Utah Business

In 2012, Snap Finance was born, providing point-of-sale (POS) lease-to-own financing to millions of consumers who couldn’t qualify for traditional financing. It filled a need that was even larger than I expected. Today, we partner with more than 50,000 merchants nationwide, attracting over 1 million new customers annually. Learn more in this week's edition of the Founder Series: https://lnkd.in/gEbJ_gSh Matt Hawkins

Did you attend the VIP Afterparty with Hannah and Daniel Neeleman of Ballerina Farm at the end of Utah Business Forward? Find your photos here! https://lnkd.in/gqsajMtB ??: Melissa Majchrzak Thank you to Presenting Sponsor Dentons and VIP Event Sponsor PACS. We'd also like to thank Hannah and Daniel for spending some of their evening with us! ?? #UtahBusinessForward

This holiday season, we’ve done the legwork for you! Our carefully curated guide showcases a wide array of locally crafted treasures that are sure to delight. Whether you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer, a unique gift for a coworker, essential travel accessories or treats for your favorite foodie, we hope you’ll choose to shop local this holiday season. ??: https://lnkd.in/g7UNJiWS ??: Melanie Paris Jones, Mekenna Malan and Beth Taylor

Are you: 1. Somebody who wasn't able to attend this year's Utah Business Forward who would like to attend in 2025? 2. Somebody who attended this year's Utah Business who would like to purchase tickets for 2025? Read this post ?? then purchase your Utah Business Forward 2025 tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gH8Biq3Y #UtahBusinessForward

November Editor’s Letter ?? Unwrap Utah’s best for the holidays The building is nondescript: a flat-roofed rectangle among other flat-roofed rectangles in a South Salt Lake industrial park. From the outside, it could be any one of a number of Utah businesses I’ve visited in the last year — a machine shop, a home goods importer, a photographer, a golf cart retailer. Inside, a couple of hurried but not unfriendly team members bustle about a small, immaculate entryway. The warm, rugged scent of leather hangs thickly in the air. Through a doorway ahead of me, I catch a glimpse of boots — dozens of them — lined up neatly on racks. Weston Kay greets me from his desk. He is the founder of Rose Anvil, which creates artisan goods locally with leather from U.S. tanneries. During the pandemic, sales of Rose Anvil’s signature camera harnesses plummeted; Kay pivoted to a YouTube strategy that has resulted in millions of views and positioned Rose Anvil as “one of the go-to authorities on leather footwear.” We’re featuring their Bandit camera harness in our holiday gift guide and need a sample to photograph. Kay says that when we’re done with it, we can include it in our Sub for Santa auction. “Whatever we can do to help,” he says. This month, we’re spotlighting Utah’s giftable products just in time for the holidays. In this issue, you’ll find ways to shop local for everyone on your gifting list, from homebodies to gearheads and foodies to outdoor enthusiasts. Check out our gift guide on page 12 and comment on our social posts with items we may have missed. As usual, we are all-in on Utah. Also in this issue, Jenny Rollins explores the evolution of the modern mall, and assistant editor Beth Taylor introduces us to the work of San Juan County’s Native American artists. We also review four entrepreneurship lessons from Sherrita Magalde, founder and CEO of Sheer Ambrosia Bakery, who joined editor Mekenna Malan on stage for Founder Friday. Learn whether Etsy is still a useful channel for smaller Utah businesses in a Q&A with Judd Bagley. Additionally, don’t miss this month’s award winners — the 20 In Their 20s and Green Business honorees — who inspire us with their energy (both figuratively and literally) and vision for the future. We’re proud to share stories of perseverance and creativity, from artisans crafting beautiful goods to entrepreneurs reinventing the retail experience. Whether you’re shopping for gifts or seeking inspiration from those leading the way in our business community, we hope this issue encourages you to explore and support our local economy. Thank you for reading, Melanie Paris Jones

"If you're not willing to adapt, good luck to you." - Karalynne Call #UtahBusinessForward

"We need to take control of situations in our life by deliberately pouring the source of our abilities, the salt of our soul or our best self, into a personal navigation system." - Lyn Christian #UtahBusinessForward

"During negotiations, don't be afraid to take a break, step back, ask for a break. Do what is right for you in the moment. Question a deadline that feels rushed." - Nicolas Wenker #UtahBusinessForward

"While scaling, be intentional about how to protect your business that you've built." - Nicole Tanner #UtahBusinessForward

"Is the happiness of others your business? I'm going to say no. That's not your business. Connection is." - Julie Lee #UtahBusinessForward