This season we are talking all about impact – the people and experiences that have impacted us, the ways we are impacting others, and what we can all do to build confidence in our ability to make a difference. 

In this episode, we are joined by Yasmin Khan, a graduate of the Master of Business Creation program at the David Eccles School of Business, and founder and CEO of Khalm Skincare. Yasmin also provides mentorship and scholarship funding to young women pursuing their college degrees through the Women Who Succeed program.

Yasmin and host Frances Johnson talk about finding the confidence to dive in fully to your goals and ideas, the value and impact of being a part of the MBC program at Eccles Business School, and getting cozy with failure.

Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.

On the impact of inclusion

[06:47] I think that impact of inclusion in the beauty space is super important right now. And, so when a young girl sees something, sees someone that looks like her creating something that she can use, that harks back to her history, her traditions, and her heritage, it's impactful on that woman because that woman will then go on to university, will go on to being an entrepreneur, or will go on to being a successful member of the community.

Why failing is magical

[16:22] We all fail, and we learn from those. In fact, failing is magical, and I tell them that all the time because you're going to learn how to ski, you're going to fall, but then you're going to get back up again, and that's what's most impactful for you as young women, that you tried something and you got to a certain point, and it grew you.

Khalm is more than just a skincare brand

[07:55] Khalm is connecting you back to those old traditions that really are more impactful today than ever before.

Confidence in the face of failure

[10:39] You may fail or you may succeed, but it leverages another opportunity and increases your confidence along the way. Just grab the opportunities and go for it.

• MBC Program at Eccles 
• Khalm Skincare
• Women Who Succeed

This season we are talking all about impact – the people and experiences that have impacted us, the ways we are impacting others, and what we can all do to build confidence in our ability to make a difference. 

Today we are exploring some new and exciting opportunities student athletes, in particular, have to make a positive impact for themselves and for others in their communities. 

Here with us is Gavin Van Wagoner, Assistant Athletics Director for Name, Image, and Likeness – also known as NIL – and major gifts for Utah Athletics. His responsibilities include helping equip student athletes with a comprehensive toolbox to make the most of their name, image, and likeness ideas.

Gavin and host Frances Johnson dive into all the new NIL regulations, what that means for our student athletes, and how this extra income and business opportunity can make an impact on the communities supporting our students as well. 

Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.

Student-athletes look for schools that meet their needs

10:34: One of the things that is important to remember is a student-athlete picks a school because of multiple factors, whether that's the program's wins, they love the coaches, and obviously, we have great coaches. The facilities are really great, and we love this. And then the education, which is, you're a student athlete, you're here to get an education, and Utah provides a great education. So those four factors, probably prior to NIL being a thing, were weighed.

The ripple effect of impact

[30:37] I think these student-athletes look up to their peers, NIL and business, in general. There's probably some copycat strategies, like Oh, she did this, and I want to use my brand to go create this, as inspiration in a good way. They're probably going to do great things no matter what, in my opinion. But this gives them that early advantage.

How the NIL is changing the game for student-athletes

[25:09]: Some might say, "Well, the money that would've gone to the department is now going to student-athletes." We love it. They're creating their own opportunities to make that money. So a deal happens, and that money is going directly to the student-athlete. And we've found that to just be additive in the process because it changes the dynamics all of a sudden.

• Gavin Van Wagoner - Assistant Athletics Director for NIL and Major Gifts
• Elevate U 

This season we are talking all about impact – the people and experiences that have impacted us, the ways we are impacting others, and what we can all do to build confidence in our ability to make a difference. 

We are so grateful to be joined by mother/daughter duo Brenda and Morgan Williams. Brenda and Morgan established the Cameron Russell Williams Legacy Scholarship at the Eccles School, in honor of their son and twin brother, who passed away from a brain tumor in June 2021 at the age of 33. 

Cameron made a massive impact in his short lifetime, emerging as a star and innovator at Goldman Sachs and Utah tech firm Domo and starting his own transportation logistics company, EverWoke. 

A civic leader and advocate for underrepresented communities, Cameron also served as Chair of the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce and as an advisory board member of the Young Professionals of Salt Lake City and Utah Chapters of the National Association of Black Accountants and National Society of Black Engineers.

In this episode, both Brenda and Morgan join host Frances Johnson to share their favorite memories of Cameron, how they continue to honor his personal and professional legacy, and what it means to carry on his memory throughout Utah. 

Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.

The courage to move forward despite the fears

[19:53] Morgan Williams: Entrepreneurship, just as a role, is scary. I made a decision on my own that I was going to figure this out. That's scary. Everyone said, "Morgan, you don't have to do this." "Morgan, do you even know how to do this?" Regardless of all the fears, I decided to move forward anyway. And to me, that's a part of the confidence needed as an entrepreneur and a sister carrying on a brother's legacy.

The impact you made is measured by the lives you’ve touched

[26:52] Brenda Williams: At the end of the day, when you are no longer here on this planet, the impact you make is measured by the people that you have touched and the things that they continue to do. And that is how we, as a family, look at Cameron's very short life.

On writing your own story

[24:49] Morgan Williams: It is not always about creating the next new big thing, but it is about deciding what story you want, writing that story. And if you need a little plot twist here and there, go ahead and do it. And then make sure you share it so others can be inspired by it as well and change possibly their story as well.

On Cameron’s desire for impact

[06:16] Brenda Williams: Cameron's desire for impact is something that is part of the value system of this family. We have a saying in our family: Never stop thinking. Always look for new ways to do things. No is just a statement. It's not necessarily the answer. And so there may be another way to look at and do things. And from the time they were little children, that is what they were taught.

• Cameron Russell Williams Legacy Scholarship - David Eccles School of Business
• Cameron Russell Williams Diversity Impact Scholarship
• Domo
• Morgan Williams LinkedIn
• Everwoke
• Blendyd Studios
• Utah Chapter - National Association of Black Accountants 
• Utah Chapter - National Society of Black Engineers
• Utah Black Chamber
• NBA Foundation
• NBA All Star Weekend
• NBA All Star Pitch Competition
• Master of Business Creation - David Eccles School of Business
• Kenneth Boggs Suits

This season we are talking all about impact – the people and experiences that have impacted us, the ways we are impacting others, and what we can all do to build confidence in our ability to make a difference. 

Our guest today is Abukar Hassan. Abukar is a junior at the David Eccles School of Business, studying finance and entrepreneurship. He is a business scholars intern, a presidential intern, and a resident at Lassan Studios. Abukar is also one of only 100 students nationwide to be awarded the inaugural Obama Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, also known as the Voyager Scholarship, and he is the only recipient of that scholarship from the State of Utah.

As a first-generation college student, Abukar shares with host Frances Johnson how the impact of his mother influences his mission of service, the long list of organizations he is involved with on campus, how a number of University of Utah & Eccles scholarships got him to where he is today, and how to find your place and voice on campus. 

Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.

Impact is a reciprocal experience 

[16:55] You don't have to go into the community and try to change it, right? You will never experience somebody's perspective or experiences, but if you allow them to tell their story, you'll slowly understand what they love about this university and what they love about their community, but also understand the improvements and what they want to see change. And that's the biggest impact a person really can make: just listening, then letting them and helping them by being behind them and supporting them make those changes.

On finding a community of belonging in the campus

[30:16] If we have more people who have that mindset saying, "I want to amplify those voices of my community. I want to make those changes for my community," We will slowly turn into a community where we love and find belonging for every student here on campus.

On being the only Voyager scholar in Utah

[20:02] To represent our state in a positive way and hopefully bring in that impact that the state constantly needs to see, and have that leadership mentality of saying, "How can I help lead this initiative?" It's a blessing, and I'm excited to work with young millennials and people in general who are trying to do the same thing as our state does a great job at it already, but there are definitely parts where we can improve on.

• Lassonde Studios
• Obama Chesky Scholarship for Public Service
• First Ascent Scholars 
• President Taylor Randall

This season we are talking all about impact – the people and experiences that have impacted us, the ways we are impacting others, and what we can all do to build confidence in our ability to make a difference. 

Programs at the David Eccles School of Business are preparing students, alums, and others in the community with the skills and confidence they need to make a difference. And joining us to talk about one of those programs is Dana Taylor, project director for Project DEEP. 

Project DEEP is an initiative of the Sorenson Impact Center at the Eccles School that aims to disrupt the entrepreneurial status quo by empowering women and people of color entrepreneurs through on-demand training and support from industry experts. 

As a woman of color entrepreneur herself, the mission of Project DEEP is especially important to Dana. She sits down with host Frances Johnson to share an overview of Project DEEP, talk about her personal experiences as a black woman entrepreneur, and how we can all work to create systems to overcome the barriers they face.

Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.

What Project DEEP can do to help you scale up as an entrepreneur

[12:35] With Project DEEP, everyone has direct access to these instructors, and there is so much value in having access to people with this level of expertise provided in a program like DEEP. So having access, gaining that knowledge, having that opportunity to connect with them outside of the project, it’s huge. And when you're serious about your business, other entrepreneurs take you seriously. Investors take you more seriously.

The importance of your network

[26:18] When you come across people who see you and what you bring to the table and want to see your success, you hold on to them forever and ever.

A place where people understand your value contributes to your confidence

[27:15] Women and people of color are often undervalued in mainstream business. And we know when we're being undervalued. And so to be in a place where people understand your value, don't question it, and make sure that you get compensation or funding or whatever you need at your value level is huge. So, that's also a huge part of what would be in a successful ecosystem.

The goal for Project DEEP

[24:49] I do hope that we can build new ecosystems that enable people who didn't have ecosystems for themselves before to become a part of and grow in their entrepreneurship and their investing. 

• Project DEEP
• Sorenson Impact Center 
• Women's Business Center of Utah
• New Pattern 

Welcome back to a brand new season of the Eccles Business Buzz! In Season 4, we explore the Eccles School Value of Confidence to Impact Your World. We'll hear from students, alums, and other friends of the David Eccles School of Business, all about the people and experiences that have impacted them, the ways they are impacting others, and what we can all do to build confidence in our own ability to make a difference.

Today, we kick things off Jim Sorenson. Jim is a world renowned entrepreneur, business leader, and impact investor. He has built highly successful companies and industries ranging from technology and life sciences to real estate and private equity investment, and he is celebrated as a pioneer in the impact investing sector.

In 2013, Jim provided the David Eccles School of Business with a $13 million endowment to create the Sorenson Impact Center, with the mission of cultivating impact investing expertise in students and building the social impact fields. And thats just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Jim’s contributions to the Eccles community and beyond. 

Jim joins host Frances Johnson to talk about how his parents & family inspired his line of work and giving back, the intersection of business and social impact, how the Sorenson Impact Center & their experiential learning opportunities are helping the next generation of impact investors, and his latest endeavors with Catalyst Opportunity Funds and Enable Ventures.

Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.

Student desire for social impact today

[21:18] I think the students of this generation come much more aware of the human condition. I think they are more interested in utilizing their talents, abilities, and time to contribute to and address these things, particularly things of inequality or things that affect our planet and the risks that we face in the world today.

On building his microfinance venture

[13:07] I realized also that you really needed an ecosystem ultimately to be able to engage capital, educate investors, and create a marketplace, and there weren't intermediaries or places to go for this type of expertise.

The key to advancement on impact investing

[27:07] If you can engage the sectors of academia, government, nonprofits, foundations, and impact investors in a common effort, you can really move mountains in terms of advancing impact investing.

On creating a sustainable and equitable

[24:17] To be able to address these factors of zero poverty, no hunger, and equitable access to education. I'm really heartened that with the progress we're making in impact investing, if we continue on this trajectory and path, and it's a growth rate of about 40% a year, we're going to be able to make a meaningful dent and create a much more sustainable and equitable world that we live in.

• Sorenson Impact Center
• Sorenson Impact Advisory
• Impact & Prosperity Epicenter at Eccles
• Lassonde Studios
• Bob and Lynette Gay Health and Prosperity Center at Eccles
• Sorenson Capital
• Catalyst Opportunity Funds
• Enable Ventures
• Muhammad Yunus
• Paul Farmer

Season Four of the Eccles Business Buzz podcast is almost here! And this season we are talking all about impact – the people and experiences that have impacted us, the impact our alums are having in their jobs and communities, and how programs here at the David Eccles School of Business are giving students and alums the confidence to know they can make a difference wherever they are. 

I’m your host, Frances Johnson. Join me to hear how new rules around Name, Image, and Likeness licensing for student athletes are making an impact on them–and helping them make an impact, too. We’ll talk with Utah’s only recipient of the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service about the people who impacted him and propelled him to such a great accomplishment, and we’ll chat with a mother-daughter donor duo who are carrying on the impact of their loved one through a scholarship at the Eccles School. And we’ll kick it all off with a conversation with Utah entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Eccles School supporter Jim Sorenson, the godfather of impact investing himself. 

The first episode of season four drops on March 30th, with new episodes coming every other Thursday. I know you won’t want to miss a single one, so make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and invite a friend or fellow alum to listen with you, too.  

We can’t wait for you to join us again.

Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.

In today's episode, we'll be talking not just about curiosity but also about how pursuing our curiosity can help prepare us to make a positive and lasting impact on the people and the communities around us.

That’s just what Sadie Bowler has been doing. As a sophomore at the David Eccles School of Business and a resident at Lassonde Studios, Sadie is also running SadieB Personal Care, a personal care brand with a goal to empower Gen Z girls and change the health and beauty industry. 

She chats with Frances about creating a beauty brand that speaks to Gen Z girls like her, having an in-house mental health expert on her staff, SadieB’s partnership with Girls Up United Nations Foundation, and how she is growing her business at Lassonde. 

This is the final episode of season three! We are so grateful that you took the time to explore the topic of continuous curiosity with us. Mark your calendar for March 2023 when we’ll be back with season four, all about impact: the impact of the Eccles Experience, the impact alums are making, and more. 

Uplifting girls through their brand

[09:31]: Our focus is to uplift girls and their abilities and accomplishments and, in turn, educate girls on mental health through our messaging and take on this mental health crisis.

On the importance of navigating mental health

[12:17]: Education on mental health doesn't have an age limit; it's important for everybody. But I think in the developmental stage for me as a Gen Z girl, it's so important to know how to navigate mental health when so many messages from the beauty industry, social media, and celebrity culture are coming at us so fast.

Lasson Studios' supportive community

[25:21]: I have loved being able to be surrounded by this community of entrepreneurs and founders in their founders' program. And everyone in the program is so supportive, and it's such a good community, and the resources that they offer, like the office space, is huge for me. so that I can fulfill orders while I'm here at school, on campus.

• Sadie Bowler on LinkedIn
• SadieB Personal Care’s Website

This season, join host Frances Johnson as she explores the topic of continuous curiosity, asking: What is curiosity? Why is it important? And what roadblocks prevent us from being curious in our work, homes, and communities? Throughout this season, we’ll also hear from guests who have used curiosity to pursue something new – a degree, a profession, or a passion.

In this episode, Frances is joined by husband and wife team and U of U alums, Josh and Becca Hadley. After graduation, Josh and Becca started a custom wedding invitation business, which has pivoted and grown into a stationary empire with over 1300 products, called Hadley Designs. 

This dynamic duo share with us how using curiosity got them through the challenges of owning a business, how COVID “awakened” a new part of their work, how they balance work, life, raising a family and growing a business, and we’ll hear about what Josh calls a pivotal life experience at Lassonde. 

Taking on problems with curiosity

20:10: [Becca] Every problem is a learning experience. You have to look at it from that positivity, curiosity standpoint to overcome those problems, or they can overwhelm you. But I also think I always look at it as, you know, "When the going gets tough, that’s when people quit." And that's always been a motivator for me because I know we're the ones who will never give up when problems seem overwhelming. 

The pursuit of continuous improvement and learning

04: 14 [Josh] I think continuous education is one of the most important things, even as we've hired our team for the business now. One of the main core values that we have for the business is that we're never satisfied with the status quo. We are always seeking to learn and improve all of our processes.

On experiences and support that help fuel creativity 

08:48: [Becca] I had some really great professors who just supported creativity in general. What drew me toward early childhood education was the opportunity to create activities and lesson plans. That's what I loved about it—the creation process. And I think the head of the department there and the various professors there were so supportive of trying new ideas and exploring different opportunities and providing you with the resources to do so and to thrive in the creativity aspect of everything.

On how the Eccles Community helped spark curiosity and creativity 

07:38: [Josh] Whatever you dream up, if you find the market for it, you can go and make your dreams come true. And so, for me, it did give me that inspiration to pursue my dreams and passions. And it opened my mind to the world of possibilities with entrepreneurship.

• Hadley Designs
• Beca Hadley on LinkedIn
• Josh Hadley on LinkedIn
• Instagram

This season, join host Frances Johnson as she explores the topic of continuous curiosity, asking: What is curiosity? Why is it important? And what roadblocks prevent us from being curious in our work, homes, and communities? Throughout this season, we’ll also hear from guests who have used curiosity to pursue something new – a degree, a profession, or a passion.

In this episode, Frances sits down with Dean Rachel Hayes to discuss how she brings curiosity into her leadership role. They discuss curiosity as a value at the David Eccles School of Business, the pivots her college journey and career took before landing her in Utah, and the importance of getting involved on campus

Dean Rachel Hayes received an MBA from the University of Colorado, and a Ph.D. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She came to the University of Utah as a member of the accounting faculty in 2005, and has served in numerous roles in her department and college. She is currently the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Presidential Chair in Financial Reporting and previously served as the Associate Dean of Faculty and Research.  

On cultivating a culture of curiosity among the Eccles community

[09:20] I think fundamentally, we have an attitude of how can we better serve our students, and as corollaries to that, our staff and faculty, we want to be sure we're serving them as well. But a lot of what we do is try to create opportunities and experiences that will benefit the students that come to the Eccles School.

On the importance of developing curiosity in faculty members

[09:20] Faculty are curious by nature because they've gotten into this profession typically by being interested enough to do a lot of research into their topic. So I think curiosity is a fundamental characteristic of our faculty. Students get to benefit from this because our faculty are actually out there learning about current trends, what's going on in the markets, and the newest types of, say, financial instruments, and students benefit from this. Students benefit from having experts who are learning and teaching the most current topics out there.

How curiosity helped Dean Hayes to adopt to change

[18:16] My perspective as a professor of accounting is quite different from my perspective now. It turns out that, in the same way that I encourage students to get involved, I'm finding from my own experience that I have to get involved because we have so much going on at the school. So I'm learning and asking questions all the time as I discover the different sorts of activities and advantages we're providing our students.

• Dean Rachel Hayes’ bio