Jeff and Sally Burningham were the mentors for the students at Cumorah Academy during the 9th week of the semester. They live in Utah (USA) and are parents of five children. Jeff is the Founder and Chairman of Peak Capital Partners, a $5B+ real estate investment firm located in Provo, UT, which was named the 2nd fastest-growing company in Utah and one of the 500 fastest privately held companies in the United States by Inc. Magazine. Jeff also launched Peak Ventures (now Album), which has three early-stage funds that back the brightest and most inspiring entrepreneurs in Utah and throughout the United States. In 2014, Jeff was named Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Mountain West Region.

Meet the Mentors: Couple Burningham

Cumorah Academy: Thinking about your background, you guys look like a couple more alternatives than usual… For example, enjoy adventures, go to meditation retires, etc. Do you agree? If yes, why do you adopt this lifestyle?

Cumorah Academy

Jeff: I think it’s true. Sally and I are voracious learners. We want to learn and grow, and there’s a lot to learn. That’s why we’ve traveled to over 50 countries. That’s why we ran for governor, started businesses, and taught a class. I’m also writing a book and have a podcast. The point is, we try to experience as much as we can. Life is about experiencing everything that’s good. So, part of that includes mindfulness meditation, which we’ve become really interested in since the governor’s race. After losing the gubernatorial race in Utah in 2020 due to COVID, it opened a way for new opportunities, and I am grateful for that.

Cumorah Academy

Cumorah Academy: Jeff, why did you decide to race for the Utah elections?

Cumorah Academy

Jeff: It had a significant impact. It was all about service. Just service. The ideal politician would be someone who’s solely in it to serve and make an impact. Also, I had a unique experience. I’ve been actively involved in Utah’s growing economy for the past few decades. Utah has experienced significant growth, and I played a role in fueling that growth. Therefore, I had a distinct perspective on Utah’s growth and felt that we needed a well-thought-out plan for the impending growth. I wasn’t a politician; I was driven by the desire to make an impact and serve. That’s what I believe our politicians should be—public servants. Unfortunately, there aren’t many public servants, which is why I took on the role.

But losing was a relief. It was disappointing, of course, since nobody likes to lose. However, it was also a relief because if we had won, we wouldn’t be where we are now. I wouldn’t be studying mindfulness, and we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to go to a silent meditation retreat in Oregon. Life works in mysterious ways, just as it’s supposed to.

Cumorah Academy

Cumorah Academy: Sally, how much time did you spend working on MTC, and how would you sum up the opportunity to work there? How important was it to you?

Cumorah Academy

Sally: I worked there for two years while being a student, so it was just part-time. It was a great job, really good. The biggest thing was that I met Jeff there. Additionally, I went to Dallas for his internship. The skills I gained from that job helped me land a position as a personal or executive assistant for a vice president in a big company. It was valuable to have those skills. I had the chance to meet all the teachers who worked there, and they were interesting. I also got to know the people who interviewed the teachers quite well. I would see the missionaries and the people who came to speak to them all the time.

Cumorah Academy

Cumorah Academy: Jeff, you also mentioned that we should dream big. Why do you believe in that?

Cumorah Academy

Jeff: I just believe that we often underestimate ourselves and don’t dream big enough. A significant part of life is about what you believe you can accomplish. Your mindset plays a major role, accounting for at least half of the game. The other half involves elements like luck, skill, and executing plans. But believing in yourself is crucial. If I could change something, I would dream even bigger than I have before. I’m not sure what that would entail, but I want to dream bigger. Everywhere I go, including when I teach entrepreneurship to hundreds of students at BYU, I encourage them to dream big. I want all of you to believe in yourselves. I understand that there may be international complications and additional obstacles some of you face, but that’s the way it is. If you truly believe in yourself, the chances of achieving your dreams increase significantly. So, keep believing. Shoot for the stars. Even if you only reach the moon, that’s still a significant achievement. You may never reach the stars, but at least you’ll be far closer than you were before.

Cumorah Academy

Cumorah Academy: Sally, what are some expectations for you about your career? Do you have any?

Cumorah Academy

Sally: The only expectation I have in life is to be myself and to be kind and loving towards others, regardless of the circumstances. Whether I’m at the grocery store talking to the clerk, passing someone in a hallway, or helping my kids with their tasks. I strive to be kind, helpful and make people feel good when they’re around me. Even if I’m simply sitting beside them, I want them to feel a sense of comfort and positivity.

Cumorah Academy

Cumorah Academy: Jeff, you showed your passion for international entrepreneurship and start-ups. Why, why do those things attract you so much, and why should someone invest in them?

Cumorah Academy

Jeff: For me, entrepreneurship is a fast-paced path of learning and personal growth. That’s what initially attracted me to become an entrepreneur. I knew I would learn and grow more rapidly compared to other jobs or avenues. If that resonates with you, then I think you should consider being an entrepreneur too. Naturally, we all want to create something that didn’t exist before, just as President Uchtdorf stated in the quote I shared today. We’re all creators, artists in our own ways. Even what you’re doing, writing is a form of art. Similarly, creating a family, building a life, and forging a career can also be seen as art. We all aspire to bring forth things that were previously non-existent. Entrepreneurship offers an incredible opportunity to achieve that by creating a business that didn’t exist before. It may seem challenging initially, like pushing a boulder up a mountain against all odds, but with perseverance, it can blossom into something truly beautiful. Not only does it bless your own life and grant you time and financial freedom, like our ability to be here in the Czech Republic to help the students without any expectations from the school. It also enables you to support others financially. It allows us to travel with our children and gain enriching experiences. It offers a combination of financial and time freedom, which is amazing. So, to sum it up, the three most important aspects of entrepreneurship are: learning a lot, fulfilling our innate desire to create something new, and making a positive impact.

Cumorah Academy

Cumorah Academy

Cumorah Academy: In your opinion, what is the importance of having a leadership mindset in the different areas of our lives?

Cumorah Academy

Jeff: I believe the foremost aspect of leadership is being a servant, someone who serves others. Sally is the best example I know. Wherever she goes, she brings her mind, energy, and a true servant’s heart. For me, that’s the most significant element of leadership. While being a good communicator and hardworking are also essential qualities, love and service form the core of leadership.

Cumorah Academy

Sally: I believe it’s crucial to realize that wherever you go, you have an impact. Having a leadership mindset means understanding that people will observe and follow your actions, whether positively or negatively. Therefore, the most valuable leadership skill is simply being a good example. Being yourself and exemplifying positive qualities wherever you are—that’s leadership. It’s a skill that applies to every area of life.

Cumorah Academy

Jeff: You have the power to influence everyone you encounter, wherever you go. The choice is yours: Do you want to uplift and bring awareness, brightness, and happiness into the world? Or do you want to contribute to more pain, misery, and sadness? The goal should be to create goodness and positivity.

Cumorah Academy

Sally: Sometimes we associate leadership with being loud and giving commands, like telling people what to do or which direction to go. However, leadership can take on various forms. That’s something I’ve come to understand as I’ve grown older. I’m not a loud person, and I don’t want everyone to follow me or oversee taking everyone somewhere. Yet, in my own way, I still lead. It may look different, but it’s still leadership. It doesn’t always have to fit the same mold.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jeff and Sally Burningham emphasized the importance of being a servant leader, leading by example, and creating a positive impact wherever you go. They have a certain belief in dreaming big; believing in oneself, and embracing diverse experiences for personal growth and learning is evident. Their insights highlight the core elements of leadership: love, service, kindness, and authenticity. Through their mentorship, they inspire others to cultivate a leadership mindset and make a difference in the world by uplifting and bringing positivity to those around them.