In this week's episode, Casey sits down with Colin Wright to unpack the defining moments that shaped his career - from nearly losing his home in the 2008 financial crisis to building one of Utah’s most successful real estate development firms. Colin’s journey is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the power of learning from failure.
Colin shares the lessons he learned from his father, the risks he took by striking out on his own, and the turning points that helped him transform failure into a foundation for growth. He opens up about the challenges of leadership, the importance of knowing your strengths, and the discipline required to survive volatile markets.
Sharing insights on business, faith, and family, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, calculated risk-taking, and the long game of real estate success. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, Colin’s story offers invaluable lessons on navigating uncertainty and seizing opportunities.
Chapters:
00:00 – 00:39 | Introduction
\t•\tCasey Baugh introduces Colin Wright
\t•\tTheir unexpected past business connections
00:39 – 02:29 | Early Life & Family Influence
\t•\tGrowing up in Davis County, Utah
\t•\tParents’ strong emphasis on education and work ethic
02:29 – 05:53 | Mission in Peru & University of Utah
\t•\tColin’s transformative missionary experience
\t•\tAccelerated college path and early exposure to real estate
05:53 – 10:12 | Real Estate Roots & Career Foundations
\t•\tFather’s involvement in Ivory Homes
\t•\tLearning through hands-on experience in land acquisition
10:12 – 13:50 | The Columbia University Experience & New York Insights
\t•\tStudying real estate at Columbia MRED
\t•\tHow living in NYC influenced Colin’s urban development mindset
13:50 – 19:00 | Entrepreneurship & Early Struggles
\t•\tLeaving a stable job to launch his own business
\t•\tThe harsh realities of the 2008 financial crisis
\t•\tNearly losing his home and rebuilding from scratch
19:00 – 25:16 | Major Breakthroughs & Scaling Up
\t•\tCo-founding Henry Walker Homes and scaling across multiple states
\t•\tSelling the business and learning critical lessons in exits
\t•\tBuilding CW Landco and evolving into Cole West
25:16 – 30:42 | Navigating Real Estate Cycles & Market Shifts
\t•\tStrategies for surviving economic downturns
\t•\tHow Utah’s real estate market is evolving
\t•\tAdapting to industry headwinds and capital challenges
30:42 – 36:42 | Faith, Family, & Business Philosophy
\t•\tBalancing entrepreneurship with personal values
\t•\tThe role of faith in guiding career decisions
\t•\tThe importance of discipline and long-term thinking
36:42 – 38:22 | Utah’s Future & Real Estate Outlook
\t•\tPredictions for Utah’s housing market
\t•\tHow policy changes and development trends will shape the industry
38:22 – 40:00 | Closing Thoughts
\t•\tReflections on business integrity and reputation
\t•\tColin’s vision for the next phase of Cole West
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