Global Entrepreneurship Week Utah
Speakers & Presenters
Entrepreneur Breakfast - Hosted by Murray City
Brett Hales
Mayor, Murray City
Brett A. Hales, Mayor of Murray City, is a lifelong advocate for community building and public service. Recently re-elected to a second term beginning in 2026, he continues to lead with kindness and gratitude as his guiding principles. Before becoming Mayor, Brett served ten years on the Murray City Council, earning a reputation for practical, community-focused leadership. During his 30-year career with Cyprus Credit Union, he learned that leadership is about people first, listening, serving, and helping others succeed. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005, Brett’s journey has deepened his resilience and empathy. He and his wife, Cindy, have been married for 43 years, raised five children, and are blessed with 14 grandchildren. His life reflects faith, family, and a deep belief in the power of thankfulness and service.
Pam Cotter
City Council District 2, Murray City
Pam Cotter has been a resident of Murray City since 1985. She is the mother of two daughters and one precious granddaughter. Has been married for 48 years (and counting) to Bill Cotter.
Pam had worked and volunteered for Murray School District for over 30 years.
Pam has just completed 4 years and looks forward to serving again for another 4 years the needs of those who live and work in Murray as the District 2 City Council Member.
She has been an advocate for the small business owners in Murray City.
Elvon Farrell
Economic Development Specialist, Murray City
Elvon Farrell is the Economic Development Specialist for Murray City, where he works on key initiatives that support expansion, redevelopment, and business support. Before joining Murray City, he worked at the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah), supporting expansion and relocation projects for companies across the state. At EDCUtah, he also partnered closely with several cities and counties statewide as a Community Strategist and led the Site Ready Utah Program in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. Elvon’s family ties to Murray have shaped his passion for strengthening this community and supporting Murray’s local businesses. He is excited and optimistic about Murray’s future and the projects currently being worked on in the community.
Kathy White
President & CEO, Murray Chamber of Commerce
Kathy White serves as President/CEO of the Murray Area Chamber of Commerce, where she is dedicated to strengthening and supporting the local business community. With a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Utah and an Associate of Science in Business from Salt Lake Community College, Kathy brings both education and experience to her leadership. In her role, she meets with business owners to understand their needs, develops programs and events that create visibility and growth, coordinates with city leaders and community partners, and supports Chamber committees. She also oversees membership engagement, sponsorship development, and operations, ensuring the Chamber remains a trusted resource and advocate for its members. Her work is centered on building relationships, creating impact, and helping businesses thrive in Murray.
Outside of work, Kathy devotes much of her time to her family, which she considers her greatest priority. She enjoys gardening, finding both relaxation and fulfillment in tending to her plants, and values spending time outdoors in Utah’s mountains.
Jenn Kikel-Lynn
Executive Director, Murray Downtown District
Jenn Kikel-Lynn is the owner and Principal Broker of K Real Estate – The Give Back Brokerage – a proud Murray business – and the founder of the Murray City Downtown District nonprofit. A fourth-generation Murray resident, Jenn has built her career around blending entrepreneurship with meaningful community impact.
With nearly twenty years of experience as a woman-owned Murray business owner and multi–nonprofit founder, Jenn brings real-world insight into starting, scaling, and sustaining mission-driven ventures. Her work centers on community building and empowering entrepreneurs to create impact where they live.
Beyond the Hustle: The Blueprint for Bulletproof Businesses
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Research shows that the biggest failure in most small businesses and startups is not a bad product, weak idea, or imperfect pitch. It’s the foundations that never got built. Foundational structures of financial management, legal protection, HR structure, and operational systems don’t just build themselves. Without a solid back office, tax penalties, legal liabilities, cash flow gaps, and personal credit strain can derail even the most promising venture before it ever has a chance to take off.
Designed specifically for early-stage founders and growing business owners preparing for expansion, this workshop breaks down the non-negotiable legal, tax, HR, and financial mechanics required to build a bulletproof business. Industry experts will demystify choosing the right entity structure, establishing proactive tax strategies, navigating employment and contractor classifications, and building an independent business credit profile to separate your personal liability from your company’s risk.
Whether you are validating an initial concept or auditing your existing business to prepare for your next growth phase, you will walk away with an actionable, step-by-step framework to fortify your back office and build a company meant to last.
Key Takeaways
- Select the optimal legal entity structure and operating agreements to safeguard personal assets
- Implement proactive tax planning strategies and maintain audit-ready bookkeeping
- Navigate critical HR compliance, employment laws, and worker classifications
- Build operational strategies and SOPs to guide and scale your team
- Establish and an independent business credit profile to fund operations without personal liability
Alassane A. Niang
Celebrate My Launch
Alassane A. Niang is a speaker, business consultant, and philanthropist with seven years of experience in the financial industry.
A former collegiate athlete, multiple-time conference champion, and Junior Olympic competitor, Alassane immigrated from Mali, West Africa, and beat the odds to build a life rooted in service, leadership, and impact.
He has helped entrepreneurs secure over six figures in start-up capital and continues to empower underserved communities through financial literacy, mindset development, and the power of leverage. His mission is to educate, elevate, and help people create opportunities that transform their lives.
Michael Westover
Biznis Resource
Michael Westover founded Biznis Resource in 2018. He is the CEO and Principal Broker and oversees dozens of business acquisitions every year.
Mr. Westover has a variety of advanced degrees from Brigham Young University, Idaho State University, and Utah State University.
Prior to starting Biznis Resource, Mr. Westover owned Utah Education Consulting, which served Utah charter schools.
He was an educator for 20 years… 5 years as a teacher and 15 years as a Principal (in districts and charters).
Mr. Westover is married to Brittany Westover (US Bank) and has 7 children from 28 – 15 years old.
Robin Huling
Warner Communication
West Jordan Chamber
Robin Huling is the President of Warner Communication and a Leadership Development Consultant specializing in AI integration, effective communication, and change management. She is a contributing author of Utah’s Responsible AI Blueprint and serves as President of the West Jordan Chamber of Commerce. Robin also serves on several nonprofit boards throughout Utah.
Charlie Olsen
America First Credit Union
Charlie Olsen is the Small Business Lending Manager at America First Credit Union. Charlie leads a team dedicated to helping local businesses grow, overseeing millions in new loan production each year. With deep expertise in commercial lending and a passion for supporting entrepreneurs, Charlie focuses on making financing accessible and practical for small business owners.
Danielle Lower
Mountain West Foundation
Danielle has spent over twenty years in the non-profit sector advocating for and helping small business owners, especially women, underserved and low-income entrepreneurs. She is passionate about the power small businesses have in creating wealth, employment, and a vibrant local economy. Career highlights include Executive Director of the Utah Micro Loan Fund, Founder of the Salt Lake Community College Women’s Business Institute, Co-Founder, course designer, and lead instructor of the Synchrony Bank “Banking on Women™” Program, Small Business Program Manager for the International Rescue Committee, and her current position as Vice President Community and Economic Development for Mountain West Small Business Finance.
Danielle is the proud mom of 3 who are all in their 20s. She is also the proud bonus mom of 2 bonus daughters who are also in their 20s. She has one beautiful grandchild. She lives with her husband Jay and two pups Ivy and Honey-bear. When not busy working or spoiling her grandchild, you can find her up in the mountains camping and learning to fly-fish.
Breaking Boundaries: Your Playbook for Strategic Scale
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Scaling a business requires a completely different operational mindset than starting one. Moving from founder-led daily operations to sustainable, repeatable expansion is one of the most challenging transitions an entrepreneur will ever navigate.
This high-impact breakout session breaks down the exact operational frameworks and financial strategies needed to scale without breaking your internal systems or burning out your leadership team. Panelists will guide you through identifying operational bottlenecks, building bulletproof Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), delegating effectively, and forecasting cash flow to support rapid expansion.
Whether you plan to launch new locations, enter new markets, or significantly increase your operational volume, you will leave with an actionable roadmap to transform your business from a founder-dependent hustle into a scalable enterprise.
Key Takeaways
- Identify hidden operational bottlenecks in your business before they stall momentum
- Master growth-focused cash flow forecasting and manage funding gaps during expansion phases
- Transition from a hands-on operator to a strategic leader through effective delegation
- Build high-performing teams and scalable operational structures designed for long-term growth
James Jackson, III
J3 Motivation
James Jackson III is a strategist, author, and community builder committed to helping leaders and organizations live and lead with purpose. As the founder of J3 Consulting, he partners with companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions to design strategies that unlock growth, strengthen leadership, and build inclusive ecosystems where people and businesses can thrive.
James is the co-founder of Capaciti Co., a consultancy where vision meets execution, supporting small businesses and chambers in Utah, Atlanta, and the DMV.
In higher education, James teaches Personal Finance at Salt Lake Community College and designs leadership workshops for universities, including Weber State. His signature program, Living With Purpose, has grown from his bestselling book into a workshop, workbook, and keynote series that equips participants to align their identity, leadership, and impact.
A published author, James wrote Living With Purpose and co-authored Leading Through the Pandemic. He also facilitated Black Utah: Stories from a Thriving Community, amplifying voices and stories of changemakers across the state. He is currently developing a sequel and companion podcast
Recognized for his leadership and impact, James has received honors including Utah Business Magazine’s Forty Under 40, the Cameron Russell Williams Impact Award, and the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Hall of Fame Rising Star Award.
A Utah native, James is driven by a deep belief that purpose still wins—and that when leaders build with clarity and inclusivity, they create movements that last.
Vanessa Perez
Make Utah
Vanessa Machin Perez is a dynamic and accomplished professional with a wealth of experience across diverse industries, bringing a unique blend of expertise to every endeavor. January 2025 kicked off her latest venture as the President of MakeUtah—an exciting new venture to build a dynamic space (flex office, flex R&D) that connects engineers, innovators and industry professionals to collaborate and transform ideas into tangible products that make a significant economic impact.
She recently traded in her big tech corporate career to follow her passion for entrepreneurship. With six years of experience in senior leadership roles with semiconductor manufacturing giants such as IM Flash, Micron, and Texas Instruments, Vanessa excels in navigating high-tech environments. This technical acumen is complemented by 23 years of distinguished service in the Australian Army, including 19 years in Special Operations Command during a high-tempo wartime environment, where strategic decision-making and decisive action was paramount.
Transitioning seamlessly across industries, Vanessa excelled in her 15-year career as an executive leader with Australia’s east coast, long-distance passenger rail service. She gained unparalleled expertise in railway operations, safety, transportation management, customer service and operational efficiency, managing a diverse team of 350 direct reports. This versatility extends to a decade-long engagement in the fast-paced Australian film and television industry, where creativity and innovation took center stage.
A ‘gritty’ entrepreneur and inventor, Vanessa is a designer and manufacturer and is proud to have brought one invention to ‘market’. Her passion for building professional brands and empowering individuals through career readiness, she has coached and trained over 3,000 people with a major focus on military-to-civilian career transitions. A recognized LinkedIn power-user, Vanessa leverages the platform to foster professional growth and community building. With over 15 years of board and committee service (she has served on 17 boards), she is deeply committed to philanthropy and creating a meaningful impact in communities.
A chronic do-gooder with an eye for detail, Vanessa has a life-long fascination with graphology and finds joy in painting and interior design. A multiple marathon completer, she embodies determination and resilience, continuously striving to inspire and lead in every pursuit. Ask her about the first time she ever flew in a plane!
Rhonda Austin
OmniStream Investments LLC
Rhonda “Resilient” Austin is the Founder of OmniStream Investments LLC, a dynamic umbrella company housing multiple brands dedicated to empowerment, marketing, mentorship, and holistic growth. Through her work as a Comprehensive Holistic Living & Resiliency Mentor, she helps individuals, creatives, and small businesses amplify their potential through personalized strategies, digital brand development, and life transformation tools. As a U.S. Army Recruiter and Community Connector, Rhonda bridges the gap between military service, entrepreneurship, and holistic leadership—promoting resilience, purpose, and opportunity in every endeavor. Deeply passionate about supporting local music and creative culture, Rhonda also uplifts emerging artists and musicians through her brand initiatives, providing platforms for exposure, development, and authentic connection within the Utah creative community. Her mission is to empower people and businesses alike to live, lead, and prosper with intention, creativity, and resilience.
Casey Fitts
Remedy
Noah Burke
Personal Banker, WaFd Bank
Noah Burke is a dynamic banking professional with a strong background in sales, customer service, business development, and financial strategy. Starting his career as a teller, Noah quickly built a reputation for accuracy, trust, and insight — identifying opportunities to help clients strengthen their financial footing. Now serving as a Personal Banker at WaFd Bank, he works closely with both consumers and business owners to secure tailored financial solutions that support long-term growth and stability.
Noah specializes in helping businesses establish lines of credit and liquidity strategies that protect against challenges like rising overhead and economic slowdowns. His results-driven approach centers on fostering relationships, building financial resilience, and guiding clients to make confident, forward-thinking decisions — even when the market is uncertain.
James Jackson III is a strategist, author, and community builder committed to helping leaders and organizations live and lead with purpose. As the founder of J3 Consulting, he partners with companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions to design strategies that unlock growth, strengthen leadership, and build inclusive ecosystems where people and businesses can thrive.
James is the co-founder of Capaciti Co., a consultancy where vision meets execution, supporting small businesses and chambers in Utah, Atlanta, and the DMV.
In higher education, James teaches Personal Finance at Salt Lake Community College and designs leadership workshops for universities, including Weber State. His signature program, Living With Purpose, has grown from his bestselling book into a workshop, workbook, and keynote series that equips participants to align their identity, leadership, and impact.
A published author, James wrote Living With Purpose and co-authored Leading Through the Pandemic. He also facilitated Black Utah: Stories from a Thriving Community, amplifying voices and stories of changemakers across the state. He is currently developing a sequel and companion podcast
Recognized for his leadership and impact, James has received honors including Utah Business Magazine’s Forty Under 40, the Cameron Russell Williams Impact Award, and the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Hall of Fame Rising Star Award.
A Utah native, James is driven by a deep belief that purpose still wins—and that when leaders build with clarity and inclusivity, they create movements that last.
James Jackson III is a strategist, author, and community builder committed to helping leaders and organizations live and lead with purpose. As the founder of J3 Consulting, he partners with companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions to design strategies that unlock growth, strengthen leadership, and build inclusive ecosystems where people and businesses can thrive.
James is the co-founder of Capaciti Co., a consultancy where vision meets execution, supporting small businesses and chambers in Utah, Atlanta, and the DMV.
In higher education, James teaches Personal Finance at Salt Lake Community College and designs leadership workshops for universities, including Weber State. His signature program, Living With Purpose, has grown from his bestselling book into a workshop, workbook, and keynote series that equips participants to align their identity, leadership, and impact.
A published author, James wrote Living With Purpose and co-authored Leading Through the Pandemic. He also facilitated Black Utah: Stories from a Thriving Community, amplifying voices and stories of changemakers across the state. He is currently developing a sequel and companion podcast
Recognized for his leadership and impact, James has received honors including Utah Business Magazine’s Forty Under 40, the Cameron Russell Williams Impact Award, and the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Hall of Fame Rising Star Award.
A Utah native, James is driven by a deep belief that purpose still wins—and that when leaders build with clarity and inclusivity, they create movements that last.
Entrepreneur Luncheon
Dan Snarr
Former Mayor, Murray City
Kurt Alexander
Onyx Development
Kurt Alexander, President and Founder, Onyx Development, Inc. Kurt Alexander is the President and Founder of Onyx Development, Inc., a minority-owned construction company based in Denver, Colorado. With over 40 years of hands-on experience in residential, industrial, and commercial construction, Kurt has been involved in every phase of the building process—from initial cleanup as a young apprentice to mastering the skills of an electrician and project manager.
Kurt holds a B.S. in Business Management from Southern Utah State College and is both a licensed general contractor and a licensed electrician. He specializes in ground-up new construction, large-scale residential renovations, and commercial construction. He is known for his relentless work ethic, uncompromising focus on quality craftsmanship, and dedication to customer satisfaction while maintaining strong client relationships. Under his leadership, Onyx Development has successfully completed over 500 projects in Utah, Colorado, Montana, and Idaho.
In his downtime, Kurt is an avid fisherman, who enjoys spending time in nature, with his family and friends and recently took up gardening. He is passionate about mentoring young men and women who wish to follow in his footsteps.
Where’s the Money? Unlocking Access to Capital for Small Businesses
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Access to capital remains one of the most critical elements of business growth, but securing funding isn’t just about getting approved. It’s about choosing the right financial product as well as the right funding partner for your specific cash flow, risk tolerance, industry, and goals.
Navigating today’s lending climate can feel overwhelming with shifting bank criteria, varying underwriting standards, and a wide array of options. This dynamic workshop brings together commercial bankers, SBA specialists, credit union leaders, and alternative funding experts to demystify the capital landscape. Experts will break down traditional bank loans, business lines of credit, SBA programs, equipment financing, and community-based capital side by side, explaining exactly what underwriters look for and how to position your business to get funded.
Whether you are seeking working capital, purchasing equipment, or preparing for a major expansion, you will leave with the clarity needed to select the ideal funding partner and build long-term banking relationships.
Key Takeaways
- Compare business lines of credit, term loans, SBA options, and alternative capital side by side
- Understand bank qualification criteria, underwriting standards, and flexible financing options
- Know how to evaluate your financial health to ensure your business is fully “fund-ready” before applying
- Build direct, strategic relationships with financial partners dedicated to supporting your growth
James Jackson, III
Money Moves University
James Jackson III is a strategist, author, and community builder committed to helping leaders and organizations live and lead with purpose. As the founder of J3 Consulting, he partners with companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions to design strategies that unlock growth, strengthen leadership, and build inclusive ecosystems where people and businesses can thrive.
James is the co-founder of Capaciti Co., a consultancy where vision meets execution, supporting small businesses and chambers in Utah, Atlanta, and the DMV.
In higher education, James teaches Personal Finance at Salt Lake Community College and designs leadership workshops for universities, including Weber State. His signature program, Living With Purpose, has grown from his bestselling book into a workshop, workbook, and keynote series that equips participants to align their identity, leadership, and impact.
A published author, James wrote Living With Purpose and co-authored Leading Through the Pandemic. He also facilitated Black Utah: Stories from a Thriving Community, amplifying voices and stories of changemakers across the state. He is currently developing a sequel and companion podcast
Recognized for his leadership and impact, James has received honors including Utah Business Magazine’s Forty Under 40, the Cameron Russell Williams Impact Award, and the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Hall of Fame Rising Star Award.
A Utah native, James is driven by a deep belief that purpose still wins—and that when leaders build with clarity and inclusivity, they create movements that last.
Alyson Mangum
Canyon View Credit Union
Brett Jensen
Utah Bank
Brett Jensen has worked in SBA lending since 2002 and has spent more than two decades helping small business owners obtain the financing they need to start, grow, and strengthen their businesses. As SVP and SBA Team Lead at Bank of Utah, Brett leads the Bank’s SBA lending efforts and works closely with business owners throughout Utah and beyond.
A Utah native, Brett was born and raised in the state, attended college here, and has raised his family here. He is proud to be part of Utah’s small business community and especially enjoys working with entrepreneurs and seeing the impact successful small businesses have on their employees, families, and local communities.
Spencer Davis
Mountain West Small Business Finance
Spencer Davis’s entire lending career has been with Mountain West Small Business Finance. Spencer started his lending career with Mountain West back in 2005 in their Southern Utah market. After 14 years as a loan officer and an eventual move back to Salt Lake, Spencer transitioned into their Senior Lending Officer role. Spencer shifted into executive management for Mountain West in 2024 and was recently made CEO. During his career, Spencer helped to secure financing for hundreds of small business owners and has helped to create thousands of new jobs in the Utah, Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming markets. Spencer is a proud husband and a father of four boys. He spends a lot of time watching sports, movies and playing video games with them. He is an avid fan of Liverpool FC.
Bill Kirth
Rectify Partners
Jason Hutsenpiller
Redemption Bank
Trista Phillips
Cyprus Credit Union
AI as an Ally: Overcoming Your Marketing Gap with the Help of AI
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Small business owners often face a daunting challenge: competing with enterprise marketing budgets on a solo-founder bandwidth. Artificial intelligence bridges that gap, acting as a tireless digital partner capable of multiplying your daily output and executing market intelligence at scale.
This practical, hands-on session skips the technical jargon to deliver real-world AI workflows built specifically for everyday business owners. Learn how to deploy AI tools to conduct deep competitor analysis, uncover market trends, draft high-converting ad copy, and automate complex content calendars in minutes. You will walk away with actionable prompt engineering strategies and implementation frameworks that allow you to produce top-tier marketing campaigns on a small-business budget.
Whether you are looking to save time on routine content creation or uncover competitive insights, this session will give you the tools to expand your reach without increasing overhead.
Key Takeaways
- Use AI tools to analyze competitor strategies, customer sentiment, and market gaps in minutes
- Build automated marketing campaigns, personalized email sequences, and multi-channel content plans
- Master practical, business-focused prompt engineering techniques tailored for daily operations
- Exponentially expand your marketing bandwidth without adding headcount or expensive software
Brett Lechtenberg
Total Success AI
Brett Lechtenberg is a Peak Performance Coach, best-selling author, and Chief AI Officer at Gift-Connect specializing in AI-powered business solutions. As owner of Personal Mastery Martial Arts and co-founder of Total Success AI, Brett combines the discipline of an 8th-degree Black Belt in Taekwondo with cutting-edge artificial intelligence to help businesses automate operations and accelerate growth. Drawing on over 28 years of business experience, he now creates AI-driven systems for workflow automation, customer engagement, and strategic planning that transform how organizations operate. Brett serves as Chairman of Murray Chamber of Commerce and has been trusted by American Express, Delta Airlines, and chambers nationwide.
Manny Torres
Total Success AI
Manny Torres is a Utah-based entrepreneur and Chamber advocate who helps small businesses use AI without the overwhelm. As founder of The AI Pros and Total Success AI, he builds practical automations voice AI receptionists, lead-capture CRMs, smart follow-up, and content systems that streamline operations and drive revenue. His work also includes AI-powered video content creation and custom app development designed to simplify marketing and operations for small teams. Manny works hands-on with Main Street owners, real estate teams, and service businesses to turn messy processes into simple playbooks powered by tools they already use. His mission: make AI a friendly co-worker that saves time, cuts costs, and grows sales.
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