In 2003, after spending a year deployed in the hot dry air of Iraq as an Army diesel mechanic and later experiencing skin cancer, Brandi Nealis decided her skin needed some TLC. As a result, B & W Apothecary was born. Her project started five years ago when she experimented with making her own lotions. “It took forever to get the right consistency and learn … [Read more...]
Taking Back Our Economy One Bar of Soap At a Time
Welcome to Riverton! Welcome to Sandy! Welcome to Bountiful! Traveling along the Wasatch Front, we see evidence of the larger problem of the American economy: homogenous central retail shopping districts. It’s like a bad radio station that only cycles through the top 10 hits. “And now for more oldies but goodies: Walmart! Costco! Applebees! McDonalds! And if you missed it … [Read more...]
The Best Places to Get Hot Chocolate in Utah
Utah is known for having the best snow on earth—it’s also known for having that snow (and accompanying cold temperatures) start as early as October and come and go through April. So how do Utahns handle such long winters? Besides working up a sweat skiing and snowboarding, they drink lots of hot chocolate. Whether you live in Utah or are just visiting, if you’re wondering whe … [Read more...]
For a Good Road Trip, Build a Bike and Ride It
One of the most efficient ways to travel is by bike. And one of the best ways to amplify a bike journey is to build your own bicycle. Designing and fabricating a bike is a creative journey sure to extend and enhance any road trip. It’s a way to whet the wanderlust. And if you can’t build a bike yourself, collaborate with someone who can. In Salt Lake City, that someone is Mat … [Read more...]
Evolve Elements
After working in architectural woodwork for over 20 years, designing and selling millwork packages for commercial, academic, and retail businesses, Stan Sommer decided to venture out on his own. He saw a lot of millwork, casework and cabinetry work being outsourced to China and other countries to save money. His philosophy is that sending materials overseas creates problems … [Read more...]
Songwriter’s Showcase
Scott Cullins' passion for songwriting reignited when he moved to Utah from Teton Valley, Idaho in 2011. But his move to Holladay, in 2017, was like adding music steroid directly into his veins. "You can find an open mic or open jam almost every night of the week in this town," Says Cullins. "I felt like a kid in a candy shop. I was playing at Alchemy Coffee, The Royal … [Read more...]
My Essential Collection: Love What You Sell
You might not think that analytics and information technology go hand-in-hand with a business startup specialising in essential oils, but think again. Those are the underpinnings of Andrea and Tom Wolfe’s business, My Essential Collection. You see, Tom works in the information technology field while Andrea is part of a hospital analytical team. In fact, it was spreadsheets t … [Read more...]
Liqui-Dirt: Grow Good Soil to Grow Good Crops
Most farmers in Utah have heard the old-fashioned term “dirt farmer”—it harkens back to the Great Depression when the plains lost most of their top soil, the greatest asset of any farmer. But Cory Sackett is, literally, a dirt farmer. The best word to describe Sackett is passionate. And not just about his product, but about saving the world, one garden at a time. After yea … [Read more...]
Be Light Candle Co: A Local Company Supports Families Affected by Suicide
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ~Matthew 5:15 Be Light Candle Co is a Salt Lake City company that makes candles out of 100% soy wax, essential oils, and recycled & repurposed cocktail glasses. Taylor Lamb is passionate about her products, but there is more to this … [Read more...]
Go Bacon Jerky
Outdoor enthusiasts may not think of bacon as a go-to adventure snack, but Orem-based GoBacon Jerky is working to change that. With products like uncured maple bacon jerky and uncured Sriracha bacon jerky, this new company has made a portable version of everyone’s favorite breakfast meat. When Ryan Kowalk started GoBacon Jerky for a BYU class assignment in 2014, his goal was … [Read more...]