Building Utah

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

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Founded in 2018 in South Salt Lake, Workshop SLC is a vibrant and creative hub dedicated to nurturing artistic talent and fostering a passion for fine arts and ceramics. Owner Lucia Murdock shares more. Lucia Murdock: Workshop SLC’s goal is to bring artistic excellence to the Salt Lake community with a wide range of programs for students of all ages and skill levels. Our mission is to provide a supportive and inspiring environment where artists can explore their creativity, expand their skills and find their unique artistic voice. At Workshop SLC, we believe that art is a powerful medium for self-expression and personal growth, and we are committed to empowering our students to reach their full artistic potential. Our studio is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, providing our members and students with the best possible resources to unleash their creativity. With a team of dedicated and experienced instructors, we are proud to offer an exceptional le

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Craft Lake City is a non-profit organization that works to educate, promote and inspire local artisans while elevating the creative culture of the Utah arts community through science, technology and art. Executive Director Angela H. Brown joins us with more. Angela H. Brown: Craft Lake City’s primary mission is to support local artisans through education, promotion and inspiration. We accomplish this through programming including Craft and STEM Workshops taught by local makers, the Craft Lake City Business Academy and the Youth Artisan Entrepreneur Program as well as events like our Annual DIY Festival, the Holiday Market and LetterWest. We prioritize inclusion by offering scholarships to our events and workshops and work to grow these programs every year. Through Craft Lake City, opportunities to engage with your community are endless. Join us for a workshop and learn a new crafting skill, or check out this month’s free outdoor exhibition along Broadway. If y

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For more than 80 years, the United Service Organization has been the nation’s leading nonprofit organization in serving the men and women of the U.S. military and their families. USO Intermountain Executive Director Tim Mullin joins us with more. Tim Mullin: From the moment people join, through their deployments, and as they transition back to our communities the USO has been by their side. In 2022 alone, the USO served military members and their families more than 10 million times. Thanks in part to the more than 700 employees and nearly 20,000 volunteers worldwide. The USO has locations in more than 85 locations across Europe, Southwest Asia, and the Pacific. There’s even a center at Salt Lake City International Airport. At this location, service members and their families can grab a quick snack, drink, use one of our laptops, or just relax and chill before or after a flight. The USO also hosts or supports on average 10-12 morale-boosting and family-st

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. BH Brand Co. is a women-owned commercial photography business that believes in the power of storytelling. They understand that businesses like yours thrive on authentic imagery that captivates an audience. Founder Becca Hofmann joins us with more. Becca Hofmann: Images are crucial to your business’s success. When done right, they captivate, tell your brand’s story, and connect you with your target audience. BH Brand Co. is a commercial photography and creative direction company that specializes in helping businesses thrive. With over 75 companies and 1000 individuals photographed in the last two years, we understand that you need images that are not just visually stunning, but purposeful too. That’s why we work with you to develop a custom photoshoot design that aligns with your brand's vision, helping you select the right wardrobe, props, and location to create the perfect look and feel. We bring your business to life through high-quality commercial photography

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. AMD Architecture, a woman-owned full-service design firm, prides themselves on truly understanding their clients’ needs and finding creative solutions for even the most complex designs. Founder and Principal Architect Angela Dean shares more. Angela Dean: I founded AMD Architecture in 1997 with the goal of providing quality architecture that is equally responsible to both clients and the greater environment. We find joy in approaching each project as a unique opportunity to explore creative, timeless and sustainable solutions. With diverse projects spanning from the Wasatch peaks to southern Utah deserts, we specialize in custom homes, historic preservation, commercial adaptive reuse, education, entertainment and more. Our expertise in sustainable design ranges from off-grid straw bale homes to LEED platinum certified medical clinics. In addition to our commitment to the environment through design, we prioritize our community and future workforce by providing sc

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Hilton Salt Lake City Center is a premier hotel located in the middle of downtown’s entertainment and business districts. With amenities ranging from event accommodations to on-site car rentals, the space is designed to ensure a delightful experience for all guests. Marion Neversummer shares more. Marion Neversummer: Hilton Salt Lake City Center is celebrating four decades of hospitality, offering upscale sophistication. Nestled in the heart of the convention district, our urban oasis invites you to experience the vibrancy of the city from the comfort of the hotel. Indulge in our meticulous guest rooms and suites with unparalleled mountain and cityscape views. Elevate your gatherings in our expansive event spaces and choose from a variety of catered options from our award-winning culinary team. Visit Spencer’s for Steaks & Chops for seasonal delights and classic dishes. Our new Rare Room offers prohibition-era cocktails, rich bites, and an ambiance of mystery

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Proximity, tech solutions for political campaigns, believes in helping good leaders become great candidates. They do this by providing tools and resources to improve election literacy, enhance political campaign innovation and foster equitable access and pathways to civic leadership. CEO Becki Wright joins us with more. Becki Wright: There are over half a million elected offices in the US today, and depending on race level, anywhere from 2 to 10 candidates run for each seat. Proximity is professionalizing and revolutionizing the way political campaigns are run and won. Whether left of center or right of center, we all agree far more than our election cycle would have us believe. Our own Governor reminds us: we need to disagree better. And we need candidates who are representative of you and me. But the problem exists that it’s difficult to start a political campaign, and it’s difficult to finish running that campaign well. I created Proximity to bring polit

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. GREENbike’s goal as a non-profit bike share is to help provide another form of transportation to the residents of Salt Lake City and Ogden, and one that is healthy and environmentally friendly. Executive Director Stan Penfold joins us with more. Stan Penfold: GREENbike aims to reduce carbon emissions and automobile traffic congestion by taking cars off the road while simultaneously encouraging healthy lifestyles through physical activity and a renewed interest in cycling as an effective means of transportation as well as exercise. Through our bike share program, we strive to improve the livability of the Wasatch Front and create a vibrant, thriving community. Bike sharing is a new kind of public transportation that makes urban bike commuting easy, fun and affordable. Bike stations are currently placed in strategic locations around town to create a network that’s useful for both residents and visitors. This past year alone, we opened 8 new stations and expanded

DEREK MILLER:  This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. In today's business landscape, high employee turnover rates have become a significant challenge, with a staggering 57 percent of companies struggling to retain their workforce. Local company Smart Resources™ is a revolutionary solution in labor management working to tackle this pressing issue head on. Owner Ted Browman shares about their journey and more. TED BROWMAN: We are people people. Our story began when I owned a large warehouse fulfillment center. Like many businesses, we were facing labor challenges. We tried traditional staffing agencies, but that hindered our growth. That's when Smart Resources™ was born.  Today, we're transforming labor management with our six divisions: Smart Trades, Smart Search, Smart Consulting, Smart Staffing, Smart HR and Smart Gigs. Each division focuses on different verticals, ensuring customized and industry-specific support.  Your success is our success, and we're proud to offer services across Utah, Texas a

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Open Streets is back in downtown Salt Lake City and better than ever. You might think you know what to expect, but get ready to be surprised and delighted by this year’s new improvements. Josh Jones with the Downtown Alliance joins us with more. Josh Jones: Derek, imagine an urban mini golf course, free yoga sessions, a silent disco, muralists, and lots of free concerts, all of it cascading down Main Street every Friday and Saturday this October. This Open Streets is actually a packed confetti cannon of fun thanks to our BLOCKS team who have curated talented artists and programmers from all across the valley. AND, the best part: it is entirely free. Each weekend has different activities and entertainment, so be sure to check out our website for what’s happening this weekend. We hope the community will wander down to Main Street without a ticket and explore and discover their city. There are more than 170 bars and restaurants downtown, and more than 30 on Main