Starting a business during uncertain financial times can be a challenge. Kenny Knight, who opened his business, Rage Fitness, on the eve of the recession in 2008, knows that all too well. Still, even in a recession, and later, a pandemic, Kenny has found ways to keep challenging himself and growing his businesses, even as the possibility of another recession looms ahead. Kenny credits the discipline he learned in the Marines, as well as the obstacles he’s faced as a Black business owner for the success he’s had at Rage Fitness and in his other business ventures. Rage Fitness has built a reputation as a no-nonsense training center, but at the end of the day, it’s “still love” as Kenny explains to Altabanking host Stan Sorenson, Altabank’s SVP & Chief Marketing Officer. With high energy and a passion for self-improvement and helping others on their personal journeys, Kenny describes how he’s grown his business after his days in the military and another career as a truck driver.

Trade professions and the businesses that support them have long been a staple of industry here in Utah. However, as the entire business world grapples with the challenges of staffing issues, supply chain disruptions, and a housing crisis, those who work in the trades are also finding new ways to adapt.  Jennie Tanner, who owns and operates her family’s business, Tanner Glass & Hardware, has seen many of the issues now facing many small businesses. What makes running the day-to-day of Tanner Glass & Hardware even more interesting are the specialized skills and know-how required to supply the trade labor workforce. Leaders like Jennie have been searching for new ways, not only to expand their businesses but also to recruit new talent, including reaching out to young women who may want to work in construction.  Right now, construction is a vital industry to the future of our communities. But getting construction and trade workers up and running with the supplies and knowledge they need is an important part of the equation, as Jennie explains to explains to Altabanking host and Altabank SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Stan Sorensen. 

As the President and CEO of one of the most popular ski resorts not only in Utah, but in the entire world, Dave Fields has a lot on his plate. In addition to providing a world-class outdoor recreation experience year-round for guests, Fields also has oversight of Snowbird’s workforce, sustainability efforts, discussions with government leaders over infrastructure concerns and just about everything else you could think of. Just as well as anyone else, Fields is well aware of the issues that face Utah’s landscape such as climate change, population growth, and an ongoing discussion regarding a proposed gondola system in Little Cottonwood. Still, as he explains to Altabanking host Stan Sorensen, there is a lot to be proud of in our community and the future is very bright.

If you can imagine how much Utah has changed in the last 50 years, try to imagine how much the state will transform in the next half-century. Jake Boyer, CEO of the Boyer Company, a full-service real estate development group based in Salt Lake City, has seen a stunning amount of growth in the community for a while now. However, Jake believes the biggest growth is still yet to come. The Boyer Company has deep interests not only in the bustling Silicon Slopes area at the Point of the Mountain, but also in the explosive demand for multifamily housing in downtown Salt Lake City. As Jake explains to Altabanking host, and Altabank SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Stan Sorensen, what is happening now is “unlike anything we’ve ever seen.” While the growth is exciting, it also presents a number of challenges for the community. Being aware of what issues may arise from a huge influx of construction projects and developments is the first step in meeting any difficulties head-on, as Jake explains to Stan.

Welcome to Altabanking, a business podcast for anyone interested in elevating their financial future. I'm your host, Stan Sorensen. And together, we're going to hear interviews, and information, and insights for making great financial decisions. It's Small Business Month this month. And today, it is my great pleasure to sit down with long-time Altabank customer Fred Titensor, who is the president of Valley Implement & Irrigation up in North Logan, Utah. We will talk about agriculture, farming, machinery, leading a business in a time of high inflation and high priced commodoties. 

In this year’s first episode of Altabanking, a business podcast geared toward elevating your financial future, Altabank’s Stan Sorensen sits down with Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Institute at the University of Utah to discuss the Governor's Economic Report for 2021.  Natalie shares an important outlook from an economist's perspective on how Utah can sustain continued growth, the state's population growth and how it will affect the state's national parks, and how to correctly gauge the outlook of our economy. 

In this year’s final episode of Altabanking, a business podcast geared toward elevating your financial future, Altabank’s Stan Sorensen sits down with Judd Austin, Altabank’s chief banking officer to discuss what businesses can do to wrap up the year and how to best prepare for 2022 and beyond. Austin shares key planning tips to sustain continued growth, from the importance of laying out a long-term plan and continuously refining the strategy, to financial and tax planning and investing in the future. He also shares his insight on what the new year may bring – as COVID-19 continues to fade, supply chain and labor shortages remain, and optimism returns.

While October is Women in Business Month, this is a discussion that carries year-round. Join Stan Sorensen and Deborah Bayle to discuss the power and progress of women in business.

The pandemic has supercharged the housing market across the nation, driven by historically low interest rates and low unemployment rates, with Utah leading the way. The state continues to reap the benefits of a solid recovery and Utah’s real estate market is expected to shatter records in 2021. In this episode of Altabanking, a business podcast geared toward elevating your financial future, Altabank’s Stan Sorensen sits down with Ben Pack, President of Altabank’s mortgage division to discuss real estate and Utah’s housing market, from home buying, home selling, and everything in between. Pack shares shares his outlook on Utah’s current real estate climate, inflation and how to think strategically to gain an edge in this red-hot seller’s market.

In this second episode of Altabanking, a business podcast geared toward elevating your financial future, Altabank’s Stan Sorensen sits down with Ryan Jones, executive vice president and chief lending officer at Altabank to discuss all things commercial real estate, from construction, to labor and inflation, to lending and everything between.