How Jeremy Andrus Turned Failure, Fear, and a $200K Debt into a Billion-Dollar Career

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Jeremy Andrus, CEO of Traeger Grills, to discuss the hard-earned lessons that shaped his career—from losing everything in a day trading disaster to rebuilding with grit and vision.
 
Jeremy shares the pivotal role of culture in business, the mental shift that helped him embrace failure, and the personal habits that keep him grounded amid challenges. With insights on navigating growth, leading through tough times, and balancing ambition with family, this conversation offers a candid look at the mindset behind long-term success.

Discover how Jeremy went from nearly losing everything to building two iconic brands, the key to creating strong company culture, and why embracing challenges is the path to success.

Chapters:

00:00 – 02:00 | Introduction
• Casey introduces Jeremy Andrus and his inspiring qualities
• The power of optimism and resilience in leadership

02:01 – 08:45 | Early Life & Developing a Winning Mindset
• Jeremy’s upbringing in the Midwest and moving to England
• Learning to thrive through discomfort and develop inner confidence

08:46 – 23:22 | Investment Addiction & Hard Financial Lessons
• Jeremy’s early success in stock trading and the $2.5M rise
• How it all collapsed and the life-changing lessons learned
• Why money alone isn’t enough to drive long-term success

23:23 – 35:30 | The Journey to Harvard & Entrepreneurial Struggles
• Getting rejected from Harvard Business School and trying again
• Early business failures and living in his parents’ basement
• How persistence led to finding his true passion in business

35:31 – 51:07 | Skullcandy: The First Big Break & Hard Realities
• Joining Skullcandy and nearly quitting within 72 hours
• Surviving a financial crisis and investing his own savings to keep it afloat
• Building a brand and realizing the importance of company culture

51:08 – 01:14:42 | Traeger Grills: Reinventing a Legacy Brand
• Buying a struggling 27-year-old company and starting from scratch
• How Jeremy rebuilt Traeger’s toxic culture and made it a powerhouse
• The importance of taking calculated risks and long-term vision

01:14:43 – 01:26:07 | The Key Lessons from Skullcandy & Traeger
• Why company culture is the ultimate X-factor in business
• The power of persistence and making tough decisions
• Why success is built on a series of small, smart choices

01:26:08 – End | Final Thoughts & Advice for Entrepreneurs
• Embracing failure as a learning tool
• Why the journey matters more than the destination
• How to find the perfect intersection of passion, market demand, and opportunity