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Located at 2665 S Redwood Rd, Al Najma Market provides a unique shopping experience for those seeking authentic products in West Valley City.​

​UMLF: Hi Cheyenne, we’re excited to interview you as our January Business of the Month! Tell us about yourself. 
Cheyenne: “Hi! So excited to be included! I am a mom first and foremost, but I also run a few businesses. Dakota Ridge being my passion project! I started my first business to try and find a way to supplement my income because I wanted to stay at home with my daughter instead of going back to the corporate game. I quickly realized I could freelance and make more than I was making at my corporate job.”

UMLF:  For those not in the loop on the coolest kid’s boots in town, tell us about Dakota Ridge and why you got started.
Cheyenne: “I was working with all of these incredible startup e-commerce businesses and REALLY wanted to try to do it myself. I came up with the idea for DR because I could not for the life of me find rain boots that were cute and single color in my price range so I decided to search for cowboy boot rain boots but then realized quickly they didn’t exist for kids so decided to create them!”
 
UMLF: We see you are also launching adult cowboy rain boots, any other exciting products are readers should know about?
Cheyenne: “Yes! So we are currently crowdfunding here for our adult range, that has been our biggest ask by our customers so we are excited to kick those off! We are also working on new colors and designs hopefully to launch in 2024 as well as some partnerships with some brands you know and love! (shhh it’s a secret on who ).” ​

UMLF: How do you feel like the Utah Microloan Fund has helped your business?
Cheyenne: “Without the UMLF I would have not been able to afford my second round of inventory or expand into big kid sizes. They are single-handedly responsible for believing in me and my company and giving me the chance to prove that this is going to work! They allowed me to grow last year with the faith they put in me and I am forever grateful for that!
 
UMLF: Lastly, what is one kid’s fashion trend you would love to go away in 2024? 
Cheyenne: “I mean kids are going to be kids and I know they are SOOO easy to get on but I hate crocs haha.” 

UMLF: Haha we agree! Thanks Cheyenne! And deff keep us informed when the adult boots drop! 

UMLF: Hi Gordon, we’re excited to interview you as our Business of the Month! Tell us about yourself. 
Gordon: “Hello, my name is Gordon Jung and I have lived in Utah for twenty-three years. In 2011, I opened Utah’s first Korean bakery (Moon Bakery), bringing happiness to many people who missed Korean bread. In 2020, I opened Utah’s first Korean pork cutlet restaurant (Katsu City) in Provo, giving many people a treat, and introducing Korean pork cutlets. Now the restaurant has moved from Provo to West Jordan and reopened.”

UMLF: Katsu City has always been a hit with customers, tell us about what made you decide to open a restaurant.
Gordon: “When there were no Korean bakeries in Utah, I opened the first Korean bakery in Utah with the help of UMLF, bringing joy to many people. This time, I knew that many Koreans living in Utah wanted to eat pork cutlet, but there was no proper pork cutlet restaurant, so I opened a store to introduce it to them and other people who wanted to know about Korean pork cutlet.”

UMLF:  What are some of your favorite items on the menu?
Gordon: “Our restaurant has more than 10 menu items, but I especially like “King Katsu, Chicken Katsu, Curry Katsu, and Cheese Katsu.” Generally, other restaurants use dried breadcrumbs (panko) when frying pork cutlets, but at our restaurant, we do not use panko but instead bake the bread ourselves and make fresh bread crumbs to fry the meat, so the taste and quality are very different from dried breadcrumbs.”

UMLF: Entrepreneurship most definitely has its highs and lows. Can you tell us about a challenge you faced as a small business owner and how you overcame it?
Gordon: “Speaking of difficulties, of course, there are financial difficulties when sales are low. We thought there were a lot of Americans in Utah who knew Korea well. So we started letting them know about Katsu City, and they came to our store one by one. And as they introduced our store on social media such as Instagram and Facebook, the number of customers increased and we overcame financial difficulties.”

UMLF: How do you feel like the Utah Microloan Fund has helped your business? 
Gordon: “In the process of preparing for Katsu City, I was able to receive timely help with capital shortages due to various inflation caused by the pandemic, which was a great help in opening Katsu City. They are always kind, responsive, understanding, and reasonable. I’m forever grateful for my UMLF team who helped us.”

To visit Katsu City check out: 

• Their location: 1387 W 9000 S, West Jordan, UT 84088
• Their menu: www.slcmenu.com/2023/12/02/katsu-city-menu
• Their Instagram: www.instagram.com/katsucity_ut

Utah is home to approximately 60,000 Native Americans, representing more than 50 Tribal Nations, with eight being federally recognized. These Tribes are the Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Confederated Tribes of Goshute, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah and Navajo Nation.  Native history in Utah goes back even further to Ancestral Puebloans who inhabited the Four Corners region from approximately 200 to 1300 CE and left a significant archaeological and cultural footprint. Cedar Mesa, Hovenweep, and Bear Ears National Monument are all notable, can’t-miss sites for this. 

The Utah Microloan Fund has a commitment to empowering Native and rural entrepreneurs through providing access to funding, free virtual business education classes, and connection to resources. A big part of our efforts is connecting directly with business owners where they are, and we participated in two awesome events to further this goal.

The first of these was San Juan County Economic Development’s Business Bootcamp in the beautiful small town of Blanding, Utah. Here, we engaged with local business owners, sharing insights and fostering connections within the community. The goal of the event was to connect businesses, entrepreneurs & those in start-up phases to the educational & financial resources they need to succeed. In attendance were organizations like the Governor’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism, Utah MEP, Southeastern Regional Development Agency, economic development from Grand and San Juan counties, chamber representatives and government officials + more all to share our expertise.

Thank you to both organizations for inviting the UMLF to participate in your essential events and giving us the chance to learn, teach, and participate. 

To learn more visit the below links: 

• Native American Heritage Month
• Utah’s Native Nations & Places to Visit
• Ancestral Puebloans 
• National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED)

​With the opening of the PROG Development Center, the Foundation has a welcoming space for young adults in the greater West Valley City area to access in-person and hybrid programming, initiatives, and other offerings designed to develop the skills and resources necessary to help positively shape their futures.

• Visit the center located at 2875 South Decker Lake Drive, Ste. 150 West Valley City, Utah 84119

• Check out their programs at https://progfoundation.org/programs

• Serve on a committee. Current Committees include Career Coaching, Scholarships, Youth Advisory, and Internships. 

• Learn more about the PROG Foundation at https://progfoundation.org

UMLF: Hi Breanne, we’re excited to interview you as our Business of the Month! Tell us about yourself. 
Breanne: “I’m Breanne Mashek, I’m a serial entrepreneur, mom to two teenagers, wife, and caregiver to my dad – a Vietnam veteran living with dementia. My family and I moved to Utah almost two years ago after traveling throughout the West during Covid. We were looking for a place to start writing our family’s next chapter and here we are in the middle of Utah.“
​
UMLF: Can you tell us why you chose Fayette and how you came up with the idea for the Merc? 
Breanne: “We chose Fayette because of this house! (and that it was an acceptable distance my husband Zach felt he could commute to work up North). We looked at just one other property because this one stole all of our hearts and checked all the boxes we were after, so why complicate the search? We wanted a small rural community, a little bit of acreage to dream up big things with, and easy access to the great outdoors which we get to utilize and admire daily. The home’s history and charm really sold us, our house is part of a former ZCMI building, so The Merc has always been a part of Fayette’s history. The decision to revitalize the old and bring it into the 21st Century was a natural one. Utilizing my previous entrepreneurial knowledge, I started doing the work to bring it to reality.” 
  
UMLF:  What are some of the products you will be featuring in the shop? 
Breanne:“We are meeting with local producers in Sanpete County and the surrounding areas to get regenerative beef, pork, and chicken (that is, meat raised responsibly on pasture that is good for the soil and better for our health). We also have pasture eggs, homemade baked goods, smoothies, home-brewed kombucha, high-quality skincare items, and convenience snacks that are free of “natural flavors” and seed oils. Hyper-local wherever possible, and just really tasty food that is really good for you.” 

To stay in touch with Breanne and visit the Fayette Merc check out: 

• https://thefayettemerc.com 
• www.facebook.com/fayettemerc
• www.instagram.com/thefayettemerc
• 9 N. Main St, Fayette, UT, United States, Utah
• Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-6pm

UMLF: Hi Griffin, we’re excited to interview you as our Business of the Month! Tell us about yourself.
Jolly Circle: My name is Griffin Park, I’m 27 and I was raised in Springville, Utah, where my bike shop is located. I have been pursuing a degree in exercise science at UVU for the past 4 years as I’ve been starting and running this business. I love to ride bikes, although I don’t get to do it as much as I’d like. I love to ski and be outside. My wife and I just had our first kid, so it’s been an adventure trying to grow a business while in school and now with a baby in the house. But I’ve enjoyed it a lot and I’ve grown quite a bit.

UMLF: Can you tell us about the history and founding of Jolly Circle? What inspired the name and concept behind your business?
Jolly Circle: “I started racing bikes at 10 years old, I got a job in a bike shop the day I turned 15 to help me afford to continue racing. In 2017, I was still working in a bike shop in Orem, but I started to do bicycle repair in my neighborhood on the side for some extra money. I did this each year, and it grew each year. In the Spring of 2020 I was doing enough work for me to quit my other job and do bike repair full time here in Springville. 

Up until 2020 I was doing everything mobile, driving my car around with a tool box and a bunch of parts, fixing bikes at peoples houses. In 2020 I was able to get a little shop space, and make it more of an official business. My idea was to make bikes and bike repair more accessible to people who weren’t “bike savvy”. Sometimes bike shops can come off a little intimidating/snobby, looking down on those who ride cheaper bikes, or don’t know much about bikes. I wanted to have a bike shop that anyone would feel comfortable walking into. 

My dad was a pretty big influence in my passion for bikes. He started training with me at 9 years old and helped me start racing. When I was young, he created a team with me and some of my buddies, called Jolly Circle Racing. Jolly Circle is the street my dad grew up on, and it kind of became a family brand at that point. I named the shop after that, because that is where I got my start with bicycles.”

UMLF:  What are some of the services you provide in addition to bike sales?
Jolly Circle: “We fix all kinds of bikes, and sell all kinds of bicycle accessories. We also offer bicycle maintenance classes, as well as coaching for young bike racers. We also still do mobile bicycle repair, but now we pick up the bikes and bring them back to the shop for repair.”

UMLF: How has the local community responded to your shop? Are there any memorable customer stories you’d like to share?
Jolly Circle: “The community has been amazingly supportive of our shop. So many of our customers tell us that they love to support local businesses. We have a great turn out for our community rides when we hold them. My favorite thing is when we have a kid who gets a new bike from us, or gets their bike fixed with us. The moment they hop on the bike and start smiling is so cool to see.”

UMLF: Utah is obviously known for its beautiful landscapes and outdoor 
activities. How does Jolly Circle contribute to promoting biking as a 
recreational and transportation option in Springville?
Jolly Circle: “We host community rides on a semi regular basis. This year we have tried to pick routes that highlight unique or cool things about Springville, like our Art Museum and our many parks. We also try to help the riders to learn new safe routes to navigate the city by bike. 

I also have plans this winter to create a cycling map of Springville, showing which roads to utilize for transportation by bicycle, and which to avoid. Riding a bike out on the roads, as transportation, for errands, or to commute to school or work can be kind of intimidating. The map will hopefully build some confidence in those who want to make riding a bike a bigger part of their life.”

UMLF: Entrepreneurship most definitely has its highs and lows. Can you tell us about a challenge you faced as a small business owner and how you overcame it?
Jolly Circle: “Starting the business in 2020 had its benefits and its drawbacks. It was extremely hard to get our hands on any new bikes, or to even get any accounts opened up with any bike brands. This was due to the extremely high demand for bikes at this time. I also didn’t have a large sum of money to put in a large order of bikes, so the bicycle distributing companies did not want to do business with a smaller shop like us. It was also hard to get parts for repairs, because the supply of parts was so strained at that time. In response to this, we focused really hard on repairs, and fixing broken parts, rather than replacing them with new ones. 

It turned out to be a great thing for the shop, because we were able to bring in a good amount of revenue through repairs, without having to go heavily into debt bringing in a huge order of bikes. It definitely forced me to be ok with the business growing a little slower, which was a good thing with me also being in school full time.” 

UMLF: How do you feel like the Utah Microloan Fund has helped your business?
Jolly Circle: “UMLF helped me to take the next step into becoming a full service bike shop. UMLF allowed me to have opportunity to bring in a full order of new bikes to sell, in addition to the opportunity to renovate a new shop location. Both of these things have helped my business grow quite a bit, and will allow my business to continue to see great growth over the next few years. I’m very grateful for UMLF and for how easy they’ve been to work with.”

To stay in touch with Jolly Circle visit: 

• 80 W Center St, Springville, UT 84663
• https://jollycircle.com/
• www.facebook.com/jollycirclebikeshop
• www.instagram.com/jollycircle

Stepping into the event was like stepping back in time to the golden age of Hollywood. Our venue for the evening was the beautiful historic Monson Center. The event was held in the Ivory Ballroom, creating an elegant atmosphere that set the stage for an evening of glamour and celebration.

WBCUtah is dedicated to fostering the success and growth of women-owned enterprises in Utah through its multifaceted and evolving support ecosystem.​ If you haven’t visited utahwomenowned.com or listed your own women-owned business on there, we know what you’re doing today!

The highlight of the night was the recognition of Becca Hofmann as the Northern Entrepreneur of the Year. Becca’s journey showcased the potential of entrepreneurship and the impact of organizations like WBCUtah.

The event also offered a valuable networking opportunity, bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals to share ideas and strengthen the community of female entrepreneurs in Utah.

The night celebrated entrepreneurship, success, and the remarkable achievements of women in Utah. It was a shining example of how a supportive community, mentorship, and perseverance can pave the way for women to excel in the business world. Can’t wait for next year!

To learn more about how the Women’s Business Center of Utah can help your business, visit https://wbcutah.org/ to learn more!

UMLF: Hi Amberdee, we’re excited to interview you as our Business of the Month! Tell us about yourself.
Amberdee: “About me, I’m a single mother of 3 amazing humans. My oldest is 23 and she is also an entrepreneur, she has an Etsy shop that sells handmade products. My son followed in my footsteps and is a Law Enforcement Officer, and I have a 13-year-old at home still. She is the spicy one. She is involved in cheer at her school and keeps me on my toes.

I have been a Law Enforcement Officer for 13+ years. I have worked as a Task Force Officer with the FBI, completed SWAT school, and trained as a CVSA examiner (Computer Voice Stress Analyzer, used for truth detection). I enjoy camping, fishing, and hunting. I spent a lot of time with my Dad and Grandpa in the shop building projects and learning how to use all the tools. I do a lot of DIY projects at home. I fail a lot and sometimes I get it right. Now I am the proud new owner of Wandering Jade!”
 
UMLF: Your trailer is so cute! Tell us about how you got the idea of Wandering Jade and what your services are.
Amberdee: “I found this quote on Tiktok and it explains me pretty accurately “If I’m being completely honest, I don’t think that there’s anything I couldn’t do at least half decently, I was born with the “how hard could it be gene” which is incredibly helpful and very delusional.” I love to build and create. I can retire in a few years and wanted to have something I could do after I retire.

I was a bartender before I worked in Law Enforcement. I loved it. So I bought a horse trailer and decided to see if I could build a mobile bar. I learned how to weld, how to use auto paint, I learned all about working with metal and wood, and so much more. I had a lot of support from friends and family. I completed Jade in July after working on it every day for 5 months. It was a lot of failure and trial and error. I’m so proud of the finished product.

​We have a mobile bartender service with licensed and insured bartenders, we have 2 pop-up bars that can be used in almost any setting, and we have Jade. She is a 1985 Horse trailer converted into a mobile bar. We offer cocktail planning, tasting, custom menu signs, and everything you need for a bar except the liquid. We also offer rental of the trailer for the customer to serve whatever they choose. We do an Italian Soda Bar at the farmers market and have rented to a local bakery to use for an expo show. We believe our clients deserve hand-crafted cocktails made by licensed bartenders, rather than coolers and a creepy uncle bartending.” 

UMLF: Do you have any favorite memories so far of events you’ve been at?
Amberdee: “We served at a wedding in Bear Lake this summer and it was an amazing experience. The couple were from the East Coast and planned a destination wedding. They were so kind and the crowd was really fun. We learned a lot!”

UMLF: Entrepreneurship most definitely has its highs and lows. Can you tell us about a challenge you faced as a small business owner and how you overcame it?
Amberdee: “The biggest challenge so far has been the balance of work and home life. Adding another “job” to an already full plate has made me be more creative and get my humans involved to help me. Including web design, graphic design, and teaching my older daughter to bartend. We have sacrificed our usual summer camping trips, for late nights working on completing the trailer. I feel this has been an example for my girls of following a dream with hard work and dedication.”
 
UMLF: How do you feel like the Utah Microloan Fund has helped your business? 
Amberdee: “Utah Microloan Fund has helped me so much. Learning about resources, and funding, and having other entrepreneurs to bounce ideas off. Utah Microloan Fund also set me up with the Small Business Development Center, and they have been a great resource and helped me think bigger.”

UMLF: Lastly, how can people book with you?
Our website is www.wanderingjademobilebar.com. Clients can fill out a quick survey, followed by a conversation about what they have envisioned, a small deposit and they are on the books. 

Awesome thanks Amberdee!

To stay in touch follow Wandering Jade on:
Facebook: Wandering Jade Mobile Bar
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wandering.jade.bar​

What is a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)?

Before delving into the reasons to register as a DBE with UTA, let’s understand what a DBE is. A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise is a designation given to small businesses that are owned and operated by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. These businesses often face unique challenges in competing for government contracts and opportunities. To level the playing field, government agencies like UTA have established DBE programs to promote diversity and provide equal access to government contracting opportunities.

Advantages of Registering as a DBE with UTA:

1. Access to Government Contracts: UTA, like many other government agencies, sets aside a percentage of its contracts specifically for DBEs. By registering as a DBE, your business gains access to a pool of contracting opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

2. Competitive Edge: Being a DBE can set your business apart from competitors when bidding on government contracts. Agencies often prioritize DBEs and consider them favorably during the selection process.

3. Networking Opportunities: UTA frequently hosts outreach events and networking opportunities for registered DBEs. These events can help you connect with key decision-makers and potential partners in the industry.

4. Training and Support: Many DBE programs, including UTA’s, offer training and technical assistance to help businesses grow and thrive. You can access resources and guidance that can be invaluable for your business’s development.

5. Subcontracting Opportunities: If your business does not yet have the capacity to take on larger contracts, becoming a DBE can still be beneficial. You can participate in projects as a subcontractor under larger DBE-certified firms, gaining valuable experience and building your reputation.

1. Small Business Status: Your business must qualify as a small business as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) standards.
2. Ownership: The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. This includes women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups.
3. Personal Net Worth: The individual claiming economic disadvantage must have a personal net worth that falls below a certain threshold set by UTA.
4. Good Standing: Your business should be in good standing, with no history of fraud or ethical violations.
5. Operational Independence: The business must be an independent entity capable of performing on its own merits.

Types of Businesses: 

• Construction Companies
• Engineering and Architectural Firms
• Transportation Services
• Environmental Services
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Services
• Information Technology and Software Development
• Manufacturing and Supply Chain
• Professional Services
• Retail and Wholesale Businesses
• Food Services and Catering
• Healthcare and Medical Services
• Consulting and Management Services

Conclusion
Registering your small business as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise with the Utah Transit Authority can open doors to a world of opportunities, provide a competitive edge, and help you overcome the unique challenges faced by disadvantaged businesses. It’s a step toward growth and success that can benefit not only your business but also the communities you serve.

If you believe your business qualifies for DBE certification with UTA, don’t hesitate to explore the application process and take advantage of the resources and opportunities this program offers. It could be the catalyst your business needs to thrive in the thriving economic landscape of Utah. 

Learn more at: www.rideuta.com/doing-business/disadvantaged-enterprises