Business Elevated

Season 7 Episode 20: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Natalie Kaddas, CEO of Kaddas Enterprises.  Kaddas discusses her journey from hospitality to leading a second-generation family business. She highlights the company's evolution from making aviation components to its innovative BirdguarD™ product, which prevents animal-caused power outages and mitigates wildfires. Kaddas emphasizes the importance of domestic sourcing, the company's global reach in 15 countries, and its strategic use of automation, which streamlined operations and elevated workforce skills. Kaddas also shares her perspective as a woman CEO in manufacturing, noting the increasing presence of women in the industry and the unique perspectives they bring to leadership. She discusses the company's commitment to employee well-being, including a four-day work week and financial literacy classes that significantly reduce turnover and increase retirement program participation. Kaddas praises Utah's supportive business environment, highlighting partnerships with the governor's office for workforce training and the community's collaborative spirit.

Season 7 Episode 19: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Ryan Wedig, CEO and co-founder of Vasion, opens in a new tab. Wedig shares his journey of co-founding PrinterLogic — now Vasion — in St. George in 2012. He recounts meeting the founder and recognizing the potential of his print server elimination technology as the IT landscape shifted towards private clouds. Wedig, with a background in systems engineering and an MBA, partnered to build the business, initially focusing on eliminating print servers before expanding the company’s vision. He highlights the unexpected impact of its technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to Vasion’s broader mission: to make digital transformation attainable for everyone. Wedig discusses the company’s vision of bridging the gap between humans and AI by offering affordable and accessible solutions, contrasting this with expensive and often antiquated systems of existing workflow providers. He emphasizes Vasion’s commitment to security and its architectural focus on building native security features rather than relying on complex integrations. Wedig details Vasion’s role in fostering a tech community in St. George, culminating in the development of Tech Ridge. He shares the company’s global reach, its recognition as a top workplace, and its ambitious goal to lead the market in AI automation over the next three years.

Season 7 Episode 18: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Scott Holmes, founder and CEO of Teton. Holmes discusses his career path, which unexpectedly pivoted from biology and medical school after being mentored by an entrepreneur in the import business. This experience ignited his entrepreneurial spirit and laid the foundation for his future. He recounts the genesis of Teton, born from a "to-don't" list of business practices he observed and wanted to avoid.    Holmes explains how Teton initially operated with a lean, home-based model, shipping directly to retailers before establishing domestic warehousing to address inventory fluctuations. He highlights Teton's early entry and success on Amazon, attributing it to a strategy of overbuilding quality products that exceed customer expectations, leading to overwhelmingly positive reviews.  Holmes also shares Teton's philosophy of giving back by donating gear to underserved communities to promote healthy living and outdoor experiences, stemming from his own initial negative experiences with poor-quality camping gear as a child. He offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the power of "no," the importance of focusing on mastery before diversification, and the critical step of discovering one's core values.

Season 7 Episode 17: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), talks with Ryan Starks, GOEO's executive director. Starks shares his deep appreciation for the innovative spirit and strong work ethic of Utah's diverse communities. Reflecting on his recent visits to all 24 rural counties, he emphasizes the heart of GOEO's mission to create economic opportunities for all Utahns. He highlights the prevalent family and caring culture throughout the state. He reflects on key accomplishments during his tenure, emphasizing the importance of nimbleness and strategic focus. Starks proudly points to the successful corporate recruitment of Texas Instruments, a historic capital investment for the state, and the impactful Rural Economic Development Incentive Fund (REDTIF), which has dramatically increased economic opportunities in rural Utah. He underscores GOEO's collaborative approach with local communities, regional associations, and the World Trade Center Utah to drive economic growth, expand global reach for Utah companies, and attract foreign investment. Looking ahead, Starks expresses optimism about Utah’s economic future, which is driven by its collaborative spirit, pro-growth environment, and strong preparation for major milestones like the 2034 Winter Olympics. Thank you, Ryan Starks!

Season 7 Episode 16: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village.  Cochrane discusses his journey into social impact work, driven by a desire to contribute to something larger than himself. He highlights his previous roles in organizations focused on homelessness, mental health, and financial education, emphasizing the importance of believing in people's capacity for change, even when their circumstances seem overwhelming. Cochrane delves into the mission of The Other Side Village and its sister organization, The Other Side Academy. The Academy is a 2.5-year residential program for individuals with histories of incarceration, addiction, and homelessness, where residents operate social enterprises to fund the program. Inspired by the Academy's success, the Village provides permanent, supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals with mental health diagnoses. A key component of the Village is its democratic, therapeutic environment where residents are peer-led and must complete a "village prep school" before moving in. Cochrane highlights that both organizations share a core belief: people can change when supported by accountability, love, and a sense of purpose.