Governor Herbert named Executive Chair of Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce
When Governor Gary Herbert stepped down as Utah’s governor on January 4, he felt like he was leaving the Super Bowl after the third quarter. “The pandemic had been all-consuming, and I stepped onto the sidelines during the critical fourth quarter,” he says. Now he’s back in the game after a quick […]
Discover Hidden Treasure
Local treasure hunt offers real gold and real adventure for families COVID-19 has turned even the most well-traveled and adventurous families and individuals into hermits. However, a group of entrepreneurs who met on a mission to Peru are offering a chance of a treasure for those willing to have their social distancing with a side […]
Preparing for the 2020 Heber Half Run For Autism
Are you looking to break your personal record? Register for the Heber Half Run For Autism this summer for your fastest run yet! Kids On The Move and Runtastic Events have partnered to bring you this beautiful all-downhill half marathon course in the Heber Valley. The Heber Half is the perfect opportunity for competitive runners […]
Bottoms Up: Stainless Steel Shakes Up Blender Bottle’s Product Line
Twenty years ago, BlenderBottle’s first shaker cup was introduced. It was a product we didn’t know we needed — but now we can’t drink without it. Ideal for mixing protein powder and pre-workout supplements, shaker cups and bottles are more popular than ever with Utah Valley’s health-conscious community — and our wellness counterparts around the […]
Meet + Greet: BusinessQ’s Convention and Meeting Guide
We miss meetings! As soon as it’s safe to meet in larger groups, here are eight industry experts ready to host and help at your next office away from the office. MEET River Bottoms Ranch This family-owned property offers a modern and sophisticated alternative to closed-in conference rooms. Located in the picturesque Utah mountain […]
Local Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air Company Offers Free Services To Families In Need And Teachers
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several local companies have implemented new ways of serving their community. Joining this movement of kindness is Black Diamond Experts. This electric, plumbing, heating and air company is offering free services to teachers and collecting nominations for families in need who could benefit from technicians’ expertise. Giving Back to […]
20 Q’s with Merrill Osmond
Utah Valley Magazine is turning 20! We’re catching up with cover stories and asking 20 questions. Utah Valley Magazine: What do you want to say to the Merrill Osmond you see on that 2003 cover? Merrill Osmond: I want to tell him it’s going to be OK and that he’ll get through it. UV: You […]
Q Awards Contributor Of The Year: Heather Kahlert, The Kahlert Foundation
Give O’ Give Heather Kahlert was five minutes late to this photo shoot because she was signing a check for $125,000 for UVU’s Women’s Success Center. (Worth her wait in gold.) This type of scene has generously played out again and again the past five years, as Kahlert has been leading operations and grant-making for […]
Taco Tuesday + Other 6 Days of the Week: Taqueria 27 Serves Deliciousness Topped With Guac at Traverse in Lehi
By Mary Crafts When I select restaurants to review, editor Jeanette Bennett of Utah Valley Magazine gives me free reign to choose the restaurants and pretty much lets me say what I want. This arrangement keeps my reviews honest and I can simply share my opinion — just as it should be! I always try […]
Weekend Takeout Ideas to Support Local Eateries
Maybe dining in Utah has experienced a drastic makeover, but good food hasn’t changed — and neither has our love of local businesses. During this era of the Stay Home, Stay Sage directive, we’ve been encouraged to support our local eateries. So here are some businesses that are innovating and keeping the grubs good. Pizza […]
Q Awards Headliner Of The Year: Homie
On the Move, Yo You’ve seen the billboards. You’ve chuckled at the slogans. Remember “Avoid the sins of commission”? Or how about “Keep the equity, you filthy animal”? Or there’s always this gem: “Best thing since 2-hour church.” Regardless of which rectangle revved your engines, one thing is certain: When it comes to the real […]
Q Awards Marketer Of The Year: Shea McGee, Studio McGee
In-House Marketing When Shea McGee graduated with a degree in public relations, she was trained in press releases, press conferences and corporate style guides. And a few years later when she graduated to entrepreneurship, she re-trained herself and her staff on what branding looks like in an Insta-world. Now she is the architect of interior […]
Dr. Greg Heywood Returns to His Native Utah After Decades of Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice in West Virginia
No one was surprised when Dr. Greg Heywood followed in the footsteps of his father and became a physician. What was surprising, at least to Dr. Heywood, is how closely he actually walked in his father’s well-respected footsteps. “When you go to medical school, you’re usually either drawn to surgery or medical specialties,” Dr. Heywood […]
Q Awards Entrepreneur Of The Year: Brock Blake, Lendio
School of Brock Brock Blake ruled BusinessQ’s cover way back in 2008. It was our annual 40 Under 40 feature, and this particular editorial boasted a school theme for the cool kids around town. At the time, Blake was the founder of FundingUniverse, a “speed dating” site of sorts connecting entrepreneurs with investors. He had […]
Q Awards Company Of The Year: BambooHR
The Human Touch Get you an employer who looks at you the way BambooHR looks at its 600 team members. Focused. Authentic. Humble. Hardworking. Consistent. Exceptional. That’s just a sampling of adjectives these leaders use when talking about the Bambooligans. “Now, I’m gonna get a little awkward here, but we regularly tell them we love […]
Sleep in Style: 5 Tips From Gatehouse No.1 to Beautify Your Bedding
1 • Create a Sanctuary We spend more time in our bedrooms than anywhere else, making it crucial we design a space that invokes relaxation and tranquility. Your bedroom can become a true sanctuary in your home — the very best place to drift off and release the cares of the day and wake up […]
Q Awards Executive Of The Year: Shauna Smith, Four Foods Group
Eat, Lead, Love Shauna Smith is in the food for love. She is the co-founder and President of Four Foods Group, a restaurant investment and management company in Lehi, and the walls of her headquarters are brimming with motivational mantras. Sayings like: “Around here it’s feast or feast.” “Good things come to those who hustle.” […]
Mama of the Macaron Mayhem
By Chelsea Kern The line filed around the building for two hours before Jenna Parker, owner of Macs a la Mode, officially swung open her first brick and mortar location for her popular macaron ice cream sandwiches. The small business on State Street in Orem originally began in the Parker basement. Jenna and her husband, […]
Golf Channel: Lehi’s Tony Finau Focuses on Fatherhood and Augusta National
Now that Tony Finau is a top 25 golfer in the world, he plays fewer tournaments and spends more rounds with his four children, ages 3 to 8. They play Apples to Apples and Concentration in their Lehi home (and also their Arizona digs this winter). When something goes wrong for one of the kids […]
Black Diamond Experts Makes Living Easy With Top-Level Service For All Your Home Repairs
At a young age, Dan James had a dream and a mission. He started as an electrician in high school and quickly became a journeyman. Then at age 28, he became a master electrician and started the company Black Diamond Electric. Dan’s goal was to create a company that gives customers top notch service, at a fair […]
A Q&A with the Makers of Hruska’s Kolaches
By Chelsea Kern When siblings Cory, Ross and Devin Hruska moved to Provo to attend BYU, they couldn’t find any bakeries selling the eastern European pastry known as kolache. In the trio’s hometown of Houston, kolaches played an important role in both the culture and the everyday breakfast menu. After contemplating a life without kolaches […]
Fab 40: Meet our 2020 Collection of Shining Stars
The stars in the sky are immeasurable, but we had to narrow down Utah Valley’s Shining stars to this year’s Fab 40. We asked these 40 fabulous luminaries their go-to wishes, their star-is-born moments and their shoot-for-the-stars goals. Its our 13th round of fabulousness, and we ain’t superstitious. But an uncanny number of these shining […]
2020 Fab 40: Ben Hopkin
Ben Hopkin, Actor + Teacher Age 48 • Provo • Taurus Ben plays roles of actor, teacher, director, writer, husband and father. In 2000 Ben graduated from Old Globe Theatre acting MFA program, which is one of the top five acting MFA programs in the country. While running the Acting for Film program at the New […]
2020 Fab 40: Angelina Capella
Angelina Capella, Martial Artist Age 14 • Orem • Gemini This teen packs a punch. At age 6, Angelina began competing in martial arts nationally. The second time she attended a national competition, she won her first gold medal. Angelina has claimed many impressive titles since. In 2019 alone, Angelina competed in 21 tournaments and was […]
2020 Fab 40: Amber Andrews
Amber Andrews, AF Canyon Winner Age 34 • Orem • Taurus Amber’s feet are fly. In 2019, she ran the St. George 5K, the St. George Marathon, the Rex Lee Run 10K, the Freedom Run 5K, the Utah Valley 10K, and AF Canyon Run Against Cancer Half Marathon (a three-time Best Of Utah Valley winner). Amber […]
2020 Fab 40: Valerie Kukahiko
Valerie Kukahiko, Co-Founder of Crust Club Age 36 • Highland • Aquarius In 2016, Valerie took a leap of faith for a piece of the pie in Utah’s food industry. Valerie and her husband, Tyler, started Crust Club, a food delivery company that produces thousands of sweet and savory pies, cookies and other foods. Crust Club […]
2020 Fab 40: Scott Root
Scott Root, Wildlife Ambassador Age 56 • Springville • Aquarius Scott is living the dream of having his occupation and his hobbies align. For the past 29 years, Scott has been the public relations and outreach manager for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. In this capacity he connects people with nature through wildlife presentations, wildlife […]
2020 Fab 40: Brian Hawkins
Brian Hawkins, Tiny House Movement Age 38 • Lehi • Scorpio Brian is attacking the big bad affordable housing crisis with a tiny solution. In 2015 this father of four quit his job at Vivint to start Tiny House Movement by manufacturing shipping container homes. In 2018 he partnered with a manufacturer in China to make […]
2020 Fab 40: Bronson Kaufusi
Bronson Kaufusi, NFL Knockout Age 28 • Provo • Cancer Bronson recognized his passion for sports when he was just a little boy. (Wait, he was never actually little.) As a Timpview student, Bronson received the All-American High School Player award despite a season-ending ACL tear his senior year. Although he faced physical debilitation, Bronson was […]
2020 Fab 40: Amy Wilcox
Amy Wilcox, Crossing Guard Age 39 • Provo • Cancer Amy helps the students of Edgemont Elementary safely cross the street in style. Because this lady of laughs values kindness and comedy, Amy started wearing costumes to the crosswalk (like Winnie the Pooh or a Whoopee Cushion). Amy and her husband, Matthew, have six children. After […]