Provo's Hall Labs Located in Provo, Hall Labs is a 130-acre innovation campus with a tradition of pioneering technological advancement going back to 1955. It started with founder and Utah native Tracy Hall’s creation of the artificial diamond, whose applications are still widely used today. Hall Labs works to solve some of our world’s most challenging problems ranging from … [Read more...]
Maud’s Café Serves More Than Coffee
Sheela's Story Sheela* left home at age eighteen. She describes herself as having been a good kid. She was an A-student, went to church, and did what her parents expected of her. In high school, Sheela became the target of a sexual predator. “He was someone I knew and trusted,” Sheela confides. “He groomed me for a long time. I didn't realize how abusive of a situation I … [Read more...]
Camper Reparadise: building dreams on wheels
It all started when Zinninger’s father, Steve, bought a ‘76 Airstream. It was another vintage acquisition in a long line of classic cars and old homes that Steve and his family had restored as they moved around the country for his national commercial painting company. “It was in my blood growing up,” Zinninger said. After doing extensive research on … [Read more...]
WorkSumo: Company Wants to Help Workers Grow Careers
Wage stagnation isn’t just a Utah phenomenon, it’s a national 21st-Century problem. Despite a strong labor market, real wages have been stagnant for over 40 years. But how does someone who didn’t grow up learning to be ambitious escape the low-wage cycle, and what can they do to develop a higher-paying career in the least amount of time? As a way to keep up with shifting … [Read more...]
Take a Deep Breath—Utah Company Creates Safe-Air Face Masks
The World Health Organization estimated 7 million premature worldwide deaths were caused by urban air pollution and use of indoor solid fuels. “We can’t live more than three minutes without air,” said O2TODAY founder and CEO, Bruce Lorange. “Air is the thing we are always dependent upon that we think least about. Breathing literally fuels our … [Read more...]
Ogden Man Creates Original Bicycles from Cast-Off Parts
If you’ve noticed some strange bicycles around Ogden lately, you probably have Mark Johnson to thank. Johnson, a jiu-jitsu instructor who taught English at Ogden High for 21 years, has been building custom bicycles out of old parts and other salvage for his new company, UpCycle: Bikes and Boards. “My buddy was making bikes out of old bikes so I bought a couple from him. I’ve … [Read more...]
Project Embrace: Utah Startup is Changing Lives by Changing Perceptions
Project Embrace founder, Mohan Sudabattula, talks about how his connection to Utah evolved into a company that donates medical waste to balance global medical inequality. Mohan is a student of Biology, Philosophy and Health Policy from India, but his relationship to Utah innovation goes back years. “I grew up dancing at University of Utah campus events,” he said. Carving a … [Read more...]
SPICE Kitchen Incubator Start-Up Adds Spice to SLC Cuisine
Spice Kitchen Incubator is allowing new immigrants from countries such as Bhutan to start businesses on a shoestring, making the American Dream come true for refugees Kamal and Geeta Niroula, owners of the Bhutan House Restaurant. Five years ago, the S.P.I.C.E. Kitchen Incubator (Supporting the Pursuit of Innovative Culinary Entrepreneurs), came out of a demand … [Read more...]
Speakeasy Embraces Utah’s Quirky Liquor Laws
Arriving at Prohibition, Salt Lake’s 1920’s-themed restaurant and cocktail bar, it was clear I was in for more than beer and big screens. Elegantly attired, Dr. Drink (aka Victoria) welcomed me to “Mary’s Antiques and Oddities” before proprietor Nick Porter escorted me past the secret door. “Prohibition makes the perfect business model for Utah, with its quirky laws and … [Read more...]
Wooden Bow Ties from W.K. Wilson
“A bow tie guy is not like every guy. He is not afraid of being noticed.” -Shawn Wilson A buzzing hum comes from the corner of a well-used workshop. My eyes track over to the sound and I see a small bright light reflected off the surface of golden wood. The light is gently jutting about, leaving behind a toasted line on the wood’s surface. My brain starts to connect the dots. … [Read more...]