Author: admin

Adrienne is the creator and CEO of Shop Andi, an accessory shop for the girls. From bows, to scrunchie Apple watch bands (made from scratch), to gorgeous headbands and cute clips, Shop Andi gets an A+ for every accessory. Shop Andi has been featured in Magnolia Market, and has been in business for six years. The business hit seven figures in three years! Adrienne is a full-time business owner and mother, and takes pride in supporting her family through Shop Andi. 

Dealer’s Choice I am an avid gym rat and love to lift weights and strength train, so I am usually at the gym every day. I usually come home and get ready for work and head into the office. I own a small business that specializes in women’s accessories like scrunchies, watch bands, hair clips, etc.! My usual tasks at work are product development, managing our warehouse staff, inventory management and planning new launches for our business. I usually work until 4 p.m. and then I go home and spend the evening with my husband and daughter. We love going out to eat, going to Costco or being outside when it’s not winter! Then, like the good millennial I am, I wind down with a show like Love Island, lol.

The Flop I am lucky to have a husband who is in marketing. He was able to quit his full-time job three years ago and has joined my business full-time. I never in my dreams thought that I’d, for one, own a business, and two, get to work with my husband in that business. It is the best! It is also just a big surprise that I own a business? Like what? Who am I to do that? 

Preferred Playing Partner ​​Post Malone, because I love him more than anyone in the world and he would be a good time. 

Hit the Jackpot I would love to travel everywhere! I want to go to Europe and explore England and Germany. I also would love to go to Japan. 

Tomorrow’s Bets I hope in the next five years I am able to prioritize myself and what I want, and try to fill up my cup as much as I can. I have been always doing things to make other people proud so I really want to learn about myself more. 

Wesley Morgan is a physics teacher, in part because he didn’t have the best experience in his own high school physics class. His passion for education has him teaching more than 80 students in his two Advanced Placement physics classes at Springville High every year. It also earned him the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching and made him a curriculum leader at the district and state level. He teaches a bilingual physics class for recent migrants and led a two-week physics class for incarcerated youth at Slate Canyon in Provo.

Dealer’s Choice Since I am working on my master’s, I alternate between teaching four 85-minute classes in a row or using my last two periods to work as an administrative intern so I can learn to be a principal. Then I either go to my own master’s classes for four hours or I play with my four young kids. My wife often works weekends as a nurse in the hospital, which means my entire day is trying to take care of those crazy kids.

Hand You Were Dealt My dad died of cancer when I was almost 9 years old. Because of that, I had to learn to teach myself a lot of things that kids normally learn from their dad. It forced me to figure things out for myself.

Shuffle the Cards When I was a missionary, I realized that if you are good at teaching one thing, you can use those same skills to teach anything. I realized that my true passion was teaching and training other people to teach.

Wild Card My grandmother, Lily Arguello, was the first person from Nicaragua to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Strongest Suit I think I dress like Mr. Rogers, and I try to be kind like him, too. I also want to be like Steve Rogers, but I only dress like him on Halloween.

The 2025 Deck We’re hoping to buy a house with enough room for our board games and a nice backyard so we can get a dog.

Hit the Jackpot I really want one of those e-bikes with a bucket in the back that all my kids can sit in. The world would be a better place if we all rode our bikes more.

Tomorrow’s Bets I grew up watching Ken Jennings on Jeopardy! My dream is to study enough that I can make it on the show and break that record.

Sunday is for dresses, riot is for leisure lounge. Fio Wallentine started the clothing brand Sunday Riot with her sisters. Fio was inspired from her time as a model, becoming fascinated with how the businesses ran that she would model for. Sunday Riot was born with the idea of creating a clothing brand that makes women feel powerful, unique and comfy. In just under two years of being in business, Sunday Riot has hit six figures in revenue, built a team, hosted events with hundreds of women and more. Fio’s history with modeling and vlogging her life on YouTube has taught her the importance of connection, bringing people together and making everyone feel seen and valued. Fio’s husband, Max, and her son, Noah, are her motivation and reason for everything she does. Family is in fashion — and so is Sunday Riot.

Dealer’s Choice A day in my life is a balance of hard work, family and the little moments that matter most. I wake up with my son, make him breakfast, share giggles and get him ready for the day. We pack orders together first thing in the afternoon and it’s a special time — teaching him about work while also bonding. After that, it’s playtime, and I try to savor those simple, joyful moments. Then the business side kicks in: photoshoots, marketing meetings, connecting with customers, and designing! 

The Flop One of the best surprises of my life has been realizing that, at the age of 23, I’ve built everything I’ve ever dreamed of — a family, a thriving business, a home filled with love — and I honestly never thought it would all come together. It’s a result of hard work, dedication and faith that the pieces would fall into place. Looking back, I’d tell my 16-year-old self to wipe those tears away and that one day she’d have the life she always wanted. I’m incredibly grateful for every step of the journey and for what’s to come! 

Strongest Suit I love anything with a heel! Dressing up is one of my favorite ways to feel confident, but ever since becoming a mom I have fallen in love with comfort. So now if I don’t need to dress up, I will be in a cutie comfy outfit — which is why I created Sunday Riot! I can choose to be dressed up or comfy.

Melinda Pike rolls with the punches, whether in the boxing ring or through her role as chief marketing officer at Thanksgiving Point. Melinda is a marketing maven — with expertise in telling brand stories through omnichannel marketing strategies, as well as in PR, social media, influencer marketing and more. On top of her work with Thanksgiving Point, Melinda runs her own marketing and advertising agency (18 years and counting). Did we mention she was also a brand and fashion photographer for 15 years? Her work has been featured in COSMO UK, Oprah’s O Magazine and the TODAY Show, to name a few. In her free time, she loves a good boxing session, game of golf, or a hike with her family and dogs. From marketing to momhood, she’s acing it.

Dealer’s Choice My day starts with taking care of our dogs and getting my family ready. Once I’m at Thanksgiving Point, no two days are ever the same. Serving as an executive at Thanksgiving Point is both intellectually stimulating and rewarding. After work, I come home to my family, and more often than not, my kids want to head back to Thanksgiving Point to play at one of the venues. In the evenings, I plan for the next day and take care of my commitments with other organizations I support, including SheTech and the Women Tech Council.

The Flop One of my greatest surprises was what life looked like when I left the U.S. mainland for nearly a decade, living in Hawaii and building a life there. I learned that paradise is something you choose and it’s something you create.

Shuffle the Cards I moved to Germany for a study abroad and got to meet several family members that no one in my immediate family had ever met or known. There was a language barrier, but I had studied German in college to prepare for the opportunity. It was truly life-changing to sit with family members and hear stories about my ancestors. 

Go-to Game I’m always up for Candy Land or go-fish with my kids.

Ace Up Your Sleeve I’ve been boxing for a year and it has been such a great workout for me! I also golf and love to hit the ranges in my spare time. 

Tomorrow’s Bets I’d love to become a CEO or a lawyer, if I’m able to block out a few years and finish law school. 

Zapplz is the apple of Utah Valley’s eye — and it’s all thanks to Zorina Steinman. Over 20 years ago, Zorina made a dozen caramel apples for a local football game and they turned out delicious! Then, when students were participating in fundraisers with cookie dough and wrapping paper, Zorina proposed they sell caramel apples — and they sold over 1,000. She invited friends over who helped her caramelize the kitchen and make the sweet fruit treats to fulfill orders. Zorina sold the apples at cheer competitions and other school events, and they were selling out almost faster than she could make them. The Zapplz brick-and-mortar shop in American Fork has stood tall and proud for 12 years now, and Zorina and her family continue to sell apples at dance competitions, school tournaments, the Utah State Fair, Fan X and more. How ‘bout them Zapplz!

Dealer’s Choice My husband and I trade off watching our grandchildren, then going to work at our store to make the required number of caramel apples: anywhere between 35 and 700 per day, working anywhere from 8 to 15 hours per day.

The Flop A great life surprise was finding out I was going to be a mom and then later a grandmother.

Hand You Were Dealt A challenge I’ve faced is feeling the need to be in control, and allowing God to take away any suffering and to feel His peace.

Shuffle the Cards About six years ago, I literally heard God tell me, “Just be happy.” This completely changed my life.

Go-to Game Cities and Knights of Catan, Spot it … all games! Our family loves to play games.We’re all competitive but have fun even if we lose.

Wild Card I have a phobia of anything that lives in water.

The 2025 Deck I want to finish some of the quilts I’ve started. I love making quilts for others.

Ace Eats I love the carnitas meal at Sol Agave (because it reminds me of when I was young) and Olive Garden (cheese ravioli with meat sauce).

Tomorrow’s Bets I’m hoping I can keep up the pace of working as many hours as I currently do for another five years, and then if I retire after that, take time to sew and live life a little slower.

Christian’s singing voice has been heard everywhere from America’s Got Talent to the White House (as a member of One Voice Children’s Choir), to his own song he wrote and recorded on the 2018 youth album for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More recently, Christian is the head of the band Just Khakis, with a recent collab with Lonely Ghost and the Utah Jazz. With the voice of a singer, Christian also has the brain of a marketing genius. When he was on Vocal Point at BYU, he helped grow their instagram account from 53K followers to 107K followers in just two months, and then to 216K followers a few months after that. Christian now helps other artists as their marketer/social media manager and content creator including Jordan Smith, Peter Hollens, Home Free, The Lil Smokies and GENTRI.

Dealer’s Choice As a musician, freelancer, entrepreneur and online student (finishing up my music business degree at Berklee College of Music), I make my own schedule. My day typically starts at the gym for a good workout, then is filled with all of my to-dos, school assignments, work projects for clients, and working on the backend business affairs for Just Khakis. Most days also include some sort of photoshoot, songwriting session, recording session, or gig. I also take my faith seriously and that takes up space in my day. 

Hand You Were Dealt While I attended BYU I was in Vocal Point. However, I was not as lucky with my schooling there. I was rejected from every major I applied for, both in the business school and the school of music. I was performing for sold-out crowds and marketing for artists, record labels and production companies, but still was not accepted in the school of business or music. Through the challenge, I sought guidance from God and was accepted to Berklee College of Music.

Shuffle the Cards Transferring to Berklee was a huge turning point. It was that moment that I went all-in on music. I started freelancing and putting all my efforts into Just Khakis. It was a bold and scary change, but has been so rewarding and amazing. 

Wild Card I am an above-average Kendama player.

The 2025 Deck I have a goal to get Just Khakis to 10k monthly listeners on Spotify. 

Take a walk with us through Whitney Coburn’s Juniper Market — where she has hosted over 75 small business markets in 10+ locations, including spots in Idaho and California beyond her home base of Utah Valley. Whitney is a former school teacher turned entrepreneur. She originally set up her own booths at markets selling handmade hair accessories, then had the thought to try hosting markets. That idea evolved into a full-blown passion for helping small businesses make more money, and encouraging communities to shop local. As a loving mom of two kiddos, on the side she also loves sewing (she has even made a wedding dress) and reading (100 books in 2024 is no joke). We give Whitney the highest marks on her market journey.

The Flop Honestly, my business was a great surprise. I didn’t expect to fall in love with entrepreneurship but I’m so glad I did. I feel like I’m living my dream life.

Hand You Were Dealt Most of the challenges I’ve faced have been my own limiting beliefs. Owning a business is one of the craziest things you can do for your self-development. I’ve had to learn how to believe in myself more, take risks and be okay with hiring help. I’ve learned that I’m capable of a lot and that I can handle big things!

Shuffle the Cards That first market was the first glimmer of what I was capable of and gave me a lot of confidence to move forward. I also think the first market we did out-of-state was a big turning point in the scaling of the business.

Go-to Game Catan.

Preferred Playing Partner Taylor Swift. I think she is brilliant and would love to see her mastermind the game!

Wild Card I’m a nerd. I really love history and politics. I’m slowly working through biographies of all the presidents.

The 2025 Deck I’d love to get a market going in Arizona and take my kids to Disneyland.

Hit the Jackpot I’d spend big winnings on a spa day with my friends!

Tomorrow’s Bets I see myself continuing to run small business markets. Hopefully in a few more states. Maybe a retail store with space for workshops and community gatherings.

Hawaii-native Michael Macasio is turning heads through unique hobbies and exotic pets — this one pictured is named Mochi. In 2018, Michael was approached by the previous owner of Orem’s long-standing pet store Animal Ark to purchase the store. As one of many dedicated employees since 2010, Michael considered it a great surprise and blessing to receive the offer, and has been happily owning and managing Animal Ark since. Outside of being a business owner, Mike has been the president of The Bonsai Club of Utah since 2022 and is a dedicated plant dad. With over 250 bonsai trees, 39 pets, several freshwater fishtanks and a family to care for at home, alongside a store full of pets and numerous other hobbies, it’s safe to say Mike leads an exciting lifestyle. Mahalo for sharing your talents with Utah Valley, Michael!

Dealer’s Choice A typical day always starts with a trip to Animal Ark, where I kick things off by taking care of the fish and handling other tasks that need attention. Some days I’m headed to the airport to pick up new fish or animals, or restocking the store with fresh supplies. I’m always collaborating with my team and customers, brainstorming new ideas to keep the store evolving. I genuinely enjoy interacting with our customers, helping them find the perfect pets and supplies for their homes.

Shuffle the Cards Relocating from Hawaii when I was 18 was one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made. Being so close to my family, it was a tough choice, especially since I didn’t have any family in Utah. But looking back, it was a decision that opened the door to the right opportunities, and it’s brought me to where I am today.

Ace Up Your Sleeve I was the captain of the Green Man Group from 2011-2013, and I love drumming. I am also pretty decent at aquascape design and cultivating bonsai trees.

The 2025 Deck I’d love to travel to see my favorite drum battalion group, DCI. I’d also like to attend competitive bonsai shows. 

Ace Eats Golden Thai Cuisine in Orem, with the house special fried rice.

Hit the Jackpot If I won the jackpot, I’d buy a nice bonsai tree and maybe take a trip to Japan.

While some people have to go to work each weekday, Jenny McGowan gets to go and play. As manager of the Spanish Fork Gun Club for three years now, Jenny has enjoyed every second of her time running the club, creating new events and courses, and teaching others about gun use and safety. She has even hosted several highly successful shooting competitions. The Spanish Fork Gun Club is a nationally ranked gun club where trap shooters from all over the world have come to compete. Jenny herself has competed against (and beat) Olympians during her competition years, and was named the best female trap shooter in Utah in 2015. If you want to learn something new about guns or plan a fun activity for date night, Jenny McGowan is your go-to gun gal.

The Flop The best surprise was falling in love with a sport and then meeting my husband at that sport. Spanish Fork Gun Club holds a very special place in my heart, especially House #6! On House #6 is where I ran my first 100 straight, became a Utah State Champion and met my husband. He is shy and the first word I heard him say was “pull” to call a target. We then fell in love at Provo Gun Club shooting games on Thursday nights and traveled around Utah competing in ATA Shoots while chasing the Utah State Team. We have shot thousands of targets together and I can’t wait for our two boys, Cade and Cole, to get old enough to join us on our squad!

Go-to Game My favorite card game with my kids is Trash or Five Crowns.

Preferred Playing Partner Garth Brooks!

Ace Up Your Sleeve I love to plan events for others to enjoy.

Strongest Suit My style? A lot of turquoise with a dash of gunpowder.

Ace Eats My perfect meal would be cheese sticks from Two Jack’s Pizza, Bandido from Joe Bandido’s and then chocolate cake from Magleby’s.

Hit the Jackpot If I hit the jackpot, I’d take my family on a cruise around the world.

Tomorrow’s Bets I want to retire as the manager of the Gun Club when I’m 100 years old! I’m not going anywhere.

Lights, camera, action! With a rich background in filmmaking, live entertainment, immersive storytelling and fine art, Ben McPherson is one of the visionaries of interactive art attraction “Dreamwalk Park” in Orem. Early in his career, Ben’s paintings earned him recognition in galleries, museums and publications worldwide. Later, he entered the world of filmmaking where he created an original series for National Geographic, and directed a film and a live-stage production “Man in the Moon,” which debuted to a crowd of over 20,000 people in 2013. Ben personally designed and built much of Dreamwalk Park — which opened in December 2024 — with a goal to expand imaginations and build unforgettable journeys for every visitor.

Hand You Were Dealt Failure is a constant in any creative’s journey. I was just weeks away from filming a major film, with millions invested in pre-production, when COVID hit. It nearly bankrupted my family. Surprisingly, this setback led me to a new film endeavor and Dreamwalk Park. The saying, “When one door closes, another opens,” rings true. I’ve learned to stay optimistic in the face of adversity — sometimes, God’s plan is hard to see, but if you trust Him, your failures can lead you to incredible places.

Shuffle the Cards When the industry shut down during COVID, I began exploring projects that could shoot in Utah, one of the few states still open to film during the lockdown. Moving back to the place I’d called home for decades turned out to be the best business and life decision I’ve ever made. Utah’s unparalleled entrepreneurial spirit ignited a passion within me to create and push boundaries like never before. I believe what we’re doing in the immersive space represents the future of entertainment.

Ace Up Your Sleeve I am amazing at catching lizards and snakes. 

Tomorrow’s Bets I have a few films that I want to get off my chest, and I hope to see Dreamwalk grow and expand as well. But my grandest hope is that the committee in charge of the opening ceremonies for the 2034 Olympics will enlist my help. I would love to oversee a groundbreaking and inspiring spectacle to celebrate this wonderful country and this amazing state!