In this Friday Conversation, we’re joined by Tyler, founder and CEO of Cozy Earth, a luxury bedding and loungewear brand known for its focus on sustainability and comfort. Tyler takes us through his entrepreneurial journey, beginning with his time at BYU, where he served a mission in Australia and learned Mandarin. He shares how this language skill led him to explore opportunities in overseas manufacturing, eventually launching Cozy Earth. We dive into his passion for creating high-quality products, the lessons learned from building a brand, and how staying true to a vision helped Cozy Earth become a market leader.

Tyler delves into the challenges of funding a consumer-driven business and the critical importance of choosing the right kind of capital. He explains how taking the wrong type of investment can shift your focus away from quality and growth, forcing you to prioritize investor timelines over long-term strategy. Although Cozy Earth initially took friends and family capital, Tyler recapped the business to maintain more control. He reflects on his early days in 2009, when digital ads were non-existent, and how that shaped his approach to scaling a brand. Without venture capital, Tyler had to rely on strong margins and careful planning, navigating cash flow challenges while gradually building a customer base.

Tyler explains how during a visit to a factory in China, he was told that Americans prioritize price over quality, with most opting for cheaper, disposable products. Despite this advice, he believed there was a market for long-lasting, high-quality goods. Drawing parallels to how people invest in iPhones for their value, Tyler saw an opportunity to focus on durable, well-made products that offer real benefits. Cozy Earth’s commitment is to ensure every product is at least 50% better than the competition in terms of comfort, durability, and sustainability, appealing to consumers who seek quality over quantity.

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.

In this Friday Conversation, were joined by Joey Albertson, the founder and CEO of Bookflow, the owner of the Profitability Project, and a fractional CFO. Joey shares her journey from corporate finance to entrepreneurship, highlighting her passion for helping others navigate the complexities of starting and growing their businesses.

She discusses her roots in Utah, her love for being a mom and business owner, and her evolution from a bookkeeping business to a revops firm. Joey also delves into the founding story of Bookflow and the Profitability Project, emphasizing the importance of overcoming imposter syndrome and taking the first steps towards entrepreneurship. She provides insights into the challenges faced by early-stage businesses and outlines the steps she guides aspiring entrepreneurs through, starting with clarifying their identity and moving on to branding, marketing, and optimizing systems. Joey's story is a testament to the power of embracing imperfection and pursuing one's entrepreneurial dreams with determination and resilience.

In the evolving landscape of bookkeeping, Joey discusses the significant trends and shifts she observes, particularly in the implementation of AI. She acknowledges the apprehension some may feel about AI in handling their finances due to the vulnerability of such data. Joey emphasizes the importance of trusting professionals in managing finances and sees AI as a powerful tool for analyzing, optimizing, and automating processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Additionally, Joey highlights the rise of fractional executive roles, such as fractional CFOs, as a budget-friendly option for startups looking to access specialized expertise without the cost of a full finance team. She emphasizes the need for companies to carefully choose a fractional executive that aligns with their specific needs, whether it be in strategy, fundraising, operations, or other areas critical for growth and success. Joey's insights shed light on the changing dynamics within the financial and executive realms and the opportunities they present for businesses seeking sustainable growth and success.

Tune in to hear from this great entrepreneur.