Tag: Business Growth

How SLC Padel Is Bringing People Together Through Sport (Ep. 81)

How SLC Padel Is Bringing People Together Through Sport (Ep. 81)

What does it take to introduce an entirely new sport to a community? In this episode of Harnessing Your Wealth, Billy and Shaun Peterson sit down with Pedro Bautista, founder of SLC Padel Club, to discuss the rise of padel and his journey bringing Utah’s first dedicated padel club to life.

Pedro shares how he identified an opportunity in Utah, the key differences between padel and pickleball, and why the sport is exploding in popularity around the world. He also explains how grassroots community-building—from school demonstrations to local partnerships—has helped grow awareness of the sport and create a thriving player community.

Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, emerging sports, or building something from the ground up, this conversation offers valuable insights into spotting opportunities, taking calculated risks, and turning a vision into reality.

Topics Covered:

  • What is padel and how does it differ from pickleball?
  • Why Utah was the perfect place for SLC Padel Club
  • The challenges of launching a new sport in a new market
  • Building community through schools, events, and local outreach
  • The future of padel in Utah and the United States

Connect with Pedro Bautista and SLC Padel:

About our Guest: 

Pedro Bautista is the founder of SLC Padel Club, Utah’s first dedicated indoor padel facility. Originally from Venezuela, Pedro moved to the United States to attend college in Florida before making Utah his home more than five years ago. A trained biomedical engineer, he built his professional career in medical manufacturing while maintaining a passion for fitness and athletics. Although his athletic background includes jiu-jitsu, boxing, CrossFit, running, and swimming, Pedro was introduced to padel through family and frequent visits to Miami and Europe, where the sport has experienced tremendous growth. Recognizing padel’s global popularity and the lack of dedicated facilities in Utah, he saw an opportunity to bring the sport to a new audience. Driven by a vision to create more than just a sports venue, Pedro founded SLC Padel Club as a community hub where people can connect, compete, and build lasting relationships through one of the world’s fastest-growing racket sports.

About Padel: 

Often described as a mix of tennis and squash. It is played in an enclosed box made of glass and wire mesh, allowing you to bounce balls off the walls. It uses a solid, stringless paddle with holes and a low-pressure tennis ball, and follows traditional tennis scoring.

Resources & Previous Episodes of Interest:

Connect with Billy Peterson:

Connect with Cade Peterson: 

Connect with Shaun Peterson: 

This presentation is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as individualized investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Peterson Wealth. The guest speaker is not affiliated with Peterson Wealth,  and Peterson Wealth does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of third-party information.  The guest is not paid compensation for their participation; however, he/she may receive a non-cash gift from the firm.  

Peterson Wealth is a registered investment advisor with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Any examples or illustrations used in this presentation are hypothetical in nature and for demonstration purposes only. You should consult with your personal financial, tax, or legal advisor before making any investment decisions.

How Mike Leatham Created a Multi-Million Dollar Business (Ep. 40)

How Mike Leatham Created a Multi-Million Dollar Business (Ep. 40)

Turning a hobby into a thriving business is a dream for many, but very few achieve it.

How did Mike Leatham transform his side gig into a multi-million dollar enterprise? What challenges did he face, and what lessons can aspiring entrepreneurs learn from his journey?

Join Billy and Shaun as they chat with Mike, founder of SymbolArts about the challenges and triumphs of building a business from scratch, the art of selling, and how even hobbies like riding motorcycles can open doors to new opportunities.

Be inspired as this episode highlights: 

  • Mike’s transformation from a hobbyist to a successful entrepreneur
  • The story behind SymbolArts and its iconic products like badges and challenge coins
  • Sales techniques and overcoming rejections in business
  • Insights on managing a company and the importance of having a dedicated team
  • And more!

Previous Episode of Interest:

Connect with Billy Peterson:

Connect with Shaun Peterson: 

Connect with Mike Leatham: 

About Our Guest: 

Mike Leatham founded SymbolArts in 1986. Initially a hobby, SymbolArts has grown into a multi-million dollar business with 50-60 employees. Mike’s journey began with making class rings and evolved into producing a wide range of products, including police badges and challenge coins. 

His company now serves clients across all 50 states and includes major customers like Harley-Davidson. Mike is also an avid motorcyclist, having traveled extensively on his bike, and he emphasizes the importance of sales skills and staying out of debt in business.

Balancing Fame and Business with Angie Katsanevas and Shawn Trujillo (Ep. 32)

Balancing Fame and Business with Angie Katsanevas and Shawn Trujillo (Ep. 32)

Are you ready to thrive in the world of wealth and personal growth, while also diving into the glittering yet gritty world of reality TV?

In this powerhouse episode of Harnessing Your Wealth, Billy and Shaun Peterson take an extraordinary journey with “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Angie Katsanevas and her husband Shawn Trujillo. Listen as they share the diverse realms of entrepreneurship, personal success, and the pressures of reality TV fame. Shawn and Angie share their story, from the roots of their robust business empire, Lunatic Fringe Salons, to Angie’s dynamic role on a show that has captivated millions. 

Together they cover: 

  • How Angie found herself as a star of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
  • The balance between personal values and business growth
  • Behind-the-scenes insights into the beauty industry and reality TV
  • How they overcame the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The importance of team culture and retaining genuine connections 
  • Strategies for navigating the unforeseen challenges in the high-stakes world of entrepreneurship and entertainment
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Billy Peterson:

Connect with Shaun Peterson: 

Connect with Angie Katsanevas: 

Connect with Shawn Trujillo: 

About Angie Katsanevas: 

Angie Katsanevas is a business owner and reality TV star, recognized for her role in “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” (RHOSLC). She co-founded Lunatic Fringe Salons with her husband, Shawn Trujillo. Angie is known for her firm personality, being described as a business owner, wife, and mother who always has her friends’ backs.

About Shawn Trujillo: 

Shawn Trujillo is a hairstylist and fitness enthusiast, known for his appearance on the reality TV show “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.” He co-founded Lunatic Fringe Salons with his wife, Angie Katsanevas, a chain of salons located in Utah, Idaho, and Ohio. Shawn also owns a cosmetology school, Paul Mitchell The School, in Salt Lake City.