Business Elevated

Season 6 Episode 32: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Liam Brown, president of STEMheads, and Josh Brown, co-founder of STEMheads.

Liam co-founded the nonprofit STEMheads with his parents when he was 10 years old. They emphasize the importance of STEM education and their mission to inspire young people to pursue STEM scholarships and educational content through STEMheads. Liam also reflects on discussions with Utah business leaders, the importance of entrepreneurship, and how their nonprofit is helping the next generation. 

Liam and Josh share how the company's recognition in schools, with teachers using his videos, has brought pride to their family and community. They highlight how the project promotes STEM careers with livable wages and exciting opportunities. Liam addresses students' challenges and how STEMheads inspires them to explore diverse career paths. They also highlight the importance of encouraging young women to pursue STEM and their plans to continue the project through Liam's high school years and beyond. 

Season 6 Episode 31: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Matthew Young, national sales manager for the corporate sales team at SymbolArts.

Young discusses his career progression from technical writing to marketing and sales. He shares insights into SymbolArts’ growth, particularly in creating high-quality metal badges and recognition items for public safety and corporate sectors. Young also discusses the company’s expansion into new markets and the advanced customization capabilities that have enhanced its product offerings over time. 

He discusses SymbolArts’ strong reliance on repeat customers and referrals and highlights the company’s marketing strategy. Despite supply chain challenges during the pandemic, SymbolArts distinguishes itself with efficient air freight logistics, high-quality products, and long-standing relationships with vetted factories. Young also outlines the company’s commitment to “diamond quality” and its growth plans.

Season 6 Episode 30: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Natalie Randall, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film.

Randall discusses her journey from growing up in northern Virginia to building her career focused on outdoor recreation and tourism in Utah. She highlights her experiences in various roles, including working in adaptive recreation, running an adventure company, and leading economic development in rural Utah. Randall emphasizes the importance of community engagement, bridging divides through recreation, and enhancing tourism as part of economic growth. 

The duo discusses the economic impact of tourism in Utah, emphasizing the industry’s contribution to the state’s economy, with nearly $12 billion in visitor spending in 2022 and over 151,000 tourism-related jobs. Randall highlights how tourism brings revenue and enhances the quality of life for Utah residents. She details the state’s efforts to balance tourism growth with community benefits through strategic planning and stewardship. Randall also highlights the importance of rural tourism and the film industry’s growing presence in Utah and shares her excitement for Utah’s upcoming role in the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Season 6 Episode 29: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Justin Helms, St. George branch manager of Utah Disaster Kleenup (UDK). Helms, a second-generation restoration professional, shares his love for St. George. He highlights the operations of UDK, emphasizing the company's broad service range across Utah and its capacity to handle residential, commercial, and healthcare-related disasters.  Helms shares memorable experiences from his 20 years in the industry, including the challenges of restoring homes after natural disasters. He discusses UDK's involvement in community outreach, such as supporting local first responders and participating in charity events. Helms finds it incredibly rewarding to help clients restore their homes and lives after disasters.   UDK recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, earning community recognition, including the "Best of Southern Utah" award for four consecutive years.

Season 6 Episode 28: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with McKenzie Bauer, co-founder of Thread Wallets.

A Utah native, Bauer studied international cultural studies and peacebuilding at BYU-Hawaii, an experience that shaped her marketing and storytelling approach. In 2014, she and her husband co-founded Thread Wallets. She recounts how the idea for her company emerged from her husband's need for a minimalist wallet and their realization that there was a market gap for expressive, functional designs. The conversation highlights the brand’s growth, its mission to inspire adventure and self-expression, and recent marketing efforts, including creating custom products for high-profile figures. 

Bauer attributes Thread Wallets' rapid success to trusted mentors, a tight-knit business community, and Utah's entrepreneurial environment. She expresses her passion for supporting women in the workplace, highlighting Thread Wallets' commitment to a family-friendly, flexible work environment and equitable parental leave for both men and women. Bauer stresses the importance of maintaining simplicity in entrepreneurship, seeking mentorship, and taking incremental steps toward success.

Season 6 Episode 26: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Paul Jolley, the new director of the Utah Small Business Credit Initiative (USBCI), and David Ramos, senior community affairs advisor at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Jolley discusses his long-standing connection to Utah and his excitement for his new role in the public sector. He highlights the initiative’s focus on supporting small businesses through the Loan Participation Program and Capital Access Program. Jolley emphasizes the importance of the upcoming “Path to Prosperity” event, co-hosted by USBCI, that provides resources and guidance to aspiring business owners.

Ramos discusses his role and the FDIC’s efforts to support small businesses and entrepreneurs across the U.S., mainly through the “Path to Prosperity” series. This initiative, created in partnership with agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration, fosters relationships between community banks and small businesses, offering technical assistance and expanding access to capital. Ramos highlights the importance of these resources for economic growth, especially in underserved and rural areas. He also shares insights on Utah’s favorable environment for entrepreneurs and his anticipation for the upcoming event.

“Path to Prosperity” is a free event on Aug. 22, 2024. For more information and to register, visit https://business.utah.gov/event/path-to-prosperity-utah.

Season 6 Episode 25: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Tessa Arneson, founder of the Maven District. 

Arneson reflects on her upbringing in Ogden and her eventual return to Utah after living in various big cities. She describes how her love for Utah's outdoor lifestyle and the supportive, tight-knit community significantly influenced her decision to settle in Utah. Arneson highlights pivotal moments that shaped her career path. These include her early experiences in sales and high-end design and her eventual decision to purchase her first business, which led to the creation of the Maven District.

Arneson elaborates on the development and success of the Maven District, a community-oriented business hub in Salt Lake City she founded in 2015. She emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive environment for local and women-owned businesses, explaining how the district was built with a focus on community and kindness. Arneson also shares her experiences with the challenges of entrepreneurship, including her latest venture into the hospitality industry with Maven Stay, a boutique hotel. Throughout the conversation, Arneson focuses on the significance of collaboration, empathy, and the Utah way of doing business.

Season 6 Episode 24: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Salvatore Buscemi, co-founder and managing partner of Brahmin Partners.

Buscemi shares his connections to Utah and experiences with the entrepreneurial spirit of its residents. Inspired by an internship and an influential mentor, he details his educational journey at Fordham University and his unexpected career shift from pre-med to finance. He emphasizes the importance of networking, the evolving landscape of family investment groups, and his motivation to write books that share his finance and investment strategies.

Buscemi highlights rising property values driven by high equity and the difficulty of refinancing and selling. He advises that investing in real estate requires acquiring financial skills and raising capital through relationship-building and salesmanship. Buscemi also discusses banking challenges, the impact of social media on bank runs, the rise of private credit in the face of banking instability, and much more.

Email [email protected] for an autographed paperback copy of his book, "Investing Legacy: How the .001% Invest" or download the Audible version on Amazon.

Follow Sal on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/salvatore-buscemi/

Season 6 Episode 23: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Neight Casperson, owner and CEO of N8 Elite Skiwear.   Casperson shares his deep connection to Utah, having been born and raised in Ogden. He recounts his time away during a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vienna, Austria, and his work for Hill Air Force Base. Despite personal struggles, he found solace and inspiration in skiing. This passion inspired him to start N8 Elite Skiware. Despite challenges, including the impact of COVID-19 that temporarily halted his business, Casperson’s resilience and support from his network helped him relaunch his ski wear line. He continues to grow his business while working at Ed Kenley Ford.

The duo discusses the journey of an entrepreneur, emphasizing the multi-tasking nature of managing a startup and a regular job. Casperson highlights the importance of networking, utilizing feedback from friends and marketing groups, and overcoming hurdles like capital constraints and supply chain issues. They highlight Casperson's vision for his company, aiming to make it a prominent brand at ski resorts worldwide, with particular hopes tied to the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah. Casperson acknowledges the supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Utah, the state’s culture of backing local businesses, and the role of recovery and clarity in his personal and professional growth.