Business Elevated

Season 7 Episode 16: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village.  Cochrane discusses his journey into social impact work, driven by a desire to contribute to something larger than himself. He highlights his previous roles in organizations focused on homelessness, mental health, and financial education, emphasizing the importance of believing in people's capacity for change, even when their circumstances seem overwhelming. Cochrane delves into the mission of The Other Side Village and its sister organization, The Other Side Academy. The Academy is a 2.5-year residential program for individuals with histories of incarceration, addiction, and homelessness, where residents operate social enterprises to fund the program. Inspired by the Academy's success, the Village provides permanent, supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals with mental health diagnoses. A key component of the Village is its democratic, therapeutic environment where residents are peer-led and must complete a "village prep school" before moving in. Cochrane highlights that both organizations share a core belief: people can change when supported by accountability, love, and a sense of purpose.

Season 7 Episode 15: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Matt Sanders, founder and CEO, and Eric Mikkelsen, vice president of product, at Longitude.  Sanders and Mikkelsen delve into their professional backgrounds, which both involve building new enterprises alongside existing organizations, including their time together at Western Governors University. They discuss the genesis and operation of Longitude, a company focused on managing luxury short-term vacation rentals, second homes, and full-time residences primarily in the Wasatch Back region of Utah.  Sanders explains the company's unique model, which blends employees with licensed service partners, empowering individuals, particularly Latin American immigrant women, through training and entrepreneurial opportunities. Mikkelsen emphasizes Longitude's commitment to investing in its people, fostering a high level of service, and attracting talent in a competitive hospitality market. They also discuss their marketing strategies, the importance of guest reviews, and their positive experiences within Utah's collaborative and entrepreneurial business community, expressing optimism for future growth while prioritizing their local base.

Season 7 Episode 14: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of Business Services, talks with Jeremy Barker, CEO of Murphy Door. Barker shares his deep Utah roots and diverse career path, which began with several entrepreneurial ventures after a brief time at the University of Utah — including construction and a shed-building business that led to a major partnership with Home Depot. He later became a paramedic and firefighter. Barker shares anecdotes about his early business challenges, including financial difficulties and learning the ropes of large-scale retail.  He delves into his current successful venture, Murphy Door, a company specializing in hidden doors disguised as bookshelves and cabinets. Barker details the invention of his patented door hardware and the unexpected growth of the company, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights the company's commitment to manufacturing in the U.S. using domestic materials and its expansion with plants in Utah, Kentucky, and Texas. Barker also touches upon Murphy Door's unique presence in the home improvement market and its collaborations with Hollywood productions, among other notable recognitions. 

Season 7 Episode 13: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Tyson Andrus, co-founder of ATMOS Fragrance. Andrus shares his experiences living and working in Utah since 2008, highlighting his love for the state's outdoor activities and the work-life balance. He details his career path, from his time at Skullcandy to his involvement with Kickstart Seed Fund and ultimately co-founding ATMOS Fragrance. The discussion explores ATMOS Fragrance, an innovative, tech-driven home fragrance system featuring a multi-slot diffuser and a connected app for a fully customizable scent experience. Andrus explains the challenges and innovations involved in developing the product, emphasizing the importance of user experience and the unique capabilities of their system, such as fragrance mixing and scheduling. He also discusses the company's marketing strategy, its focus on creating memorable sensory experiences, and future plans, including expanding into the automotive fragrance market. Andrus highlights the supportive business community in Utah and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of thorough market research and building a strong team.

Season 7 Episode 12: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Jacob Baadsgaard, founder and CEO of Disruptive Advertising.  Baadsgaard discusses his journey from working at Omniture to founding his data-driven marketing agency. He highlights the importance of connecting marketing data with business data and how his agency helps small to medium-sized businesses act on that data. Baadsgaard emphasizes the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, stressing the need for authenticity and a willingness to learn from successes and failures.  He also discusses Disruptive University, an initiative he founded to help marketers and entrepreneurs find clarity and authenticity in their work and personal lives. He explains how the program addresses the challenges of balancing business success with personal fulfillment. The university offers online courses and in-person summits, focusing on aligning personal values with professional goals. Baadsgaard praises Utah's supportive environment for entrepreneurs, citing the state's driven population, strong university connections, and pro-business government. He expresses enthusiasm for the future of his ventures — particularly his goal of encouraging widespread authenticity — and his thoughts on how AI will impact the advertising industry.

Season 7 Episode 11: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Jonathan Freedman, president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah). Freedman highlights the numerous trade missions and foreign dignitary visits WTC Utah facilitates, emphasizing the state's commitment to global engagement. He also addresses the impact of tariffs on Utah's economy, explaining their potential benefits, such as boosting domestic manufacturing and generating federal revenue, while acknowledging the risks of increased costs for businesses and consumers.    Freedman elaborates on the importance of the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) and WTC Utah's role as its grantee, highlighting how the organization is making the FTZ more accessible to Utah businesses by providing cost-benefit analyses and guidance. He also discusses Utah's unique position regarding critical minerals and the challenges and opportunities associated with their extraction. Freedman highlights Utah’s commitment to subnational diplomacy and proactive international trade efforts, particularly with Canada and Mexico, amid shifting federal trade policies.

Season 7 Episode 10: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Lorena Riffo-Jenson, director of the Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development. Riffo-Jenson discusses her extensive career in public service and economic development. She highlights her work with various state and city organizations, including her time with Governor Levitt and her current role with Salt Lake City, where she emphasizes a human-centered economic development approach. Riffo-Jenson stresses the importance of community engagement, strategic planning, and fostering a diverse and resilient economy, noting the city's focus on industries like life sciences and fintech. She also addresses Salt Lake City's growth challenges, particularly housing affordability and the city's efforts to balance development with community needs. Riffo-Jenson discusses major projects like the Main Street promenade study, the revitalization of the Gateway area, and the upcoming 2034 Winter Olympics, emphasizing the city's role as a hub for national and international events. She underscores the importance of collaboration, listening to stakeholders, and maintaining Utah's "secret sauce" of working together to find solutions. Riffo-Jenson also notes the economic impact of major sports teams, such as the Utah Jazz and the new National Hockey League team, estimating they contribute around $600 million to the local economy.

Season 7 Episode 9: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Amy Meyer, founder of Aussie Recruit. Meyer discusses how Aussie Recruit connects U.S. employers with qualified Australian professionals across various industries, from tech and healthcare to engineering and hospitality. One key initiative, the E-3 visa program, enables Australian citizens with university degrees to work in the U.S. As an Australian native, she highlights that the program remains underutilized, with thousands of visa slots left unfilled each year. Unlike the highly competitive H-1B visa, the E-3 visa has a simpler application process, lower fees, and a quicker turnaround, making it an attractive option for U.S. companies seeking skilled workers.  Meyer shares success stories of Australian individuals whose careers were transformed by the E-3 visa program and discusses how it allows spouses to obtain work authorization. She addresses the misconceptions surrounding visa sponsorship and encourages U.S. businesses, particularly in rapidly growing states like Utah, to explore the potential of hiring Australian professionals. Meyer expresses her passion for connecting people and facilitating their "American dream," emphasizing the importance of mutual respect in the hiring process.

Season 7 Episode 8: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Elliott Parker, CEO of High Alpha Innovation. Parker discusses his extensive experience in corporate innovation and startups, sharing his career trajectory, from working in corporate venture capital and launching multiple businesses. He highlights the challenges large corporations face in innovation, noting their optimization for efficiency over breakthrough advancements. Parker explains how High Alpha Innovation partners with corporations to build advantaged startups that leverage existing industry networks, offering examples from ag-tech, healthcare, and supply chain industries. He emphasizes the importance of resilience in modern business structures, particularly in supply chains, and underscores the role of startups in fostering innovation within large enterprises.  Parker delves into his organization's collaboration with universities to foster entrepreneurship by aligning industry needs with academic resources, citing partnerships with institutions like Notre Dame. He reflects on the evolving startup landscape, noting the impact of AI and the changing economics of company formation. Parker also highlights Utah’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and the state’s ambitious goal to increase startups by 150%. He emphasizes the importance of action in venture building, asserting that "action creates data" and enables businesses to uncover valuable insights. 

Season 7 Episode 7: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Adrienne Woolley, program manager for the Park City Center for Advanced Professional Studies (PCCAPS). Woolley discusses her PCCAPS career managing a project-based learning initiative for high school juniors and seniors. The network, the first of its kind in Utah, offers hands-on experience in fields such as business, digital design, and physical therapy. By exploring career paths early, students build confidence, develop real-world skills, and gain a competitive edge before pursuing higher education. Woolley emphasizes the program's strong industry partnerships, including collaborations with local businesses, healthcare providers, and government entities, to provide students with real-world learning opportunities.  Woolley highlights student-led projects in hospitality, engineering, and design, such as developing a ski-in, ski-out food venue, designing parking garage charging stations, and creating a ski locker amenity. She discusses the life skills students gain, including professional communication, project management, and public speaking. Woolley also emphasizes PCCAPS’ role in connecting students with local businesses and industries, fostering professional growth, and providing meaningful learning experiences beyond traditional classroom settings.