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Derek Miner is good-vibes personified. And he’s a Utah Valley guy, through and through. In fact, he still lives a stone’s throw from his childhood home in the hills of east Provo. And this hometown hero gets results from his good vibes. He’s a serial successful entrepreneur, whose latest endeavor — Lemonade Stand — is a full-service digital marketing agency giving a portion of every dollar to programs that support the success of the next generation. It’s the “Build Then Bless” mantra that is at the heart of Derek’s mentoring mindset. The company’s podcast — Lemonade Stand Stories — is built around motivating the next generation of “go-getters” looking to build their own business. And, after all, businesses are all lemonade stands at heart.

Fully Booked Over time I hope my daily life has begun to look like this quote well-articulated by James Michener: “The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion… He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him, he’s always doing both.”

Hero’s Journey Challenges are stretchy and an inevitable part of growth. More importantly, it’s what you do next that matters the most. It takes courage to make a change when you realize you’re in the wrong place and need to regroup and start over. I’ve learned that when I’m surrounded by extraordinary humans, I can get through just about any challenge.

New Chapter Twenty years ago I sat around my first management table the day before we announced our company’s acquisition, and the CEO said, “I feel really bad for you young guys; this is not how most businesses work. You will spend the rest of your life trying to recreate what we have built here.” And he was right — because I was fortunate to have this experience, I have spent my life building incredible company cultures. 

Daily Underscore Rush, one of the greatest trios of all time.

Character Backstory Once upon a time, I played the drums in a band that was picked up by a record label. We recently got the band back together to perform at a wedding, and by the end of the night, we were trying to figure out how to get the band back together and tour again.

Heathre Hone is the founder of Utah Valley Animal Rescue, and she’s the most paw-fect person for the job. Evidence we have to back up our point? She brought a live dog for her photo. Need we say more?  Heathre was a single mother working full time in the legal field and getting her college degree in business management when her daughter was born in 1990. After getting married to her now husband, Blaine, she went back for a second bachelor’s degree in accounting from UVU in 2006. Now, she uses both degrees to help all of our furry friends in need. She knows more than anyone that life can be “ruff.” The most important thing to Heathre and Utah Valley Animal Rescue is healing the injured, saving the abandoned, and serving the homeless animals of Utah County. Like many successful and famous businesses, Utah Valley Animal Rescue was started in Heathre’s garage! Just call her Steve Jobs with a dog. 

Plot Twist One of the biggest surprises in my life was meeting my biological family.

New Chapter Marrying my husband, Blaine, 20 years ago. He and I have built two businesses together, Blaine Hone Excavating and Utah Valley Animal Rescue, doing business as All Paws Count. We have a ranch with horses, cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens, ducks and geese. We also have a few cats and dogs. (Try a lot of cats and dogs.)

Daily Underscore Gary Allen — my favorite of all time.

Vital Title I love so many books. I can’t choose! But, my current favorite author is Fredrik Backman.

Dream Storybook World Ladybug Girl and the Rescue Dogs — a picture book by Jacky Davis and David Soman about a pet-adoption fair.

Tired Trope Being interrupted while I’m talking.

Just My Type The prime rib sandwich at Ruby River.

Audiobooks or Physical Physical all the way! 

Life Genre I try for humor and I avoid drama.

The Sequel I want to have a huge animal rescue facility in Utah County that provides reduced cost spay/neuter services, training services and adoptions. I want to help people keep their pets, reduce pet overpopulation and eliminate abuse. I want to educate people on proper animal care and I want every animal to feel loved.

In a valley that’s passionate about the BYU Cougars, the real big cats deserve an advocate as well — and Denise Peterson is one of those voices. As the founder and director Utah Mountain Lion Conservation, Denise is working to preserve the tracks of these beloved big cats. She became fascinated with the animals in Michigan, her native state, and decided to study wildlife biology, natural resources management and geographic information systems. Denise has worked on a wild felid study in the Amazon rainforest and partners in the Central Region Cougar Study. She is working on educational documentary films and, alongside The Katie Adamson Conservation Fund, a children’s book about mountain lions! One of her most crucial roles is bringing awareness to details of bill HB 469, which opens mountain lions to trapping and allows anyone with a general hunting license to kill a mountain lion anytime of year without limit. Denise is on a mission to save the cougars. Go Cougs, Go Denise!

Fully Booked A day in the field consists of scouting for lion activity, checking and setting cameras, or trying to see a lion in the wild. At the office, I work with other wildlife groups on issues that pertain specifically to mountain lions in Utah. Right now, we are working on a documentary about HB 469.

Plot Twist One of the best surprises of my life was the first time I saw a mountain lion in the wild. We knew a family of three was in the area, so when I saw the first, I was hoping we’d get eyes on all of them. While we only saw mom and one of the youngsters, it was one of the best days of my life. I was able to watch as she slowly meandered up the hill, over the ridge, and out of sight.

Tired Trope In the spring of 2023, HB 469 was signed into law. With unlimited, year-round hunting and trapping of mountain lions, this not only affects everyone who cares about mountain lions, but will likely have negative impacts on the overall health and resiliency of the ecosystems here that they help maintain. This new law is in no way supported by science or research and limits our ability to properly manage mountain lions.

Vital Title “The Cougar Conundrum” by Mark Elbroch. It’s an incredibly informative book that anyone who is even slightly interested in mountain lions should read.

The Sequel I’ve learned not to try to predict the future. But I think it’s safe to say that in the next 5 to 10 years, I’ll still be out there tracking and filming mountain lions.

Carlie Palmer-Webb has created a safe space for Christian singles, parents and couples to talk about sex in a healthy, open way. She is “The Christian Sex Educator.” With a bachelor’s degree in human development and master’s in marriage, family and human development, the courses she has created are shame-free, research-based and faith-infused. On top of being a business owner and sex researcher and educator, she’s also wife to her best friend, Dallin, and a first-time mama to little Miles. Carlie has built a simple, joyful life that she loves, with a genre she titles “not-very-exciting-but-happy.” Living a life with people she loves, while also providing tools to help couples strengthen their relationships — does it get better than that?

Fully Booked I usually wake up when my little 9-month-old starts making noise in the next room. We spend the morning together — eating, snuggling, playing. When my husband comes home, it’s his turn to take little Miles. They hang out for a few hours while I work (usually still in my pjs). When I’m done, we have dinner and hang out together until Miles goes down for bed. Dallin and I soak in an hour or two of alone time and then we go to bed. It’s a simple, happy life.

Plot Twist Goodness, I was scared to become a mama. But Little Miles has brought me more joy than I could have ever anticipated. I’m happier, more confident and more content now than I ever have been. Motherhood has been so much better than I anticipated.

Hero’s Journey Depression was a burden I carried with me for over a decade. I’m grateful to say that, with the help of medication, an incredible support group, and pursuing things that help me be mentally healthy, I have genuinely never been happier. But I think often about the darker years when life felt heavy. Those years made me softer, more gentle and more empathetic.

Daily Underscore Lauren Daigle.

Character Backstory I am very introverted. Group fitness classes and large groups of teenagers make me very nervous. I’m definitely a book club over dance club kind of girl.

Just My Type Bombay House in Provo, hands-down. I order chicken makhani, garlic naan and a mango lassi.

Vital Title The book that has been the most transformative for me in the last five years is “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer. I will never be the same.

When it comes to Alma Loveland, “creative” is an understatement. She even met her husband, Mike, through her artwork! In 2007, the artistic duo was married and has since become an imaginative dream team — creating projects naturally inspired by their three kids. When the kids were toddlers, Mike and Alma created Olliblocks, a set of DIY blocks that went viral on Pinterest. Fast forward to the kids’ teenage years, and the Lovelands launched Your Very Favorite, “educational in a sneaky way” activity books full of puzzles, facts and jokes. These books are sold in a hundred stores all over the country (and some beyond)! Now, Alma, Mike and their team are working on an activity book for a children’s hospital network that will be used in the hospital to help relieve stress of families and kids in the ER and in long-term care. Alma is changing the world, one doodle at a time.

Fully Booked I make myself a coffee, take it out to the garden and indulge in TikTok. I’ll putter around the garden, then check on my husband and kids, and grab a stack of children’s books and magazines and my iPad. I return to my garden chair, and I read, making notes and sketches, writing out ideas. I get to bounce ideas off my family and get opinions all day long! Everyone in this house is funny, so I spend a lot of my day just laughing with my favorite people. 

Plot Twist My life has been a series of turning points! A blog title that caught the attention of a stranger who became my husband, a spur-of-the-moment decision to buy software that changed my career trajectory from editing to design, signing up for a flower-growing class and turning into a lady who loves the garden.

Storybook World I could happily live in a “Where’s Waldo” world. Just doing my thing among lots of other people doing their things. I love the zoomed-out view that lets you consider more than your own experience.

Tired Trope Why don’t we use the metric system?!

Life Genre Light-hearted dramedy. I face an average set of challenges with optimism, good humor and a desire to learn and grow from both the good and the bad.

Character Backstory I grew up in a small town called Porcupine in northern Ontario, Canada.

Just My Type Bombay House. Chicken coconut korma.

The Sequel When I take a moment to daydream, I imagine us with a small office, a small staff, a small shop and a small space to engage the community with art classes and events. It’s a dream worth moving towards.

Any reader with a chronic online shopping addiction will recognize Skye Hansen, the model for countless local and international clothing brands. Skye started modeling early on, first being featured in  I-D Magazine for a shoot with Brandy Melville at age 15, after signing with agencies in NYC and LA. She would split her summers growing up between NYC and LA before settling in LA at age 18. Then a year later, Skye signed with an agency in Europe and moved there for six months, traveling the world for photo shoots. Since then, Skye models full time and recently launched her new swimwear brand, Skota Swim. Now she travels and models for her own brand. The best of both worlds.

www.skotaswim.com

Fully Booked My husband and I get up at 5 a.m., workout, make breakfast, and get ready for the day. Next, I answer emails for modeling and Skota. Then I’m off to photo shoots, I head straight into hair/makeup and start shooting. After work, I get 10k steps in with my doberman, then it’s officially Skota time. I pack and ship orders, design graphics, plan photo shoots, draw new designs, etc. I make sure to end the day spending quality time with my little family (my husband and dog).

Plot Twist I was scouted from a Christmas card at the age of 12. My mom told my future agent I was too young at the time. His response was to call them when I hit 5’7”. At 15, I was 5’7” and flew to NYC to sign with New York Model Management. This opportunity completely changed the course of my life.

New Chapter A big turning point in my life was marrying my husband! I was planning to move to Miami for modeling and instead I had an overwhelming feeling to move home. I reconnected with my now husband six days later and we were married six months after that. Since marrying him, I have been able to model for so many amazing brands in my hometown and have been able to launch my own brand named after my husband and I, Skye + Kota = Skota!

Vital Title “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss. My dad gave it to me when I graduated high school along with suitcases since I was moving to LA.

Character Backstory I hand draw and design all of Skota swim’s designs/patterns, like our most popular Berry Bliss print!

Order Up Redmond Farms Cafe — chicken pesto sandwich, seasoned fries, cacao power smoothie, coconut milk, no espresso, extra blended.

If Chari Pack’s life had a genre, it would be “action and adventure.” In her own words, “I want to try everything, and I’m not afraid of much.” Not even entrepreneurship, a role she has taken on with creativity and pretty pretty prints. In 2010, she built Persnickety Prints, a photo imaging boutique specializing in real dark-room printing. Persnickety Prints began preserving the stories of families through prints, and revenue grew to $3 million in the first three years. It was also ranked one of Utah’s Fastest-Growing Companies in 2014 and 2015 by our sister publication, Utah Valley BusinessQ. Adobe took notice of Chari’s skills as she used its program, Spark, which led to Adobe flying her to Adobe Max to teach other entrepreneurs about building a brand with innovative technology. Oh, Forbes also showcased her shine in 2021 on their Next 1000 list. She’s leaving a legacy through her life, and it’s documented through Persnickety Prints.

Fully Booked I always start by moving my body, either at a gym or outside, while listening to a good book or podcast. Then it’s off to networking events or meetings with my teams to find ways to educate people as to why they need to print their pictures. My daily focus is my family and my new app.

Plot Twist A fun surprise was Justin Bieber at Todd Pedersen’s retirement party.

Hero’s Journey Divorce woke me up. Life can change on a dime. I’ve never worked harder to give my boys opportunities that I never had and to prove to myself that I can do hard things.

Daily Underscore The Avett Brothers, Lord Huron, Zach Bryan, SYML, Michael Jackson.

Vital Title “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries opened my eyes to the realization that successful entrepreneurship revolves around the customer and swift problem-solving. 

Tired Trope Humans with a victim mentality. We create the lives we want to live.

Storybook World I would create my own world without drama and social media influencers, war or aging — where we can eat chips and guac by the ocean, swim with wild dolphins, bike in the mountains and enjoy dance parties under the stars without our knees hurting.

The Sequel I’m driven to make a positive impact and leave a legacy. The greatest source of joy for me is in providing others with opportunities they may not have encountered otherwise.

In Gavin Telford’s therapy office, it’s comfy lamps and cozy rugs only — no fluorescent lights! Gavin is an early intervention therapist for youth and young adults experiencing psychosis. Up until 10 years ago, Gavin’s plan-A had been to become a high school English teacher. A month away from graduating with his English degree, he came across a study that reflected a correlation between Utah’s extremely high suicide rate among teenagers and the LGBTQ+ community. The next thing Gavin knew, he was continuing his education to bridge the gap between his English degree and becoming a therapist. Two years of volunteer work later, he was accepted into the graduate program of social work at the University of Utah. Gavin has worked as a therapist in a high school and worked at a crisis center for teenagers, leading him to his current job. Not to mention, he is a dog-father to the sweetest pup, Puck.

Hero’s Journey I struggled to make friends when I was younger, and I was often bullied by some of the boys at school. Fortunately, I was able to find friends who loved me unconditionally, and they helped me learn to love myself. As I grew older, I knew that many people would not like me because I was gay, but I knew that the friends I made along the way would love me regardless. It is my opinion that we should always seek quality above quantity, and sincerity above simplicity.

Daily Underscore This past year — The Aces. Of all time — The Early November.

Vital Title “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky. This book really affected me as a teenager, because it was my first glimpse into a perspective so similar to my own, that I no longer felt invisible and alone. We all need that first book (or poem, painting, movie or song) that helps us understand ourselves, and to teach us that others can understand us if we are willing to try. I often wonder who provided that for Stephen Chbosky.

Character Backstory Most people wouldn’t know that I consensually kissed Katy Perry’s face in 2011.

Dream Storybook World Mr. Rogers’ ‘Neighborhood of Make-Believe’ because diversity was celebrated, and people learned from their mistakes as they learned about others.

The Sequel I hope to have found out more about myself and others. I hope I can love how uncomfortable a new experience can be. I hope I can begin to smile in gratitude for having ever had something that I lost. 

Chris Harrington’s resume is longer than the road to Park City. Chris was president of field operation at Omniture where, during his tenure, they took the company from $3.5 million annual recurring revenue to $509 million in seven years. Next on the resume? Serving as the president and a member of the board of directors at Domo. Chris has also been awarded Best Sales Organization by the Stevie Awards (2004, 2005), Global Sales Leader of the Year by the Stevie Awards (2006), Best Sales Executive by the Stevie Awards (2007), Computer Software Sales Organization of the Year by the Stevie Awards (2007) Top Sales Leader by RevGen (2014) and Sales Professional of the Year by Utah Business (2023). We’d hire him! Chris and his wife, Angie, share a blended family of six kids, where their youngest, Hart, is teaching them all about autism.

Fully Booked Up by 5 a.m., I then sauna. Cold plunge until my shadow is up and at it, my 4-year-old son, Hart. Then I’m off to work in Provo and am home by 5 p.m. My wife and I drive kids around. Then we make sure we have a little time to ourselves to reflect on the day and plan for tomorrow. My favorite time of day is with her.

Plot Twist The biggest surprise of my life has been our son, Hart. Hart was diagnosed with autism in November 2022. While that diagnosis was painful and unexpected, it has been the most incredible blessings and surprises of my life. Everywhere I move throughout the house, he is right there with me and I love it. We have expanded our view beyond our own family to other families who are dealing with similar challenges with autistic children. We have joined the board of Wolverines Elevated. To see these children who have the power to become true advocates for themselves is awe-inspiring. 

Tired Tripe Not keeping your word. If you say you are going to do something, do it, or make sure we understand why it isn’t going to happen.

Dream Storybook World I would live in the time of King Arthur. In many ways what you were able to secure (land, riches, food) would be due to your work ethic, negotiation and cunning. I would have a dope set of castles.

The Sequel In the future, I see myself leading an incredible company in the software space on the business front. Continuing to learn and educate about autism. In the most amazing relationship with the most amazing wife by my side.

Whitney Gallegos’s day-to-day life is a page-turner. She opened Poppy Books in Spanish Fork with her mother, Karin Smith, in December 2022. Poppy Books & Gifts is located in a 1930s house that they renovated into a cozy book nook filled with treasures. Poppy Books has hosted authors such as Shannon Hale, Mac Barnett, Shawn Harris, Christopher Paolini and more. Whitney has a 3-year-old daughter who gets to come to work with her every day and help Utah Valley citizens alike find their next read. Whitney has alopecia and never has to worry about styling her hair, since she wears a wig everyday. She literally woke up like this. 

Fully Booked My day is filled with emailing authors, publisher reps, etc., posting pictures and stories to our Instagram page, restocking and re-shelving books, giving book recommendations to customers, reading (if I have down time), rearranging shelves so the store is looking nice and reordering books sold during the day.

Hero’s Journey I was diagnosed with ADHD in college and had to learn how to focus on projects and be productive while dealing with that!

Plot Twist During Covid, I started to love to read again and because of that love of reading, Poppy’s was born.

Daily Underscore I always listen to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Vital Title “The Red Rising” series. It’s a series that feels like Game of Thrones but in space! Political intrigue, epic stories and great characters.

Tired Trope When people buy their books from Amazon and tell us about it.

Dream Storybook World Middle Earth, but after it was saved by Sam and Frodo.

Just My Type From Casa Salza, the pork quesadilla. From Bombay House, butter chicken and garlic naan.

Life Genre Cozy fantasy! I get to live my fantasy of being surrounded by books all day!

Audiobook or Physical Physical by far, but I’ve learned to love audiobooks this last year as well!

The Sequel Hopefully I will have met Brandon Sanderson (wink wink) and I plan on continuing to grow our business and maybe open up a new location!