Building Utah

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 1974, Meals on Wheels has been serving Summit, Utah and Wasatch Counties, and its enduring commitment to nourishment and care has transformed it into an emblem of compassion. Board Chair Curtis Blair joins us with more. Curtis Blair: Thanks, Derek. Meals on Wheels’ mission is to improve the health and quality of life for our homebound seniors while fostering independence and ensuring no one is left hungry or isolated. Did you know that we serve over 1,300 meals daily and almost 250,000 meals annually through home delivery and in partnership with area senior centers. We’re pleased to participate in the national Meals on Wheels America END THE WAIT campaign. In our service region alone, we currently have nearly 300 qualified homebound seniors waiting for nutritious hot meals and social interaction because of budget constraints. We are in desperate need of new sponsors, partners, and individual donations to help us meet our mission of improving health and q

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Approximately 10 million caregivers over the age of 50 still care for their parents. Not only does this impact their wallet, but also their time, loyalty and health. Taylormade Senior Advocacy and Consulting is here to help. Founder and CEO Dr. Nancy Taylor shares more. Dr. Nancy Taylor: As a pharmacist and independent patient advocate, I have watched the need for healthcare advocacy grow. Take for example how 70 percent of working caregivers suffer from work-related difficulties, like that work-life balance, due to the dual roles that are thrust upon them. But it’s not just the employees that experience the impact, many employers do as well. At Taylormade Senior Advocacy and Consulting, I like to say I’m in the HOPE business. I help people find and hold on to HOPE with confidence and control through group workshops and one-on-one guidance sessions. Our workshops are done in partnership with employers and organizations to better empower caregiver employees wit

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. OpenEd, formerly My Tech High, partners with innovative public schools across the country to personalize education for every child. Now in its 16th year operating in Utah, OpenEd serves thousands of families all over the state. OpenEd’s founder, Matt Bowman, joins us with more. Matt Bowman: At OpenEd, we believe that every child is unique and young people benefit from an education tailored to their individual needs. Our flexible program serves students from ages 5 to 18 with early college and career options ranging from entrepreneurship to a pilot’s license to earning a college degree at age 18! OpenEd students are thriving! We're breaking down walls between public school, homeschool, and everything in-between. We adapt the learning journey to the individual child's interests and needs. OpenEd puts the learner at the center. It's engaging. And it works. We're developing critical thinkers and problem solvers. Kids who are ready for whatever the future holds. Thous

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 1979, InterMountain Business Lending has been providing SBA loans to small business owners across the state; empowering small business owners and the surrounding communities to promote growth and build a brighter future. President Caryl Eriksson joins us with more. Caryl Eriksson: At InterMountain Business Lending, we are passionate about supporting small businesses and creating economic opportunities. Our mission is to strengthen our small business community and local economy, bridge the gap between SBA loan programs and our partners, and inspire confidence by providing a connected, efficient and reliable experience. Since our inception, our purpose has been to promote the SBA 504 Program, while extending a helping hand to small businesses that want to accomplish their goals. The SBA 504 Program finances real estate, so that businesses can purchase or build their own “brick and mortar” shop, also long-term equipment at a fixed, below-market interest ra

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Ten years ago, Utahns Jason Murray and Mark Hancock founded PACS, a post-acute health care company. In April PACS launched a successful IPO on the New York Stock Exchange and now has 275 facilities in 14 states. PACS’s VP of communication Brooks Stevenson tells us more. BROOKS STEVENSON: PACS is revolutionizing the delivery, leadership, and quality of post-acute care nationally. We started PACS because we felt there was a better way to provide quality care in the post-acute health care sector. And as we execute on our mission, we are making a tremendous difference in the lives of the most vulnerable population in our country. We’ve taken decades of hands-on experience in post-acute care and translated that into a model that greatly reduces administrative burdens for our leadership teams; we do the heavy lifting on the business side, which gives our local teams more time to focus on the care, well-being, and quality of life of their patients and their employee

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Approximately 80 percent of adults will experience back pain in their lifetime. Thankfully, there are things people can do and Salt Lake Spine and Pelvis is looking to help. Dr. Marnie Hansen joins us with more. Dr. Marnie Hansen: 90 percent of all back pain has been found to be non-specific, suggesting multiple lifestyle factors involved, including stress, poor posture, lack of physical activity and increased body weight. Though back injuries may not always be preventable, the good news is that you have the power to make the healthy lifestyle choices known to improve your odds! At Salt Lake Spine and Pelvis, we blend cutting-edge practices with a holistic approach. Your life-changing experience begins with uncovering the source of your discomfort to determine the right strategy for you to thrive without limits. By leveraging fifteen years of experience to craft personalized solutions, integrating Chiropractic, Soft Tissue Therapies, Spinal Rehabilitation an

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. From locations and caterers to dresses and floral arrangements, planning a wedding can be a stressful and heavy lift. This is where local full-service wedding and event company Kaushay & Co. comes in. Principal Planner & Designer Kaushay Ford joins us with more. Kaushay Ford: Many people consider Utah the wedding capital of the United States because, unlike many others, we see weddings year-round, in every season, on any day of the week. Utah has a stunning landscape that attracts couples looking for outdoorsy, mountain weddings with unmatched views and some pretty incredible service. I launched Kaushay & Co. events in 2022 after several years in the wedding industry to help couples plan and design colorful, vibrant, personal weddings. Each year, we partner with some of Utah’s best wedding professionals to bring these beautiful celebrations to life. Whether couples are looking for a winter wedding on the slopes or a summer wedding in the valley, we’re able to hel

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Mental illness impacts more than 50 million Americans, and a large percentage of people go without treatment every year. But Mountain Mental Health is looking to change that by providing quality health care to those struggling with their mental health. Provider Karen Risch shares more. KAREN RISCH: At Mountain Mental Health, we are dedicated to improving access to mental health care. We offer patient-centered services, and advocate for mental health awareness. Our clinic specializes in medication management for a wide range of mental health disorders. We also provide personalized care tailored to each individual's needs. For those facing treatment-resistant depression, we offer innovative ketamine therapy, delivering new hope and effective relief. Additionally, we provide semaglutide therapy, and we are a QMP certified clinic. And as a veteran-owned clinic, we proudly serve our military community with understanding and respect. We are also committed to creating

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Forza Commercial is a premier commercial real estate firm specializing in development, property management, and equity raising here in Utah and across the United States. Principal Chris Hatch joins us with more. CHRIS HATCH: Forza Commercial is a privately held commercial real estate company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our company is focused on delivering a full set of commercial real estate services to local and national real estate clients. We are consisted of three separate teams – Forza Capital, Forza Management and Forza Development. Forza Capital Raises equity with a pool of investors for our development projects and some third-party developer projects. Forza Development focuses primarily on building new retail projects. One of our passions is to recycle old, defunct buildings and make them new again. We currently have projects going with Café Rio, Dutch Bros, In-N-Out Burger, Starbucks and Wells Fargo. Forza Management provides professional 3rd pa

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 2005, Caspian Agency has been assisting select, purpose-driven organizations with creating top-tier events that promote both the bottom line and social impact. Founder Heather Mason joins us with more. HEATHER MASON: Events are critical to business success. Covid highlighted this importance when live meetings stopped, which is why the event industry has not only recovered but it’s thriving. Yet, many businesses still lack strategic planning for events which can waste money and staff time. At Caspian Agency, we help companies develop long-term event strategies. We ask where an event or an event series will be in 2-3 years and then we create a business plan accordingly. We also assess the event value, not its budget, to enable better resource allocation. This ensures that every dime spent yields a multiple return and we also analyze staff time to free them up. We’ve produced events for the Rockefeller Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Ford Foundation and o

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For over 50 years, TURN Community Services has been a premier provider of quality services for people with disabilities in Utah. Director of Development & Communication Alyssa DeHart joins us with more. Alyssa DeHart: At TURN Community Services, we are dedicated to choice, quality and respect in disability services. Our mission is to TURN dreams into reality, which means we build trusting relationships with individuals and families to learn what might be the lifestyle and life settings they want most for themselves or their loved one. With locations throughout the state, we facilitate important community connections through dynamic art-centered day programs, supported living in affordable housing. We also have plenty of opportunities for recreation, employment, and volunteering. This year, over 780 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and over 400 team members lived more meaningful lives because they are a part of TURN. Being part of the T

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Project Human Dignity is an initiative led by the Utah Impact Partnership that aims to address homelessness with determination and compassion. Jake Boyer, treasurer of the Utah Impact Partnership and CEO of Boyer Company, shares more. Jake Boyer: In 2022, more than 8,600 people experienced homelessness for the first time. 90 percent of the rise came from outside of Salt Lake County, emphasizing the scope of this issue. Project Human Dignity is a community initiative in Utah that is driving transformative action across the state to tackle homelessness. We're committed to maintaining respect and order in our communities and finding sustainable solutions. Our efforts bring together community leaders, housing and mental health experts, emergency responders, elected officials, and service providers. We are dedicated to deepening our community’s understanding of homelessness, fostering empathy, and tackling the challenges head-on. The roots of homelessness are complex

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, presented by Zions Bank, takes place at the $17.5 million-dollar state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark each July. Executive Director Tommy Joe Lucia joins us with more. Tommy Joe Lucia: The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, in the heart of Salt Lake City, is a must stop during the summer for your chance to immerse yourself and family into the authentic pioneer west. And, make yourself a gold medal memory. The experience includes a fan zone, with pony rides, bounce houses, a free petting zoo and much much more. Or, get your shopping on at our KSL expo tent. The rodeo boasts of being one of the largest 5-day rodeos in the nation, where contestants run away with lots of money and a chance to win a gold, silver or bronze medals right during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games being held in Paris. The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is a gold Standard in Rodeo, one of Utah’s longest-standing traditions. The rodeo, and the other Days of ’47

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. With over forty years of experience, Universal Media is an Out-of-Home Media company that specializes in place-based advertising at shopping malls, lifestyle hubs and city centers. Senior Vice President of Universal Media Robyn Cohen joins us with more. Robyn Cohen: My father-in-law, who pioneered shopping mall advertising, ran Universal Media until his passing in 2021. Now, under my husband’s leadership and vision, we’re navigating the company’s next chapter. At Universal Media, we’re revolutionizing Out-of-Home Media. We thrive on producing unique, engaging and game-changing mediums that reach consumers at key points in the decision-making process. I joined the team to contribute to the growth of this new phase, which includes transitioning from static to digital, but it also includes ad-supported EV charging units. By engaging audiences in their natural environments – whether they’re dining, or working, shopping or simply enjoying downtime – we ensure our

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah-based business, Thread Wallets, redefined minimalist carry goods almost a decade ago. And, in 2022, with the brand mission to “Carry On,” Thread expanded its footprint with a non-profit arm called the Carry On Foundation. Co-Founder Colby Bauer joins us with more. Colby Bauer: At Thread our slogan is “Carry On,” which is a nod to the carry accessories that we sell, but it also represents our narrative of continual progression and the ability to overcome adversity. With this in mind, we created our non-profit called the Carry On Foundation. Our mission at Carry On is to utilize action sports and outdoor recreation to teach youth resilience skills, and to promote mental health. To help them develop confidence, competence, connections and character. The curriculum we developed integrates mental health skills with level-based learning for sports like skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, and outdoor recreation. And we measure the effectiveness of our program

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Founded in 2021, Declarative is a women-owned and operated creative consultancy committed to amplifying their clients’ impact by using data, design and dynamic storytelling. Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Ellesse Balli joins us with more. Ellesse Balli: Declarative Labs was founded by an innovative data scientist and a passionate impact storyteller committed to infusing humanity into data, harnessing the power of marketing for good, and offering bespoke consulting solutions rooted in collaboration and creation. Whether it’s foundational branding for an innovative startup or impact reporting and measurement for a global foundation, we leverage our proprietary tools to bring impact to life and clarity to your cause. Declarative believes businesses and individuals deserve more than cookie-cutter solutions. That’s why we harness data-storytelling and collaboration to amplify the impact of our clients. From visually rich decks and reports to immersive films

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The inaugural SheMoney Summit is coming up soon in Downtown Salt Lake City. This experimental event will be centered on the theme: MONEY MATTERS. Local philanthropist, financier and SheMoney Founder Jacki Zehner joins us with more. Jacki Zehner: Whose signature is on over $1.3 trillion of US currency? The answer is Rosie Rios, the 43rd Treasurer of the United States, and you can have the opportunity to hear from her on June 7th at the SheMoney Summit here in Salt Lake City. She is one of 14 amazing guest speakers and workshop leaders taking the stage at our inaugural SheMoney Summit. Wondering about SheMoney? It’s a Utah-based company dedicated to supporting women+ on their journey to financial preparedness, wellness and agency. We've hosted and participated in over 35 money-centric events over the past 18 months right here in Utah— thanks in part to the support of Zions Bank and our state legislature. As we like to say, money is not optional. We all need it to

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Escape the heat this summer to beautiful Park City. Nestled in the heart of the world-class Deer Valley Resort, the Stein Collection offers three opulent, luxury properties to choose from. Corporate Director of Marketing Jeannie Lambert, joins us with more. JEANNIE LAMBERT: The Stein Collection Deer Valley is where perfect, legendary experiences come to life. Our properties include Stein Eriksen Lodge, The Chateaux Deer Valley and Stein Eriksen Residences. All located within 5-minutes to historic Main Street in Park City. Each Stein Collection entity sets the standard for authentic hospitality and impeccable service. The Collection’s winning heritage and welcoming personality are the natural extensions of Olympic gold medalist, Stein Eriksen, our founder and namesake. Year-round, guests are invited to escape into the very finest mountain getaways, where they enjoy the delights of gracious hospitality, relaxed luxury and awe-inspiring views. So, join us this su

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area provides families of ill or injured children with comforting, supportive, and healing spaces like the Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in a number of Utah hospitals. CEO Carrie Romano joins us with more. Carrie Romano: Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area is built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child. Through facilities like our 75-room Ronald McDonald House, in Salt Lake City near top local hospitals, and our Ronald McDonald Family Room programs within local hospitals, we increase access to high-quality pediatric care for around 10,000 families annually. Our services help families to stay close to their hospitalized children, offering free lodging, transportation to medical facilities, and meals. Keeping families together not only provides a sense of normalcy and social support but it also impro

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. LitJoy is a Utah-based business that offers signed books, book boxes and gifts for book lovers. They also just celebrated their 8th birthday! Director of Business Management, Kara Hobson, joins us with more. Kara Hobson: LitJoy, like “literature joy,” takes pride in contributing to Utah's thriving economy while engaging readers worldwide. LitJoy is at the forefront of immersive book experiences. And our purpose is to cultivate connections and joy through stories, and our mission is to create products and experiences that bring people together. We collaborate with renowned authors like Neil Gaiman, Sarah J. Maas, Richelle Mead, Marissa Meyer, and Utah-based author Brandon Mull, to produce special edition books. These books feature stunning new covers, interior art, and more, bringing your beloved books to life. We transform classic books, such as Pride and Prejudice, and offer bookish merchandise that caters to readers worldwide. LitJoy was named 2023 Number 1