Business Elevated

Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
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The Business Elevated podcast discusses what it's like to live, work, and recreate in the great state of Utah from the perspective of the state's business, nonprofit, and government leaders. Since 2019, it has included the state's critical economic development topics, the day's pressing issues, and timely conversations with industry-leading guest experts. The Business Elevated podcast is a production of the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.

  1. 10/03/2025

    237. Jason Christensen — Whipping Up Delicious Protein Bars

    In this episode, Jason Christensen, co-founder of the Utah-based protein bar company Blue Unicorn, discusses his entrepreneurial journey, which began with a summer sales job. He and his partner, Dr. Luke Tolley, formed the company after creating a unique, plant-based protein bar that is also nut-free, gluten-free, and tastes like a treat. The company manufactures its bars in Springville, Utah, and sells them online and through local retailers like Good Earth Markets and, soon, Harmon's. Christensen believes that a sense of accountability and a "can-do" spirit are key to entrepreneurial success, and he credits Utah's supportive business community with fostering this environment.

    27 min

  2. 09/26/2025

    236. Scott Cuthbertson — A Holistic Approach to Economic Growth and AI

    In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Scott Cuthbertson, founder and CEO of Alpen Associates.  Cuthbertson discusses his inspiration for the company, where he combined his 15 years of experience in management consulting with his recent work in economic development in Utah. He identified a need for companies that had been incentivized to come to the state to receive ongoing support to realize their vision fully. Alpen Associates offers a range of services to both companies and communities, including site selection, navigating the incentives process, and evaluating public financing tools.  Cuthbertson highlights the company's use of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, including creating a tool to help match companies with suitable communities. He emphasizes the importance of the "human in the loop," suggesting that while technology is a great tool, human judgment, relationships, and personal integrity will become even more valuable. As an example of the company's work, Cuthbertson details a partnership with High Tech Solutions to develop a small modular nuclear reactor ecosystem in Utah. This initiative addresses Utah's growing need for energy, creates jobs, and establishes Utah as a national hub for nuclear energy.

    23 min

  3. 09/19/2025

    235. Brian Miller — Addressing the Hidden Cost of Financial Stress With MoneyRight

    In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Brian Miller, founder and CEO of MoneyRight. Miller's journey into personal finance began at age 11. Initially, a traditional financial advisor, he grew disillusioned with a system that benefits the wealthy. Miller focused on helping students and others develop basic financial skills, recognizing the link between money management and emotional and psychological health. He then created MoneyRight, a platform for employees to provide financial education and psychological insights for the company's benefit. Miller identified a significant need for this service, as financial stress impacts productivity, turnover, and absenteeism. He explains that MoneyRight aims to become an employee's financial operating system. The program begins with a confidential financial stress assessment to identify a company's most significant issues. It then provides employees with a free portal, paid for by the employer, featuring monthly topics, videos, and tools tailored to their needs. The software teaches key financial concepts, like debt repayment strategies, and the importance of investing, while emphasizing a compassionate, non-judgmental approach.

    32 min

  4. 09/15/2025

    234. Leading Utah's Economic Future — A Conversation With GOEO and WTC Utah

    In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), talks with Jefferson Moss, the organization's new executive director. Moss discusses his background and priorities, emphasizing how he will lead GOEO as a coordinator, convener, and collaborator among various organizations and initiatives in the state. He believes that uniting these groups will help Utah tackle key challenges — workforce development, housing, and rural economic growth — more quickly and effectively. Moss highlights the importance of partnerships and proactive communication to ensure a stable and business-friendly environment.  He highlights the importance of economic diversity, noting Utah's strategic focus on both established and emerging industries. Moss explains how GOEO is reassessing its targeted industry clusters to include new sectors like energy and artificial intelligence, and how it's leveraging resources like the Utah Innovation Fund to help commercialize cutting-edge research from universities. He points to his experiences as an entrepreneur and former legislator to illustrate how government can support the business community by providing resources, fostering connections, and creating a stable, pro-business regulatory framework. Moss expresses confidence in Utah's future and praises the GOEO team's dedication to keeping the state a great place to live and work. ______________________ This episode features a partner conversation with Jonathan Freedman, president and CEO, and Rich Israelsen, chief revenue officer at World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah).   WTC Utah is actively working to help local businesses thrive in the global market despite constantly changing international trade policies. The organization offers key resources like a tariff dashboard, weekly webinars, and the Foreign Trade Zone, which helps companies defer or reduce duties and tariffs. They also organize governor-led trade missions to countries like Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and Japan, which open doors and create valuable business connections. Additionally, WTC Utah administers the Small Business Administration's STEP Grant, providing financial assistance for travel and marketing to help Utah companies increase their exports.

    40 min

  5. 09/05/2025

    233. Beyond the Rides — Building Life Skills at Lagoon

    In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with David Gray, director of human resources at Lagoon Amusement Park (Lagoon), Rob Coursey, attorney and owner at Modern Age Employment Law, and Nancy Sylvester, a labor and employment attorney at the Ogletree Deakins law firm.  Gray and Coursey discuss their professional journeys and experiences with Utah's business community, focusing on Lagoon's workplace culture. Gray talks about Lagoon's commitment to hiring and mentoring young employees. Coursey highlights Lagoon's proactive approach to creating a safe and respectful environment for its employees — particularly its seasonal and youth workforce. The duo expresses a deep passion for their work and emphasizes the rewarding nature of building strong, positive workplace cultures and preparing young people for future careers.  Sylvester shares her positive experiences as a parent of a teenager who worked at Lagoon. She highlights how her daughter's first job helped her develop crucial life skills such as responsibility, time management, and financial literacy. As a legal expert, Sylvester advises other parents to encourage their teens to get their first job, be vigilant for potential red flags, and maintain open communication about their work experiences with their children.

    43 min

  6. 08/29/2025

    232. Tanner Thompson — From Richfield Roots to Apparel Powerhouse

    In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Tanner Thompson, CEO and owner of The Shirt Stop. Thompson discusses how he stumbled into entrepreneurship by purchasing an existing screen printing business in his hometown of Richfield, Utah. He explains that this decision was key to his success because the business already had an established team of seven employees. This strategic focus and its commitment to building long-term customer relationships have been instrumental in the company's growth. Since then, The Shirt Shop has expanded from seven to nearly 80 employees and from a small 1,500-square-foot shop to 45,000 square feet between two locations in Richfield and Lehi, Utah. Thompson highlights the significance of being based in rural Richfield, noting that it fosters a strong sense of community and integrity with customers. This long-game approach ensures that the company produces quality products and has a good reputation. The Shirt Shop has adapted to industry changes, shifting from a primarily word-of-mouth model to one that leverages social media and influencer marketing, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift allowed the company to expand its services beyond corporate swag to include branded apparel for social media influencers. Thompson plans to continue growing the company by taking on more textile manufacturing services and expanding into international markets.

    24 min

  7. 08/22/2025

    231. Ben Hart — Fueling Local Economies and Utah's Future

    In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Ben Hart, executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA). Hart discusses his career detour from banking to public service, driven by a desire to give back to the community and make a tangible difference. He highlights the rewarding experience of seeing companies his office helped bring to the state employ friends and family, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector for Utah's continued success. Hart highlights UIPA's mission to expand rail service and boost local economies. Since its creation in 2018, the authority has grown from a single port project to overseeing 14 development areas statewide. He explains the port's role in attracting future-facing industries and high-wage jobs by working with the governor's office to offer a "stackable" corporate recruitment tool. Hart also addresses sustainability efforts, such as directing funds towards conservation and partnering with the Department of Air Quality to secure a $112 million environmental grant. He further emphasizes the shift toward more balanced transportation — reducing reliance on trucks while expanding rail and air cargo use.

    27 min

  8. 08/15/2025

    230. Sharlene Wells — Building a Holistic Support System for Utah's Business Community

    In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Sharlene Wells, senior vice president of public relations and organizational communications at Mountain America Credit Union. Wells shares her career path, which includes being Miss America, working at ESPN, and serving with the Department of Defense. She delves into the evolution of Mountain America Credit Union, noting that while the core principle of providing fair loans and building savings remains, it now offers a more holistic support system — from free financial guides to a strong emphasis on financial education. She highlights the credit union's strong commitment to supporting small businesses, citing its long-standing status as a top SBA credit union lender and sharing a successful client story. Wells emphasizes the importance of building relationships with members to provide support during economic challenges. She also discusses the credit union's approach to local engagement, which includes partnerships with organizations like the Hale Center Theater and active involvement with various Chambers of Commerce. Wells explains that the credit union's growth strategy is driven by listening to its members' needs, leading to initiatives like translating documents into Spanish and creating a director of multicultural engagement position to better serve diverse communities.

    34 min
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About

The Business Elevated podcast discusses what it's like to live, work, and recreate in the great state of Utah from the perspective of the state's business, nonprofit, and government leaders. Since 2019, it has included the state's critical economic development topics, the day's pressing issues, and timely conversations with industry-leading guest experts. The Business Elevated podcast is a production of the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.

Information

  • Creator
    Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
  • Show Website
    Business Elevated