UtahPreneur - Inside Utah's Most Iconic Businesses

Built a $24M/yr Brand… But Drove a Civic?! | HydroJug (Hayden Wadsworth)

What started as a simple idea — “what if we combined a milk jug with a blender bottle?” — turned into a $24 million business that shook up the entire drinkware industry. In this episode of UtahPreneur, we sit down with Hayden Wadsworth, co-founder of HydroJug, to unpack the real story behind one of Utah’s fastest-growing e-commerce brands. From late nights leak-testing 3,000 jugs in his dad’s shop to capturing 7% of Amazon’s drinkware market alongside Stanley and Yeti, Hayden’s journey is a masterclass in grit, obsession, and staying lean. We dive into how HydroJug bootstrapped its way to eight figures with zero outside investors, why Hayden drove a Honda Civic long after hitting $12 million in revenue, and how his immigrant family’s work ethic shaped every part of the company’s DNA. He shares the highs and lows of scaling fast, the paranoia that comes with product obsession, and the branding philosophy that made HydroJug a household name. If you’ve ever wanted a behind-the-scenes look at how a Utah side hustle turned into a national brand — this is it. 👉 Compilation of UtahPreneur Business Ideas & Hacks: https://utahpreneur.co/ideas 🎙 Hosted by: Keaton Walker 🎧 New episodes every week! Don't miss out—subscribe now! Follow Us: @utahpreneur [https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur]on Youtube and TikTok @utahpreneurpod [https://www.instagram.com/utahpreneurpod/#] on Instagram and X Stay connected for behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and more! Get in Touch: Want to get a business featured on UtahPreneur? Or have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@utahpreneur.co Support the Show: Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share it with friends. Your support means the world! 🎙 Hosted by: Keaton Walker 🎧 New episodes every week! Don't miss out—subscribe now! Follow Us: @utahpreneur [https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur]on Youtube and TikTok @utahpreneurpod [https://www.instagram.com/utahpreneurpod/#] on Instagram and X Stay connected for behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and more! Get in Touch: Want to get a business featured on UtahPreneur? Or have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@utahpreneur.co Support the Show: Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share it with friends. Your support means the world! More Content & Resources: Check out our website at utahpreneur.co [https://utahpreneur.co/] for bonus episodes, show notes, and exclusive insights.

Why Founders in Utah Are 70% More Likely to Build a Unicorn (Tim Culie)

Utah calls itself the “Startup Capital of the World.” Bold claim, right? But according to the data, founders here are 70% more likely to build a unicorn than anywhere else in the country. In this episode of UtahPreneur, I sit down with Tim Culie, head of the Startup State Initiative under Governor Cox, to unpack why Utah is punching so far above its weight in tech and entrepreneurship. From a billion-dollar government “fund of funds” to a culture of relentless sales talent, Tim explains the secret sauce that has made Utah the next big startup hub. We dive into the history—from WordPerfect to Divvy—and explore the role of community, capital, and culture in building billion-dollar businesses. Tim also shares what resources are available right now for Utah founders: $500 seed funding, microloans, subsidized office space, tax credits, and even $2,500 grants to expand internationally. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or already scaling, this episode gives you the insider’s roadmap to starting and growing a business in Utah—and maybe even building the next unicorn. 👉 Compilation of UtahPreneur Business Ideas & Hacks: https://utahpreneur.co/ideas 🎙 Hosted by: Keaton Walker 🎧 New episodes every week! Don't miss out—subscribe now! Follow Us: @utahpreneur [https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur]on Youtube and TikTok @utahpreneurpod [https://www.instagram.com/utahpreneurpod/#] on Instagram and X Stay connected for behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and more! Get in Touch: Want to get a business featured on UtahPreneur? Or have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@utahpreneur.co Support the Show: Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share it with friends. Your support means the world! More Content & Resources: Check out our website at utahpreneur.co [https://utahpreneur.co/] for bonus episodes, show notes, and exclusive insights.

He Yelled About Laptops on TV… Turns Out He’s a Crypto Millionaire | PC Laptops (Dan Young)

💻 Remember those wild “PC Laptops” commercials from the 2000s? The guy yelling “We love you!” on your TV at 1 a.m.? Turns out, he wasn’t just a gimmick—he was building a business empire behind the scenes. In this episode of UtahPreneur, we sit down with Dan Young, the mastermind behind PC Laptops, Xidax, and multiple other ventures that quietly made him millions. From selling sunglasses at swap meets to running a crypto hedge fund, Dan’s path to success is as unconventional as it is inspiring. We talk about the power of personal branding, what it really takes to scale a tech business, and how Dan bet big on himself—even when it meant living behind his first store. He opens up about surviving burnouts, finding clarity through chaos, and why authenticity is still his secret weapon. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to “The Laptop Man” — or how to turn hustle and heart into generational wealth — this episode is a must-listen. 🤝Join the UtahPreneur community page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/utahpreneurcommunity ✨ Find PC Laptops at: https://www.PCLaptops.com/ 📲 Subscribe to The Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur [https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur] 🎙 Hosted by: Keaton Walker 🎧 New episodes every week! Don't miss out—subscribe now! Follow Us: @utahpreneur [https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur]on Youtube and TikTok @utahpreneurpod [https://www.instagram.com/utahpreneurpod/#] on Instagram and X Stay connected for behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and more! Get in Touch: Want to get a business featured on UtahPreneur? Or have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@utahpreneur.co Support the Show: Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share it with friends. Your support means the world! More Content & Resources: Check out our website at utahpreneur.co [https://utahpreneur.co/] for bonus episodes, show notes, and exclusive insights.

This is Why You See Julia Reagan Billboards Everywhere | Reagan Outdoor Advertising (Bill Reagan)

🪧 You’ve seen her face—on highways, side streets, and city centers across Utah. But who is Julia Reagan? And why were 300+ billboards dedicated to her? In this episode of UtahPreneur, we sit down with Bill Reagan, the man behind Reagan Outdoor Advertising, to uncover the emotional story behind the Julia Reagan billboards that captured the state’s attention. We talk about how a grieving husband used his billion-dollar billboard company to honor his late wife, and how love, legacy, and entrepreneurship intersect in one of Utah’s most powerful business stories. We also explore the rise of Reagan Outdoor Advertising from humble beginnings to becoming one of the largest family-run billboard empires in the western United States. Bill shares insights on scaling a business, building lasting customer relationships, and why storytelling still matters in advertising. Whether you’ve driven past one of those iconic billboards or are just curious about the man and the mission behind them, this episode is unforgettable. 🤝Join the UtahPreneur community page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/utahpreneurcommunity ➡️ Find Reagan Outdoor Advertising at: https://www.reaganoutdoor.com/ 📲 Subscribe to The Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur [https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur] 🎙 Hosted by: Keaton Walker 🎧 New episodes every week! Don't miss out—subscribe now! Follow Us: @utahpreneur [https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur]on Youtube and TikTok @utahpreneurpod [https://www.instagram.com/utahpreneurpod/#] on Instagram and X Stay connected for behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and more! Get in Touch: Want to get a business featured on UtahPreneur? Or have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@utahpreneur.co Support the Show: Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share it with friends. Your support means the world! More Content & Resources: Check out our website at utahpreneur.co [https://utahpreneur.co/] for bonus episodes, show notes, and exclusive insights.

The $82M World-Class Theatre… in Sandy, Utah?! | Hale Centre Theatre (Mark & Sally Dietlein)

✨ Mark and Sally Dietlein turned a small South Salt Lake stage into one of the most advanced and beloved theatres in the country—Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy, Utah. With over 600,000 guests a year, a $82 million state-of-the-art venue, and stages that move, fly, and even flood, this nonprofit theatre is rewriting the rules of live performance. In this episode of UtahPreneur, we dive into the story behind Hale Centre Theatre’s incredible growth, the family legacy behind it, and the entrepreneurial grit it took to build something Utah can truly be proud of. Whether you're a fan of the performing arts, an entrepreneur, or just love a good origin story—this one’s for you. 🤝Join the UtahPreneur community page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/utahpreneurcommunity 🎭 Find Hale Centre Theatre at: https://hct.org/ 🥪 Find Plates and Palates at: https://www.platesandpalates.com/ 📲 Subscribe to The Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur [https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur] 🎙 Hosted by: Keaton Walker 🎧 New episodes every week! Don't miss out—subscribe now! Follow Us: @utahpreneur [https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPreneur]on Youtube and TikTok @utahpreneurpod [https://www.instagram.com/utahpreneurpod/#] on Instagram and X Stay connected for behind-the-scenes content, episode updates, and more! Get in Touch: Want to get a business featured on UtahPreneur? Or have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi? Email us at podcast@utahpreneur.co Support the Show: Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and share it with friends. Your support means the world! More Content & Resources: Check out our website at utahpreneur.co [https://utahpreneur.co/] for bonus episodes, show notes, and exclusive insights.