Business Elevated

Season 6 Episode 28: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with McKenzie Bauer, co-founder of Thread Wallets. A Utah native, Bauer studied international cultural studies and peacebuilding at BYU-Hawaii, an experience that shaped her marketing and storytelling approach. In 2014, she and her husband co-founded Thread Wallets. She recounts how the idea for her company emerged from her husband's need for a minimalist wallet and their realization that there was a market gap for expressive, functional designs. The conversation highlights the brand’s growth, its mission to inspire adventure and self-expression, and recent marketing efforts, including creating custom products for high-profile figures.  Bauer attributes Thread Wallets' rapid success to trusted mentors, a tight-knit business community, and Utah's entrepreneurial environment. She expresses her passion for supporting women in the workplace, highlighting Thread Wallets' commitment to a family-friendly, flexible work environment and equitable parental leave for both men and women. Bauer stresses the importance of maintaining simplicity in entrepreneurship, seeking mentorship, and taking incremental steps toward success.

Season 6 Episode 27: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), talks with Josh Chavez, founder of RAH Energy.  Chavez discusses his background as an entrepreneur, highlighting his early career ventures and the development of his newest business, RAH Energy, an energy drink company distinguished by its use of simple, natural ingredients, and unique flavors. Chavez explains his passion for energy drinks and how this led to the creation of RAH Energy. He also touches on the challenges of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of patience, adaptability, and the ability to bring a product to market even if it isn't perfect. Chavez elaborates on RAH Energy's direct-to-consumer strategy, citing its benefits in terms of margins, customer relationship management, and control over the brand's destiny. He shares insights on the challenges of entering retail spaces and working with local distributors while celebrating the positive feedback RAH Energy has received from customers and influencers. Chavez stresses the significance of resilience and maintaining a balance between perfection and progress for aspiring entrepreneurs while highlighting the support and resources available in Utah's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Season 6 Episode 26: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Paul Jolley, the new director of the Utah Small Business Credit Initiative (USBCI), and David Ramos, senior community affairs advisor at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Jolley discusses his long-standing connection to Utah and his excitement for his new role in the public sector. He highlights the initiative’s focus on supporting small businesses through the Loan Participation Program and Capital Access Program. Jolley emphasizes the importance of the upcoming “Path to Prosperity” event, co-hosted by USBCI, that provides resources and guidance to aspiring business owners. Ramos discusses his role and the FDIC’s efforts to support small businesses and entrepreneurs across the U.S., mainly through the “Path to Prosperity” series. This initiative, created in partnership with agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration, fosters relationships between community banks and small businesses, offering technical assistance and expanding access to capital. Ramos highlights the importance of these resources for economic growth, especially in underserved and rural areas. He also shares insights on Utah’s favorable environment for entrepreneurs and his anticipation for the upcoming event. “Path to Prosperity” is a free event on Aug. 22, 2024. For more information and to register, visit https://business.utah.gov/event/path-to-prosperity-utah.

Season 6 Episode 25: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Tessa Arneson, founder of the Maven District.  Arneson reflects on her upbringing in Ogden and her eventual return to Utah after living in various big cities. She describes how her love for Utah's outdoor lifestyle and the supportive, tight-knit community significantly influenced her decision to settle in Utah. Arneson highlights pivotal moments that shaped her career path. These include her early experiences in sales and high-end design and her eventual decision to purchase her first business, which led to the creation of the Maven District. Arneson elaborates on the development and success of the Maven District, a community-oriented business hub in Salt Lake City she founded in 2015. She emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive environment for local and women-owned businesses, explaining how the district was built with a focus on community and kindness. Arneson also shares her experiences with the challenges of entrepreneurship, including her latest venture into the hospitality industry with Maven Stay, a boutique hotel. Throughout the conversation, Arneson focuses on the significance of collaboration, empathy, and the Utah way of doing business.

Season 6 Episode 24: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Salvatore Buscemi, co-founder and managing partner of Brahmin Partners. Buscemi shares his connections to Utah and experiences with the entrepreneurial spirit of its residents. Inspired by an internship and an influential mentor, he details his educational journey at Fordham University and his unexpected career shift from pre-med to finance. He emphasizes the importance of networking, the evolving landscape of family investment groups, and his motivation to write books that share his finance and investment strategies. Buscemi highlights rising property values driven by high equity and the difficulty of refinancing and selling. He advises that investing in real estate requires acquiring financial skills and raising capital through relationship-building and salesmanship. Buscemi also discusses banking challenges, the impact of social media on bank runs, the rise of private credit in the face of banking instability, and much more. Email sal@brahminpartners.com for an autographed paperback copy of his book, "Investing Legacy: How the .001% Invest" or download the Audible version on Amazon. Follow Sal on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/salvatore-buscemi/

Season 6 Episode 23: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Neight Casperson, owner and CEO of N8 Elite Skiwear.   Casperson shares his deep connection to Utah, having been born and raised in Ogden. He recounts his time away during a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vienna, Austria, and his work for Hill Air Force Base. Despite personal struggles, he found solace and inspiration in skiing. This passion inspired him to start N8 Elite Skiware. Despite challenges, including the impact of COVID-19 that temporarily halted his business, Casperson’s resilience and support from his network helped him relaunch his ski wear line. He continues to grow his business while working at Ed Kenley Ford. The duo discusses the journey of an entrepreneur, emphasizing the multi-tasking nature of managing a startup and a regular job. Casperson highlights the importance of networking, utilizing feedback from friends and marketing groups, and overcoming hurdles like capital constraints and supply chain issues. They highlight Casperson's vision for his company, aiming to make it a prominent brand at ski resorts worldwide, with particular hopes tied to the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah. Casperson acknowledges the supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Utah, the state’s culture of backing local businesses, and the role of recovery and clarity in his personal and professional growth.

Season 6 Episode 22: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Karrie Ketchum, executive director of Utah Dispute Resolution. Ketchum discusses her professional journey and the significance of conflict resolution in various sectors. She recounts her experience growing up in Utah and her varied career path, which began as a paralegal in bankruptcy and real estate law. She then co-founded a commercial door business with her husband. Later, she transitioned into mediation, becoming a court-rostered mediator and eventually the executive director of Utah Dispute Resolution. She highlights her work in family mediation, her contributions to training new mediators, and the personal satisfaction she derives from her role. Ketchum elaborates on the services and programs offered by Utah Dispute Resolution, including conflict resolution training for diverse organizations and community groups. She emphasizes the significance of effective communication and active listening in resolving conflicts. She also touches on the impact of workplace conflict, advocating for regular conflict resolution training to foster a healthy work environment and more. 

Season 6 Episode 21: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), talks with Jefferson Moss, state representative and associate commissioner of innovation at the Utah System of Higher Education, and Ryan Starks, executive director of GOEO.  The discussion highlights Utah's transformation into a recognized leader in innovation. Moss underscores the importance of bridging gaps between market ventures and academic research to propel commercialization, support emerging businesses, and further the state's innovative success. Starks discusses the governor's ambition for Utah to become the startup capital of the world, outlining initiatives like the Utah Broadband Center, which expands broadband access statewide and supports remote work in rural areas, and the Startup State Initiative, which fosters entrepreneurship by providing a centralized resource for entrepreneurs. Moss and Starks highlight the collaboration among Utah's government, industry, and higher education as essential in creating impactful, globally relevant solutions. The conversation also delves into the unique investment strategy of an evergreen fund in Utah that supports companies with ties to higher education. Moss explains that the fund aims to continuously reinvest in Utah-based businesses to strengthen the state's economic ecosystem. Additionally, the state-owned innovation hub, The Point, will unite various sectors, students, and universities to solve significant problems, generating financial returns and societal benefits. Moss and Starks reflect on Utah's strong sense of community and its inclusive, innovative culture making it a fertile ground for entrepreneurship.

Alan Matheson and Brandon Fugal discuss the vision for The Point, a 600-acre state-owned land set to become an innovation hub. They focus on creating a sustainable, walkable community with advanced transportation solutions. The project aims to attract top talent and businesses, boosting Utah's economy and quality of life.

Season 6 Episode 19: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, interviews Vance Checketts, CEO of auticon. Checketts discusses his career in technology, culminating in his current role at auticon, a company with a unique mission to integrate neurodivergent individuals, especially those with autism, into the tech workforce. Checketts emphasizes auticon's focus on providing talented autistic professionals to companies while also educating these companies on how to be more inclusive. He explains that neurodivergent individuals often possess exceptional data analysis, pattern recognition, and cybersecurity skills, making them invaluable assets to the tech industry. auticon's work aims to bridge the gap for these individuals who are often sidelined due to a lack of understanding and support in traditional workplaces. Checketts also discusses auticon's impact and its approach to helping both employees and companies. He outlines the company's comprehensive process, which includes assessments and tailored training to foster neuro-inclusivity. Checketts reveals auticon's plans to expand its mission globally and introduces its upcoming nonprofit initiative focused on training autistic individuals for tech roles. He encourages companies interested in becoming more inclusive to start by learning more about neurodiversity and considering partnerships with auticon to enhance their teams' productivity and inclusivity.