Southern Utah Business Magazine (Summer 2022)

INTRODUCING THE 2022 ELEMENT AWARD HONOREES TALENT CLUSTERING SUMMER 2022

Is the Solution to Southern Utah’s Brain Drain

THE ST. GEORGE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Elevating Local Business and the Community

STAYING ONE STEP AHEAD OF CHANGE

Chamber CEO Don Willie Strives to Honor Tradition While Championing Innovation Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 1

2 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

G A M E CHAN G ER

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 3

From the Editor The St. George area was recently crowned the #1 Fastest Growing Metropolitan in the county! Growth is great, but what’s more important is how we manage that growth.

In fact, more important than being #1 is being #2. Yes, you read that right. The St. George Metropolitan Statistical Area (technical term for Washington County) was just announced the #2 best performing small city in the nation. Don’t get me wrong. I’d love to see us in the #1 spot, and I’m confident we’ll get there, but we’re up from our fourth place finish last year. That jump is largely due to our emerging tech and startup scene in St. George. It means that our economy is growing, but more importantly, it’s diversifying. Economic diversity doesn’t happen overnight though. It happens over decades of work. It happens because visionary (and sometimes disruptive) entrepreneurs work alongside bold (and sometimes disruptive) elected officials.

As our community evolves, we need to welcome and celebrate disruptors. Over the last twelve months, we’ve witnessed tremendous strides in smart growth as a community. But that has come with increasingly concerning anti-growth rhetoric.

We recognize the impact of growth in our community and the pressure it causes.

The St. George area today is not what it was twenty years ago. But twenty years ago, it wasn’t what it was forty or sixty years before that.

This evolution is exciting. It’s good! It’s the right path and the right trajectory.

Everyone has a role to play as our community grows and evolves. We invite you to be a part of the conversation. Contribute to our bright future and be a champion for change.

Together we thrive Sincerely,

Don Willie President and CEO, St. George Area Chamber of Commerce

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH

For information on advertising, distribution locations, or any other inquires, please email or visit our website

stgeorgechamber.com Publications@stgeorgechamber.com 4 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Spring 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 5

Contents

FEATURES Talent Clustering Is the Solution

to Southern Utah’s Brain Drain �������������� 10

10

So You Wanna Be a Rock Star?. ���������� 14 The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce: Elevating Local Business and the Community ��������������������������� 18 Introducing the 2022 Element Award Honorees �������������������������������� 23 Staying One Step Ahead of Change: Chamber CEO Don Willie Strives to Honor Tradition While Championing Innovation �������������������� 32 Capturing the Important Evolution of Business Communication Technology �� 36 Attract Talent with College Savings as a Benefit ���������������������������������������� 39 Paving the Way for the Next Generation of Women ������������������������ 40

14

23

The State of the Real Estate Market in Southern Utah and Beyond ������������� 42 The Economic Impact of Home Building ����������������������������������� 46 The Mission Behind Utah Tech University ���������������������������������� 48 President Kelle Stephens: Future Focused ��������������������������������� 52

46

48

Startup Grind: Supercharging the St. George Area Startup Scene ���������� 54 Junior Achievement of Utah �������������� 60 The Six Stages of Business Growth ���� 64 Solutions for Your Employee Turnover Crisis ������������������ 68 Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New Staff ���������������������������� 71

54

60

Marketing to Your Target Audience ��� 72

COLUMNS From the Editor ������������������������������������� 4 Atwood Innovation Plaza Spotlight: beatBread ������������������������� 59 Eagle Gate NPO Highlight: Habitat for Humanity ������������������������� 63

A publication of the The publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of the articles or advertisements in Southern Utah Business Magazine. The information contained within has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on this material. Appropriate professional advice should be sought before making personal, professional, or financial decisions. Outside of our staff authors, articles written by providers or professionals are invited authors and represent the opinions of that particular individual, business, group or organization. If an article is a paid advertisement, we will place the word “Advertisement” or “Advertorial” to identify it as such. ©Copyright 2022.

6 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

What’s Happening in Southern Utah ����� 74 New Chamber Members and Renewals ������������������������������������ 76 Calendar of Events ����������������������������� 80 Cover photo of Element Award recipients Dr. Tasha Toy, Lindsey Boyer, and Terri Draper

by Benjamin Braten.

Every project begins with you Understanding your business Overcoming challenges Reaching goals

435.359.1057 www.c-tsolutions.com

Contributors Publisher: St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Managing Editor: Don Willie | don@stgeorgechamber.com Director of Operations, Copy and Design Editor: Diane Del Toro | diane@stgeorgechamber.com Artistic Designer: Doug Conboy, Raised Brow Productions raisedbrow@roadrunner.com Photographer: Ben Braten | benbraten@gmail.com

SECTION SPONSORS Business Technology: CT Solutions | www.c-tsolutions.com Construction: Southern Utah Home Builders Association www.suhba.com Entrepreneurs: Atwood Innovation Plaza https://innovation.dixie.edu Legal: Kirton McConkie | www.kmclaw.com Residential Real Estate: Summit Sotheby’s International Realty www.summitsothebysrealty.com What’s Happening in Southern Utah: Eagle Gate Title Insurance Agency www.eaglegatetitle.com Women in Business: Stapley Pharmacy www.stapleypharmacy.com

Southern Utah Business Magazine is published quarterly by the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce.

Southern Utah Business Magazine 136 North 100 East St. George, UT 84770

(Photo of Element Award recipient Alissa Urzi by Benjamin Braten)

8 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

www.flySGU.com

SLC

DEN

PHX

www.delta.com

www.united.com

www.aa.com

Salt Lake City

Denver

Phoenix

Launch your career by joining our SkyWest team!

Summer 2022 www.skywest.com/careers

:: Southern Utah Business Magazine 9

Talent Clustering Is the Solution to Southern Utah’s Brain Drain

By Brad Plothow

Y

ears ago, I was attending an expo event and noticed that I was unconsciously attracted to the booths with the most people gathered around. It seemed counterintuitive since I don’t like crowds, and the busy booths felt chaotic. Still, something about a gathering whispers that “the good stuff is here.”

Expo crowds are a microcosm of an economic concept called “clustering.” When more people clamor around a particular booth, the vendor makes more money and exposes his products to more people, which leads to network effects that further increase brand awareness and sales.

To borrow a business cliche, clustering creates a flywheel.

There is a lesson here for southern Utah’s next chapter of economic and business growth. If you can create an environment that consistently attracts talented people and incentivizes them to collaborate, it will create a ton of economic benefit for everyone. Of course, a fixation on masses of people misses the point. You need a mix of the right skills and experiences to create a “talent cluster.”

10 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

What Is a Talent Cluster?

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a preexisting trend toward hybrid work arrangements for professionals in knowledge fields. But even in a world of remote work, there is power in proximity.

This power is reflected in a body of research and policy recommendations from the Brookings Institution. In a 2017 report, authors Martin Neil Baily and Nicholas Montalbano analyzed the benefits of “clusters and innovation districts” in California’s Silicon Valley, North Carolina’s Research Triangle, and other urban and regional clusters, which they define as “geographic concentrations of interconnected businesses, suppliers, and associated institutions.”

In other words, clusters and innovation districts are places where a bunch of people, companies, and institutions gather and throw gas on the economic fire.

Imagine this concept, but instead of firms and universities, it is just a bunch of talented people congregating in a region.

What happens when people with the right mix of skills, experiences, and resources gather in the same geographic place? You get a talent cluster that generates immense creative and economic energy.

Why Southern Utah?

I graduated from Pine View High School in 2000, left for college, and then couldn’t find a professional path back to the red rocks of my formative years for two decades. My story is all too common; southern Utah has historically exported young people whose chosen career isn’t in real estate, hospitality, healthcare, or similar legacy industries.

This intergenerational brain drain hasn’t stopped people from moving in. On the contrary, Washington County has experienced some of the most robust in-migration in all of Utah, with 41 percent gains in population since 2010. The cinnamon sands of St. George and its surrounding cities are simmering, so to speak.

Talent is the greatest economic force on the planet. Let’s attract more than our fair share to our beautiful vistas, with faith in a better tomorrow and without misplaced fear.

The problem is that too few people are moving in because their careers brought them here. St. George is still a hotbed for snowbirds and retirees, and decades of emphasis on resort town amenities have only increased relocation by folks who made their money elsewhere. In recent years, anecdotes suggest more remote workers have been putting down roots in our pristine basin as well. These are positive trends, but we also need to proactively attract a diverse community of highly skilled and experienced professionals who want to work and build in our communities.

In-migration doesn’t necessarily lead to talent clustering, but it can provide the raw ingredients. Interior designers sometimes talk about “activating” a space: creating a catalyst for people to use it for its intended purpose.

Similarly, we need a catalyst to activate our growing talent pool—to get smart, creative, and accomplished people connecting and collaborating.

Continued on Page 12

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 11

Continued from Page 11

Beacon on a Hill The catalyst to activate southern Utah as a talent cluster is already coming together. The Tech Ridge development is more than a commercial real estate project. It’s an opportunity to pack proverbial metric tons of talented people into a defined physical area and watch the creative energy explode.

Tech isn’t the only sector of importance to Washington County, but it’s the most expedient opportunity to create new industries, expand high-paying career opportunities, support startup companies, attract talented workers, and provide a path for homegrown talent to stay. That’s the blueprint for building a talent cluster.

We need the community’s enthusiastic support for Tech Ridge and similar efforts to encourage emerging industries and startups, attract regional offices from established tech players, and incentivize career growth in southern Utah. We also need to embrace both our homegrown and transplanted professionals while ensuring that our community is a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds.

The Perils of Provincialism For all its beauty and virtue, southern Utah sometimes is reluctant to accept “outsiders.” It’s a natural human response to protect and preserve something we love, especially if we feel we’ve had a hand in creating it.

That said, provincialism is self-defeating. Change is inevitable, and it’s neither good nor bad.

It just is. We have an opportunity to shape the change we want, to guide it toward a goal that brings greater prosperity for all.

We must embrace the virtues of a more eclectic and diverse community because talent clusters can’t emerge without it. A decade ago, economists Quamrul Ashraf of Williams College and Oded Galor of Brown University published a seminal study about the link between diversity and economic prosperity. As Bloomberg’s Richard Florida wrote in summarizing their research, “diversity spurs economic development, and homogeneity slows it down.”

Diversity doesn’t just refer to race, ethnicity, and culture. It also refers to professional experience. Years ago, I worked for a tech company with headquarters in San Francisco and a large office in Lehi, Utah. I joined as the vice president of marketing and reported directly to the CEO. Then after a few years, the CEO hired a vice president of growth and a COO, splitting my responsibilities with the former and shifting my reporting line into the latter.

The changes reflected the company’s growth and the fact that my skills and experience were highly valued but insufficient for where the firm was going. My confidence and ego were hurt because I thought I could do it all and was smart enough to figure out the parts I didn’t know.

Brad Plothow is Chief Growth Officer at Intergalactic, a St. George startup serving the defense aerospace, civil aviation, and commercial space sectors. He has spent the last decade helping tech companies grow in Silicon Slopes, Silicon Valley, and beyond.

I was wrong to assume ambition and will are replacements for experience, but thankfully, I eventually adapted instead of digging in. Looking back, my years working under that COO and alongside that vice president of growth were the most valuable of my career. They each had skills and experience that I did not, and I learned far more from them than I could have learned trying to figure everything out myself. I realize now that I didn’t know what I didn’t know, and I’m better now on account of that precious time of concentrated learning.

Northern Utah’s Silicon Slopes went through a similar experience years ago, when the likes of Qualtrics, Domo, Instructure, Pluralsight, and others rose to prominence, took massive amounts of venture capital, and moved toward big exits. They all had talented Utah workers on their payrolls, but they also recruited people from other markets who’d already helped tech companies grow and IPO. Initially, this blend of outsiders and true-blue Utahns was met with resentment by the latter. Over time, the wisdom of blending “smart people figuring it out” with “been there and done that” became clear.

Talent is the greatest economic force on the planet. Let’s attract more than our fair share to our beautiful vistas, with faith in a better tomorrow and without misplaced fear.

12 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

T PROV I DE

R

RI

✪

DAY

TE

IN S

T

1Gig

GO

LD WINNE

R,

BE

Dedicated Fiber up to 10Gig

AL

I

✪

SK

✪ AL

✪R

up to

FREE TRI SK

60

RNE

Speeds

I FREE TR

+ years in Business

NEXT LEVEL BUSINESS INTERNET Switch to Southern Utah’s Best Internet Provider!

1-888-441-2875 | HelloTDS.com/business 60-Day Money Back Guarantee Offer: If you are not completely satisfied with your TDS experience within the first 60 days, TDS will give you your money back for services billed within the 60-day window. Customer must provide notice of disconnection prior to 60 days after installation and request the “Money Back Offer” at time of disconnection. Pay-per-view charges, international calling charges and charges for unreturned equipment will not be refunded. Please allow 6-8 weeks for refund delivery. Offer cannot be utilized multiple times.

High-Speed Internet: Availability varies and speeds shown may not be available at all service addresses. Certain speeds are only offered in areas served by TDS Fiber. Speed ranges shown are expressed as “up to” to represent network capabilities between customer location and the TDS network. Most customers can expect to receive a stable speed within the range of the product purchased as allowed by the quality and capability of the connection; however, actual speeds experienced by customers vary and are not guaranteed. Some customers may receive lower than the indicated speed range. Speeds vary due to various factors, including but not limited to: distance from switching locations, network equipment, delivery technology, and external/internal network conditions. Speed tests may produce inconsistent results due to various factors, including the speed test program or website used, the number of devices connected to the customer’s modem and whether the speed test is conducted over Wi-Fi. Customers that are not receiving the indicated speeds may cancel their service or downgrade to a lower-speed service without any termination or switching charges. Otherwise, a $15 service charge will apply to existing customers who switch plans without increasing speed or adding qualifying service. Additional equipment may be required and charges may apply. In order to maximize Internet speeds above 100Mbps, a compatible network interface card is required. Delinquent accounts may lose service. Certain services not available in all areas. Price may vary by serving area and is subject to change without notice. TDS® is a registered trademark of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Copyright © 2022, TDS Telecommunications LLC, All Rights Reserved.

206577/1-22/12544

BUSINESS INSURANCE AGENCY, INC

Commercial General Liability Employee Benefits Workers Comp Commercial Auto Renters Home Personal Auto Life www.StGeorgeInsuranceAgency.com 157 E Riverside Drive #2A St. George, UT 84790 | Mon-Thurs 9am- 5pm/Fridays 9am -4 pm | 435-628-8738 Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 13

So You Wanna Be a Rock Star?

A Business Primer for Wannabe Rock Stars

By Matthew Pruitt

U

tah has been a wellspring of musical talent in recent years.

Such bands as The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Neon Trees, David Archuleta, Lindsey Stirling, Panic! At the Disco, The Used, and Meg & Dia all have roots of some type in Utah. In northern Utah, the music venue Velour has become a mainstay in the community as a place to develop great talent. Here in southern Utah, the scene grew with Jazzy’s Rock N Roll Grill, and while that has since closed, other venues have stepped up to take its place.

Having worked closely with several of the aforementioned artists, I’m often asked what it takes to make it in the industry. Making it in the music industry is much like making it in any other business: you need a quality product, a solid team, good marketing, and good business fundamentals.

All too often, musicians buckle down on perfecting their craft while forgetting the rest. An established artist may have the freedom to do that, but for an artist starting out, close attention needs to be paid to every aspect of the business. That said, having a quality product is the most critical aspect of them all. If you open a restaurant and the food is not good, no one is going to eat at your restaurant. In the same way, if your music isn’t any good, no one is going to listen to it.

Artists need to understand, though, that not all good music is marketable.

Artists should conduct a market analysis related to their music and have reasonable expectations for the market size. True artists might scoff at being marketable, but they should think of marketing as finding the people who love their music and learning how to communicate with them. You wouldn’t take a hard-rock or hip-hop tour to senior care homes. Find your market, learn what they want to hear, then craft your art and messaging to better appeal to them. Don’t be afraid to let your music evolve. Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons wrote acoustic singersongwriter music and even dabbled in hip hop before forming Imagine Dragons and developing their sound.

Artists are often too concerned with how to get a record deal, but not all music needs a record deal. I have helped many clients who have been able to make good livings having their self-produced music sold to film and TV by indie publishers. Making a living in music no longer requires a major label and widespread fame.

Continued on Page 16

Legal Section Sponsored By 14 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 15

“

Making it in the music industry is much like making it in any other business: you need a quality product, a solid team, good marketing, and good business fundamentals.

“

Mr. Pruitt is an attorney in Kirton McConkie’s St. George office. He provides representation for business and entertainment clients and assists them with contracts, negotiations, corporate governance, formation, strategic planning, compliance, and litigation. Contact him at mpruitt@kmclaw.com.

Continued from Page 14 If you’re focused on the mainstream, work on marketing yourself first, and then the record labels will come to you. As an agent at one of Imagine Dragons’ early booking agencies, the Hungry Tiger Agency, I watched them develop their sound and then build their audience step by step, starting first in northern Utah before expanding into nearby regions, such as Las Vegas and California. If you can pack shows locally and regionally, the industry will take notice. Southern Utah is a prime geographic location for building and branching out into nearby markets, such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City. If you can generate significant buzz in each of those markets, the labels and publishers will find you.

When it comes to building a good team, an artist typically needs an agent, a manager, and a lawyer. As the artist’s business grows, that team will grow and will often include a tour manager, business manager, record label representatives, publishers, and others. An early artist may self-manage, self-book, and self-lawyer, but the artist will typically be better off with a team. Some artists may choose relatives or friends to handle these positions, but eventually an artist will be better off finding a well-networked team that knows the industry and can help make introductions.

Oftentimes, it’s advisable that an artist obtain a lawyer before anyone else, as the artist will need help forming contracts with the agent and manager.

Some agent and manager relationships can begin informally and be memorialized later, but getting key terms out of the way from the beginning can help reduce tension and eliminate future problems. Artists should look to limit the term, or timeframe, of initial contracts with agents and managers so the artist can back out of the relationship if it’s not working out. The Killers experienced an issue like this when a prior manager sued them for early termination of their agreement when they found him to be unresponsive and ineffective as a manager.

In addition to management and agency agreements, artists are destined to encounter a large breadth of agreements during their careers, including production agreements, publishing agreements, licensing agreements, recording agreements, band partnership agreements, co-writer agreements, songwriting agreements, name and likeness releases, venue agreements, and others. Getting each of these right is critical to the overall success of an artist’s career. Many great musical artists have had fantastic music stymied by failed contracts resulting in their music never seeing the light of day.

So if you want to be a rock star, perfect your craft, build your following, and then get yourself a rock star team that includes experienced legal counsel.

If you build it, they (the record labels and publishers) will come.

Mr. Pruitt is licensed in Nevada and is currently pursuing licensure in Utah.

16 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Your Health is Our Priority Full Service Compounding Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Women's Supplements

LET STAPLEY PHARMACY HELP YOU GET HEALTHY.

Picture Perfect Windows & Paint for Every View in the House

Voted Best Window Company 2021 & 2022 Voted Best Paint Company 2022

Thank You St. George - 122 South 1200 East - 435.673.9644 - jonespg.com When you hear the CRASH…Think Jones Paint & Glass 22-04 Southern Utah Business Mag Ad JPG.indd 1

4/9/22 4:39 PM

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 17

The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce:

Elevating Local Business and the Community By the Executive Committee of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce

Back row from left to right: Kyle Case, Chair; Shonie Christensen, Vice Chair; Don Willie, President and CEO. Front row from left to right: Annie Howell, Secretary/Treasurer; Rebecca Box, Past Chair.

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Braten

18 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

The first chamber of commerce was founded in 1599 in Marseille, France, primarily as a defensive tactic for traders, who banded together for protection against common enemies and established best practices when it came to trading goods. The first chamber in the United States was established in 1768 in New York as the New York State Chamber.

That was eight years before the Declaration of Independence. Our local chamber got its start in 1926. The idea of a chamber of commerce is certainly not new.

What may be new is the current energy, momentum, and direction of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce. Even in the face of global challenges (think COVID-19, supply chain disruption, and Vladimir Putin), the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce is moving boldly forward into 2022 with a goal to provide unsurpassed member benefits while serving as a hub for business, providing dedicated support to its members, elevating the local economy, and championing community prosperity.

Supporting Our Members One of the most visible, accessible, and most enduring benefits to members is the Chamber’s weekly luncheon. Over the years, the format has changed and the topics important to businesses have evolved, but the opportunity to get together regularly with other community leaders and business owners to network cannot be undersold.

Currently, the luncheon calendar designates the first week of each month as an opportunity to meet the newest chamber members. Week two is scheduled for community updates. The third week of the month focuses on learning skills that can enhance your business, and week four provides an opportunity to meet other chamber members where they do business. If it’s been a while since you attended a luncheon, maybe it’s time to check it out again.

Even if you can’t make the lunches as often as you’d like, the Chamber’s website has a mountain of training videos and other resources that you can access to help you in your business. And there is so much more the Chamber offers: the Young Professionals program, legislative bill tracking, government advocacy, an annual trip to Washington D.C. to see our representative government in action, and more.

If you are looking for exposure to new customers, the Chamber’s Southern Utah Business Magazine, the annual Area Guide, and many social media opportunities get you in front of people who need your goods and services.

Continued on Page 20 Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 19

Continued from Page 19

Chamber Sponsored Events Elevating the Local Economy Have you heard of the RISE St. George Business Summit? This is an annual business conference that is going places. Even in the midst of COVID-19 protocols, last year’s event brought hundreds of business leaders together from around the state. This one-day event was filled with influential speakers from innovative companies like Walker Edison, Skywest, Pelion Venture Partners, David Eccles School of Business, Bondir, Colliers, Lovesac, and more. Attendees tuned-in to cutting-edge business solutions aimed at helping owners, managers, and employees run their businesses at the top of their game. And this year is programmed to be even better.

The Chamber hosts the annual State of Business address, which is an accounting of the Chamber’s significant impact on the local community, giving members a bird’s eye view on what’s happening in the community.

Throughout the year, the Chamber holds multiple events that highlight—and even drive— economic prosperity. These include the Element Awards, honoring women in the area who go above and beyond to make an impact on the community, and the 30 in Their Thirties Awards, which recognizes up-and-coming business leaders.

Championing Community Prosperity So much of what happens in our community is related to public policy, and the Chamber is committed to acting as the spokesperson for area businesses in the process of crafting this policy. Much can be accomplished with the unified voice of the business community, something the Chamber is determined to provide. In addition, the Chamber Votes committee takes a very active role in encouraging voter registration and participation in the political process, elevating that voice even more. The Salute to America, an annual event hosted by the Chamber, celebrates American capitalism and the free-market economy.

Speaking of impactful committees, the Chamber Serves committee gives back to the community by hosting a service project every month, providing members with an opportunity to “pay it forward.” From picking up trash along highways and byways to pitching in with donated labor for the latest Habitat for Humanity project, the Chamber builds, beautifies, and makes our area better through service.

None of this could take place without the leadership of the dedicated staff, board of directors, and board of governors, all of whom are committed to elevating the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce as an organization as well as the communities in which our members do business. If you would like to take advantage of all the Chamber has to offer or if you have questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us. We are here to serve you.

20 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Spring 2022

ATTENTION DOWNWINDERS: The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is set to expire on July 11, 2022.

This act provides compensation to “Downwinders,” a term used to describe the more than 60,000 people who were exposed to radioactive fallout in Southern Utah and Eastern Nevada from 1951-58 and July of 1962.

Qualifying downwinders – or spouses and/or children of deceased loved ones – may apply for up to $50,000 in compensation.

For more information about RECA or your eligibility for compensation, call (435) 251-4760.

PRESENTED BY

Visit BestofSouthernUtah.com For Winners & Magazine Pick Up Locations

Activities & Entertainment

Business & Professional Services

Food & Beverage

General Services

Home & Garden

Lifestyle & Beauty

Medical

Schools

Shopping

Vehicles & Services

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 21

S o u t h e r n U ta h ’s P r e m i e r B u s i n e s s a n d E s tat e P l a n n i n g L aw F i r m Business Law and Disputes

Real Estate and Construction Law

Municipal Law and Land Use Planning

Commercial Transactions

Litigation, Mediation, and Appeals

Estate and Tax Planning

435.628.3688 | www.SnowJensen.com | St. George

22 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Cedar City

Kanab

They are movers and shakers, humanitarians, entrepreneurs, and influencers. They are volunteers in our schools, champions for change, mentors to future leaders, political activists, and inventors. These women are in their element, breaking down barriers and demonstrating courage in the face of adversity.

Get to know the women of southern Utah who are leading the way. Introducing the 2022 St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Element Awards honorees.

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Jacqueline Powell, LuAnn Lundquist, Shirlee Draper.

Photography by Benjamin Braten Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 23

J ES SI CA AT KI NS O N Jessica Atkinson is the COO of Hygiene Edge and an assistant professor at Dixie State University. She is a pioneering co-creator of resources for dental hygienists at any stage of their careers. These resources, primarily offered as videos, help dental professionals brush up on, refresh, or learn a tip/trick that can improve their practice. Jessica is proud to have learned from the best in her industry and is invested in sharing what she has learned with the next generation of dental professionals.

What contributions have you made to southern Utah in your personal life?

I have been a “leave no trace” participant in recreation here in southern Utah. While leaving no trace is a motto I live by in recreation, I hope that I have left a positive trace everywhere I go. My home has served as an interim home for those working, schooling, and living in Washington County as they have struggled to find an affordable permanent residence.

What is the best career advice you have received?

My friend and one of the co-owners of Hygiene Edge reminds me often that “done is fun.” This helps me not overthink projects since the first take is usually the best.

NI NA BARNES Nina Barnes is a passionate advocate for higher education and believes that service and volunteerism are critical. She is an adjunct professor teaching identity politics and serves as the vice-chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education, co-chair of the Southern Utah University Presidential Search Committee, and vice-chair of the Utah Federation of Republican Women. Having run a successful real estate business for over thirty years, Nina is an entrepreneur at heart, but she became a community champion when she served two terms on the Cedar City Council. She founded the Cedar City Veteran’s Memorial Park and the community-built Park Discovery. Nina is most proud of her work as a wife and mother—she has five children, a daughter-in-law, and one grandchild—and now resides in St. George with her husband, Keith.

What quote has motivated you to excel?

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier” (Mother Teresa).

Who is a female leader that inspires you?

I am inspired by Gail Miller’s tireless work and generosity in serving, educating, and lifting all Utahns, especially children. If there is a worthwhile initiative or project in Utah, Gail Miller is involved.

24 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

L I ND S EY B O Y ER Lindsey Boyer is the executive director of the Dove Center, which seeks to empower those impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Lindsey began her career with the Division of Child and Family Services, eventually becoming a clinical counselor for the community at large. She is a champion for a better workplace and community, insisting that Dove Center services are available to anyone who needs them with no exceptions. Among her many accomplishments, Lindsey started an evidence-based prevention education program for middle school, high school, and university students. In one year, this program served seventy-three girls in six schools.

What contributions to southern Utah have you made in your professional career?

I have worked hard to promote a better future for our next generation, especially our girls who are growing up to become tomorrow’s women.

I hope my contribution has helped promote a culture of love and respect toward women and girls and a community that depends on women in leadership.

What quote has motivated you to excel?

I live by this one: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” (Helen Keller). I’m inspired by this one as a reminder to be courageous and speak up: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” (Martin Luther King Jr.).

K AT H Y C I ESL EWI CZ Kathy Cieslewicz has been a pillar of the Washington County art community for over twenty-five years. She is currently the director and curator of the Dixie State University (DSU) Sears Art Museum. Kathy has hosted the DSU Business of Art Conference, which empowers artists as entrepreneurs, for ten years. She offers private instruction and has dedicated much of her time to providing art classes to students in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona. In addition to her time in the classroom, Kathy has taken students and local artists on immersive art tours in Europe for the past ten years.

What quote has motivated you to excel?

“As our knowledge is converted to wisdom, the door to opportunity is unlocked” (Barbara W. Winder).

Who is a female leader that inspires you?

In my training to become a certified Montessori teacher, I learned from Maria Montessori (1870-1952) to observe what my students needed and then to provide the environment. I have applied this philosophy as I raised our children, as an art teacher, in my career as the DSU Sears Art Museum director/curator, and in the art community. I am energized by teaching and serving. I also believe one of the most important things we can learn in life is to Learn to Love to Learn.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 25

J U D I T H CO O L EY Judith Cooley is the CEO of JNC Property Management. In addition to operating her own business, she is dedicated to helping veterans and others in need. She has spearheaded the Christmas for Veterans project, which provides gifts for every resident of the Southern Utah Veterans Home–Ivins and beyond. Judith also created the Vietnam Veterans Monument to give veterans the welcome home and “thank you” that they deserved. She attributes much of her community involvement to a former boss who taught her to give back to the community in meaningful ways.

What quote has motivated you to excel?

“All gave some; some gave all” (attributed to Howard William Osterkamp, Korean War veteran and purple heart recipient).

Who is a female leader that inspires you?

My mom taught me to give my best, no matter what. Like her, I do my best when challenged. She also taught me to respect all and to always give a helping hand. Most importantly, she taught me to never give up.

SH I RL EE D R AP ER Shirlee Draper is a force for change. She is a founder of the Short Creek Community Alliance, which facilitated voter education and registration. Her efforts resulted in a fully secular government in Hilldale, Utah, and the election of Hildale’s first female mayor. Since then, Shirlee has been engaged in finding housing solutions and in rebuilding the community with parks, a community center, and a recreation center. She has trained numerous service providers and government agencies in cultural sensitivity and is committed to creating a more accepting, understanding environment for our FLDS neighbors. Shirlee serves as the director of operations for Cherish Families and is a single mother to four amazing humans.

What quote has motivated you to excel?

There are two: “I love when people that have been through hell walk out of the flames carrying buckets of water for those still consumed by the fire” (Stephanie Sparkles); “I said, ‘Somebody should do something about that.’ Then I realized, I am somebody” (Lily Tomlin).

What is a personal accomplishment for which you are proud?

One of my biggest achievements is the health and vitality of my daughter, Angel. She was very fragile and quite disabled and is now thriving. It was a lot of work, but she is the light and heart of our family, and I’m grateful for her every day.

26 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

T ERRI D R AP ER Terri Draper is one of southern Utah’s most respected community leaders. She has directed communications at Intermountain’s St. George Regional Hospital since 1995 and currently oversees marketing and communications for fifteen Intermountain hospitals across Utah. Her greatest joy at work comes from sharing the inspiring stories of patients who overcome adversity, those who are living well, and the healthcare heroes who help them do both. She was the founding president of the Southern Utah Public Information Officer Association and has served on the Dixie State University School of Business Advisory Board, St. George City Arts Commission, and the Leadership Dixie Board. She and her husband, Brian, are the parents of three children and grandparents of eleven beautiful grandchildren.

What quote has motivated you to excel?

This quote by Lyman Hafen helped me to understand the power of story-telling: “Time is made up of minutes, hours, days, and years. Life is made up of stories.”

Who is a female leader that inspires you?

My great-grandmother Margaret Reese Williams was kind and resilient. In the face of great hardship, she stayed physically, mentally, and spiritually strong. She went to work in the coal mines of Wales at age six and for years, saved the money to come to America. When she was nineteen, she emigrated to Utah and met Grandpa Williams. They had thirteen children. She had a wonderful gift as a midwife, cared for others, and saved the lives of many women and children.

SH ARM ANE G U L L Sharmane Gull has spent her career helping to craft government policy that drives both immediate and long-term positive change. As program director for Washington County, Sharmane secured over $1.3 million for Washington County’s behavioral health and justice system, $225,000 for an intergenerational poverty project, and $3.2 million to build a new crisis care receiving center for Washington County. Her efforts have helped create a more fluid and cost-effective justice system and software integration to share information, enhanced public safety with pretrial supervision, opened access to treatment services, increased court operations, reduced jail population, and lowered the reoffense rate. Sharmane is the mother or two wonderful children who inspire her to live life with purpose.

What quote has motivated you to excel?

“It always seems impossible until it’s done” (Nelson Mandela), Who is a female leader that inspires you?

I look up to my mother. She helped raise her younger siblings as my grandmother, a single mother of ten children, worked as a registered nurse. My mother missed out on a lot of life experiences to sacrifice for her family, including attending school regularly. She nurtured and raised five children of her own, worked tirelessly to graduate from school later on in life, and supported my father throughout his career.

She demonstrated gratitude and a willingness to serve, and she taught me by example that there is more to life than oneself.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 27

LUANN LU ND QU I ST LuAnn Lundquist has been a leader in senior services in the St. George area since 2002. She has served on the Caregiver Advisory Board of the Area Agency on Aging for almost twenty years. She also served as a regional manager and statewide education coordinator for the Utah Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. With the help of her husband, Kurt, and sister, Mitzi Sullivan, LuAnn started a nonprofit to continue services to local seniors. This year, Memory Matters Utah will celebrate ten years providing direct, personal services to meet the needs of local families dealing with the challenges of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Who is the female leader that inspires you?

The female that I look up to the most is my hero mother. She was a child of the Great Depression with an alcoholic father. She was a young wife caring for little ones alone in a house where she had to thaw the pipes every winter morning while her husband served in Burma during WWII. She became well educated through her own means and ran my father’s business. She instilled in me the love of learning and serving.

What quote has motivated you to excel?

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well” (Ralph Waldo Emerson).

J I L L NAY LO R MO RT ENS EN Jill is a fierce and proud Mama Dragon. Over the past five years, her journey of leaning in, listening, and learning to become a better LGBTQ+ advocate and ally has opened the door for many fulfilling opportunities to serve the community. Through her volunteer work as advisory board chair with Encircle St. George, she has connected with numerous beautiful LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. Jill is committed to reducing teen suicide by shining a light on the daily challenges that many gay teens face. She is a freelance graphic artist and a t-shirt designer, and she is a volunteer for Switch Point, Encircle, and the PTA. What quote has motivated you to excel?

“Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others.

Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity” (Perma Chödrön). This serves as a powerful reminder to me that our own struggles can become our greatest strengths.

What is a personal accomplishment for which you are proud?

I’m incredibly proud of the way I have chosen to lead with love in every aspect of my life. If it doesn’t feel warm, true, good, kind, or loving, I want no part of it! Love invites curiosity, encourages honesty and integrity, celebrates authenticity, rewards vulnerability, and deepens relationships.

28 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

D R. J ACQU EL I NE P OWEL L Dr. Jacqueline Powell works to inspire the medical students she teaches at Rocky Vista University (RVU) to be leaders in their community.

Her diverse background gives her a unique perspective and an appreciation of all cultures. Dr. Powell is chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee at RVU, faculty advisor to the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association. and a member of the Vista Charter School Board. She also holds an executive leadership position in the Black Lives Matter Southern Utah Chapter and collaborates throughout the community to support and highlight minority-owned businesses and leaders. Dr. Powell’s greatest accomplishment is raising her “incredibly awesome” teenage son.

What is your advice to women seeking a career in the healthcare field?

Be passionate and follow your dreams; the world of healthcare and academia needs you. Be powerful as you lead with purpose so that you can shatter glass ceilings with ease. Be fearless and unapologetic in advocating for yourself and other women. Be supportive as you help other women in the field find strength in their voice. Be intentional in always remembering that, no matter what you look like or where you come from, you are intelligent enough, innovative enough, and impressive enough to be widely successful and excel beyond measure.

What quote has motivated you to excel?

“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased” (Maya Angelou).

D R. S H A RO N RI CH ENS Dr. Sharon Richens is the founder and CEO of Richens Eye Center, an advanced eye care and surgical center. Since 2001, she and her team of professionals have brought the best ophthalmic technologies to St. George as quickly as possible, raising the standard of care in southern Utah and providing a way for patients to stay in the area for treatment.

She has served as president of the Utah Medical Association and as the Utah delegate to the American Medical Association. Dr. Richens volunteers at the Physicians Free Clinic and mentors premedical students at Dixie State University. Her example has been an inspiration to women and girls in the community.

What is a personal accomplishment for which you are proud?

My husband, David, and I helped Tuacahn High School obtain approvals to host their first international exchange student, Sheena Luy, through the U.S. Youth Exchange Studies program. Later, Sheena returned to St. George and graduated from Dixie State College. We are proud of her and the other exchange students who have graced our family.

Who is a female leader that inspires you?

My mother has a sparkling intellect, a commitment to truth, an incredible work ethic, a sense of humor and curiosity, and a strong commitment to family and friends. She is also an accomplished attorney, but being a mom is a harder job.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 29

D R. TA S H A T O Y Dr. Tasha Toy serves as the assistant vice president and senior diversity and inclusion officer at Dixie State University. She has been a force for diversity and inclusion in Washington County and is a fierce advocate for women, the BIPOC community, and her students. Dr. Toy excels in her field by building momentum for transformative work to occur. She does not seek the spotlight; rather, she works to make sure people around her feel empowered to lead. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she secured a grant to address food disparities for the local community. Through this grant, her team bridged the gap and supported neighbors with fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat during an uncertain time.

Who is a female leader that inspires you?

Ida B. Wells-Barnett is a female leader I admire. She was a prominent journalist, activist, and researcher who lived in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Mrs. Wells-Barnett used her intellect to bring attention to societal issues and made efforts to address them.

She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

What is the best career advice you have received?

“Be brave and take chances! It isn’t like you haven’t been told ‘no’ before.” This advice has allowed me to be comfortable taking calculated risks and voicing my opinion.

K AT H I E T H AY NE Kathie Thayne is a household name in the St. George area. As the former CEO of the Huntsman World Senior Games, she led efforts to grow participation in the games from several hundred to over 10,000 participants. Through her work promoting the games and a healthy lifestyle, many lives were saved through health testing. Kathie has served on the Dixie State College Board of Trustees, St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Hospital Ethics Committee, Leadership Dixie Board, and the Dixie Technical College Board. She also brought the Dickens’ Christmas Festival to southern Utah. Currently, Kathie serves as the vice president of the Huntsman World Senior Games Board of Trustees.

What quote has motivated you to excel?

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body but rather, to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!’” (Hunter S. Thompson).

Who is a female leader that inspires you?

I am inspired by my own mother, Florence Boulton, who was a teacher for over sixty years. For many of those years, she taught special needs children and was even substituting well into her eighties. She never hesitated to help anyone—friend, relative, or complete stranger. Up until my retirement, she sewed every one of the giant butterfly flags used in the opening ceremonies of the games.

30 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

A L I S SA U RZI Alissa Urzi has worked for the St. George Police Department as the victim witness coordinator for the last decade. She has served on several multi-disiplinary teams and coalitions that focus on ending domestic violence and sexual assault and has maintained a positive working relationship with sister city police departments as well as other community partners, including the Dove Center and the Children’s Justice Center. Additionally, she volunteers each year to be a member of the sexual assault response team at Burning Man. Alissa is the proud mother of two amazing boys.

What contributions have you made to southern Utah in your personal life?

I try not to miss an opportunity to serve whether it is helping with suicide prevention, volunteering at one of the many races, supporting local business, or joining a search for a missing person. Anytime I can connect in a meaningful way with others in my community and do something for the greater good, it’s a win in my book.

2022 2022

What is a personal accomplishment for which you are proud?

Since most court hearings are taking place online, I recently created a virtual courtroom in my office. It’s a safe space with good audio and video so victims who may not have the technology skills, computer equipment, or even a safe place to be can attend court hearings.

Without this, many victims would have lost their orders of protection or not had their voices heard in court.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 31

Staying One Step

Ahead of Change Chamber CEO Don Willie Strives to Honor Tradition While Championing Innovation

By David Dudley When St. George Area Chamber of Commerce (SGACC) President and CEO Don Willie was considering a move from Salt Lake City to St. George, Utah, he called Tim Anderson, attorney and shareholder at Kirton McConkie, to ask for advice.

“Tim said that if I took a job in St. George, I better know what my next move after that job would be,” Willie said.

It wasn’t the advice Willie expected. He was being considered for a position as the executive director of the Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Dixie State University (DSU). His experience and background were perfect for the position, but he had spent the better part of the previous decade building a career on the Wasatch Front, first working as a policy analyst and advisor for Governor Gary R. Herbert and then serving as managing director at the World Trade Center Utah.

Still, Willie wondered whether it would be a good move. It was 2018, about two years before he would be invited to apply for the role of President and CEO of the chamber. “I didn’t know it then,” he said, “but everything was falling into place.”

Atwood Innovation Plaza Dr. Kyle Wells, dean of the College of Business, interviewed Willie for the position at DSU. If hired, Willie would need to help secure funding for Atwood Innovation Plaza (AIP), oversee the renovation of the 50,000-square-foot East Elementary School, and then help to establish it as a southern Utah entrepreneurship hub. “We hired Don to do an impossible task,” Wells said. “And when we hired him, we didn’t know the end from the beginning.”

The task seemed impossible, but in the short period of eighteen months, Don secured the funding, renovated the facility, created the state’s largest public maker space, and established programming to support a growing start-up community.

At that time, Sylvia Bradshaw was the director of Sponsored Programs at DSU. Like Wells, she had fond memories of East Elementary School, which opened in 1955. She and Willie collaborated on several applications for federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants. The funds were earmarked for activities and equipment for AIP. The plaza was named for TrueHearing CEO Lindsay Atwood, who donated $750,000 in matching funds to the project. Lindsay passed just days before the facility was dedicated.

Bradshaw said Willie provided energy and momentum to the AIP project when he joined the team, rallying local leaders behind it. “He also ensured that everyone saw the vision,” she said. “He honored the journey of the building, those of us who were working on the project, and the community.”

As an example, Bradshaw described a photo that was taken to commemorate the closeout report for the AIP team. “There are nineteen people in that photo,” she said, “and only one of them is a woman.”

Bradshaw paused there. “Don made sure that I was in that picture because he wanted to ensure that I was recognized for the work I put into that project. He genuinely cares about the people and the community.”

Willie’s work with AIP didn’t stop with the completion of the project. Wells explained that the EDA asked the AIP team to be part of a new university program that would make DSU the primary contact for the region. “We had a very short time to prepare it,” Wells said. “I was skeptical and didn’t think we had time to pursue it. Don put many long hours into a proposal that proved to be successful. We continue to run that program today.”

Continued on Page 34 32 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Photo by Benjamin Braten

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 33

Continued from Page 32

Joining the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce St. George Area Chamber of Commerce COO Brad Buhanan got involved with the organization when he was in branch management at America First Credit Union. In addition to serving on a number of committees for the chamber, including a stint as chairman of the Board of Directors, Buhanan was also on the hiring committee that brought Willie to the chamber. “I’ve always been impressed by his vision,” Buhanan said. “He has a real desire to grow the chamber in a responsible, calculated way, which is important because we are seeing seemingly exponential growth.”

Buhanan pointed out that Willie’s connections to resources across the state have helped with public policy and advocacy on behalf of chamber members. “He has really helped to grow the visibility of the chamber,” Buhanan said. “He is also respectful of the rich tradition of the chamber.”

Tim Anderson, who has practiced law in St. George for forty-four years, agreed with Buhanan’s appraisal. Anderson is the son of Art Anderson, who served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II before moving to St. George. “He was the director of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce from 1975 to 1981,” Anderson said. “I watched dad bridge the gap between local landowners and developers, who didn’t always agree on how things should be done.”

Anderson said that when he received that call from Willie in 2018, he was impressed. “It took a lot of courage for Don to leave northern Utah for St. George,” he said. “When he joined the chamber, I wondered what more could be done. We were already in a good place.”

The Chamber’s Evolution After joining the Chamber, Willie worked to grow its ranks to ensure that it was led by astute local business people and successfully navigated the tensions that sometimes arise when changes are implemented. According to Anderson, staying above the fray is not an easy thing for an outsider in St. George to accomplish. “Some people come here and try to run our lives, but Don didn’t do that,” he explained. “Instead, he made nearly everybody feel welcome, and more importantly, heard. My dad would have been proud.”

Donna MacBean, founder of local nonprofit Neighborhood Connection, said that she appreciates Willie’s attention to chamber members and his leadership style. “He makes everyone feel as though they matter,” MacBean said. “We feed over 800 kids who may not otherwise have food each weekend.

Don’s work, especially where networking is concerned, has really helped us to serve more families.”

Back to The Future For his part, Willie feels that his skillset was the perfect fit for the chamber’s needs. “My consulting experience was key,” Willie said. “And my marketing, economic development, and policy strategy have impacted businesses throughout Utah.”

That experience has become more important as Willie continues to drive the chamber’s evolution. He has launched a number of initiatives. He has grown the chamber’s ranks by adding an unprecedented 400 new members over the past two years. And he has established several awards programs: the Element Awards to recognize women of influence and impact throughout the area; the Arete Awards to recognize economic, business, and political leaders of the highest caliber in southern Utah; and the 30 in Their Thirties Awards to highlight young business people who are making a difference in the community. “Recognizing leaders throughout southern Utah empowers them to amplify their impact,” explained Willie. “That is what the chamber is all about.”

34 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Willie has also amplified the chamber’s voice as a champion for small business and entrepreneurs in the region by bringing the Small Business Saturday program to the area and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs like Startup Grind and the St. George Junior Entrepreneur Market. “These types of programs and initiatives not only empower our local small businesses, they literally put the St. George area on the map,” he said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Willie rallied local government leaders and private businesses to launch the Safe Southern Utah campaign and created the Greater Together Small Business Resilience Fund, which supported over sixty small businesses with zero percent interest loans before any federal funding became available. Later, the investors, which included Washington County and St. George City, collectively decided to convert the awarded loans into grants. “When the loan contributors suggested the conversion, we went to work,” said Willie. “We made calls to each business just before Thanksgiving of 2020, and many of those conversations were interrupted with tears of appreciation.”

Part of the chamber’s evolution, Willie noted, is getting more involved in advocacy efforts on behalf of the southern Utah business community. But change doesn’t come without its challenges. During the 2022 legislative session, the chamber opposed House Bill 60, which led to some tension with local representatives, and the chamber declined to take a stance on the Dixie State University name change, which garnered pressure from both sides of the name change debate. ”I have a deep respect for leaders with whom we may be at odds,” he said. “We’re not okay with the status quo, and that can lead to some tension. However, tension can be productive.”

Willie sees the chamber’s role in the community as more than networking lunches and ribbon cutting ceremonies.

“The Chamber has a responsibility to represent the interests of businesses in this community,” he said.

“We speak on behalf of the majority of our nearly 1,000 members when we advocate for less government regulation in commerce, a vibrant community, and expanding economic opportunity.”

Additionally, Willie expressed his commitment to being an unwavering champion for private sector businesses and vowed to help generational projects—like AIP and Tech Ridge—grow successfully. “I’m good at creating strategies that drive change. When I take something on, I put my all into it, and I expect that of our team,” he said. “Everything we’ve accomplished is because of the incredible support of our board members, our chamber members, and my team at the chamber. It’s been a big lift, but positive change rarely happens easily.”

Willie paused a moment in thought, then continued. “The economy is thriving. It’s evolving, so we must evolve. To remain status quo would be irresponsible. We’ve got to stay one step ahead of change.”

David is a southern Utahbased freelance journalist and educator. He can be reached at daviddudley@gmail.com.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 35

Capturing the Important Evolution of Business Communication Technology

By Daniel Rhodes Digital transformation is the term being used to describe the massive shift from premise-based business hardware to cloud-based application software. The “business telephone system” has quickly become the technology industry’s (OP-X vs.

CAP-X) transformation poster child.

Traditionally, businesses with just a few users to businesses with thousands of users would purchase or lease communications equipment to be housed on location. The equipment would connect to copper/analog POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) or digital PRI (Primary Rate Interface) lines and require frequent firmware updates.

Even though these systems evolved from mechanical to software-based management, they remained limited in capacity and expensive to maintain.

Around the mid 1990s, a progression in the business communication industry that came to be known as VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) entered the arena. VOIP offered businesses the ability to reduce monthly measured long-distance charges by rerouting specified call traffic over a fixed-rate internet connection. Other VOIP benefits included the ability to transfer inbound calls to any phone anywhere in the world, which minimized or eliminated the need for multi-location companies to purchase or maintain expensive, wide-area networking circuits.

Since the processing capabilities of VOIP systems are cloud-based, businesses that have adapted VOIP technology no longer need to worry about outgrowing their systems or dispatching a service technician to their location.

Troubleshooting and system repairs can be done automatically or remotely from a 24/7/365 network operation center.

In the event a phone is rendered nonoperational, a replacement phone can be shipped overnight, preprogrammed and ready to go.

The next evolution of the cloud-based phone system has been identified as UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service). UCaaS grew beyond the idea of simply replacing the premise-based 36 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

equipment to integrating additional business applications, such as web conferencing, SMS text messaging, mobile phone integration, web based white-boarding, and many other business features, into a single desktop user interface. In a growing number of businesses, UCaaS will eliminate the need for a physical phone on the desktop. The business phone system is no longer a separate network with isolated and specialized hardware. It has become another software program sitting on a global network with virtually limitless possibilities.

No matter which communications technology category your business is in today, the impact of “digital transformation” will weigh heavily on your future operations. Traditional POTS lines are being replaced with analog emulation, equipment manufacturers are dropping out of the business phone system market, and technical training has shifted from maintaining premise-based equipment to building cloud-based, artificially intelligent operating and management systems.

As more customers migrate to cloudbased systems, additional carriers are throwing their hat into the provider pool and adding greater communications and collaboration products to the already large technology product portfolio.

The process of evaluating your business communications technology, determining the providers to partner with, and deciding what products to utilize can be a monumental but a vital undertaking. To simply focus on the latest and greatest set of features or the most competitive per seat cost could prove to be an exercise in futility.

The most successful cloud-based migrations are the result of a much deeper investigation into the infrastructure of the provider, the relationship between potential bandwidth consumption and available bandwidth, the quality of bandwidth, the creation of a disaster recovery plan, the system management tools, and the ability to train staff. Too many systems are sold based on a large portfolio of capabilities but when installed and programmed, provide little more than basic call processing. For instance: •F ew businesses take the time to preprogram automatic call forwarding options in the event of a power or internet outage.

• New or smaller UCaaS providers may be limited to a single switch location.

In the event the carrier switch was to experience any type of service interruption, the stated internetbased rerouting would prove useless.

• Businesses that operate 24/7/365 may struggle with some providers who maintain the traditional customer service hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Some providers’ customer service may only be available via email.

One of the most substantial evolutions of the VOIP and UCaaS systems is illustrated in the variety of available pricing plans. When VOIP was first released to the market, a one-to-one relationship was created: one station or seat to one telephone line or call path. An average introductory seat cost was around $25 per month. This was typically very competitive to the monthly POTS line cost and provided a much greater list of features. Many small businesses could justify making the technology shift due to the near dollar for dollar cost comparison. Larger businesses that used a line-to-station ratio (for example, five telephones to one telephone line) had a much more difficult task in justifying the one-toone ratio of VOIP.

the different features and pricing plans available today, UCaaS is a great option for businesses of every size.

The world events of the past couple of years have clearly illustrated the importance of designing, acquiring, and maintaining flexible, reliable, and secure business communications technology and have proven that a shift from premise-based staff to remote-working staff is not limited to earthquakes, fires, and floods. Recent crises have also shown that businesses need to remain operational and employees and staff need to remain connected.

Even if you have already migrated to a cloud-based communication system or are curious about the operational benefits of migrating, acquiring a current and accurate understanding of the available technology options is a good business decision. Have an open mind about shifting revenue from older, outdated business expenses to justifying and acquiring the newer, more cost-effective technology that will best suit the short- and long-term requirements of your business.

Many VOIP and UCaaS providers have since introduced basic seats and the ability to establish a designated number of call paths across an enterprise system. Today, seat cost can range from $5 dollars monthly for a basic phone to $120 monthly for a high-end call center seat. Many carriers will offer to rent phones throughout the contract term and include service or replacement insurance. A growing number of carriers offer to consolidate internet access with the UCaaS, network management, and a redundant 4G/5G LTE wireless back-up on a single invoice. With all

Daniel Rhodes is the owner of CT Solutions. CT Solutions focuses on providing holistic technology solutions for businesses. Daniel has been in the business technology industry for over thirty years and has worked with both small local companies as well as multi-location global enterprises.

For more information, visit http://www.C-TSolutions.com, email drhodes@c-tsolutions.com, or call (435) 359-1057.

Technology in Business Section Sponsored By Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 37

Attract talent with college savings as a benefit.

my529, Utah's official 529 educational savings plan, is part of the Utah System of Higher Education. We have helped families invest for more than 25 years.

Employer advantages • No cost and simple to implement.

• Help your employees prepare for the cost of their family's future education.

• Payroll contribution available.

• Attract and retain talent.

We can provide onboarding materials, in-person and virtual presentations, and downloadable resources.

employer@my529.org | 801.321.7153

Learn more at my529.org/employer.

Important Legal Notice Investing is an important decision. The investments in your account may vary with market conditions and could lose value. Carefully read the Program Description in its entirety for more information and consider all investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. For a copy of the Program Description, call 800.418.2551 or visit my529.org. Investments in my529 are not insured or guaranteed by my529, the Utah Board of Higher Education, the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority Board of Directors, any other state or federal agency, or any third party. However, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance is provided for the FDIC-Insured investment option. In addition, my529 offers investment options that are partially insured for the portion of the respective investment option that includes FDIC-insured accounts as an underlying investment. The state in which you or your beneficiary pay taxes or live may offer a 529 plan that provides state tax or other benefits, such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors, not otherwise available to you by investing in my529. You should consider such benefits, if any, before investing in my529. my529 does not provide legal, financial, investment or tax advice. You should consult your own tax or legal advisor to determine the effect of federal and state tax laws on your particular situation.

38 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

March 2022

Attract Talent with College Savings as a Benefit

By Meredith Sager McNett

N

early four million people quit their jobs in April 2021, and that trend continued through the remaining months of 2021 and into 2022.

Employers were left scratching their heads, trying to identify ways to retain their workforce.

Offer Benefits “People are not just looking at compensation as their base salary anymore. [They] are really thinking about ‘what are you offering me in terms of the other benefits that help me achieve my goals and manage my life?’” stated Kristen Carlisle, general manager of Betterment at Work.

As America’s job market navigates “The Great Resignation,” it is important for employers to offer unique benefits to attract and retain the best employees.

Experts encourage creating work environments that enhance physical and mental health, but what about adding financial wellness to that package?

529 College Savings Today, a financial wellness plan is incomplete without educational savings. This can include covering the costs of education for dependents as well as paying back an individual’s own student loan debt.

As employers search for creative ways to attract and retain talent, offering the benefits of a 529 plan should be at the top of their list.

A survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) found that 87 percent of workers look to their employers to provide ideas and strategies to help ease their stress related to personal finances. Encouraging your employees to open a my529 account tells them that you are invested in them and their family’s financial wellness.

An easy way for you to assist your employees in building savings wellness is by providing information that explains how to set up an account with my529, Utah’s educational savings plan.

Meeting Employees’ Needs A my529 plan offers built-in versatility as the funds can be used in many ways to meet individual needs. The money invested in a my529 plan can be used to pay tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses. my529 account funds can even be applied toward the cost of registered apprenticeships. Other eligible costs include certain K–12 tuition expenses or payments on qualified student loans (up to certain limits). Accounts are also transferrable to other family members.

As employees use my529 funds to pay off student loans and avoid taking additional loans to pay for schooling for themselves or their dependents, they can assure a more secure financial future. my529 can provide helpful tools for employers to begin offering 529 plans to their employees as part of an overall financial wellness package. Learn more at https:// my529.org/other-essentials/employer/ or by emailing employer@my529.org.

Meredith Sager McNett is a writer for my529 at the Utah System of Higher Education. She is passionate about education, music, and the stories people write and tell.

She is a former high school English teacher, law librarian at the S.J. Quinney Law Library, and personal property tax auditor for the Utah State Tax Commission.

A my529 plan offers built-in versatility as the funds can be used in many ways to meet individual needs.

Important Legal Notice Investing is an important decision. The investments in your account may vary with market conditions and could lose value. Carefully read the Program Description in its entirety for more information, and consider all investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing.

For a copy of the Program Description, call 800-4182551 or visit my529.org.

The state in which you or your beneficiary pay taxes or live may offer a 529 plan that provides state tax or other benefits, such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors not otherwise available to you by investing in my529. You should consider such benefits, if any, before investing in my529. my529 does not provide legal, financial, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own tax or legal advisor to determine the effect of federal and state tax laws on your particular situation.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 39

Paving the Way for the Next Generation of Women

By Kelli Charlton, Director of Business Development at Stapley Pharmacy McKinsey & Company released a study, Women in Law Firms, after they had conducted a deep dive into gender diversity in law firms across North America. The survey found that, while law firms are taking important steps to increase gender equality by providing senior leadership support to advance female attorneys’ careers and offering flexibility that addresses major work-life-balance issues, their efforts have had limited success in bridging the gender gap. McKinsey also found that gender inequalities were much wider in law firms than in other industries.

Progress is being made, but there is work to do when it comes to leveling the playing field between male and female lawyers. However, there are two Washington County women, Marianne G. Sorensen and Lindsay M. Bayles, who are blazing the trail for future generations of female attorneys in southern Utah.

Marianne G. Sorensen, Attorney at Kirton McConkie Marianne G. Sorensen earned her law degree from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. She is currently a member of Kirton McConkie’s real estate group, where she practices transactional law with a focus on commercial real estate, including restaurant leasing, acquisitions, and real estate development. She also works with businesses and nonprofit organizations on matters concerning generational transactions. Sorensen was named as one of Utah Business magazine’s “30 Women to Watch” and honored by the Utah Business Women organization as a “Woman of Achievement” for excellence in the professions.

Sorensen was drawn to the legal field because of her natural curiosity and love of learning, but most importantly, she believed the legal field would allow her to put her strengths and natural abilities to work.

40 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

“I think that women, myself included, can find it a challenge to assert personal presence when working in fields in which men greatly outnumber women,” said Sorensen. “Because men have traditionally dominated the legal field, the traits they more naturally exhibit have come to be associated with leadership qualities, while women may have more nurturing qualities, and we need to work on balancing our ‘softness’ with strength.”

Sorensen practiced in Salt Lake City for nine years before moving to St. George, Utah, in 2007. After the cold winters, deep snow, and smoggy skies of the Wasatch Front, she welcomed the chance to relocate to southern Utah. “The appeal of living in a smaller town was a draw for me,” she explained. “Although the transactions I handle involve sites in Texas and California and anywhere in between, there is seldom a need for me to be in a particular location.”

Sorensen noted that it was never too early or too late to prepare for a career in the legal field since there would always be a need for good attorneys from all sorts of backgrounds. “Don’t feel that you need to come from a long line of attorneys, attend an Ivy League school, or live in a major city to be successful as an attorney,” she said. “The work is varied and interesting, and as an attorney, you can have a degree of flexibility to pursue goals outside of work, enjoy your family, or serve your community.”

Lindsay M. Bayles, JD, ProvenLaw Early on, Lindsay M. Bayles narrowed down her career options to dentistry or law. “It really came down to relationships and flexibility,” she said. “There are endless career opportunities with a JD—in house counsel at a large business, FBI, public defender, CEO, small town attorney, the list goes on. There is a lot of security in the profession because every person and business needs or could benefit from legal services.”

Before attending Washburn University of Law, her first job was at her father’s law firm, taking out the trash. She emptied trash cans, shredded confidential documents, vacuumed, and dusted until she was eventually promoted to chief scanner, where she scanned thousands of files.

Once she could drive, her duties expanded. She took deeds to the Washington County recorder’s office and checked their file at the courthouse. Eventually, she worked as an estate planning paralegal and realized her passion. “Estate planning clients are some of the best clients because you get a glimpse into their lives—their families, careers, and accomplishments.”

Of being an up-and-coming female attorney in Washington County, Bayles said it’s exciting, humbling, and gratifying. A few months ago, she scoured the Utah Bar directory looking to connect with female attorneys in the area.

“I sent messages to every single one I could find on LinkedIn. I’ve had a few great lunch dates with these women and hope to meet them all soon. It shouldn’t take long because only 10 percent of the attorneys in the county are women. I am grateful for the mentorship I’ve received from attorneys of all genders.”

Bayles’s advice to women considering the pursuit of a law degree is to talk to as many people in the legal field as possible.

Work for a law firm. Prioritize studying for the LSAT, and earn the highest score you can. Apply for scholarships. Balance the quality of law school with the tuition cost. Grab some tissues, and watch On the Basis of Sex. “Also, call me so we can set up a time to meet over lunch. I would be happy to talk to women considering this career path.”

Women in Business Section Sponsored By

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 41

Reporting Elevated: The State of the Real Estate Market in Southern Utah and Beyond

By Summit Sotheby’s International Realty

2021 proved to be a historic year in just about every business sector. From the “great migration” to record-breaking real estate transactions across the United States, this past year is something we are just now starting to fully quantify. At Summit Sotheby’s International Realty, we aim not to follow the curve but to create it, and in the process, redefine the real estate industry, bringing a luxury experience to each and every one of our clients regardless of area or property price point. One of the ways we go above and beyond for our clients and our community is through our consumer reports and market commentary. In this special feature, we’ll discuss two major drivers in Utah’s record-breaking real estate market: the explosive growth of southern Utah and the emergence of the millennial property buyer.

All Eyes on Southern Utah

“

We are often asked, “What does this demand and competitive real estate market mean for St. George and for my property?” To appropriately answer this question, we take a look at the data and compare various pieces of information: price per square foot, days on the market, and even the amount of inventory available. In 2020, the average price for a home sold in Washington and Iron Counties was $355,624. By the end of 2021, that number had risen to $577,930, a 47.6 percent increase from the beginning of 2020. When analyzing the data in regards to days on market (a term used to indicate the number of days a property is available for sale before it is sold), we found the following: at the beginning of 2020, the average property was listed for sale for sixty days, but during the summer of 2021, that number dropped down to fifteen days. You can see that

properties are selling faster and for higher prices than in 2019 and 2020. The takeaway is that southern Utah is no longer a well-kept secret, and sellers are benefitting from high buyer demand and low inventory.

Millennials Change the Face of Real Estate It is no secret that we’ve been living through historic times and events, many of which have been fueling the competitive landscape of Utah’s real estate market. But there’s one event that will change the face of real estate well into 2042: the greatest shift of wealth in human history. Baby Boomers have amassed an estimated $70 trillion and have begun transferring (shifting) that wealth to their children and grandchildren, the millennial generation. These millennials are now entering the housing market with not just strong purchasing power but strong convictions of what they want their lifestyles to look like. Ties to community, health and wellness, authenticity, and overall aesthetic are driving decision forces behind this generation. They purchase differently than their parents and grandparents and are willing to make cross-country moves to locate their ideal property.

...It’s clear that lifestyle, affordability, access to higher education, and four seasons of recreation are putting St. George at the top of the list for many buyers across the country.

42 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

“

Southern Utah continues to make headlines, not just locally but nationally, as demand for our area’s properties remains at an all-time high. St. George and the surrounding communities are experiencing explosive growth, with new construction neighborhoods working to keep up with the pace of buyer demand. In fact, the Kem C. Gardner Institute has released data projecting that Washington County will see a 155 percent population increase over the next forty years. With new residents and second home purchasers arriving from major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle, it’s clear that lifestyle, affordability, access to higher education, and four seasons of recreation are putting St. George at the top of the list for many buyers across the country.

Summit Sotheby’s International Realty has been studying this anticipated trend for the better part of a decade, which means our sales associates better understand how to market and sell their clients’ properties to these new buyers than the competition. While the real estate industry as a whole relies on the local MLS and sites like Zillow, Summit

Sotheby’s International Realty professionals throughout southern Utah are connecting properties with these millennial buyers in the locations in which they currently live through a strategic marketing plan that starts across the street but also wraps around the globe.

Reporting Elevated: A Signature Suite of Real Estate Reports As one of the leading real estate brokerages in the world, with an office in the heart of Ancestor Square, we feel it is our responsibility to share important, fact-based research and reporting that provides you with the resources to evaluate your property, not just in southern Utah but in other areas in which you may have a home or be interested in owning a home. This is why we’ve developed what we call “Reporting Elevated,” a suite of research reports that covers everything from St. George to Park City and from digital currency to fine art markets to the western migration trend. These reports, available both in print or online, share key findings ranging from cryptocurrency to the price of properties in your backyard. To view these reports online please visit summitsothebysrealty.com/ market-reports. For a complimentary printed copy of our Luxury Outlook, Utah Annual Report, Collections Magazine, or Resort Report, please give us a call at 435-6491884 or stop by our office at 151 N. Main Street in the heart of St. George.

“All Available Inventory” is the cumulative total number of units that were on the market for sale during the calendar month, as opposed to units remaining available for sale at month end. “Properties Sold” includes any property listed as sold for the respective calendar month in the respective MLS, and is not restricted to properties sold by Summit Sotheby’s.

Data is aggregated from three different MLS databases (PCBAOR, WFMLS, WCMLS) and was compiled on January 14th, 2022. Information not verifiable by Park City Board of Realtors®. “Wasatch Back’ includes all listings from Summit and Wasatch Counties. ‘Southern Utah’ includes Washington and Iron Counties. ‘Wasatch Front’ includes Davis, Salt Lake, Utah Grand, Emery, San Juan and Wayne Counties. Prepared By Summit Sotheby’s International Realty. ©MMXXII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Copyright© Summit Sotheby’s International Realty 2022.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 43

Utah.

Financed

by Altabank.

44 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

THE

HOLLY STORY

at the

Indoor Hafen Theatre

GET 10% OFF MON  THURS PROMO CODE: SUBM10

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 45

The Economic Impact of Home Building

By Mari Krashowetz, Southern Utah Home Builders Association Executive Officer Photo courtesy of Ence Homes and Utah Valley Video

46 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

stable or growing economy, but it also signals high rates of employment, social stability, higher wages, business growth and stability, tax base growth, and an improvement in local amenities like parks and trails. New home construction benefits homeowners and the communities in which they reside!

Southern Utah has seen a rise in new home construction and sales over the past several years. With mortgage interest rates still at relatively low levels and with the amount of resale inventory decreasing, now might be an ideal time to achieve the American Dream of homeownership by purchasing a newlybuilt home.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimated that the one-year impact of building one hundred single-family homes in a typical local area included: • $28.7 million in local income.

• $3.6 million in taxes and other revenue for local governments.

• 394 local jobs.

The additional annually-recurring impacts of building one hundred single-family homes in a typical local area include: • $4.1 million in local income.

• $1.0 million in taxes and other revenue for local governments.

• 69 local jobs.

These are ongoing, annual, local impacts that are the result of the new homes becoming occupied and the occupants paying taxes and participating in the local economy year after year.

These statistics include the effect of increased property taxes based on the difference between the value of raw land and the value of a completed housing unit on a finished lot.

Price and Interest Rate Increases The increase in the price of a new home will undoubtedly have an impact on housing affordability. The challenges to maintaining affordability include building material shortages, labor shortage, government regulations, and other factors. A $1,000 increase in the price of a median-priced new home will further price 117,932 U.S. households out of the market.

I

n 2002, President George W. Bush proclaimed June as National Homeownership Month with the goal of helping families achieve the American Dream. Although the economy has seen many ups and downs over the last two decades, owning a home is still the goal of a large majority of American families.

Home ownership plays a vital role in creating stable communities. It bolsters the local treasury through taxes and yields many social benefits, including lower crime rates, increased volunteerism, and greater fiscal stability. Beyond that, home ownership provides benefits that are personal to the homeowner, such as tax deductions, improved health, ownership pride, and community belonging.

New home construction has proved to be even more beneficial to a community. The rise or fall in the number of new homes sales is a broad economic and social indicator. A high number of new home sales (or new residential sales) indicates a more

Prospective home buyers are also adversely affected when interest rates rise. NAHB’s priced-out estimates show that, depending on the starting rate, a quarter-point increase in the rate of 3.5 percent with zero points on a thirty-year fixed-rate mortgage can price over 1.1 million U.S. households out of the market for the median-priced new home.

Good News With people spending more time at home to live, work, and play, new homes feature floor plans that suit modern lifestyles and include energy-efficient features to decrease monthly expenses. Working remotely is becoming more popular and opens up the option to live anywhere.

Millennials are leading the growth in the number of new home buyers. As the nation’s largest demographic group, more than seventy million millennials are poised to dominate the homebuying market in the months and years ahead. This will sustain the need for new homes to be built.

New homes improve the quality of life for our community and add to the local and national economy. So if you are looking to immerse yourself in a community, build equity, and settle down, buying a new home is worth considering.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 47

48 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

rn Athletic Conference g this July, Dixie State ke on competitors based where from Washington, nia, Arizona, and New o to Illinois, Missouri, and This will give Greater Zion to audiences it would ise leave unreached.

The Mission Behind

Utah Tech University Active Education is Empowering to Students, Beneficial for the Community

By Richard B. Williams partnering with Greater President of Dixie State University, soon to be Utah Tech University s a natural fit for Dixie University. The Tourism s vision to “Inspire Greater. s Dixie State University prepares to As our university continues to grow and evolve, ence Greater. Live Greater.” transition to Utah Tech University on July 1, the Utah Tech name aptly fits our active learning Richard “Biff” Williams one question continues to come across my approach to education that we have been perfectly with Dixie State’s “active learning. active life.”

President of desk: Is it really necessary for the University implementing for the better part of a decade. ch to education. Both philosophies takeState advantage of the Dixie University to change its name?

Student enrollment has consistently grown for the ul, world-renowned destination we live in by encouraging last six consecutive years, resulting in a cumulative This simple question that comes from a genuine growth of 44 percent since fall 2015, and we have ts, visitors, and residents alike to learn by exploring. desire to ensure the University is offering our added more than 100 degree programs in that t the University, we recognize that valuable students the verylearning best educational opportunities same time frame. has anofequally simple answer: ences take place inside and outside the classroom.

By Yes. Our recently established Trailblazer Center for While in the answer is we simple, the process of advantage of experiences available Greater Zion, Lifelong Health & Wellness is just one example of determining a new name and defining an academic grow academically, actively, and holistically. the many hands-on learning opportunities that are

A

focus that distinguishes us from other universities was not. Long before we supported House Bill 278 nique, trailblazing partnership certainly will enhance Name Change Process for Dixie State University mmunity for years to come. Itocan’t wait to seeLegislature you at the Utah State in 2021, other DSU administrators and I met with area business and ing games, concerts, and community events in Greater community leaders to learn what they needed from adium! their local university. What we discovered was a huge demand for employees to fill roles in high-paying fields such as STEM, business, and healthcare while building up the tech industry in southern Utah so those born and raised here could lead meaningful careers in the St. George area. This listening tour was spurred in part by area leaders and editorial boards asking me to establish a tech focus within 4/17/17 11:08was AM appointed as the the university when I first 3/3/20 5:43 PM institution’s president in 2014.

4/17/17 11:09 AM 4/17/17 11:09 AM

While we initially planned to incorporate a comprehensive polytechnic model, which highlights our more than 200 programs that offer transformative experiences across all disciplines— humanities, arts, education, health sciences, business, and STEM—it eventually became clear that doing so under the Dixie State University name would not serve our students well. Over the course of three major studies, tens of thousands of completed surveys, approximately 1,000 focus group participants, and nearly two years of data collection and preparation, we discovered that the Dixie name was presenting recent graduates with unnecessary challenges as they entered the workforce. Additionally, the name alone made it difficult for the University to enter into national contracts, present at conferences, and even recruit students, faculty, and staff from outside of Utah.

currently taking place all across campus. In line with the center’s mission to help Washington County residents of all ages and abilities improve their overall quality of life, exercise science students develop and lead health and wellness programs while computer science students help expand virtual reality exercise programs by developing apps, games, and software.

At the same time, art students teach music classes that are therapeutic for Parkinson’s disease patients and art programs beneficial to mentors with Alzheimer’s while humanities and psychology students assist with intake forms and connect participants to helpful resources.

This synergetic cross-disciplinary learning not only broadens students’ understanding of other fields and how they work together, it also provides them with in-depth, real-world training in their chosen disciplines. All across campus, students are employing a human-centered approach to problem solving to prepare for successful careers and meaningful lives. For example, our finance students manage a $200,000 portfolio for real clients, and design students produce signage and other materials that are seen by athletes from all around the globe as they compete in the IRONMAN right here in St. George. Dental hygiene students care for children and other underserved populations in the community by hosting Give Kids A Smile events and mobile clinics to offer free dental services while education majors teach in K-12 classrooms beginning their freshman year. Across campus, music majors work in studio settings, and English majors write grant proposals that support nonprofits in the area.

Continued on Page 50 Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 49

Continued from Page 49

Active learning experiences not only prepare our students for their careers, they also train students to meet regional workforce demands. By providing a variety of personalized and engaged learning opportunities such as internships, clinical experiences, co-ops, program advisory boards, industry partnerships, and workforce pipelines, we offer a high-quality education at an affordable price.

Outside of classroom training, students can expand their technology acumen and be prepared to compete in an increasingly digital world, thanks to our new partnership with Pluralsight. By teaming up with this technology workforce development company, the University community has unlimited access to thousands of online courses and hands-on learning experiences on innovative technology topics such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, data science, and software development— skills professionals in any industry can use to improve the customer and employee experience.

As part of our commitment to offering students personalized and hands-on learning experiences, we are preparing them to be indispensable in our everchanging, tech-driven world. A piano teacher no longer only teaches the difference between a major and minor chord and other elements of music theory. He must also use social media, digital advertising, and sleek designs to market himself while navigating new app technologies for scheduling and payment. A content writer doesn’t just put pen to paper anymore. She works in the back end of a blog in order to beautifully present her content and uses the latest online trends to share her messaging.

50 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

From telling a smart speaker your grocery list so it’s on your phone at the store to checking in on your kids via text, technology has infiltrated every single aspect of daily life. As an institution of higher learning, it’s imperative we help our students not only embrace this but to lead the way in implementing it into even the most basic tasks associated with their careers. All this adds up to contributing to a tech ecosystem in St. George that provides more opportunities for our children and grandchildren to have a fulfilling career right here in southern Utah.

As we prepare for the official transition to Utah Tech University, we will start sharing the new Utah Tech logo in mid-May in line with our goal to have most of the campus rebranded by the time students return in August for the 2022-23 academic year. True to our Trailblazing spirit, our primary colors will remain red and dark blue, and Brooks the Bison will continue to represent the Trailblazer athletic identity.

Please join me in supporting our University, and in turn, our students. The community’s attendance at their games, performances, and presentations mean the world to them. After all, a thriving University means a thriving community. Together, we will continue to foster a community that will flourish for generations to come.

“

Our academic mission isn’t changing to fit the new name; rather, the new name more aptly fits the educational approach we have been implementing for years.

“

As we become Utah Tech University, these active learning opportunities that prepare students in all programs to enter the workforce career-ready will remain at the core of who we are as an institution. Our academic mission isn’t changing to fit the new name; rather, the new name more aptly fits the educational approach we have been implementing for years.

Experience the SunRiver lifestyle.

2 nights for just $258.

S T . G E O R G E , U T A H | 8 8 8 - 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 | W W W. S U N R I V E R . CO M

what’s your next chapter?

SHIFT GEARS The Huntsman World Senior Games is the largest annual multi-sport event in the world for athletes age 50 and better.

The 2022 Games are scheduled to take place October 3 - 15, in St. George, Utah, and anticipate over 11,000 athletes from all around the globe. With 35 different sports, including cycling, mountain bike, sp triathlon and trail running, all set amid the most beautiful red rock anywhere, there is something for you.

For more information or to register, visit www.seniorgames.net.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 51

DI XIE TECHNI

President Kelle Stephens:

Future Focused Lorem ipsum dolor sit

By Aubrey Gurney

K

elle Stephens’s road to becoming a fierce advocate for technical education started with rejection.

s

amet, consectetur adipiscing

v

elit. Ut rhoncus ex id ex blan-

f

dit porta. Etiam erat turpis,

l

vehicula eu egestas sit amet,

n

rhoncus ut leo. Sed com-

i

modo purus feugiat mauris

For the next eighteen years, Stephens spent her time in the St. George business community, addressing the needs of local businesses through custom fit training and helping local businesses to thrive. Stephens continued to work at Dixie College until 2006, when Custom Fit was moved to Dixie Applied Technology College.

the first tech college in the state to adopt this method. The college felt the positive impact: fewer students fell behind, graduation rates increased, and its reputation rose. “Suddenly, students were in it together,” Stephens said.

“They were confused together, figured things out together, learned together, and lifted each other up.”

college with a very small budget and few programs, but that would soon change upon her arrival. “I started having ideas, lots of ideas, about how we could grow,” Stephens said.

tackled was funding. In 2009, the small college budget would scarcely allow for infrastructure or program improvements, and Stephens wanted both. With the help of a few team members, she wrote a grant request and received 2.1 million dollars in a Department of Labor grant. A few months later, DXATC was able to make some infrastructure improvements and added its first manufacturing program.

tincidunt, ac volutpat tortor

sodales. Etiam et tincidunt lorem. Curabitur vehicula, ligula vitae

r

varius dignissim, ligula ligula consectetur purus, ut placerat tel-

p

The DXATC beganinterdum as a small tech challengeeros.

Stephens lus ante nec est. Donec iaculis orci.TheSednextat felis

a

Maecenas non lorem et massa hendrerit finibus vitae a felis.

a

Vestibulum nibh urna, cursus sed elit ac, sodales viverra dolor.

v

After completing 130 credits, Stephens left college with an “almost bachelors degree” to run a business with her husband. Shortly after the business sold, Stephens was approached with a job opportunity for which she had the necessary experience but was ultimately denied the job due to her lack of a college degree. “That was a wake-up call for me,” she said.

In true Kelle Stephens fashion, she went above and beyond. She retook math classes, fought for older credits to count, took more classes, and went to school with small children at home.

She obtained a bachelor’s degree and later, a Master of Social Science in Economics with an emphasis in HR. Her motto, one that she has shared often since, was ‘“the time will come and go, and I can either have this or not.”

She had so many ideas that she was named Vice President of Instruction.

During her first few months as VP, Stephens sat in on classes, taking note of improvements to make and envisioning what DXATC could become. Her biggest concern was the college’s open-entry/open-exit flexible education model. In theory, the model sounded great. Students could enroll at any time and graduate as soon as they finished their coursework. In practice, Stephens saw students fall behind, become isolated, and have no sense of camaraderie with their peers.

Morbi in arcu et nibh viverra accumsan sed ac lectus. Pellen-

m

tesque facilisis orci libero, a placerat velit fringilla et. Aliquam

2012, Stephens was named President vitae euismod est, a malesuada justo. DonecInofeu tincidunt lectus, DXATC and knew exactly what she

quis mollis sem.

While visiting St. George one summer, Stephens had an impromptu meeting with an administrator on the Dixie College campus and was later hired as the Director of Custom Fit. “I had to look up what exactly custom fit was in preparation for my interview,” Stephens said. “I found that it was perfect for me; it involved labor economics and employee training and development, which I had studied in school.”

wanted to do: move the college to a permanent campus on Tech Ridge.

This became the toughest and most significant challenge of her career.

“The permanent campus was meant to show a passion for technical education, our students, and the careers they chose,” Stephens said. “It would tell the students that they were important, that they mattered, and it would legitimize technical education.”

Sed orci ex, rutrum vitae erat ac, feugiat pretium ipsum.

Despite some pushback, Stephens transitioned the students from the open-entry/open-exit flexible education model to a cohort-based, structured learning model, becoming

l

q l

Donec id diam nisi. Fusce lobortis arcu nec ex elementum, nec

v

imperdiet risus accumsan. Vivamus ac suscipit arcu, ut mattis

a

mi. Vivamus hendrerit ligula urna, id ullamcorper eros cursus

n

52 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

With no solid connections in the Utah State Legislature to help lobby for funding, Stephens knew she would have to be on the hill every day, making her presence known and talking to any legislator who would listen. To stand out in a sea of black suits, Stephens wore a red pair of cowboy boots. “The boots drew attention to our need for a permanent campus and helped me overcome a mountain of pushback,” Stephens said. “We had to walk through fire to get that funding.”

Through what seemed like a minefield of setbacks and opposition, Stephens and the supportive St. George community raised and received enough funding to break ground on the permanent campus on Tech Ridge in January 2016, and it became a reality late in 2017.

In the last four years, under the leader­ ship of President Stephens, certificateseeking membership hour rates have increased by 90 percent. Her high standards for quality education have been met with a 78 percent graduation rate, a 94 percent completion rate, a 96 percent placement rate, and a 100 percent licensure rate, making Dixie Technical College a truly exceptional institution of higher education in the state of Utah.

President Stephens’s efforts have changed countless lives for the better.

Thousands of students have graduated from Dixie Tech debt-free and found incredible job opportunities. As her time as president comes to an end, Stephens has high hopes for Dixie Tech’s future.

“Dixie Tech will continue to grow and expand in ways we can hardly imagine now, “Stephens said. “The College will begin its third decade with new leadership that will bring fresh ideas and passion. With that, I hope that they will stay true to the critically important role and mission that only a tech college can fulfill.

“Dixie Tech works with the finest people in our community,” she continued. “Our students come to school and dive deep into a course of study that will give them the knowledge and skill sets to take right to work. They keep our community functioning. I love and respect every single one of them! I will deeply miss the daily interactions, but I’ll always be cheering them on.”

As for her future, Stephens plans to spend time with her eleven grandchildren and travel to Slovenia and Croatia, the homeland of her grandparents. But one thing is certain: she will always be a fierce advocate of technical education.

The permanent campus was meant to show a passion for technical education, our students, and the careers they chose. It would tell the students that they are important, that they matter, and it would legitimize technical education.

Stephens’s Dixie Technical College Inauguration, 2012.

From left to right: Rich VanAusdal, Kelle Stephens, Mark Fahrenkamp, and Rob Brems.

Aubrey Gurney works in Digital Marketing and Communications at Dixie Technical College.

She spends her days running around campus, capturing students’ incredible stories, and learning something new every day (how could you not when there are 28 different programs?!). Aubrey firmly believes that the outcome of your education should be income and highly suggests you check out all the programs offered at dixietech.edu.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 53

Back row from left to right: Macrae Heppler, Ryan Nielsen, Matt Heaton Front row from left to right: Levi Swenson, Paul Bartholomew, Brittany Fay (Photo by Benjamin Braten) 54 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Startup Grind

Supercharging the St. George Area Startup Scene

By Don Willie, President and CEO, St. George Area Chamber of Commerce

E

ntrepreneurs launched 5.4 million businesses in the United States in 2021!

That’s an increase of 53 percent (or 1.9 million new businesses) over 2019, according to the Economic Innovation Group.

Locally, 2,107 businesses were formed in 2021 in the St. George area (St. George, Washington, Ivins, and Santa Clara), up from just over 1500 in 2020.

Journalists have written at length about southern Utah’s emerging tech scene, proclaiming it is the silver bullet of economic diversity. While accurate, there is something bigger at play: the emergence of Utah’s most prolific startup scene, which is taking place right now in our own community.

Empowering the Haphazard Entrepreneur The entrepreneurial spirit is incredibly strong in southern Utah—stronger than in any other area of the state. This unique spirit isn’t born of choice but of necessity. Nothing will motivate an entrepreneur more than being up against a wall, and that is exactly where early pioneer settlers found themselves when they arrived in this barren desert over 160 years ago. Having no infrastructure and facing extremely hot temperatures, they got to work and found creative solutions that built the foundation upon which our present metropolis rests.

The grit and innovative attitude of those early pioneers has been a legacy for all those who have been fortunate enough to be a part of the southern Utah community by birth or by transplant. The mindset of the early settlers lingers as an attitude that actively seeks out change and embraces improvement, inspiration, creation, and discovery.

Today’s entrepreneurs, much like the early pioneers, are strongwilled and passionate. They are unafraid to try new things and willing to go the distance to see their new businesses succeed.

While a bold entrepreneurial spirit can drive impressive innovation, many “haphazard entrepreneurs” fail because they lack personal knowledge or have limited skillsets. A haphazard entrepreneur is someone who stumbles on a new product, service, or idea by necessity, design, or accident. They typically have no training in the day-to-day management of a business and do not know about the available tools and resources in the community to support them. Many haphazard entrepreneurs unwittingly sell themselves short, failing to recognize the potential of their innovation and lacking the access to the right business strategies, investors, or partners.

Growth of the St. George Area Startup Scene Before joining the throngs of entrepreneurs moving to St. George, I spent a great deal of time consulting with several St. George area businesses, including Zonos, Vitalpax, InnoMark, and CargoGlide—local startups that have grown into major players in the area economy. Through these interactions, I met Paul Hill, Josh Aikens, Eric Pedersen, and others (surely there are many more) whom I refer to as the modern “founding fathers” of the St. George startup scene.

In fact, the success of many of today’s startups can be traced to their endeavors in bringing resources, networking, and programs to local innovators. Their work empowered the haphazard entrepreneurs in southern Utah by providing them with the tools and resources necessary for their best chances of success, regardless of their background, knowledge, or business acumen.

These leaders built the framework of what is referred to as the area entrepreneurial ecosystem. Central to this ecosystem was the visionary launch of the Start STG competition. This one-time pitch contest provided local innovators with the chance to secure financing, services, and mentoring to help launch and scale their companies. Start STG transformed the future for several local startups, including Slylash®, a local startup that continues to grow and gain recognition.

With the success of the Start STG competition, the need for a consistent meetup for local entrepreneurs and innovators was essential. The launch of Atwood Innovation Plaza presented the ideal opportunity: Start STG pivoted from an annual competition to a monthly meeting, bringing founders, creators, innovators, investors, and service providers together for coffee (or hot cocoa) and collisions of genius!

Putting St. George on the Map In 2019, while the Start STG meetups were gaining in popularity, I went to the Startup Grind global conference in Redwood City, California. Attendees flooded the small downtown area, eagerly listening to startup founders. The speakers were absolutely inspiring! They provided relatable insight that attendees could use to grow a business from startup to success. The atmosphere was electric, raw, real. I knew immediately that Startup Grind was something southern Utah needed.

Continued on Page 56

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 55

Continued from Page 55 Unfortunately, just as preliminary efforts to start a local chapter were underway, the endeavor came to a standstill during the COVID-19 crisis even as the monthly meetups for Start STG continued. When Startup Grind opened applications for the Startup Grind X chapter (for smaller cities) in early 2021, it was our time! An intensive six-week training course followed, and when the chapter was approved, Startup Grind St. George launched in October 2021, bringing on a new team of innovative, community-minded leaders to complement the burgeoning startup scene.

Startup Grind is the world’s largest community of startups, founders, innovators, and creators. The goal? To give startups everywhere the education and opportunities they need to build, grow, and scale their companies. With over 600 chapters in 125 countries, Startup Grind espouses these values: “We believe in making friends, not contacts. We believe in giving first, not taking. We believe in helping others before helping yourself.”

Startup Grind is first and foremost about the entrepreneur. It’s a community—a support group. Meetups provide entrepreneurs with a chance to learn from other local founders and creatives that have “been there, done that.” Each month, discussion is focused on an industry or topic, and the conversations about launching and growing a business are powerful. Entrepreneurs listen, ask questions, share ideas, and connect to resources.

In addition to local monthly meetups, Startup Grind offers a global conference (like the one in Redwood City, California), educational content, access to mentors, and startup exposure.

Joining this global community has put St. George on the map.

Today, Startup Grind St. George is led by Macrae Heppler, Brittany Fay, Paul Bartholomew, Matt Heaton, Ryan Nielsen, and Levi Swenson. Committed to driving innovation, change, and opportunity, they are an impressive group of young leaders who have the audacity to do something great, something bigger than themselves, something that will fundamentally change our community for the better.

Make Way for the New Startup Mecca Over the next decade, St. George will solidify itself as the Startup Mecca of Utah. Recent investments into local companies like Zonos, Eden Tech, and others are just the beginning of what is to come. Tech will play a big role in this exciting transition, but the number of startup businesses, pushed by the entrepreneurial spirit found in abundance in southern Utah, will outpace the growth in the tech sector. There are few places in this world that can match the impressive startup environment and the equally majestic physical environment that southern Utah has to offer.

Startup Grind will be at the center of it all—the great connector, the convener, and the driver. It will enable local entrepreneurs not only to connect with each other but with entrepreneurs from across the globe, including like-minded innovators in Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Startup Grind is opening the St. George door to the world.

Join us!

Startup Grind meets on the second Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at Nets on Fire. Go to www.startupgrind.com/st-george for upcoming events and to get involved.

56 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

DIXIE TECH Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 57

Work, Live, Eat, & Play

RETAIL | OFFICE | RESIDENTIAL | HOTEL

techridge.com 58 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

435 - 850 - 7820

Atwood Innovation Plaza Spotlight

beatBread Provides the Funding That Empowers Artists to Stay in Control

L

os Angeles-based singer/songwriter Emily Vaughn has built an impressive fanbase in her career. In 2021 alone, her music received almost 500,000 hours of listening time on Spotify, with 10.1 million streams from 2.6 million people in 172 countries. But even after achieving this level of success, Vaughn wanted to ensure that she could find the funding to reach new audiences while maintaining control of her music. That’s when she turned, not to a record label, but to a rapidly growing player in the artist funding space: beatBread. beatBread offers funding to independent music artists for marketing, promoting, and growing their brand without asking for ownership of their intellectual property in return. Established in November 2020 by a team led by former Universal Music Group executive Peter Sinclair, beatBread has made hundreds of advances to artists and labels across multiple genres, six continents, and a broad range of career stages.

Advances offered through beatBread range from as little as $1,000 to as much as $2 million per artist for a limited share of existing catalog revenues, with options also available for unreleased music. All advances are repaid from a share of the artist’s streaming and airplay revenues over a period of the artist’s choosing. Advance agreements leave touring, publishing, synch, and merchandise revenue streams untouched and leave the choice of marketing and distribution partners in the artist’s own hands.

beatBread CEO Peter Sinclair.

The rise of beatBread has not gone unnoticed by the music industry.

The company has signed white label agreements with a series of significant distribution and label partners, enabling businesses such as United Masters, Symphonic, and TooLost to offer advances to talent in their own ecosystems.

In March, beatBread also signed a series of major music managers to join its first artist advocacy board, which will help guide future feature development on behalf of creators. Executives who have helped shepherd the careers of 21 Savage, Bruno Mars, and Kanye West are part of the group, demonstrating the huge potential of the company as a funding source for emerging artists. beatBread brings together a team with deep experience in music, finance, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to create new opportunities for artists and their managers. The AI team, based in Utah and led by beatBread cofounder John Haller, helps remove expensive haggling and time-consuming negotiations from the advance process with algorithms that use hard data to make a simple, easy-to-understand deal. Each agreement is uniquely customized for each artist, with choices and trade-offs made to suit individual needs.

The company has additional operations in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York and has already made further significant inroads in the key UK market, signing artists and building deep relationships with music managers there.

With this type of success less than eighteen months into the company’s existence, it’s hardly surprising that finance and technology companies are taking notice. This year, beatBread closed a seed round led by Deciens Capital, extending the company’s fundraising to over $34 million to date.

The investment will allow beatBread Cofounder beatBread to further John Haller. expand its feature set, offer larger advances to artists, and market its offering to an increasing number of musicians.

For Emily Vaughn and other rising stars, it means keeping their ability to stay in control of their careers without giving up control of their masters and music to get ahead of the game. It also means that more great music will reach worldwide audiences from artists who have more options than ever.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 59

J

unior Achievement of Utah is in the business of inspiring young people. In particular, we inspire students from as early as kindergarten and throughout their high school years. To accomplish this, we send in the professionals. I don’t mean professional educators; I mean professional CEOs, business owners, healthcare workers, and a variety of others to serve as mentors, inspiring students inside classrooms across our state.

Inspiring Students to Create Their Own Bright Futures

By Christy Tribe, President and CEO, Junior Achievement of Utah

Picture for a moment that you’re standing at the front of a classroom. Twenty-five energetic fourth graders are looking up at you, trying to decide what they are in for. You nervously begin the first lesson on the characteristics of an entrepreneur.

Within a few minutes, you’re helping them realize that just like entrepreneurs, they are risk-takers because they attempt daring tricks on their bikes, with their skateboards, and on the soccer field. After a few minutes, students are drawn in because these lessons are relevant. There is something in here for each one of them. Suddenly, they’re hooked.

Guided by our engaging lesson plans, our volunteers are prepped through informative training sessions and equipped with colorful posters, exciting games, and thought-provoking activities to make each lesson come to life. However, no amount of color and no number of games or activities can inspire our young learners as much as a caring adult at the front of the classroom. This is the magic of Junior Achievement—the secret to our success.

Simply put, the most powerful influence in Junior Achievement is that of our eager and at times, slightly nervous volunteers.

In Utah alone, over 8,000 dedicated volunteers serve annually as positive role models, inspiring students to catch a glimpse of what their own futures can be. You see, Junior Achievement brings the outside world—the business world—into our classrooms, and we bring our classrooms out into the business world. By doing so, students learn to recognize the ways in which they shine and learn how to use their unique talents to create their own bright futures.

60 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

The Junior Achievement lessons aren’t about math, writing, reading, and science, though they require knowledge and understanding in these important subjects. Instead, Junior Achievement activities require students to develop skills in those areas as they set goals, start businesses, and plan for their future. Through hands-on learning, young people are given powerful opportunities to demonstrate their strengths and to see their peers do the same.

The impact of this learning is tremendous. Even more, the impact of bringing real world experiences to our young people is empowering. In fact, results of a recent survey show that 51 percent of Junior Achievement alumni report going into the same field as one of their JA volunteers.

For over one hundred years, Junior Achievement has led the charge in educating students, grades K-12, with the vital life skills they need for their future.

Based on the three pillars integral to our mission— financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness—Junior Achievement builds an engaging curriculum that includes creating a budget, thinking like an entrepreneur, and starting a business as well as teaching more complex concepts, such as economics and the stock market. The powerful lessons enable students to envision the possibilities for their future, and the take-aways are life-changing.

For a moment, imagine a new scene. Picture a bustling town center with head-spinning excitement, energy, and activity. Business storefronts flow with eager employees, savvy CEOs, number-crunching CFOs, and consumers with money to spend. A friendly mayor who knows everyone’s name peruses the town, making sure all are happy and enjoying their day.

Journalists share stories from the news desk that are broadcast throughout the town. Creative advertisers strategically compel shoppers to visit their stores for the latest and greatest items. Even germ experts, acting almost like detectives, take samples and analyze the possible infections that could be brewing.

Everyone is busy. Everyone is working to complete specific goals. Everyone plays an important role. This is capitalism at its finest.

This scene happens every school day in our capstone facility in Salt Lake City. The town is called Spencer F. Eccles Junior Achievement City, and the hustle and bustle, including the friendly mayor, is all created by busy ten-year-olds. Yes, fifth graders. When there, these young students take on adult roles and engage in commerce in a way they never have before. It’s the highlight of their elementary school days and an experience they remember forever. It’s why we’re building a new Woodbury Junior Achievement City in Utah County. It’s also why we want to expand our programs to southern Utah.

We want to partner with the thriving business community in Washington County so your young people can begin to grasp the magnitude of their immense potential. We already have partnerships with schools and educators, and they’re eager to open their doors to the outside world.

We all remember the caring adults, the role models in our lives. We remember the positive influence of those who saw something in us we did not yet see in ourselves, setting us on a better course. Now we have the chance to be those mentors for young people today.

When you experience Junior Achievement, whether in the classroom or at JA City, you leave with a strong sense of confidence in our youth. You know the future is bright.

Junior Achievement is turning on the light and inspiring students every day to dream, aspire, and achieve. We hope you’ll join us.

For more information on how to get involved, contact the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce or Junior Achievement of Utah. You may also send an email to whitney@ja-utah.org.

Christy Tribe is the president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Utah. She has worked as a development officer in the nonprofit arena for the past fifteen years for a number of organizations, including the Oquirrh Institute and the University of Utah College of Nursing. Christy took on the role of president and CEO of Junior Achievement in 2015 after serving as the chief development officer. She is passionate about helping students reach their full potential with JA’s proactive approach to breaking the poverty cycle.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 61

HOW DOES IT WORK?

YOU PROVIDE UNIQUE DEALS FOR OUR MEMBERS WE PUBLISH THESE DEALS ON OUR APP AND WEBSITE THERE IS NO COST FOR BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE CREATE DISCOUNTS OR OFFERS THAT WORK FOR YOU CHANGE DISCOUNTS OR OFFERS AT ANY TIME SET EXPIRATION DATES ON OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS SET FREQUENCY PARAMETERS FOR EACH OFFER GIVE ONE OFFER OR MULTIPLE OFFERS USE THE COOP CONNECTIONS PORTAL TO ANALYZE OFFERS o. 435-673-3297 MARKET TO OVER 25,000 DIXIE POWER MEMBERS FORf.FREE 435-673-3315

AZ: 928-347-5870

LEARN MORE AT

mail@dixiepower.com WWW.DIXIEPOWER.COM/LOCAL-BUSINESS-PARTNERS/ dixiepower.com 145 W. Brigham Rd. St. George, UT 84790-7974

62 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

SIGN UP TODAY AT www.dixiepower.com/local-business-partners/

LET US ADVERTISE FOR YOU

Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah Did you know that the average price of a home in southern Utah is currently $550,900? With the cost of purchasing a new home increasing at a much faster pace than wages, home ownership for many (if not most) has become an impossibility in southern Utah. In fact, you would need to be making more than 140% of the area median income to afford the mortgage payment on an average home.

Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah is a nonprofit that builds, renovates, and repairs homes for qualified families in southwest Utah. Since 1998, they have built twenty-five homes for families in need of safe, decent, and affordable housing through the generous support of countless volunteers, donors, and community partners.

Habitat partner families help build their own homes just like they help build their own brighter futures, paying an affordable mortgage and dedicating 250 hours of sweat equity per adult alongside volunteers. They are ready to find their footing and begin new, empowered lives.

With the support of the southern Utah community, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Join with Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah in a shared vision—a world where everyone has a decent place to live and the opportunity for a better future.

Volunteer. Volunteers are the heart of Habitat for Humanity. Thousands of volunteers lend a hand to build and rehabilitate homes each year. Sponsor a build day or volunteer with your team.

S P O N S O R E D B Y | E A G L E G AT E T I T L E I N S U R A N C E A G E N C Y

Southern Utah’s Top Rated Title & Escrow Company

229 East St. George Blvd #200, St. George, UT 84770 435.703.6060

www.eaglegatetitle.com Closing Made Easy Consumers | Lenders | Realtors | Builders | Commercial

Donate. Put your money to work building brighter futures for those in need.

Your donation will help build stronger communities for all to enjoy. Donations can be made at habitatswu.org. Mail your donation to 835 S. Bluff Street, St. George, UT, 84770, or give a legacy gift in your trust or will. Visit the website for further details.

Shop, volunteer, or donate at ReStore.

The Habitat ReStores in St George and Cedar City are home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home goods, building materials, and more. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Donations are accepted from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

For more information, call Krista Longhurst at 435.674.7669, email community@habitatswu.org, or visit www.habitswu.org.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 63

The Six Stages of Business Growth

By Brad Harker

Behind every business success story is an equally inspiring tale of adversity, adaptation, and grit. While we don’t often see the many mistakes, failures, and near collapses, it is these adversities that fuel growth.

At Harker Growth Partners, we experience these moments with our clients every day.

Entrepreneurship is riddled with pitfalls and detours that can stifle growth. Recognizing the patterns and challenges inherent to the rollercoaster of innovation, our focus is to illuminate the checkpoints and milestones that can ensure business success. Compiling years of tales and case-studies into a single framework, these are the six stages of business growth.

Stage 1: Strategy Objective: Establish an intention and purpose for the development of the business.

Every business begins with a spark of innovation or an “entrepreneurial seizure” as Michael Gerber puts it. Occasionally, however, this spark creates a blinding optimism towards key aspects of business creation and alignment. If we are not careful, we can lose objectivity and control of the purpose for which we started the business. Entrepreneurial success requires a defining strategy or intention for both short-term and long-term success. This strategy must also include longer-range checkpoints or milestones to ensure we maintain alignment as growth ensues.

Stage 2: Validation Objective: Validate product market fit and establish a scalable model of growth.

“Validation” has become a buzz-word in entrepreneurship for good reason. Entrepreneurship has traditionally been viewed as a high-risk endeavor with low odds of success. Today, that trend is changing. Entrepreneurs are learning how to test ideas, share them with customers, and leverage customer feedback to refine the solution into a final product in which they can have a high level of confidence. Entrepreneurship today might be better described as demandbased innovation. Your customers are anxious to solve their challenges and will gladly tell you exactly what they need. The key is taking the time to ask them.

64 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Stage 3: Structure Objective: Leverage sales validation to establish a scalable framework.

Validation instigates demand and a series of new challenges. The first challenge is the “founders plunge.” Stepping back as a founder to enable your team to step up can be overwhelming! It can be equally challenging to simplify the business to a set of processes that can be managed by employees and still make sense to customers. Although hard, this “founders plunge” is an early milestone that will unleash your capacity for growth.

As you embrace the plunge and shed the constraints of the “lone wolf,” a sales process unfolds.

This “customer’s journey” leads each prospect from lead generation to pre-sale, sale, onboarding, and ultimately, fulfillment. Successful companies map this process, refine it, and identify every interaction that occurs at each stage. What is the messaging or scripts that optimize each stage?

What metrics should we measure to track success? Where can we automate and streamline the process to accelerate growth?

Sufficiently mapping the sales process is paramount for growth. It’s nearly impossible to achieve scale without a framework from which to build and test. As you introduce structure to your sales process, look for consistency in customer acquisition costs, conversion rates, sales cycles, and use-cases. As these indicators align, growth will ensue.

Stage 4: Systems Objective: Implement systems to ensure sustainable growth at scale.

As a repeatable sales process emerges, you may encounter bottlenecks and process breaks, or you may struggle to find data to support strategic directions. Remember that systems are the backbone of growth.

One of the most obvious systems is a CRM (customer relationship management). At some point, we all need to graduate from MS Excel to manage customers. As you implement systems to track leads, customers, conversions, or finances, you’ll also free up capacity to increase customer engagement.

Systems can also include onboarding and training processes for new employees. If there is a task in your business that feels repetitive or overwhelming, there is likely a system that can be implemented to ensure more productive uses of your time. Systems might seem overwhelming at first. Be patient and enlist help. The investment will pay massive dividends in the long run.

Continued on Page 66

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 65

Continued from Page 65

Stage 5: Efficiency Objective: Establish sustainable growth and mitigate vulnerabilities of scale.

Efficiency can be the most deceiving and illusive segment of the growth process. Shortterm traction can often be detrimental to longterm growth.

Systems and data integrity provide the vantage point to recognize bottlenecks and inefficiencies early. This is a great stage of the business to seek guidance from outside experts. Instead of hiring seasoned (and expensive) executives, leverage outside guidance to implement proven models and empower a nimbler and more affordable “tiger-team” to execute on those directives.

Culture and leadership also become significant during the efficiency stage. As layers of leadership emerge, strong communication becomes critical. Does every employee, leader, and executive understand and embody the same mission, vision, and strategy?

Stage 6: Growth Objective: Establish scale through channel expansion and innovation.

Depending on your product or industry, growth can come in many forms.

Perhaps a reseller network could help you increase your market reach or expand revenue sources with adjacent products or strategic acquisitions.

Regardless of your strategy, remembering these four tenets will ensure long-term success: 1. Validation never stops. Always seek guidance from your customers.

2. Sell value, not features. Focus on the customer’s journey to success.

3. Measure and test everything.

4. Adapt, even if it’s painful.

“

Entrepreneurial success requires a defining strategy or intention for both short-term and long-term success.

“

Achieving predictable growth is anything but predictable. The market is volatile and constantly shifting. Each preceding stage plays an important role in overall growth. From strategy to efficiency, you must be prepared to adapt to market shifts and constantly seek opportunities to optimize each channel and department.

Brad Harker is a relentless problem solver who is driven by the pursuit of purpose and potential. He has led an unconventional career spanning entrepreneurship, real estate development, and more than a quarter-billion dollars in sales. Now, as an author, speaker, and founder of Harker Growth Partners, Brad helps organizations and professionals generate powerful growth. Through his book The Laws of Influence, podcasts, and training courses, Brad and his team are committed to accelerating performance at the highest levels. You can connect with Brad at www.bradharker.com.

66 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

H O M E

L O A N S

you’ll be

HOME

in no time!

We’ll guide you through every step with: u u u

E FREaisal

appr

At t e nt i v e l oa n of f i c e r s Fa s t pr e a ppr ov a l Ea s y on l i n e a ppl i c a t i on

Apply today! macu.com/mortgage NMLS 462815

On approved credit. Membership required—based on eligibility. Free appraisal on new purchases and construction loans only. Not available on refinance, VA or USDA loans.

Cannot be combined with other offers. Limit one per household. Offer valid on applications received between 3/1/22 and 7/31/22 for loans that close no later than 8/31/22.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 67

Solutions for Your Employee Turnover Crisis

By Jonathan Malan

W

e are living through one of the most interesting times in the history of modern civilization.

Strong statement, I know. But think about it. Mobile devices have put any information you need at your fingertips. We are coming out of a pandemic that has made the world smaller than ever before. Remote workforces are more feasible and accepted than ever. The internet and the creation of cloud-based software means work can be accomplished any time, from anywhere. And for a lot of business owners, this “Great Resignation” is just compounding the staffing crisis we already had on our hands. None of this even brings into account global current events, inflation, financial markets, or other geopolitical events.

So what does all of this mean and how does it affect your business? To attract and retain the best talent possible in St. George, it is time to adapt.

Kevin Harrington, CEO of Joblist, recently noted, “The pandemic was the catalyst for the Great Resignation phenomenon, but it’s likely here to stay. Job openings are close to record levels, and with the rise of remote work and interviewing, it’s never been easier for employees to switch jobs in search of greener pastures.” Additionally, a recent Forbes article stated, “Seventy-nine percent of employed job seekers believe that they can make more money by switching jobs than staying put in the current market.”

The average lifecycle of an employee (from hire date to termination date) is 3.9 years and dropping. In the tech industry, it is now below three years. I am sure in many industries, it is even less than that. I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say that it has never been harder to attract, engage, and retain the right talent.

So what can you do to solve your employee turnover crisis?

Although there are no easy solutions, you may want to consider the following: 1. People want to feel wanted.

2. People want to be heard.

3. People want to be challenged.

68 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

People Want to Feel Wanted When you take an honest look at your employees, are there some that you think you can’t do without? What are you doing to make them feel wanted? Employee recognition, stock options or ownership, creative forms of compensation, or the “golden handcuffs” have never been more important.

One of the things that brought the most bang for the buck in my career was engaging an employee’s spouse and family with the workplace. As is almost always the case, the employee leaves his family daily and lives a completely different life at work—different friend groups, different tasks, different motivations. What can be done to bridge that gap?

One of the most impactful things we did at Vasion (outside of building a building with a huge basketball/pickleball court for families to use) was invite families to join us for experiences at work. Jazz game coming up? Hold a viewing party.

Halloween? Blow out the budget (the kids will love it). Have a reason to recognize some of your employees? Invite their spouses without them knowing. It’s always awesome to watch family members celebrate work wins with your employee.

Find a way to bridge the gap between work and family. It will pay off.

People Want to Be Heard

People Want to Be Challenged

How often are you listening to your employees? Do you have multiple methods to receive feedback? Every employee is different. You will always have those that are forthcoming— even abrupt—with feedback. That’s great, but not everyone feels comfortable sharing information. Sometimes anonymous feedback is necessary.

Why do we work every day? I could be paid all the money in the world and still not be happy if I wasn’t being given opportunities to grow. I believe we are all that way. So how are you creating the set of job duties for each employee? Are you sure the person you are recruiting has a growth runway that matches the type of employee for which you are looking?

Are you having informal conversations with your employees or direct reports? Do you have the pulse of your people? So often, an employee will turn in a notice and the response from the owner or manager is “I had no idea you weren’t happy.”

What can you do to head off that conversation? How can you build enough trust in your organization that when someone is ready to leave, it is a celebration for which everyone is ready?

Identifying the right person to hire and not settling for anything less is perhaps the biggest indicator of success I have seen in my career. The old adage “hire slow, fire fast” isn’t pleasant, but it is usually right. Identify who you need in the role, and start looking. Search far and wide. Talk to friends and family, ask for referrals, engage external recruiters, do everything you can to find the right person. Once you find them, move quickly, and start the process. Show them how much you want them to work for you, listen to them, and challenge them.

These are hard questions to answer. You may have to work to find the right solutions for your business, but these problems are solvable.

Finally, take a look at the employees who have stuck with you the last few years and find a way to thank them (and I mean really thank them). 2019 and 2020 were rough for everyone, and if you have people who have stuck with you, they deserve recognition. Find a way to sincerely thank those who continually partner with you to achieve your shared vision.

Jonathan Malan has spent more than fifteen years growing HR organizations in scaling companies. His focus has been helping an organization become compliant, setting the HR foundation to scale, building the right culture, and helping recruit the right talent to scale. Jonathan has found his desire to help people grow and improve their current economic situation the right fit for his career in HR. Recently Jonathan co-founded a Global PEO to help companies expand their talent pool outside of the United States. He loves having the ability to communicate the opportunity of identifying the right talent and helping companies overcome the logistical and compliance challenges that come with global employment.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 69

H S O U T H E R N U TA GETTING INTO THE ME VRBO” GAYou “AIRBNBand ?

Legal for Is It Right

TEGIES THREE STateRASale s Growth To Acceler

DS ARETÉ AWinAR All Things

FAL L 202 1

Excellence

INTERGALACTIC

Southern Utah’s Moonshot Company Utah Business Fall 2021 :: Southern

Magazine 1 7/20/21 9:48 PM

SUBM0721_rev06.indd

1

Find us in over 1000+ local businesses and professional offices!

W I N T E R

|

S P R I N G

|

S U M M E R

|

F A L L

Southern Utah Business Magazine is now a publication of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce.

w w w . s t g e o r g e c h a m b e r . c o m

70 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

St. George Area Chamber of Commerce

Welcomes New Staff

The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce team is growing! They recently welcomed two new impressive leaders to their staff. We caught up with them for a quick Q&A. Introducing Brad Buhanan and Colette Cox.

Q: Where did you get your degree?

A: I earned a degree in business management from Dixie State University and Southern Utah University.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Washington County?

A: S now Canyon State Park has become my playground. I have hiked every trail, have seen nearly every inch of the park, and have come to love it for all of its complexities. It never looks the same in different light. It’s an incredible place.

Q: Who is a leader you admire?

A: S Imon Sinek as an author and leader. I use the principles taught in his book Start With Why in nearly every aspect of my life.

When trying to solve problems, understand difficult situations, or simply understand interpersonal relationships, getting back to the “why” is crucial.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

Brad Buhanan

A: “ That a lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies” (Alfred Lord Tennyson).

Chief operating officer (COO)

Q: Where did you get your degree?

A: I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Utah State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Alabama.

Q: What are your favorite things to do in Washington County?

A: I love to soak up the beauty in Snow Canyon, visit the Pine Valley Reservoir, and explore the Red Hills Desert Garden during different seasons of the year.

Q: Who is a leader you admire?

A: A local leader that I admire is St. George Mayor Michele Randall. She is a trailblazer in many ways including being the first woman mayor of St. George. She has taken on this distinction with pride and is working hard to balance the old and the new and to take on challenges with optimism.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: “ Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, and how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark” (Jay Danzie).

Q: What do you consider the top benefit of the chamber?

A: The chamber is a central place where many different needs can be met. In my previous job, I loved being the person to whom a business could come for all their financial needs. Now, as a member of the chamber staff, I can be the person that provides connections for chamber members.

Q: What do you think are the top issues facing our community?

A: In my mind, the top issues are managing water resources, managing growth, solving the affordable and attainable housing crisis, and having a unified vision.

Q: What is your advice to others on being successful in the workplace?

A: The success I’ve had is largely due to my desire to serve.

Q: What do you want your legacy at the chamber to be?

A: I want to be known as the guy that was absolutely focused on improving the chamber by making it more streamlined and giving it clearer purpose. I also want to be a unifying factor in the community, working towards a shared and concentrated vision.

Q: What do you consider the top benefit of the chamber?

A: T he business associations and friendships that are forged while participating in Chamber activities turn into productive business contacts and lifelong friendships.

Q: What do you think are the top issues facing our community?

A: A side from the growth challenges that we face, dovetailing the old and the new is extremely difficult when it comes to infrastructure, the business community, government leadership, community traditions, and local residents.

Q: What’s your advice to others on being successful in the workplace?

A: M y advice to others is to hire for and embrace diversity on your team. When you have team members of different ages, belief systems, cultural backgrounds, abilities, and life experiences who are managed well and have the ability to contribute equally, your organization will be poised to go far.

Q: What do you want your legacy at the chamber to be?

Colette Cox

Director of member services

A: I would like to help our area businesses embrace change and connect with the people and tools that will lead to their personal and organizational success.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 71

Marketing to Your Target Audience Three Pitfalls to Avoid

By Adam Stoker

H

ave you ever said, “If I were buying this, I would like…”

We can all fall into this way of thinking. It is an easy pitfall: marketing to yourself— to what you want to hear and see—instead of your target audience. Even if you are similar to your target audience, it’s a habit you don’t want to build or reinforce.

This is why EKR works according to our proprietary RACE method.

The RACE method starts with research.

Without research, it’s difficult to know whether your finished product will be effective. Once completed, you can analyze your research, which will provide a baseline of measurement and offer key insights into your organization, your competition, and your audience. What you learn in the analysis will give you the information you will need to make motivated decisions in the creation and execution of your marketing plan (because we all know that is the fun part).

The best part about this methodology is its cyclical nature. As you run campaigns and collect data, you can return to analysis and iterate when necessary.

Without the RACE method as a guide, there are three challenging pitfalls to avoid.

Marketing is about getting the right message to the right people at the right time.

72 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Research Without Reason The internet is full of information that can help business owners draw a picture of the marketplace. If you’re moving forward using gut feelings or personal instinct about what you’ve previously seen in the industry, it never hurts to back those ideas with solid research.

Entrepreneurship and business creation include being curious, asking questions, and building a foundation that will last.

Research pours the foundational concrete for the building of your business so that it is solid and secure in fundamental data that will teach you what your audience thinks and what they do.

Regardless of whether your hypotheses are proven or disproven, with proper research and with your questions answered, you are ready to analyze the data to clearly establish your audience.

Purposeless Personas Marketing is about getting the right message to the right people at the right time. Because you want to make sure you are speaking to the right people, the pitfall to avoid here is creating inaccurate personas.

A persona—a representation of a group of customers who have similar goals, buyer habits, and personal profiles—helps you to understand the type of customer you are trying to attract and relate to them as real people. Using personas allows you to minimize marketing waste and thoroughly understand your core audience while speaking to them in the most effective manner.

You will encounter a pitfall if your personas aren’t based on research, if your personas are the result of guesswork or intuition, or if you have more personas than your marketing budget can support.

Personas lose their purpose if you write them and forget about them or write them without supporting data.

Once your personas are created, your message becomes relatable to each audience, content can be successfully created and executed that resonates and appeals to the right people, and your goals can be reached.

When used correctly, personas become actionable, and the results phase of the RACE method will be easier to analyze.

Positioning that Doesn’t Stick There is a lot of competition for your audiences’ attention. In order to rise to the top, you need to use your personas and to be selective and focused on a specific niche or target audience—otherwise known as positioning.

Once personas are created, don’t forget about them! Forgotten personas are like cracked foundations, making the building of your business risky and unstable.

Without personas and everything you’ve invested so far, a position statement—a description of your target market as well as a compelling picture of how you want that market to perceive your brand—won’t stick.

Your marketing messages are less likely to resonate with audiences if you don’t utilize and live by the information you’ve gathered and analyzed in your research and the personas you’ve created. This also places your business in an inferior position compared to the competition.

Identify your competition, use your personas with purpose, and build a brand that stands out. Your authenticity in doing so will push you ahead in marketing.

Moving Forward Have you found yourself in these pitfalls? Following the RACE method can help you stay on track. Take the time to research and understand your market, your competition, and your correct personas so you can authentically brand and market yourself successfully.

Adam Stoker is the president and CEO of Relic+EKR. He graduated from Brigham Young University’s nationally-ranked advertising program and has been working in advertising for fifteen years. Adam builds businesses, people, and products through his leadership. His role includes overseeing the vision of the company, creating relationships with employees and clients, and identifying growth opportunities. In 2020, he successfully led Relic in acquiring EKR, an agency that specializes in digital marketing and web development. Adam is the host of the Destination Marketing Podcast and author of Touchpoints: A Destination Marketer’s Guide to Brand Evaluation and Enhancement. Adam is listed in the 40 Under 40 from Utah Business and Utah Valley Business magazines.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 73

What’s Happening in

Southern Utah

By Macrae Heppler

W

ashington City is preparing for a generational transformation, and it’s all centered on the northeast

SIENNA HILLS AUTO MALL

side of I-15 just off Exit 13. For months, a hub of commercial growth has created anticipation, speculation, and excitement.

Black Bear Diner, Maverick, Terrible’s, Best Western Plus Settler’s Point, and Ovation at Sienna Hills have already opened their doors for business, but plans are underway for much more. Read on to find out what the future holds for this area and for the people who live and play in southern Utah.

Sienna Hills Auto Mall Construction is already underway on Sienna Hills Auto Mall, a new highline forty-acre auto mall in Washington City.

Developers have announced Findlay Hyundai/Genesis as the first dealership with over twenty additional invitations to auto manufacturers pending. This auto mall is the first of its kind in southern Utah and aims to standout by delivering a better, more seamless customer experience. Other invited brands include Audi, BMW, Bentley, Maserati, Tesla, Bugatti, and Porsche. Learn more at https://siennahillsautomall.com.

SIENNA HILLS AUTO MALL

Grapevine Crossing Grapevine crossing is southern Utah’s newest premier lifestyle destination. This ninety-three-acre development will enhance the southern Utah experience with exceptional dining, shopping, and entertainment. The developers expect to announce unique restaurants, a grocery store, and other amenities that can’t be found elsewhere in southern Utah. Stay up to date at https://www. grapevinecrossing.com.

74 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Steward Hospital Steward Hospital, a 120,000-square-foot, privatelyowned hospital, will be the “anchor” to the Zion Medical Village. Phase one of construction will be nearly 60,000 square feet of space and include forty-four beds. Phase two will complete the facility, adding an additional thirty-six beds. The Zion Medical Village is still in the early stages of planning, but this development will provide a landing pad for healthcare companies looking to expand to Washington City.

Culver’s Culver’s is the most recent addition to the businesses at exit 13. Located next to the Maverick, they are known for their famous butterburgers and frozen custard. For more information or store hours, visit their website at www.culvers.com.

SIENNA HILLS A

SIENNA HILLS AUTO MALL McDonald’s Since 1954, McDonald’s has been serving quality food at affordable prices. It won’t be long until you’ll be able to order your Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, or Egg McMuffin at the new exit 13 location. Construction started on April 11, 2022, and is expected to last just over a hundred days. This new location will employ over eighty people.

SIENNA HILLS AUTO MALL

1861 by Ovation Fine dining has a new name in the St. George area, and it is called 1861 by Ovation. Named to commemorate the year the St. George area was first settled, 1861 is an elegant, upscale restaurant featuring food from local and regional growers and ranchers as well as delicious, scratch-made cocktails. It is located in the recently opened Ovation at Sienna Hills. Book your table at https://1861finedining.com.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 75

Welcome Advanced Hearing and Balance Specialists (435) 688-8866 www.advancedhearingdocs.com 617 E. Riverside Drive #102 St. George, UT 84790 Alexander Asphalt (435) 668-8728 www.alexander-asphalt.com 115 W. 300 S. Washington, UT 84780 Amber’s Sticker & Print Shop (435) 414-1192 http://ambersprint.shop St. George, UT 84790 Arcadia Resort (435) 922-0500 www.arcadiaresort.com 2761 N. Arcadia Drive Santa Clara, UT 84765 Arrowhead Gallery (435) 628-9592 www.arrowheadgallery-etc.com 68 E. Tabernacle Street St. George, UT 84770 AR Workshop St. George (435) 631-2141 http://arworkshop.com/stgeorge 55 S. 300 W. St. George, UT 84770 Attuned Touch (435) 231-5142 www.attunedtouch.com 1812 W. Sunset Blvd. #138 St George, UT 84770 BrightNight (703) 626-1119 http://brightnightpower.com 13123 E. Emerald Coast Parkway Suite B-513 Inlet Beach, FL 32461

to Our Newest St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Members

Click Mortgage, Tony Clayton (801) 706-4998 http://tclaytonloans.com 3128 E. Rimrunner Drive St. George, UT 84790

Desert Village Townhomes (435) 922-2947 www.liveatdesertvillage.com 2400 Rachel Drive Santa Clara, UT 84765

Cogent Strategic Wealth (425) 868-3459 http://CogentSW.com 1031 S. Bluff Street Suite 170 St. George, UT 84770

Dick’s Sporting Goods (435) 673-4261 www.dickssportinggoods.com 15 S. River Road Suite 240 St. George, UT 84790

Color Me Mine St. George (435) 900-2510 http://stgeorge.colormemine.com 245 N, Red Cliffs Drive Suite 9 St. George, UT 84790

Dixon Cabinets (435) 632-2139 1141 E. 540 N. #3 St. George, UT 84770

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp (435) 817-4300 www.fairwayindependentmc/ dennis-tyler 393 E. Riverside Drive Bldg. 2A St. George, UT 84790 Family Support Center of Washington County, Utah (435) 817-0480 www.fsc4kids.org 310 W. 200 N. St. George, UT 84770

Conservative Voice Association (714) 394-3568 3726 S. 2690 E. St. George, UT 84790

DP Cheesesteaks St. George (435) 879-3441 www.dpcheesesteaks.com 1506 S. Silicon Way Suite 1A St. George, UT 84770

Farmers Insurance District Office (435) 628-9688 www.recruitment.farmers.com/ japplegate1 1805 W. Sunset Blvd. Suite B St. George, UT 84770

Coral Desert Surgery Center http://www.coraldesertsurgery.com (435) 674-5230 1490 E. Foremaster Drive Bldg C St. George, UT 84790

DuCharme Financial Group (435) 220-4930 www.ducharmefinancialgroup.com 1031 S. Bluff Street St. George, UT 84770

Field Study (435) 200-4948 www.shopfieldstudy.com 76 W. Tabernacle Street Unit 1 St. George, UT 84770

Cosy, LLC (435) 922-6490 http://becosyhouse.com 904 W. 1600 S. Suite 101 St. George, UT 84770

Dynamic Superior Services (435) 680-7989 www.dsswc.com 929 W. Sunset Blvd. Suite 21-131 St. George, UT 84770

Cross Court Pickleball (520) 213-3732 http://crosscourtpickleball.com 514 N. Bluff Street #3 St. George, UT 84770

Epik Global Walls (646) 847-9076 http://epikwalls.com 491 N. Old Highway 91 Unit C4 Hurricane, UT 84737

Flitch Creative (435) 652-4020 www.flitchcreative.com 321 N. Mall Drive Bldg. A Suite 201 St. George, UT 84790

Dappr (844) 760-0760 491 N. Bluff Street Suite 303 St.George, UT 84770

Equality Utah (385) 487-3811 www.equalityutah.org 350 E. 400 S. Suite 305 Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Forever Clear Pool and Spa Cleaning Services (206) 715-5488 20 N. Red Trail Lane Washington, UT 84780 INN Santa Clara (702) 630-3859 https://innsantaclara.com 1190 Heights Drive Santa Clara, UT 84765

Join the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce today.

Connect with our 1000+ members!

76 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Jamie Egbert, iPro Realty (435) 574-7377 1060 S. Main Street Suite 202 St. George, UT 84770 Jenkins Bagley Sperry, PLLC (435) 656-8200 http://jenkinsbagley.com 285 W. Tabernacle Street Suite 301 St. George, UT 84770

ProvenLaw, PLLC (435) 688-9231 https://provenlaw.com 216 W. St. George Blvd. Suite 200 St. George, UT 84770 Rapid Cycling (435) 703-9880 http://rapidcyclingbikes.com 705 N. Bluff Street St. George, UT 84770

Let’s Throw A Party (435) 674-7655 446 S. Mall Drive Suite B6 St. George, UT 84790

Red Carpet Cleaning (801) 458-9351 1816 N. 300 E. Unit 101 North Ogden, UT 84414

Lynn Warren Interiors (949) 680-8687 http://lynnwarren.com 38 W. Tabernacle Street Unit 106 St. George, UT 84770

Red Cliffs Chiropractic (435) 986-7780 http://redcliffschiropractic.com 1363 E. 170 S. #102 St. George, UT 84790

Mobile Dental Hygiene (435) 680-0517 www.smartmouthdh.com 2506 E. Wilderness Gate Drive Washington, UT 84780

Red Hills Dental (435) 215-4805 www.SGSmiles.com 162 E. 300 S. St. George, UT 84770

Natalie Tallakson, Realtor (435) 922-0297 3435 Paiute Road St. George, UT 84790

Red Rock Audio Innovations (435) 216-2734 3150 S. Camino Real Washington, UT 84780

New Season St. George Metro Treatment Center (435) 656-8918 http://newseasons.com 620 S. 400 E. Suite 404 St. George, UT 84770

Rex Jones Photo (435) 319-7279 https://rexjonesphoto.net 184 S. Valley View Drive #104 St. George, UT 84770

Peace of Mind Home Watch (435) 705-1945 www.peaceofmindhw.com 793 W. Wiltshire Street Washington, UT 84780 Pender Athletic Brands, Inc. (435) 900-3090 250 Red Cliffs Drive #36 St George, UT 84790 Priority First Real Estate Professionals (435) 219-9500 www.yourstgeorgerealtor.com 1173 S. 250 W. Suite #101E St. George, UT 84770

Shine Bright Boutique (435) 229-0237 http://shinebrightleather.com 28 N. 1250 W. St. George, UT 84770 Simple Moves (435) 705-9141 http://simple-moves.com 1594 Sweetgum Circle St. George, UT 84790 Southern Utah Ladies Society (435) 767-1235 www.southernutahladiessociety.com PO Box 1041 St. George, UT 84771

STG FOAM (435) 229-0236 http://stgfoam.com 28 N. 1250 W. St. George, UT 84770

Top Notch Spinal Care (435) 879-3709 www.topnotchspinalcare.com 1506 S. Silicon Way Suite 1AA St. George, UT 84770

St. George Exchange Club (435) 632-5456 345 E. 170 S. Ivins, UT 84738

uBreakiFix St. George (435) 879-3350 www.ubreakifix.com/locations/ st.george 245 Red Cliffs Drive Unit 20 St. George, UT 84790

Stout (801) 296-2150 https://stoutllc.com 1113 S. 500 W. Bountiful, UT 84010 Terrible Herbst (702) 597-6196 http://terribles.com 4655 Pioneer Road St. George, UT 84790 The Mayaway (435) 628-2092 www.themayaway.com 756 S. Redwood Road Salt Lake City, UT 84104 The Modern Pet (435) 218-1537 http://themodernpetstore.com 85 N. 100 E. St. George, UT 84770 The UPS Store St. George (601) 988-7023 4185 W. Williams Street Hurricane, UT 84737

UV360, Inc. (435) 627-3090 www.UV360.io 3143 S. 840 E. Suite 328 St. George, UT 84790 Vivint (435) 773-7503 www.vivint.com 1206 W. Sunset Blvd.

St. George, UT 84770 Zion Electric & Solar (435) 229-7332 http://zionelectricandsolar.com 1956 Lepido Way St. George, UT 84790 Zion Tiny Homes (435) 359-0168 www.zionstinyhomes.com 3292 E. Deseret Drive Unit 102 St. George, UT 84790

www.stgeorgechamber.com

Spring 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 77

Thank you to our committed members!

Renewing Members from January-March 2022

Company Name

Years Since Join Date

A Plus Garage Doors......................1 Acupuncture Rocks.........................1 Aiden By Best Western St. George..................................68 Alakazam IT.....................................1 All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical..............................1 Allstate, The Extra Mile Insurance Agency At Dino Crossing............3 Allstate, The Shonie Insurance Group..........................4 Altabank........................................14 America First Credit Union...........23 American Heritage Homes.............3 American Pacific Mortgage............2 Arcadia Vacation Resort..................4 Arrow Stage Lines...........................5 AT&T.............................................10 Barney, McKenna & Olmstead, P.C..............................2 BASEco...........................................1 BBQ Pit Stop of St. George............1 Bee Wow Salon...............................1 Best Western Coral Hills...............54 Best Western Plus Settlers Point....2 Biolife Plasma Services-Dixie..........7 BlvdHome.....................................48 Bud Mahas Construction, Inc.......19 Bush & Gudgell, Inc......................54 BuyWyz, LLC.................................26 Cache Valley Bank .......................21 Camping World of St. George.......9 Casey Brown Real Estate................2 Chris Zollinger at Red Rock Real Estate...................................1 CIS Professional Land Surveying....4 City of St. George.........................60 Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center...............................25 Clarion Suites................................15 Color Country Human Resouces Association..................7 Comfort Suites................................3 Conserve Southwest Utah..............8 Courtyard by Marriott...................16 Cowboys and Indians...................17 Dabney & Barnes..........................27 Darlene Dilley, DSU Assistant Provost for Enrollment Management...............................4 Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar, P.C................................43 Desert Color....................................4 Desert Pain Specialists....................5 Dixie 4 Wheel Drive........................8

Dixie Convention Center..............31 Dixie Power...................................24 Dixie Rocks & Fossils......................2 Dixie Rocks & Fossils......................4 Dixie State University......................2 Dixie Watercolor Society and Gallery.................................35 Dogtown Pet Spa............................2 Earth Keeper’s Alchemy..................2 Earth’s Jade Natural Upkeeping.....1 East West Health.............................3 EconoLodge Hurricane.................17 Edible Arrangements......................3 Electric Comedy.............................4 Electric Edge Media.......................4 Elevation Custom Homes...............1 Emily Foster, ERA Brokers Consolidated...............................1 F1 Property Management, LLC....16 First Watch #606, formerly The Egg & I.................15 Fortify Physical Therapy..................1 Gaia’s Garden Cafe.........................1 Gene STAT Molecular Diagnostics..................................2 George’s Corner Restaurant...........9 Go Fiber........................................12 Graduate Center at St. George University of Utah..........................11 Greg Aldred, Realtor....................11 Gustave A. Larson Company..........7 Hafen Buckner..............................53 Hampton Inn and Suites/SunRiver..4 Hempster Farms.............................1 Home Flooring Connection, LLC...5 Hughes General Contractors, Inc..........................25 iGOTPOOP.COM............................2 Inclusion Strategies.........................1 Hurst Stores, Inc............................65 Infinite Solutions, Inc.......................5 Integrated Medical Services...........1 Intermountain Healthcare...............3 InXpress 276...................................1 JC Commerce.................................1 Jill Paulsen at Red Rock Real Estate...................................3 Joseph E. Hansen Insurance Agency........................8 JRW Rods and Customs.................5 Justin Taylor Films...........................1 Kayenta Art Village.......................20 Kirton McConkie.............................3 Kustom Container...........................7 L & L Mechanical...........................55 Legacy Ridge Apartments..............3 Legacy Village of St George ..........2

78 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Life Guard Computers....................1 Lifetime Store..................................1 Lin’s Fresh Market ........................49 Lovin It Ceramics............................3 LP4 DogTown Pet Spa ...................2 Mad Moose Rentals .......................4 Magic Bubbles................................1 Mays Retirement Solutions.............4 McArthur Welding........................25 McArthur’s Temple View RV Resort....................................37 Merrill Lynch..................................11 Metcalf Mortuary..........................55 Meth Mob, Decontamination Specialists.....................................5 Midgley-Huber, Inc.........................4 Mockingbird Communications.......2 Modern Farm and Artisan Co-op .10 Mollie’s Landing..............................1 Morningside Storage....................24 Mountain West Commercial Real Estate...................................6 Mountain West Small Business Finance........................23 Mr. WiseGuy, LLC............................3 My 2nd Home Vacation Property Management................3 NAI Excel......................................20 Newby Buick, Pontiac, GMC........26 Painted Pony.................................21 Parke Cox Trucking Company, Inc.............................25 Perks! Espresso & Smoothies.........9 Pettegrew Insurance.......................1 Pizza Factory-Pineview....................3 Pizza Factory.................................26 Pizza Factory Express......................3 Platinum Real Estate Professionals, PLLC......................4 Premier Pools & Spas of St. George...............................1 PrimeSource Sanitary Supply .........2 Prolong Medical Center.................1 Rain Gutter Specialist.....................2 Rainbow Sign & Banner, Inc.........27 RAW Fitness....................................2 Reach Higher Athletics...................2 Red Mountain Resort....................41 Red Rock Furniture.........................1 Robert J. DeBry & Associates ........2 Rock Canyon Bank..........................6 Rovit................................................3 Salt Lake Express............................6 Santa Clara City............................21 Security Service Federal Credit Union...............................26 SelectHealth..................................25 Shakespeare Pest Control..............4 Smash Labs Rage Rooms...............2 Snow Jensen & Reece..................21 Southern Utah Gem and Jewelry Appraisals................4 Southwest Hearing Clinic...............5

Spectrum Newspaper/USA Today .18 Spilsbury Mortuary........................37 Sport Clips-Sunset..........................4 St. George Academy......................6 St. George Car Wash & Detail Center............................4 St. George Flooring........................5 St. George Musical Theater..........10 St. George Party Rentals...............14 St. George Regional Medical Center..........................70 Stephen Wade Auto Center.........45 Stout Building Contractors.............3 Sunset Springs Apartments..........17 Sunwarrior.......................................7 Swenson & Shelley Injury Attorneys......................................4 Tacos Plaza......................................1 Take Action Marketing....................1 Terra Title......................................24 The Bullock Agency........................1 The Food Gods...............................1 The Joint Chiropractic-St George....3 The Ledges Golf Club....................8 The Pasta Factory...........................3 The Shoppes at Zion.....................31 The Takeout Book...........................1 The Zion Creative...........................1 Tia’s Artisan Bakery and Restaurant.............................2 Trauma Help for Women (THW).....1 Triple T Heating & Cooling.............9 Troy Moultrie, iPro Realty Network............................1 Tru by Hilton St. George.................3 True North Float..............................1 Tub ThumpersToastmasters International...........1 United Way Dixie .........................18 University of Utah Graduate Center........................21 Utah Disaster Kleenup ...................3 Utah Safe Company........................1 Valpak of Southern Utah...............20 Veyo Pool and Crawdad Canyon....4 Wasatch Infusion.............................1 Washington City.............................2 Washington County Children’s Justice Center...........23 Washington County School District............................24 Washington County Sheriff’s Office............................21 Wells Fargo Advisors......................4 Wells Fargo Bank..........................41 Wells Fargo Bank-Sunset................4 Western Rock Products.................19 Worldmark By Wyndham................1 Wyson Financial .............................7 XiiiUSA, LLC....................................1 Zagg St. George.............................3 ZenBusiness....................................1 Zions Bank.......................................2

Join the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce today.

Connect with our 1000+ members!

Calendar of

Events

May 2022 May 1, 2022 Washington City Cotton Days: Historical Society Fireside Historical Museum 6:00 p.m.

May 4, 2022 Meet the New Members Chamber Luncheon Hilton Garden Inn 11:30 a.m.

May 5, 2022 Chamber of Commerce 101: Making the Most of Your Membership St. George Area Chamber of Commerce 8:30 a.m.

May 7, 2022 Tuacahn Saturday Market Tuacahn Amphitheater 10:00 a.m.

May 11, 2022 The Benefits of a Healthy Workforce Hilton Garden Inn 11:30 a.m.

May 12, 2022 Startup Grind Be More Complex 9:00 a.m.

May 6, 2022 19th Annual Chamber Classic Golf Tournament Presented by Clyde Companies Sunbrook Golf Club 7:00 a.m.

May 7–8, 2022 IRONMAN World Championship St. George 6:30 a.m.

80 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Spring 2022

May 14, 2022 Festival of the Americas Kayenta Art Village 9:00 a.m.

May 17–20, 2022 Armed Forces Celebration Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum 9:00 a.m.

May 19, 2022 Chamber of Commerce 101: Making the Most of Your Membership St. George Area Chamber of Commerce 8:30 a.m.

June 2, 2022 Chamber of Commerce 101: Making the Most of Your Membership St. George Area Chamber of Commerce 8:30 a..m.

June 8, 2022 Chamber Networking Luncheon TBD 11:30 a.m.

June 9, 2022 Startup Grind Be More Complex 9:00 a.m.

June 15, 2022 Chamber Networking Luncheon TBD 11:30 a.m.

May 20–21, 2022 Spring Roundup Rodeo Dixie Sun Bowl 7:00 p.m.

May 21, 2022 St. George Police Department 5k St. George Police Department 9:00 a.m.

June 16, 2022 Chamber of Commerce 101: Making the Most of Your Membership St. George Area Chamber of Commerce 8:30 a.m.

June 22, 2022 Chamber Networking Luncheon TBD 11:30 a.m.

May 21, 2022 Sand Hollow Triathlon Sand Hollow State Park 5:30 a.m.

May 25, 2022 Chamber Networking Lunch TBD 11:30 a.m.

June 2022 June 1, 2022 Meet the New Members Chamber Luncheon Hilton Garden Inn 11:30 a.m.

July 2022 July 4, 2022 Independence Day Celebration St. George City All Day July 23, 2022 Pioneer Day Celebration St. George City All Day

To learn more about Community Events, please visit www.stgeorgechamber.com Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 81

Deeply rooted. Widely branched.

As Durham Jones Pinegar, we have faithfully served clients throughout Utah for over 27 years. Now, as Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar, we add to that high level of commitment an even greater breadth of resources and depth of experience. With 12,000 lawyers in 82 countries and experience across a wide range of practice areas, we have the capability to provide the specific advice required to get a deal done, resolve a dispute or solve a business problem.

Local. National. Global. Wherever the need, whatever the challenge.

Dentons, the law firm of the future is here.

dentons.com © 2021 Dentons. Dentons is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates. Please see dentons.com for Legal Notices.

82 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022

Flexible Space for a Life at Home Home is now our offices, our schools and our playgrounds.

Learn more about buying and owning a home at nahb.org/consumers.

Summer 2022 :: Southern Utah Business Magazine 83

Nothing Compares

ST. G EO R G E , PA R K C I T Y, H E B E R VA L L E Y, D R A P E R , S A LT L A K E C I T Y

S U M M I TS OT H E B YS R E A LT Y.C O M

U TA H

Service that’s as elevated as your standards.

VIEW PROPERTIES

©MMXXII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Copyright© Summit Sotheby’s International Realty 2022.

84 Southern Utah Business Magazine :: Summer 2022