Wesley Lyons

General Partner | Eagle Venture Fund

Wes is a Co-Founder and General Partner of two faith-based private equity funds: WayMaker Real Estate, a Christ-centered multi-family real estate investment fund, and Eagle Venture Fund, investing in early-stage companies solving tough problems like modern day slavery and healthcare for the poor through software and financial technology. Wes has a background in wealth management and founded FaithBasedInvesting.co, a platform to help investors connect with advisors who specialize in faith based investing.   

Wes loves to spend his free time with his wife Christi and their four sons. He also enjoys running, reading, and volunteering with his church in the marriage ministry.

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PODCASTS FOR THE FAITH DRIVEN ENTREPRENEUR

Featured
Episode 318 - Reinventing the Basics: Tommy John's Tom Patterson
Episode 318 - Reinventing the Basics: Tommy John's Tom Patterson

What happens when a medical device salesman gets fed up with his undershirt? For Tommy John founder Tom Patterson, it sparked a revolution in the men's comfort wear industry. From a $7,000 trade show investment during the 2008 financial crisis to a multimillion-dollar brand, Patterson's journey showcases how faith, persistence, and authenticity can transform a simple solution into an industry-changing success story.

Episode 317 - Faith Driven Students: Starting Strong Instead of Starting Over with Lara Casey Isaacson
Episode 317 - Faith Driven Students: Starting Strong Instead of Starting Over with Lara Casey Isaacson

Here's a wild idea: What if teenagers never had to unlearn the gap between faith and entrepreneurship? That's the vision behind Faith Driven Students, as Justin Forman and Lara Casey Isaacson launch a groundbreaking initiative to equip teens with Kingdom business principles from the start. Featuring Lecrae, Coby Cotton, and a host of others, they're helping the next generation build their entrepreneurial dreams on spiritual bedrock rather than spiritual band-aids.

Episode 316 - Reimagining Pastors and Entrepreneurs with Chip Ingram
Episode 316 - Reimagining Pastors and Entrepreneurs with Chip Ingram

In this powerful conversation, pastor and teacher Chip Ingram joins hosts Justin Forman and Dan Owolabi to explore the evolving relationship between pastors and entrepreneurs in today's church. They discuss how the traditional church model is being disrupted and reimagined, creating unprecedented opportunities for collaboration between pastoral and business leadership.

Episode 315 - SWGP + FDE: Disrupting the Economics of Sexual Brokenness with Eagle Ventures & GameSafe
Episode 315 - SWGP + FDE: Disrupting the Economics of Sexual Brokenness with Eagle Ventures & GameSafe

In a world where darkness lurks behind every screen, can capitalism become an unlikely hero? This eye-opening episode reveals how entrepreneurs and investors are wielding the power of business to combat sexual exploitation and human trafficking. From AI-powered solutions to disruptive economic strategies, discover how faith-driven innovators are turning the tables on predators and reshaping the battlefield in the fight for human dignity. Prepare to have your perspective challenged and your hope rekindled as we explore the cutting edge of redemptive entrepreneurship.

Episode 314 - Wartime Mindset: Derwin Gray on Battling Spiritual Attacks as an Entrepreneur
Episode 314 - Wartime Mindset: Derwin Gray on Battling Spiritual Attacks as an Entrepreneur

In this episode of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast, hosts Henry Kaestner and Justin Forman reflect on the recent Faith Driven Entrepreneur conference and introduce a powerful message from Derwin Gray, former NFL player and pastor.

Episode 313 - Solving Joblessness | Creating Sustainable Jobs in Africa & Asia | FDE + SWGP Special
Episode 313 - Solving Joblessness | Creating Sustainable Jobs in Africa & Asia | FDE + SWGP Special

In this joint release episode Richard Cunningham and Justin Foreman discuss the problem of joblessness as part of the initiative, Solving the World's Greatest Problems. They are joined by Keren Pybus, CEO of Ethical Apparel Africa, and Ronald Ishak, CEO of Hacktiv8. They explore the impact of job creation and upskilling on individuals, families, and communities.

Episode 312 - Mark Batterson: Rediscovering Everyday Miracles
Episode 312 - Mark Batterson: Rediscovering Everyday Miracles

Join us for an inspiring discussion with Mark Batterson, Bill Job, and Justin Forman as they unpack the concept of "holy curiosity" in entrepreneurship.

Episode 311 - Entrepreneurs' Divine Moment with David Platt
Episode 311 - Entrepreneurs' Divine Moment with David Platt

Discover how entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned 'for such a time as this,' featuring insights from David Platt on leveraging your gifts for a pivotal time in history and reflections from Henry Kaestner and Justin Forman.

Episode 310 - Eternal ROI: Richard Garnett's Challenge to Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs
Episode 310 - Eternal ROI: Richard Garnett's Challenge to Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs

In this episode of the Faith Driven Investor Podcast, join Justin Forman as he honors the life and legacy of Richard Garnett, a faith-driven entrepreneur and actor who recently passed away after a courageous decade-long battle with cancer.

Episode 309 - Handling Criticism with Lecrae Moore
Episode 309 - Handling Criticism with Lecrae Moore

Join Grammy-nominated artist Lecrae Moore and Faith Driven Movement co-founders Justin Forman and Henry Kaestner as they delve into the challenging yet crucial topic of handling criticism

Episode 307 - How Entrepreneuers Can Solve the World's Greatest Problems
Episode 307 - How Entrepreneuers Can Solve the World's Greatest Problems

Joey, Justin, and Henry discuss the new initiative called Solving the World's Greatest Problems.

Episode 306 - Why Faith Driven is Merging with Halftime
Episode 306 - Why Faith Driven is Merging with Halftime

Henry and Justin discuss a merger between Halftime and Faith Driven Movements alongside Halftime co-CEOs Jim Stollberg and Tom McGhee.

Episode 305 - Surrendering to Trade Up
Episode 305 - Surrendering to Trade Up

Justin, Henry, and Joey talk about how entrepreneurs trade up and find significance through surrender.

Episode 304 - Redeeming Your Time with Jordan Raynor
Episode 304 - Redeeming Your Time with Jordan Raynor

Jordan Raynor talks about how entrepreneurs can redeem their time.

Episode 308 - Harness the Power of the BIG 3—Build, Invest, Give | An SWGP Special
Episode 308 - Harness the Power of the BIG 3—Build, Invest, Give | An SWGP Special

The world has problems. Entrepreneur. Investor. Christ-follower. Solving problems is what you do. Join friends of the Faith Driven Movement as we explore entrepreneurs and the initiative Solving the World's Greatest Problems.

3 Entrepreneurs Speak on the Need for Community with Mickey Peters, Scott Weiss, and Dude Perfect's Coby Cotton

Dude Perfect's Coby Cotton plus entrepreneurs Mickey Peters and Scott Weiss share different experiences that show how valuable community can be for entrepreneurs.

Episode 302 - Scaling an Ice Cream Empire. Overcoming Challenges. With Blue Bell's Ricky Dickson

Ricky Dickson, the retired CEO of Blue Bell Ice Cream, joins the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast to discuss his experience leading and scaling a national company through growth and incredible pitfalls.

Episode 301 - How Entrepreneurs Can Develop Enduring Friendships with Dr. Bryan Lorrits

Dr. Bryan Loritts joins Joey Honescko and William Norvell to discuss the importance of deep, long-lasting friendships in the context of entrepreneurship.

Episode 300 - The Entrepreneur’s Greatest Need: The Riff with Henry Kaestner and Justin Forman

In this conversation Joey, Henry, and Justin reflect on all that God has done over the past five years and dive deep into the importance of community for faith-driven entrepreneurs.

Episode 299 - Three Views on Layoffs with Vic Ho, Rusty Rueff, and Daniel Fong

Hear three Christian entrepreneurs give their perspectives about how to navigate the complex issue of layoffs.

Episode 298 - Why This Founder Implemented a No-Firing Policy

Dylan Wilk, CEO of Human Nature, joins the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast to share the story behind the company’s no firing policy and to explain why he believes grace and forgiveness are the greatest HR policies.

Episode 297 - A Transformation from Greed to Grace: Stories of the Movement with Human Nature's Dylan Wilk

Hear the story of radical transformation that took Dylan Wilk from Greed to Grace in this episode of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast: Stories of the Movement.

Episode 296 - Andy Crouch, Patrick Lencioni, and Mary Miller Talk Practical Steps for Improving Company Culture

Andy Crouch, Patrick Lencioni, and Mary Miller give practical guidance for entrepreneurs looking to build a positive company culture where their employees can flourish.

Episode 295 - The Business of Making Baseball Fun with Savannah Bananas' Jared Orton
Episode 295 - The Business of Making Baseball Fun with Savannah Bananas' Jared Orton

Savannah Bananas’ President Jared Orton joins the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast to talk about the value of innovation, fun, and excitement for businesses and for the world.

Episode 294 - Creating Culture Worth Celebrating: Stories of the Movement with Booster's Chris Carneal
Episode 294 - Creating Culture Worth Celebrating: Stories of the Movement with Booster's Chris Carneal

In this episode of Stories of the Movement, we look at Booster, one of the largest school fundraising companies in the country for insight into how to build a culture of virtue, joy, and celebration and how company values can get you and your team out of difficult circumstances.

Episode 293 - The Riff: Fighting Identity and Idols Throughout the Entrepreneurial Journey
Episode 293 - The Riff: Fighting Identity and Idols Throughout the Entrepreneurial Journey

In this edition of the Riff, Joey Honescko, Henry Kaestner, and Justin Forman discuss the themes of battling idolatry and identity in entrepreneurship.

Episode 292 - Three Views on Hearing From God with Nicky Gumbel, Kim Avery, and Jeremy Lin
Episode 292 - Three Views on Hearing From God with Nicky Gumbel, Kim Avery, and Jeremy Lin

Nicky Gumbel, Kim Avery, and Jeremy Lin talk about how entrepreneurs can hear from God to fight against their idols.

Episode 291 - How a Venture Capitalist, Serial Entrepreneur, and Basketball Team Owner Finds His Identity in Christ with Phil Chen
Episode 291 - How a Venture Capitalist, Serial Entrepreneur, and Basketball Team Owner Finds His Identity in Christ with Phil Chen

Basketball team owner, trained physicist, seminary grad, and venture capitalist, Phil Chen joins the show to talk about his storied career and share how entrepreneurs can root themselves in scripture to find their true identities.

Episode 290 - Stories of the Movement: Can Sacrifice be a Road to Victory?
Episode 290 - Stories of the Movement: Can Sacrifice be a Road to Victory?

Hear how the biblical story of Abraham and Lot inspired Sam Rhee to step aside from the role of his dreams for the sake of a colleague and how God used that sacrifice to pave a path for victory.

Episode 289 - Kids' Sports and Other Hidden Idols with Patrick Lencioni, Henry Kaestner, and Justin Forman
Episode 289 - Kids' Sports and Other Hidden Idols with Patrick Lencioni, Henry Kaestner, and Justin Forman

Renowned author Patrick Lencioni joins Henry Kaestner for a conversation about some of the hidden idols of entrepreneurship before Henry, Justin, and Joey riff on how we all might learn to fight against the temptation to worship “safe” idols.

Faith Driven TeamBlog Contributor, Podcast Contributor