THE BEST AT STARTING BUSINESSES

Utah is the most entrepreneurial state in the country, as found by a 2020 Seek Capital study. The study looked at factors like the growth of the working-age population, employment rates, business tax climate, cost of living and business survival rates. Utah-bred businesses of note that have grown from cool local startups:

The outdoor gear and apparel retailer, Backcountry.com, began as a passion project in a Park City garage, offering hard-to-find outdoor gear. Today, it has become a trusted online destination, providing adventurers with a wide range of high-quality products to fuel their outdoor pursuits.

Blue Boutique started as a small lingerie store in Salt Lake City. Over the years, it evolved into a sophisticated and inclusive shop, offering a diverse range of adult products, while fostering a welcoming and empowering atmosphere for customers to… explore. blueboutique.com

Entrepreneur Jeremy Andrus has left an indelible mark on the business world with his ventures. As CEO of Utah-based Skullcandy, he led the audio brand's expansion into global markets, revolutionizing the headphone industry. He then revitalized Traeger, the iconic wood-fired grill company, propelling it to new heights. traeger.com

Familyfriendly

Best Adventures for Kids

Utah is the fastest growing state because we’re the best at having kids, but it takes a little extra planning if you’re traveling with the whole family. Parent and adventure blogger Stephanie Reed of Salt Project (saltproject.co) has some tips for getting kids excited about outdoor adventures:

Keep it short and sweet. Reed has a list of 88 Utah hikes for young kids on Salt Project (saltproject.co). “These are tried and true favorites from our own family and, yes, age 5 or younger did every one,” says Reed. Make it fun for everyone. Pack a special treat or go grab ice cream after. Stay close to home. Living in Utah, you don’t have to go far for adventure. There is so much to do and see right here in our own backyard. Make it a priority. “Your kids are only young once and they don’t need any more toys,” says Reed. “They just need YOU. Don’t put it off until tomorrow. Go make some memories today.” Need ideas? “This is one of my kids’ favorite adventures,” says Reed, pointing to a packed weekend with the kiddos through Southern Utah. “This is a great adventure for ages 10-plus, but littles can definitely join in the fun with some assistance and encouragement.” The adventure includes:

• Visiting the Saturday Market at Tuacahn (tuacahn.org)

• Mural-hunting and lunch at Tacos Plaza in St. George (tacosplazaofficial.com)

• Hiking Red Reef trail in Red Cliffs and Petrified Dunes Trail in Snow Canyon

• Post-hike treat at Berries-nCream in St. George (berriesncream.com)

• A guided UTV tour through Sand Hollow

• Grabbing a slice at Riggatti’s Pizza in St. George (riggattis. com) and Centro Woodfired Pizza in Cedar City (centropizzeria.com)