Salt Lake Chamber

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 1976, SentryWest Insurance Services has dedicated its combined experience and knowledge in the industry to deliver quality insurance policies specifically tailored to each individual client. President Paul Borup joins us with more.

Paul Borup:

At Sentry West Insurance Services, we believe that great insurance is built on great relationships. Our team works closely with clients not only to craft the perfect personalized policy but to create a partnership they can rely on.

Our personal insurance services are designed to protect you from the unexpected, offering top-quality coverage that matches your needs and budget.

In today’s dynamic world, risks are constant and ever-changing, and your business insurance should keep up. That’s why we thoroughly assess your business, nonprofit or community association in order to deliver creative, cost-effective solutions that fit your specific needs.

Our goal is to provide the perfect blend of price, coverage and service, giving you peace of mind no matter what life brings.

Not all insurance agencies are the same – start with Sentry West Insurance Services to find coverage that truly fits.

Derek Miller:

With six Utah locations and a team dedicated to personalized service, SentryWest Insurance Services goes beyond policies to build lasting partnerships. Whether you’re protecting your home, business, or family, SentryWest offers peace of mind through coverage tailored to your unique needs. To learn more, check out their website, sentrywest.com. I’m Derek Miller with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 11/20/24

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah Tech Week, a community-powered celebration of Utah’s booming tech and startup scene, will take place January 27th to February 1st. During this exciting week, events by startups, VCs and community organizations showcase Utah’s tech talent and innovation. Joining us with more is Chief of Staff Kyle Spencer.

Kyle Spencer:

Utah Tech Week is a dynamic, grassroots initiative that serves as a platform for entrepreneurs, startups, tech enthusiasts, and all in the Utah tech ecosystem to connect and collaborate.

With a mission to foster connection and growth within that ecosystem, this community-driven experience hosts over 200 events during the week. These events create an environment for "happy collisions" — those serendipitous meetings that lead to meaningful partnerships, groundbreaking deals, and new opportunities.

There is no cost to attend or to host. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to network, an investor, a startup seeking funding, or a tech enthusiast eager to learn, Utah Tech Week offers something for everyone.

Join us in shaping the future of collaboration and be part of a movement that’s fun and drives economic growth. Utah Tech Week was founded by Trent Mano from Convoi Ventures and Kat Kennedy from Kickstart Seed Fund. Learn more at utahtechweek.com.

Derek Miller:

Utah Tech Week is more than a gathering; it’s a movement dedicated to fostering tech innovation, building relationships, and sparking economic growth across Utah. As a community-led initiative, it’s open to everyone and designed to ensure lasting benefits for the entire Utah tech ecosystem. I'm Derek Miller with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 11/19/24

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah Tech Week, a community-powered celebration of Utah’s booming tech and startup scene, will take place January 27th to February 1st. During this exciting week, events by startups, VCs and community organizations showcase Utah’s tech talent and innovation. Joining us with more is Chief of Staff Kyle Spencer.

Kyle Spencer:

Utah Tech Week is a dynamic, grassroots initiative that serves as a platform for entrepreneurs, startups, tech enthusiasts, and all in the Utah tech ecosystem to connect and collaborate.

With a mission to foster connection and growth within that ecosystem, this community-driven experience hosts over 200 events during the week. These events create an environment for "happy collisions" — those serendipitous meetings that lead to meaningful partnerships, groundbreaking deals, and new opportunities.

There is no cost to attend or to host. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to network, an investor, a startup seeking funding, or a tech enthusiast eager to learn, Utah Tech Week offers something for everyone.

Join us in shaping the future of collaboration and be part of a movement that’s fun and drives economic growth. Utah Tech Week was founded by Trent Mano from Convoi Ventures and Kat Kennedy from Kickstart Seed Fund. Learn more at Utah techweek.com.

Derek Miller:

Utah Tech Week is more than a gathering; it’s a movement dedicated to fostering tech innovation, building relationships, and sparking economic growth across Utah. As a community-led initiative, it’s open to everyone and designed to ensure lasting benefits for the entire Utah tech ecosystem. I'm Derek Miller with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 11/19/24

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Delicius brings the vibrant flavors of Venezuelan cuisine to Utah, combining authentic Caribbean recipes with local ingredients. Founded by Chef Ahimara and Eliceo from Venezuela, Delicius has been sharing its healthy, flavorful products since 2019. Co-founder and Chef Ahimara Suarez joins us with more.

Ahimara Suarez:

My love for cooking began with my grandmother, Damasa Silva, who started cooking and selling arepas in the 1930s in Venezuela. She taught me everything about the art of cooking, and now, you can enjoy handmade arepas right here in Salt Lake City.

Our mission is to prepare authentic Venezuelan food that nourishes the soul, using artisanal methods and local ingredients to create what we call “food for life.”

With the support of Spice Kitchen Incubator, we bring you healthy, flavorful Caribbean-inspired products. Our range of frozen goods is available online and at our Salt Lake City location, and we also provide catering service.

The arepa is just one example of our products. Find us at various events and explore our menu at webdeliciusstore.com.

Derek Miller:

By supporting Delicius, you’re not just enjoying a meal—you’re embracing the traditions of Venezuelan cuisine. Each dish provides a unique taste of Venezuela’s warmth at your table. Find out how to bring the taste of Venezuela into your home on the Delicius website. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 11/18/24

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Cyprus Credit Union, Utah’s longest-serving credit union, has been dedicated to strengthening our communities for nearly a century. When they say “your future is our future,” they mean it. Here with more is Vice President of Relationship Development Amanda Morton.

Amanda Morton:

At Cyprus Credit Union, we’re proud of our 96-year legacy of service and the trust our members place in us. We’re a member-owned, not-for-profit organization, focused on keeping fees low, offering competitive rates, and returning value to our community.

One of our greatest passions is supporting educators. Through programs like our monthly Educator Mini Grants, we help teachers bring valuable resources into their classrooms, empowering students in new ways.

Another passion is financial education for teens, which is why we created our Learn and Earn program, a fun, interactive approach to financial education. This program gives teens the chance to earn up to $200 by completing activities on essential money skills like saving, budgeting, and spending smart.

At Cyprus, we’re also dedicated to reinvesting in Utah through volunteerism, scholarships, and supporting local businesses. Our mission is clear: to be Utah’s most loved financial institution, benefiting our members, employees, and communities alike.

Derek Miller:

When looking toward the future, Cyprus Credit Union remains dedicated to providing the best financial solutions, products and resources to their members, while benefitting the community and the environment. To learn more, visit the Cyprus Credit Union website. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 11/15/24

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Ballet West is the ninth largest professional ballet company in the country and is the second-largest performing arts organization in Utah with an international reputation for artistic excellence since its founding in 1963. Executive Director Michael Scolamiero joins us with more.

Michael Scolamiero:

Ballet West is home to America’s first Nutcracker, which all started when our founder, Willam Christensen, choreographed the first full-length version of The Nutcracker in the United States in 1944.

This year, we are celebrating 80 years of The Nutcracker, which has become officially known as a Living Historic Landmark by the state of Utah, the first such designation of its kind in the country.

We are the only company that presents this version in the United States, which Christensen first created for the San Francisco Ballet during the height of WWII to provide family entertainment to audiences during a difficult time in the world. It was ideal because of the vast number of children used in the production, when so many able-bodied dancers were enlisted in the military.

Thanks to Christensen, The Nutcracker has become synonymous with the holiday tradition and has become a major revenue stream for ballet companies around the world.

Derek Miller:

For over 60 years, Ballet West has expanded its footprint in our community through innovative performances and preeminent training in dance. To learn more, or to get tickets for The Nutcracker, visit balletwest.org. I’m Derek Miller with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 11/14/24

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Kinect Capital’s mission is to empower emerging and diverse entrepreneurs in creating sustainable companies that bring high-quality jobs and new economic opportunities in under-served regions of the United States. Here with more is Board Member Matt Warnock.

Matt Warnock:

Utah’s tech scene is red hot — but starting a company is hard. Most startups fail, often because they lack experience, capital, or both. At Kinect Capital, we help founders put both experience and capital in their corner.

Founded in 1983, Kinect Capital is the world’s oldest and most successful nonprofit venture accelerator. Our alumni include Ancestry dot com, Myriad Genetics, and over a thousand others.

We pair promising startups with a multidisciplinary team of experienced volunteers, helping them attract capital from smart investors. Over 60 percent of our alumni raise capital, and 80 percent are still in business 10 years later.

Unlike many accelerators, we don’t move our startups to Silicon Valley or other places — we’ve been bringing capital to local communities right here in Utah for over 40 years!

At Kinect Capital, we help founders start right, raise capital, and change the world. We're building the future, one startup at a time.

Derek Miller:

Kinect Capital believes that diversity brings better connections and better returns. This thriving community of entrepreneurs, mentors, and capital sources extends beyond tech, adding value and creating unexpected connections across many industries. Find out more at kinectcapital.org. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 11/13/24

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Small businesses are the backbone of America, making up 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses. What’s more, Utah, recognized as the most pro-small business state, is home to many, including Quail Street. Here to share more about the business is Baker and Owner Amy Connors.

Amy Connors:

Are you tired of take-out or frozen pizza that makes you feel bad? Have you tried making healthier pizza at home, only to be disappointed? The reason could be your dough.

At Quail Street, we believe better pizza starts with better dough. With premium ingredients and perfectly portioned dough, we make it simple to create restaurant-quality pizza at home — whether it’s for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends. Pizza nights with Quail Street dough are about more than just food; they’re about sharing meaningful moments over a meal made with care.

If you’re looking for restaurant-quality pizza at home that you don’t have to make from scratch, give us a try. You can find our dough at Liberty Heights Fresh, The Store, Snuck Farm Shop, and Urban Prairie. As a proud woman-owned business and Utah’s Own member, we’re excited to be part of your family’s pizza nights.

Derek Miller:

Quail Street is dedicated to bringing people together through their delicious homemade sourdough. Their high-quality dough enables you to craft exceptional meals while creating lasting memories with family and friends. Learn more at quailstreetsourdough.com. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 11/12/24

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For over twenty years, the Women’s Business Center of Utah has helped women build confidence, create opportunities and succeed in business. Their 2023-2024 Annual Report shows a record year of impact, detailing milestones and success stories for Utah’s women entrepreneurs. Here with more is State Director Ann Marie Wallace.

Ann Marie Wallace:

Utah has one of the most dynamic business communities in the country, with talented women leading in every industry. At WBCUtah, we’re proud that our 2023-2024 Annual Report reflects more than just the numbers; it represents dreams fulfilled, jobs created and communities strengthened.

This year’s milestones include new state funding that helped expand our team and launch outreach efforts, resulting in a major increase in women served. We launched the WBCUtah Online Academy, featuring 14 self-paced courses and introduced digital tools that improved by efficiency and the client experience. Plus, we partnered with rural chambers to create 13 new online Women’s Business Centers.

WBCUtah has supported over 290 new business starts, had clients in 27 of Utah’s 29 counties and served more than 1,500 Utahns. Not only that, over 1,300 jobs created, with over $160 million in revenue across clients.

Derek Miller:

The businesses that have come to fruition and found success through the Women’s Business Center of Utah’s resources this past year are driving Utah forward. WBCUtah has been, and will continue to be, a catalyst for progress and prosperity throughout our state. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 11/11/24

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Salt & Honey Market is a proudly female-run marketplace with a mission to support creatives in building their small businesses. Since 2015, Salt & Honey has showcased over 250 rotating vendors, featuring locally crafted goods from talented artists, designers, and makers. Designer and Co-owner Ashely Collett joins us with more.

Ashley Collett:

Salt & Honey Market's mission is to champion local designers, artisans, and small businesses by providing a vibrant retail space where creativity and craftsmanship thrive. We believe that supporting local talent enriches our community and strengthens the economy.

Our curated selection features a unique range of independently produced goods, from handcrafted art and gourmet food to stylish home decor and sustainable vintage finds. Each product reflects our commitment to quality and social consciousness, allowing customers to shop with purpose. Through our ever-changing assortment, we inspire discovery and encourage our community to shop small and support local artists.

Beyond offering products, we strive to create a supportive marketplace that benefits both artisans and customers. By fostering connections within the community, we highlight the importance of thoughtful, locally sourced shopping. Each year, we proudly collaborate with over 800 local businesses, nurturing a thriving community of creatives. Come check out what Salt & Honey Market has to offer!

Derek Miller:

By choosing to shop small, you not only support local businesses but also cultivate innovation within your community. At Salt & Honey Market, you can discover a diverse selection of unique vendors. To learn more, visit saltandhoneymarket.com. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business.

Originally aired: 11/8/24