Upcoming Events

Clear all filters Entrepreneurship Center

Jan

Entrepreneur Leadership Series: Dave and Liz Findlay

Panel Discussion/Presentation

Liz and Dave Findlay, the co-founders of Albion, a renowned activewear brand, embarked on their venture with a shared commitment to creating high-quality, stylish athletic wear. Albion's inception in 2010 marked a significant turning point for Liz and Dave Findlay, who sought to fill a gap in the activewear market by offering versatile, comfortable, and fashionable apparel. The brand's success is attributed to the Findlays' hands-on approach, meticulous attention to detail, and dedication to providing customers with activewear that seamlessly combines functionality and style. Over the years, Albion has evolved into a lifestyle brand, reflecting the Findlays' passion for promoting an active and balanced way of living.

Beyond their roles as entrepreneurs, Liz and Dave Findlay have become influential figures in the business community, embodying the spirit of innovation and perseverance. Their journey from local entrepreneurs to the helm of a nationally recognized activewear brand serves as an inspiring example of how a shared vision and unwavering dedication can transform a passion project into a successful business venture.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium | More Info

Feb

Travis Chambers

Panel Discussion/Presentation

Travis Chambers stands as a dynamic entrepreneur, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the hospitality and media industries. As the founder of Chamber Stays, he has pioneered the concept of experience hotels across diverse locations, including Utah, Puerto Rico, and Idaho. The success of Chamber Stays is a testament to Travis's innovative approach to hospitality, creating immersive environments that redefine the guest experience.

A notable figure in the business world, Travis achieved recognition on Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 list in 2018. His entrepreneurial journey continued with the solo founding of Chamber.Media, a venture that he built from the ground up, experiencing 100% growth for seven consecutive years. The culmination of his efforts resulted in a remarkable $17 million exit in 2021, as Chamber.Media earned its place in the Inc 5000 and Utah 100 fastest-growing companies. Travis's influence extended to speaking engagements at Google Growth Summit, VidCon, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, solidifying his reputation as a keynote speaker and thought leader in the industry.

Travis's journey is not only marked by financial success but also by his impactful presence in media, with features in prominent publications such as Inc, Entrepreneur, AdWeek, and HuffPo. His past work with major brands like Yahoo, Kraft, Old Navy, Coca-Cola, Monde- lez, and Amazon attests to his prowess in the industry, including the notable feat of elevating Old Navy's Facebook followers from 2 million to 8 million.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium | More Info

Feb

Entrepreneur Leadership Series: Nate Orchard and Jake Webber

Panel Discussion/Presentation

Nate Orchard, a former NFL player, began his career with Advanced Window Products after seven years in the NFL. Nate started his journey to the NFL at the University of Utah, followed by playing on multiple pro teams. Once his NFL career was over, he decided to follow the path of business. He is now the Head of Installation for Advanced Window Products and an expert in his field committed to ensuring all projects are completed to high standards of excellence and customer satisfaction.

Jake Webber is the Head of Marketing for Advanced Window Products. After positions at Taft, Snap Finance, and EY he decided to partner at Advanced Window Products with Nate Orchard. Jake brings creativity and strategic vision to the forefront of the company’s promotional efforts. With his background in strategy, he creates innovative and strategic marketing campaigns that not only showcase the technical advantages the company’s window products provide, but also emphasize the aesthetic aspects that set them apart.

Nate and Jake bought Advanced Window Products in October of 2022 and have had increasing success since the acquisition. They are dedicated to being more than just a window and door company, they are a team that improves their customers' homes and lives.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium | More Info

Feb

Entrepreneur Leadership Series: Jon Schmidt

Panel Discussion/Presentation

Jon Schmidt is a contemporary American pianist and composer, celebrated for his versatile musical talent and compositions. Schmidt’s musical interest started at a young age because of his parent's gift of an early education in music. He started teaching piano lessons at 16 and began a successful solo career in his early twenties. His distinctive style blends classical influences with modern elements, creating a unique musical fusion that resonates with audiences worldwide.

When going to college, Schmidt was worried about a career in music. He studied English and planned to get an MBA. After continuous pestering from people asking him to play the piano, he finally rented out a concert hall to introduce himself to the public. His audience loved him, and he hasn’t regretted pursuing his music career.

Jon Schmidt is a member of The Piano Guys, a musical group known for their innovative arrangements and music videos. The Piano Guys was formed in 2010 and the group has a large online following which has created millions of views on YouTube. Their goal is to inspire those who listen to their music.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium | More Info

Mar

Entrepreneur Leadership Series: Brent Brown

Panel Discussion/Presentation

Brent Brown was born in Newport Beach, California, and moved to Mapleton, Utah when he was six years old. He graduated from Brighton High School in 1977. Though he didn't attend college, Brent has been passionate about supporting education with significant contributions to UVU, Provo School District, and several other educational causes including his service on the Utah State Board of Regents.

Having spent his youth as a lead guitarist in a professional rock band, Brent opened for several large acts including ZZ Top, and doing a record. He then chose to serve a two-year mission in England for his church. Brent began his career in the auto dealership industry in 1984. By 1987, he was managing a group of auto dealerships and in 1992, became part owner of the Toyota dealership in Orem, Utah and ultimately became the sole owner of what is now known as Brent Brown Toyota in 1999.

The dealership was Utah's largest volume new car dealership in 2016, outselling every dealership of every brand. The dealership was also recognized in early 2017 for being the #1 Metro Toyota dealership in the United States in customer retention, Toyota's measure for loyal customers who purchase again and again from the same dealer. The dealership was also an eight-time winner of Toyota's prestigious President's Award, Toyota's highest recognition for a well-run, customer-focused dealership, and was voted "Utah County's Favorite New Car Dealer" in 2017 for the fourth year in a row by readers of Utah Valley Magazine.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium | More Info

Mar

Jill Koziol

Panel Discussion/Presentation

Jill Koziol is the co-founder and CEO of Motherly, a well-being destination empowering mothers to thrive. An Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Company and a Parity.org Best Company for Women to Advance, Motherly is built for mothers, by mothers. Engaging an audience of 40 million+ readers and viewers a month, Motherly offers on-demand parent education classes, Webby-award-winning videos, The Motherly Podcast, essays and articles, and a highly engaged social media community.

Co-author of “The Motherly Guide to Becoming Mama: Redefining the Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Journey” and “This Is Motherhood: A Motherly Collection of Reflections and Practices",Jill Koziol is passionate about serving and empowering women and mothers because when mamas are successful, everyone wins. She is an advocate for families, female founders, and how to thrive with multiple sclerosis. Jill lives in Park City, Utah with her husband and two daughters.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium | More Info

Apr

Entrepreneur Leadership Series: Shark Tank Night

Panel Discussion/Presentation

Shark Tank Night will host several successful entrepreneurs (Gene Spaulding, Amy Rees Anderson, Dan Crane, and Bryant White) to judge a few of our students and their pitch to win start-up money to grow their business.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium | More Info

Apr

Paul Wiebel

Panel Discussion/Presentation

Paul Wiebel's journey is a testament to entrepreneurial vision and community dedication. As the Chairman of the Board of Econo-Pak, situated in Milford, PA, Wiebel has been at the helm of a company specializing in high-volume food packaging for some of the world's largest and rapidly emerging food corporations. Hailing from Parsippany, New Jersey, Paul's roots in entrepreneurship trace back to his youth as a dedicated Boy Scout for 12 years, achieving the esteemed rank of Silver Scout.

After graduating from Utah State, Wiebel founded Econo-Pak in the basement of his parent's home, a humble beginning that would eventually burgeon into a major enterprise. Over the years, he expanded Econo-Pak's operations from East Hanover to Franklin, NJ, finally acquiring a facility in Sussex, NJ, which he transformed into 1 Wiebel Plaza in 1978. Settling in Sussex County in 1979, Paul became an integral part of the community, actively contributing through initiatives like founding the Wiebel Family Foundation, dedicated to supporting local charities. Currently residing in Sparta, NJ, Paul Wiebel remains a prominent figure, not only in the business world but also as a philanthropist and community leader.

In 2014, Paul Wiebel elevated Econo-Pak's operations by moving to a state-of-the-art food packaging facility in Milford, PA, reflecting his commitment to innovation and growth. Beyond his success with Econo-Pak, Paul also manages various industrial properties within Sussex County, showcasing his diverse impact on the local business landscape.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium | More Info

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