About this Video:

In this episode of The Vision with Execution Show, I sat down with Nicholas Eckman—a young founder whose story honestly floored me. We barely scratched the surface of what he's accomplished, but what we did get into was unforgettable.

Nick grew up in a Russian orphanage until he was adopted at almost five years old by a single dad from rural Idaho. That same dad, a farmer and serial tinkerer with small businesses, taught Nick the importance of hard work, resilience, and having a vision—even when things don’t pan out perfectly. I could relate to some of that. I’ve been poor. I’ve lived off the Bishop’s Storehouse. And like Nick, I’ve tried to turn hardship into fuel.

What really struck me was how Nick went from being scared of entrepreneurship—because he saw his dad struggle—to diving in headfirst once a BYU professor told him, “You can either work on your dream or someone else’s.” That flipped a switch. He started Lunir Watch Bands by chasing down a half-abandoned idea from a summer sales manager and breathed life into it. He didn't know what an operating agreement was when he started, but ended up with 80% equity and a full exit to an engineering firm within just a few years.

We talked about that exit—what it felt like to suddenly have time, money, and no sense of direction. He didn’t sugarcoat it. He was honest about the sadness that came with it. There’s something all founders need to hear in that. Selling doesn’t automatically mean satisfaction.

Nick’s now looking ahead to 2025 with a focus on service. He’s working with Child’s Hope Foundation to improve orphanage systems and thinking seriously about entrepreneurship through acquisition. He’s scouting deals with over $1 million in recurring revenue and wants to grow companies with a values-first approach. He's also taking some time to dream again. He applied to Harvard Business School, got an interview (top 20% of applicants), and although he was ultimately rejected, it only reinforced that he’s still early in the journey.

Another part that stood out? Nick’s deeply rooted belief in people. He told me he always saw his cofounders not as problems but as opportunities. That mindset helped him build a team, create real culture, and develop a product now worn by Olympians and everyday users alike.

At the end, I had to ask—was that a wedding ring on his finger? Nope. Just a CTR ring. He’s not married, but finding a life partner is definitely on his vision board for the future. So, ladies, if you know someone amazing, Nick might just be the guy.

Nick’s a remarkable mix of grit, faith, and vision. His story hit hard, and I’m genuinely excited to watch what he does next. Whether it’s fixing broken systems in orphanages or growing his next business, he’s someone you’ll want to keep your eye on.