Season 6 Episode 13: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Lavanya Mahate, founder of Saffron Valley restaurants and the RISE Culinary Institute.

Mahate shares her story of moving to Utah from India in 2001. She details her journey in pursuing additional education at the University of Utah, which led to a pivotal role at the Salt Lake Chamber's Women's Business Center. Mahate explores her decision to channel her passion for food into her own business, resulting in the establishment of Saffron Valley, a restaurant chain that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of India. She also highlights her entrepreneurial ventures, including bakeries and RISE Culinary Institute, a nonprofit that empowers refugee women through culinary training and employment opportunities.

She also discusses her challenges and triumphs, from navigating the complexities of immigration and visa regulations to establishing a successful culinary empire in Utah. Mahate reveals her plans for the future, including her desire to explore more of Utah's outdoor landscapes and her ongoing commitment to her entrepreneurial endeavors.

Season 6 Episode 12: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of Business Services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Steve Brosvik, president and CEO of the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO).

Brosvik shares his recent move to Utah and details his journey from the vice president and general manager of the Houston Symphony in Texas and chief operating officer of the Nashville Symphony in Tennessee to his current role as the president and CEO of the USUO.

The conversation explores Brosvik's professional journey and the unique allure of USUO. Brosvik highlights the organization's distinctive nature, being a combined full-time professional orchestra and opera company, which sets it apart from other cultural institutions across the country. He outlines the breadth of the organization's work, from its extensive educational programs reaching over 130,000 students and teachers annually to its artistic production.

Brosvik also sheds light on the composition of the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera, which consists of 87 full-time musicians and five opera resident artists from around the globe, underscoring the competitive nature of securing a position within this prestigious ensemble. He elaborates on the unique features of the USUO organization, such as being a significant combined professional orchestra and opera company with a vast educational outreach and hosting the Deer Valley Music Festival.

Season 6 Episode 12: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of Business Services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Steve Brosvik, president and CEO of the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO). 

Brosvik shares his recent move to Utah and details his journey from the vice president and general manager of the Houston Symphony in Texas and chief operating officer of the Nashville Symphony in Tennessee to his current role as the president and CEO of the USUO.

The conversation explores Brosvik's professional journey and the unique allure of USUO. Brosvik highlights the organization's distinctive nature, being a combined full-time professional orchestra and opera company, which sets it apart from other cultural institutions across the country. He outlines the breadth of the organization's work, from its extensive educational programs reaching over 130,000 students and teachers annually to its artistic production.

Brosvik also sheds light on the composition of the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera, which consists of 87 full-time musicians and five opera resident artists from around the globe, underscoring the competitive nature of securing a position within this prestigious ensemble. He elaborates on the unique features of the USUO organization, such as being a significant combined professional orchestra and opera company with a vast educational outreach and hosting the Deer Valley Music Festival. 

Season 6 Episode 11: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Ally Isom, chief strategy and marketing officer at Clyde Companies.

Isom shares her extensive background and deep connection to Utah, highlighting her journey from diverse professional experiences to her current role. The duo discuss several topics ranging from Isom's interests in hiking and community engagement to her professional trajectory, including her role at Clyde Companies and its commitment to supporting women in the construction industry.

Isom emphasizes the company's dedication to diversity and inclusion, showcasing initiatives such as its women's employee resource group and its efforts to promote pay equity in sports. She also discusses Clyde Companies' merger with IHC Scott, shares her perspective on potential future endeavors, and much more.

Season 6 Episode 10: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Jaron Erickson, founder and CEO of Sales Dojo.

Erickson shares his journey from growing up in Farmington, Utah, to becoming an entrepreneur in the tech industry, where he found his passion. Inspired by his experiences and the potential he saw in tech sales, he founded Sales Dojo with a mission to help individuals learn the skills needed for business-to-business tech sales and connect them with job opportunities in the industry. In its four-week program, the company provides actionable training, focusing on developing high-performing sales representatives for tech companies in Utah and beyond.

Erickson emphasizes the inclusivity of Sales Dojo and its efforts to support underrepresented groups. With a vision for the future, he aims to expand the company's impact by partnering with universities and offering specialized training programs to contribute to the growth of Utah's entrepreneurial ecosystem through education and opportunity.

Season 6 Episode 9: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Madeline Miller, the program manager for INROADS College Links in Salt Lake City.

Miller shares her journey of fostering opportunities for diverse youth. She discusses her passion for public health, which led her to advocate for marginalized communities and promote diversity and inclusion in corporate settings.

Miller shares insights into the INROADS program, a nonprofit focused on advancing diverse youth in corporate America. She highlights the program's success in guiding students from high school to college and eventually into meaningful careers and the importance of experiential learning and mentorship. Miller shares inspiring success stories of students who excelled in the program, its emphasis on life skills, mental health support, entrepreneurship, and much more.

Season 6 Episode 8: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Rob Gardner, principal of Savory Fund.

Gardner shares his journey from his Utah roots to his diverse professional experiences, including his time in public accounting and private equity. He reflects on various aspects of the restaurant industry, its evolution, and the challenges aspiring restaurateurs face to the impact of technology on dining trends.

The duo discusses Savory Fund's mission to help restaurants scale effectively by investing in people first. Gardner highlights the importance of perseverance and focusing on key factors like good food, service, and value. He delves into the intersection of technology and traditional dining experiences, articulates a vision for the industry's future, and much more.

Season 6 Episode 7: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Ryan Westwood, chairman and CEO of Fullcast. Westwood shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the unique aspects of doing business in Utah. He reflects on his international experiences that led him to embrace opportunities for growth and innovation. Westwood delves into the founding of Fullcast and its recent move to Salt Lake City, highlighting its mission to create jobs and contribute to Utah's economy. He provides valuable insights into the company's fundraising process and emphasizes the support from local investors and the significance of female investors in the company's success. Westwood praises the state's thriving university entrepreneurship programs and collaborative ecosystem of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. He also discusses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in guiding decision-making processes, shares strategic insights into navigating challenges and staying ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape, and much more.

Season 6 Episode 6: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Jason Hewlett, Hall of Fame keynote speaker and keynote speaker at the 2024 spring One Utah Summit.

Hewlett shares his ties to Utah, from being born and raised in Park City to his extensive career in entertainment and speaking engagements across the state. He shares his professional journey, from his early days as an entertainer in Las Vegas to his transition into keynote speaking and consulting. The duo discusses the significance of Hewlett's induction into the Speaker Hall of Fame and his unique approach to blending entertainment with leadership principles in his presentations.

They explore the significance of the One Utah Summit, an event that provides unique opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn from leading Utah organizations. Hewlett expresses his excitement about entertaining and inspiring attendees with his unique blend of music, comedy, and motivational insights, making the summit a must-attend event for those seeking inspiration and networking opportunities in Utah's thriving business community.

Season 6 Episode 5: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Dan Lambert, CEO of PathologyWatch. Lambert shares his entrepreneurial journey and the transformative impact of digital pathology and AI on healthcare. He discusses his move from Manhattan to Utah, citing the primary factors of lower operational costs and the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Lambert reflects on the company's role in processing skin biopsies digitally, leveraging AI for diagnosis and prognosis. According to Lambert, digital pathology enhances accuracy, facilitates physician collaboration, and streamlines workflows. He emphasizes the significance of AI in pattern recognition, particularly in early cancer detection, citing personal experience with melanoma diagnosis. He touts Utah's supportive environment for startups, attributing its success to a blend of local talent, accessible venture capital, and a hunger for problem-solving. Lambert envisions PathologyWatch's continued growth, emphasizing the importance of tackling significant challenges with innovative solutions in the evolving healthcare landscape.