or even natural flavors. She firmly believes that we can flavor our food using real, wholesome ingredients, and that’s exactly what she does while creating her products.
Through her journey, Karalynne encourages others to take control of their health by being mindful of what they consume and opting for ingredients that promote well-being. Just Ingredients stands as a testament to her commitment to empowering others to make healthier choices for themselves and their families.
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In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Ryan Bott, CSO of Fullcast. During his conversation, Ryan talked about his recent transition into the CSO of Fullcast, his previous time as head of sales of the 23 billion dollar company Sodexo, and his ideas on controlling the perception of value.
Ryan discusses how he was promoted into his position at Sodexo when COVID hit, which meant he started virtually. He pioneered virtual selling boot camps, courses designed to teach sales and interaction skills on platforms like Zoom, especially for 30-year sales veterans who had never used Zoom in their lives.
One significant point Ryan brought to light was the impact of AI on the future of sales. He emphasized that it should be on all of our minds, especially considering how sales development representatives (SDRs) will be the first role impacted. He stressed the need to separate real prospecting from closing deals, indicating a motion shift toward the Sales Development Officer (SDO) role. Ryan emphasized the importance of hiring for this shift, recognizing the evolving landscape of sales and the necessity for adapting to emerging technologies like AI.
For SDOs or any executives, Ryan emphasized the importance of continuous learning and staying updated on sales techniques and technology. He advised being proficient in tech tools and multithreading across the prospect base while also highlighting the significance of hyper-personalization when engaging with clients. Ryan stressed the need to show genuine care and be heartfelt in interactions to break through the noise of automated messages and generic pitches, fostering meaningful relationships in the process.
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In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Jeron Paul, CEO of Spiff. In this conversation Jeron discusses selling Spiff and his recent acquisition with Sales Force, the path that led him to starting Spiff, and his thoughts on achieving a good product market fit.
During the discussion, Jeron sheds light on the intricacies of selling Spiff, his commission software company that he founded in 2017. He delved into the process of the acquisition with Salesforce, highlighting how Salesforce had been an investor and consistently demonstrated interest in strengthening their ties with Spiff. This acquisition marked a significant milestone for both companies, underscoring the value of their collaboration and the potential for future growth in the realm of sales and commission management solutions.
Jeron explains how he began his professional path back east at a consulting firm, but his passion for venture capital burned bright. This drive led him to embark on his entrepreneurial endeavors, starting his first two companies while still in college. Eventually, he co-founded Capshare, where he dedicated his efforts until its successful sale for approximately 20 million dollars. This pivotal experience propelled Jeron towards the creation of Spiff, where he continued to build this leading commission management platform.
Jeron also provides valuable insights into the world of startups, and his view of startup frameworks, achieving product-market fit, and his process of deciding what entrepreneurial ideas to pursue.
Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Justin Rae, CEO of Cinch and Kat Kennedy, General Partner at Kickstart. In this conversation, Kat talks to Justin about his journey before starting Cinch, the processes that led to where the product is now, and his strategies for assembling a dynamic cap table.
Justin discusses how his entrepreneurial journey began in college, and since then, has founded and sold several businesses, using the proceeds to fuel his next ventures. From ad sales to retail and accounting services, he finally established Cinch, where he continues to drive success and growth.
Justin explains Cinch's aim is to target its market effectively, reaching people at the right time while optimizing spending for higher ROI. By using data science, Cinch ensures precise targeting and efficient resource allocation. The company emphasizes constant innovation, combining data science with flexibility to empower businesses to refine their marketing strategies. With a flexible journey building process, Cinch enables businesses to iterate and optimize campaigns for maximum impact, driving growth and success.
In their discussions, Kat and Justin also cover essential elements of their business strategy. They explore the advantages of taking on venture capital for accelerated growth and access to resources. Both stress the importance of aligning with investors and board members who share their vision and can contribute meaningfully to strategic decisions and growth.
Tune in to hear from two great entrepreneurs.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Jon Oglesby, Executive Director of The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games at Southern Utah University (SUU). In this conversation, Jon shares his plans for the Utah Summer Games, his thoughts on NIL and the transfer portal, and the state of Utah sports.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Cash Allred, principal on the investment team at Antler VC. They discuss Antler's mission to partner with founders and help them launch and scale their businesses from day zero. Cash shares the problems most entrepreneurs face in the early stages and tools on how they can minimize or avoid these problems. Cash also details the business model of Antler VC. He describes the residency program for founders, he illustrates the timeline for companies to grow, and he shares the future growth of Antler.
Before working at Antler, Cash was a tech-focused investor at Sweater, the first early stage VC fund available to the public. Cash draws on both a technical and investment background, with time spent at Lucid Software (data analyst) and an early stage impact fund (impact investment associate). Cash holds a BS in Information Systems from Brigham Young University.
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In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Paul Yoachum, Co-founder of FindMojo. In this conversation, they discuss why so many individuals and teams are losing motivation, how business leaders can often misunderstand what motivates their employees, and the fundamental drivers that helps motivate employees.
For more than 20 years, Paul has helped thousands of individuals, teams, and organizations (from emerging startups to large multinational corporations) reach their goals and drive improvement. As co-founder and managing partner of FindMojo, Paul has helped create The Motivators Assessment, the world's number-one tool for assessing workplace motivation. Paul is also a co-author of the bestselling book Find Your Mojo.
Previously, Paul was the master trainer and lead instructional designer behind world-class programs such as Find Your Mojo, What Motivates Me, All In, Leading with Gratitude, and Core Motivators for Sales Performance, programs and tools that have been used by 75 percent of the Fortune 500.
Paul approaches each engagement with a unique blend of wit and wisdom that relates equally well to senior leaders, middle management, and the front line. He is a frequent speaker at events where he speaks on a variety of organizational management and leadership topics.
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In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Danny Cox, VP of Guest Empowerment and Airport Operations at Breeze Airways. Breeze Airways is a nonstop airline that services between underserved routes across the U.S. at affordable rates. In their conversation, they talk about the perks of flying with Breeze, Breeze’s competition, and guest empowerment.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Ethan Lowe and Thomas Farr, Founders of Swolery Jewelry. In their discussion, they share the founding story of Swolery and the company's current business model, the reasons why they founded the company, how they sale their products, and how Swolery is helping to motivate people to go to the gym.
Ethan is an aspiring serial entrepreneur, lover of sports, the arts, and a die-hard gym enthusiast. He is the co-founder and CMO of Swolery, a fast-growing gym jewelry brand. He was recently nominated as EY Young Entrpreneur of the year with his co-founder, Tom. Ethan has particpated in a number of volunteer business settings, including at Davie Allen's Invest Nest Davis, where he was crucial in raising $25,000+ in donations. Him and Tom took second place in the Shark-tank themed contest, taking home $5,000 and a lot of motivation. Ethan can't wait to be a cornerstone in Utah's Entrepreneurial scene.
Thomas is a young entrepreneur persuing his education in business administration. He co-founded Swolery and has gained experience with website management, marketing, and creative development! He also received second place in a business competition called Invest Nest.Tune in to learn more!
In this Friday Conversation, we’re joined by Patricia Jones, CEO of The Women’s Leadership Institute, a non-profit organization to help companies create a more gender-friendly work environment. In their conversation, they discuss the different barriers women have to face in the workplace. They talk about how men are allies and advocates of women, and the differences of how men and women think. Tune into this conversation for more insights and to learn more about the work Patricia is doing!
Kat Kennedy, General Partner at Kickstart Fund, states that the biggest obstacle that entrepreneurs face is capital. In this presentation, part of StartFEST ’23, Kat shares what entrepreneurs should know before they pitch as well as the values that a partner at Kickstart will look for in a new company.
Jeff Burningham, Founder and Chairman at Peak Capital Partners, thinks of entrepreneurship as art and adventure. Jeff suggests picking a business partner who has the same ethics as you and who brings your equation from 1+1=2 to 1+1=10. Listen to hear Jeff’s advice for entrepreneurs and how we all have a desire to create something that didn’t exist before, shared at StartFEST ’23.
Arian Lewis, Co-Founder and CEO of Kiln, believes that every person comes into this world with a truly unique gift. Finding that gift and aligning it with what you do is key to finding success. Listen to hear from Arian at StartFEST ’23 about how Kiln is creating gathering spaces across the country where the company is the culture and the culture is the company.
In this Friday Conversation, we’re joined by Chris Yadon, Managing Director at Saprea, and Derek Maxfield, CEO and Founder of Younique. Both companies are working to make big strides to help and empower individuals who were sexually abused as children. In this conversation, they talk about how you can help and support individuals who have been sexually abused, the data behind sexual abuse in children, and the mental health crisis we’re facing today.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by Eric Engebretsen, co-founder at Bloom, a social-impact staffing business designed to help give opportunities to those in economically developing countries. In their conversation, they discuss the founding story of Bloom, how Bloom helps individuals internationally, and how Bloom can help companies in Utah.
Eric first got the idea of Bloom while serving as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He met many educated English speakers, who didn't have access to career opportunities just because of where they lived. Seeing how remote work became the norm during the COVID-19 pandemic, Eric realized that remote work could help these people—Thus Bloom was created.
Before starting Bloom, Eric worked in international hiring and global payroll in San Francisco. He studied business management and entrepreneurship at Brigham Young University.
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In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by BMO Bank U.S. Chief Investment Officer, Yung-Yu Ma, and BMO Family Office Chief Investment Officer, Carol Schleif. In this conversation, they share an in-depth understanding of the current market trends, risks, and investment opportunities.
Join us for the Silicon Slopes Friday Conversation with Adam Sidwell, the visionary founder of Future House, a dynamic game development and animation company. At Future House, the driving ethos is to craft experiences that bridge the gap between virtual and reality, making people feel truly present. Adam's passion for storytelling and authentic experiences resonates deeply. With their newly developed Transformers VR game housed at Dave & Busters, along with other projects, Future House Studios strives to transform virtual reality into real, life experiences.
For Adam and his team, the heart of their work lies in delivering genuine experiences while weaving captivating narratives. With a shared passion for video games, movies, and TV shows, Future House Studios holds a firm belief that creativity flourishes within constraints. Such beliefs have allowed Adam and his team to find pathways to success while others have not.
A central theme in Adam's conversation is the transformative power of storytelling. He shares how, “The stories we craft often mirror inner anxieties and fears, shaping not only personal growth but also influencing broader aspects of our world, including politics and culture.” Through their storytelling, they aspire to inspire positive change, compelling their audience to strive for higher ideals.
In this enlightening conversation, Adam Sidwell underscores the paramount importance of effective storytelling. He emphasizes that for a company to thrive, the founder must passionately and compellingly communicate their vision. Without this ability to captivate through narrative, even the most brilliant ideas can falter. His advice is simple yet potent: share your story and observe who listens — therein lies the path to success.
In this Friday conversation, we were joined by EY Entrepreneur of the Year winners Jeff and Ryan Gardner, owners of Bucked Up. Listen as they discuss the Bucked Up brotherhood and lessons learned from working on their farm together as kids, to their entrepreneurial dreams that began on a sales floor together and eventually lead them to find the ingredient that sparked the Bucked Up brand, deer antler velvet. They talk about the luck, strategy, and hard work that it has taken to build their company. Listen to hear the full story and see if you will get Bucked Up too.
Join us for the latest Silicon Slopes Friday Conversation with Jared Stewart, the visionary founder of TribeHouse. With a journey that began at Sprint, where he cut his teeth selling Spring PCS, Jared's path in the telecommunications world was marked by entrepreneurial zeal and a drive to create meaningful connections.
His pivotal move was launching his own dealership to sell Nextel walkie-talkies, which ultimately led to the birth of his brainchild,TribeHouse. Throughout his career, he's been driven by the distinction between building relationships for the right reasons versus the wrong ones—an insight that has played a crucial role in his success.
Jared's philosophy, "Businesses don't fail, founders flee," underscores his commitment to weathering challenges and staying the course. Drawing inspiration from Marriot's business model, TribeHouse has stood the test of time by embracing constant innovation as a cornerstone of success.
At the heart of TribeHouse's strategy lies the powerful trifecta: Learn, Serve, Grow. Jared's vision extends beyond profit margins; he aims to launch 2-3 tribes annually in the near future, fostering communities built on shared values and experiences.
Jared's wisdom comes full circle in his approach to storytelling. He believes in crafting a narrative that weaves together the individual, the customer, and the brand. Join us for an engaging discussion as Jared Stewart delves into the art of meaningful relationship building, the essence of sustainable businesses, and the profound impact of an authentic narrative.
Enjoy this week's Friday Conversation with guest Patrick Manning, Managing Partner of Black Desert Resort, as he shares Black Desert's journey from managing a luxury golf course to creating Utah's next big destination.
The story behind Black Desert Resort begins as a revolutionary concept that seamlessly blends high-end hospitality with cutting-edge technology. Manning's ability to articulate his vision, his gung-ho attitude, and how he conveys his passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences is truly captivating.
Patrick emphasizes his colleagues' abilities to see the bigger picture that has lead Black Desert to a more promising future. Proudly announcing that, "We want Black Desert to be Utah's resort.", he aims to do just that. Manning shared their plans to evolve from just another luxury golf course into the spearhead of Utah's vacation destinations.
Not only that, Manning explained how Black Desert Resort is designed to minimize its ecological footprint by utilizing renewable energy sources, implementing efficient waste management systems, and preserving the surrounding natural beauty.
We're very excited to see Black Desert transform into a platform for the future of the hospitality industry and the possibilities that emerge when technology and human touch are harmoniously integrated. Manning's insights, passion, and commitment to creating exceptional guest experiences continue to be a driven force, dedicated to bringing recognition to what Utah has to offer the world.
Tune in to this week's Silicon Slopes Conversation with Madelin Hamilton and Kendra Steffensen with Ivy City Co.
From drawing designs on bathroom floors to manufacturing warehouse, listen as they dive into how Ivy became the fashion icon that it is today. In this week's conversation, Madeline and Kendra explain what exactly drives them to continue expanding their business, the transition from a shoot from the hip startup to a fully fledged organization, and what inspires them about Ivy City Co. After finding success in their later years, Kendra expressed, "We finally started to believe in ourselves a little more. We said “Let’s take a little more of a risk.”
The dynamic duo continued to elaborate that as Ivy began to grow, they not only had to provide for the company's wellbeing but their employee's as well. “It’s not just getting smarter to make the sales better, it’s getting smarter to take better care of your employees, as well as grow a business.”
They then elaborate how using technology not only requires finding the right tech, but also the right people that support it.
Enjoy this episode and gain even more knowledge from two of Utah's best and brightest women in business!
Social:
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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
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Following her magna cum laude graduation from Southern Utah University, Julie Castle and some friends made a brief stop at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary while on vacation in the mid-90’s. Forever transformed, Julie decided to forgo a career in law for a low-paying, high-demand job working in a remote Utah canyon helping animals in need.
As employee number 17 at Best Friends Animal Society, Julie worked her way up the ranks to become the organization’s first female CEO in March 2018. In between she helped build the organization into a $130M, 800-employee strong national leader in animal welfare. Julie started her tenure as CEO with the bold commitment to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by the year 2025.
Outline of the conversation:
0:00 Julie Castle and Best Friends Animal Society
13:00 Growing through positive messaging
19:15 Expanding the footprint
25:15 Innovating animal shelters with the Waltons
30:30 Fundraising
36:00 Incentives to small town
37:50 Working with lawmakers
39:00 Audience Q&A
Show links:https://bestfriends.org
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw
Rushi Ganmukhi, Founder and CEO of Bola AI joins us today on this week's Silicon Slopes Friday Conversation where he unravels the significance of AI technology, and how he uses it to improve industries around him.
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, technological advancements are continuously reshaping various sectors, and the field of dentistry is no exception. Amidst this wave of innovation, Rushi Ganmukhi, an entrepreneurial visionary, has emerged as a driving force in transforming the dentist industry. With his groundbreaking company, Bola AI, Ganmukhi is spearheading a remarkable revolution that promises to revolutionize the way dental professionals operate and deliver care.
Outline of the conversation:
0:00 Introduction to Rushi Ganmukhi and Bola AI
2:45 Dental as a starting point
6:45 Early days
8:15 Clarity through your customers
10:30 Partnerships
13:30 Enhancement with ai
17:30 Onboarding Bola AI
20:00 From sales to engineering
21:30 Time management
22:45 Audience Q&A
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw
In this week's edition of Silicon Slopes Friday Conversation, Deneece Huftalin, President of Salt Lake Community College, shares her insights on community education and what kind of impact she hopes to leave at SLCC.
As hundreds of thousands of individuals have acquired a college degree through SLCC, President Huftalin admits that over past decades the college's initial "technical mission" became buried. As organizations are beginning to realize that not every corporate position requires a bachelors degree, SLCC emphasizes the value of trades. "As of now, we're trying to create more of a technical footprint through rebranding," explains Huftalin.
Priding themselves through the diversification of their students, President Huftalin was excited to announce that they've had a little over 3300 graduates this year, with majority of them being first generation students. As a community college that constantly strives to remove barriers from their admissions process, their goal is to help students realize that college is a place for them.
Huftalin's vision for her students, as well as SLCC, is simply stated as, "I would like to think that I have maintained and enhanced the idea that you can afford, access, and get into college."
Linda Llewelyn is the Chief People Officer at Health Catalyst. Linda joined Health Catalyst in June 2013 as the HR Manager. Before joining Health Catalyst, she worked in several industries, including medical technology, healthcare, and financial services in various HR leadership capacities. Linda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Utah.
In this week’s Friday Conversation we were fortunate enough to have Derek White, CEO of Galileo Financial Technologies, come and speak as our guest. Galileo Financial Technologies, LLC is headquartered in Sandy, UT, and focuses on enabling fintechs, banks, emerging and established brands to build differentiated financial solutions that deliver exceptional, customer-centric experiences. As the man behind Galileo’s wheel, Derek strives to create a successful, digital financial ecosystem in Utah’s economy.
Outline of the conversation:
0:00 Introduction to Derek White
4:00 Changing with technology
10:00 Monetization of human decisions
17:15 Mentors on decision making
22:30 Important principles to life
31:00 Succesful ecosystems
40:00 Implications of artificial intelligence
46:30 Audience Q&A
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw
RevRoad is a venture services firm that helps early-stage startups accelerate their growth and achieve success. With their team of experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, they provide startups with the resources and support they need to build sustainable businesses.
Outline of the show:
0:00 Identifying speed bumps in Entrepreneurship
5:00 Building the team
8:15 Multi generational thinking
10:15 Institutional change
14:00 Garrett's ideas
18:00 How to get involved
24:00 Managing workload
26:30 Measuring success
29:30 Deciding as a team
33:00 RevRoad Capital
36:30 Managing Directors
37:15 Geographical advantage
39:45 Audience Q&A
Show links:https://www.revroad.com
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw
In this week's Friday Conversation, we were joined by Amber Benson and Jason Budge, Co-founders of Ruvi. Based in American Fork, UT, Ruvi's mission is to empower every person to live their most vibrant life with the planet's purest source of nutrition - fruits and vegetables. They do this by freeze drying fruits and veggies, turning them into powders, and creating delicious combinations that are mixed with water to create a healthy drink. Each packet of Ruvi contains four servings of whole fruits and veggies.
In this episode, Amber and Jason share Ruvi's founding story, give insights into how they run their business, and discuss the many benefits of their product.
0:00 Opening
1:00 Ruvi founding story
2:20 Pivot from a pandemic
8:00 Science of freeze drying
13:00 Sourcing
17:45 Meet the team
21:00 Analyzing customer data
25:30 Early recipes and lessons
29:30 Early marketing lessons
34:00 Competitive positioning
37:30 Audience Q&A
Show links:
https://www.goruvi.com
Social:Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw
Nate Quigley is a serial entrepreneur who's now building the company of his dreams, but this time with his wife Vanessa. In 2014 they combined Nate's business acumen with Vanessa's gift of storytelling and their shared passion for family to create Chatbooks. As the world's first subscription photo book company Chatbooks is on a mission to strengthen families by helping millions of customers around the world hold on to the everyday magical moments of family life.
Currently serving as CEO of Chatbooks, Nate graduated with a BS in accounting and then worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company out of the Los Angeles and Paris offices. He earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School and then while Staying in Boston, he co-founded Eleven Technology, a mobile enterprise software company, before moving to Florida where he served as CEO of LiveTV, an inflight entertainment and communications company.
Vanessa is a trained opera singer with a BA in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from BYU. She has enjoyed performing in opera and musical theater productions in every city they've lived in, and for the past 8 years has been relishing her role as Chatbooker in Chief, leading out in product and marketing. Both Nate and Vanessa enjoy time in the mountains or on the beach or wherever their 7 kids are.
Tim founded Fortem Technologies in 2016 with his partner Adam Robertson. Its his 5th stratup; having experinced two homeruns, compelte failure and another that led helping catch thousands of terrorists post 9/11 and the caputre of Osama bin Laden.
Tim began his career as a software engineer and after a few years he was the leader for all software development for their flagship telecommunication products, generating over $500M in annual revenue for the product line.
Tim earned his B.S. in Design Engineering from BYU. A frequent speaker at international counter terror and airspace security events, Tim is an active member of Security Industry Association, Airforce Association, and is a member of key airspace industry organizations including ACI. He has been widely quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, CNN and The Atlantic. Born and raised near Cleveland, Ohio, Tim is married with kids and remains a passionate Cleveland sports fan, where he’s been trying to convert his family to root for his hometown teams for more years than he’s willing to admit.
In this Friday Conversation, we were joined by CEO of Blendyd Studios, Morgan Williams. During their conversation, Morgan shared insights on how Morgan built Blendyd and the importance of implementing tech in an otherwise technologically slow moving industry.
Outline of the conversation:
0:00 Introduction to Blendyd
5:00 The importance of trucking
9:00 Onboarding for Blendyd
13:30 Morgan Williams
17:30 Challenges to first time CEO
19:30 Mentorship
26:00 Question and answer
Show links:
https://www.blendydstudios.io
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw
In this conversation, we were joined by Justin Calapp and Maureen Lang from the NeuroLeadership Institute. In this conversation, Justin and Maureen share tools and resources on how to help develop employees and individuals soft skills in a science-based way.
Outline of the show:
0:00 Introduction to Justin Calapp and Maureen Lang
3:00 Introduction to Neuroleadership Institute
7:15 SCARF model
20:45 Psychological safety
35:00 Getting started
45:00 Question and answer
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw
Brian is CEO of Intergalatic, a thermal management systems company serving the defense aerospace, civil aviation, and space industries. Brian has spent most of his career working on innovative air and space platforms, both with Intergalactic and Ram Aviation, Defense & Space, a 50-year-old aerospace manufacturing company founded by his grandparents in their garage. Brian graduated from Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, and he also holds an MBA from Southern Utah University. He and his wife Jessica have four children and spend most of their free time navigating parenthood. Brian enjoys science fiction, sports, comic books, gardening and 80s pop culture (the weird stuff).
0:00 Introduction to Intergalactic and Brian McCann
3:00 Heat management systems
5:00 Defense aerospace
7:00 Skunkworks to the moon
10:30 Why St. George
12:30 Business model for bureaucracy
15:45 80s pop culture, Aliens
21:00 Custom business model
29:00 Hiring
31:00 Question and Answer
Show links:https://ig.space
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
Paul Walker has been with FranklinCovey for nearly 25 years and is now the CEO, having served as general manager of the North American Central Region, executive vice president of global sales and delivery, president of the Enterprise division, and president and COO. He has led many digital transformation projects, including FranklinCovey’s transition to its All Access Pass SaaS-subscription offering. He has been closely involved with the Education and International partner divisions, and has overseen three major acquisitions. Paul graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He resides in Salt Lake City with his wife and four children.
0:00 Introduction
2:00 Changes over the last two years
5:00 New business model lessons
7:30 Communicating to investors and customers
11:00 FranklinCovey products
14:00 The FranklinCovey difference
20:00 Customer retention
25:20 K-12 products
33:00 Using our own products / training
35:30 Customers
38:00 4 ways to innovate
44:00 Question and answer
Show links:https://www.franklincovey.com
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw
Bennett Maxwell is the Founder of Dirty Dough. In this episode, Bennett shares insights on how he built Dirty Dough and the importance of effective leadership in entrepreneurship.
One of the key takeaways from the conversation was the importance of perseverance and resilience in entrepreneurship. Bennett shared how he faced numerous challenges and setbacks while building Dirty Dough but ultimately battled and overcame the adversity to build and scale Dirty Dough to what it is today.
Another topic discussed during the conversation was the role of effective leadership in building a successful business. Bennett shared that he believes that leadership is about setting the vision and creating a culture of success.
Outline of the conversation:
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Early career
6:00 Discover / Sears card
8:00 Out of retirement
11:45 Customer service
16:45 The business model
19:30 Sears vs startup
27:30 Delaware Banker's Association
31:00 Wild West of banking
34:00 Road map
36:30 Question and Answer
Kathy Roberts is CEO of Lehi, Utah headquartered Switch Reward Card. Kathy is the former President of Discover Bank and was also the first woman to chair the Delaware Banker's Association.
Switch is a blockchain-based financial services ecosystem. The blockchain is empowered by a global decentralized node network where node licensees will be rewarded, by the blockchain, with Switch Digital Rewards. Switch offers debit payment solutions for both traditional and cryptocurrencies around the world.
Switch currently has multiple products from its suite in beta testing. For more information, please visit switchrewardcard.com
In this week's Silicon Slopes Conversation, Ryan Westwood, Co-Founder of Simplus, sits down with Clint Betts, CEO of Silicon Slopes. In their conversation, Ryan shares stories about his life and how those experiences helped him become who he is today. Ryan also gives advice to entrepreneurs trying to start their own companies and how to cultivate an inclusive team.
Silicon Slopes 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees Jeanette Bennett, John Pestana, and Jonathan Johnson talk to Clint Betts about how to be—and what it takes to be— successful, taking a whole person, whole community approach, the importance of looking to the past while also investing in long-term ideas and value-based decisions for the future, the role diversity and inclusion has had on their successes, why Utah is a unique and thriving place for innovation and entrepreneurship, how to be proactively involved in the Silicon Slopes community, the complexity of competition and iteration in a startup ecosystem, the difference in opportunity between the Wasatch Front and rural communities, the role and evolution of higher education, and how fear is the opposite of innovation and the future of Utah is bright.
When you look at an ad, do you pay attention to where your eyes go? Not likely. Your brain is working so quickly that you don’t consciously think about it, but you base your decisions on seconds of observation. Dale Jolley, Director at UVU SMARTLab, joined us for a Silicon Slopes Conversations event on Friday, January 20th 2023 to decode what our brains do with marketing materials.
The lab is up for visits and available for scheduling by emailing Dale himself at adjolley@uvu.edu. To learn more, visit the SMARTLab website.
Baltic Born is a direct-to-consumer global e-commerce clothing company. It was founded in 2016 by three self-taught sisters Angela, Allison, and Marianne in their basement. The brand stands to empower women with affordable styles they can wear through every stage of life. Each piece designed by the team is handcrafted to work as the perfect option for special occasions. Baltic Born now has over 90 employees and has grown over 20,000% in the last three years. This year, Baltic Born was recognized as Inc. 5000's 14th fastest-growing company. Hardworking values, design innovations, and ongoing problem-solving have led the brand to where it is today. Founded by strong women and mothers, Baltic Born has found an untapped niche in the market and continues to showcase the power that each woman holds to make her dreams a reality.
Friday Conversations with Davis Warnock, who started with the co-founding of Auxano, then UA2, then moved to Lumen Ground, and he's currently the Managing Director of Prelude Venture Fund, Mercato’s early-stage practice.
Outline of Conversation:
0:00 Introduction
2:30 First investment
6:00 Prelude
9:45 The last 12 months
13:45 Traits in founders
17:45 Balance between helping and building
19:30 Question and Answer
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
As part of our continued effort to extend access and opportunity to New Americans and refugees we hosted this workshop on entrepreneurship with Davis Smith, CEO and Cofounder of Cotopaxi.
Outline of the show:
0:00 Introduction
1:15 Welcome and show of hands
4:15 Co-founders
25:00 Working with family
28:30 The importance of networking
33:30 Raising capital
51:00 Creating momentum
56:15 Office of Economic Opportunity
57:45 Understanding your customer
1:08:00 Trial and error
1:14:45 Equity investors
1:16:45 MBA program
1:22:00 Culture
1:25:30 Developing ideas
1:28:45 Passion vs need
1:34:00 Underserved communities
1:44:00 Closing
Show links:
https://www.cotopaxi.com https://
www.linkedin.com/in/davismsmith/
https://themillatslcc.com
In this Silicon Slopes Conversations event, Marq CEO Owen Fuller sat down with Dmytro Kushneruk, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco on Friday, November 18th, 2022. Dmytro shared information on Ukraine’s strong tech sector and what we can do to help Ukrainians inside and outside of Utah.
Show Links:
https://san-francisco.mfa.gov.ua/en/governance/consul-general
http://hireukrainetech.com/
http://utahukrainians.org/
In celebration of Veterans Day, Silicon Slopes Managing Director, Garret Clark, is joined by several top leaders within the Department of Defense (DoD) Sector who discuss the largest modernization movement currently taking place in their industry and what it means for Utah tech companies.
He came to Silicon Slopes HQ in jeans and Jordan’s, but Hightop’s founder and CEO, Mick Hagen, is a really big deal in the world of Web3. Named as a Forbes “Champion of Crypto,” Mick and Hightop cofounder, Rachel Hofstetter, joined us on stage for Silicon Slopes Conversations Friday, November 4, 2022.
In today’s Friday Conversation, First Lady Abby Cox gave insight into her organization Show Up Utah, which addresses several important topics in Utah today. Among these topics are the foster care system, community service, teachers and education, and unified sports.
Her organization is aiming to help more kids get adopted considering around 150 kids each year are aging out of the foster care system in Utah without a family or home.
Another important topic she focused on is service and how service not only helps build our communities, but it can actually help our own brain development.
She highlighted some issues in the education system such as low pay for teachers, the help teachers need in developing emotional skills, and the immense impact teachers have on their students.
Lastly, the First Lady shared about how several Utah schools have been pairing students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same sports teams and how this is changing the culture in those schools in a great way.
Social:
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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw
Utah Governor Spencer Cox dives into topics at the top of our community's minds. How is the state and community showing up for the water conservation problem? What is going to be the next "tech boom" in the state? How are we going to address Utah's growing energy needs? Learn what the state is doing in this town hall hosted at Silicon Slopes HQ.
Founded in 1973, OMNIQ Corp uses artificial intelligence to provide billion-dollar industries with the technology of tomorrow, specializing in several areas of automation, including supply chain, security, kiosks, and parking. The company’s client list consists of several fortune 500 and 100 companies, comprising Safeway, Nissan, LabCorp, Sherwin Williams and many more. Listen as OMNIQ's CEO, Shai Lustgarten, discusses the company unique strategies and how he maintains an almost 50-year legacy.
Lendio, a free online loan marketplace targeting small business owners, has found great success in the current gig economy, impacting hundreds of thousands of small business owners across the U.S. Listen as Lendio Co-Founder and CEO, Brock Blake, and CFO, David Bedell, discuss the company’s founding story, why they switched from a focus on equity capital to debt, and the potential effects of a recession on the financial industry.
Creating a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has historically taken tons of time, money, and personnel. Assure, founded by Jeremy and Katie Neilson, uses technology to significantly simply this process. According to the Neilsons, the SPV revolution is just beginning as investors discover how easy it is to form and monitor an SPV using their fintech. Listen as the couple discusses how they have set up over 8,500 SPVs since Assure’s founding in 2012, raising fund totaling over $11 billion.
Wondering how your company’s reputation will survive in a world with ever-changing media standards? In this podcast, Ruth Todd, Nu Skins Chief Reputation Officer, discusses how her company has sustained its reputation for being a global force for good. Operating in nearly 50 countries around the world, Nu Skin uses its products and resources to empower people to improve lives. Listen as Ruth details how the company’s mission has helped amplify its global reputation exponentially.
From ideating a coworking community in a shabby London office to 9 locations nationwide, tune in to hear from Kiln Founder, Arian Lewis, journey with this rising force in the Open Space Innovation Industry. From navigating COVID-19 and growing in scope and amenities available to tech companies, Kiln creates an energetic vibrant workspace over a bland dark office.
With $50 million in Series B funding in hand, Orem-based LiveView Technologies is setting the external security marketplace on its head with its solar-powered, completely transportable, rapidly deployed, cloud-based, and no risk, pay-as-you-go business model.
Product quality management is one of the most difficult and time-consuming undertakings in the workplace today. In this podcast Jon Beckstrand, CEO of MasterControl, details how his company’s offerings expedite and improve the efficiency of the quality management process. MasterControl’s GXP compliance software, quality in electronic manufacturing (QEM) systems, document control software, and their many other offerings are the solution to all your processing problems.
Pattern Co-Founder and CEO, Dave Wright, describes how they navigate the global ecommerce environment using data, logistics, and innovative technology, all while keeping their costs low. Dave details the company's data driven strategy, and how they are able to dominate the market without asking for sacrifices from their employees. Pattern has many notable partnerships, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Google Shopping, all of which the company utilizes to accelerate a company’s brand.
What does it take to invent a world-changing medical system? In this interview, Silicon Slopes’ David Politis visits with Dr. Wendell Gibby about the Novarad VisAR, a new augmented reality system recently given the thumbs-up by the FDA for use in spine surgeries.
https://siliconslopes.vhx.tv/videos/surgeons-really-won-t-believe-their-eyes-with-novarad-s-visar
In this episode Giddy co-founders, Ethan and Erick Parker, tell their founding story and the motivation behind the creation of Giddy. As one of the first ever companies to offer customer service on a decentralized finance app, Giddy makes it easy for consumers to hold and trade crypto. Listen as the brothers define what makes their brand special, discuss their innovative ideas on the reduction of network transaction fees, and the flood of talent joining the company.
Listen as James Clarke, founder and CEO of Utah-based Clarke Capital Partners, discusses his operators first, investors second approach to business. Having served as chair or director on the boards of various private and public companies in the U.S. and abroad, James has developed a unique perspective regarding life and business strategy. Hear what he believes makes an entrepreneur successful, how he stays one step ahead of the competition, and the value James places on higher education.
After years of being in stealth mode, Lehi, Utah-based Clozd is in stealth mode no longer after closing a $52 million round of Series B funding with plans to rapidly expand and help sales teams understand why they’re winning and losing deals.
In this conversation, we are joined by Jesse Silva, Founder and General Partner at Maddix Capital. Jesse started out his career by founding a towing company and becoming an asset manager. Jesse is now an investor, asset manager, and venture capitalist, creating a unique private equity company that brings the world one-of-a-kind investment experiences. Listen to how Maddix helps companies scale and grow efficiently unlike any other company.
By using the structure and flexibility of Donor Advice Funds, Crewe Foundation has launched as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to help high-wealth families, individuals, and companies wade through the challenges/opportunities tied to creating and managing a nonprofit fund to help facilitate making donations to charitable organizations.
Join Clint and Ryan Wedig as they discuss how the continued growth of St. George is influencing Vasion - a company that delivers a simple digital experience to automate business processes for all users and customers. As CEO, Ryan feels Vasion is a “bigger fish in a small pond” with access to lots of individuals in the St. George community. Listen to learn about Vasion’s recent brand change as well as how its goal has grown from eliminating print servers to digitizing and automating everything.
Tasha McNamee is the Program Director at Trula - a program that offers free coaching services to students with the option to pick a coach that meets their personal preferences and needs. Trula helps individuals who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses or those who need any level of mental assistance, recognizing that coaching is not a “one solution fits all” situation. LIsten to Clint and Tasha discuss the impact that Trula is having on the St. George community.
In this episode, listen to Clint Betts chat with Brad Buhanan, President of the St. George Chamber of Commerce. This Chamber of Commerce represents over 1000 businesses and nonprofits that are impacted by the local St. George economy. Listen to Clint and Brad discuss the chamber model that has persevered for years, as well as how the Chamber is adapting to the fast growth happening in southern Utah.
Larger than the total of its three previous funds, Peterson Ventures new Fund IV will allow the firm to dedicate $115 million to invest in pre-Series A companies, with the balance of $25 million available to invest in follow-on funding rounds.
Brian McCann grew up in the aerospace industry, and realized that innovation in that space has been very limited. Brian is now the CEO of Intergalactic, and his team is solving this issue by designing pumps, heaters, valves, and other items to create airplanes that are properly certified with modern, efficient designs. Hear Brian talk about how the aerospace industry has grown and the future of aerospace.
Paul Bartholomew is the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Corso. Corso is a software that e-commerce brands use to make the post-purchase experience more positive for customers. Corso provides shipping protection and effective customer service to help customers interact with a brand in a positive way when things don’t go as planned with their package. Listen to hear Paul talk about this St. George-based company that is thriving in a unique startup community.
In the next 14 years, Richard Williams, President of Utah Tech University, predicts that St. George will grow to the size of Pittsburgh. Utah Tech University was previously Dixie State University, and this university name change captures the mission of the college and what this area is passionate about. As a polytechnical university, Utah Tech has added 160 academic programs in the last 5 years, and these programs help students focus on applied learning using programs like Pluralsight.
In an unexpectedly wide-ranging discussion, our David Politis sat down recently with Randal Quarles, former vice chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve and the co-founder and chair of Salt Lake City-based Cynosure Group. During their conversation, Quarles shared insights on everything from inflation to cryptocurrency, as well as the one thing that keeps him awake at night.
In this Silicon Slopes Conversation, John Kimball, President of Real Salt Lake, discusses the newest business developments with the RSL team. John and his team take great pride in listening to the community, fan clubs, and companies sponsoring RSL to create the best experience possible. Listen to the new changes happening at RSL, including John’s goal of having a women’s soccer league in Utah.
By sourcing and interpreting over 30,000 sources of “digital exhaust” today, Strider Technologies is helping provide its clients with timely, relevant, and actionable information so they can make the best decisions for dealing with bad actors on a global basis, whether corporate or governmental.
Best Company provides verified reviews and trusted company rankings from customers for customers. Landon Taylor, CEO, and his team are focused on providing value to their clients through using a platform that is transparent and trusted. Listen to this conversation and hear about Best Company’s most valuable assets – customers and their company’s people – and how their process helped produce a successful Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame in Feb ruary 2022.
100 million homes in the United States would save money from installing solar panels, and yet, only 4 million homes currently use solar panels. Ben Peterson, CEO, and his team at Blue Raven Solar are passionate about helping customers make the switch to solar. Listen to hear about how Ben and his team are creating a healthier way to consume energy and about Blue Raven Solar’s recent acquisition by Sun Power Corp. in 2021.
With the recent sale of a majority interest of Sorenson to Chicago-based Ariel Alternatives that values the company at $1.3 billion, Sorenson is expanding its efforts to lead by example in supporting and advancing diverse and underserved communities on a global basis—and not just deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
Frustrated by frontline experiences about how broken and disconnected international shipping systems were, Zonos CEO and Founder, Clint Reid, set out to create the ultimate SaaS platform for business-to-business clients involved in cross-border shipments. And now, fresh off of a $69 million round of Series A funding, the U.S. Postal Service has jumped on board.
After having children, Jess Toolson began having painful menstrual cycles and unpredictable mood swings. Cody Sanders, Jess’ personal trainer, gave Jess an herbal concoction that inspired her to found Mixhers - a company that provides all-natural products to help women with difficult menstrual cycles, both physically and emotionally, and provides an online community where women can connect with others in similar circumstances. Listen to learn what new products are in store for Mixhers.
The ability to store and deliver power on demand, particularly in portable settings, is a
challenge two interrelated American Fork, Utah companies are addressing: One a 10-
year-old and highly successful firm, and the other a nascent manufacturing firm focused
on a vision as vast as the Rocky Mountains, an entity that has been under-the-radar for
over 18 months.
In an exclusive interview with the President’s of the University of Utah and Howard University, Silicon Slopes’ CEO and Co-Founder, Clint Betts, explores the topics of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as the two universities enter the third year of a partnership that brings black students to Utah for 10-week internships.
In this conversation, we are joined by James Thorton, Chairman and CEO of Tafi and Daz 3D. Daz 3D is a software platform that provides software and source content from various artists. Utah is considered to be one of the best hubs for web 3 in the country. Listen to James share his input into being an impactful leader in a constantly growing space.
The roughly mile-and-a-half-long raised island of volcanic rock sitting immediately west of the center of St. George, Utah served for over 80 years as the St. George Municipal Airport. But no longer. Today that land is being transformed into a mixed used development called Tech Ridge, an area city leaders hope will generate over $3 billion in new revenue annually for southern Utah.
Bob Carroll is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mutual - an app that was launched in April 2016 to help individuals safely find someone online with similar values to take on a date based on geographical area. Mutual has grown to include Mutual dates as well - a program where couples can find date ideas near them. Hear Bob share his team’s secrets to launching a successful app through experimentation and working together in a small team, as well as some of the success stories from mutual couples.
Formed over 30 years ago to help administer all aspects of high school and collegiate athletic events, leagues, teams, officials and more, ArbiterSports now touches over 50 million Americans each year through its Software-as-a-Service offerings. But beyond the playing field and arena, ArbiterSports is also being used today to as a scheduling and payment system with individuals like musicians, landscapers, substitute teachers and more.
Inside Real Estate is a platform that is utilized by over 300,000 individuals and enables real estate agents to grow meaningful connections with their customers. Since this software is easy to use yet applicable across the industry, Joe Skousen, CEO, and Nick Macey, President, are confident that their software helps real estate agents connect with customers in the real estate industry - the industry that has the greatest potential for impacting customers.
Some crises (like the war in Ukraine) are so big they leave a hole in your heart. Sometimes people feel overwhelmed and ask themselves, ‘What can I do.’ But then I stumbled across two lifelong friends are doing what they can do to try and help, even just a little bit. And in four short weeks they’ve collected and donated over 1,100 quilts to refugee moms and children in Europe. This short video shares a bit of the story of Gina and Hal Halladay and WrapUkraineWithQuilts.com.
Younique, a women’s cosmetics company, has joined forces with Saprea to support a common cause: uplifting and empowering women who have been victims of sexual abuse. 1 in 4 women has been sexually abused, and the in-person and virtual resources provided by the team at Saprea have reached 14 million individuals worldwide. Listen as Derek Maxfield, Founder and CEO of Younique, and Chris Yagen, Executive Director of Saprea, share their enthusiasm for helping women along this healing process.
Just when many believed that we were on the downhill side of COVID-19 along comes “Long COVID,” a wide-ranging set of symptoms that affect 57% of those previously infected, sometimes as much as six months after-the-fact. Unfortunately, the medical community doesn’t know what’s causing such symptoms or why.
Angie White is the Co-Founder and COO of Beddy’s. Beddy’s was originally created to design bedding that kids could put on their beds easily. Now, Beddy’s has expanded and makes bedding for all children- and adult-size beds, including a luxe line of Minky comforters. Listen to hear Angie share the founding story of Beddy’s and how its bedding has solved the additional problem of helping children sleep through the night.
Nearly 20 years on, the most unlikely educator and businessman has helped transform the state of entrepreneurship education with the help of a supportive alumnus, visionary administrators, and a willingness to break things. Welcome to the intertwined stories of Troy D’Ambrosio, the University of Utah, and the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute.
IsoTruss was first envisioned by Dr. David Jensen in 1994 as a new and better way of using composite materials to create structures with lower weight and smaller mass, yet stronger and stiffer characteristics. In this Silicon Slopes Conversations, we visit with Dr. Jensen to get an update on IsoTruss, both the technology and the company, to learn what’s changed and why now is perhaps the time for IsoTruss to shine.
Dave and Liz Findlay are the co-founders of Albion Fit, a clothing company that hits its 10-year anniversary this year. Dave and Liz are most proud of their Albion Fit team that creates a positive shopping experience for each customer, especially since many of those employees have been with Albion Fit for all 10 years. Watch to learn how Dave and Liz have founded a company using their backgrounds in writing and graphic design, and how their company continues to grow in new and innovative ways each year.
Lanhee sits down with Clint to discuss his time working for Mitt Romney, why so many people are leaving California, and much more.
Scorpion is a locally based digital marketing company. Their mission is to empower the entrepreneur and the business owner. Scorpion focuses on helping local small and medium-sized companies grow their businesses through technology, marketing, and people. Listen to learn how Scorpion is able to have a 94% retention rate through customer intimacy and gained the trust of over 14,000 businesses.
ClickUp strives to be the app that replaces them all. With ClickUp, users are able to have one place for tasks, docs, chats, and goals. Zeb Evans, Founder and CEO, has had five near-death experiences that have helped him realize the importance of every minute. And that is why at ClickUp, they are focused on making every minute at work productive. Listen to learn the importance of setting aside ten minutes a day for growth and the 1% a day rule.
Clint Betts interviews the founder of IMPACT Magazine, Tunisha Brown, about what inspired IMPACT, why she chose Utah, and how people can get involved.
JobNimbus was founded in 2012 and has since risen to the #1 construction software company in the US. Co-Founder and CEO, Ben Hodson, explains how JobNimbus is able to help the construction industry manage sales leads, project revenue, and collect payments faster through cloud and web-based software. Listen to Ben explain what he has learned from starting over ten companies and how he lives the company’s mission which is to make the customers the hero of their own stories.
Clint Betts is joined by two of the newest Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame inductees; Astrid S. Tuminez, President of Utah Valley University, and Todd Pedersen, Chairman & Founder of Vivint Smart Home. In today’s conversation, we learn what it means to Astrid and Todd to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and what experiences and opportunities led them to be leaders in technology and entrepreneurship here in the state of Utah. Todd explains how he was able to go from a sheetrock and house cleaning business to one of the top-selling home security systems. Astrid also shares the most important leadership lessons she has learned and how UVU is educating the next generation of employees not only about technology but also communication and leadership through their dual mission of a community college and teaching university.
Clint Betts talks with Roy about his time in the Navy, the New York Stock Exchange, mental health, and more. Go to SiliconSlopes.tv to watch the full interview.
Album VC strives to shape the future of technology and culture by collaborating with bright minds and investing in early-stage technology ventures. Listen to their founding story and how they were able to land eight Utah unicorn companies by doing things their own way to prioritize people over transactions.
Grand Trunk was founded in 2001 out of the love for adventure. Co-owners Andy Stroman and Bruce Majors discuss how they brought this company to Utah and become the pioneers of the parachute nylon hammock. Find your new gear today and turn the ordinary into epic at grandtrunk.com.
The Utah Avalanche Center wants to keep people on top of the greatest snow on earth. Executive Director Chad Brackelsberg talks about their different technology and programs that aim to do just that.
dree is a peer-to-peer laundry marketplace with a mission to give customers time to do more of what they want to do. dree is a perfect match for those with busy lives and helps overcome high-cost barriers. Listen to their founding story and some exciting new things coming soon.
The Point of the Mountain Utah State Land Use Authority is 608 acres that will soon be a blank canvas for future property development. Hear from The Point's Executive Director on what they plan to do with that blank canvas.
While Davis Bell is new to his role as CEO, Canopy has been around since 2014. Canopy is a software management company for accounting firms. They specialize in streamlining firms by keeping the team organized and creating a connected experience for their clients. Listen to Davis explain how he has doubled down on clarity and transparency with his employees and customers.