The Utah Student 25

Recognizing the top 25 student-founded businesses in Utah

by Steve Gooch and John Blodgett

Utah’s college kids are a bright bunch, and nowhere is this more evident than by looking at the young men and women who placed on the Utah Student 25 list. The purpose of the Utah Student 25, says founder and Brigham Young University professor John Richards, is to “recognize student greatness in entrepreneurship, demonstrate the pipeline of strong companies coming off campuses for the benefit of Utah, and strengthen the entrepreneurship programs at each of the state’s universities.”

Richards got the idea for the program three years ago when one of his students walked across campus with him after class, hoping to pick his brain. It turned out that the student — while taking 18 credit hours of university courses — was running a $500,000-a-year company and needed some business advice. Not long after that conversation, Richards encountered another student who was running a t-shirt business that owned its own land and manufacturing plant in the Philippines.

“I realized that across all these campuses in Utah, there’s this incredible entrepreneurship happening by students as they’re taking full credit hours,” Richards says. “Over the last three years, I’ve wanted to call them out and recognize them for the success they’re having.”

Even though the 2009 Utah Student 25 was the inaugural presentation of the award, Richards says this year’s honorees have already benefited from the exposure. “Already the No. 1 company (Meter Solutions) has told me it’s changed their lives,” he says. “And the No. 5 company (iLifeNetworks) has already had investors wanting to meet with them.” He says that at the gala awards dinner on November 5, 2009, the honorees were already beginning to network with investors; the same thing occurs at the annual Inc. 500 awards and is often recognized as being more valuable than even being honored, says Richards.

Richards, who is also an angel investor, says he thinks the Utah Student 25 will “help the investment community see who the real business leaders of the future are.” That, in turn, will help out the business leaders themselves, by giving them access to new sources of capital. In that way, the Utah Student 25 list is an accelerator to success and a cycle that will feed itself for years to come.

To be eligible for consideration for the Utah Student 25, a company must:

• Have been started by a full-time student or a graduate who finished school within the calendar year


• Be for-profit


• Be based within the state


• Be fewer than five years old


• Be majority owned by the student or a group of students

Introducing the Utah Student 25 winners:

#1: Meter Solutions Pros LLC
Founders: Paul Dickson, Taylor Turnbull
Majors: Public Relations (Dickson); Neuroscience (Turnbull)
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: June 2007
Website: metersolutions.com

While missionaries in Ghana for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Paul Dickson and Taylor Turnbull served under mission president Robert Gay, managing director, co-founder and CEO of Huntsman Gay Global Capital and a noted venture capitalist and philanthropist. It was a fortuitous situation, for they learned a lot about entrepreneurship under his leadership. “Bob Gay inspired us to go after what we wanted,” says Dickson.

Meter Solutions, a company that installs automatic meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems across the western United States, is the result of that inspiration. “We provide technology and services to help cities and utilities make their transition to the smart grid,” explains Turnbull. Put simply, the technology allows utilities to get usage data in real-time, without the need to spend time and labor to send out “meter readers.” Billing accuracy is also increased.

Meter Solutions’ credentials are already impressive: it performs the majority of Questar Gas Company’s meter installations, which will total 230,000 new transponders installed along the Wasatch Front over the next three years. That project alone will account for almost $900,000 in gross profits. Then there is the effect of the stimulus. “[President Barack] Obama has just pledged $4 billion this year to go toward smart grid initiatives,” Turnbull says. “Contracts that we have are in the $16 million range if they get stimulus money.”

Bob Gay’s influence rubbed off on Dickson and Turnbull in other ways. Both are involved in the African Equity Fund (www.africanequity.com), a non-profit organization, and are currently establishing an Academy for Entrepreneurship in Ghana.

Dickson says they entered the Utah Student 25 to see what other student entrepreneurs were doing, and how their company compared against other student-run businesses. Placing first understandably has attracted a lot of attention to Meter Solutions.

“Being ranked at the top of the 25 has brought a lot of good publicity and networking opportunities,” Dickson says. “We have worked hard to get our company to where it is today and it was very rewarding to be recognized for our work. Winning the event has created opportunities, and we are confident it will open many opportunities in the future.”

#2: $7 Cuts
Founder: Craig Guincho
Majors: History Teaching and Football Coaching
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: May 2008

One sign of an entrepreneur is the ability to see opportunity in something that others take for granted. When Craig Guincho asked himself, What is something everyone needs?, he answered, Everyone needs a haircut. Thus was born $7 Cuts.

“My wife [Emily] and I started $7 Cuts because we were looking for an income that would allow me to either coach football, teach seminary or be a high school teacher, while having an income to have a decent standard of living,” Guincho says. They opened shop at a corner of the BYU campus, and now have three stores in Provo, Orem and American Fork. “We’re a budget haircutter,” he explains. “We are truly a barbershop. We don’t do colors, and 90 percent of our customers are men.” Moreover, $7 Cuts pays employees a higher-than-standard wage while charging customers less than other chains.

Guincho hopes to expand to 20 corporate stores throughout Utah and Idaho in the next 18-24 months, and is excited about opportunities to franchise the brand. “Anywhere there’s Fantastic Sams or Great Clips, there’s room for a $7 Cuts,” he says, adding that the cost of buildout is one-third that of either competitor.

By entering the Utah Student 25, Guincho saw a chance for $7 Cuts to gain recognition that would help its marketing efforts. He says his goal was met — already he has met with potential investors. “[Placing second] was a big honor for us,” he says. “We still have work to do though. Next year we will strive to be No. 1.”

#3: Worldwide Book Drive
Founders: John Keller, David Kasteler
Majors: Executive MBA
Schools: Brigham Young University (Keller); the U (Kasteler)
Founded: October 2005
Website: worldwidebooks.org

John Keller, president of WorldWide Book Drive (WBD), believes that making money and making the world a better place need not be mutually exclusive pursuits. “WBD is a for-profit social venture that’s mission is to collect surplus books and sort through them either for recycling, donation or reselling,” he explains. “We really measure our success through not just our bottom line or our profit, but also by the social impact we have and the economic benefit that we provide.”

WBD receives and processes approximately 20,000 pounds of books per week and employs 10 full-time equivalent employees. The company has donated more than 500,000 books and recycled more than 1.2 million pounds since its formation. Books are recycled in partnership with Life Skills Center, a sheltered workshop for disabled adults that provides meaningful work and discretionary income to more than 85 individuals in Utah and Salt Lake counties.

Keller says he entered the Utah Student 25 because of a love for entrepreneurship. “I enjoy opportunities where I can compete to improve my skills and meet other people to share our ideas and passion about building businesses,” he says, adding that he considers the Utah Student 25 experience one of the “best parts of my education this year.”

Much has happened since WBD’s ranking was announced. In addition to fielding numerous media interviews, the company went on to win a Funding Universe Social Entrepreneurship CrowdPitch Event and has been invited to enter additional competitions.

“As a business with a very strong social and environmental mission as our primary focus, it’s exciting to see that we’re competitive among some of the greatest student businesses in the state,” says Keller. “I believe this achievement is a small step into the future of even greater things to come.”

#4: Sharp Media
Founder: Cahlan Sharp
Major: Instructional Psychology and Technology
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: February 2007
Website: sharpmedia.com

Cahlan Sharp, founder of Sharp Media, is self-made twice: a self-made businessman — how better to describe an entrepreneur? — and before that a self-made media technologist who was both instructor and student when it came to learning Web technologies all by himself. That’s the sort of gumption necessary to build a company that annually grosses almost half a million dollars after two years in business.

Sharp Media is an interactive learning services and educational technology company based in Pleasant Grove. “We want to be a part of the future of learning and training,” Sharp explains. “We want to help shape the next generation of educational technology.” He says the most rewarding part of the business is building things that matter to its clients. “We get to use our expertise to create and build and then we’re able to see those products and tools be used … to add value for our clients.”

It’s not an industry without its challenges. Sharp says that there are a lot of “big players out there” and Sharp Media has to work hard to “break into that arena and get our name out there.” And then there’s the economy. But Sharp says they still strive to “add value and be the best we can.”

Sharp says that placing on the Utah Student 25 is “a great recognition for how amazingly hard it is to own and run a business and be a student at the same time. It’s been great to validate our work so far, as well as inspire us to get to the next level.” He adds that he met people at the gala event he hopes will turn into “great relationships.”

#5: iLifeNetworks
Founder: Jared Smith
Major: Computer Engineering
School: Utah Valley University
Founded: October 2007
Website: ilifenetworks.com

Jared Smith says he had two reasons for starting a business while in school. “I wanted to become self-sufficient by the time I was out of school,” he says. “And I wanted to apply and retain information.”

iLifeNetworks is the result. It’s a growing number of “social network” Web portals, where consumers and small business users can connect, communicate, buy and sell, and more. Smith calls it “localizing the Internet,” and expects his user base (currently 32,000) to reach 1 million by June 2010.

The company got off to a strong start. Within its first year, its bootstrapped and prototype website, Weddepot.com, ranked in the world’s top 100,000 websites according to Alexa.com. More than 15,000 business users registered, and cash flow was in the black within the first six months.

Smith entered the Utah Student 25 hoping that it would be a “bridge to something good” for his company. He believes his company’s top-five ranking provided legitimacy. “It means we are doing something right in our business, and all the talk, now has some walk to show,” he says.

iLifeNetworks is proof that placing fifth in a ranking is nothing to scoff at. Smith says he has some good investment deals “ready to go,” thanks to connections made at the Utah Student 25 gala event, and previous investors he had pitched to have reopened their inquiries. In addition, he has fielded four job offers at “good companies with higher positions.”

#6: Launch Sales and Marketing LLC
Founder: Brandt Page
Major: Communications
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: January 2009
Website: launchsalesandmarketing.com
Launch Sales and Marketing fills client sales pipelines with qualified appointments. Its sales professionals make 150 calls a day to businesses, creating 20-40 new sales opportunities each month for clients. Founder Brandt Page’s previous entrepreneurial effort took fourth and third place in the Entrepreneur of the Year awards at BYU in consecutive years and also landed in the top 10 for the Utah Entrepreneurial Challenge.

#7: Premium Landscape LLC
Founder: Weston Thayne
Major: Business Administration
School: Weber State University
Founded: March 2008
Premium Landscape provides both landscape maintenance and installation, including chain-link and vinyl fence installation. Its focus is primarily on servicing commercial properties. Founder Weston Thayne was also president of Island Front Sod Farm in 2008.

#8: Chocolot Artisan Confections
Founder: Ryan Kendrick
Major: MBA
School: Westminster College
Founded: July 2008
Website: sweetchocolot.com
Chocolot is a family-owned business that makes artisan chocolates, popcorn and toffee by hand. The company specializes in wholesale sales and corporate gifts. Chocolot is opening its first retail kiosk at Trolley Square for the 2009 holiday season.

#9: The Collegiate Advertising Company
Founder: Andrew Stewart
Major: Business Management/Entrepreneurship
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: June 2008
Website: collegiateadvertising.com
Founded at both Brigham Young University and Texas Tech University, The Collegiate Advertising Co. provides advertising space inside student dorm rooms and apartments. The founders parlayed $5 in startup costs to $32,000 in revenue within the company’s first 90 days. The company now serves over 30 clients in three states.

#10: Four Pillar Fitness
Founders: Matt Carlson, Ryan Larsen and Reed Carlson
Major: MBA
School: Westminster College
Founded: May 2009
Website: fourpillarfitness.com
Four Pillar Fitness is a complete fitness training facility that provides detailed training programs to individuals. Each person receives a thorough analysis of their current fitness level (body fat percentage, measurements, etc.) and is provided a custom training plan according to their fitness goals.

#11: Rising Rain Studios LLC
Founder: Benjamin Bartholomew
Major: Accounting
School: University of Utah
Founded: November 2007
Website: risingrain.com
Rising Rain Studios provides design, marketing, Web, technology and photography consulting services to businesses and individuals for projects that include websites, reports, catalogs and wedding invitations.

#12: H&H Medical Corporation
Founder: William Hoster
Major: Entrepreneurial
School: Westminster College
Founded: April 2008
Website: hhmedicalcorp.com
H&H Medical Corporation is a medical supply company that focuses on diagnostic products and services. It was founded to distribute a product designed to monitor heart arrhythmias at anytime and anyplace. The company has evolved into providing additional telemedicine solutions for physicians.

#13: K-9 Designs Mobile Dog Grooming
Founder: Mindy Petramalo
Major: Family Finance
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: January 2005
Website: k9designsonline.com
K-9 Designs is a full-service, mobile dog grooming shop that travels to customer locations in a self-contained and fully equipped grooming van. Its three groomers currently serve more than 600 clients.

#14: Seahorse Enterprises
Founder: Cameron Muir
Major: Business Management and Strategy
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: January 2006
Website: everythingbiorb.com
Seahorse Enterprises operates online retail stores within niche markets such as baby and maternity products, home goods, and fish and aquaria. In addition to e-commerce stores, Seahorse Enterprises creates niche websites designed to inform customers and provide unbiased reviews and information about consumer products.

#15: MountainWest Memories LLC
Founder: Curtis Funk
Major: Technical Sales
School: WSU
Founded: June 2006
Website: funeralrecording.com
FuneralRecording.com contracts with funeral homes nationwide to allow family members to view memorial services live on the Internet from anywhere in the world. FuneralRecording.com was ranked the #1 Tech Trend of 2010 by FoxNews.com, and has been recognized internationally by different publications and news sources as a technology leader in the funeral industry.

#16: Let There Be Light
Founder: Jeremiah Olsen
Major: Information Systems
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: June 2008
Let There Be Light installs Christmas and holiday decorations at residential and commercial locations. It sells holiday lights by acting as broker between holiday lighting wholesalers and customers. It also provides window-cleaning services to homes and businesses.

#17: Desert Sno Shave Ice
Founders: Jill Alsbury, Josh Reeder
Majors: Exercise Science (Alsbury); Technology Management (Reeder)
Schools: Brigham Young University (Alsbury); UVU (Reeder)
Founded: April 2008
Located in Moab and at various events such as The Stadium of Fire and BYU football games, Desert Sno offers genuine Hawaiian shave ice with a consistent taste from the first bite till the last. A variety of toppings are offered including ice cream at the bottom and sweetened condensed milk as a topping also known as a “Snowcap.”

#18: Logan Windows LLC
Founder: Brandon Hunt
Major: Business/Entrepreneurship
School: Utah State University
Founded: 2005
Website: loganwindows.com
Logan Windows provides window cleaning and tinting services in Cache Valley and surrounding areas as far south as Brigham City and the Ogden Valley. A reputation based on quality workmanship, professionalism and exceptional customer service has helped Logan Windows retain over 75 percent of customers from day one.

#19: Epic Manufacturing
Founder: Brett Coleman
Major: Manufacturing Engineering
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: June 2008
Epic Manufacturing produces plastic parts for boats, piping, chairs and more. It uses the rotomolding process for making hollow plastic products.

#20: Simple Systems Inc.
Founder: Dan Lauritzen
Major: Psychology and Human Development
School: University of Utah
Founded: November 2007
Website: simplesystemsutah.com
Simple Systems is an IT support company serving small businesses, homes and home offices throughout the Salt Lake Valley, Provo and Ogden. It can handle basic troubleshooting to full office upgrades and configurations.

#21: No Risk Investor LLC
Founder: Edward Stewart
Major: Business Management
School: Utah Valley University
Founded: November 2008
Website: noriskinvestor.com
No Risk Investor (NRI) is a premium content, subscription-based website for tax lien and deed investors. Its clients have access to education, research tools, one-on-one coaching and more. NRI has licensed its product to two of the nation’s largest financial education seminar companies.

#22: PictureThis! Event Services LLC
Founder: Darrell Swain
Major: Civil Engineering
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: April 2008
Website: picturethiseventservices.com
PictureThis! Event Services was founded to help others preserve and enhance their once-in-a-lifetime events and celebrations. It does this with its signature product, a touch-screen Event Kiosk, that allows for the onsite sharing and retrieval of digital media.

#23: DPC Sealing Specialists
Founders: Dustin Hansen, Parker Davidson
Majors: Business Management (Hansen); Economics (Davidson)
Schools: Utah Valley University (Hansen); BYU (Davidson)
Founded: April 2006
DPC Sealing Specialists began with a $50 investment in flyers. The founders didn’t buy their equipment until after two customers had signed up. They immediately were in the black. The company has since added other services, including epoxy garage floors and acid staining.

#24: One Man’s Trash
Founders: James Marshall, Stirling Ingram
Major: Business Management (Marshall); Behavioral Science (Ingram)
Schools: Brigham Young University (Marshall); UVU (Ingram)
Founded: April 2008
For $8 a month, One Man’s Trash provides recycling bags,
sorting and door-side pickup of college students’ recyclables.

#25: BuildYourJacket.com LLC
Founder: Brandon Doyle
Major: Finance
School: Brigham Young University
Founded: October 2007
Website: www.buildyourjacket.com
BuildYourJacket.com allows high school athletes to create and order their own custom letterman jackets. Brandon Doyle has worked on other entrepreneurial projects like Dunkklub LLC, an athletic apparel company, with much success.