MountainWest Capital Network: Welcome to the Winners' Circle

MountainWest Capital Network
  • 5.0 (23)
  • 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. 1d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Jun 4

    The Best of The Winners' Circle | A Compilation of Utah's Top Founders

    Cheri and Jason look back on their conversations with nine of Utah's most remarkable businesses and their founders to look at the question that kept coming up across every conversation this past year: what makes Utah a good place to build a business? As they reflect on each founder's answers and thoughts, they share the moments that show what it takes to build a truly remarkable business. The range of companies in this episode is wide, but the thread running through every story is remarkably consistent. Community, humility, and staying in the arena even when you have no idea how it's going to work out. This is a masterclass in what it actually takes, told by the people who lived it. What You’ll Learn:The data behind Utah's deal ecosystem and what makes it more sustainable than Silicon ValleyWhy the Nectar founders turned down an investor How Bobby Clayson lost his seat at TaxBit and what he learnedThe "work begets work" philosophy that drives Nectar's growthWhy Cory Bengtzen built SkyShare for 17 years without outside investment Why Mary Crafts still believes her best decade is still aheadWhy Frazil's flywheel keeps spinning faster What Scott Porter learned about building a business around human connectionGuests featured in this episode:Trevor Larson – CEO & Co-Founder, Nectar Andrew Hollis – Co-Founder & Head of Growth, Nectar Bobby Clayson – Co-Founder, TaxBit and Founder, Crofter MarketMatt Bartholomew – Principal, CliftonLarsonAllenKyle Freebairn – CEO, Frazil Sam Owens – CMO & Co-Founder, FrazilScott Porter – Founder, San Diablo Artisan ChurrosCory Bengtzen – Founder & CEO, SkyShare Dr. Stephen Neeleman – Founder, HealthEquityBud Scruggs – Co-Founder, The Cynosure Group Mary Crafts – CEO, Founder, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, Author 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.

  6. May 21

    The 2025 Utah Deal Flow Report | A Look at Utah’s Business Economy with MWCN

    Utah's deal landscape is more complex, more competitive, and more geographically diverse than ever before. This episode pulls back the curtain on how it all gets measured.  Jason and Cheri sit down with three members of the MountainWest Capital Network community to walk through the findings of the 2025 Deal Flow Report, now in its 31st edition. Kady Reese, Matt Bartholomew, and Kevin Jessop break down what actually moved capital in Utah last year and where momentum is heading in 2026. The group gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the report is created, and how it has evolved from its humble 1996 origins. This episode highlights what makes Utah's ecosystem distinctly different from Silicon Valley and other major markets. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about the forces shaping Utah's economy, this conversation offers a ground-level view of the state's deal-making engine. What You’ll Learn: What the Utah Deal Flow Report is and how it's put together How the report has evolved since 1996 from a pamphlet into a comprehensive annual publicationWhat drove Utah's strong 2025 deal volume, which matched the record highs of 2021How private equity is expanding beyond tech into blue-collar sectors Why Utah County's deal volume is now rivaling Salt Lake County for the first timeHow Utah's deal ecosystem compares to Silicon Valley and the broader U.S. economyWho actually uses the Deal Flow Report and why What the Capital Providers section of the report is and why it was added Connect with Kady Reese, Matt Bartholomew, and Kevin Jessop: Kady Reese on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kady-reese-a6899918/Matt Bartholemew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-bartholomew-70726b2/Kevin Jessop on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinjessop/ 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.

    The 2025 Utah Deal Flow Report | A Look at Utah’s Business Economy with MWCN

  7. May 7

    HealthEquity and the Future of Healthcare | Dr. Stephen Neeleman’s Insights on HSAs

    We all need healthcare, but not all of us understand the ins and outs of the business behind it. Today’s episode breaks down HSAs, the healthcare business, and how individuals can build long-term financial health through healthcare at every stage of life. Jason and Cheri sit down with Dr. Stephen Neeleman, founder and vice chairman of HealthEquity, to explore the story behind one of the nation’s most impactful healthcare financial platforms. Dr. Neeleman shares the core principles that have guided both his career and his company’s growth. At the heart of their conversation is a clear mission: to help people take control of their healthcare through financial tools that create long-term security. Dr. Neeleman breaks down the evolution of HealthEquity and the innovation required to stay competitive. He reflects on personal experiences, entrepreneurial lessons, and the importance of building a culture rooted in purpose, service, and continuous improvement.  What You’ll Learn: How health savings accounts (HSAs) work and why they matter for long-term financial healthThe connection between healthcare decisions and personal financial responsibilityPractical ways individuals can use HSAs at different stages of lifeWhat it takes to grow a business without losing its core purposeThe importance of having a “why” in both business and leadershipInsights into the future of healthcare finance and consumer-driven healthcareLeadership principles that foster strong company culture and long-term successAdvice for entrepreneurs looking to build impactful, purpose-driven companies Connect with HealthEquity and Stephen Neeleman: HealthEquity’s Website: https://www.healthequity.com/HealthEquity on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthequity/HealthEquity on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthequity/Stephen Neeleman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-neeleman-19b0315/ 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 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.

    HealthEquity and the Future of Healthcare | Dr. Stephen Neeleman’s Insights on HSAs

  8. Apr 23

    The Cynosure Story | Inside Cynosure’s Success Strategy with Bud Scruggs

    It takes more than ideas to build a long-lasting business. And Bud Scruggs from Cynosure has a clear perspective on what it takes. This week, Jason and Cheri sit down with Bud Scruggs, the co-founder of The Cynosure Group, to discuss what it’s like to navigate a complex, growing business in the Utah business landscape. Bud shares what he has learned from his decades of experience in high-stakes business decisions, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to grow and sustain a successful investment platform in a competitive, evolving market. Bud dives into the philosophy behind Cynosure’s approach to private equity, credit, and capital management, emphasizing the importance of alignment, transparency, and doing difficult things the right way. To him, business is all about culture, long-term thinking, and building trusted partnerships that stand the test of time.  What You’ll Learn:The fundamentals of private equity and credit investingWhy alignment between investors, operators, and partners is criticalThe role of discipline and patience in making high-stakes business decisionsThe importance of company culture when growing a high-performing teamThe value of resilience and adaptability when facing challenges in businessWhat it really takes to build trust with investors and stakeholdersHow long-term thinking can outperform short-term gains in business strategy Connect with Cynosure:Cynosure’s Website: https://cynosuregroup.com/Cynosure on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cynosure-group/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 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.

    The Cynosure Story | Inside Cynosure’s Success Strategy with Bud Scruggs
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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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