Tanner's Influence Podcast

Introducing Melanie Paris Jones: A Catalyst for Community Connection and Positivity in Utah's Business Scene

In a remarkably short time, Melanie Paris Jones has emerged as a transformative figure in the Utah business community. As the Editor of Utah Business, Melanie's journey to this pivotal role has been anything but linear. Her diverse experiences have uniquely positioned her as a powerful connector within the community. Driven by a passion for storytelling and a commitment to highlighting positive developments in Utah's vibrant business landscape, Melanie is dedicated to sharing the good news that fosters growth and unity, creating business opportunities and development in the state.

McKenzie Bauer is one half of the married duo founder team at Utah icon Thread Wallets. With classic startup beginnings – picture them sewing in the parent’s basement, McKenzie is anything but your typical founder. Join us for one of the most authentic and refreshing Influence podcasts yet. McKenzie gets real about everything from mental health to thoughts on the future. For Thread, this is a time of great excitement as they’ve just close on their first large commercial building and have embarked on the monumental task of renovating it. McKenzie and her husband, co-founder Colby Bauer are deeply committed to their Provo roots and infusing Thread with purpose and meaning – think indoor skate park and their foundation “Carry On!” Join us to hear McKenzie’s inspirational journey and perspective.

Allison Roberts embodies the drive and intensity so often associated with successful entrepreneurs. Leveraging out of the industry learnings (when you shiver you burn calories) and applying it cross industry, she’s created an easy path for anyone to engage in regular exercise. Fastercise is a disruptive approach in the crowded genre of app-based exercise focusing on quick bursts of movement. Unlike HIIT style training, Fastercise is accessible to all ages and ability levels. Join us to hear about Allison’s passion and gritty founder journey to bring this unique and powerful product to market.

Misty Frost has emerged as a voice for authentic leadership. She’s an a-typical Utah native with an East Coast vibe and dry wit that kept us laughing. Her experience runs deep and wide as a marketing and leader for several successful companies. As the SVP of Global Marketing on the Instructure rocket ship she helped navigate a successful IPO. She currently serves as CEO for Penn Foster post the Carrus acquisition. Misty also serves as an advisor and board member to several tech companies here in Silicon Slopes. She was named to Utah Business Magazine’s 2021 list of Women to Watch. We will be watching and, in this case, listening to Misty’s unique perspective and treasure trove of expertise!

By Karey Barker’s estimation, she’s only had one job in her entire career. When you found and lead a successful venture firm, you need not apply elsewhere! Garrett sat down with the Cross Creek founder and Managing Director in her Research Park office for a fun and fascinating look at her 25-year journey. Tune in to hear how she got her start, how she navigates the intense world of venture investing and who’s influenced her success. She also shares her wisdom and philosophies on all things venture, her risk appetite and investing philosophies. We are thrilled to showcase Karey's unique perspective.

RICK LARSEN, GARAGE BAND GUITARIST & CEO OF SUTHERLAND INSTITUTE

Rick Larsen, is a self-described conservative and a “one-time garage band guitar player.” Rick is also the CEO of Sutherland Institute, the “conservative, non-partisan think tank” that is named after George Sutherland, the first Utahn to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Before joining Sutherland Institute, Rick raised millions of dollars for United Way of Salt Lake and was President & CMO of Operation Kids Foundation. Pragmatic and compassionate, Rick is a leader in our community with a big heart who believes “the world needs educated and open minds.”

We are fortunate to have this lover of Abraham Lincoln and classic rock as a leader in our community. It all started just over three years ago when Rick was raising money for the United Way. He visited the Reagan Ranch with Sutherland Institute and felt inspired and moved to help bring people together. Less than a year later, he was named president!

This podcast with Rick provides a glimpse of an inspiring leader who is “committed to building bridges through civil dialogue” in a very polarized world!

A HUMBLE VISIONARY: OUR TALK WITH DAVID WRIGHT, CEO OF PATTERN

In this Influence Podcast, we have the pleasure of talking with David Wright, the Co-founder & CEO of Pattern. Pattern was a small startup in 2013 but is now recognized as the leader in “growth intelligence” that is helping leading e-commerce brands dramatically increase their online sales.

David Wright and Melanie Alder started Pattern in Melanie’s living room.  And as we listened to David describe those humble early years as well as the growth and success that Pattern now enjoys, we had the sense that they never really cared about following the crowd.

Pattern is the world's leading company for e-commerce clients that want intelligent strategies that create explosive growth. It’s also a company attracts smart people who are, like David and Melanie, confident in a humble kind of way. The culture and vibe at Pattern is noticeably understated and refreshingly different.

This is the story of two ingenious founders who had the discipline to rely on data and analytics to build an e-commerce platform that brands like Nestle, Panasonic, Sylvania, TUMI, Skullcandy, and Clorox now rely on. We hope you enjoy the unique insights that make David Wright a humble visionary in the sophisticated ecosystem known simply as “e-commerce!”

“FOR EVERYONE’S PITS & STINKY BITS” – A PODCAST WITH LUME

In this Influence Podcast, we get to peer into the creative world of Dr. Shannon Klingman, a highly regarded obstetrician and gynecologist, and Jennifer Gibson, her CAO, sister, and earliest supporter. Shannon Klingman is the visionary entrepreneur who created a whole new category in the multi-billion-dollar personal hygiene sector. 

It all started when Shannon was doing her residency and read a study that supported her early suspicions that gynecologists misdiagnosed basic odors and itches as bacterial infections. The study findings concluded that 60% to 70% of the time the OB/GYN community was wrong. In Shannon’s words, “It felt wrong.”

Crazy smart and obsessively determined, Shannon began experimenting with natural ingredients, free of aluminum and baking soda. A self-described “kitchen scientist,” she developed what she would call Lume (pronounced loo-mee). Version 1.0 of the most innovative natural deodorant ever created was created in Shannon Klingman’s kitchen!

Sweat by itself isn’t stinky. But when you add sweat to the bacteria that live on our skin, it stinks. Far from just hiding the smell, Lume stops that chemical reaction from happening. Twelve years ago, Shannon filed her first patent for her one-of-a-kind formula. It was rejected numerous times, but she kept going until it was accepted! 

This episode is the fun and inspiring story of Dr. Shannon Klingman, a visionary who “became obsessed with changing the narrative on human hygiene.”

SALES FREAK, CEO, ADDICT & AUTHOR: A TALK WITH MICHAEL DASH

Michael Dash is a sales freak. While attending University of Maryland, Michael sold home improvement services door-to-door on the mean streets of Baltimore and Washington D.C. He is a successful entrepreneur/CEO who moved to Utah where he knew only one person and started Parallel HR Solutions, a company that “pairs individuals and companies that together produce prosperous relationships” that he sold in 2018. Michael sold his thriving company because he believed in F.A.T.E. (“From Addict to Entrepreneur”) more. Now his life mission is to inspire others to see new opportunities and make the world a better place! (see thriveglobal.com) We hope you enjoy this Influence podcast!