When I was in 5th grade I used a blue sharpie to draw my name in fancy block letters on the front of my binder. My classmate noticed and asked if I could do hers, and I obliged. Then the kid across from her noticed and wanted his name done as well.

Brigham Young stood at the top of Ensign Peak almost 200 years ago and proclaimed his now famous saying, “This is the place.” If I may, I’d like to echo his words with my own proclamation and say that “this is the place” for startups!

“I just really love food. It brings people together and makes them happy, you know?” When Maharba Zapata talks, you can hear the smile in her voice. Also known as SalsaQueen, her thick Spanish accent, with its rolling “r’s” and selectively softened consonants, exudes joy. Even if you can’t see her

Building a winning team will give any business the best chance at success. With each round of funding being achieved by fewer and fewer companies, I have focused on building the right team around me so that we defy the odds. When you have the right team around you, a business will thrive.

The lack of diversity in Utah is often in the headlines, with Utah ranked the 43rd least diverse state in the nation in 20211. And almost like clockwork, Utah is named one of the worst states for working women every year2.

Like a raven attracted to shiny objects, so Tristen Persons was drawn to a ring made from a metal kitchen spoon. If you’d asked young teenage Tristen whether he thought a spoon could change his life, he’d probably have scoffed. But that’s exactly what happened.

The Silicon Slopes Marketing Chapter is back in action. With new Chapter Chair Pete Larkin, we’re busy with events and opportunities for Chapter members. The Marketing Chapter has been meeting every month for what we call “Lunch and Learn” events.

At 21 years old I started selling insurance on my own. After working full time for two months, my first commission check was $19.21. Eight years later I sold that profitable insurance business and used the proceeds to start three more businesses over the next 12 years.