Event Recap: “Finding Inspiration: Utah Small Business that Pivoted, Reinvented, & Persevered to Weather the Pandemic”
The past year was brutal for many Utah small businesses. While some small businesses sadly ceased to exist, many businesses made it through, and some have even thrived against all odds. How did they do it? What made the difference? What can we learn from these businesses to apply to our own businesses in 2021?
On January 21st, 2021, UIBC co-hosted the first Wasatch Business Series event of 2021. “Finding Inspiration: Utah Small Business that Pivoted, Reinvented, & Persevered to Weather the Pandemic ” featured local business owners that have saved and even grown their businesses by:
- Pivoting to a new business model
- Introducing a new product line/service
- Partnering/joining forces with another business
- Investing in new infrastructure/methods to deliver products and services
- Perseverance and savvy maneuvering
Speakers included:
- Emily Potts, General Manager – Sugar House Coffee
- Ezralea Robbins, Owner – Mountainside Spa
- Jill Johnson, Owner & CEO – The Paint Mixer
- Brian McOmie, Owner – Your Favorite Bartender Co.
- Josie Angerhofer, Economic Development – Millcreek Business Council
- Jim Herrin, Director – Salt Lake Region Small Business Development Center
Lunch and a Shout-Out to Support Your Favorite Local, Neighborhood Restaurant
To help support locally-owned restaurants and cafes, we encouraged attendees to order lunch from a favorite local eating establishment to enjoy during the event. The following is a list of local restaurants that attendees sent a shout out to:
Sugar House Coffee
The Dodo
Diversion Eatery
Pat’s BBQ
Crowne Burger
Cucina in The Avenues
TeaZaanti
Tandoor Indian Restaurant
Peppercini’s American Eatery
Roots Café
Wasatch Brewery
Dragon Diner in Millcreek
Fav Bistro
La Barba Coffee & Breakfast Tacos (Austin style)
Yoko Ramen
SOMI in Sugar House
This Wasatch Business Series Event is hosted and presented by:
- Utah Independent Business Coalition
- Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
- Holladay Chamber of Commerce
- Sugar House Chamber of Commerce
- South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce
- Millcreek Business Council
- Murray Area Chamber of Commerce
- Cottonwood Heights Business Association
The Wasatch Business Series is a collaborative effort that is focused on bringing impactful networking and educational opportunities to business owners across the Wasatch Front.
