MountainWest Capital Network: Welcome to the Winners' Circle

MountainWest Capital Network
  • 5.0 (24)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

Meet Cheri Waldron and Jason Roberts, your hosts for the MountainWest Capital Network Podcast—the gateway to Utah's Winner's Circle. For nearly two decades, Cheri has been the driving force behind MountainWest Capital Network as Executive Director, orchestrating Utah's most prestigious business celebration, the Utah 100. Jason brings 22 years of global business consulting expertise as Managing Director of Protiviti's Salt Lake City office, having grown the local team from 2-3 people to over 70 professionals. Together, they've created something unprecedented: intimate access to the exclusive Winners’ Circle—that electrifying pre-event gathering where Utah's fastest-growing company CEOs and founders connect before taking the stage. Now, for the first time, they're bringing that same energy and insider access directly to you through candid one-on-one conversations with the business leaders shaping Utah's economy.

  1. Sep 24

    Building a Company That Lasts | Chad Fraughton’s 33-Year Cornerstone Story

    Cornerstone Technologies, one of Utah's premier event production companies, has been around for 33 years. So what has allowed the company to keep growing, adapting, and building relationships for more than three decades? Cheri and Jason sit down with Chad Fraughton, founder and CEO of Cornerstone Technologies, to talk about his 33-year journey of opportunity, relationships, and people-centered leadership. Chad opens up about the mentors who helped shape him, and the culture that has helped Cornerstone retain employees for decades. Chad reflects on his family through all of this. The legacy of his father and watching his own children build alongside him has given meaning to his work. He explains what it means to run a company where “you're either Cornerstone for life, or you're there for a year or less,” reflects on more than three decades in event production, and looks ahead to where the industry is going next. His story is one about family, loyalty, and building something lasting. What You’ll Learn: How mentorship and chance opportunities helped shape Chad’s early careerThe story behind Cornerstone Technologies' founding What makes a lasting company culture, and why "good people find you" How Cornerstone has retained employees for 20-30+ yearsWhat it's like working alongside family in a growing businessWhat Chad has learned from decades behind the scenes of large-scale eventsHow experiential events are changing, and where Chad sees the industry headed next Connect with Cornerstone and Chad Fraughton: Cornerstone Website: https://cornerstoneav.com/Cornerstone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cornerstone-technologies-llc-Chad Fraughton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-fraughton-b45984159/Want to Connect? Cheri@MWCN.org jason.roberts@protiviti.com Meet the dedicated members of our podcast committee who curate content, organize interviews, and ensure the success of The MountainWest Capital Network Podcast “Welcome to the Winners’ Circle.”  Cheri Waldron, MWCN Executive Director Jason Roberts, MWCN President and Managing Director, Protiviti Kevin Jessop, MWCN Podcast Vice-Chair and Chief Marketing Officer, IMA Garit Lawson, MWCN Podcast Chair, Managing Director, Forbes Partners Zachary Reed, MWCN Podcast Producer, Senior Associate, PwC LLP Katie Brown, MWCN Business Operations Specialist Amanda Wallman, Alpine Edge Marketing The LaunchPod Media Team The views expressed in this program are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Any references to specific investments or outcomes are illustrative and not indicative of overall performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

    Building a Company That Lasts | Chad Fraughton’s 33-Year Cornerstone Story

  2. Sep 10

    Building Trust in Business | Leadership Lessons from PwC’s Ryan Dent

    What does it really take to build 26 years of trust with your company and clients? This week on Welcome to the Winners' Circle, Cheri and Jason sit down with Ryan Dent, the Office Managing Partner at PwC in Salt Lake City and currently serving as Vice-Chairman of MWCN. With 26 years at the firm and deep roots serving Utah in various ways, Ryan brings a career's worth of insights on what it actually takes to build lasting relationships in business. He shares the leadership philosophy that has guided him since college, and how he uses it to build a team that is centered on trust and reliable work for others. Ryan opens up about the people who shaped him: his father, whose work ethic taught him the value of time management, his four sisters, who kept him and his brother grounded, and his mentor, who saw potential in him before he saw it himself. He also gives a look behind the scenes of the Utah 100 validation process and explains why that rigor is exactly what makes the list mean something. Ryan’s story is all about trust, consistency, and building a community one relationship at a time. What You’ll Learn: Why passion for your career often has to be built through effort and timeHow PwC is approaching AI's potential across its teams and clientsWhy reliability matters more than trying to impress othersThe two things Ryan credits most for building long-lasting professional relationshipsHow to encourage employees to give back to their communities, and why it mattersThe rigor behind the Utah 100 validation process, and why that trust mattersHow mentors can shape your career and your belief in yourselfLeadership qualities that set people apart early in their careers Connect with PwC and Ryan Dent: PwC Website: https://www.pwc.com/us/en.htmlPwC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pwcus/PwC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pwc/Ryan Dent on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandentpwc/Want to Connect? Cheri@MWCN.org jason.roberts@protiviti.com Meet the dedicated members of our podcast committee who curate content, organize interviews, and ensure the success of The MountainWest Capital Network Podcast “Welcome to the Winners’ Circle.”  Cheri Waldron, MWCN Executive Director Jason Roberts, MWCN President and Managing Director, Protiviti Kevin Jessop, MWCN Podcast Vice-Chair and Chief Marketing Officer, IMA Garit Lawson, MWCN Podcast Chair, Managing Director, Forbes Partners Zachary Reed, MWCN Podcast Producer, Senior Associate, PwC LLP Katie Brown, MWCN Business Operations Specialist Amanda Wallman, Alpine Edge Marketing The LaunchPod Media Team The views expressed in this program are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Any references to specific investments or outcomes are illustrative and not indicative of overall performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

    Building Trust in Business | Leadership Lessons from PwC’s Ryan Dent

  3. Aug 27

    Building a Business from a Kitchen | All About Beehive Meals with Allyse Jackson

    Cheri and Jason welcome Allyse Jackson, founder and CEO of Beehive Meals, to the Winners' Circle for a conversation about her business journey. What started as a single Facebook post turned into $10,000 in sales in a single day. From there, Allyse walks through the years that followed: navigating food safety regulations, scaling through a global pandemic, and growing a business from a home kitchen, all without ever taking outside investment. Allyse shares everything that makes Beehive Meals' growth so remarkable. She opens up about imposter syndrome, and how the experience of watching her own father shaped her own leadership philosophy. Whether you're building a business from your home or leading a company through growth, this conversation is full of hard lessons on resilience, culture, and staying true to your customer. What You’ll Learn: The food safety and licensing realities most food-based entrepreneurs don't know about.When a growing business might need to start leveraging debt instead of paying cash for everything.Why testing small, low-risk ventures before going all-in can set you up for long-term success.How to recognize and work through imposter syndrome as a leader.How Beehive Meals differentiated itself in a crowded meal-kit market.How strong company culture and good benefits can drive employee retention.How regional identity and community shaped Beehive Meals' customer base and growth.How industry award recognition can serve as validation for founders battling self-doubt.Connect with Beehive Meals and Allyse Jackson: Beehive Meals Website: https://beehivemeals.comBeehive Meals on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beehivemeals/?hl=enBeehive Meals on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beehive-meals/Allyse Jackson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allysejackson/?hl=enAllyse Jackson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyse-jackson/Want to Connect? Cheri@MWCN.org jason.roberts@protiviti.com Meet the dedicated members of our podcast committee who curate content, organize interviews, and ensure the success of The MountainWest Capital Network Podcast “Welcome to the Winners’ Circle.”  Cheri Waldron, MWCN Executive Director Jason Roberts, MWCN President and Managing Director, Protiviti Kevin Jessop, MWCN Podcast Vice-Chair and Chief Marketing Officer, IMA Garit Lawson, MWCN Podcast Chair, Managing Director, Forbes Partners Zachary Reed, MWCN Podcast Producer, Senior Associate, PwC LLP Katie Brown, MWCN Business Operations Specialist Amanda Wallman, Alpine Edge Marketing The LaunchPod Media Team The views expressed in this program are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Any references to specific investments or outcomes are illustrative and not indicative of overall performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

    Building a Business from a Kitchen | All About Beehive Meals with Allyse Jackson

  4. Aug 13

    Inside LVT’s Growth | How Ryan Porter Built His Business to a National Level

    How does a company go from surviving 15 years without outside funding to a national leader in mobile security technology?  Cheri and Jason sit down with Ryan Porter, co-founder and CEO of LVT. They walk through the company's journey from a small idea born out of construction finance to a full-fledged business now protecting some of the highest-risk locations in the country. What started as "HomeView Technologies" evolved through the 2008 housing crash to eventually become a full-scale mobile security company. Today, LVT serves in retail, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure nationwide. Ryan opens up about the long 15 years of cash-crunch survival, the founding partnership that held everything together, and the moment that made it clear LVT had built something real. He shares his reflections on leadership and why he credits much of LVT's success to genuinely listening to their customers. It's a story about patience and building something durable in an industry that didn't even exist yet. What You’ll Learn: How Ryan and his co-founder survived the 2008 housing crashWhat it takes to bootstrap a company for 15 years without outside funding Why a strong partnership is critical to navigating the early and uncertain years of a businessHow genuinely listening to customers can shape product direction and long-term successWhat qualities to look for when choosing long-term investors Why financial guardrails are important to set up before starting a companyHow Utah's culture and talent pool shape business and economic growth Connect with Layton Construction: LVT’s Website: https://www.lvt.com/LVT on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lvt_usa/LVT on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lvt/Ryan Porter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-porter-1897672/Want to Connect? Cheri@MWCN.org jason.roberts@protiviti.com Meet the dedicated members of our podcast committee who curate content, organize interviews, and ensure the success of The MountainWest Capital Network Podcast “Welcome to the Winners’ Circle.”  Cheri Waldron, MWCN Executive Director Jason Roberts, MWCN President and Managing Director, Protiviti Kevin Jessop, MWCN Podcast Vice-Chair and Chief Marketing Officer, IMA Garit Lawson, MWCN Podcast Chair, Managing Director, Forbes Partners Zachary Reed, MWCN Podcast Producer, Senior Associate, PwC LLP Katie Brown, MWCN Business Operations Specialist Amanda Wallman, Alpine Edge Marketing The LaunchPod Media Team The views expressed in this program are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Any references to specific investments or outcomes are illustrative and not indicative of overall performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

    Inside LVT’s Growth | How Ryan Porter Built His Business to a National Level

  5. Jul 30

    Revisiting Layton Construction | Building a Business Through People, Not Projects

    In this episode, Cheri and Jason revisit their conversation with Dave Layton, president of Layton Construction. Layton Construction was founded by Dave’s father and built on a family legacy of hard work, loyalty, and long-term thinking. Dave grew up on job sites and in vegetable gardens his dad affectionately called his "golf course," and he never once considered a different path. Dave’s story is one of a leader who has scaled his business through a relentless focus on people and what really matters to them. This conversation digs into what makes Layton Construction's culture so distinct: an employee-ownership model that has turned careers into real wealth. Dave has built this give-back philosophy and a leadership style by watching his father rather than by formal executive coaching. He also opens up about the emotional cost of running a business that never turns off, and how his company is investing in AI and data technology to modernize their industry. Whether you're building a company, a team, or a legacy, this conversation is a true example of what it means to invest in people for the long haul. What You’ll Learn: How a family construction business learned to scale across multiple generationsWhy a "team sport" mindset beats individual talent in the construction industryHow employee ownership can build real generational wealthWhat it takes to retain top talent in a competitive industryLeadership lessons passed down from a father, rather than a frameworkHow to lead a business through economic downturns and hardshipsWhy giving back builds a stronger company cultureHow AI and tech are modernizing the construction industryWhy protecting personal time matters for busy business leadersWhat counts as a true measure of success Connect with Layton Construction: Layton Construction Website: laytonconstruction.comLayton Construction on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laytonconstruct/Layton Construction on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laytonconstruction/Want to Connect? Cheri@MWCN.org jason.roberts@protiviti.com Meet the dedicated members of our podcast committee who curate content, organize interviews, and ensure the success of The MountainWest Capital Network Podcast “Welcome to the Winners’ Circle.”  Cheri Waldron, MWCN Executive Director Jason Roberts, MWCN President and Managing Director, Protiviti Kevin Jessop, MWCN Podcast Vice-Chair and Chief Marketing Officer, IMA Garit Lawson, MWCN Podcast Chair, Managing Director, Forbes Partners Zachary Reed, MWCN Podcast Producer, Senior Associate, PwC LLP Katie Brown, MWCN Business Operations Specialist Amanda Wallman, Alpine Edge Marketing The LaunchPod Media Team The views expressed in this program are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Any references to specific investments or outcomes are illustrative and not indicative of overall performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

    Revisiting Layton Construction | Building a Business Through People, Not Projects

  6. Jul 16

    Building a Business From Scratch | Frameworks for Scaling a Business with Derrick Porter

    What is it like to build a business from nothing? Today, we’ll share the things that actually matter on your business journey. Cheri and Jason sit down with Derrick Porter, executive chair of Clean Simple Eats and founder and former CEO of Beauty Industry Group. Derrick traces his path back to a childhood spent painting curbs, which led him to co-building the world's largest hair extension company. His journey is full of long stretches of uncertainty, a lot of pivoting, and a willingness to say yes to opportunities that didn't always make sense. Derrick dives into the frameworks he uses for scaling companies and leading people, as well as what the personal side of scaling a business looks like. The group reflects on Utah's business culture, the role education played later in Derrick’s life, and what it means to truly become a better version of yourself. It's a conversation as much about mindset and inspiration as it is about entrepreneurship. What You’ll Learn:What it takes to build a business from scratch and scale itDerrick’s two frameworks for evaluating business opportunitiesThe "intangible value chain" that links leadership to customer valueHow to recognize and recover from burnout in businessWhy it matters to predefine success for yourself and your businessWhat makes Utah's business culture distinct from othersHow to reframe your thoughts on wealth, possessions, and joyA simple filter for long-term decision-makingConnect with Derrick Porter, Beauty Industry Group, and Clean Simple Eats:Beauty Industry Group Website: https://www.beautyindustrygroup.com/Beauty Industry Group on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautyindustrygroup/Clean Simple Eats Website: https://cleansimpleeats.com/Clean Simple Eats on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleansimpleeats/Clean Simple Eats on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleansimpleeats/Derrick Porter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickporter/ Want to Connect? Cheri@MWCN.org jason.roberts@protiviti.com Meet the dedicated members of our podcast committee who curate content, organize interviews, and ensure the success of The MountainWest Capital Network Podcast “Welcome to the Winners’ Circle.”  Cheri Waldron, MWCN Executive Director Jason Roberts, MWCN President and Managing Director, Protiviti Kevin Jessop, MWCN Podcast Vice-Chair and Chief Marketing Officer, IMA Garit Lawson, MWCN Podcast Chair, Managing Director, Forbes Partners Zachary Reed, MWCN Podcast Producer, Senior Associate, PwC LLP Katie Brown, MWCN Business Operations Specialist Amanda Wallman, Alpine Edge Marketing The LaunchPod Media Team The views expressed in this program are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Any references to specific investments or outcomes are illustrative and not indicative of overall performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

    Building a Business From Scratch | Frameworks for Scaling a Business with Derrick Porter

  7. Jul 2

    Working Through the Hustle: Behind the Story of Bucked Up with Jeff & Ryan Gardner

    Bucked Up is one of Utah’s most well-known supplement and energy drink brands. But do you know the full story behind the company? Cheri and Jason sit down with Jeff and Ryan Gardner, the twin brothers behind Bucked Up, and ask them about how their company came to be. They share the origin story of the company built on instinct, hustle, and a knack for spotting opportunity. Their journey from deerantlerspray.com to a company with $300 million in revenue is full of entrepreneurial wisdom for anyone looking to scale. Jeff and Ryan open up about the hard lessons that came with scaling. They discuss their evolving roles within the company, a growing push into AI, and what it means to build a brand that people genuinely want to be a part of. Their insights provide a masterclass in market timing, brand identity, and knowing when to get out of your own way. What You’ll Learn: Why buying the right domain name at the right time can be worth more than any marketing campaignHow to identify white space in a crowded market The real cost of being too frugal with early hires How to know when you've outgrown your own company and what to do about itHow Bucked Up is using AI to transform customer support and company adoptionWhat makes Utah a strong environment for launching and scaling a consumer brandThe mindset shift required to go from a founder to a leader who relies on othersConnect with Jeff, Ryan, and Bucked Up: Bucked Up on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bucked-up/Bucked Up Website: https://www.buckedup.comBucked Up on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buckedup/Ryan Gardner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buckedupceo/Ryan Gardner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-gardner-97245732/Jeff Gardner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-gardner-15715a95/ Want to Connect? Cheri@MWCN.org zachary.reed@pwc.com Meet the dedicated members of our podcast committee who curate content, organize interviews, and ensure the success of The MountainWest Capital Network Podcast “Welcome to the Winners’ Circle.”  Cheri Waldron, MWCN Executive Director Jason Roberts, MWCN President and Managing Director, Protiviti Kevin Jessop, MWCN Podcast Vice-Chair and Chief Marketing Officer, IMA Garit Lawson, MWCN Podcast Chair, Managing Director, Forbes Partners Zachary Reed, MWCN Podcast Producer, Senior Associate, PwC LLP Katie Brown, MWCN Business Operations Specialist Amanda Wallman, Alpine Edge Marketing The LaunchPod Media Team The views expressed in this program are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Any references to specific investments or outcomes are illustrative and not indicative of overall performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

    Working Through the Hustle: Behind the Story of Bucked Up with Jeff & Ryan Gardner

  8. Jun 18

    Leadership Principles Built to Last | The Story Behind FranklinCovey with Paul Walker

    What does it take to build a company that outlasts trends, technology shifts, and decades of change? Cheri and Jason are joined by Paul Walker, CEO of FranklinCovey, for a conversation about leadership, organizational culture, and the secret to successful business performance. Paul shares the origin story of FranklinCovey and draws surprising parallels to the challenges every entrepreneur faces when trying to scale. Paul highlights the important principles that have guided him through his career and helped him stay grounded in his goals. He dives into what makes good company culture in this new age of technology and AI. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or managing a growing team, this episode is filled with insights on execution, leadership, development, and how to work with AI to further growth and success. What You’ll Learn:Why culture beats technology as a competitive advantageHow to narrow your focus for better executionThe difference between identifying problems and solving themHow to balance high expectations and genuine care as a leaderHow to think about AI strategically with FranklinCovey’s frameworkWhat principles-based leadership means in practiceHow to scale a founding-stage company from the ground upWhy Utah has become a strong hub for tech and talentConnect with Paul Walker and FranklinCovey:FranklinCovey Website: https://www.franklincovey.com/FranklinCovey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/franklincovey/FranklinCovey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franklincovey/Paul Walker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-walker-921bb884/?skipRedirect=true Want to Connect? Cheri@MWCN.org zachary.reed@pwc.com Meet the dedicated members of our podcast committee who curate content, organize interviews, and ensure the success of The MountainWest Capital Network Podcast “Welcome to the Winners’ Circle.”  Cheri Waldron, MWCN Executive Director Jason Roberts, MWCN President and Managing Director, Protiviti Kevin Jessop, MWCN Podcast Vice-Chair and Chief Marketing Officer, IMA Garit Lawson, MWCN Podcast Chair, Managing Director, Forbes Partners Zachary Reed, MWCN Podcast Producer, Senior Associate, PwC LLP Katie Brown, MWCN Business Operations Specialist Amanda Wallman, Alpine Edge Marketing The LaunchPod Media Team The views expressed in this program are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Any references to specific investments or outcomes are illustrative and not indicative of overall performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

    Leadership Principles Built to Last | The Story Behind FranklinCovey with Paul Walker
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About

Meet Cheri Waldron and Jason Roberts, your hosts for the MountainWest Capital Network Podcast—the gateway to Utah's Winner's Circle. For nearly two decades, Cheri has been the driving force behind MountainWest Capital Network as Executive Director, orchestrating Utah's most prestigious business celebration, the Utah 100. Jason brings 22 years of global business consulting expertise as Managing Director of Protiviti's Salt Lake City office, having grown the local team from 2-3 people to over 70 professionals. Together, they've created something unprecedented: intimate access to the exclusive Winners’ Circle—that electrifying pre-event gathering where Utah's fastest-growing company CEOs and founders connect before taking the stage. Now, for the first time, they're bringing that same energy and insider access directly to you through candid one-on-one conversations with the business leaders shaping Utah's economy.

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