Building Utah

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Nimbl Fulfillment is a long-standing 3PL servicing local and national businesses. Nimbl also focuses on community issues, providing support and sponsorship to local organizations. General Manager Alex Parker joins us with more. Alex Parker: Since opening its doors in 2005, Nimbl Fulfillment has helped local and national businesses with their operational needs. From Fulfillment, Kitting and Assembly, to Customer Service support, Nimbl has found ways to solve logistical problems businesses face. We work with our clients to provide customized solutions as retail and e-commerce landscape continues to change. Locally, we realize the need to be a trusted partner in our community and provide support for organizations helping bring more women in the workforce and educate our young on careers in Supply Chain. Nimbl has been an active founding sponsor of the Silicon Slopes Women in Leadership chapter, an advocate for Tech Moms non-profit organization in Utah, and sponsor

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. WHOlives is a nonprofit organization with a goal described by the acronym ‘W-H-O’ – providing clean Water, better Health and economic Opportunities to all people while prioritizing sustainability and self-reliance. Founder and Executive Director John Renouard joins us with more. John Renouard: So in 2010, I was on vacation in Africa when I saw these young girls missing school because they were forced to walk miles to fetch water for their families. I knew I had to do something, so I created the non-profit WHOlives. For 10 months I worked with local engineering students to create a human-powered water drill. Our Village Drill has now completed nearly 15,000 wells worldwide, empowering over 14 million people. Today, WHOlives is excited about our newest innovation, the Village Drill Hybrid, an electric drill that’s even stronger and drills faster! But we now have way more requests for water than we have funds, so WHOlives is looking for businesses and even indivi

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Utah Valley Convention Center is an event venue located in downtown Provo that boasts comprehensive on-site services, a variety of floor plans and even LEED Silver certification. Suzanne Whitaker, Director of Sales and Marketing, joins us with more. Suzanne Whitaker: The Utah Valley Convention Center opened its doors in 2012 and quickly became a hub for local, regional and national events, ranging from conventions and meetings to dance competitions or banquets. Our location offers not only breathtaking views but also easy access to unique dining, shopping and entertainment options. Our convention center hosts functions of various sizes, from a 2,500-person general session to a 12-person board meeting. All our spaces are blank canvases that can be molded to your needs, and we pride ourselves on being creative in order to make your space match your event vision. Known for our exceptional in-house services, our facility has high-speed internet access, stagin

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Park City Gardens is an expert on high altitude gardening in the Rocky Mountain West. They aim to meet the challenges of the short planting season and micro-climates that come with mountain living. Owner Sophy Kohler joins us with more. Sophy Kohler: Established in 1983 and located on 10 acres of historic property, Park City Gardens is a Utah flower- and plant-lovers' sanctuary. Our slogan, "We Know What Grows," has been earned through over 40 years of gardening at over 6500 feet. Our focus from inception has been our outdoor nursery that provides trees, shrubs, and flowers that perform well in our area. Park City Gardens encompasses multiple businesses, each housed in their own historic structure. The Victorian glass greenhouse is filled with indoor plants year round; the Flower Barn is our floral shop; and the Garden Boutique is filled with unique gifts. The Garden Cafe, residing in Park City's first General Store, dates back to 1890 and serves small batch cof

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Alpha Coffee is a veteran and woman co-owned coffee company with two locations in the Salt Lake City area. They’re dedicated to giving back to veterans, the planet and the community. Chief Coffee Officer Carl Churchill joins us with more. Carl Churchill: 13 years ago, my wife Lori and I founded Alpha Coffee in our basement as an online subscription service shipping amazing coffee to people’s front doors. Then, seven years ago, we opened our first coffee shop at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. We opened a second storefront in downtown Salt Lake City in 2022. We pride ourselves on providing an elevated customer experience, and both of our locations are among the highest rated coffee shops in the area. Our menu features craft coffee, chai, and cocoa as well as an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch items we make fresh or source from local bakers. We also commit 10 percent of profits to our Grounds for Good program. So far, we’ve donated over 100 thousand do

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Alliance House is a Salt Lake City-based nonprofit that provides a supportive environment for adults living with mental illness, operating on the pillars of education, employment and housing. Executive Director Paige Huff joins us with more. Paige Huff: Alliance House is part of a program called Clubhouse International, which helps communities across 32 countries find solutions for those living with mental illness. Our organization takes a unique approach to working with these individuals as we are not clinical and do not provide therapy or medication. Rather, we are a deliberate community where members — not clients — are seen for their talents, strengths and abilities. At Alliance House, we help members complete educational goals, develop necessary work skills to return to productive employment in the community, and even secure affordable housing. Our organization is deliberately understaffed so that members can volunteer their time to help run Alliance House

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Millcreek City Lifestyle is a community-focused, multi-media magazine that aims to be a conduit for the people, places and things that make the Millcreek area special. Owner and publisher Julie Janke joins us with more. Julie Janke: At Millcreek City Lifestyle, we believe that stories are the common thread that unite us. They engage us through emotions, and connect us to each other. And that’s why our goal is to tell the story of our community as it grows and evolves. Our multi-media magazine is not just a printed publication, but an effective digital platform and social media outlet to showcase your business’s story in an authentic way. Each issue of Millcreek City Lifestyle has a different editorial theme, and layered along the pages are unique features that showcase the cool things happening in our community. The beautifully designed magazine is meant to be a coffee table piece created from the common thread of lifestyle; outdoor to indoor. So if your business

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Motherly is an all-in-one parenting platform that is on a mission to help every mother thrive with expert advice, inspirational stories, curated solutions and more. Cofounder Jill Koziol joins us with more. Jill Koziol: In 2015, Liz Tenety and I founded Motherly, determined to redefine what it means to be “motherly” for a new generation of mothers. Since then, we have created a woman-centered, expert-driven, empowering platform guiding modern mothers through parenthood, from conception to college. From viral moments to longer-form reporting and personal essays that dig deep on pain points that weigh on mothers' hearts to curated product recommendations that make our moms' lives easier, our content shines a light on the current state of motherhood. We know from experience that the journey requires real support, real answers and real solutions so you can not only survive but thrive in motherhood. Through our expert-driven articles, digital classes, podcast, book

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Café Rio is a Utah-based Mexican restaurant, with over 50 locations across the state and headquarters in the Brickyard area of Salt Lake City. President and CEO Steve Vaughan joins us with more. Steve Vaughan : Café Rio was created in St. George Utah, in 1997, by Steve Stanley, a classically trained French chef. 27 years later, we continue to serve the “fresh modern Mexican” recipes Steve conceived when he spent the earlier part of his career in the Rio Grande Valley. At Café Rio, our mission is to create opportunities and change the lives of everyone we serve, including our team members. One of my favorite stories involves one of our multi-unit supervisors, who started her career at Café Rio as a cashier. She now oversees six locations and recently purchased her own home with the help of an incentive program we have for our management team. We are proud to be a Utah company, and we believe we are making a positive impact on the lives of our 5,000 team members in

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Vinson Home Inspections is a home inspection company providing trusted property inspections to the Salt Lake Valley. They inspect everything from foundation to roof, empowering future homeowners to feel confident in their decisions. Co-Owner Lisa Vinson joins us with more. Lisa Vinson: Vinson Home Inspections is an award-winning company that provides homebuyers with high quality inspections so they don’t get stuck with unpleasant surprises once they move into their home. We started our company in Salt Lake City over 20 years ago, and we’ve done thousands of inspections since then. Our goal is to provide our clients with the information they need about the home they’re buying in a clear and concise manner, allowing them to be well-educated about the property. This gives them an opportunity to negotiate repairs with the seller before closing. We also encourage home sellers to get a pre-listing inspection so they can be made aware of defects in their home before

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Did you know that Utah is home to over 300,000 small businesses? This achievement is thanks to our state’s premier business resources, including the new Startup State Initiative. Ryan Starks, Executive Director at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, joins us with more. Ryan Starks: With a young and educated workforce, low corporate tax rate, high government support for startups, and a thriving economy, Utah is the perfect place to start a business. At the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, we know our state has a strong entrepreneurial community. However, we also know starting a business can be challenging. That’s why our office — in conjunction with Governor Cox’s economic vision for Utah — has launched the Startup State Initiative. As part of this initiative, we’ve developed a website that unifies the state’s business resources into one place. The step-by-step entrepreneur journey guide, business plan generator, and comprehensive list of res

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Loki Coffee is a Salt Lake City-based specialty coffee shop that offers an array of beverages, small bites and merchandise — as well as a comfortable space for getting work done and meeting with friends. Owner Hermie Dela Cruz He joins us with more. Hermie Dela Cruz He: At Loki Coffee, one of our values is building community. While we love coffee, our goal is to create a space where it’s not just about the coffee but creating community, connection and growth. One way we achieve this goal is by partnering with local businesses such as Tomodachi Bake Shoppe, Mims Bakery, Bedlam Baking Co., The Dang Bakery, Salsa Del Diablo, and more, allowing us to source the freshest food items available. For our coffee beans, we partner up with Idle Hands Roasting Company. They’re a local roaster that focuses on single-sourcing beans and having a direct relationship with the farmer, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship. Your experience matters, and at Loki Coffee, we a

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Westminster University is a private, independent and comprehensive university dedicated to student learning. Dax Jacobson, Dean of the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business at Westminster University, joins us with more. Dax Jacobson: At Westminster University, we are dedicated to providing distinctive academic programs that prepare students for life-long learning and help professionals adapt to a changing social, technological and economic world. In addition to traditional undergraduate and graduate business programs, we are a pioneer in online, project-based undergraduate business courses and degrees. For example, our Bachelor of Business Administration degree is an online program that takes just 12 to 18 months to complete — ideal for working professionals and adult learners. Rather than attending lectures and taking tests, students receive one-on-one mentoring from faculty as they complete real-life projects that are relevant to their career, skills and

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Digital Respons-Ability is a mission-based tech company dedicated to helping young people use technology responsibly. They also equip educators with the certifications and curriculum they need to become digital educators. Founder Carrie Rogers Whitehead joins us with more. Carrie Rogers-Whitehead: Digital Respons-Ability is a research-based education company that has trained tens of thousands of parents, students and educators on digital citizenship. Digital citizenship is the ethical and responsible use of technology. It includes anything from internet safety, media literacy, the digital economy, digital law, digital literacy and more. We equip administrators and educators with the resources they need to join us in training the next generation to be informed and empowered digital citizens at a school level. With over 200,000 hours working with students, we know what it’s like to work hands-on with students in the classroom. Last year, Digital Respons-Ability won

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Cicero is a management consulting firm headquartered in Salt Lake City. They use data and expertise to generate insights, create actionable strategies, and drive transformation. Principal Callie Kennel joins us with more. Callie Kennel: At Cicero, we believe that no strategic decision can be made without the right context, perspective and data. That’s why we focus on building solutions on a foundation of accurate data collection and sophisticated analysis. We also incorporate ongoing feedback mechanisms to improve engagement, increase innovation and drive continuous improvements. Most recently, Cicero was ranked in Vault dot com’s Top 50 Consulting Firms in North America for our commitment to quality services. We also achieved the “Rising Star” award from Consulting Magazine. These accolades are a testament to our excellence in work culture, professional development and collaboration. We are not interested in handing our clients a glossy report with smart but

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Ksense is a full-stack web development agency based in Salt Lake City. Their small team of talented engineers can help you automate your business and streamline your workflow with cutting-edge online solutions. CEO Kelson Erwin joins us with more. Kelson Erwin: Are bottlenecks slowing your business down? Ksense, born in Utah's thriving tech hub, is here to change that. We know the feeling of being frustrated and overwhelmed by clunky systems. That's why we design and build custom software solutions to boost your efficiency and results. If organizations like Harvard and Cambridge trust us to streamline their operations, imagine what we can do for you! We do more than write code – we become an extension of your team, uncovering hidden bottlenecks and process improvements that give you the competitive edge. With our U.S. based-team, you won’t face time-zone or language barriers. We stay attuned to America’s evolving tech landscape, delivering cutting-edge, complian

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Biz Social Marketing Agency is a full-service marketing and web design agency that helps businesses of all sizes grow their brands and reach new customers. Founder Jenn Foster joins us with more. Jenn Foster: As the founder of Biz Social Marketing Agency, I understand the power of content creation in today’s digital world. Our agency specializes in crafting compelling articles, blogs, and social media posts designed to elevate your business's online presence. The key to our strategy is creating content that not only engages your audience but also enhances your visibility on Google and other major search engines. We recognize that in the vast ocean of the internet, standing out is critical for any business. That's where our expertise comes in. Our team works hard to ensure that your business's voice is not only heard but also resonates with your target audience. By focusing on SEO-friendly content, we make sure that your business ranks higher in search results,

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Chatbooks is a Provo-based photo book company that allows you to document your memories in physical form, and you can do it all from your cell phone. Chatbooks Co-Founder Vanessa Quigley joins us with more. Vanessa Quigley: Did you know that printed photos can strengthen your family? Working closely with two psychology professors here in Utah, Chatbooks surveyed over 30,000 families and that’s exactly what the research revealed! Reminiscing about “everyday magical moments” deepens connections and strengthens family bonds. Our mission at Chatbooks is to connect and strengthen families. Ten years ago, our family of 9 moved from Florida to Utah to find the talent and capital that we'd need to build a business focused on family memories – and we found everything and everyone we needed right here in Utah! Now Chatbooks has a team of 150 people, and we’ve printed hundreds of millions of photos from millions of families all around the world. If you haven’t already, d

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Zenzee is a woman-owned clothing label with a mission to create high-quality, sustainably-minded pieces you won’t find anywhere else. Founder and Designer Sharon Backurz joins us with more. Sharon Backurz: I grew up in Steamboat Springs and began my career as a graphic designer in the cities of New York, San Francisco and Seattle. I then decided that I missed the mountains and my small town lifestyle, so I moved to Park City, where I channeled my passion for design into Zenzee. Zenzee is a contemporary womenswear label, and we are dedicated to using the powers of fashion to help women achieve their dreams. We create beautiful, small-batch garments inspired by the space between relaxation and refinement. Our collections feature the softest cashmere, embellished details, handwork, and statement imagery. We sew right in the store, and we love to embellish — we add fringe, feathers, patches and tie dye to keep things fresh. Join us on our journey of creating well

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Make-A-Wish Utah is on a mission to spread the life-changing power of hope to children battling critical illnesses — replacing fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with optimism. President & CEO Daniel Dudley joins us with more. Daniel Dudley: Make-A-Wish was born, fittingly, because of the wish of a child. On April 29th, 1980, 7-year-old Chris, who’d been diagnosed with leukemia, decided his wish was to be a police officer. Volunteers in his community made his wish a reality. After witnessing the impact the wish had on Chris, a global movement was created. Since then, Make-A-Wish Utah has granted over 4,500 wishes for Utah children battling critical illnesses. Through the power of a wish, children can be anything they want, meet anyone they choose, or go anywhere they dream of. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Of course, wishes do not come true