Grit, Growth, and Giving Back: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Earl Foote, Founder of Nexus IT
From early setbacks to building a people-first tech company
When Earl Foote launched Nexus IT in 1998 at just 23 years old, he didn’t yet know he was laying the foundation for one of Utah’s most enduring tech firms. What started as a small e-commerce experiment quickly evolved into a full-service IT and cybersecurity company trusted nationwide. Along the way, Earl weathered the storms of fraud, bankruptcy, and industry pivots, emerging with a philosophy built on grit, resilience, and people-centered leadership.
In his conversation on the MountainWest Capital Network podcast , Earl shares candid stories from his 27 years as founder and CEO. He opens up about the “loneliest chair” of entrepreneurship, how mindfulness and yoga became non-negotiables in his leadership toolkit, and why community and mentorship matter as much as revenue and growth. For listeners, Earl’s journey is a roadmap not just for building a company, but for building a legacy that uplifts employees, clients, and the broader community.
Utah Roots, National Reach
Though Nexus IT now operates across the country, Earl remains deeply tied to Utah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He credits the state’s unique combination of grit, collaboration, and shared values as a foundation for his own success. Over the last 15 years, Utah has developed a vibrant network of mentors, peer groups, and events that didn’t exist when Earl first started. “The ecosystem that has kind of developed over the last 12 or 15 years here in Utah is significantly different than it was in the late nineties or early 2000s,” he recalls. “And we didn’t really have really great access to a lot of community events and mentors and peer groups and all that kind of stuff. Right now, it’s pretty easy to find all those things.”
At the same time, Earl points out where Utah can grow further—namely, in inclusivity and access to capital for underrepresented founders. His vision is for Utah not just to be a regional hub, but a truly global center of entrepreneurship.
Lessons in Resilience
The path was anything but smooth. In the early 2000s, Nexus IT was rocked by a six-figure fraud on one of its e-commerce sites, forcing Earl into personal bankruptcy at age 27. Earl reflects on how this was a survival moment, but that it taught him the value of grit, of doing the right thing even when it hurts, and of protecting his family and values above all else.
Rather than give up, Earl pivoted. Nexus shifted from retail to outsourced IT services, then later into managed IT and cybersecurity. Each pivot was shaped by listening closely to customer needs and finding ways to stay relevant in a fast-changing industry. Self-funding every step of the way, Earl learned to grow cautiously but intentionally, prioritizing long-term sustainability over flashy short-term wins.
Mindfulness in the CEO Chair
Earl is the first to admit that entrepreneurship can feel like “the loneliest chair.” The weight of leading a team, managing risk, and delivering for clients takes a toll. About 12 years ago, he found his answer in mindfulness, yoga, and breathwork. These practices became daily rituals that helped him reset, regain focus, and show up with calm and courage—even in high-stakes moments.
Earl explains that leaders need to be centered, as their teams depend on it. He says that these practices have helped him to step out of fight or flight mode and into creative, thriving mode. Earl even carves out midday resets, like a few minutes of breathwork during lunch, to maintain clarity and balance throughout the day. For him, resilience is not just financial or operational, but deeply mental and emotional.
Mentorship, Family, and Legacy
For Earl, leadership has always been about people. Mentorship is a cornerstone of his philosophy. Having benefited from great mentors himself, he now carves out time to mentor entrepreneurs who are ready and willing to be coached. Earl says that humility is the trait that makes mentorship possible, and that you have to be grounded enough to know what you don’t know.
That philosophy extends to his family life as well. With five children now grown, Earl reflects on the intentional choices he made to balance growth with presence, like leaving work early to coach his kids’ soccer teams. He acknowledges that parenthood taught him as much about leadership as business did. “At some point, I had to switch from parent to coach,” he admits. “It’s about helping them become the best version of themselves, not controlling the outcome.”
Looking forward, Earl sees leadership as less about hustle and grind, and more about building sustainable, meaningful companies that elevate employees, clients, and communities. He encourages the next generation of entrepreneurs to avoid burnout and instead focus on legacy, impact, and building at a sustainable pace.
Staying Power and the Next Chapter
Nexus IT has appeared multiple times on the Utah 100 list of fastest-growing companies, proof of both its staying power and its adaptability. Earl attributes this longevity to a clear mission: elevating people. “If our clients and employees are better because they engaged with us, we’ve fulfilled our mission,” he says.
That philosophy will guide Nexus IT into its next chapter, where Earl envisions continued national expansion, deeper community impact, and a leadership model that prioritizes human flourishing alongside financial results.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Earl Foote’s journey offers key insights for builders at any stage:
- Find your grounding practices: Mental clarity fuels leadership in high-stakes moments.
- Resilience requires grit and integrity: Survive setbacks without losing your values.
- Family and balance matter: Growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of personal life.
- Mentorship multiplies impact: Seek guidance, and pay it forward when you can.
- Build with legacy in mind: Financial outcomes and human impact aren’t mutually exclusive.
Want the full conversation with Earl Foote?
Hear his unfiltered insights on grit, growth, and giving back in our full MountainWest Capital Network podcast episode.
[Listen to Earl’s episode here →]
Connect with Earl Foote
About the MountainWest Capital Network Podcast: Your gateway to the Winners’ Circle, featuring stories and strategies from Utah’s fastest-growing companies. For 30 years, MountainWest Capital Network has celebrated entrepreneurial excellence through the Utah 100, recognizing the state’s most dynamic businesses and their founders.