Building Utah

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Willow Creek Financial Services is a woman-owned business that understands the unique challenges that come with small business ownership, especially when it comes to managing finances. Founder and CEO Lauren Klafke joins us with more. Lauren Klafke: Are you a small business owner who feels overwhelmed when looking at your financial reports? Are you looking for a reliable accounting support system that understands your unique needs? Willow Creek Financial Services is here to help. I started this business in 2019 to support the small business owners that weren’t in the corporate scope. We provide fractional CFO services that allow owners to have financial clarity and confidence in their work. Most of our clients are business owners who were previously confused by their finances or overwhelmed by the thought of trying. We help people figure out what they want their business to do for them in the short term and the long term, and then we provide them with the roadmap

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Workthera is a workplace wellness company that specializes in therapy strategies that optimize both employee well-being and your business’s bottom line. Leading Corporate Therapist Dr. Vilija Biciunaite joins us with more. Vilija Biciunaite: As managers, we want the best for our employees. But right now, the best we can do, if an employee or team is struggling, is hire a therapist trained in solving their personal, emotional and family problems. But who wants to open up about their personal life at work? And what workplace wants anyone to? There’s a better way. At Workthera, we practice true corporate therapy. We come in and we solve work problems at work, where they belong. We’ve helped sports teams, marketing companies, executives, banks, teams of all shapes, sizes and problems—with real people, measurable results, and not unused wellness apps, AI, or one-size-fits-all programs. Try us out! For a limited time, I’m personally offering a completely free blitz se

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, American health care spending reached 4.5 trillion dollars in 2022. As businesses, individuals and households navigate rising healthcare expenses, a shift towards proactive health strategies is crucial. Julie Wilde, Founder of Transform With Wellness, joins us with more. Julie Wilde: Did you know that 90 percent of health outcomes are determined by modifiable behaviors and choices like diet, lifestyle and environment? It's time to take action to improve your health for a better quality of life regardless of your health status and experience the power of elevated well-being. As a results-driven health coach with a corporate background, I am passionate about empowering professional women on the journey to their best selves. From stress management to feeling and looking their best, I specialize in helping women with personalized health transformation programs, workplace wellness initiatives, and engaging s

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. World Trade Center Utah works to accelerate growth for Utah businesses through their global network, programs and services. They are also a Presenting Sponsor for the upcoming One Utah Summit, our state’s premier business summit. World Trade Center Utah President & CEO Jonathan Freedman joins us with more. Jonathan Freedman: In today's increasingly interconnected world, understanding international business is crucial for Utah’s economy. At World Trade Center Utah, we not only take Utah businesses abroad, but we also have the honor of hosting and assisting diplomats and other influential leaders from all over the world who are eager to connect with our economy. On April 12th, we will welcome Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova as a keynote speaker at the One Utah Summit. The ambassador will share her perspective on the war in Ukraine, including the progress made and the challenges the country continues to face. Governor Cox will also share remarks about Utah’s u

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Gallery MAR is a woman-owned fine art gallery located on Park City’s historic Main Street. The gallery also provides comprehensive services in art consultation, site evaluation, custom commissions and installation. Owner Maren Mullin joins us with more. Maren Mullen: Since its establishment in 2008, Gallery MAR has been a place where brilliant artistic vision meets the everyday lives of collectors around the globe. With a fresh and lively atmosphere, Gallery MAR seeks to educate and inspire collectors while supporting and encouraging nationally known artists. The diverse array of artwork is constantly changing, yet the standard of artistic talent and superior customer service remains the same. We recently opened our second and third gallery locations in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, and we are looking to expand in Utah. I’m most proud of the artists whose careers we have launched here. We have several artists who got their starts at Gallery MAR, and now they a

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Junior Achievement of Utah’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people of all backgrounds to succeed in a global economy. President and CEO Christy Tribe joins us with more. Christy Tribe: In a world where our youth are continually hearing “it’s not possible,” we at Junior Achievement believe in what is possible. We believe in the boundless potential of youth, no matter their past or current circumstances. Junior Achievement connects students throughout Utah with volunteers serving as mentors from a variety of professions. Through our volunteers, JA prepares young people for the future of work, teaches them how to think entrepreneurially, and ensures they have the tools to be financially capable adults. These mentor-student relationships expose our students to infinite future possibilities and have a profound impact on their lives. In fact, according to a 2022 survey, 56 percent of JA alumni report they have worked or are currently working in the same field

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Extra Space Storage offers customers secure, clean properties and simple, helpful service. With over 40 locations in Utah, they are committed to being the most convenient storage solution in your neighborhood. Executive Vice President Noah Springer joins us with more. Noah Springer: At Extra Space Storage, we believe that storage isn’t just about space — it’s about helping people get to a better tomorrow. Every year, we help millions of people through life transitions by providing secure and conveniently located storage units. Since 1977, we’ve grown from a small startup company to the largest operator of self storage properties, with over 3,600 locations across 42 states. As industry leaders, we are on the cutting edge of technological innovation and investment strategy; plus, the company is continuing to grow. Just last year, we completed the largest M&A deal in Utah business history with a 12 billion dollar transaction. Our company values of integrity, ex

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Game On! Sports 4 Girls is an organization committed to empowering young girls through sports with unique programming and passionate role models. Owner Elyssa Brock joins us with more. Elyssa Brock: Game On! has spent years devoted to inspiring girls through its proven teaching methods and spirited traditions. Name a sport – we play it! We know that learning the right way, understanding a sport, and having fun while doing it leads to increased confidence and the ability to enjoy sports for a lifetime. If you are looking for the best summer yet for your daughter, look no further. We offer a 6-week-long summer day camp that teaches the fundamentals of sports, including soccer, softball, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, flag football, yoga, pickleball, tennis, and martial arts. Our locations include Park City, Heber City, as well as our newest camp in Kaysville! All camps run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. with registration opening in March and April.

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, 74 percent of all security breaches include a human element. That’s why Wasatch Security Awareness was created — to provide cybersecurity training to businesses and their employees. Founder Matt Groves joins us with more. Matt Groves: Your company’s employees are both the biggest target and the best defense against a cyber attack. At Wasatch Security Awareness, we are determined to educate your end users to become smarter than the digital threats they will inevitably face. When we work with businesses, we use a simple training process to ensure each organization gets the personalized education they need. First, we collaborate with management to create a human intelligence training plan. We then test employees with a customized “spear phishing” email that mimics techniques used by cybercriminals. Based on the test’s results, Wasatch Security Awareness provides customized training to help businesses bec

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. According to the 13th annual Aflac Workforces Report, 57 percent of American workers say they are currently experiencing moderate levels of burnout. Human Work Project is working to address that. Founder Charlie Warner joins us with more. Charlie Warner: Our mission at Human Work is to humanize the nature of work. We believe that work is a natural and an essential part of our humanity, but that our current culture of work no longer supports our prosperity. Due to this, we are seeing large–scale burnout and career mis-alignment. Our job at Human Work Project is to fix that. We do so by supporting people in realigning and recalibrating their relationship with work through professional development programs, mentoring, and community support. This includes our new GroundWork program, a 12–week intensive program designed to help you align to work that works for you. We also host regular events and workshops for leaders, individuals and organizations interested in

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah is a hub for innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses, each with unique needs. That’s why Offbeat Productions, a Park City-based promotional product company, is committed to offering creative branding solutions for businesses of all sizes. Owner Shannon Nellis joins us with more. Shannon Nellis: Offbeat Productions started out printing t-shirts for rock bands and record companies in the late 80’s. Today, we're a lot more than just t-shirts. You name it, and we can put a logo on it. We create high-impact promos that attract attention and business. Our customers range in size from large companies like Adobe and Warner Music to local Utah schools and sports teams. No matter the size of the job, your project means something to us and we stand behind it — whether you're ordering 50 shirts for your team or 50,000 for a major event. Plus, at Offbeat Productions, there are so many possibilities for branded items beyond your traditional options! I always recommend

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Stratos Creative Marketing is a women-owned business dedicated to making your social media marketing work for you. Founder and CEO Julia Block Pearson joins us with more. Julia Block Pearson: Nine times out of ten, business owners tell me they hate social media marketing. They don’t know if it's an effective use of their time and feel pressure to do more than what they have capacity for. That’s why at Stratos, we are on a mission to improve entrepreneurs’ relationship with their business social media. While most of our work is done-for-you content because honestly people don’t want to have to think about their social we’ve recently developed a DIY Social Club for service-based businesses and nonprofits who know they need SOMETHING for social, but don’t have the ability to pay an agency to do it for them. Our club membership includes monthly fill-in-the-blank captions and editable graphics so each member can make the posts their own. Club members are then abl

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. On February 8th, the Salt Lake Chamber and Utah Community Builders are hosting an informational session on the importance of having a holistic approach to employee health. Presenter, and evolvedMD Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff, Sentari Minor joins us with more. Sentari Minor: From employee wellness programs to inclusive management training and expanded employee benefits, business leaders are looking for solutions to some of their top workforce needs. One area of concern is employee mental health. According to Mental Health America, Utah ranks 48th in the nation for mental health, with Utah adults having higher rates of mental illness and lower rates of access to care compared to the rest of the country. This is why evolvedMD is partnering with the Salt Lake Chamber and Utah Community Builders to discuss practical solutions for companies on how to make mental health a top priority. By attending this session, business leaders will learn about c

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Diverse-Owned Business Accelerator, hosted by the Salt Lake Chamber and Women's Business Center of Utah, is currently accepting applications for the Spring 2024 Cohort. Program facilitator and entrepreneur Kamea Johnson joins us with more. Kamea Johnson: When I first started my own business, I realized firsthand how difficult the entrepreneurial learning process could be. Luckily, I had resources to guide me, including the Women’s Business Center of Utah. That’s why WBCUtah and the Salt Lake Chamber launched the Diverse-Owned Business Accelerator program to ensure that every small business owner, regardless of gender, race or background, has access to vital business resources. By joining our four-week cohort, entrepreneurs and business owners of all backgrounds can learn essential skills such as establishing a business strategy roadmap, constructing a brand style guide and clarifying revenue streams. We also provide a personalized, peer-to-peer environment

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah is known for being home to many entrepreneurs and small business owners, but it can be difficult for them to find the right legal services. AGS Law was created to change that. Founder Ashley Garbe Smith joins us with more. Ashley Smith: In 2020, I started AGS Law with a distinct mission: providing expert legal services for small business owners, dentists, optometrists, and veterinarians. Our firm stands out for its flat fee model, offering transparent, predictable pricing. At AGS Law, we value building a personal rapport with each client. We are committed to upfront fee structures and quick response times. Our expertise encompasses helping professionals start their businesses, negotiating leases and commercial real estate deals, drafting various agreements, and overseeing the purchase and sale of small businesses and professional practices. We also help protect your brand through trademark registration. Our focus on these specific practice areas guarantees

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. American Express began as a freight forwarding company in 1850, earning a reputation as a company people could trust. One thing has remained constant through the company’s history: its commitment to providing the world’s best customer experience every day. Amex’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Underwriting, Brady Fife, shares more. Brady Fife: American Express opened its first Utah office in 1910, offering express delivery services. We have had a consistent Utah presence for over 100 years and are proud to be the official payments partner of the Utah Jazz and Delta Center - which includes a dedicated entrance for all American Express card members. Today, Amex’s Utah office is located in Sandy. There are about a dozen business units within our local market, ranging from finance and risk to technology, supporting our Consumer, Commercial, Merchant and Network, and International business segments. Utah is also the headquarters of American Express National Ban

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Backyard Bookkeeper is a women-owned, client-oriented bookkeeping service that prides itself on quality and consistency. Since 2008 They’ve offered a variety of other personalized services that align with your needs. Cofounder and COO Julie DeLong joins us with more. Julie DeLong: We are not your average bookkeepers. As a small, bootstrapped business, we understand your growing pains and are here to help your business however we can. When we hire our bookkeepers, we look for people who love bookkeeping for its own sake, and we taste their skills to ensure they can do their job well. Our commitment to transparency, honesty and consistency sets us apart from other bookkeepers. Do you need help with payroll services? Our specialists will take care of you individually, set up your tax accounts, track your federal and state liabilities, and ensure your team gets paid and your taxes get filed accurately. At Backyard Bookkeeper, we understand that sometimes you just

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Clyde Companies is a Utah-based organization involved in almost every aspect of building and construction in the Intermountain West. They are also dedicated to helping our community flourish. Vice President and Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer Ally Isom joins us with more. Ally Isom: At Clyde Companies, we’re Building a Better Community, and we try to lead by example, especially on important issues like gender pay parity. We’ve partnered with the Copper Rock Championship, part of the LPGA Epson Tour, to both support female athletes and address pay parity in professional golf. Through the Clyde Challenge Pay Equity Match, we aim to increase the purse by 50%. To Clyde Companies, this is more than a donation; it’s a statement about valuing the contribution of female athletes and leadership. Our goal is $100,000. Clyde Companies invites your Utah businesses to join us! If you or your business are interested in partnering with Clyde Companies through the Clyde Ch

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Downtown Salt Lake City has a lot to offer this holiday season. The Gallivan Center is particularly festive this year, with the 2023 GLOW at Gallivan art experience now in full swing. Program Director of The Blocks Britney Helmers joins us with more. Britney Helmers: The Downtown Alliance and The Blocks Arts District are adding a layer of luminous magic to the Gallivan Plaza this year with the fourth and largest season of GLOW at Gallivan! This season’s art experience is the most magical yet, with more than two dozen larger than life sculptures designed by interior collective celebrating Utah’s diverse natural, cultural and social landscapes. This family friendly attraction is open every evening and completely free! In the middle of this whimsical experience, Gallivan's famous ice-skating rink is open until 10 pm every night, and skates can be rented for just 10 dollars. The Gallivan Center isn’t the only place to celebrate the holidays downtown, either — pay a

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Downtown Farmers Market has once again transitioned out of Pioneer Park and into The Gateway for the winter season. Carly Gillespie, Deputy Director of Urban Food Connections Of Utah, joins us with more. Carly Gillespie: The mission of the Market is to support sustainable, regional agriculture; build community gathering places; increase access to nutritious, local foods in urban areas; and educate the consumer about shopping local. This is our tenth year organizing the winter season – and by far, it is the largest! More than 60 farmers, ranchers, bakers, artists, and makers are setting up their booths indoors for the winter season. Farmers are increasingly using greenhouses in Utah, so new visitors might be surprised by the amount of fresh foods like garlic, carrots, onions and beets. Patrons will also find artisan cheeses, savory sauces and salsas, yummy baked goods and fresh meats. Plus, there is a wonderful, family-friendly atmosphere that is inviting to