Matt Davis: From CEO to Founder of Final Rise – A new beginning | The Conquer Cast Ep 020

In this episode of The Conquer Cast, Trevor Farnes sits down with Matthew Davis, founder of Final Rise, to explore the journey from early career lessons to building a purpose-driven outdoor brand. They dive into entrepreneurship, integrity, the value of service, and why Matt believes in always “playing for keeps.”

If you’re building something meaningful—or hoping to—this conversation offers powerful insights on how to show up with intention, lead with heart, and create lasting impact.

From Mountain Ops to Final Rise

Matt’s journey started at MTN OPS, where he became known not just for his work ethic, but for his philosophy of “playing for keeps”—living and working with full heart and commitment.

After years of contributing to MTN OPS’ growth, Matt saw an opportunity to take his passion for upland hunting and dogs into a space that needed innovation. So he started Final Rise, a premium gear brand focused on creating purpose-built vests and accessories for bird hunters, all sewn and manufactured in the U.S.

🔥 “I always knew I wanted to work in the hunting space. It’s part of who I am.”

Building with Intention

Matt shares how every step of his career—from sewing labels by hand to leading an advisory board—was about staying intentional. His focus: always being a man of integrity, learning from failures, and keeping promises to himself and others.

💡 “I’m a man of my word. If I make a decision, I live by it.”

He credits much of his success to working under strong leadership, learning what to do (and what not to), and watching others closely—not just their wins, but also their missteps.

The Final Rise Origin Story

The idea for Final Rise was born from a simple goal: earn enough to buy an out-of-state deer tag. Matt had a sewing background from childhood, access to top-tier hunting gear, and deep relationships in the outdoor space. He saw a gap in the market for high-quality upland gear and decided to go for it.

🎯 He started sewing the first vests in the corner of his house.
🎯 His initial goal? Sell 20 vests a year.
🎯 Today, Final Rise employs 23 full-time staff and runs its own cut-and-sew facility in Utah.

🔥 “I focused on the product, the people, and doing things the right way. That’s how I knew it wouldn’t fail.”

Service, Leadership & Carrying the Weight

As Final Rise grew, Matt found himself not just as a builder, but as a leader of people—a role that brought with it unexpected emotional weight. Employees confided in him. Their worries became his. Their wins, his too.

💭 “I never had anxiety until I owned a business. But when I focus on serving others, that anxiety lifts.”

From creating safety features that allow hunters to carry injured dogs from the field, to donating to Operation Conquer Hunger, Matt has woven service into the DNA of his company.

Living by the Code

Matt’s advice to others looking to conquer in life?

✔ Be honest – Integrity is everything.
✔ Work hard – Don’t expect shortcuts.
✔ Be kind – Serve others. Lead with heart.

🗣 “We all make mistakes. But if we own them, learn from them, and use them to lift others, we win. That’s what it means to play for keeps.”

🔥 Matt’s story is a masterclass in building a business with purpose, serving others, and living with full intention. Subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode! 🚀