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. 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.

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

    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.

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

    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.

    46 min
  4. The Cynosure Story | Inside Cynosure’s Success Strategy with Bud Scruggs

    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.

    58 min
  5. Turning Slush into Scale | Inside the Frazil Growth Story with Kyle Freebairn and Sam Owens

    Apr 9

    Turning Slush into Scale | Inside the Frazil Growth Story with Kyle Freebairn and Sam Owens

    How do you take a simple, fun product, and turn it into a large-scale beverage brand?  Jason and Cheri sit down with Kyle Freebairn and Sam Owens, the leadership team behind Frazil, one of the fastest-growing beverage brands in the country, to talk about what it actually takes to scale—operationally, culturally, commercially.  Frazil’s story shows how a simple idea can become a category leader when paired with a strong team, and the right product at the right time. They walk through the decisions that fueled Frazil’s growth, including the “Free Frazil Friday” campaign, and how certain risks helped drive awareness and demand for their company. Throughout their conversation, a consistent theme emerges: success isn’t about one big breakthrough; it’s compounding small, deliberate improvements while surrounding yourself with exceptional people.  What You’ll Learn:How Frazil built a fully integrated business model and how it mattered for scaleWhy hiring top-tier talent early can accelerate long-term successThe inside story on Free Frazil Friday and how it impacted momentum and brand awarenessHow Utah’s business ecosystem played a direct role in Frazil’s growthWhy customer and retailer experience has been their sharpest competitive edgeHow to build a brand that creates an emotional connection with customersLessons on mindset, resilience, and presence when building a business Which matters more: long-term vision vs short-term wins Connect with Kyle Freebairn and Sam Ownes:Frazil on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/frazil/ Frazil Website: https://frazil.com/frazil/Freezing Point LLC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frazil/Kyle Freebairn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-freebairn-4796933/Sam Owens on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelgowens/ 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.

    54 min
  6. The Woman Who Refused to Quit | Building a Meaningful Life with Mary Crafts

    Mar 26

    The Woman Who Refused to Quit | Building a Meaningful Life with Mary Crafts

    Jason and Cheri are joined by Mary Crafts, an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author, mother, and more. Mary’s life story is extraordinary, showing that success is possible no matter where someone begins. She shares what it was like coming from humble beginnings and working her way to the top. Today, Mary is one of Utah’s most influential business leaders, running a very successful catering company and speaking all around the country. Mary reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her work ethic and drive, including failures, family life, career choices, and personal life events. She shares the hard moments and how she overcame them, although it wasn’t easy. Today, Mary’s own mission is to help others see their own potential. Through her work as a speaker, author, and mentor, she encourages entrepreneurs and leaders to pursue meaningful lives built on service, authenticity, and courage.  What You’ll Learn: How early business failures can shape your entrepreneurial mindset Why choosing the right business partners is essential The importance of never risking more than you can afford to lose How resilience and persistence can turn setbacks into powerful lessons Why vulnerability and authenticity are essential for leadership roles The ripple effect of service, generosity, and leadership on those around you How to choose purpose over fear What it means to create a meaningful life and lasting legacy Connect with Mary Crafts: Mary Crafts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marycrafts/Mary Crafts Website: https://marycraftsinc.com/Mary Crafts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marycrafts/ 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.

    1h 3m
  7. One Utah Family’s Sweet Success | Building Andersen’s Crazy Candy with The Andersens

    Mar 12

    One Utah Family’s Sweet Success | Building Andersen’s Crazy Candy with The Andersens

    In this week’s episode, Jason and Cheri sit down with Jared and Heather Andersen, founders of Andersen’s Crazy Candy. What started with the simple decision to buy a freeze dryer unexpectedly turned into one of Utah’s fastest-growing confectionery brands. A fun hobby to share with friends and family quickly grew into a candy business that is now recognized nationwide. Their story shares the grit, innovation, and sacrifice that come with building a family business, especially in a category that literally did not exist. Jared and Heather share every detail of their story, the good and the bad, highlighting the cost and reward that come with running your own company. Through it all, they learned to rely on one another and remember the purpose behind what they are building. This is more than just a candy story; they are building something meaningful to share for generations to come. What You’ll Learn: What it takes to create a brand new product categoryThe power of distribution partnerships in scalingHow to pivot when facing setbacksHow to balance a fast-growing business with family lifeHaving courage in high-stakes business decisionsAvoiding fear-based decisions when scaling How coaching and mentorship can accelerate your growthHow Utah’s business ecosystem supports fast-growing companies Connect with The Andersens: Andersen’s Crazy Candy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazycandyfun/ Andersen’s Crazy Candy Website: https://crazycandy.com/ Jared Andersen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-andersen-b18691324/ Heather Andersen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-andersen-750689324/ 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.

    57 min
  8. Leading Through Hypergrowth to Reinvention | Crofter Market with Bobby Clayson

    Feb 26

    Leading Through Hypergrowth to Reinvention | Crofter Market with Bobby Clayson

    This week, Cheri and Jason sit down with entrepreneur and early TaxBit co-founder Bobby Clayson to explore what it takes to build, pivot, and rebuild in rapidly changing industries. From helping launch a billion-dollar fintech startup during the early days of cryptocurrency compliance to founding Crofter Market—a platform connecting consumers directly with local farmers—Bobby shares how solving real problems and staying adaptable has shaped his journey. The conversation moves beyond startup milestones into the realities of leadership, growth, and starting again with purpose. Bobby reflects on lessons learned at TaxBit, the humility required to pivot, and why he turned his focus toward strengthening local food supply chains. It's a candid look at execution, resilience, and building companies that create meaningful impact for customers, communities, and teams. What You’ll Learn:Why solving a clear, real-world problem creates a stronger foundation than starting with a product ideaLessons from scaling a fast-growing startup inside Utah’s collaborative tech ecosystemHow cross-functional respect (across engineering, tax, product, and operations) strengthens founding teamsWhy culture, humility, and self-awareness matter for long-term leadership growthWhat it means to pivot strategically while maintain forward movement with focus and intentionHow mentors, advisors, and community networks accelerate learning and decision-makingWhy building trust, both internally and externally, drives sustainable growthHow purpose-driven execution guides founders across multiple ventures and industries Connect with Bobby Clayson: Bobby Clayson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyclaysonConnect with Crofter Market:Crofter Market on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/croftermarket/Crofter Market Website: https://crofter.com/ Crofter Market on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crofter-market  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.

    55 min
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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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