 In a recent article from Inc Magazine, ten cities were named at the Best Small Cities for Entrepreneurs. Would you guess that four of the ten cities were in our own backyard? Logan, South Jordan, Taylorsville and Lehi to be exact! Utah has nabbed the title for Best State for Business by Forbes Magazine five plus times. Our tech sector is booming, our population is increasing and our economy is reported to be one of the fastest growing in the nation. So if you've been thinking about taking your business idea and turning it into a reality, keep reading for why now might be the time to take the plunge.
Economic Growth "The Utah economy is doing very well right now," said Wells Fargo economist Charlie Dougherty in a recent Deseret News article. "It's doing well for all the reasons you'd want to see an economy do well — mainly a fast-growing labor force (that) is very well-educated and young." The number of working-age adults in the state is projected to grow by 15.1 percent between 2020 and 2030, more than triple the 4.6 percent projected national population growth. So not only is there a great pool of talent to hire from, but also more people to utilize your products and services. A Burgeoning Food Scene It's no secret that the bulk of our clients are in the food industry, from food trucks to bakeries to BBQ to sit-down restaurants, we love the passion for the current food scene in Utah and boy is it growing! The dining climate in Salt Lake City and beyond has grown tremendously and we are seeing more cultures, cuisines and types of dining than ever before making their mark. So much so, that the Utah Office of Tourism is sending chefs, cocktail mixers to L.A. and N.Y. to pitch Salt Lake City as a foodie hotspot. Managing director of UOT was quoted as saying “Our brand around the Greatest Snow on Earth and red rock country are well-established. Now we want people to understand there also is this urban adventure that involves a lot of amazing food.” So if people are already traveling to Utah for the beauty and adventures in our state, why not add dining to the list? The picking is ripe for a company looking to capitalize on the excitement and focus on our growing culinary scene. We don't mind because we get to try a taste of the the food of every food company who applies for a loan! ;) Diversity is on the Rise If you have a business or are thinking of starting one that caters to our growing minority population, now is a smart time to get your plan into action. From a recent Salt Lake Tribune article we learned that new estimates released Thursday by the Census Bureau show that Utah’s Hispanic population grew by 25.6% between 2010 and 2018. That’s more than twice as fast as the 10.8% growth in Utah’s non-Hispanic white population.The Asian population in Utah also grew by 48.5%; people who are “two or more races” grew 42.5%; blacks by 37.9%; and Pacific Islanders grew by 27.5%. American Indians had a slower 9.9% increase. So with all the growth and movement to Utah, there will be more unique needs for products and services catering to these specific populations and beyond. How can we help? The Utah Microloan Fund is here for you for the biggest hurdle in opening a new business, funding! We provide loans to small business owners up to $50,000 and accept both start-up companies as well as established enterprises. While we consider factors like credit score and collateral, a lot of what we do is based on a solid business plan and your personal character. We try to look at the big picture of your idea when it comes to businesses instead of just one factor as we want you to succeed! In addition, whether you are looking for help on how to best apply for a loan or assistance after the fact, we have many resources to help. Through our Program Manager of Lending we provide one on one consulting to prepare you for our loan committee and get you in the best position to be approved for a loan. If you need additional help we have amazing partners who are ready and willing to provide assistance to match your unique needs. After we get you approved, we also have a dedicated Program Manager of Client Training who is there to help you with all your next steps, free of charge. Three free classes a month are also held to provide additional training and learning opportunities with topics ranging from development, financials, social media, websites and more. So if any of the above sounds good and you are ready to start your entrepreneurial adventure let's get in touch! Write us an email, give us a call or stop by one of our loan orientations to learn more about how the UMLF can help you get your venture off the ground as we've been helping entrepreneurs succeed since 1991!
Here at the Utah Microloan Fund when we get asked about what kind of companies we help with our small business loans and training we just have to smile. Part of the excitement and joy of working for the UMLF is that we get to help so many different kinds of businesses get their dream off the ground. Food trucks, barber shops, coffee roasters, dog treat and food producers, spas, gyms, restaurants, service providers and board games. Yep you read that right, board games! Our June Small Business of the Month winner is none other than Succubus Publishing, a powerhouse company that just officially launched their game, Middara. What makes this game so special? Keep reading as we sit down with owner Alex Hansen as we learn about his and Brooklynn Lundberg's journey in creating this vast universe, getting it off the ground and what they learned during the process.
UMLF: What are your backgrounds? What made you start your quest for creating your own board game company? Alex: Up until our 2015 Kickstarter for Middara, Brooklynn worked in the board game retail industry for Hastur Hobbies in Murray and later for Game Night Games in Sugarhouse. He was also a full-time playtester at Eat, Sleep, Play developing the latest Twisted Metal game. Salt Lake is a huge gaming town and through these jobs, he was able to make tons of connections in the world of board gaming. Before making board games for a living, I (Alex) was a salesman at a local wholesale florist, and before that, I taught guitar lessons full time. I had no real background in gaming other than I was obsessed with video games and drawing crazy fantasy characters in my free time. UMLF: Can you tell us about your journey from having the idea for the game to how you got to where you are today? Alex: Brooklynn and I are good friends from high school. Instead of paying attention in class, I would draw all day long in all of my classes. One day in English class, Brooklynn approached me, said he loved my art, and asked if I wanted to help him develop some ideas he had. I agreed. This was about 15 years ago. We've been working on this game for 15 years! We would meet up multiple times every week and just hash out ideas. I have piles and piles of sketches. It was a great time. Then in about 2014, after a failed Kickstarter totally unrelated to Middara called "Assemblage of Eternity", we decided to go big and make Middara happen. The game was still in it's phase of conception but we knew that in order to gain attention it needed to look good. So we borrowed some money from family and used it to quit or jobs for the summer and work on getting the Kickstarter campaign to look awesome. After tons of delays, we finally launched Middara in May 2015 and were able to raise almost $350,00 in that month. We were blown away. UMLF: This game Is huge! Can you tell us what players kind of experience they can expect from buying Middara? Alex: Middara is one of the heaviest (both literally and in complexity) board games ever made. And we purposefully made it this way and we love it! It isn't really made for a quick session to play with your kids on a Friday night. Middara is for the hardcore board gamer looking for a real campaign-driven adventure than spans the course of 6+ months. It draws a lot of inspiration from RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons, JRPG video games like Final Fantasy, and tabletop games like Warhammer. You take on the role of an Adventurer and follow their storyline as you build you character up to be a true warrior to be reckoned with! If anyone is curious, they can check out our BGG forum where our customers are constantly discussing the game. Our Facebook group is also very active. You can see how passionate the community is. They are constantly posting pictures and interacting with each other. They paint all the miniatures to show off and even create their own homemade content. We also have an Instagram page. UMLF: You guys obviously put a lot of time and love into creating the universe and all of the characters of your game. Who are some of your favorite characters? What’s their story? Alex: Absolutely. We've been working on this non-stop for over 5 years! There are so many characters in the game that it's hard to choose. Middara functions like one of those old "choose-your-own-adventure" novels from the late 90's. While playing through the game, choices you make really matter and change the course of the game. So, to not risk spoiling anything for anyone interested in the game, I won't say too much about all the characters involved. But, if I had to choose, my favorite character would be Zeke. Brooklynn usually plays Nightingale. UMLF: Where can someone purchase Middara currently? Alex: Well, right now we are completely sold out and the only place to find a copy of the game is on aftermarket sites like Ebay. Of course this route isn't the most financially feasible since copies of the game are selling for upwards of $250! But! If you're interested in snagging a copy of the game, you're in luck! We are running a Kickstarter campaign on June 24, 2019 where we will be reprinting the original game and expanding on the product. It's going to be an amazing Kickstarter campaign and you won't want to miss it! We are even giving away free swag to backers that pledge on Day 1! UMLF: How do you feel like the Utah Microloan Fund helped your business? Alex: Even though we were able to raise $350,000 on our Middara Kickstarter campaign in 2015, our lack of business experience got us into a serious bind. It became clear that we would be unable to fulfill our promises to Kickstarter backers. The game was too massive and expensive. Our passion for making games blinded us to the financial reality of our situation. So, after shark-tanking it around Salt Lake for the good part of 2018, we were able to recruit an awesome team of supporters and investors to help Middara come to life! UMLF along with a number of other resources has been crucial to helping us get the game produced and shipped to our customers. Without them, we'd be stuck in development purgatory with nothing more than a cool idea. Thanks UMLF, you guys are awesome and we tell all of our entrepreneurial friends about you! Thanks for sitting down with us Succubus Publishing! To stay in touch with them:
Keep an eye out for their Kickstarter, launching June 24th! You can sign up for an email reminder here: https://mailchi.mp/succubuspublishing/entertheportal
If there are two things our office loves, it's coffee and dogs. What else makes the Earth go round? With her recent graduation from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, receiving the award for Park City's 2018 Small Business Person of the Year by Alignable and just all around being an awesome human being, Claudia McMullin and her company Hugo Coffee Roasters are the Utah Microloan Fund's May Small Business of the Month!
UMLF: Claudia tell us about yourself and your background. What made you get into roasting coffee in Park City Utah? Claudia: I moved to PC from NYC in 1999 after quitting my job in a Wall St. law firm and selling my apartment. In my never ending quest to NOT be an attorney, I was the Executive Director of Nuzzles & Co for a few years and ran for office and was elected for 2 terms at a Summit County Council member. During my tenure as Chair of the County Council, I sat on the executive committee of the PC Chamber and learned that the coffee shop vendor in the Visitor Information Center was not renewing its lease. I went home and told my husband that I could run a coffee shop and .. Voila.. I bought the shop. Within 1 year I decided to buy/start a roasting company because I wanted to vertically integrate and control the quality of my own product. I reached out to the talented roaster, John Lynn, in summer 2015 and we launched Hugo Coffee Roasters together in December 2015. In addition to animal rescue, my passion is to mentor young entrepreneurs (Lucky Ones, Drool) and connect people. I am a member of the PC Chamber, UWNG, PCWBN, and President of the PC Rotary. I have sat on many nonprofit boards including the Sundance Advisory Board, University Hospital Foundation, Kimball Arts Center, PC Chamber, and MAG. I am currently on the Lucky Ones Advisory Board. UMLF: What is the history of Hugo’s for those who don't know the scoop? Claudia: I opened Hugo Coffee shop in the Visitor Information Center in Kimball Junction in February 2013. I decided to name the company after my handsome rescue dog, Hugo, because I ran Nuzzles & Co and was known for loving animals… especially dogs. I launched the roasting company in December 2015. In 2018 we rebranded Hugo Coffee Roasters to include an animal rescue give back mission. Our mission at Hugo Coffee is to save dogs by roasting fantastic organic fair trade coffee! Our vision is to become the go-to coffee for animal lovers nationwide. UMLF: How do you feel Hugo’s is different from other coffee roasters in Utah? Claudia: Hugo Coffee Roasters’ differentiator in the roasting world lies in our animal rescue give back mission. For every retail bag of Hugo Coffee sold (whether online via Amazon or in brick & mortar retailers like Whole Foods), Hugo Coffee gives between 8-10% of its proceeds to an accredited animal rescue. For example, for all online sales, Hugo Coffee donate to Best Friends Animal Society. For all regional sales, Hugo Coffee donates to Nuzzles & Co. - unless our customer prefers a different animal rescue in which case we’ll donate to the customer’s chosen rescue. Hugo Coffee also pops up at animal (Yappy Hours) and animal rescue related (Super Adoptions, Strutt Your Mutt) events and farmers markets to sell our retail coffee and swag to benefit specific animal rescues. In addition to Nuzzles & Best Friends, Hugo Coffee has donated to Canines With a Cause and the Utah Animal Adoption Center. With respect to our roasts, Hugo Coffee’s roasts are intentionally and specifically created to appeal to a broad range of palettes and, as such, range from light to french roast dark. Our coffees are all named with a nod towards dogs: New Trick Light Roast, Rollover Breakfast Blend, Bonafido Medium-Dark Roast, Howler Espresso, Black Paw French Roast, Downward Dog Decaf and Dog Daze Cold Brew. Our beans are organic fair trade. In picking the specific farms from which to buy green beans, John seeks farms that pay a living wage and offer benefits to all employees. Locally, we are environmentally focused by utilizing an oxidizer with our roaster for prevent emitting particulates into the air. Oh, and finally, our coffee is fantastic! UMLF: You recently graduated from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. Congrats! Tell us about your experience going through the program. Claudia: I loved every minute of the GS10K program! I met the most amazing people who I hope to have in my life for a long time. I felt supported and inspired by my fellow entrepreneurs. My growth opportunity involved launching a new product – which I did on April 1st. Dog Daze Cold Brew Packs for making cold brew at home or camping without any muss or fuss. I can’t wait to collaborate with and support every single one of my fellow scholars! UMLF: What is your favorite blend of coffee you guys produce? Claudia: I love Bonafido and drink a french press of it every day. Once the weather warms up, I drink Dog Daze Cold Brew as well.. And everyday! 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? Claudia: Cash flow! Self funding launching and growing a manufacturing company was much more expensive than anticipated. Incurring debt vs. investor capital to supplement my own funds was my chosen path. I do not want to incur any more debt so must become self sustaining in 2019.. Which I am on the path to become! UMLF: How do you believe the Utah Microloan Fund has helped you and your business? Claudia: The UMLF has helped me with financing equipment for my new customers.. Especially St. Regis Deer Valley. And, of course, providing critical cash flow. I am beyond grateful to the UMLF for their support and resources!! Thanks for sitting down with us Claudia! To try Claudia's coffee you can visit her in person at their coffee shop, check out their roastery or buy online: To visit the Hugo Coffee Shop:
To snag a bag of coffee online you can visit here:
Is a burger just a burger? Are all hamburgers created equal? Husband and wife Chris and Nicole Carver didn’t think so—because every once in a while, often in unexpected places, they had tasted burgers that were truly great—juicer, tastier, more fulfilling to the body and the soul. That begged the question: “Why can’t we get the best burger in the world right here in Utah?” They then decided that they were going to make the answer be: “You can!”
Together they established Tonyburgers (they had a brother named Tony, and it sounded better than Chrisburgers or Nickburgers) and they put the first restaurant in Centerville. But they didn't stop there, now with five locations under their belt, Tonyburgers has definitely earned the title of April Small Business of the Month! UMLF: Chris and Nicole, tell us about your backgrounds. Chris and Nicole: We grew up in Bountiful Utah and have been married for twenty-four years and have four beautiful children. With our family, we live in Kaysville, Utah. Chris has a Bachelor's Degree from Utah State University in Software Engineering and Nicole has an Associates degree in Business Management and an Interior Design background. Neither of us had any experience in the restaurant industry when we decided to open a burger place in Centerville Utah. UMLF: Tell us about Tonyburgers. What are are some menu items we HAVE to try? Chris and Nicole: Tonyburgers was the result of lots of digging and researching different methods to come up with the BEST WAY to make burgers, fries, and shakes. We went to lots of different cities looking for that city’s best burger. Once we discovered what we thought was the best, we reproduced it in our own way. Each product on our menu has a special way it is prepared. Our burgers are made with a proprietary blend of sirloin, chuck, and brisket. Our fries are fresh cut and fried twice. Our shakes are made with real ice cream and hand whipped just like the diners of old. UMLF: Yum! What made you want to start Tonyburgers? What inspired you? Chris and Nicole: Desperation is the mother of invention! In 2008 Chris, along with many other people at the time, needed a job. He always wanted to own a burger place so he asked me about it. I thought he was crazy, but I agreed to give it a try. So we set out to find out how to create a restaurant! UMLF: How do you feel like Tonyburgers is special compared to other burger joints in town? Chris and Nicole: We are BIG into doing things the right way. Not the easy way or the fast way. When we started, people in the restaurant industry who were helping us get started told us “You can’t cut your own fries, they’ll be too much labor”, or “You can’t mix your own shakes, it’ll take too long”. We also heard that we’d never be able to find a local butcher who could mix the different cuts of beef for our burgers. They told us it would cost too much. Our answer was always “We’ll figure out a way to do it right, or we won’t do it”. 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? Chris and Nicole: We almost had to close all our doors when we opened our second location in downtown SLC. It opened to hardly any traffic, and while our first location in Centerville was initially a big success, we had the first In-N-Out in Davis County open right down the street. This immediately cut our sales in half. So we had two restaurants and neither was making money. We overcame the problem with lots of hard work, and a few key people (most importantly our landlord of our Centerville location) who helped us figure some things out. Over the course of a couple years we gradually increased our sales and were able to become profitable again. UMLF: How do you believe the Utah Microloan Fund has helped you and your business? Chris and Nicole: When we were struggling, we took on some debt, and our credit scores took a hit. So when we were on solid ground and wanted to expand again, banks wouldn’t lend us any money. Fortunately, we found out about the UMLF and used it to help us partially fund the build out of a couple of our new locations. It was a GREAT resource for us! Thanks for sitting down with us guys! Definitely check out Tonyburgers asap if you haven't yet at any of their five locations. To stay in touch with TonyburgersOr visit them at:
Mobility Prosthetics is the newest prosthetics company in Utah and their highest priority is to take care of those who must deal with amputation during their lifetime. Mobility Prosthetics wants to help them get back to living the life that they want to live as soon as possible. They firmly believe that building prosthetic limbs is about people, not profits which is why they use advanced digital scanning, computer-aided design and 3D printing in order to make the process quicker, more convenient and more comfortable for the people who are dealing with so much already. They also offer in-home patient care. When they first came to us for their loan we were blown away by what they wanted to do for the community and knew we just had to sit down with owner Brian Greer to learn more.
UMLF: Tell us about the team behind Mobility Prosthetics and your backgrounds? Brian: I was raised in Utah and moved to California in 2001. There I met a 4 year old girl who was born with no arms and no legs. I met her prosthetist, who was able to make her prosthetic arms and a custom wheelchair, and I was hooked. I began working as a Technician and learning from him all about the profession. Since that time, I have accepted positions in various companies across the country, always watching for the right opportunity to return to Utah. In 2016, the time was right and I moved back home, bringing with me the knowledge and experience that I gained over the last 15 years. Digital scanning, computer-aided design and 3D printing have become the foundation of my approach to patient care and in 2018 I teamed up with Ty Oswald and, together, we began Mobility Prosthetics. When I am not building prosthetics or tinkering with the 3D printer, you can usually find me playing basketball or hide-and-seek with my five kids, or going on a walk with my lovely wife, Lindsay, who has stuck beside me over 13 years and many, many moves. I met Ty in 2018 and we both felt like we could create a great partnership. We each bring unique strengths to the organization and together, we have great synergy. Ty Oswald is also from Utah. Growing up he loved to play sports and be active in the outdoors. He was introduced to the world of prosthetics at 18 years old, when he was diagnosed with a form of cancer that required him to make the difficult decision to amputate his right leg, just below the hip. He has over 30 years of experience in the field and he possesses a unique ability to connect with patients because of his firsthand knowledge of what they are experiencing. Patients love to learn from him and feel that he really listens to their wants and needs. When he is not working with patients you can find him playing with his dog or spending time with his daughter, who is in high school. He also still loves to spend time in the outdoors. UMLF: What made you want to start Mobility Prosthetics? What inspired you? Brian: Ty and I both have a passion for helping people. We have both been working in the prosthetics industry for a long time and we have seen a lot of companies that, although well-intentioned, sometimes lose sight of what is most important. In the hectic day-to-day dealings it is easy to get distracted by profits, difficult situations and critical choices. Over the years, we have developed a strong belief that a prosthetics company can and should be focused on people, not profits. In 2018, we felt that if we wanted the freedom to focus on people, we would probably need to start our own practice, and Mobility Prosthetics was born. UMLF: How have prosthetics changed over the years? Tell us about the technology you use? Brian: Technology is changing so rapidly and the prosthetics industry is falling behind. While many prosthetics companies are still using the same techniques and equipment that was used 50 years ago, we are the first prosthetists in Utah to use advanced digital scanning, computer-aided design and 3D printing in order to design and build prosthetic limbs. This enables us to offer free in-home patient care, which is also very unique to this area. Not only are we able to use this technology today but we are teaming up with engineers to improve and develop the technology that will continue to advance this industry in the future. Computerized knees, hydraulic ankles, vacuum suspension, may sound futuristic, but they are all common place at Mobility Prosthetics. 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? Brian: One of the greatest challenges that we have faced has been understanding the rules and regulations regarding starting and running a prosthetics company. Navigating this complex world has tested our patience, our determination and our confidence in ourselves and each other. As partners, we have leaned on each other for strength and support. We push each other to be better and we work hard together in order to tackle each and every challenge. With the right amount of focus and a lot of help from many people outside of our organization, we are succeeding every day and we feel very optimistic about the future. UMLF: How do you believe the Utah Microloan Fund has helped you and your business? Brian: Without Utah Microloan Fund, we would not be in business today. They believed in us when almost no one else did. Because our business is new and somewhat untested, we faced many closed doors, unanswered calls and emails. UMLF was honest and straightforward with us. They were helpful and reassuring throughout the process. While other groups took weeks to communicate with us, UMLF didn’t let a day go by without calling or emailing us. We always knew what the next step in the process was and we were very grateful for the guidance that we received from everyone in that office. Seeing that they believed in us and wanted us to succeed increased our confidence in ourselves and that shines through in our business. We want to extend a big thank you to Mobility Prosthetics and congratulate them on being our March Small Business of the Month! To stay in touch with Mobility Prosthetics: Or visit them at:
Our interview this week is with one of our favorite Utah non-profits, Local First Utah. Local First has a lot of exciting new things happening including a newly-launched website, a revamped model to benefit member businesses and their new Indie Business Academy which is why we sat down with Executive Director Kristen Lavelett this week so we could learn more! UMLF: So for those who don't know, what is Local First Utah? Kristen: We are Utah’s leading independent business alliance, which really means that as a non-profit organization, we exist to strengthen relationships between small business and their communities. Rather than seeing independent businesses working alone, in silos, focusing on competing against other businesses, Local First Utah works to find ways that indies can collaborate and cooperate with each other. It’s the old adage of “a rising tide floats all boats.” We also work to educate the public about the benefits of buying from locally-owned businesses. A lot of these benefits are pretty intrinsic. Locals keep more money on our economy, locals help define sense of place in our communities -- they are reflective of the towns and cities where they grow. I could get into all the details, but sometimes it’s just easier to sum it up by saying “locals do it better!” We work closely with local government as well. Both with elected and appointed officials, we work to help governing agencies understand how their policies impact local business, or what kinds of support small businesses need from the city and state governments. UMLF: How do you think the Utah Microloan Fund and Local First Utah work together? Kristen: You know, I kind of consider us to be part of an extended support network for indie businesses. Both of our organizations focus on different needs that small businesses have. The UMLF helps with funding, we help with marketing. But, you and I both know, that boiling our work down to simplest terms leaves out a lot of relational elements of what we do. UMLF and Local First Utah, aren’t just part of a support network for small businesses, we’re more like the extended family of the family-run business. And, not very many people know this, but Local First Utah owes a lot to UMLF … we had a little office here for years, which UMLF provided to us for free, so coming back to the office today for this chat with you brings up a lot of memories. UMLF: What’s new with Local First Utah? We know you have a bunch of exciting new developments happening! Kristen: Lots! So much actually that it’s hard to know where to start. Probably the biggest change this year, is that we’ve launched -- for the first time ever -- a membership platform for business that want to make the most of their partnership with Local First Utah. We’re actually one of the oldest independent business alliances in the country. Being established in 2006, our founders were really ahead of the curve in creating this organization. And we when we were founded, we committed to providing our resources to independent businesses for free. This generosity is really one of our core values as an organization, as long as a business meets our very simple criteria of being locally owned, and independently operated, they can partner with us. But, over the years, and working as one of the only statewide independent business alliances in the country, delivering our services for free has really made it difficult to ensure that we’re serving Utah’s independent businesses as well we want to. So, this year, we’ve transitioned to being a membership organization. That’s not quite as stuffy as it might seem. We’re not abandoning any of the businesses that have been free partners with us over the year. We’ve just created more concrete connections with those businesses that want to join as members. We’ve also created an educational series call the Indie Business Academy. We host classes once a quarter, but what’s unique about the Indie Business Academy, is that all the classes over the course of the year are connected by a theme. This year’s theme is “Managing Your Online Brand Identity.” So, we’re kicking things off with a class called “Your First Front Door: Website Customer Experience.” Our other classes cover social media, and handling online reviews, among other subjects. There are a lot of incredible small business educational opportunities in our community. In fact, UMLF hosts some really great classes! So, the goal of these classes, falling in line with Local First Utah’s mission is to make them very collaborative. We’re hosting all of the classes at Church & State, a locally owned business incubator, and the curriculum we’ve developed allows for a really hands on learning environment. Not only do we have experts in their various fields leading the classes, but they are set up to create opportunities from small business owner to learn from one another. The classes are open to members and non-members alike, but members will receive personalized, implementable recommendations from our experts. Like I said, there’s a lot of new things at Local First Utah. There’s more I could mention but it’s probably best for people who are interested to check out our website, which is, as a matter of fact, also new. UMLF: How can UMLF clients benefit from becoming a member of Local First Utah? Kristen: For starters, because of our relationship between UMLF and Local First Utah, we’re offering UMLF clients a 20% discount on their membership. And there are lots of different benefits, depending on at which level of membership a business may join, but basics are features on our social media -- we have an audience of about 20,000 followers -- a prominent listing in our online directory, the ability to list events on our community calendar, discounts on our classes and mixers, and webinars and other training and marketing materials that will be available to members only. Apart from those benefits that are really designed to amplify individual businesses, being a part of Local First Utah has a lot of other, broader benefits. Business that are part of independent business alliances experience greater customer loyalty, they have nearly double the sales revenue of locals that are not part of a group like Local First Utah. They exist in more collaborative environments were there is more purchasing between locals, and the benefit from increased media coverage and a greater awareness and support from city officials. To sign up for a membership please email Kristen@localfirst.org for more information! To stay connected with Local First Utah visit:
 Alert, alert Valentines Day is in T-Minus 10 days! In case you forgot or are racking your brain for ideas for the biggest date night of the year, we have compiled a list of different experiences and gift ideas starring our clients! Whether you are going out with bae or are Galentine-ing it up, this list is a must read.
Before the big day comes: For the guys who are looking to spiff up we have some great options around the state. With three locations and years of experience, Jed’s Barbershop is open 7 days a week for all of your grooming needs in SLC. A pool table, air hockey, TVs and video games are all at your fingertips at Mancave Barbershop as you get your cuts, trims and straight razor shaves, visit them in Layton. A modern barbershop with traditional techniques Riverside Barbershop is a go-to for looking fresh for your SO. For the ladies in need of a glow up: Located in Roy, EnvyMe Salon and Spa is here to provide you with your all your hair needs, nails, tattoos, microblading, waxing, eyelashes, and much, much more. For our Park City ladies look no further than PuraVida Lifestyle Salon & Spa, the only Aveda spot in PC! Here in the valley we recommend Beauty Trendz, a one stop shop that offers hair care services for women, and barbering services for men in addition to nail care & pedicures, massage, facials, waxing, skin care treatments, microblading and even permanent cosmetics. Now that we’re ready for Valentines Day, read on for all of our recommendations on how to celebrate! Dining Out: Budget and taste bud friendly: Loaded mexi fries? Al pastor, slow-cooked pork with pineapple on a rotating spit? Street tacos and churros? You betcha! Yoyi's Mexican Grill offers a fast-casual menu of Mexican favorites and has beer and wine available too. Tony Burgers is great for when you are craving just a dang good burger and fries. Are you a couple of adventurous eaters? We have some recommendations! Doner Kebab of West Jordan offers a unique style of delicious flavors from across the sands and sea with their authentic Azerbaijani cuisine of kebabs, wraps, salads and more. Located in St. George, Flavor of Seoul is the first authentic Korean restaurant in Southern Utah. Owner Sung Taylor deeply appreciates sharing her cuisine with her guests and you can tell by the quality and love she puts in her dishes. Perfect for sharing an experience with a friend or significant other! Big Sai's Hawaiian BBQ in Layton is known for their big flavor but also for their generous servings, win win! Wanting something sweet? Anytime we hear of an authentic and secret recipe that has been inherited from generation to generation, our interests are piqued! Because what’s more romantic than French crepes at Monsieur Crepes? If you haven't tried a red bean pastry from Moon Bakery, have you truly lived? This authentic Korean bakery is a must for when you are craving something on the sweet side. Food truck it up: Want to skip a formal thing and mix it up? Why not track down a food truck? Jemly's in Provo serves up tasty and authentic Haitian food. Shylo's Mobile Cafe has arguably the best-tasting Beef on Weck this writer has ever had along with a rotating cast of best selling sandwiches. Happy Camper Deli, although another sandwich truck, is truly a horse of another color with their Thanksgiving Leftovers and Grilled Cheese Pizza sandwiches. A little more: Meditrina is a casual eclectic small plate and wine bar restaurant that provides fusion tapas in a fun atmosphere. If you want to beat the Valentines Day rush, join Meditrina and Enrico from Adami for their Prosecco Dinner on Thursday, February 7, 2019, 6:30pm-8pm. Four full, creative takes on Italian classics accompanied by Four incredible Proseccos--including a special order! More details here. Laziz Kitchen reimagines the Lebanese culinary tradition – honoring traditional recipes, and offering new takes on old favorites. Some of our favorite dishes include the Kafta Burger as well as their sampler platter with Muhammara, Baba Ghannouj and their classic hummus. Unique Outings: If you are a couple that is interested in doing something off the beaten path read on! Bringing about the virtual reality and augmented reality future Virtualities is one of the very first VR/AR arcades and the very first virtual reality cinema in the US. Located at the Gateway, they have games that range from fun and cutesy to downright scary, perfect for the adventurous couple. *Use code VALENTINE for 50% a session for two people. In St. George there is no better place for classes to expand your creative horizons together than A Passion for Painting and Sewing. They offer classes in painting, sewing and even piano! Along that same creative vein, B Golden Jewelry School offers jewelry making classes in the Salt Lake area. Into music? Cruise for records together at Diabolical Records or even go for a show at their space downtown. Low Key: Looking for something a little more chill? Why not lunch and a cup of great coffee at Hugo Coffee in Park City? Hugo is their own small-batch roastery and are experts on the art of the bean. Are you a couple trying to master the art of zen? A massage and facial from Mountainside Spa in Cottonwood Heights is the ticket! In West Jordan, Cottage Retreat and Day Spa can also take care of all your relaxation needs. Gift Guide:
You know where to spiff up. You have many options on where to eat and for fun activities after. You know the perfect gift you can give. What are you waiting for? Start planning the most epic Valentines Day yet!
It's no secret that the Utah Microloan Fund loves women. From our all-women staff and powerful boss ladies on our board, to 36% of our microloans last year going to Utah women business owners and lastly our Banking on Women program, we believe in the power of females. That is why when we heard about the up and coming women's coworking space in Salt Lake we knew had to see what it was all about! We were able to take a sneak peek tour with founder Joanna Smith and Managing Director Liz Barnes to see the space (it's BREATHTAKING) and to hear more about their plans for how they hope to change the landscape of Utah's coworking space with their new concept, the Wave.
So what is the Wave? The Wave is a co-working and social club designed for women and marginalized genders in Utah. This concept was created out of the need to create a safe and supportive space that will allow people within these demographics to flourish and succeed in an uplifting environment. The aim of the Wave is also to address and eliminate the barriers that can hold these groups back in today's business climate. Pretty neat huh? UMLF: Ladies tell us more about yourselves and why you are passionate about opening up the Wave? Joanna: My background is in non-profits but as I have worked on policy and equality I realized over time that so many women didn't have the same opportunities for connection as their typical male counterparts. Liz: My background to this point has been primarily in healthcare. This went hand-in-hand with my passion for helping people in need and advocating for them. The Wave gives me an alternate option to give back to my community. I am so excited for the opportunity to work with this amazing group of women and to give others a chance to share in our success. UMLF: So there are obviously what seems like a million coworking spaces opening up in Utah, what makes the Wave unique? Joanna: The Wave addresses and gives space for women to have it all. You don't have to choose between a family or a career. We know you can balance it all. Let us help! We offer drop off Jr. Member space, social services, professional consultation and personal services like massage and beauty treatments. (More on that below) UMLF: You have a giveback element to your business model, tell us more about that? Liz: We believe empowered women should empower women. 10% of all profits for The Wave will be donated directly to various women-lead non-profits in Utah that are dedicated to women’s equality, equal pay and other important issues. UMLF: You have some AMAZING amenities listed on your site for members? Can you tell us more deets about them? Liz: We offer professional and personal services. For example, if you need advice from an attorney, accountant, graphic designer or a life coach you can make an appointment. As for our personal services, we offer a beauty bar, massage therapy, nail technician and a stylist. We will also be offering a feminist-centric book club and a speaker series for our members. The Junior Member space will provide high quality child care that includes fun activities and learning opportunities for the kids. This can be utilized by our members with children. We at the Wave want to ensure that people can schedule meetings or attend conferences without having to worry about finding a trusted child care service. We also offer an Emerging Leader membership for 12-18 year olds which will include a Jr. Book Club, mentorship opportunities, and youth art shows. Joanna: Also every member receives 4 service credits a month to use to make yourself more successful. Whether its dropping your kids off regularly, getting a blow out in between meetings or working with a technology mentor to build your website. We want our members succeeding! UMLF: What kind of women would like the Wave? Liz: The Wave is a space for all kinds of women who are seeking a place to call their own. We hope to attract business-oriented women, women working in creative fields, women who need child care accommodations, women who want to escape the traditional work spaces and so many more. Joanna: In addition women who support trans women and women who need and are committed to connecting with others. UMLF: When are you officially opening your doors? Liz: Our soft opening is scheduled for March 1st, 2019 with our Grand Opening schedule for April 2019. Sound like heaven? Something you have to be involved with? We agree! Visit here to learn more about the plans for the Wave, their membership options and their full list of amenities. Can't wait until they open their doors? You're in luck! There is a hardhat sneak peek this Saturday, January 12th at 10am! Go check out the space, take a tour and meet the team making this happen. The Wave is located at 32 East Exchange Place in downtown SLC which is the building directly North of Green Pig next to Twist. Stay in touch with the Wave @: Website:Facebook:Instagram:
It's 2019 and you know what that means! Resolution time! A New Year's resolution is a promise a person makes themselves for the new year. The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. While resolutions today probably look much different than "back in the olden days", the goal is always to improve life in the coming year in some way. One of the most common year after year? To eat healthier and to get more exercise! Because we know a lot of people are looking for help in this area we sat down with owners John Kynaston and Karlene Gardiner to hear more about why health and fitness is their passion and crowned them as January's Small Business of the Month!
Warrior’s Warehouse is not just a 24 hour gym but also a supplement store. They focus on offering the highest quality protein, pre-workout, post-workout, and supplements on the market. They also have an amazing infrared sauna and tanning bed if that's your fancy. UMLF: Tell us about yourself. What’s your background? What made you want to start Warrior’s Warehouse? WW: We had the opportunity to buy Warrior’s Warehouse from the previous owners almost two years ago. With a passion for health and fitness we knew Warrior’s Warehouse could be a great adventure for us to embark on. We wanted to change the atmosphere into a family friendly place where everyone feels welcome. I, John, have been interested in health and fitness for as long as I can remember. My extended family has a lot of health issues such as type 2 diabetes, so I have always wanted to make sure I am active and healthy for my kids. I don't care if I have huge muscles, to me it's all about eating right and staying active. I, Karlene, am a grandma of 3 and I want to stay healthy for them. It's important for me to keep active so I have been working out for many many years. 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? WW: We are continually trying to improve our systems and listen to our members. We have a suggestion box that really helps our members have a voice. We are continually discussing ways to make our facility into the perfect workout experience. We recently changed our memberships so we have no contracts. We want an easy in/easy out concept for our members. UMLF: What advice do you have for people who have fitness and self-love as goals for their New Year's Resolutions? WW: Taking that first step into the gym can be very intimidating. Most people feel very insecure when starting out. Our members have all been at the beginning of this journey and I can’t count how many times I have seen our experienced members answering questions and assisting new members. It makes all the hard work worth it when you see that. Working out in a gym is completely different then working out at home or the rec center. We have so much more equipment that makes working out easy. The equipment is so easy to use and you get results much faster. We always like to talk about the “Warrior’s Family” because we feel like a family here. We come in all shapes and sizes. Nobody is judging you, you are only competing against the person in the mirror! UMLF: What are some of your favorite ways to stay in shape? WW: For those just starting out, I recommend our in-house personal trainer. He really helps you learn how to use the equipment and he will teach you the proper technique to ensure you get the maximum results. Our classes are also great for beginners because our amazing teachers are going to tell you exactly what to do and how to do it. We don’t have windows so nobody is watching you. Our class sizes are very small and intimate. We offer Zumba, Kickboxing, Yoga, Spin, and much more! UMLF: What makes your gym different from others out there? WW: Warrior’s Warehouse Gym is the only 24 hour gym with top of the line equipment, Kids Club Access, supplement store, personal training, health coaching, and amazing classes. UMLF: How do you believe the Utah Microloan Fund has helped you and your business? WW: We wouldn’t have been able to purchase this business without your assistance. You made our dreams of owning a gym come true. To stay in touch with Warrior's Warehouse:
Or visit them at: 1095 W 500 S, Vernal, UT 84078  We at the UMLF would like to wish everyone a happy and successful 2019! We couldn’t do what we do without our generous funders, partners in the community, and most importantly our amazing clients. As this new year is about to begin, I would like to reflect on 2018 and what we have accomplished over this past year.
Here is a list of some of the highlights:
As we look to 2019 a few of our goals include:
It has been a privilege to lead this organization for the past two years. I am constantly grateful for my amazing staff, supportive Board of Trustees, and our hard-working clients. Here's to 2019! Sincerely, Danielle Lower | Executive Director Utah Microloan Fund  We think it's no secret that the UMLF loves small business. From the very first steps of getting an idea off the ground to growing a business into a full blow enterprise. This journey for some entrepreneurs can be scary and make even the strongest business owner feel unsure at times. That is why we love the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. This program is designed for business owners who have a business poised for growth. They look for applicants who are passionate about growing their business, creating jobs in their communities and who generally meet the below criteria:
Sound like a dream come true for your business? Keep reading! We sat down with Executive Director Beth Colosimo to learn more about the program and why YOU should apply by December 18th! UMLF: Tell us about Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. When and where did it start? How has the program grown since? How is UT fairing among the cohorts? Beth: GS10KSB is supported by the Goldman Sachs Foundation in New York. It was created to fill a gap GS saw in the marketplace, support for small businesses to help them grow. From that desire to help small businesses 10ksb was created. The 3 pillars of the program are: 1) access to education 2) access to resources 3) access to capital. GS partnered with Babson College, who created the curriculum and learning modules and community colleges across the country. During the course, small business owners are exposed to the core areas needed to help small businesses increase revenue and hire more employees, such as financial workshops—knowing your numbers, marketing, leadership, hiring, operations and processes. Utah was the 8th site launched in 2012. We’ve trained more than 500 small business owners from St George to Logan, Vernal to Price. Our alumni network is very strong and meets regularly. We have one of the most seasoned teams of advisors and faculty who work with the scholars during and after the program. There are 14 sites across the country and a national blended site that meets virtually and twice back in Boston at Babson College, the curriculum creator. UMLF: Beth tell us about your background? What started your love for small business? Beth: I worked in corporate America for most of my career and grew tired of the politics and mis-management. I opened my own business in 2004 and became a full-blown entrepreneur, taking many risks and learning thru the school of hard knocks. I realized how hard it can be. I developed a love of small businesses having walked in those shoes for 6 years and realizing what it takes UMLF: Tell us about some of your favorites businesses that have gone through the cohort and why they caught your fancy? Beth: There are SO many. I love the women-owned businesses that buck the stereotypes in male dominated industries like construction, machining and manufacturing. I love seeing business owners enter the class with little to no confidence, and graduate with a whole new lease on life and business growth, having gained knowledge and support for their enterprises. I love visiting their businesses or seeing their success on facebook and business publications, knowing we may have played a small part in their success. UMLF: What would you tell a business owner who is ready to take the next step in their career but hesitant to apply? Beth: Take advantage of all the learning you can. Recognize that ALL small business owners have or are in your shoes of fear and hesitation. Set aside this important time to work on your business. Give yourself the gift of exploring how to do what you do on a bigger and more efficient level. Tell yourself you can’t afford NOT to do this for the success of your company UMLF: Biggest learning experience or take away from directing the program? Beth: How difficult it is to convince small businesses to step away and work on their business. How many moving parts there are to a complex program like this and what it takes to consistently deliver a very high quality, well-run program and organization. But the biggest learning experience is the significance 10KSB plays in truly impacting the growth of graduation companies. The results are stunning. UMLF: How do you feel like the Utah Microloan Fund and 10,000 Small Businesses work together? Beth: We teach business owners that without capital, they can’t grow. We find that many are not knowledgeable about the UMLF and what a terrific option it can be for many. We believe all small businesses need to have multiple capital resources and should network with and know their options even if they aren’t in a position or have a need immediately. UMLF: Since it’s almost the new year, any personal goals for 2019 you would like to share? Beth: I’d like to figure out how to reach more business owners to inform them about this program. There are over 33,000 small businesses just in Salt Lake County. We haven’t scratched the surface. I also believe there are many along the entire state who could benefit from the program. I want to ensure we maintain this important program in Utah. If you would like to apply for the next cohort, don't delay! Apply now at www.10ksbapply.com.
Everything Utah is a gift store that fosters an appreciation for Utah by providing treasures and keepsakes that honor the memories made in our great state. It is your one-stop shop for locally-made products including handcrafted jewelry, collectibles, fine art, books, artifacts, geological treasures, Utah-branded clothing and gear and lastly the best selection of chocolates, candies, salt water taffy and pure Utah honies. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs to take home or are a life-long Utahn, Everything Utah is here for you! In honor of the holiday season we have chosen Everything Utah as our December small business of the month! We sat down with owner and Utah enthusiast Mary Lindsey to hear more about why she loves our fabulous state.
UMLF: Mary tell us about yourself. What’s your background? What made you want to start Everything Utah? Mary: I love this amazing state of Utah. This wonderful place has been fertile ground for me to grow and develop myself and enable me to continue to become the woman, mother, and community member whom I want to be. I love the people of Utah, honor our state, and I love the gifts of Mother Nature which are here for us. I want to provide an experience for locals to be able to be able to enjoy and support our own identity while also giving visitors an authentic immersion into what's good about Utah. UMLF: Every business has its high and lows. Tell us about a challenge you faced as a small business owner and how you overcame it? Mary: The greatest challenge thus far has been that there are a few “haters” if you will. Individuals who mistreat our space, steal or demand more than is reasonable for sustainability. I do want to say that this is not a lot of our customers but it hurts when it does occur. For a long time local businesses have been losing ground and brave entrepreneurs who are creating, financing, working, offering, are putting it all out there to sustain and enrich communities. We are thankful to visitors and locals alike that appreciate and support our store. UMLF: What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs who are just starting their journey? Mary: My advice is to be willing to be humble in your initial offering. Roll it out with confidence and confidence. “Never play small” but remain grateful and humble in all that you are fortunate to have vision of and stewardship over. UMLF: How do you believe the Utah Microloan Fund has helped you and your business? Mary: Shortly after opening Everything Utah at our former Gateway location I learned about the UMLF. I applied for a small loan to allow Everything Utah’s offerings to be expanded and more widely known. I received support, counsel, vital critiques and feedback as I presented my intentions for Everything Utah. In doing so I learned not only how to request funding, but it also solidified my vision and hope for Everything Utah. Being able to follow a proven system which has been lovingly and professionally developed to support and grow businesses is amazing. This ultimately create strong, supportive, and viable and I dare say more welcoming and sustainable communities. UMLF: What are some of your favorite getaways in Utah? Mary: I love to go down to Moab with our family and enjoy hikes off the beaten path with our daughter Kelley. She has so much to share from a local’s point of view and is a nurse and a guide of many fun activities in Moab. I recommend the Moab Adventure Center and that personalized type of connection with the area. Brighton and Snowbird resorts are also family favorites here along the Wasatch no matter what season. There is amazing scenery, hikes, skiing, snowboarding, accommodations and tasty food. UMLF: Do you have any fun gifts for the holidays that you recommend? Mary: Everything Utah Charcuterie Boards are really popular and justifiably so. They are adorable, practical and everyone loves them. So gift away with these locally-crafted Utah shaped charcuterie boards knowing that you be the sharing the life of the party for holiday gatherings and celebrations to come. Here is a tip, stop by Everything Utah request your charcuterie board, there are four designs to choose from. Head over to Western Nut Company and check out their amazing selection and grab a little bag of your favorite nuts to share with the board. Next pick up Heber Valley Cheese or Beehive Cheese from your favorite cheese monger and some Creminelli meats with a jar of jam from Everything Utah. Address:
Love it or hate it, holiday shopping season is upon us! Are you stressed out at the thought of going shopping on Black Friday? Are you wanting to get a good deal on the many presents you need to buy but don't want to deal with the craziness? Then Small Business Saturday is for you!
What is Small Business Saturday? Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and communities across the country. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. With Saturday November 24th fast approaching there are so many reasons why shopping local is better for you and your community. Your tax dollars stay local, you are helping create jobs in the community, you can find more unique gifts, you help neighborhoods stay diverse, the list goes on. Since we love this holiday so much, we compiled a list of our favorite client's holiday promos to share with you! Meditrina: Meditrina is arguably the most romantic tapas restaurant in town and their offering of a menu of seasonal small plates plus diverse wines and local art on the walls makes this a favorite spot of ours. To celebrate the holidays, Meditrina is offering 15% off your next December private holiday party at their space or catering if you order by Small Business Saturday November 24th. To reserve your spot, call 801-485-2055 for more information and to make reservations! Located at: 165 W 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Snap Shop Photo: With locations in West Valley and Roy, Snap Shop Photo creates beautiful images through amazing experiences because fun is their superpower! With Snap Shop you can expect stunning photos at sensational prices. Families, children, pets and more, they do it all! For Small Business Saturday enjoy $100 gift cards for $75. Located at:
Happy Camper Deli: Happy Camper makes a bold claim. That they will serve you the best sandwich you'll have all day. Curious to put this claim to the test? Well now is the perfect time! Serving up tasty sandwiches made with top-notch local ingredients, Happy Camper's sammies, salads, tots, stix and cookies are sure to make your tastebuds sing for breakfast, lunch or dinner. To ring in the holidays Happy Camper is offering 15% off any catering order for the month of December on their famous Breakfast or Sandwich Bar, but you must order by Small Business Saturday, November 24th. Visit their website www.happycamperdeli.com to view their full catering menu and to place your order. Cheers! Mountainside Spa: Mountainside Spa offers relaxing, therapeutic services catering to tired muscles with their deep-tissue, hot stone, Swedish and sports massages. They also are a dream at treating our dry Utah skin with organic facials, body wraps, and scrubs. Waxing and eyelash extensions? They've got that too! Instead of the Black Friday frenzy to get the deals you want Mountainside is giving you the opportunity to relax with your family and treat them to what everyone needs. A TIMEOUT! Purchase now so you can sleep easy after Thanksgiving Dinner. To book any of these awesome deals visit their gift card link!
KetoNatural Pet Foods: Keto food? For your dog? You heard right! KetoNatural is a truly first-of-its-kind dry food for dogs, with the carbohydrate content of a raw-ingredient diet, but the cost and convenience of a kibble that is made with pride in the USA using natural ingredients and added vitamins and minerals. Visit www.ketonaturalpetfoods.com and enter code "Rw173x9" at checkout to receive 15% off. (One per customer, offer expires on Nov. 30 at midnight.) Everything Utah: Everything Utah is your one-stop shop for locally-made Utah products including handcrafted jewelry, collectibles, fine art, books, artifacts, geological treasures, Utah-branded clothing and gear and lastly the best selection of chocolates, candies, salt water taffy and Pure Utah Honies. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs to take home or are a life-long Utahn, Everything Utah is here for you! On Saturday the 24th enjoy 10% off qualifying purchases (some exclusions apply) at the Everything Utah shop. Located at: City Creek Mall - 50 Main St Unit 103, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Mumberry: For mums who move! Mumberry specializes in maternity workout clothes, prenatal exercises, nutrition tips and more for your healthy pregnancy. They are currently running two specials this month: Buy a pair of support bottoms, get a free black Maternity Support Tank ($64 value) with code TANKSGIVING. (Monday the 19th - Friday 23rd) and special for Small Business Saturday 50% off sitewide with code CYBERWEEKEND (Saturday the 24th - Tuesday the 27th). Order at: www.mumberry.com/ Private Detox of Utah: Private Detox of Utah (PDU) provides the only in home drug and alcohol detox program in the state of Utah. PDU is designed to help you or a loved one safely detox in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Private medical detox is ideal for the client that wants help, but is hesitant to access treatment because of privacy and comfort concerns. Because they know how thankful we all are for our loved ones during the holidays, PDU is offering $250 off their private in-home detox services. Visit www.privatedetoxofutah.com for a full list of services provided or call 801-803-8005 to start a conversation today about improving your own life or that of a loved one. Offer is valid until January 1st. Allison Baver New York: Olympic medalist Allison Baver isn't just an athlete, she creates designer apparel and accessories to accommodate the ambitious lifestyle of the modern woman. With her athletic line, performance meets fashion. Enjoy 25% off sitewide with code "SMALLBIZ" all Saturday and Sunday of next week. Visit www.allisonbaver.com to get your shop on
The month of November has always been a time of reflection. As we prepare for Thanksgiving we can be reminded of good memories and people that we are thankful for in our lives. Friends, family, love, opportunities, a steady job, good health, the comfort of home, children, and... BBQ? Down-home, smokey, flavorful meaty, finger-lickin good BBQ, yep we said it! With all of their new developments and because we can't seem to get BBQ off of our mind, Big Daddy Hill's is our November Small Business of the Month! We recently sat down with owner and secret recipe master, Lee Hill, to get the story of what inspired him to start Big Daddy Hill's, his childhood spent cooking with his family in North Carolina, and more! Read our interview below.
About Big Daddy Hill's: Now in its fourth year of business, veteran-owned Big Daddy Hill's is our go-to for BBQ sauce and rubs. Born and raised in North Carolina, Lee Hill knows good BBQ. His current lineup includes over 10 tasty different sauces (think honey chipotle, Jamaican BBQ, sweet and tangy, bourbon blues, and more) plus his famous rubs. From his humble beginnings at the Farmer's Market Lee has grow his business into a commercial success and in addition has recently opened a catering company, Smokeworks. UMLF: What made you start Big Daddy Hills? Lee: My wife, Monique, and I started our company to provide some assistance in paying for our little girls physical therapy. I am thankful for the encouragement my wife and her sister, Rowena Montoya, gave me in those early days of production and sales. I'm also thankful for our growing number of customers, and business supporters. If it hadn't been for those two, things would have surely happened differently. I would have given up, I wasn't a “tough skinned” individual then, and our daughter may have never learned to walk. Every sale made from our first event in 2014 to now have a greater meaning for us. My little girl, my family as a whole, and a growing number of US military veteran employees are better off because of our customers and our supporters. UMLF: You are a veteran-owned business, does that make you proud to represent veterans? Lee: I am very proud of being a veteran-owned business. I hear all the time from customers “thank you for your service” and my immediate response is always, “you are welcome”. Often times I think people in general do not realize that veterans see this statement the other way around. It was an honor for me to be able to serve my country honorably, so getting a thank you from customers puts a smile on my face. What I find most memorable about my military time is not summed up by basic training, going to war, or traveling. The greatest thing I will have forever are the friendships made during my time. These are the friendships that will last a lifetime. UMLF: What are your favorite ways to use your products? Lee: I enjoy using our products in a number of ways. Our sauces can be used as a marinade, dipping sauce, finishing glaze, or seasoning. My favorite sauce is our sweet and tangy bbq sauce. It is most easily used as a dipping sauce, but I like it as a cooking sauce when making pulled pork, or pulled beef sandwiches. UMLF: You recently started Smokeworks, a catering company using all of the Big Daddy Hills products. What gave you the idea? Lee: Smokeworks somewhat came out of a “Plan B” option for Big Daddy Hill's. We wanted to of course have a way to generate income to provide for our family and as a way to continue to promote Big Daddy Hill's products. We found Smokeworks to accomplish both of those goals. Not only has Smokeworks increased Big Daddy Hill's sales, we have also seen a growing number of new customers interested in our smoked meats for office parties, bulk prepared meals, and holiday foods like smoked turkey and ham for family dinners. What I have found most enjoyable about Smokeworks is being an entirely new company we do not always sell out of product purchased each week. What we have been able to do is donate food to families in need and from time to time we are able to do something to help others with fundraising activities. UMLF: You’re from North Carolina, how is North Carolina BBQ different than the others? What flavors inspire you? Lee: I would say North Carolina BBQ is different than the others as it more closely resembles how barbeque originated. The word comes from the Spanish preparation of "barbecoa", which is the way I grew up seeing barbeque prepared, just as it was in the Caribbean with a fire made from piled up sticks. I grew up having “cookouts” which were whole hogs smoked over a bed of coals from chunks of wood that had burned down. Since I grew up on the coast of North Carolina we also prepared fish the same way. I still remember starting fires on the beach just off the Pamlico Sound with my grandfather and smoking fish we had caught earlier in the day. What makes North Carolina different in my opinion has nothing to do with it being better than other regions of BBQ. North Carolina is known for whole hog BBQ, pulled and chopped pork. Texas BBQ is primarily beef brisket and Memphis and Kansas City are known for pork ribs. I would have to say the flavors that most inspire me would be comfort food associated with bbq and I think the side dishes are equally important. I love having pork shoulders smoked over hot coals and then piled on a plate with the eastern Carolina vinegar and peppery bbq sauce. BBQ beans are best kept simple with a bit of chopped onion, spices to season, and molasses to sweeten. My all time favorite food which puts me back home is Brunswick Stew. I have yet to find this on any BBQ menu here in Utah. Trust me when I say this....Brunswick Stew can be a dish added to a menu here in Utah that will set the restaurant apart from the rest. UMLF: Lastly, can you tell readers how the Utah Microloan Fund helped you with your business? Lee: Utah Microloan Fund helped our business by providing the necessary money to build our own facility, it gave us some extra capital needed to start buying ingredients in excess of what we had ever purchased, and probably most important outside of funding, the utah microloan employees are a great resource. Utah Microloan Fund does not simply hand over a check after filling out paperwork and meeting with them a few times. I have found referral sources that I did not know existed for small businesses. I have been put to task on completing profit and loss statements in the real world, because that is where we exist, and not asked to do it because of a business class requirement. The "knowing your numbers"part of business is your lifeline to succeed and grow. I continue to hear of new resources available from new members of the team at Utah Microloan Fund, and I would suggest the sooner a small business taps into the people working there the better they will be. We want to thank Lee for sitting down with us and for his DELICIOUS sauces and rubs. This author personally has three of four bottles of his sauce plus another two bottles of his rubs including my favorite, the Spicy Apple rub. To order smoked turkey, pork shoulders, briskets, or ham for the holidays:
 The dream of starting your own small business can bring on a wave of complex emotions. Excitement, fear, a sense of adventure, doubt and the list goes on! It can be a thrilling yet scary ride for someone to embark on alone, especially when searching for the right funding options, business consulting that fits their needs and continual training to ensure they are the best owner they can be.
Where does the Utah Microloan Fund come in? We can assist you in each of these areas and help ease the anxiety of starting your own small business. You might ask how? Here is a brief list on the ways the UMLF can set you up for success. FUNDING: When you’re on the hunt for a low-cost small business loan there are several routes you can try. Your first instinct might be to approach a traditional bank. A typical bank will usually require at least two years of business financials for a business to be considered for a loan, which makes it hard for startups to be considered for funding. If you can qualify for a bank loan we encourage you to start with our local partners who can give you a lower interest rate. Many people don’t qualify for a traditional bank loan, so we fill that gap! If you have previously been declined from a bank but have a great idea you may be a good fit for us. While we consider factors like credit score and collateral a lot of what we do is based on a solid business plan and your personal character. We try to look at the big picture when it comes to businesses instead of just one factor. A co-signer is also a great option in getting you approved. If we can’t make it happen for you, we try to work with you on a one on one basis to get you ready to try again or refer you to one of our awesome community partners. BUSINESS CONSULTING: Whether you are looking for help on how to best apply for a loan or assistance after the fact, we have many resources to help you succeed. Through our Program Manager of Lending we provide one on one consulting to prepare you for our loan committee and get you in the best position to be approved for a loan. This can include helping improving your projected cash flow statements and business plan as well as asking the tough questions needed to get you 100% ready to ask for your loan and present to the credit committee. If you need additional help we have amazing partners who are ready and willing to provide assistance to match your unique needs. Statewide:
Lastly, one of the big reasons borrowers choose the UMLF is our ongoing training. Just because you received your loan doesn't mean we're done with you! Client Training:
So if any of the above sounds good and you are ready to start your entrepreneurial adventure let's get in touch! Write us an email, give us a call or stop by one of our loan orientations to learn more about how the UMLF can help you get your venture off the ground as we've been helping entrepreneurs succeed since 1991!
It’s that time again, time to announce the UMLF Small Business of the Month! October’s winner is none other than Snap Shop Photo. Owner Sasha Taylor has grown Snap Shop Photo to two locations, is a freshly-minted Benefit LLC and was recently awarded with the Women’s Business Center of Utah Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award. We sat down with Sasha to catch up, learn more about her passion and to hear where it all began. Check out our interview below. About Snap Shop Photo: Snap Shop Photo creates beautiful images through amazing experiences because fun is their superpower. Sasha’s vision has always been to create a studio where every person is welcome, every interaction is positive, and every photograph is a true reflection of the individual. Because of Sasha’s vision, they are more than just a photo studio, they are a people company loved by the Utah community. UMLF: Sasha tell us about yourself. What’s your background? What made you want to start Snap Shop Photo? Sasha: First and foremost, I am a mother to five beautiful children and a wife to a wonderful woman. I shamelessly love reality tv, hate beets, and own more shoes than anyone ever should. I have had enough major hardships in my lifetime to write an entire series of books, or at least one best seller. I keep saying I will write it - someday. My passion for photography began as spending the summers of my teen years in Las Vegas, where my grandpa, a retired Chicago Fire Department photographer, would teach me how to use an SLR film camera, photographing everything from cactus, to burros, and even the lights of Vegas. But, right from the beginning, I preferred photographing people. In 2001, I graduated with a degree in Visual Art and Design and Photography. I was immediately hired as an adjunct professor at Salt Lake Community College in the photography department. Sharing my passion for photography in this way was extremely rewarding and I really found a home in teaching. After 4 years at the college, I took a position as the Education Director for Pictureline, a high-end photography retailer, and developed a complete photographic education program for them. Snap Shop Photo really is a dream realized. I have owned my own studios before, but I havenʼt been successful in the past for many reasons. Mostly, because I had a terminally ill child who was in and out of hospitals, surgeries, and treatments for 19 years. That eventually required me to move my family to St. Louis so he could receive a heart transplant. My son passed away in 2016 and my youngest child graduated high school in 2017. So, it was the right time to take all the things I had learned from my failures of the past and create the studio I have always wanted. My vision has always been to create a studio where every person is welcome, every interaction is positive and memorable, every photograph is a true reflection of the individual, and every client leaves happier than when they arrived. UMLF: Every business has its high and lows and being an entrepreneur is no easy feat. Tell us about a challenge you faced as a small business owner and how you overcame it? Sasha: The biggest challenge I have faced is maintaining relevance. In a world where everyone has a camera in their hand at all times, It is difficult to maintain clientele. We are constantly coming up with new and creative sessions and processes, so the product we offer canʼt be duplicated with a cellphone. Every business has to constantly be looking to the future and find innovative ways to grow. UMLF: You recently became a Benefit LLC, congrats! What inspired you to make the switch? Sasha: I have always felt a need to help people. I have been through a lot in my life beginning at a very young age and have been on the receiving end of generosity and compassionate service. I knew that when I opened Snap Shop I wanted to not just make money, but I wanted to make a difference. I first learned about BLLCʼs during my Banking on Women course through the UMLF. I quickly realized that it was the perfect way for me to create a company I would be proud to own. (* To learn more about a Benefit LLC and why Sasha became one, watch her video here.) UMLF: What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs who are just starting their journey? Sasha: The thing I go back to the most when I reflect on my journey as an entrepreneur is the importance of continually learning how to be a better business owner. It is amazing to me how much I learn that I didnʼt even know I didnʼt know. Every time I attend a workshop, networking meeting, business educational programs, or meet with one of my mentors, I learn ways to make my business journey better. Better for my clients, my employees, my vendors and most of all better for me. When you stop learning you stop growing. And when you stop growing, your business stops growing. UMLF: How do you believe the Utah Microloan Fund has helped you and your business? Sasha: The UMLF has been an integral part of my business growth. From the amazing Banking on Women program, to providing capital I needed to grow my business. The staff is so supportive and willing to help and share their knowledge and resources. I am so grateful for their commitment to the small business community. To learn more about Snap Shop Photo, to schedule a photoshoot or to just go meet this superstar and her staff in person, visit her website and locations listed below. Locations:
 
This week we sat down with State Director of the Women’s Business Center of Utah(WBCUtah), Ann Marie Wallace, about why Utahns should know and love WBCUtah. WBCUtah is a trusted partner of the Utah Microloan Fund. Together we help support the village it takes to help entrepreneurs grow and succeed.
About the WBC: The Women's Business Center of Utah, established in 1997 as a nonprofit funded in part by a federal grant, is an entrepreneurial center that offers services such as individual and group mentorship and online training for Utah women business owners and women who are thinking about starting a business. Most women (and men!) who want to start a business don't know where to begin and this is where WBCUtah can help – they can guide new entrepreneurs through the process of starting a business while also providing support and connections to other resources in the community. A little direction goes a long ways, and with follow-up support, what else does an aspiring entrepreneur need? The center helps women throughout the entire state of Utah through 8 Virtual Women's Business Centers in partnership with rural chambers of commerce and located on their websites. UMLF: Ann Marie tell us about yourself. What’s your background? What made you want to take over the WBC? Ann Marie: I really love what I get to do at the Women's Business Center of Utah! In 2008 I started serving on a committee overseen by WBCUtah, then I became a client in 2010 and experienced their help in starting my own business. I was very lucky when I applied for and was hired to mentor other women business owners as the WBCUtah's business consultant. And for the past five years I've been the director overseeing those same services that helped me become an entrepreneur. In the last few years our center has gone online and statewide and it has been thrilling to be a part of the expansion of services and impact to other women, like me, who are from a rural area in Utah. UMLF: What are some of the awesome new projects your team is working on? Ann Marie: So many! The WBCUtah is opening a second office in Cedar City, which will launch tailored services for women business owners throughout the southern half of Utah. Meanwhile, the center continues to grow its virtual network, which we hope to reach 25 by the end of next year. Additionally, WBCUtah.com is getting a major overhaul to ensure online services are forward-thinking, easy to access and use, and ever more powerful in helping female and male entrepreneurs throughout Utah. UMLF: What is your favorite way that the UMLF and WBC work together? Ann Marie: A majority of our clients who are preparing for microlending are considering Utah Microloan Fund. It is wonderful for us to know there is a non-profit microlender and we understand UMLF's loan process and time frames, which helps us better coach a client through the process and support them in their preparation. AND, we really enjoy the UMLF staff and culture! UMLF: What is something you want UMLF clients to know about WBCUtah? Ann Marie: I'd love UMLF clients to know that the WBCUtah is available at no charge to help them through the process of completing their application and preparing for their loan committee. We understand in general what the loan committee may ask, care about, and consider when deciding whether the microloan will be approved. The center has many free and low-cost ways to learn how to run a business, especially for those who have received a loan and get to put their business plan into action. Let us be your accountability partner so you can move your business forward. UMLF: What do you love most about Utah business owners/entrepreneurs? Ann Marie: I am impressed with Utah women business owners because, collectively, they are more successful than they know. I love looking at the annual rankings from American Express OPEN Report because it shows where Utah women soar! Utah women business owners rank #7 in the US in "economic clout", which is a combination of the number of companies that are majority owned by women, number of people employed, and the money they earn. Utah women business owners are innovative, hardworking, and better at it than most other women in our country! UMLFL: Tell us about Foodtrepreneur. What made you start this rad event? Ann Marie: The Foodtrepreneur Festival started to "educate & celebrate" food products and the business owners behind them. A few years ago, Rachel Hofstetter, former food editor of Oprah Magazine, moved to Utah from New York and wanted to start something with WBCUtah. Together we came up with and named the Foodtrepreneur Festival. The festival includes a panel to learn from successful food product entrepreneurs and then a showcase of local Utah food products. The first year brought 500 attendees! What I love about the event – it is not only a great atmosphere, which includes live musical entertainment a cash bar, but it also requires the business owners to be present so that participants can talk to them about their food product business, how they got started, and any tips they are willing to share. UMLF: Do you have any events coming up that you would like us to share? Ann Marie: Yes, we have two upcoming events: WBCUtah "Meet the New Team" and the 2018 Appreciation Breakfast: WBCUtah "Meet the New Team" Tuesday, October 2, 2018, 2pm - 4pm We have a whole new team serving Utah women business owners and we are providing an opportunity to meet them all and have a bite to eat. We feel collaboration is the best way to serve more Utah women, so we likewise want our team to meet those in the community that we can support. WBCUtah 2018 Appreciation Breakfast Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 8am - 9:30am We are providing a hot breakfast with a chance to say "Thank You!" to our clients, partners, supporters, and volunteers for their help in accomplishing the WBCUtah's mission to help women build confidence, create opportunities and experience success. The 2018 WBCUtah Annual Report will be shared along with highlights of accomplishments of the center and some of its clients. UMLF: And for fun, you’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why? Ann Marie: Azure Blue. Because I love the letter "z" and because it's the "color of the sky on a clear day". :) To learn more about the Women's Business Center of Utah and to stay caught up on all the action visit http://wbcutah.com/ and give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram.
On Friday September 7th we transformed our parking lot for our annual shindig. The occasion? A night of food, fun and festivities to honor our financial and resource partners throughout Utah. It’s no secret that our state is ripe for budding entrepreneurs and the numbers don’t lie. According to the Small Business Administration, 96.7% of businesses in Utah are small businesses. Utah also won America’s Top State for Business in 2016 by CNBC. So what does this have to do with a Friday night party at the UMLF? We know it takes a village to support and grow emerging businesses in Utah and we can’t do it alone. With an amazing network of partners we can meet existing demand for resources and time required by new and growing companies. Whether they need help with business plans, cash flow statements, counseling, mentorship, funding options or an ongoing network, we know our Utah partner organizations are up to the task of helping all small business owners succeed.
Invitees included our esteemed partners such as the Salt Lake Chamber, the Women's Business Center, SCORE Miller Business Incubator, Suazo Center For Entrepreneurship, Dixie State Business Resource Center Southern Utah, University Business Resource Center, Utah Valley University Business Resource Center, Box Elder County Business Resource Center, Sustainable Startups, Investable, Salt Lake County Economic Development and Westminster College to name a few. So with everyone invited, what is a party without good food and entertainment? While there are many amazing companies in Utah to choose from, we were able to pull from our own network of amazing clients for the job. Dashing Events provided the styling and event rentals key to any successful event. Need to make a parking lot look good? Liz is your girl! (In addition to our office manager, Andi! Since our theme was New Orleans we knew we needed excellent food and music to do it proud. While listening to the tunes of David Halliday Music, guests were able to fill up a plate of gourmet soul food from Casual Cuisine and then top off their meal with a fresh crepe from French eatery Monsieur Crepes. Lastly, attendees could get their photo taken by the owner of Snap Shop Photo, get a mini massage from Mountainside Spa, sample tasty BBQ from Big Daddy Hill’s BBQ, pine over Stone Mountain Designs and peruse Everything Utah’s awesome local-themed gifts. Not bad for a work party if we do say so ourselves! We would like to extend a big, big thank you to everyone who came to our event and to those who were there in spirit! Helping entrepreneurs grow their business is no easy feat and we sincerely appreciate the year-round support and hard work of all of our partners and are excited to keep working together for years to come. Also big thanks to our clients who helped us make the party a HUGE success. Lastly thank you to our financial partners who make all of our work possible: Zions Bank, Medallion Bank, Bank of the West, JP Morgan Chase, Synchrony Bank, Key Bank, UBS, American Express, First National Bank, First Utah Bank, Washington Federal, Ally, Merrick Bank, Wells Fargo, Bank of Utah, Bank of American Fork, Mountain West Small Business Finance and Banner Bank. Until next year, cheers!
Thinking about re-branding your small business? It may be a good time to look at some new fonts and eye catching designs! You only have one chance to make a first impression...what does your logo, font, and icon say about you or your business? Is your color theme out of date? Do you LOVE it? Ask your customers! Do they LOVE it? If not, it may be time to re-brand!
Logo Fonts and Colors Changing your logo, profile, and/or icon can be intimidating at first, but is a great way to keep your currents customers engaged in your product/service and attract new ones to your business. Trends for 2018 include keeping Logo fonts clean and simple. Colors can be tricky to choose, but sites like Logo Lounge can help. In a recent article Bill Gardner shared, "Colors are merging and blending, and gradients are now part of our color dialogue. A lot of this has to do with apps like Instagram—which, in fact, has a gradation as part of its logo. " Sticking with one color can be a good way to keep consistency, but adding a color gradient may just what you need to catch a customer's attention. Watching big brands like Instagram, Arby's, and Red Robin change their logos can be very insightful. They spend large amounts of money on A/B testing to find out which font styles and logo designs resonate with their customers. Scrappy entrepreneurs can save time and money and just learn by watching and applying what they do. Where do I start? If you are seriously considering a rebrand, start with researching popular brands in your industry. Find 3 or 4 you really love, copy them, and play around with them in photoshop. You can also DIY a new logo on site like www.canva.com (one of our favorite go-to's for inspiration and easy design help) or if it is in your budget you can hire a local designer like Highlo Designs (our new favorite designer out of Park City!) Print some fake business cards on your computer with a logo design you might like. See how it looks and feels to you. Does it tell your business story? Does it make customer trust your brand? Evoke emotion? Connect? Stay True Whatever you decide to do, be sure to stay true to your business vision and mission. Let your logo reflect the passion you have for your business and your drive to give your customers the best experience working with you. Photo Credit & Feature to Highlo Designs, Park City, Utah. Have you ever had an idea for a business? Almost daily we have individuals come into the Utah Microloan Fund and ask us if we think they have a good business idea. Do you want to know what we tell them?
These are just a few questions to consider when thinking about starting a business. We also encourage you to reach out beyond friends and family for feedback on your business. Creating and distributing a google form survey on Facebook, creating a focus group, or connecting with business owners already in your industry will also give you a good idea of whether or not you have a good business idea. At the end of the day be sure you do your homework when starting a business. Make sure it is worth your time and energy! Although running a small business can be an exciting adventure, it takes a lot of hard work. Are you ready?! -Emily Ashby, Small Business & Nonprofit Consultant Start your year off with a strong accounting system!There are many resources out there for small businesses to keep their books so its easier than ever to keep your finances on track. If QuickBooks is not working for you, we've compiled several online services that we've heard good things about!
 BUILD YOUR FACEBOOK FOLLOWING
Start the new year off by building your business Facebook page! Invite your current followers to
Happy New Year! Blog Post by Emily Ashby Small Business Owner & Training and Marketing Manager at the Utah Microloan Fund. |
