Leading Saints Podcast

Leading Saints Podcast


Weaving a Vision into Your Service | An Interview with Davis Smith

November 09, 2019

Davis Smith is the founder-CEO of Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear brand based in Salt Lake City, Utah with a social mission at its core.  Cotopaxi focuses on using the power of business as a force for social, environmental, and economic good.  Davis is a serial e-commerce entrepreneur, having started and sold several businesses. His father worked for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Latin America and Davis grew up there.  He served a church mission to Bolivia, is married with 4 children, and currently serves in a Stake Presidency.
Highlights

5:40 What is Cotopaxi
6:35 Davis Smith's childhood in Latin America
10:55 His faith development and church mission to Bolivia
15:20 After his mission
16:25 Being inspired by entrepreneur Steve Gibson
18:55 His first business in Brazil
20:00 Where Cotopaxi began
22:40 The social mission of Cotopaxi
27:15 How can we in church leadership find our missions and carry them out?
31:10 How to help others that don't see the vision of our mission
32:20 Leadership practices of a good leader
35:00 When you care about people, they are open to feedback
37:05 Culture in leadership: defining core values and traditions
41:15 "When we look outside ourselves we're able to connect with God"
42:40 Experience in a Stake Presidency
44:45 How to help those that have faith that has been challenged and changed
46:20 Compassionate leadership

Links
Radical Candor, by Kim Scott
Cotopaxi.com
Instagram: @davismsmith