Small Business

Rick and Jay, being lifelong friends and both with backgrounds in IT systematics and Coding, decided they wanted to take their passion and turn it into a business – the founding of Code Ninjas. Code Ninjas opened its doors specifically for the youth in the Ogden area in February of 2021. Since its startup less than a year ago, they have already enrolled over 120 future ninjas!

Balancing technology, video games, and making it a place where kids feel they belong, Code Ninjas has become a place where kids can be creative, have flexibility in how they learn, and flex their technology muscles. At Code Ninjas, kids learn to code while making their own video games.

Rick and Jay love the Ogden area and feel that the community comes together to help kids grow within their passions. Code Ninjas provides a safe place for children of all ages to learn and become who they want to be. Coding students progress through the program at their own pace, but always have a watchful coding coach nearby to help. Parents also have added confidence in knowing that they can conveniently drop off their children in a professional and safe environment after school, in the evenings, and even on weekends.

If you’re interested in helping get your children involved in an environment where they’ll make friends, build confidence, and master new skills, reach out to Code Ninjas in South Ogden.

“We help companies get found online. That’s the essence of what we do.” Whether you’re looking to build a website, get help with search engine optimization, graphic design, or even looking for content writers, Victor Hubbard and his team at Performance Driven Marketing (PDM) have your solution at their North Ogden headquarters. Since online marketing efforts can be difficult to measure without experience in the industry, PDM’s goal is to deliver measurable and documentable results to their clients, and they’ve been doing so for over a decade.

When asked why he chose to base his business in Weber County, Victor noted the great location and pristine environment that attract so many others to this area. “I just love the outdoors. I love all of the ski resorts that are nearby, the biking that’s around. I just like getting out and playing.”

Being at the cutting edge of the e-commerce industry isn’t easy, and requires the PDM team to constantly be apprised of changing trends. As Victor notes, “Being a business owner is all about adapting and changing. If you’re just standing still or just staying stagnant you’re probably shrinking.” Helping clients overcome their fears, and helping them realize the results that are achievable through a properly managed online presence is what drives PDM to keep innovating.

Since founding in 2009, PDM has grown into one of the top marketing agencies in Utah. With a staff of highly-skilled marketing specialists, SEO experts, graphic designers, web developers, content writers, and more, PDM has the expertise to handle many different marketing projects, big or small.

To learn more about Performance Driven Marketing visit https://www.performancedrivenmarketing.com

Comcast RISE is a multi-year commitment to provide marketing, creative, media, and technology services to BIPOC-owned small businesses. The first round of Comcast RISE recipients included five Utah small businesses. In the coming weeks, Comcast will announce the next round of recipients.

Comcast is accepting applications for the next phase of Comcast RISE now. If your business qualifies, you’ll have the opportunity to receive one or more of the following business services:

Marketing and advertising consultations
Media placements over a 90-day period
Commercial creative production services
Technology services from Effectv and/or Comcast Business

Visit ComcastRise.com to review the selection criteria and apply. The application is open and will close on May 7. Recipients will be announced at the end of each quarter. Please reach out to Comcast at deneiva_knight@comcast.com with any questions about the program.

For most people, speaking in public is their biggest fear. Stacy Bernal found herself being asked to tell her story of overcoming challenges and believing in herself. Speaking was not only something she enjoyed, but something she was good at. She wondered if she could turn public speaking into a profession and she has.

Offering keynotes, workshops, and coaching, Stacy specializes in topics such as implicit bias training, empowering women to leadership, and authentic communication skills. Stacy presents for companies and organizations but also does one-on-one coaching for individuals interested in a speaking career. She is a vocal advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and representation. Her proudest accomplishment so far is speaking at TEDxOgden in 2020.

“As a solopreneur, I wear ALL the hats — CEO, CFO, COO, marketing, design, PR, you name it I do it. It allows me tremendous opportunity for personal growth and discomfort because I have to do a lot of things that would normally be done by team members in a traditional company. I’ve created engaging curriculum around topics that tend to be uncomfortable. I challenge the status quo a little bit in hopes of creating a better future for the generations coming after me,” Stacy explains.

Stacy desires to positively impact as many lives as she can. Her book The Things We Don’t Talk About, her keynotes, and her coaching course are how she will continue to make that impact. “I see the BADASS in you and I help you see it, too,” she promises.

Learn more about Stacy at www.seestacyspeak.com

“Pulling together to help each other grow is so rewarding!” says Chelli Allen of Outsource Receivables Management. Her sincere smile and heartfelt responses say much of her joy in living and working in Ogden.

She has been with Outsource Receivables Management for over 13 years as the Client Relations Specialist. Chelli knows debt collection isn’t usually the fun part of business but it is vital to a company’s financial success. She is dedicated to educating and supporting the businesses she serves.

Chelli drives over 1300 miles each month, from Idaho to Southern Utah to personally meet with clients to evaluate reports and present them with a check for the money collected that month. With kindness, compassion, and honesty as her motto, Chelli strives to help her clients grow their businesses, while helping consumers resolve their concerns realistically, promptly, and with dignity. She strives to make each interaction uplifting and professional.

Chelli volunteers much of her time with the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce as a contributing member of several committees. She is honored to represent Outsource Receivables Management as a Spiker and is a valuable asset to the community.

Born and raised in Utah, Chelli loves the great outdoors. Spending time with her family camping, four wheeling and being in the mountains make the top of her list of favorites.Learn more about Outsource Receivables Management at outsourcerec.com

Debbie Williams was born in Ogden and she swore she would never live here when she grew up. She wanted a bigger city with more excitement. She married Brent after graduating high school and they lived in Provo, Salt Lake City and Rock Springs, Wyoming. Eventually they made their way back and decided to settle in Ogden to raise their family. Debbie has loved being part of the growth and prosperity of Ogden.

When Brent started practicing medicine, Debbie began having children but wanted to be involved in something outside the home. She began a career of volunteering in the community. She has volunteered at nonprofit organizations including American Medical Association Alliance, McKay Dee Hospital Women’s Center, Prevent Child Abuse, Christmas Village, Wasatch International Adoption Board, and in the Junior League. She has also continuously served in her church and for the local republican party. She believes that unless you are involved in local politics you can’t complain about things. Debbie credits her volunteer experiences for teaching her the skills to run a business. She learned marketing, finances, people skills and how to run great events.

She and Brent founded TimeLess Medical Spa & Weight Loss Clinic, allowing Debbie to fulfill her longtime dream of being a weight loss counselor. The full service medical spa has now been in operation for more than a decade. They offer chemical and laser esthetic skin care treatments, laser hair removal, and weight loss programs. The care and love put into this business is evident in the kindness and helpfulness of the staff and the welcoming atmosphere. TimeLess is a great place to create your own timeless look.

Learn more about Debbie and TimeLess at timelessmedspa.com

As he turned 40, Ryan realized that it was time to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur. He and his wife, Melissa, decided to start a magazine company to help create more connection in their lives and in the communities they serve.

Melissa had primarily been a stay-at-home mom for about 16 years, while Ryan was a salesperson and sales manager for various companies. One of those companies was a magazine publisher in Las Vegas, where Ryan sold advertising.

That magazine had mostly canned content that often felt impersonal to readers. When Ryan left and moved to Utah, he told Melissa that if he ever worked on a magazine again he would want to control the content and make it local and personal to the area. 12 years later, that opportunity presented itself when Ryan talked to the Mayor of North Ogden about creating a city magazine.

Connection Publishing was born in 2016 and has since expanded to four additional cities. Content in the magazines is by and about each community: city news, history, recipes, event calendar, business spotlights and more. These official city magazines are funded by local business advertisements. Businesses can place display ads intermixed with the content or have custom articles written about them for the magazine. Connection Publishing currently sends magazines to nearly 70,000 homes in Weber and Davis Counties.

Ryan and Melissa and their entire team work to create connection by bringing communities together with local content in beautiful magazines.

Learn more about Connection Publishing and their city magazines at connectionpub.com

Imagine finishing a 12 hour shift and still being energized. That would be a clear signal that you are working your passion, not just a job. That is how Tina Calandra, owner of Soul Beautiful Salon, feels about doing hair.

Tina started doing cosmetics and makeup 25 years ago and quickly realized she wanted more. She enjoys enhancing the whole look and feels very passionately about creating the look and feel her clients want from the inside out. Tina has found over and over again that the media has a profound impact on her clients, giving them unrealistic expectations of what beauty is. So, Tina’s mission is to help people feel beautiful and happy in their own skin.

After moving to the Ogden area four years ago, Tina was searching for work at a Salon. She began to envision her own space: A spa-like, salon atmosphere where her clients could come and spend time in self-care activities and receive beauty treatments. Her vision took shape as she opened Soul Beautiful Salon in Pleasant View and her clients love the relaxing atmosphere she has created.

Business ownership is multifaceted and keeps Tina wearing many hats. She credits the relationships she’s made through the Chamber that make her feel that she is in business for herself, but not by herself. Tina loves connecting with the community and participating in local events.

You can learn more about Tina and Soul Beautiful Salon at soulbeautifulsalon.com

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” -Theodore Roosevelt

That’s the thing about Erik Hatch, CPA with Cook Martin Poulson, PC, you can tell how much he cares just by meeting him.

He is passionate about helping businesses keep the money they earn and maximizing their wealth.

Erik and his team specialize in assisting small and large businesses to operate more effectively by offering multiple financial and accounting services.

Understanding the way business operations affect the numbers, he is committed to creating custom plans for his clients and gets excited seeing the businesses grow and flourish while they do what they do best.

With offices already established in Salt Lake City and Logan, Erik personally enjoys working with businesses here in Ogden. He and his family are residents of the area and he cares deeply about the success of the community. He appreciates the history, charm and uniqueness of Ogden and Weber County.

See what sets Cook Martin Poulson, PC apart at https://cookmartin.com/

When you meet Bethany, you are captivated by her happy and healthy energy, which she carries into her business. Bethany started Hippie Skin six years ago and has been working full time in the venture for the past two years.

Hippie Skin is focused on high quality and natural cosmetics and skincare. Hippie Skin’s products are naturally derived and use an oil based cleansing method to penetrate the skin and nourish from the outside providing naturally healthy skin.

Bethany has a classic entrepreneurial story. She started in her kitchen while working a full time job and used money from instructing yoga to pay for her growing business. Bethany’s interest in skincare was a natural extension of an overall effort to be healthier.

As you would expect, the name Hippie Skin has a fun genesis. Bethany and her boyfriend (now husband) came home after a long dirty hike and Bethany commented that they were a couple of dirty hippies. Her boyfriend jokingly said “you’ve got to get that hippie scrub on” and the name stuck.

Bethany shared, there is “No perfect time to give your all to your business, you just kinda have to wing it.”You can learn more about Bethany and Hippie Skin at https://hippieskin.com/

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