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CASE STUDIES

How One Bold Move Nearly Broke Colin Wright - But Instead, Set Him Up for Success

Mar 19, 2025
39:37

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

•Casey Baugh introduces Colin Wright

•Their unexpected past business connections


00:39 – 02:29 | Early Life & Family Influence

•Growing up in Davis County, Utah

•Parents’ strong emphasis on education and work ethic


02:29 – 05:53 | Mission in Peru & University of Utah

•Colin’s transformative missionary experience

•Accelerated college path and early exposure to real estate


05:53 – 10:12 | Real Estate Roots & Career Foundations

•Father’s involvement in Ivory Homes

•Learning through hands-on experience in land acquisition


10:12 – 13:50 | The Columbia University Experience & New York Insights

•Studying real estate at Columbia MRED

•How living in NYC influenced Colin’s urban development mindset


13:50 – 19:00 | Entrepreneurship & Early Struggles

•Leaving a stable job to launch his own business

•The harsh realities of the 2008 financial crisis

•Nearly losing his home and rebuilding from scratch


19:00 – 25:16 | Major Breakthroughs & Scaling Up

•Co-founding Henry Walker Homes and scaling across multiple states

•Selling the business and learning critical lessons in exits

•Building CW Landco and evolving into Cole West


25:16 – 30:42 | Navigating Real Estate Cycles & Market Shifts

•Strategies for surviving economic downturns

•How Utah’s real estate market is evolving

•Adapting to industry headwinds and capital challenges


30:42 – 36:42 | Faith, Family, & Business Philosophy

•Balancing entrepreneurship with personal values

•The role of faith in guiding career decisions

•The importance of discipline and long-term thinking


36:42 – 38:22 | Utah’s Future & Real Estate Outlook

•Predictions for Utah’s housing market

•How policy changes and development trends will shape the industry


38:22 – 40:00 | Closing Thoughts

•Reflections on business integrity and reputation

•Colin’s vision for the next phase of Cole West


If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share!



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