In this Friday Conversation, we’re joined by Robert Pedersen, founder of ZAGG, an innovative company that made waves with its screen protectors for electronic devices. Robert shares his journey from growing up in Utah, playing golf with his family, to the pivotal moment when ZAGG’s protective film for military helicopter blades was repurposed for consumer electronics. He reflects on his love for family, how the growth of ZAGG offers some key lessons for entrepreneurs and how ZAGG evolved from humble beginnings to become a household name.

Robert discusses how it’s not just about having a quality product, but about building trust through branding and customer service. While screen protectors were already available, ZAGG’s approach elevated the commodity through better distribution, market positioning, and a strong customer service ethos—offering 100% refunds and leveraging relationships with retailers like Best Buy. This combination led to a major breakthrough, turning a simple product into a multi-million dollar business.

Another topic of conversation included the valuable lesson that entrepreneurs should focus on building a solid team based on character and trust. Competency can be learned, but a team aligned in values and passion is invaluable. As your company scales, adding specialists for specific roles is necessary, but the core of a great team is built on trust and collaboration.

Robert has always had a passion for creating products and bringing ideas to life, whether it’s a physical product or a service. This passion is a core part of his identity, and as someone who’s always been proud to call Utah home, he sees the state following a similar journey. While Utah may not be as immediately recognizable as places like California or New York, Robert believes it is steadily making a name for itself, thanks in large part to the rise of Silicon Slopes. He often points out that Utah doesn’t need to reinvent itself – the state already boasts an incredible ecosystem of businesses and innovators. What’s needed is more effective marketing to showcase what’s already here.

Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.