For every issue of Utah Valley Magazine, we recognize five Utah Valley grown products. Grab your wallet — these creative businesses are something you’re going to want.
Wipeable, Washable and Stylish
One Utah summer, Marilee Killpack took her family to dine outdoors to avoid their cramped, hot apartment, but that meant a lot of messy kids and one very messy blanket. Marilee and Jessica Eraso set out to make a bonded leather mat that was wipeable, washable and stylish. The two Provo mothers have now perfected the kid-proof leather mat. “It’s functional and beautiful. People need something to save them time,” Marilee says. gathre.com
A Work of Art
With a baby on the way, Orem’s Kelsey Carlson knew she wanted to do what she loved and be able to stay at home. Two years later, Kelsey has taken her illustration passion and turned it into a business. “I do a lot of hand lettered quotes, original watercolor illustration and florals,” Kelsey says. Her move from working for a company to running a small business was a big change, but her business has turned into a work of art. kelseycarlsonart.com
Teaching Adventure
In the middle of teaching tech and engineering to middle schoolers, BYU graduates Aaron Roth and Andy Dutton used their graphic design hobbies to create Manai Design Co., formerly known as CoLab Printing. The Orem company was created because of a love for the great outdoors. “Each of our designs is a way for us and our customers to express a passion toward all the wonderful things we find in nature,” Aaron says. The company offers T-shirts, sweatshirts, stickers and posters to get people moving. manaidesign.co
Shaving the Way
A Blissful Whirl is all-organic, all-natural and all Lee Shumway. Lee, who lives in Orem, created one of her most popular products, beard oil, while helping a friend find a solution to skin problems while growing a beard. Now, Lee is shaving the way for good skin for all bearded faces. Her products were named Utah’s Best Beard Products of 2016 through City Weekly. Lee uses all-natural essential oils and herbal infusions to find a better way to take care of skin. “I enjoy making these products and helping people look, feel and smell good,” she says. etsy.com/shop/ablissfulwhirl
Sweetly Spun
Melissa Nuttall and her husband have seven kids, and a little over a year ago, they decided to find a way to teach their children to work and earn money. After getting a cotton candy machine for their daughter, their sweet idea spun into Cotton Tail Candy. “It’s been fun to see our family come together, especially when we are spinning sugar,” she says. “My kids feel like they own this and that they are part of something big.” The Spanish Fork family’s organic sugar puts a twist on the classic cotton candy flavors. Cotton Tail Candy has 50 flavors that switch seasonally. Flavors like caramel apple, apple spice and pumpkin pie are made for fall. Each 16 oz. serving is only 50 calories. cottontailcandy.com