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CASE STUDIES
Kenny Cox: Journey from Coal Mines to Millions
In this episode of Case Studies, Casey Baugh sits down with longtime friend and business leader Kenny Cox. From early entrepreneurial failures to two decades of success at Vivint, Kenny shares the lessons that shaped his career. They discuss leadership, delegation, investing, and the impact of faith and family in building a meaningful life.
This conversation is packed with insights on resilience, financial growth, and the mindset of top performers.
00:00 – 01:04 | Introduction & First Impressions
Casey introduces Kenny and reflects on his leadership qualities.
01:04 – 03:47 | 20 Years at Vivint: Hard Work or Luck?
Kenny discusses his journey and why long-term success isn’t just luck.
03:47 – 06:54 | Learning from Failure
How Kenny’s first business venture collapsed and set him on a new path.
06:54 – 11:49 | Near Bankruptcy & A Turning Point
The struggles that nearly led Kenny to work in a coal mine before finding his way to Vivint.
11:49 – 13:50 | Embracing the Process
Why failure is a stepping stone, not a roadblock.
13:50 – 21:30 | Rebuilding Confidence & Personal Sales
How mastering sales helped Kenny regain his confidence and build a career.
21:30 – 27:11 | Breaking Through Leadership Barriers
The lesson that transformed Kenny’s leadership—delegation and scaling a team.
27:11 – 31:36 | Overcoming Self-Doubt & Imposter Syndrome
How even top leaders struggle with self-limiting beliefs.
31:36 – 34:04 | The ‘Chip on the Shoulder’ Mindset
How internal drive and past struggles fuel success.
34:04 – 40:57 | Mentors That Made an Impact
Lessons from Bodhi Gardner, Todd Pedersen, and Jeff Mendez.
40:57 – 45:49 | Building High-Performing Teams
Why great leaders empower others and attract top talent.
45:49 – 49:53 | Kenny’s Investment Philosophy
Key principles for long-term financial success.
49:53 – 53:55 | The Hard Truth About Investing
Why understanding investments is more important than just finding “good deals.”
53:55 – 57:59 | The Power of Saving & Financial Discipline
How consistent saving builds wealth over time.
57:59 – 01:02:53 | Teaching Financial Wisdom to the Next Generation
Lessons on credit, money management, and investing.
01:02:53 – 01:04:52 | The Spiritual Side of Business
Why business and leadership are deeply connected to faith.
01:04:52 – 01:06:42 | Emotional Conditioning & Resilience
How top performers develop mental toughness and handle adversity.
01:06:42 – 01:08:09 | The Three Pillars of Success
1. Mastering a skillset
2. Surrounding yourself with the right people
3. Letting financial success follow naturally
01:08:09 – 01:13:11 | The Power of Habits & Consistency
Daily routines that drive long-term success.
01:13:11 – 01:16:30 | Faith, Eternal Perspective & Family
How spiritual principles keep Kenny grounded.
01:16:30 – 01:18:30 | Final Thoughts & Closing Wisdom
The importance of consistency, integrity, and long-term vision.
Key Takeaways:
• Failure is a stepping stone—embrace it and learn from it.
• Great leaders delegate, empower others, and build strong teams.
• Investing requires discipline, education, and long-term thinking.
• Your network and mentors determine your success.
• Business, leadership, and faith are deeply connected.
Don’t miss this powerful episode with Kenny Cox!
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121. Kent Alder: The Discipline and Strategy Behind a $7 Billion Outcome
01:29:52||Season 1, Ep. 121In this episode of Case Studies, Casey Baugh sits down with Kent Alder, former CEO of TTM Technologies, to unpack how a quiet leader from Cache Valley helped build a $7 billion public company. From humble beginnings to orchestrating bold acquisitions and navigating industry chaos, Kent’s story is one of resilience, discipline, and vision.Kent reveals the behind-the-scenes playbook that led TTM from a tiny PCB manufacturer to an industry giant. He shares how aligning incentives, focusing on execution over hype, and making countercyclical moves during downturns drove long-term success. You’ll hear lessons on navigating private equity partnerships, building strong cultures, and evolving as a leader across decades. This episode is a masterclass in how to lead through market chaos, think long-term, and win as a team.00:00 | Introduction to Kent Alder01:29 | Building TTM: From Roll-Up to $7B Public Company03:19 | Competing in a Tough, Low-Margin Industry04:18 | Early Career: From Finance to Circuit Boards07:26 | Lessons from Early Mentors and Risk-Taking08:26 | Turning Around a Tiny Manufacturer10:29 | Becoming CEO and Strategic Expansion13:46 | Partnering with Private Equity15:04 | Going Public and the Dot-Com Era22:21 | Navigating the Dot-Com Crash26:14 | Acquiring Honeywell Assets in a Crisis29:29 | Acquisitions That Worked: Culture & Fit30:09 | Buying Back Tyco: Integration and Vision32:14 | Incentive Structures and Company Culture34:48 | Strategic Discipline in a Commoditized Market36:18 | Customer Relationships as True Partnerships39:18 | Leadership Through Crisis & Market Cycles43:20 | Personal Growth as a CEO45:56 | Lifelong Learning & Team Development49:39 | Delegation and Building Teams at Scale53:31 | Working the Night Shift: Leading by Example55:52 | Legacy, Succession, and Long-Term Culture59:42 | Sacrifices, Travel, and Company Dedication01:03:19 | Legacy: Impact Over Titles01:06:04 | Marriage, Support Systems & Family Balance01:09:14 | Faith, Values, and Navigating Trade-offs01:12:26 | Advice for Young Entrepreneurs01:13:58 | The Misunderstood Journey of Success120. Juliana Del Aguila: Highlight Episode
31:55||Season 1, Ep. 120In this inspiring episode of Case Studies, Juliana Del Aguila takes us on a deeply personal and powerful journey through her life as a leader, a woman in a male-dominated industry, and a member of a family with an iconic legacy. Juliana shares the extraordinary story of her family, from escaping the Armenian genocide to building transformative businesses in Argentina and Armenia, including their groundbreaking ventures in textiles, wine, and airport development.Juliana opens up about her unique position as the only female leader in her family’s businesses, the challenges she has faced, and the lessons she has learned about resilience, vulnerability, and embracing authenticity. She reflects on balancing personal ambitions with family commitments, coping with loss, and preparing for future roles as a mother and mentor.Through her story, Juliana explores profound themes such as the importance of faith, the role of community impact in business, and the journey to discovering and owning her true self. Whether you’re drawn to stories of entrepreneurship, family legacy, or personal growth, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration to live with purpose, make meaningful contributions, and leave a lasting legacy.120. Dave Checketts: From Running Sports Empires to a New Life in Private Equity
01:34:36||Season 1, Ep. 120In this episode of Case Studies, Casey Baugh sits down with Dave Checketts, the youngest president in NBA history and former CEO of Madison Square Garden. From saving bankrupt franchises to leading iconic sports organizations, Dave shares the defining moments that shaped his career and his character.This conversation goes far beyond headlines and trophies. Dave opens up about faith, injustice, loss, and the unseen preparation behind opportunity. He reflects on how early rejection fueled resilience, how mentorship changed the trajectory of his life, and why building “championship culture” matters more than talent or capital alone.Now operating in private equity after decades in the global sports spotlight, Dave explains why influence without attention has become more fulfilling than power with a platform. This is a rare masterclass on leadership, readiness, and building a life of meaning long after the applause fades.⏱️ Episode Chapters00:00 | Admiration, Sports, and a Life in Leadership03:35 | Growing Up in Bountiful & Learning to Hustle Early08:34 | Rejection, Injustice, and Missing High School Basketball12:20 | Turning Setbacks into Fuel for Growth15:25 | Making the BYU Basketball Team Against the Odds20:14 | Faith, Obedience, and a Defining Spiritual Promise24:19 | Why That One Year of College Basketball Mattered28:19 | Ambition at 70 and Never Being Finished30:48 | Business School, Bain, and Early Career Acceleration35:27 | Clayton Christensen, Mentorship, and Consulting41:31 | Helping Danny Ainge and Entering Pro Sports47:26 | Walking into the NBA Office Unannounced52:58 | Sparring with David Stern—and Earning His Trust57:09 | Why the Celtics Deal Fell Apart59:17 | Being Chosen to Save the Utah Jazz at 2701:02:42 | Championship Culture vs. Winning Culture01:09:14 | Painful Partnerships and Hard Lessons01:16:21 | Tragedy, Loss, and Perspective01:20:04 | Faith, Gratitude, and the Experiences You Wouldn’t Choose01:22:14 | Raising Capital to Save the Jazz01:27:00 | Legacy Beyond Sports and the Spotlight119. Chad Willardson: Highlight Episode
35:06||Season 1, Ep. 119On this week’s episode, Casey sits down Chad Willardson - Chad shares his inspiring journey of building a successful wealth management business from the ground up, emphasizing the importance of adding value, maintaining integrity, and fostering positive relationships.Chad reveals his unique approach to helping others overcome their fears, illustrated by a moving story of encouraging a stranger to take a leap of faith. We delve into the critical distinctions between building and preserving wealth, the significance of focusing on what you do best, and the power of giving while living. Chad also discusses the role of faith, family, and personal growth in achieving a fulfilling and successful life.Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or someone looking to better manage your finances, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and profound insights. Tune in to discover how to harness your fears, invest with confidence, and build a legacy of wealth and purpose.119. David Bearss: How a Gene Discovery Sparked a Career Saving Lives
01:08:38||Season 1, Ep. 119In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with David Bearss – a trailblazing scientist, cancer researcher, and biotech founder, for a compelling conversation about faith, innovation, and the extraordinary journey from a biology lab to life saving breakthroughs. David shares how an early gene discovery altered the course of his life, launching him from a white coat in academia to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. With humility and clarity, he reveals what it’s like to develop treatments that not only extend lives but have saved the lives of people he loves. They explore how Halia, his latest venture, is revolutionizing Alzheimer’s research by studying those genetically at risk who never get the disease, and how AI is accelerating discoveries that once took decades. David also opens up about the mentors who believed in him, the moral weight of investor trust, and why scarcity breeds the best innovation. This conversation is an inspiring masterclass in conviction, purpose, and the science of resilience; for anyone committed to solving hard problems and building something that truly matters.118. Highlight Episode: Talk to Me About Faith (Part 2)
40:27||Season 1, Ep. 118As we step into a new year, we’re taking a moment to pause and reflect on one of the most meaningful questions asked in every episode of Case Studies:“Talk to me about faith.”This episode is Part One of our 2025 faith reflections, featuring half of this year’s guests sharing how faith shapes their leadership, decisions, relationships, and sense of purpose. The answers are thoughtful, honest, and deeply personal, offering a powerful look at how faith is showing up in real life and real business.As we move into the year ahead, these conversations create space to reflect on our own journeys and consider how faith is impacting each of us right now.Part Two drops next week, where we’ll share the remaining guests’ responses and continue the conversation.Whether faith is central to your life or something you’re still exploring, this episode is an invitation to reflect, reset, and step into the new year with intention.118. Andrew Smith: Three Exits by 33 and What Most Miss About The Food And Beverage Industry
01:31:39||Season 1, Ep. 118In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Andrew Smith, serial entrepreneur, multi-exit founder, and co-founder of Savory Fund, for an unforgettable deep dive into resilience, reinvention, and the sacred power of food.Andrew opens up about building three successful tech companies before the age of 33, selling to Fortune 100s, and navigating the dot-com bust and 2008 financial crisis. But it was a surprising pivot—supporting his wife Shauna’s dream to open a Kneaders Bakery; that shifted his trajectory and ultimately led to launching a wildly successful F&B Investment firm.From selling streaming tech in the ’90s to washing dishes in a café post-exit, Andrew shares raw lessons on humility, grit, and what it means to start over. They explore how family, faith, and a relentless drive to solve real problems shaped his entrepreneurial DNA, and why he believes restaurants are uniquely positioned to thrive, even in chaos.This conversation is a masterclass for founders on navigating ego, building with purpose, and finding meaning in the margins.117. Highlight Episode: Talk to Me About Faith (Part 1)
26:21||Season 1, Ep. 117As we step into a new year, we’re taking a moment to pause and reflect on one of the most meaningful questions asked in every episode of Case Studies:“Talk to me about faith.”This episode is Part One of our 2025 faith reflections, featuring half of this year’s guests sharing how faith shapes their leadership, decisions, relationships, and sense of purpose. The answers are thoughtful, honest, and deeply personal, offering a powerful look at how faith is showing up in real life and real business.As we move into the year ahead, these conversations create space to reflect on our own journeys and consider how faith is impacting each of us right now.Part Two drops next week, where we’ll share the remaining guests’ responses and continue the conversation.Whether faith is central to your life or something you’re still exploring, this episode is an invitation to reflect, reset, and step into the new year with intention.117. Casey Baugh: A Christmas Challenge To Live Abundantly
18:02||Season 1, Ep. 117In this solo episode, Casey reflects on the profound principle of giving and how acts of kindness—both big and small—can transform lives and create a lasting impact.Drawing from personal experiences, Casey shares powerful stories, from a life-changing moment at Cold Stone to an unforgettable Christmas Eve encounter, illustrating how acknowledging others and expressing generosity can break barriers and inspire connection. He highlights lessons learned from mentors who model a spirit of abundance, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from growing and giving.Casey also dives into the psychology of human needs and the super-needs of growth and contribution, offering practical insights on how anyone can give—whether through time, resources, or simple acts of kindness. He issues a Christmas Challenge to intentionally seek opportunities to bless others and shares how these moments can ripple into a legacy of goodness.This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to embrace abundance, create meaningful connections, and make this holiday season a time of true giving.