“I get here at two in the morning, start baking, and by five, there’s already a line. But every day, I feel grateful. I see the same smiling faces, and they make me smile, too.” Brenda Le’s joy behind the counter at Fresh Donuts & Deli is unmistakable.

“We want to be a positive influence on people. We are open to sharing our story with all kinds of groups because if someone is stuck, maybe it will inspire them to change. That is what we live for now,” shared Robyn, co-owner of an unusually named motorcycle shop; the name came to Robyn one day and she simply blurted it out, “Sims Motorcycle Monkeys.” It was “unique, quirky and cute,” Matthew admitted, as she used to jokingly call her husband and their dog “my little monkeys.” But the moment she said it aloud, Matthew looked at her and nodded. That was it. After six months of thinking through name after name, they had landed on the one that felt right.

"I have always had a vision for this restaurant," Tim Rammell reveals. "I put in the work, learned from the best, and took notes. When the opportunity came, I knew I was ready." Tim and his younger brother - by one year and one week - Joe, share a journey to opening Drunken Kitchen that is rooted in determination, friendship, and an unwavering passion for food.

“I came here in 2013 as a refugee because I wanted a future for my kids. My country wasn’t safe. The war - everything - made it impossible to stay.” Owning Karim Bakery was never part of Sarah Abduljabbar’s plan, but life has a way of leading people down unexpected paths.

“We really pride ourselves on doing honest work at a good price. We’re never going to do anything that isn’t right for the customer.” For over two decades, The Quad & Cycle Shop has been a trusted name in Salt Lake City, offering a wide range of motorcycles, ATVs, and accessories while building a loyal customer base.

"We wanted to create a space where people could turn their culinary dreams into reality without the financial burden of a full-scale restaurant," Ana Valdemoros shared, reflecting on the origins of Square Kitchen.

“People tell me, ‘Don’t worry about the little things.’ But that’s where it starts. If you don’t pay attention to the little things, then the problems will only get bigger.” If there is anyone who embodies the soul of a true artisan and perfectionist, it is Jean Jacques Grossi - though most know him simply as JJ. Beloved by his customers, respected by his staff, and renowned for his meticulous dedication to quality, JJ has spent his life perfecting the art of French pastry and baking. His journey, however, has been anything but ordinary.

"Our people, we don’t have a background in owning this kind of business. It is still hard to believe we did it,” admits Pinya Issa. G & H African Market is more than a store - it is a dream realized, and a family reunited.

“I feel a sense of responsibility to provide people with the things that are getting harder and harder to find,” Annette Raverino says with a warm smile. “I am really lucky.” Luck may have played a small part in Annette’s journey, but passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to tradition have been the true foundations of Mediterranean Market & Deli. Her story stretches back generations, rooted in the northern Italian Alps, a place where her mother was raised and where Annette spent time cooking with family.

“Creating a safe, inclusive space has always been my top priority. I want everyone who walks through our doors to feel they belong here,” shared Alia Mathias, founder of Wicked West Nails.

“My mission has always been to bring art closer to people,” begins Lucia Murdock, owner of Workshop SLC. A passionate artist and entrepreneur originally from Sinaloa, Mexico, Lucia was raised in the culturally vibrant city of Guadalajara. Her early life was steeped in the arts, where murals and art openings were as common as the city’s bustling streets.

“I’ve always loved the thrill of Halloween. And when we couldn’t find what we wanted for our daughter’s first Halloween, we realized there was a need for a year-round spooky shop,” says Landrie Miller, the owner of Spoox Bootique, a unique Halloween-themed store in Salt Lake City that fills the needs of ghoul-inclined patrons throughout the year.