Trent Mano: Betting on Freak Founders and Building Utah's Tech Future
Release Date: 09/18/2025
Behind the Fun: How GetOutPass Quietly Became a Utah Powerhouse Business
The Durable Small Business
You’ve probably heard of — or even used it. But what you don’t know is the wild business story behind one of Utah’s most recognizable family brands. In this long-overdue (but worth-the-wait) episode of The Durable Business Podcast, host Chase Murdock sits down with and to tell the full, untold story of GetOutPass: from local startup to $30M+ juggernaut through a surprise merger with its top competitor, Pogo Pass. This episode dives into: How a scrappy Utah startup grew from nothing to 30+ markets nationwide The hidden complexities of running a two-sided marketplace at...
info_outline
From Real Estate to Roastery: Missy Greis on Building Public Coffee into a Utah Staple
The Durable Small Business
What does it take to build a beloved, multi-location coffee brand in one of the toughest industries around? Missy Greis, founder of Publik Coffee, joins Chase Murdock to share the remarkable story behind one of Utah’s most iconic local brands. From buying a dilapidated building in Salt Lake’s Central Ninth district to launching four thriving businesses (coffee roastery, cafe, restaurant, and event space), Missy walks us through how Publik came to life—and why it has stayed deeply rooted in community, hospitality, and craft. In this candid conversation, Missy talks about: The unlikely...
info_outline
Trent Mano: Betting on Freak Founders and Building Utah's Tech Future
The Durable Small Business
Trent Mano is all-in on Utah. As co-founder and general partner at Convoi Ventures—and the force behind Utah Tech Week—Trent is investing in the next generation of breakout startups and reshaping what early-stage venture looks like in the Mountain West. In this episode, Chase Murdock sits down with Trent to explore his unlikely path into venture capital, from struggling through college to launching a VC fund without a billion-dollar exit or Ivy League pedigree. Trent shares how his obsession with community and long-term relationships paved the way to Convoi Ventures, how he defines...
info_outline
Blake Harber: The J-Curve is Real — What Happens When Your Business Shrinks 65%
The Durable Small Business
Blake Harber knows how to scale — but he also knows how to struggle. At HireVue, Lucid, and Workstream, he helped take SaaS companies past $100M in revenue. Then he left the high-growth tech world for small business, trading venture-backed chaos for steady, cash-flow-driven businesses. But the transition wasn’t easy. The J-Curve was real. One of his companies shrank 65% in his first year, a curveball that tested everything — his resilience, his stress limits, and his ability to adapt. It forced him to figure out what he was really made of, seek therapy, and rethink what success looked...
info_outline
Paul Henderson: From Corporate Powerhouse to Utah Cannabis Pioneer
The Durable Small Business
Paul Henderson has seen it all — from high-powered roles at Apple, Goldman Sachs, and GE Capital to leading High Times Magazine. Now, he’s breaking new ground in Utah’s emerging and controversial cannabis industry. As CEO of Pure UT Processing and co-founder of Beehive Farmacy, Paul is at the forefront of Utah’s medical cannabis ecosystem, navigating cultivation, patient access, and the unique challenges of operating in one of the nation’s most conservative markets. In this episode, Paul shares his journey from corporate boardrooms to cannabis farms, offering a behind-the-scenes look...
info_outline
An AMA with Will Smith of Acquiring Minds
The Durable Small Business
What does it really take to buy a small business and make it thrive? Will Smith, founder of Acquiring Minds, has spent years uncovering the answers by interviewing the most successful searchers and operators in the game. In this live AMA, hosted by Chase Murdock of , Will dives deep into the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). From the thrill of finding the perfect deal to the tough lessons learned along the way, Will shares stories that bring the ETA journey to life. You’ll hear how savvy searchers navigate the deal pipeline, overcome challenges, and transform small...
info_outline
An AMA with Brent Beshore of Permanent Equity
The Durable Small Business
In this can't-miss debut episode, Chase Murdock of Durable hosts a live AMA with Brent Beshore—one of the most respected voices in small business and long-term investing. Known for his no-nonsense approach and impressive track record of building and acquiring companies across industries, Brent shares his hard-earned insights with our listeners. This candid conversation dives into portfolio strategy, scaling businesses, creating long-term value, and Brent’s reflections on his best businesses and favorite investments. He also offers a rare glimpse into how he balances the demands of work and...
info_outlineTrent Mano is all-in on Utah.
As co-founder and general partner at Convoi Ventures—and the force behind Utah Tech Week—Trent is investing in the next generation of breakout startups and reshaping what early-stage venture looks like in the Mountain West.
In this episode, Chase Murdock sits down with Trent to explore his unlikely path into venture capital, from struggling through college to launching a VC fund without a billion-dollar exit or Ivy League pedigree. Trent shares how his obsession with community and long-term relationships paved the way to Convoi Ventures, how he defines “freak founders,” and why he’s so bullish on Utah’s next chapter.
They dive deep into:
- The gap in early-stage venture capital in Utah—and Convoi’s thesis to fill it
- What makes a founder truly exceptional (hint: it’s not just intelligence)
- How to spot product-market fit before the product even exists
- The underrated power of honest communication and trust in failure
- The birth of Utah Tech Week and what it signals about the state’s growing ecosystem
Whether you’re a founder navigating the early innings, an investor looking to spot future unicorns, or simply bullish on what’s next for Utah, this episode is packed with insight, humility, and heart.
Learn more about Durable on our website.