Rejecting the Arrival Fallacy - Chase Murdock: CEO of Decada Group
In this episode of The Intentional Owner, co-hosts Sam Rosati and Kaustubh Deo welcome their first guest, Chase Murdock, CEO of the Decada Group. Chase reflects on his transition from high-growth, venture-backed startups to building a durable, decentralized holding company rooted in Salt Lake City. He shares how his early career in venture capital led to burnout and the realization that long-term fulfillment comes from building intentionally, not chasing exits.
The conversation dives into the formation of Decada, the value of partnerships, and how Chase and his partner Adam have shaped their portfolio by focusing on sustainability, operator autonomy, and local impact. Chase also details how Decada structures its companies, the evolution of their operating model, and what it truly means to be a steward of enduring businesses.
They discuss:
• Why Chase and Adam rejected the “arrival fallacy” in favor of a sustainable, long-term ownership model
• How their first business, Tailor Cooperative, became the foundation for a broader holding company vision
• The importance of partnerships and how complementary mindsets—not just skillsets—can strengthen resilience
• Why Decada decentralizes operations and empowers CEOs with budgetary and strategic autonomy
• How Chase is redefining success by aligning work, life, and family within his operating model
This episode is a must-listen for anyone building a portfolio with long-term vision and intentional design.
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:56 - Introducing Chase Murdock
03:40 - The intention of Decada
10:27 - Getting off the arrival fallacy treadmill
18:12 - Building a great partnership
24:27 - Personal missions
30:50 - Strengths and weaknesses between partners
34:27 - Building a “figure it out” attitude
36:43 - The current state of Decada
40:54 - Placing CEOs into businesses
44:07 - Capitalization structures
48:13 - Operating cadences
54:37 - Arriving at the arrival fallacy point