“All I knew was that I saw something I loved and wanted to figure out how to make it myself. That moment changed everything. Making things has always been a part of who I am. Jewelry just happened to be the thing that stuck.” Erica Hogan, owner of The Land of Salt, grew up in South Jordan, Utah, just south of Salt Lake City, and spent much of her youth dancing - literally around the world.

“It gets me emotional when I see people having a good time. When the place is packed, I think - wow, we really built this. It’s an honest feeling. There’s nothing better,” reflected Zach Wade as he walked through the dining room of Cosmica, his restaurant in West Maven, on a Friday night. "It still gets me. We’re here to serve - to create a space where people can come together over food and wine and have a fabulous evening."

“I’m just a girl from Utah who wanted to offer something delicious to the community - something I didn’t feel like we had, especially at the time.”  In the heart of Salt Lake City’s Maven District, Passion Flour Patisserie stands as a beacon of culinary innovation, offering a unique blend of artistry and sustainability. Opened by Jessica Davies in 2015, this vegan pastry shop was born from a passion for exquisite desserts and a deep commitment to ethical and environmentally friendly practice.

"So, tea is my happy place, admits Ripple Desai, owner of Tandoori Taqueria in the Maven District. Every time you walk into my parents' home, my dad asks, 'Do you want tea?' And tea in our house is a cup of hot Indian chai.

“I started showing interest in art when I was pretty young.” Stephanie Hillman, the founder of Art Haus in Salt Lake City, has been immersed in the world of art since childhood. After moving from California to Utah at the age of seven, she began taking art classes in third grade and continued her artistic education through high school.

“We knew we could do well in a Thai restaurant, but we wanted something more challenging,” explains Maneerut Chitratonn, one of the owners of Early Owl. Opened in May 2024, Early Owl has quickly made its mark on Salt Lake City’s brunch scene. The restaurant offers a fabulous menu full of vibrant, healthy dishes, with eggs taking center stage.

“I got my first plant when I was around seven years old - a Spider plant. I had it for years.” Bridget Bauer, owner of Beyond the Leaf, Inc, fondly recalls the beginning of her lifelong passion for greenery. Born in Wyoming and raised in the Sugar House neighborhood of Utah, Bridget was always surrounded by plants, both inside and out. Though she dabbled in flowering varieties, her true love was for plants with unique, leafy patterns.

“Good style is good style, and it doesn’t matter if it was made forty years ago or yesterday.” Adrienne Jarrett, owner of Re-finery Salt Lake City, combines her passion for fashion and her commitment to sustainability, creating a space where clothing not only tells a story but also contributes to an eco-friendlier future.

“I always felt a connection with metal people because they’re passionate about music, just like I am. And despite what people think, they’re some of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet.”

“I didn’t set out to start a business; it just kind of happened,” Michelle Czarka admitted as she reflected on the unexpected journey that led her to open Pantry Products. “But once I saw the joy it brought to people, I knew I was onto something.” Whether shopping for a gift or treating yourself, stepping into Pantry Products is like stepping into Michelle’s world - a world where everything is made in the shop’s kitchen.