Untold

Jon Spiesman

5.0 (2)
Entrepreneurship

Welcome to the Untold podcast! Here, we're speaking with local businesses that are the best kept secrets of Utah. Find out their journey, their business challenges and tips, and hidden advice brought to light to help you with your own journey! We hope you enjoy! Please like, subscribe, and rate to never miss an episode! Jon

1d ago

S02 E11 When Your Dream Career is No Longer Big Enough | Jon Laudie

From Netflix & Ancestry to leading ZeroRez as President and CFO, Jon Laudie shares the leadership lessons that transformed both his career and his perspective on success. In this episode of Untold: The Best Kept Secrets of Utah, Jon opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, transitioning from the tech industry into home services, and discovering that true leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about building trust, empowering people, and leading with authenticity. Drawing from his experience at Netflix, Ancestry, and ZeroRez, as well as insights from interviewing over 100 CEOs, athletes, and business leaders for his upcoming book, Jon reveals why empathy, humility, and trust are the qualities that define exceptional leaders. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, finance professional, or aspiring leader, this conversation is packed with practical leadership insights you can apply immediately. In This Episode:Why Jon left the tech industry for ZeroRezOvercoming imposter syndrome in leadershipThe transition from CFO to PresidentLeading beyond numbers and financial metricsBuilding trust within teamsWhy empathy makes stronger leadersLessons from interviewing 100+ successful leadersThe difference between being trustworthy and being trustingAuthentic leadership and personal growthHow empowering others accelerates success If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with today's most inspiring business leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction02:08 Meet Jon Laudie03:10 Why ZeroRez felt "off-brand"05:30 Overcoming imposter syndrome08:50 From CFO to President11:30 Lessons beyond finance13:40 Leadership is about people17:30 Putting people before numbers20:30 Insights from interviewing 100+ leaders23:00 Trust vs. being trusting27:00 Authenticity over appearances31:00 Jon's most important leadership lesson33:50 Final thoughts Connect with the Guest Jon Laudie – President & CFO, ZeroRez About the Podcast Untold: The Best Kept Secrets of Utah features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators, uncovering the leadership lessons, business strategies, and personal stories behind their success. Keywords leadership, leadership podcast, business leadership, Jon Laudie, ZeroRez, CFO, President, executive leadership, entrepreneur, business podcast, finance leadership, imposter syndrome, authentic leadership, empathy in leadership, trust in leadership, Stephen Covey, leadership development, personal growth, executive coaching, Utah business, Netflix, Ancestry, business success, management, workplace culture, servant leadership, emotional intelligence, leadership mindset, professional development, entrepreneurship Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly: https://linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. Jon and the Untold podcast team #UntoldPodcastWithJon #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #JonSpiesman #SmallBusinessStories #LocalBusinessUtah #StartupJourney #PodcastForEntrepreneurs
Jul 7

S02 E10 Most Perceived Risk is Imaginary - How He Grew His Business 800% in Year One | Zachary Bailey

What does 800% growth actually cost a founder? In this episode of Untold: Best Kept Secrets in Utah, Jon sits down with Zachary Bailey, founder and CEO of ZB Designs and creator of Wigglitz— the award-winning line of 3D printed fidget collectible toys that exploded from a handful of retail stores to thousands of doors nationwide. But this conversation isn’t about the highlight reel. It’s about the hard parts behind rapid business growth: the uncomfortable decisions, the fear of walking away from profitable products, the pressure of scaling too fast, and the leadership shifts required when your company outgrows the version of you that built it. Zack shares how he went from engineering student to full-time entrepreneur, why he shut down other successful product lines to go all in on Wiglets, how he transitioned from lead designer to CEO, and what it took to scale one of the largest 3D print farms in the United States. He also opens up about risk, entrepreneurship, delegation, leadership mistakes, and the mindset required to keep building when the stakes get real. If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, business owner, or someone wrestling with a big decision, this episode is packed with honest lessons on scaling a business, product focus, leadership growth, and betting on yourself. In this episode, we cover: * How Zack Bailey built Wiglets and scaled ZB Designs* The real story behind 800% business growth* Why he cut other profitable products to focus on one winning offer* The challenges of delegation and stepping away from product design* How the Theory of Constraints shaped the company’s growth strategy* Scaling production, retail expansion, and building a massive 3D print farm* The hidden emotional cost of entrepreneurship and leadership* Why “safe” choices can still be risky* Advice for young entrepreneurs taking big bets If you enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship, founder journeys, leadership, scaling, business strategy, manufacturing, product design, and startup growth, make sure to like, subscribe, and share the episode. #Entrepreneurship #StartupGrowth #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #FounderStory #Podcast #Wiglets #ZackBailey #ZBDesigns #3DPrinting #Manufacturing #SmallBusiness #ScalingABusiness #CEO #ProductDesign Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly: https://linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. Jon and the Untold podcast team #UntoldPodcastWithJon #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #JonSpiesman #SmallBusinessStories #LocalBusinessUtah #StartupJourney #PodcastForEntrepreneurs
Jun 23

S02 E09 We're Not the Cheapest and Never Will Be (Here's the Strategy) |Wilson Simons

Wilson Simons built a manufacturing company serving SpaceX, Airbus & Boeing — and he did it by refusing to compete on price. Here's the strategy behind it. What does it actually take to win contracts with the biggest aerospace brands in the world — without being the cheapest option in the room? Wilson Simons, President of Specialized Manufacturing, breaks down the leadership philosophy and business strategy behind one of the fastest-growing aerospace component manufacturers in the country. This year alone? They're tracking 50% over last year's numbers. In this episode, Wilson gets brutally honest about: → Why he posts their quarterly performance metrics publicly on LinkedIn — even the bad ones → How refusing to discount is becoming a competitive advantage → The accountability culture that earned clients like SpaceX, Airbus, Boeing & Lockheed Martin → Why 80-90% of his hires are entry-level — and how he builds them into A-players → What leadership stress actually feels like that nobody tells you before you take the top seat. Wilson's core belief: "We are not the cheapest — but there's a reason. We hold ourselves to high standards and we create the best work possible." That's not a tagline. It's a filter for every customer, every hire, and every decision. If you're a business owner, CEO, or executive figuring out how to grow without racing to the bottom on price — this one is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for more CEO conversations like this one. 📲 Connect with Wilson Simons on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilson-simons-492024125🌐 Specialized Manufacturing: https://www.specializedmfg.com Hashags:#CEOInterview #PricingStrategy #ManufacturingBusiness #Leadership #BusinessLeadershipPodcast #Manufacturing #AerospaceManufacturing #LeadershipPodcast #SmallBusinessIdeas #BusinessIdeas #CEO Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly: https://linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. Jon and the Untold podcast team #UntoldPodcastWithJon #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #JonSpiesman #SmallBusinessStories #LocalBusinessUtah #StartupJourney #PodcastForEntrepreneurs
Jun 9

S02 E08 His Mentor Died, Tariffs Hit — How Lion Energy's CEO Kept Going | Tyler Hortin

What does it take to lead a company through change, uncertainty, and growth? In this episode, Tyler Hortin, CEO of Lion Energy, shares his journey from a finance background to leading an innovative energy company. Tyler discusses the evolving relationship between technology and energy, the realities of stepping into executive leadership, and the personal lessons learned through loss, resilience, and difficult decision-making. Throughout the conversation, Tyler reveals how strong relationships, trust, mindset, and strategic thinking shape successful leaders. He also shares insights into building a company vision that serves employees, customers, partners, and stakeholders alike. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, business leader, or someone pursuing personal growth, this episode offers valuable lessons on leadership, business strategy, decision-making, and navigating life's challenges. 🔑 Key Topics:• Leadership and CEO decision-making• The future of energy and technology• Business strategy and operational excellence• Resilience through adversity• Building trust and relationships• Personal growth and mindset• Mentorship and leadership development• Creating a long-term company vision 💡 Memorable Quotes:"You can create it on your own.""You have to make the best decision you can.""No matter how difficult it is, it will pass.""Trusting yourself in the moment is key." ⏱ Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage04:08 The Journey from Finance to Leadership09:55 The Impact of Technology on Energy14:01 Navigating Loss and Transitioning to CEO19:57 Shifts in Leadership and Decision-Making25:03 Facing Challenges and Personal Growth29:59 Building Relationships and Mindset33:46 Vision for the Future and Final Thoughts #Leadership #CEO #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #EnergyInnovation #Technology #DecisionMaking #LeadershipDevelopment #Resilience #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #ExecutiveLeadership #LionEnergy #GrowthMindset Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly: https://linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. Jon and the Untold podcast team #UntoldPodcastWithJon #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #JonSpiesman #SmallBusinessStories #LocalBusinessUtah #StartupJourney #PodcastForEntrepreneurs
May 19

S02 E07 Running 4 Companies: The 1 Rule That Makes It Possible | Tyler Margetts

🎙️ In this episode, Tyler Margetts, CEO of LR Dynamics, shares insights on managing multiple businesses, building strong teams, and redefining excellence in leadership. From resource allocation and strategic planning to delegation and long-term stewardship, Tyler explains the realities of leading several companies while maintaining growth and operational focus. He also discusses how technology, organizational structure, and team culture play a major role in scaling successfully. In this conversation, we explore: 💡 Managing and balancing multiple businesses📈 Strategic planning and resource allocation🧠 Why excellence is a continuous journey👥 Building and developing a strong leadership team⚙️ Using technology to improve business management🚀 The importance of delegation and protecting leadership time🤝 Creating a culture where employees thrive📊 Long-term thinking and sustainable business growth A key theme throughout the episode is leadership through service building businesses by supporting people, empowering teams, and constantly improving. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, or scaling organizations, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience. 🔔 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and business leaders. #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #CEO #Management #Delegation #BusinessStrategy #LRDynamics #LeadershipDevelopment #TheBusinessSpotlight We hope you enjoyed this episode of Untold. Jon and the Untold podcast team Connect with Jon on LinkedIn where he shares leadership insights regularly: www.linkedin.com/in/jonspiesman Book a free exploration call with Jon here: https://calendly.com/d/ytw-khm-4r5?utm_source=LI&utm_campaign=Bio Listen to Untold on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bshg8B2x1kX665eeYkk52Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/untold/id1805797903Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa845f62-543e-44b2-a6f1-7704bccfc099/untold #DigitalPathology #AIInnovation #RemoteWorkCulture #MedTech #StartupLeadership #Techcyte #UntoldPodcastWithJon#CompassionOverJudgment#EncouragingLeaders #UtahBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #SmallBusinessStories #UntoldPodcast #BusinessTips #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessUtah #HiddenGems #WeeklyPodcast #JonSpiesman #BusinessAdvice #podcastforentrepreneurs Untold is the podcast hosted by Jon Spiesman where we uncover the best-kept business secrets of Utah. Each week, we sit down with local entrepreneurs and business owners to explore their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're building your own business or just love a good underdog story, you'll find hidden gems of advice and inspiration in every episode.
May 12

S02 E06 Rebuilding Culture after a Tough Merger- 3 Things that Worked

What really happens to company culture after an acquisition? In this episode, David Beenfield, CEO and co-founder of Dwelo, shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at navigating mergers, cultural disruption, and rebuilding trust after major organizational change. From building a strong, scrappy startup culture to experiencing its breakdown following a high-stakes merger, David opens up about the hidden costs of growth, leadership transitions, and the emotional reality of layoffs. He explains how the loss of transparency, identity, and alignment can fracture teams—and what it truly takes to rebuild them. David also reflects on his personal evolution from hands-on operator to CEO, including the challenge of stepping away from execution and learning to lead with clarity, vision, and trust. If you're a founder, leader, or part of a scaling company, this episode offers practical insights on protecting your culture—and recovering when it starts to slip. What you’ll learn in this episode: The real impact of mergers and acquisitions on company cultureWhy transparency is essential during times of changeHow to rebuild trust after layoffs and leadership shiftsThe difference between startup culture and corporate structureTransitioning from operator to CEO mindset Key Topics:Dwelo, company culture, mergers and acquisitions, startup growth, leadership, private equity, organizational change, employee trust, business transformation, CEO mindset Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to David Beenfield and Dwelo09:00 Navigating Ownership and Role Changes15:30 Cultural Shifts After Acquisition24:15 Rebuilding Trust and Transparency30:20 Leadership Lessons as CEO36:30 Advice for Founders Facing Big Decisions Hashtags:#Dwelo #Leadership #CompanyCulture #StartupGrowth #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessTransformation #CEO #Entrepreneurship #ScalingBusiness #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessPodcast #FounderJourney
May 5

S02 E05 Leadership Lessons from Private Equity Transition | Matthew Wride

In this episode, Matthew Wride shares an inside look at leading DecisionWise through a major transition following a private equity acquisition. He breaks down the real challenges of scaling a business, including the hidden costs of growth, maintaining quality while expanding, and the complexities of integrating company cultures after a merger. Matthew also highlights why not all revenue is good revenue and how overextension can impact long-term success. This conversation offers valuable insights into employee engagement, organizational development, and building a strong company culture during periods of transformation. Matthew emphasizes the importance of transparency with customers, aligning with the right private equity partners, and operationalizing processes to scale effectively. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or involved in mergers and acquisitions, this episode provides practical lessons on navigating growth without losing focus or values. What you’ll learn in this episode: The impact of private equity on company growthHidden costs and risks of scaling too quicklyHow to balance growth with quality and executionChallenges of cultural integration in mergersWhy transparency and communication matter in business transformation Key Topics:DecisionWise, employee engagement, private equity, growth strategy, organizational development, merger integration, company culture, leadership, business transformation, employee experience Timestamps:00:00 Navigating Change: The Journey of DecisionWise10:39 The Impact of Private Equity on Growth17:20 Balancing Growth and Quality: The New Reality24:15 Integrating Cultures: The Challenge of Mergers27:44 Lessons Learned: Insights for Future Growth Opportunities Hashtags:#DecisionWise #PrivateEquity #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #EmployeeEngagement #CompanyCulture #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessTransformation #OrganizationalDevelopment #StartupGrowth #ScalingBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast
Apr 28

S02 E04 The Invisible Weight of Leadership | Joshua Christopherson

In this episode of Untold, host Jon Spiesman sits down with Joshua Christopherson, CEO of Achieve Today, to explore the hidden realities of leadership that rarely make it into press releases or boardroom summaries. Joshua shares his deeply personal journey from sales and marketing leadership roles to becoming CEO of Achieve Today, an EdTech company based in Utah that has helped more than 150,000 people in 72 countries through coaching and personal development programs. After nearly two decades with the company, Joshua Christopherson reveals the mindset shifts required to grow from an individual contributor to an executive leader responsible for the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of employees. The conversation dives into the unseen pressures of leadership, the emotional weight of running a company, and the internal battles leaders face while appearing confident on the outside. Josh Christopherson also opens up about the inspiration behind his book, CEOs and Suicide: The Invisible Game of Leadership, where he discusses the mental and emotional struggles many executives silently experience. From navigating financial crises and near-miss payroll moments to confronting loneliness at the top, this episode uncovers the inner game that every leader must face but few openly discuss. If you're a founder, entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, this conversation provides powerful insights into resilience, vulnerability in leadership, and what it truly takes to carry the responsibility of leading others. Topics covered in this episode: Leadership mindset shifts from “me” to “we”The hidden emotional costs of running a companyWhy leadership can feel lonely at the topLessons from nearly 25 years in the education and coaching industryThe story behind the book CEOs and SuicideBuilding a strong workplace culture and supporting employeesFacing business crises and staying resilient as a leader About the guestJoshua Christopherson is the CEO of Achieve Today, a personal development and coaching company headquartered in Utah. With more than two decades of experience in education and leadership, Joshua Christopherson has helped scale the company into a globally recognized coaching platform while building one of the most awarded workplace cultures in the state. Hashtags #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #CEOLeadership #BusinessPodcast #PersonalDevelopment #StartupLife #ExecutiveLeadership

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Welcome to the Untold podcast! Here, we're speaking with local businesses that are the best kept secrets of Utah. Find out their journey, their business challenges and tips, and hidden advice brought to light to help you with your own journey! We hope you enjoy! Please like, subscribe, and rate to never miss an episode! Jon

Creator

Jon Spiesman
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

33
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Jon Spiesman