At the annual Better Wealth Mastermind in Denver, Jack Wendt shared how he builds meaningful relationships, overcomes challenges, and helps others—introverts included—make valuable connections.
As the founder of High Rise Influence and a partner at Tree Savages, Jack has developed a reputation for forming strategic relationships that open doors to new opportunities.
How Jack Wendt Became a Strategic Relationship Expert
Building strong relationships isn’t just about knowing people—it’s about asking the right questions and being willing to learn. Jack’s journey proves that sometimes, the best opportunities come when you take a chance and reach out to the right people.
After graduating high school, Jack joined the Army National Guard, training in aviation intelligence. Twelve days after finishing his training, he made a bold move—flying to Nashville to meet Caleb Guilliams, an entrepreneur he admired. With no job offer in hand, Jack’s goal was simple: learn and contribute.
“I had no job offered to me,” Jack recalls. “I just wanted to learn and help. I wanted to figure out how I could be part of what Caleb was building.”
Jack’s proactive approach earned him a role at BetterWealth as Strategic Partnerships Manager, where he sharpened his relationship-building skills. Though he no longer works there, the experience laid the foundation for his next ventures.
He went on to launch High Rise Influence, an agency focused on helping individuals and businesses build trust and authority.
He also partnered with Sean Klongerbo, founder of Tree Savages, to scale the tree service business through strategic relationships and trust-based marketing.
Overcoming the Fear of Approaching High-Value People
When building relationships with high-profile individuals, intimidation and fear of rejection can be major roadblocks. Jack, at just 19, overcame this by shifting his mindset.
“We live in a world where everyone is a consumer. You scroll through TikTok, and there’s no judgment, no risk of rejection. But if you want to succeed, you can’t be afraid of rejection.”
He points to a unique example from Salt Lake City, where top salespeople are often developed. “They go on a mission for two years and face rejection every day. They get over the fear of rejection because it’s constant.”
Jack’s advice? “Put yourself out there and see what happens.” Success comes from embracing rejection as part of the process.
Jack’s ability to connect with high-value individuals was further demonstrated when he had the opportunity to meet Mathew Januscek, founder of Escape Fitness, and Adam Townsend, CFO of Vizio.
During a whirlwind trip to Orange County, Mathew picked him up in a sleek sports coupe, setting the stage for a day filled with high-level conversations and business insights. Later, over lunch with Adam Townsend, Jack gained firsthand knowledge of Vizio’s bold business strategy—selling TVs at a 10–12% loss to dominate the market and generate profits through advertising and data monetization.
As Adam casually mentioned that he had a hard stop to finalize a $2.7 billion deal with Walmart, Jack realized the caliber of the people he was learning from. He absorbed invaluable insights about business strategy, AI-driven marketing, and the importance of personal branding.
Adam’s parting words, “You’ve got a bright future, and it’s refreshing to see someone so young taking real initiative in business,” reinforced Jack’s belief that strategic relationships are the key to exponential growth.
Building Strategic Relationships vs. Selling
Jack Wendt sees building relationships as a better way to generate business than traditional selling. He believes that word-of-mouth and personal connections are the key to scaling any business.
“One of the best ways to scale sales is through personal connections,” Jack explains. “When you have someone who can vouch for you, that’s where strategic partnerships come in.”
This philosophy is evident in his work with Tree Savages. Instead of relying on aggressive sales tactics, Jack and his business partner, Sean Klongerbo, focus on trust-based marketing.
Jack’s unique ability to identify unconventional networking opportunities also plays a role. “You wouldn’t think that a 19-year-old working for a life insurance company would collaborate with a fly fishing YouTube channel, but there’s real value in it.”
His passion for watches also opened unexpected doors. At 13, he started flipping watches for profit after helping his grandfather find a deal on a $4,000 watch. During quarantine, he scaled this into a side business, using profits to reinvest and grow.
Now, Jack is applying these relationship-building principles in his agency, High Rise Influence—which focuses on helping his clients become the leaders in their industries.
Advice for Young Adults Still Figuring It Out
Many young adults feel pressure to have their entire career path mapped out. Jack, however, didn’t figure out his path until halfway through his senior year of high school.
“I had no clue what I wanted to do. Is it college? Do I join the military? Do I start working and figure it out as I go?” Jack remembers.
After considering college, he realized that taking on significant debt for a degree didn’t align with his long-term goals. Instead, he joined the Army National Guard to serve and gain valuable experience.
His advice: You don’t have to follow the traditional path. College is not the only way to find success. “There are people with $200,000 degrees they never use. Imagine buying a $200,000 car, parking it in a garage, and never using it. That’s what people do with their education.”
For Jack, success came from staying open to opportunities, networking strategically, and being willing to take action before having all the answers.
The Power of Authenticity and Following Through
Authenticity is at the core of Jack’s business philosophy. During a presentation we did together at Boostability, Jack witnessed firsthand how AI can support business success. But beyond AI, the real focus was on how relationships and social proof drive SEO and business growth.
Jack emphasized that trust isn’t built through algorithms alone—it’s built through human connections. His work with High Rise Influence is centered on helping clients amplify their credibility through strategic partnerships, content collaborations, and real-world networking.
He also applies these principles at Tree Savages, proving that even service-based businesses can benefit from high-level networking and brand authority strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Building Strategic Relationships: Jack emphasizes the importance of asking the right people the right questions, maintaining humility, and focusing on personal connections to build meaningful relationships.
- Overcoming Fear of Rejection: Overcoming fear is key to success, and Jack draws on the experience of missionaries in Utah to highlight the value of rejection as a learning tool.
- Strategic Relationships vs. Selling: Jack explains that strategic partnerships, based on genuine connections, are more effective than traditional selling—citing his experience with niche markets like fly fishing and his passion for watches.
- Advice for Young Adults: Jack shares his journey of figuring out his career path, advising young adults not to follow the beaten path and stressing the importance of keeping options open and gaining real-world experience.
- The Power of Authenticity: Jack highlights the importance of authenticity, commitment, and following through on promises to build trust and long-lasting relationships.
Jack Wendt’s journey—from a bold teenager seeking opportunities to the founder of High Rise Influence and partner at Tree Savages—is proof that anyone can build powerful relationships and create success at any age. His approach to networking isn’t just about business—it’s about creating real value and meaningful impact.
