They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about watching captivating film? Salt Lake business Elm Studios is made up of a progressive team of creatives that represents the next generation of artists & storytellers. Their mission is to deliver breathtaking visuals and stunning sound to captivate your audience. The guys behind Elm are seasoned in an array of genres including documentaries, branded content, short films, commercials, music videos, and more. Owners Evan Moore and Wes Thompson even shot and produced our promotional videos to promote who we are and what we do here at the Utah Microloan Fund! Elm Studios is our January Small Business of the month, keep reading to learn about the guys behind the lens, their process and why they got into the art of music and film. 
​​
UMLF: Tell us about yourselves and your background: 
 Evan - I originally started Elm as Elm Productions in 2010.  The goal at that time was throwing concerts and promoting music.  Film had always been sort of a side hobby but nothing I ever pursued seriously.  From 2010 to 2013 it was a struggle throwing concerts and trying to manage unsigned artists.  Constant ups and downs of making money, losing money and trying to build a team of people I could depend on and trust.  In 2013 I decided that it was a safer route to have a music venue where I could still host shows but not have to be the person to put all the money on the line.  Instead, people would pay to utilize my venue, so no matter what, I would always make at least some money.  And when it came to throwing my shows, since I had my own space, I could cut down on my costs to throw shows.  The warehouse I rented was large enough that i also had space to sub-lease to artists.  The warehouse was known as "The Project." It was a venue and art collective. A couple of my renters at the collective were photographers and videographers and I had the chance to work with them which sort of ignited a passion for filmmaking.  In 2015 my landlord sold the warehouse to developers which forced me to shut down the venue/art collective and go elsewhere.  As they say, when one door closes, another one opens.  I sold all of my assets in the concert venue and invested all of that money into filmmaking equipment and began pursuing a career in filmmaking.  Now, five years later, my filmmaking career is far more successful and fulfilling then my concert promotion, venue and art collective ever were. 

UMLF: What inspired you to start Elm Studios? 
We were both working at an art space called The Project from 2014 to 2015.  We met each other there and collaborated on a handful of projects together.  Mostly Wes would give music to me (Evan) to use in my videos.  The Project closed its doors in June of 2015 and I started to look for my own warehouse and invited Wesley to join me in sharing the space.  We then found a 2,500 square foot warehouse and at first we were just splitting the rent.   By the end of 2015 we had been doing so much work together that we decided to officially partner up and start Elm Studios.  A short time later we applied for a loan through the UMLF and were approved. 
​
UMLF: What is your creative process behind starting a new video project? 
Evan: While there is a step by step process going from pre production to post production, the creative process is usually different depending on the project.  Sometimes we're working with an agency where the creative part has already been completed.  Then we step in and do the job of creating whats in the script.  Other times, clients come to us to bring their project to life. 


UMLF: What projects are you looking forward to in the future? 
 Evan: We are most known for our involvement in music, but lately we have been working on more short films, feature films and tv series. We have also started to produce our own content and shop it to distributors and producers for major funding. 


UMLF:  Every business has its highs and lows. Tell us about a challenge you faced as a small business owner and how you overcame it?
Evan: We were location scouting for a job in a very remote area of the mountains and had a bunch of gear locked in our truck.  We parked on the side of the road and hiked away from the truck and were gone for a couple of hours.  We returned to find two smashed out windows on the truck and $15,000 worth of gear was stolen.  Among the gear was a hard drive that contained a copy of footage that had not been duplicated.  It was the only copy.  Fortunately for the equipment, we were prepared and had insurance in place that replaced all of it.  We had to pay out of pocket to cover the cost to re-shoot.  


UMLF: How do you believe the Utah Microloan Fund has helped you and your business? 
Evan: No other entity would loan to us or even look at us. The UMLF gave us the funds we needed to invest in the equipment we needed to produce the best video and audio possible. 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elmstudiosslc
Instagram: www.instagram.com/elmstudiosslc
Website: https://whoshootsyourfilms.com

Salt Lake residents rejoice, a new restaurant is now open at 565 E 2100 S in Sugarhood! Chef and restaurateur Jen Gilroy is at it again with her newest project Elevo, located in the old Firehouse BBQ building along 2100 S. In addition to her restaurant Porch (which serves elevated Southern fare & craft cocktails in the Daybreak area), Elevo is the new sheriff in town after Jen made the hard decision to close down her much-loved Meditrina. Learn more about this exciting new addition below!

UMLF: So it feels like the end of an era with Meditrina closing. How does it all feel?
Jen: It was a really difficult period, but I’m actually relieved to move on.  The last three years have been an uphill battle and I am excited for something new. 
​
UMLF: Tell us about your new place and what guests can expect: 
Jen: Guests can expect the same excellent food, beverage, and service standards we have held at Meditrina and Porch.  This new concept is a coffee shop and cafe with a wine bar twist!

UMLF: We love a good twist and  we love the new name, what’s the story behind it? 
Jen: ELEVO is Latin for “raise.”  For me, it plays into the whole “raise energy with coffee or raise spirits with wine” :)

UMLF: Love it! So you’re in a totally different area, tell us why you are excited to move to Sugarhood? 
Jen: I live in Sugarhood. I love it so much. It is central and diverse without the chaos of overdeveloped Sugarhouse farther east. 

UMLF: Any other exciting tidbits you can share with us?
Jen: A couple of Meditrina favorites will be featured on the menu—namely the Famous Mushrooms & Brie!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elevoslc
Website: https://elevoslc.com/

“Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.” We couldn't agree more with this moving quote by Lovelle Drachman. Wanderlust, the itch to travel, the absolute need for excursions, is a human trait felt so deep that it is no wonder that the travel industry is booming both internationally as well in your own backyard. Ever heard of a staycation? Our December Business of the Month is a client whose amazing property is nestled on the west side of Zion, close enough to Salt Lake but far enough away it feels like a true getaway. With spectacular views of the classic mesas and green river valleys of Southern Utah, Zions Tiny Oasis includes a beautiful blend of comfortable tiny homes with a rugged outdoor experience for a once in a lifetime stay. Keep reading to find out more about owners Liliana Corona and Sam Moyle and why they started Zions Tiny Oasis.

UMLF: Tell us about yourselves and your background: 
Liliana: My name is Liliana Corona,  and I’m originally from Mexico. I was the odd child growing up, being different really set me apart. It wasn’t intentional, but my ideas often seems a little crazy to most. Joining the boys varsity wrestling team foreshadowed my passion for tackling big challenges.  At an early age, I learned to defy stereotypes and beat the odds when facing problems.  
Sam grew up on a ranch near Zion National Park.  He managed and worked on his parents property most of his life. He loved the outdoors and learned to repair just about anything that needed fixing. Sam always dreamed of being his own boss and having a successful business. Determined to make his dream a reality, he obtained a bachelor's degree in business.  We met six years ago and hit our four year anniversary this October. 

What inspired you to open Zions Tiny Oasis?
Liliana: A few years ago while I was working on my masters degree in Film, I attempted to do a film shoot near Zion National Park. Sam and I were dating at the time and I thought it convenient since he was familiar with all the beautiful cinematic landscapes in the area. I had not anticipated how difficult it would be to find housing for twenty + crew members near the park. Everything within a 30 mile radius was booked solid! What I thought was a dinky little desert town, turned out to have a huge lodging deficit for visitors alike. I wondered if this was common and Sam said “It happens every year” And so, a light bulb went off. We saw a need, and began to plan what turned into a four year journey. Zions Tiny Oasis finally opened its doors; we are the only luxury tiny house retreat  minutes from Zion National Park!  

UMLF: Your four tiny houses are all so different. What inspired the design of each one?
Liliana: My art and film background is to blame. I love being on set...I want everyone to experience what it’s like to be in one. When you step into a tiny home it’s much the same...thrilling, exciting and magical -  like a movie set!  Also, art is meant to evoke emotion and our tiny homes are meant to do just that. When inside, these homes help transport our guests to times during childhood.  A time of nostalgia; when innocence, joy and the spirit of exploration thrived!  Also, the views, the stars, and the silence here bring a sense of peace and clarity that are hard to find.  We built this place with that goal in mind - to facilitate a space for individuals to embrace the inner child, live in the present and enjoy a day of play outside.  We hope that those who visit will embrace their inner child; shifting our perspectives to a remembrance of things that matter most. ZTO is a place that gives its visitors a taste of movie magic to take and share with others wherever life takes them.  

UMLF: Your tiny homes are definitely decked out, tell us about some of your favorite features? 
Liliana: Our 1st tiny home “Guardian Angel” has very tall windows; it gives the feel of being in a larger unit. The large windows help to really enjoying the majestic 360 views from outside! This unit also comes with a dishwasher and full kitchen appliances.  

“Noah’s Ark” the unit my husband and I built designed, is reminiscent of a train you might see in a classic western movie, or from a front view, it looks like Captain Hooks pirate ship.  It has a trap window above the bed for star gazing during bed time, and a beautiful bay window to lounge in that can also be used as a karaoke stage.  The unit also has a back office space and a jetted tub. Our third unit - “Mother Eve” looks like something you’d see in an epic fairytale story book. The color and craftsmanship of the house is truly enchanting! Though it’s our smallest unit, it’s gorgeous inside. It has perfect ambient lighting, soft shaggy rugs, champaign gold appliances and marble countertops. Plus, it’s so cozy;  it’s the perfect fancy for a romantic tiny getaway!  Our fourth unit is quite a rare find, it’s the only unit with multiple gadgets and an Edison style finish. “Salomons Chamber” is a tiny house the boys will love. It has two retractable garage doors, a rooftop with 15 sky windows for full stargazing, a built in foosball machine that folds away and much more!  All our tiny homes are unique...you’ll want to try them all! 
 
Tell us about the surrounding area, what can people do when they come visit?
Liliana: Zions Tiny Oasis is just minutes from a variety of rad things to do.  We have a bmx track less than a mile away, atv trails, horseback riding, water tubing, helicopter rides and even a ghost town to visit.  We also border the west side of Zion (the free side) which - in my opinion, is better.  It’s secluded and equally as beautiful, this part of Zion has free hikes, trails and petroglyph caves to visit. Our property also has a creek running through it. Our guest can roam free on our 75 acres. 

UMLF:  Every business has its highs and lows. Tell us about a challenge you faced as a small business owner and how you overcame it?
Liliana: A huge challenge for us was learning to say No.  Communicating effectively and sticking to our guns has been a learning curve. We learned that - wanting to be “nice” or, to not “hurt people's feelings” especially with potential partners is not effective.  When things were unclear or started heading in a direction we didn’t want, we had to be professional but firm with what we wanted. Even if what we had to say would “hurt feelings”, speaking honestly and openly has payed off so far.  Reviewing roles in the business, saying no, having honest communication and sometimes even cutting ties with individuals has been  uncomfortable, but extremely necessary to keep the business running smoothly. 

UMLF: How do you believe the Utah Microloan Fund has helped you and your business? 
Liliana: UMLF has helped us tremendously.  We had a goal of having four units by the end of the year.  This was key so that we could afford to hire out permanent help. The UMLF helped us met our goal and we can now comfortably afford to hire permanent help, as Sam and I both were in desperate need of assistance.  We are so grateful because having the fourth tiny house puts us on the map as a resort, and it opens up many more opportunities! Now we will be able to focus on expanding the business and our dream of phase two rather than wearing all the hats. We are infinitely grateful to UMLF; we could not have met our goal without their help.  It’s programs such as these that help individuals in the community make their dream a possibility! Thank you for believing in us. 

​To plan your visit, check out their profiles here: 

• Facebook:   www.facebook.com/zionstinyoasis
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/zionstinyoasis
• Website:  www.zionstinyoasis.com