The Nexus IT TechBeat Podcast with Founder/CEO, Earl Foote: Recent Episodes
Earl Foote
TechBeat: Where Leaders Learn, Innovate, and Grow. With a 23-year Entrepreneurial career, Founder/CEO of Nexus IT, Earl Foote, has amassed quite the network of friends made up of fellow Entrepreneurs, along with deep Leadership and Entrepreneurship experience. Join Earl and his friends for each segment, full of fascinating conversations about personal and business backstories behind the people and the ventures they have built, the key lessons they have learned along the way, and overviews of the cool companies and technologies they have pioneered! Come hang out with us in these casual, fun fireside chats that take an authentic, and sometimes raw look behind the scenes of Entrepreneurship. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6UsytJvgO8IuAGcvZJXs7w
Ready to level up your entrepreneurial game? Don’t miss this TechBeat podcast segment with host Earl Foote, CEO & Founder of Nexus IT and special guest Shaun Ritchie, Chairman of the Board at nClouds!
Topics discussed:
🔥 Is following your passion really the secret sauce.
💰 Do you need VC funding to launch your tech startup.
🌟 Get the ultimate thought leadership on starting, scaling, and the true reasons why entrepreneurs go all in.
On this episode of TechBeat we sit down with Chad Ingram, CEO of Distro! Get ready for some awesome insights and stories. Here’s what we’ll be chatting about:
🏁 Chad's Entrepreneurial Journey
🏁 Multiple Paths to Success
🏁 Hiring Approach - DNA over Pedigree
🏁 Fundraising vs. Bootstrapped
🏁 Early Product Market Fit
In this episode titled "Making Mistakes by Trying to Avoid Them: A First-Time Entrepreneur's Tale," we will dive into Rilee's fascinating journey in the tech world. Rilee is on a mission to disrupt the status quo and create innovative solutions.
Rilee Buttars is the driving force behind Donde, a cutting-edge tech platform that enhances loyalty through transformative travel and experiences. With a background in advertising and a master's degree in sociology, Rilee brings a unique perspective to the tech industry. She's passionate about breaking down barriers and reshaping the future of work.
Don't miss this insightful discussion about entrepreneurship, innovation, and the power of learning from mistakes.
Featuring: Scott Anderson: President and CEO of Zions Bank
This year, Zions Bank celebrates a whopping 150 years of dedicated service to the communities of the Intermountain West. As Utah's oldest and premier financial institution, with its distinct statewide distribution of branches and a vast array of services, it has been at the forefront of molding financial landscapes.
Mr. Scott Anderson, a Salt Lake City native, is not only a distinguished alumnus of Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University, but also a devoted community enthusiast, serving on various business and nonprofit boards.
Discussion Topics:
💵 Zions Bank & Tech Support
💵 Tech Financing Challenges
💵 The Silicon Valley Bank Effect
💵 Conditions for Tech Financing
We're privileged to welcome Scott Anderson in our next segment. Tune in for a profound conversation where we explore the intersections of banking, technology, and their harmonious collaborations.
Get ready for an extraordinary podcast episode!
Nexus IT is celebrating its 25-year anniversary with a special podcast hosted by Earl, taking us on a journey through the company's remarkable history. Expect candid conversations, uplifting music, and stories that cover everything from humble beginnings to defining moments, team culture, funny office tales, and inspirational stories.
Our members were encouraged to share their memories and experiences, making this celebration truly special. It's a chance to relive moments that shaped Nexus IT and look forward to a bright future. Stay tuned for updates on this unforgettable 25th-anniversary podcast!
Get ready to rock your socks off with the next episode of #TechBeat Podcast, featuring two absolute legends: 🍋 Greg Trimble and Derek Miner from the incredible Lemonade Stand! 🍋
These guys are the real deal when it comes to creating an amazing work environment and nurturing a kick-a** company culture. They're spilling the beans on all the juicy insights, strategies, and experiences that have made Lemonade Stand a powerhouse of success.
If you're hungry for knowledge and want to learn the secrets behind building a company culture that oozes innovation, collaboration, and keeps your team pumped up, this episode is an absolute must-listen!
Ladies and gentlemen, tech enthusiasts and digital pioneers get ready to tune in to an electrifying episode of TechBeat, where we delve into the exciting realm of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
In this episode of TechBeat, we have a very special treat for all of you. We are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting the visionary founders of Giddy, Ethan Parker and Eric Parker, in an exclusive podcast interview.
During our segment, we'll explore the challenges and opportunities that arise when venturing into the world of cryptocurrencies. Ethan and Eric Parker will be sharing their personal experiences, discussing the latest trends, and offering invaluable advice to anyone seeking to understand and prosper in this rapidly evolving digital landscape.
How to Navigate the Jungle of Start-Up Life
Join Earl Foote on this TechBeat Podcast "Navigating the Start-up Life" segment!
He is joined by the founders of Washie, Rob Poleki 🚽, and Dustin Kyle Kenyon 🚽. In this episode, they'll explore the ins and outs of the start-up world, sharing invaluable insights and strategies to help entrepreneurs thrive. From overcoming challenges to seizing opportunities, we'll discuss essential tips for success in the fast-paced realm of innovation. 💡✨
Together, we'll navigate the start-up ecosystem, discuss the importance of adaptability, building a support network, and staying focused amidst the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship. 🌐🤝
LinkedIn has become a popular social media platform for professionals worldwide. However, some people wonder if it is worth their time. While some users have found LinkedIn to be a valuable tool for expanding their professional network, others have found it to be a waste of time." What is your opinion?
Join Jeff Erickson and Earl Foote on TechBeat podcast as they discuss the topic at hand.
Have you heard of Klugonyx? It's a contract consumer product company based in Utah that's been making waves lately! They're known for their innovative products, manufacturing process, and commitment to quality.
I am thrilled to announce that the upcoming segment of TechBeat features Jason Klug, Founder and CEO of Klugonyx.
Join us as we dive into the world of entrepreneurship and explore the hurdles and triumphs of building a successful business.
Topics include:
• How to set realistic goals for your business-long term and short term.
• How to overcome challenges faced during start-up phase.
• What it takes to make a consumer product company successful?
Exciting news! 📢 Our next #TechBeat segment will feature Romaine Marshall, a leading expert on Data Innovation, Privacy, Security, and The Laws That Matter Right Now.
Romaine Marshall is a cybersecurity lawyer at Polsinelli. Romaine has represented organizations in hundreds of cases involving data breaches, malware attacks, digital asset fraud, and other exploits.
Join us as we explore the latest developments and challenges in the tech industry with one of the most knowledgeable voices in the field.
Joining me on the next #TechBeat podcast is Tim Cooley, author of the #1 best-selling book on raising capital.
Tim Cooley is the author of The Pitch Deck Book: How To Present Your Business And Secure Investors, creator of the Pitch Us (pitchus.io), and consultant at PointB. He is the former Executive Director for Park City Angels. He has worked with Fortune 5 companies as well as 100s of early-stage companies in marketing, product development, fundraising, sales, and operations.
Tune in as we discuss:
💵 How to recognize strengths and weaknesses when it comes to fundraising.
💵 How to go from Entrepreneur to the corporate world.
💵 How to move beyond start-ups.
Trina is the CEO of RizeNext Corporation, a leadership & culture consulting agency focused on creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforces. She is also the Co-Founder of Tech-Moms, recognized in 2020 as non-profit of the year by the Salt Lake Chamber, helping transition hundreds of women into technical careers. Recognized as “30 Women to Watch” by @Utah Business Magazine, she dedicates her time to writing, speaking, advocating, and serving on higher education boards at Weber State and UVU.
Tune in as we discuss:
- Navigating expectations in leadership, what is shifting and why?
- Authenticity & Openness in driving high-performing teams
- Remote Work Management, culture & employee engagement
Tune into my podcast, TechBeat Thursday, February 9th, at 12:00pm where I will be joined by my guest Tara Spalding, Interim CEO and CPO at VentureCapital.org.
Topics we will be discussing:
1) Why connecting capital to businesses is constantly changing and why its important to always stay informed
2) How capital accessibility accelerates free markets.
3) Why it’s important to look at giving and taking capital at all times.
4) Where you can go to learn more about capital types and how you can be capital ready.
How do we build a blue sky mindset?
I will be joined by Cydni Tetro on the upcoming segment of TechBeat podcast as we discuss the mindset of leaders to help drive innovation and growth to build and grow companies and careers.
Cydni Tetro, CEO of Brandless, is an innovator of experience, a growth leader, technologist, STEM advocate, author, and speaker. Brandless is a mission-driven omnichannel commerce platform that is growing through technology and the acquisition of mission-driven brands.
Cydni is also the founder and President of the Women Tech Council. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s in computer science from BYU.
Topics discussed:
• What it means to have a blue sky mindset
• How to develop creative-solving skills and use them to grow a company
• How to become fearless
Nate Randle will be joining me on the upcoming TechBeat podcast.
Topics discussed include:
- How did Gabb Wireless come about?
- Overcoming challenges and learning curves when starting a new business.
- How can we protect our kids from tech?
Tune in as we discuss the Gabb Wireless journey and how to keep your children protected from tech, by tech.
As we kick off the new year, I’m excited to highlight my first TechBeat podcast guest of 2023, Francis Pedraza, founder of Invisible Technologies Inc. Invisible is a B2B productivity startup that allows its users to automate and outsource any complex workflow or business process through its novel technique called Worksharing.
Join Francis and Earl on TeachBeat for an engaging conversation on his entrepreneurial journey and learn from how he has built Invisible to over 1000 employees in just 7 years.
Garrett Clark, Executive Director of Silicon Slopes has enjoyed interacting with the local startup community and feels lucky when he gets to help tell their story. He enjoys talking to entrepreneurs doing extraordinary things.
John Bowers has extensive experience as a founder and operator in various businesses throughout his career. He has encountered and overcome a vast array of challenges that confront today’s entrepreneurs and their businesses/teams, and currently serves as the CBO & Partnerships Director at Silicon Slopes where he focuses on building supportive programs and resources for Utah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Join us as we deep dive into Silicon Slopes and SSS22 on next week’s Techbeat podcast.
Topics discussed during this segment:
•Challenges as a non-profit
•Entrepreneurs, Funder, and Community Partner
•How to add value year over year
•Silicon Slopes Summit
The Nexus IT team has been serving clients for 24 years now, and is committed to always improving the work we do. We’re proud to have undertaken a number of new development initiatives and expansion projects this year, all of which CEO Earl Foote highlighted in his recent installment of the SLC Chamber’s Speaking on Business:
If you are curious about how the merger between Nexus IT and Intelitechs came about, you will not want to miss this segment of TechBeat. Join Earl Foote, Jake Hiller, and Eric Sessions as we take a deep dive into why we decided to join forces, Intelitechs history, and future plans for Nexus IT.
Jake Hiller is a founding owner of INTELITECHS. He has a BS in Information Systems, a BS in Entrepreneurship, and an MS in Information Systems, all from the University of Utah. After gaining the experience, he and his business partner, Eric Sessions moved on to start their own MSP, INTELITECHS. His career began as a mail-room worker until he transferred to the IT Department and discovered his interest in technology.
Partnering with Jake, Eric Sessions is another INTELITECHS founders, his current role is President & COO. His background as an entrepreneur started at an early age spending time in his parents’ hardware store and motel in Rural Idaho. He always had an interest in technology and looked for any opportunity to learn new things. While in the process of creating the INTELITECHS, the desire to do things better is what drove the passion to create a full-service MSP that it is today.
The vision behind @JUMP came from dreamer and doer, @James Jensen. Jensen loves harnessing the latest technology to create life-changing moments. He also loves offering people the experience of flying without the usual money, time, and risk of death BASE jumping requires.
James Jensen is an entrepreneur committed to solving problems related to how people interact and engage with each other daily. He was one of those kids who would take everything apart to see how it works. Now he creates experiences that utilize VR to transport people to another place. Jensen is always at the forefront of technology.
Tune in next Thursday, August 11th, 11:00am MT as we discuss how to harness the latest technology to create life-changing moments and unlock your full potential.
Bassam Salem started his entrepreneurial journey by founding startup consultancy Mindshare Ventures followed in early 2016 with the founding of AtlasRTX, the first company incubated within the Mindshare Ventures framework.
The company now supports some of the world's most successful enterprises, from seven of the top-20 homebuilders in the United States to tech companies such as HPE and Instructure to some of the world’s most prominent higher education institutions including Purdue University and Vanderbilt University.
Topics discussed:
-The Importance of DEI
-Workplace and Community Diversity
-How it Enriches Organizations, Community, and Life!
Join Gezel Nehmadi and Earl Foote to learn how iAllo is setting the pace for the future of customer service.
Gezel Nehmadi, Founder and CEO of iAllo. Product, UX /UI designer with more than a decade of experience with Saas products. Gezel is one of the most visionary, talented, hard-working, and passionate Founders that I have met in a long time.
Topics discussed in this segment:
• Being a FEMALE founder
• What it is like being a first-time founder and navigating through it.
• Knowing your mindset
• What iAllo is all about
Along with many accolades, Scott Paul, founder of Cryptopia and Giddy .co is an angel investor with investments in Gabb Wireless, Neighbor, Volley, and JUMP. An active #cryptocurrency enthusiast, he is currently experimenting with alternative methods of fundraising through his YouTube channel - Life With Scott.
Tune in to learn more about these topics:
- NFT
- Crypto
- How Utah is playing a role
- Cryptopia – May 26th
- Web3 startups
- Investing and backing
Garrett Openshaw, Founder of Muunifi, has spent a lot of his time and career overseas. Working in TV and media production in China. Garrett and his family moved back to the states in 2013 where he worked in the family business, which later sold in 2020. Then came along the birth of Muunifi, set to launch next month.
Join Garrett Openshaw and Earl Foote to learn more about coming together as a community.
Topics discussed in this segment:
- What is a community?
- What are the forms of value/compensation in community?
- How is value attributed in community?
-What are the benefits of being involved in a finance/investment community for the average person?
Join Earl Foote and Levi Lindsay for an informative discussion on positive change.
Topics discussed in this segment:
- Why is mental health still stigmatized
- What made you start mind.?
- Why did you leave your business?
- How can companies succeed in marketing with a limited budget?
Tanner Bell co-founded Ragnar in 2004 as a single overnight running relay race with 262 participants. Today, more than 100,000 runners participate annually in 6 road relay races and 20 trail relay races. Tanner has been instrumental in the growth of Ragnar and continues to play an integral role in establishing Ragnar as one of the premier brands in endurance sports.
Tanner played a major role in raising several rounds of growth capital from Dolphin Capital Group between 2006 and 2011, and White Road Investments (Clif Bar) and Partnership Capital Growth in 2013.
Join Earl Foote and Tanner Bell for an informative discussion on resetting the future.
-How COVID has given Ragnar a chance to reset
-How to engage a new audience
-How to promote differently
-How to approach customer service differently
-Open new sales channels
-And...Ragnar's recent acquisition by FitLab
As an EOS Implementer, Danny helps business owners and leaders in Utah of small & medium-sized businesses, 10-250 employees, get 100% on the same page with their vision, make it happen, and build healthy teams.
Rob is a nonprofit executive professional with over 27 years of experience in leading and building nonprofit organizations. For the last ten years, Rob has served as the Executive Director of CCPC, a humanitarian and community-focused nonprofit organization with a bold vision to serve as a leading networker of community services, based in Park City, Utah.
Join Earl Foote and Rob Harter for an informative discussion on how to grow your business, including:
-How CCPC has grown in the last 10 years
-Why and how to add staff who match your organization’s DNA
-How to emerge out of COVID with a renewed mission
-What a good leader looks like
-How to maintain an organization’s core values
In 2019, Josh Bersin, an HR industry expert said, “Improving the employee experience—similar to the customer or candidate experience—is the next transformation in human resources and will absolutely disrupt the HR technology market."
Today businesses that focus on improving their employee experience outperform others in nearly every way:
• 2x the revenue and 4x the profit
• 21% more productive employees
• 40% lower employee turnover
• 11.5x as likely to appear in Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work
Join HR expert, Jordan Boogaard, and Earl Foote, for this informative podcast, as we dive into the new landscape of HR and help you leverage ideas and tools to create the outcomes you and your team aim for.
Learn What a CISO really is and what they do.
Learn about operational IT vs. Cyber Strategy and Governance
Learn how you can have a CISO without hiring one
What key cyber governance issues do organizations struggle with
Data governance, data privacy, and compliance have become very complicated topics that are evolving at break-neck speeds. We often find that many business leaders don't even know if their business is subject or not, and where to start if they are. The reality is that with ever-increasing #datasecurity regulations and the evolution of those requirements, most of us are affected to some extent by these regulations.
With so many companies starting to practice responsible #vendormanagement, we are seeing significant quantities of businesses miss out on new growth opportunities because they have not implemented robust #datasecurity and compliance practices.
My friend, Glen Horsley, and I are joining forces to debunk the myths and provide clarification on these topics. Jump on the #livestream #podcast with us and let's sort it all out together! We will be covering topics like:
- When do CCPA, GDPR, HIPPA, PCI, NIST, SOC, and beyond apply to my business?
- Do these regulations apply even if my business is not located in the state or country of the regulatory act?
- What are our obligations?
- What is considered Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Protected Health Information (PHI)?
- What are the risks if we aren't compliant with the law?
Join Dr. Jeb Hurley, CEO and Co-founder of Xmetryx, and Earl Foote, CEO/Founder of Nexus IT Consultants, for a discussion on the role of trust and culture in high performing teams. Key topics will include:
- Leading with Trust - why it's more vital than ever.
- Talking trust – why do leaders find it so difficult?
- The ROI of trust – the business and human benefits.
- How can leaders inspire trust and peak performance?
Cultivate trust in your teams and help each person feel secure, safe, and supported. This is the key to reducing stress and keeping performance at its peak!
Are COVID and WFH messing with your company mojo, your corporate culture?
My friend, David Williams, and I are discussing how to build productive, rewarding culture, even in crazy times like this pandemic.
When it comes to new companies, new products, and new services, Brand Building should be at the top of the list for every organization within the beginning stages of launching.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Daniel Beck of 401Go, has launched numerous businesses in a variety of industries. He loves the creativity and excitement of starting companies and building brands. His approach to start-ups centers on the application of emerging technologies with an emphasis on strategic marketing.
Join Nexus Consultants CEO, Earl Foote, and Daniel Beck, as they dive into the world of brand building. They will discuss the difference between a product and a brand and understand signaling and subtext when it comes to branding. They will also dive into Daniel’s entrepreneurial journey, how he brought his first idea to the market, how his brands have evolved over the years, and so much more.
Points of Discussion to include:
- The birth of a brand - How Dan brought his first idea to market
- Understanding the difference between a product and a brand
- How long did it take Dan to go from idea to launch?
- How long from launch until Dan felt like he really found his stride?
- How have Dan's brands evolved over the years?
- Understanding signaling and subtext when it comes to branding
- When have there been times that branding lost its fidelity and how did Dan learn from that?
- Do branding practices change when you are selling products or services, if so, how?
Are you living a life by default? Or a life by design? Are you intently producing the results you desire from your business and your life?
My guest for this segment of TechBeat, Dale Majors, Co-Owner of Grand Trunk (hammocks and adventure gear) and Founder at Venture Anyway, built Bikewagon.com to over $10M ARR before he sold the company and bought Grand Trunk. Starting from humble beginnings, not unlike most Entrepreneurs, Dale has learned the power of living a life and operating a business by design, to achieve envisioned results and success. Dale now also spends some of his time helping other Entrepreneurs learn the principles of success and intentional living through his Mastermind groups and coaching project, Venture Anyway.
Join Dale and I for a fascinating conversation full of actionable tips to help you elevate yourself and your business to the next level, including:
• Finding your own identity, formulas, and mission and using this knowledge to live a deliberate, impactful life.
• Unique methods to help you be present and experience every moment of your life to its fullest.
• Life, business, and success are a journey, not a destination. Learn to enjoy the process and thrive, regardless of your present circumstances.
What role has #mentorship played in your life and career?
The world's greatest athletes have #coaches that help them reach their greatest heights. Should the world's greatest #achievers and #leaders not have the same advantage?
I am excited to announce the next segment in my #livestream #podcast series with my friend, Brilliant Miller!
Join us for this enlightening conversation on life, business, and the value of mentorship in achieving the outcomes and life experience that you seek.
Resurrecting a Company Destroyed by COVID: How Zenovate Went From Millions to Nothing, and Back to Revenue in 90 Days
Amelia Wilcox and her story are an inspiration! She is a brilliant, dedicated Founder and CEO that has shown the grit and aptitude to navigate massively disruptive conditions, including #COVID19, which took her business's revenue from millions to ZERO, literally overnight.
Join Amelia and I for this enlightening and fun conversation on:
- The art of the #pivot and being scrappy
- Learning to reinvent yourself and your product,
- While raising #capital, #scaling at a rapid pace, and
- Being intentional about work/life #balance and #mentalhealth
For most of our businesses, when we are honest with ourselves, #COVID and #WFH have been significantly disruptive to operations, productivity, culture, employee sentiment, and more.
Our friend, Adam Sessions, CEO of 1Wire Fiber, and Nexus IT Consultants CEO, Earl Foote, have learned a lot of lessons over this past year, that have enabled our teams and those of our clients to find productive, collaborative, enjoyable work environments, even in WFH scenarios.
- Real-life impact COVID-19 has had on our businesses and teams
- How we have adapted and what we have learned in the process that has been helpful to us and our clients
- What emerging technologies are companies using to find success while working remote?
- How to more effectively communicate and collaborate with your remote team
- What might Utah’s business environment look like in 2021 and beyond?
Josh Pitts is the Founder and CEO (Chief Enthusiasm Officer) of Shred Media. Josh has spent the last decade in the mortgage and real estate industries. Recently he has refocused his energy and efforts on Shred Media, building the industry’s #1 Attention and Impact Agency.
Learn about the following topics in this engaging discussion:
What has COVID done to the business and how have you dealt with it?
What have you learned about the art of the pivot in the process?
What other major challenges have you faced in your journey?
What major lessons have you learned from those challenges or simply along your path?
Eric Dahl is President at Gravitate One, and a sought-after marketing leader and speaker. Since joining Gravitate in 2019, Eric has enjoyed utilizing his creative eye to bolster marketing success rates and revenue for the agency's clients nationwide.
Learn about the following topics in this engaging discussion:
• Understand what branding in a digital world really means
• Establish branding that creates customer feelings
• Formulate strategies that drive desired results
• Understand how to better position your compelling identity
Peter Bookman is Founder/CEO of guardDog.ai. Peter has spent more than 25 years leading teams and disrupting markets with numerous exits. Peter has deep experience in engineering, and is credited as an inventor to 14 patents in both software and hardware intellectual property.
Learn about the following topics in this engaging discussion:
• What’s the Edge Territory?
• How is the Edge Territory being exploited?
• What is "overlay technology" and why does it matter?
• How can these exploits be stopped in under .22 milliseconds?
Featuring Stephanie Page: Stephanie is a serial entrepreneur and startup enthusiast. She started her first company in her basement in 2011 in the direct selling industry. That business quickly grew to almost 1,000 independent distributors across the U.S. and sold over $2.5M in product in the first 18 months. After an exit in 2015, she transitioned her career to being an independent business consultant, guiding multiple startups from concept to launch and beyond.
Today, Stephanie enjoys the challenge of helping startups tackle tasks such as operations, researching and developing new products, crafting effective marketing and sales campaigns, and so much more.
Discussion on common pitfalls that startups face and how to avoid them, including:
-Why most startups fail
-Getting the right people on the team
-Setting your ego aside
-Managing expectations
-Why mentors are crucial
-Delegate, delegate, delegate
-Minimum Viable Product
How To Start A Business In 10 Days
From napkin scratches to revenue, scaling and beyond.