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Eccles Business Buzz

Eccles Business Buzz

Written by: David Eccles School of Business
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Welcome to the Eccles Business Buzz Podcast. My name is Frances Johnson, and your host for our podcast show. We know the Eccles community is only as strong as its alumni network and as I have built relationships with alumni across the nation, I’ve learned how truly remarkable our network is. Our goal is to share alumni stories, perspectives, and voices on topics that are driving conversations around the globe and within our school today. The core values of the Eccles community will underlie everything we discuss here: Entrepreneurial Grit, Continuous Curiosity, Empathetic Global Citizenship, and Impacting Your World.

Eccles Business Buzz is a production of David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.

All rights reserved. Careers Economics Personal Success
Episodes
  • S9E9: The Non-Linear Path to Venture Capital Success with Dalton Wright: From Venture Fund to Venture Forward

    S9E9: The Non-Linear Path to Venture Capital Success with Dalton Wright: From Venture Fund to Venture Forward
    Feb 13 2026
    As we approach the end of our season highlighting alumni from the University and the impact that the David Eccles School of Business has had on their lives and careers, we welcome back guest-host Annesley Womble, who talks with Dalton Wright, General Partner at Kickstart, a seed-stage venture capital firm with offices in Salt Lake City and Denver.Dalton shares his unique career journey, which began with his involvement in the University Venture Fund and progressed to significant roles in venture capital, including helping to develop Utah’s first seed fund through Kickstart. He also discusses his non-linear career path, which included launching a startup and strategically working in venture capital in Mexico.The University of Utah played a critical role in supporting Kickstart during its early formation, providing guidance and infrastructure as the company navigated the challenges of launching a startup. Kickstart’s initial investment meetings were held at the University of Utah Technology Transfer Office, and the University was instrumental in the firm’s successful launch. Dalton also helped develop the Campus Founders Fund, a student-run investment fund established after his return to Utah. Today, the fund has invested in more than 30 student startups, including one that now generates several hundred million dollars in annual revenue. This University of Utah initiative has helped launch the careers of many students into the venture capital industry.Dalton emphasizes the importance of embracing change, redefining risk, and maintaining curiosity amid the evolving technological landscape. This episode is filled with insights on entrepreneurship, venture capital, and the value of pursuing passion over a linear career path.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University.fm.Eccles Business Buzz is proud to be selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 70 Business School podcasts on the web. Learn more at https://podcast.feedspot.com/us_business_school_podcasts. Episode Quotes:Why the best career opportunities often look uncertain at first[10:31] When Kickstart was launching, I saw that as my opportunity to learn seed-stage venture capital with somebody who was the founder, the entrepreneur in that category. And so I was lucky enough to get the job as the first hire with the fund. We had $4 million under management at the time. This is the 2008 Great Recession. So I can empathize with any cohort of students who's graduating and wondering, like, is the world going to change forever? And will there ever be employment opportunities for me again? You know, nobody wanted to fund our fund. People saw it as like a community service project support entrepreneurs, but nobody was looking at it as these guys are going to go build like a franchise venture capital fund. But, you know, most good things look like that in the beginning. They're not yet exciting, they're not yet successful, and you have to be able to suspend what you see in the present moment and imagine what this thing can become in the future.Getting comfortable with fear and risk can help you explore a non-linear career path[11:57] There's one point right after graduating from college where my peers were all pursuing the linear path, and I'm not in any way saying, "Oh, like, they made the wrong choice," because, like, I mean, so many people have different preferences, values, things that they're trying to optimize for. So I never am trying to, like, say, "But my way is like, let me give someone else advice," because my way was my way, and it might not work for somebody else who even wants the same thing, let alone something entirely different. So I decided very early on that I was going to condition myself to feel comfortable with my fears and feel comfortable with the risks that I was taking. And so I think reframing what a risk is is really important if you want to take the nonlinear path.On why knowing your “why” matters more than money when building a startup[35:16] I've encouraged students to really think about the why behind what they're doing. And if it's to make money, a lot of money, it's like you can use that as a motivator, but there's also a lot of maybe easier ways or better ways, faster ways to have that need met. And so when you're grinding it out and you're not making money as a founder, and all of a sudden it's like, Hey, you can go take the consulting job and immediately have like a nice salary. Or you could potentially go get that, what causes you to say, Why would I ever consider that? And so I think if you know why you're building the thing and it's like truly rooted in the problem that you're trying to solve, the customers that you're serving, the change that you want to make in the world, if it's rooted in that, then you can lean on that through the down times to inspire you through that.Show Links:Dalton Wright | LinkedInProfile | Kickstart FundDavid Eccles School of...
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    35 mins
  • S9E8: Curiosity is the Key that Unlocks Success feat. Ben Holley

    S9E8: Curiosity is the Key that Unlocks Success feat. Ben Holley
    Jan 29 2026
    We’re back for more stories about the impact the David Eccles School of Business has on the lives and careers of our alumni, and today we are sharing another success story of connections made through the David Eccles Alumni Network with Ben Holley.Frances talks to Ben about how he went from earning a music degree at the University of Utah and an MBA from Harvard Business School to now the VP of Finance for Disney Entertainment Television. Ben discusses his career journey, the importance of curiosity, and how it has consistently opened unexpected opportunities along the way. Ben shares insights from his varied roles throughout his tenure with Disney and emphasizes the value of building relationships and connections along the way. He also touches on his philanthropic efforts supporting Ukrainian families affected by war through the efforts of To Ukraine with Love. This episode offers valuable advice for anyone navigating career changes, fostering curiosity, and maintaining optimism.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University.fm.Eccles Business Buzz is proud to be selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 70 Business School podcasts on the web. Learn more at https://podcast.feedspot.com/us_business_school_podcasts. Episode Quotes:Ben reveals how building relationships and connections shaped his career path[12:41] The other theme besides curiosity that might emerge in this conversation you'll hear me say again and again is the importance of building relationships and building connections. Whether that be, as we've been discussing, to help manage a business that you're part of, or whether it's building your career, connecting to those that are further on in their careers that may be able to provide advice or guidance. I remember an experience as a student when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I didn't really know what I wanted to do, and so I sat down and interviewed, in effect, 10 or 12 local businesspeople and asked them all about their jobs. I'd say, What do you like about your job? What do you hate about your job? What does your family think of your job? Do you make a lot of money? Do you not make a lot of money? What education did you have? Should I be thinking about an MBA? All of those questions. And the lesson I learned from that, walking away from all those interactions, there's not one that stands out to me as, Oh, that was the one; that was the silver bullet; that person knew everything that needed to be known. In reality, what happened was it was me talking about my interests and hearing other people react to those interests, and hearing a little bit about that helped me in my own mind to crystallize what I thought was sort of the right path for me, and that process of discussing and exploring different opportunities in different fields was really what helped me shape my own direction.On why students shouldn’t be afraid to approach mentors and industry leaders[15:43] At the outset you do have to have a little bit of self-confidence to pick up the phone or send an email or a text or whatever to reach out and make that connection. But what I found, and I think what most people will find, is that people are eager to share their own experience and eager to give advice. They feel flattered, right? When you reach out to them and say, “Hey, you're smarter than me; tell me what I should do.” And so, if I could dispel the fear that some people feel about reaching out, know that most people are eager to share their experience and talk to especially students.How being curious and making bold moves helped Ben get to where he is today[17:18] I thought to myself, I'm capable. I can certainly explore it, right? Figure it out and try and make that move, and through a series of interactions and connections and opportunities that I was able to find myself in the role I'm in now supporting the television side of the business, which is so funny. I came into this a little bit naive, right? Thinking, oh, finance is finance and Disney is Disney. But in reality, the television business is very different than the parks and resorts business, and it took a long time for me to learn the business, to get to know the people, but it's the same thing. It's the same thing I was doing at the call center, right? It's, you know, find the guy who's running the tech, who's asking you questions, figure out how the business works, how the business runs. Connect with the people, understand who's making decisions and guiding the business, and get to know them and let them get to know you, and that'll serve you well. It served me well, certainly.Show Links:Ben Holley | LinkedInTo Ukraine with LoveUtah Entrepreneur ChallengeDavid Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) | InstagramUndergraduate Scholars ProgramsRising Business LeadersEccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) | Instagram Eccles Experience Magazine
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    30 mins
  • S9E7: From Banking to Building: Real Estate Revelations with Ashley Atkinson Williamson

    S9E7: From Banking to Building: Real Estate Revelations with Ashley Atkinson Williamson
    Jan 15 2026
    We’re back for more stories about the impact the David Eccles School of Business has on their lives and careers, and for this episode, host Frances Johnson is joined by Ashley Atkinson Williamson, Founder and Principal at Williamson Development. In this episode, Frances talks to Ashley about her journey from med school to finance and then real estate, and what valuable lessons she learned from each segment, and how it all helps her now in her passion for real estate development. Ashley discusses her other significant projects, including the co-founding of Utah’s Perpetual Housing Fund, and highlights the importance of adaptability, intuition, continuous learning, and building strong relationships. Ashley also emphasizes the value of grit and open-mindedness in navigating career changes and underscores the importance of community involvement and giving back.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University.fm.Eccles Business Buzz is proud to be selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 70 Business School podcasts on the web. Learn more at https://podcast.feedspot.com/us_business_school_podcasts. Episode Quotes:Being a lifelong learner helps you embrace change and every pivot that comes with it.[21:21] I think that intuitiveness comes from experiences and learning. Now I'm 30, almost 35, and I still am like, well, now what am I going to learn? Like now I learned LIHTC; what should I learn next? Because you just have no idea where that's going to help you somewhere else. Anyway, I think continuing to want to learn and enjoy it, even if it's like architecture or planning or art or something that really, maybe it's adjacent, maybe it has nothing to do with your career, I think reading books about anything will help you somewhere. So I think just that mindset of enjoying learning—try to keep that up even when you're in the thick of long workweeks and your late twenties and early thirties. Find a way to learn and enjoy what you're learning.Ashley reveals what it took for her to push past the fear of changing careers.[16:42] Frances Johnson: Talk to us about how you motivated yourself and how you prepared yourself. What was it, maybe a mantra or a ritual or something that allowed you to overcome that fear and just really go for the opportunity?[16:58] Ashley Atkinson Williamson: I think it was just this self-knowing that this is where I want to be. I could have stayed at the bank; I could have worked my way up, but looking like five or ten years ahead, would I just have wasted those five or ten years, or would I be putting my effort into something else? And I have to attribute it to just grit. Like I just knew that this is where I was supposed to be. There were a lot of miserable days. Some of those days dragged on for a very long time, but I just, if this is what I wanted to do, I had to start somewhere. I had to get my foot in the door, and I do think that's one of my most valuable skills, especially being a developer.How staying connected to the alumni network opened doors for Ashley[30:52] I have gotten job offers, partnership opportunities from the relationships that I made years later. Like you talked about, maybe these relationships are going to bring opportunities years in the future. I'm really busy now. I'm running a business, and I'm a mom to a one-and-a-half-year-old, but I still make a point to say yes anytime I get invited to the U because, and I'm sure this is the same for most alums, we just want to give back to the school that gave so much to us. And I love getting invited to come back, and I love meeting with the students, and I really hope that I can inspire someone that maybe is nervous about jumping into something that seems scary or not following exactly the trajectory that seems like either their other classmates are doing or their mentors are kind of pushing them. Like just be open to doing something a little different. Anyway, I am always excited to come and tell my story and to try to help any students that I can.Show Links:Ashley Atkinson Williamson | LinkedInUtah’s Perpetual Housing Fund | WebsiteDavid Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) | InstagramUndergraduate Scholars ProgramsRising Business LeadersEccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) | Instagram Eccles Experience Magazine
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    33 mins
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