On June 16, inner beauty met outer beauty for three women in UVU’s Turning Point program. Turning Point, which is a community resource for people wanting to expand in a personal, educational and/or professional way, teamed up with Remedez HairSpa in the University Mall to give these women new looks to match their new life. Remedez sponsored the women as part of its Mother’s Day contest and gave each woman $250 worth of services, including a manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, and hair color, cut and style.

  And it was well deserved. All three women have dealt with paralyzing hardships. All three women have risen to the challenge. And all three women will forever be grateful for the learning and love they gained at Turning Point. Meet these three inspiring women, and take a look at their stunning transformations — inside and out.

MARY WILSON (Remedez Hairstylist: Marina)
City American Fork Age 44 Children Four (ages 10 to 23)
Back story Mary has been through much heartbreak. One of her children got hit by a car and flew 62 feet, another fell out of a second story window, and her youngest battled brain cancer (he’s currently in remission, though he still suffers from blindness and other mental handicaps). She enrolled in Turning Point five years ago, and it changed her life. She’s been able to take care of her kids and is currently fulfilling her long-time dream of attending nursing school.
How Turning Point changed her life “I don’t know what I would have done without them. I was so scared and so lost when I first got to them, but they became my family. They love us all so much, and I’m a completely different person because of it.”
What’s next “I’m going to be one of those angels in scrubs. Right now, I’m completing nursing school and loving every minute of it,” Mary says. “I’m dyslexic, and I’ve always been told I was stupid. But now I’m in nursing school getting straight As. It’s been wonderful to realize I’m smart. I have a lot to offer.”
Favorite part of Remedez “The pampering. They’ve been just wonderful.”

KELSEY LUBBEN (Remedez Hairstylist: Jared)
City Payson Age 26 Children Four (oldest is 4, youngest is due in July)
Back story After her husband committed suicide in January, Kelsey was at a loss. “I felt like my husband made a choice for me — he made a choice for me to be a young single mom with four kids.” But after enrolling in the Life Management class at Turning Point, she’s gaining ground. “Turning Point has taught me I don’t have to be a victim. It doesn’t matter what other people’s choices are, I can take control.”
How Turning Point changed her life “It’s hard to put into words,” Kelsey says. “A lot of times you don’t feel like you fit in unless you fit a certain mold, but Turning Point helped me figure out who I am and to be true to myself. There is no mold with Turning Point.”
What’s next “I’m going to UVU in the fall to get my nursing degree, and I’ll be busy raising my four kids.”
Favorite part of Remedez “Everything has been amazing and fun. I really needed this.”

MARY MCLERRAN (Remedez Hairstylist: Becka)
City Orem Age 54 Children Five (ages 21 to 40)
Back story In 1990, Mary’s husband fell 60 feet off a cliff. Her son rushed to the scene and saved his father, but life for the family wasn’t the same for a long time. “She shouldered the burden of two teenagers and two young children while still managing to keep a vigil by her sweetheart’s bed,” says her daughter, Anna McLerran. “My mother is the most beautiful person in the world. If we could afford to, we would treat her like a queen and send her to a relaxing spa on a regular basis.” Mary works full time at a junior high school as an ASL interpreter. She’s currently attending UVU to get her degree in ASL and deaf studies for secondary education.
How Turning Point changed her life “It has provided me with the tools I need to be successful,” Mary says. “The classes they have are life changing and life enhancing. There is a camaraderie among the people who go there. I felt so loved there — so supported.”
What’s next “We’re in a race! All of my kids are in college working toward their degrees, and we’re in a race to the finish. It’ll be fun to see who gets there first.”
Favorite part of Remedez “Oh, the facial! I’ve never had one before, and now I want one every week!”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MAGAZINE ONLINE

When one door opens, Utah Valley women walk right through it. And when one door closes, we start a-knocking.

It’s hard to keep Utah Valley women down and out — even in a recession-laden era of seemingly dead-bolted opportunities. We may lose our keys from time to time (yes, we can admit it), but we never lose our moxie.

In the following eight pages, you’ll read about four “doors” you and the girls next door face every day — and six ways to open sesame your way right through each of them.

Door #1

MOTHER NATURE
6 ways to give your mother’s intuition a boost

Kathy Hill has raised a few good women.

The Orem wife and mom has five daughters — all talented, all beautiful, all supportive and all girl.

“Oh, it is fun! It’s a riot. Sometimes I feel bad it’s so much fun,” says Kathy, whose daughters range in age from 16 to 28. “We have girl time all the time, and we don’t have to do boy things. We’re all in it together.”

That togetherness has always been a part of the Hill family plan. Whether it’s skiing together, laughing together, doing hair together or eating together, unity has been at the top of the agenda (or menu, as the case may be).

“Food is a really big deal to us. That’s what we do — we eat,” Kathy laughs. “One of our favorite things to do is cook dinner together on Sunday. It’s family bonding time. It’s a time for gathering together and talking.”

That open communication has been a major contributor to the family’s close-knit bond.

“Connecting with your kids is all about talking to them,” Kathy says. “I crave that one-on-one time with my girls.”

Which is not to say every moment has been photo-op friendly.

“I wasn’t a perfect parent by any means, and I even hesitate talking about this because I don’t want it to come off that way,” Kathy says. “All I know is what worked for us, and that was making a point to talk through things rather than be volatile. We did our best to validate and respect their feelings.”

And with her kids both grown and nearly grown, it’s obvious the mother-daughter connection is as delicious as their dinners.

“A few Sundays ago, we were eating outside and just sat there laughing and talking for five hours — no one wanted it to end,” Kathy says. “I feel so blessed. I just love being a mom.”

Connecting with your kids, both young and grown, is an important part of your kids’ happiness and — take note — your happiness.

Here are six ways to help you better connect with your kids and take the mundane out of motherhood.

1. Initiate positive interactions.
“Strong bonds are typically established between parents and kids when there is a lot of positive communication,” says Richard Miller, a professor in the school of family life at BYU. “Give your kids encouragement. Give them praise. And give them hugs. Constantly.”

Kathy agrees.

“My husband has always been so good at encouraging the girls that they could do anything,” she says. “He’d say, ‘You want to do it? You can make it happen.’ That support has been so great for our girls.”

2. Discipline within those positive interactions.
“We obviously have to discipline our kids, but the discipline will be infinitely more effective if it’s done in the context of positive interactions,” Richard says. “So many times — especially with teenagers — we become police officers that just go around writing tickets. Teenagers do things that frustrate us, so it’s easy to always be on their case. But with teens, sometimes we forget that they still need hugs. They still need cheerleaders in their lives.”

For Kathy, that positive reinforcement was essential. When it came to disciplining her kids — whether that was having a whining daughter be a servant to her sister or giving the girls a time-out in the tub (“There’s nothing to do in a cold, hard tub!”) — it wasn’t about the punishment. It was about changing the behavior into something positive.

“We would always tell them, ‘Change your behavior, and then come back to us. Because we want you back,’” Kathy says. “And they quickly learned that bad behavior was not fun. It’s fun to be with everyone, and when they behaved in the right way, they got to be in on the party.”

3. Breathe in. Breathe out.
When your kids are small, it’s easy to lose your sanity. But try and combat the crazy by making things fun.

“When my kids were little and I was at my wits end, I was usually pressed for time. Time is something you don’t have a lot of, and with little kids you’re constantly running around. You’re tired, you’re exhausted, and you’re wondering why you have to clean up that mess one more time,” Kathy says. “It was usually at that point that I would stop, take a deep breath, turn on some good music and make it fun.”

4. Rely on your girlfriends.
Women need other women — that’s a fact. And when you’re in the trenches of motherhood, it’s important to have someone to talk to. You’ll be a better mother for it.

“I get through the hard days by walking with my girlfriends every day at 8 a.m.,” Kathy says. “We walk four miles in 45 minutes, and we’ve been doing it for 18 years. If I ever have frustrations, I walk and talk it out with them. My girlfriends tease me all the time — they know I have a bee in my bonnet when I start walking at a speedy pace. They say, ‘When Kathy gets upset, we just die she walks so fast!’”

5. Stop comparing yourself to other moms. (No, seriously. Stop it!)
“If there’s one thing I want moms to remember, it’s not to compare themselves to other women,” Richard says. “Here’s what happens: There is this concept of front stage versus back stage. The back stage is how we live, and the front stage is how we appear — it’s where we put our best foot forward. But the problem comes when we compare our back stage with other people’s front stage. We are well aware of our family’s struggles, and then we compare ourselves to people who are putting their best foot forward. It’s an invalid comparison, and it’s the biggest mistake we make as parents.”

6. It will go fast — enjoy it.
“You don’t realize just how fast this stage of life will go,” Richard says. “We don’t have them for very long in our home, and we mustn’t get bogged down by the worry and stress that comes with parenting. Just enjoy it.”

Door #2

TRIAL & ERROR
6 ways to stand the test of time

Provo’s Stephanie Nielson knows what it means to have a bad day.

On Aug. 16, 2008, she and her husband, Christian, were on a private plane that crashed in Arizona. Miraculously alive, Stephanie sustained burns on more than 80 percent of her body, and Christian had burns on more than 30 percent of his.

Their lives since have been filled with days that have been hard and harder. Stephanie was in the hospital for five months, and during that time she was separated from her four young children (ages 7 and under). The pain has been paralyzing. And the road to recovery has been long, arduous and hard to see.

“My lowest of lows has got to be when I was told by the doctors and nurses that I needed to look at myself after the accident,” says Stephanie, who has chronicled her recovery on her widely-read blog the NieNie Dialogues (www.nieniedialogues.com). “My face was badly burned and changed. It took me months to accept that I looked different. Nurses would bring in mirrors and ask if today was the day … it never was. Finally, I made everyone disappear and I was alone and looked at myself. It was terrifying. Then I had to reintroduce myself to my children — all of whom had a hard time accepting and recognizing me. It was the hardest few weeks I have ever faced. Jane (her daughter) didn’t look at me for almost two months.”

But amidst the pain and heartache (and oh how there has been heartache), Stephanie hasn’t let her larger-than-life trial keep her from having some good days — and even better moments.

“My family and friends have rallied around me, and of course my sweet husband has been my best friend and source of support,” she says. “My faith has kept me strong and intact. My Savior knows me at my best and at my worst. He is there and I know he is keeping me alive and going.”

And that focus on her faith and her family has given her courage to carry on.

“(I keep going) because I have a family — my father and mother, siblings, nieces and nephews — who rely on me,” she says. “But most importantly, I have my own little family. My children … I mentioned on my blog that when the accident happened, our plane was going down and all I could see and think about was my children. I lived for them. I lived for my husband so he could have a companion to be with for this earthly life. I hope others learn from my experiences that I face everyday.”

Like Stephanie, women across Utah County deal with trials, setbacks and trauma. Whether it’s losing a loved one, going through a divorce, or suffering from physical or emotional pain, life can be overwhelmingly difficult to bear. And while there is certainly no quick fix, here are six ways to make the trial seem a little more bearable.

1. Confront the problem.
“When a trauma isn’t confronted, it affects one’s ability to function,” says David Williams, a licensed professional counselor in Orem. “It can lead to depression, irritability and a loss of sleep. In fact, there is a very strong correlation between unresolved trauma and physical ailments, so it’s absolutely essential that you talk about it with someone. If not a professional, then talk about it with family and friends. I can’t stress this enough.”

2. Don’t let yourself become a victim.
“Talk about the trauma for what it is, but don’t let yourself become a victim to it,” David says. “This is easier said than done, and I don’t want people to misunderstand — it is important to think about what happened, talk about it and ruminate over it. But when we unhealthily obsess over something, it becomes harder to heal. When we take the victim stance of ‘there’s nothing I can do’ and ‘I have no responsibility in this,’ we only regress.”

3. Find a safe place.
“A safe place is important,” David says. “You need a place where you can do your healing. Find somewhere that you feel comfortable and go there to meditate, regroup and rebuff.”

4. Establish a support system.
“This should go without saying, but it has to be said because people don’t do it,” David says. “Turn to your family, your friends, and your faith — anyone and anything that you feel comfortable with. And actually talk to them! So many times people have a support system, but they don’t use it. They rely too much on themselves.”

5. Look for life’s humor and joys.
“Humor is anything but overrated when it comes to overcoming hardships,” David says. “It helps put things in perspective. It helps you move on.”

Stephanie is a big fan of laughter.

“I have to use humor to pass the time. My children are so funny, and it’s awesome to enjoy them everyday. It helps me not focus on myself so much … but there is a good amount of that, too. Again, my knowledge and faith bring all the happiness and peace anyone could want. I don’t have to look very far when I am low because I have it all around me.”

6. Try your hand at journaling.
“Journaling often makes people more aware of what they’re feeling,” David says. “It puts things in perspective and can help people make connections between the trial they’re going through and the emotions they’re having. Plus, it helps to get things off their chest.”

Stephanie couldn’t agree more. Her blog, which is read by people all over the world, has become an integral part of her recovery.

“It has been very therapeutic for me to express my feelings. I get so many e-mails from people who are grateful that I type because it makes them feel blessed and normal. I am so thankful for people who e-mail me or send me letters (and packages!). It makes me so happy and it helps build me up everyday. I have a huge support system all over the world! Wow!”

Door #3

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS
6 ways to finesse your finances

Melissa Chappell is rich with knowledge.

The Springville mother of three has always been “in the know” when it comes to her household finances. She has worked part time as a doula (a non-medical professional who provides support to mothers before, during and after they give birth) for the past 15 years, and she and her husband were equally yoked when it came to the finance dance.

“We shared that role equally,” Melissa says. “That part of our relationship was always very balanced.”

So when Melissa and her husband ended up getting divorced, she was grateful for the financial foundation.

“It was an easy transition to start handling 100 percent of the finances,” she says. “I knew exactly what I was doing, which made everything else in my life a lot easier.”

In order to support her family full time — and remain a mom full time — Melissa continued her role as a doula and also started a new catering business, Raw Melissa, which serves raw, healthy, gourmet foods.

And now? She loves her kids. She loves her jobs. And she loves being financially fierce.

“Having to be responsible for four people in every way is a scary, but extremely empowering thing,” Melissa says. “My level of confidence, drive and fearlessness has increased.”

In these tough economic times, it’s even more crucial to be in the middle (and on top of) your family’s finances. Whether you are married or single, divorced or widowed, working or stay-at-home mom (or a combo platter), you can contribute to your family’s financial situation.

“Whenever it comes to household finances, it is essential that both partners are involved,” says Cory Mahaffey, managing director and wealth adviser at Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Provo. “You’ll encounter problems if both people aren’t seeing the big picture.”

Here are six ways to finesse your finances — take what works for you and your family’s situation.

1. Ask questions.
The first rule to gaining financial ground is putting your foot down. If you aren’t already “in the know” when it comes to your family’s finances, it’s time for an in-depth Q&A with whomever’s in charge (husband, financial adviser, etc.). And here are some “opening lines” to get you started:
— How much money do we have in the bank?
— How much do we bring in every month?
— How much goes out?
— How much debt do we have?
— Are our bills paid on time?
— Do we pay the minimum payments? Or do we pay bills in full?
— What insurance policies do we have?
— Are we in the stock market? How’s our money doing?

2. Get hands-on.
Even if you don’t fiscally contribute to the household income, there are ways to affect your family’s finances.

You can …
… make a budget with your spouse — and follow through with it.
… discuss ways to cut back — and follow through with them.
… research financial tips in books and Web sites — and follow through with them.
… divvy up the financial responsibilities and be accountable to each other — and follow through with them.
… make investment goals — and follow through with them. (See a trend here?)

3. Establish a credit history in your name.
When Melissa wanted to start her business, Raw Melissa, she needed capital. But she didn’t have the kind of credit history she needed to get a business loan. So be sure to have lines of credit in your name in case your situation — and your credit needs — change.

“Both people in the relationship need to develop a credit history and cash flow management skills — without question,” Cory says. “You never know what you’ll encounter down the road.”

4. Remain employable.
While it’s never something you want to plan for, divorce or widowhood can be the reality. So for stay-at-home moms who don’t plan on working, it’s important to stay fluent in today’s technology trends and remain “hirable.”

“Whatever license or degree you earned in college or from your career, keep those up to date,” Cory says. “It’s important to make sure those years you invested don’t dissipate over time — you might need them again someday.”

5. Have an open, creative business mind.
Have you always wanted to sell those gorgeous hand-made knits of yours? Do you have a knack for coo-worthy illustrations? Is there a product out there you’re dying to invent? Make it happen.

“You can do it. It takes some creativity, but if you choose it, you can take care of your family. You can contribute to the finances and be a great mom,” Melissa says. “Now, I don’t want to downplay the contributions a stay-at-home mother makes. All of it is honorable — it’s all about what you choose. But if you have a desire or a need to work, you can make it happen.”

6. Get mad (money).
“There are three main causes of contention in a marriage: sex, in-laws and money,” Cory says. “But I’ve found that if both people have ‘mad money’ — or money they can spend however they want — it reduces a lot of tension around the finances.”

Door #4

CHECKS & BALANCES
6 ways to find your stride on life’s balance beam

Joy Astle has hobbies — and she’s not afraid to use them.

The Provo mother of six (which includes both teens and toddlers) has her plate full with motherhood, wifedom, friends, cooking, crafts and a Web site (www.joyastle.com). And there’s not a stitch of guilt in sight.

“Once upon a time I lost my balance, and I realized I wasn’t happy. I now understand I need my ‘me time,’” she says. “It sounds selfish, but it’s not. It’s essential for the happiness of me and my family.”

Joy makes her mile-a-minute life work by making priorities and — here’s the kicker — making time for them.

“A lot of it is sacrificing other things,” she says. “For me, I don’t do as much on my house anymore. I don’t stress about it being perfect because it doesn’t have to be. We live there. There are times when it will be messy. And I’m OK with that now.”

And while there are crazy, hazy days, Joy finds the big picture by viewing it in snapshots.

“There aren’t bad days and there aren’t good days — there are just moments,” she says. “If I feel like my day is getting crazy, I stop what I’m doing and do something for myself — even if it’s just taking a quick walk around the block to regroup. My daughter recently wrote on her Facebook that ‘days don’t get better — attitudes do.’ And she’s right on.”

As it stands now, the balancing act women face on a daily basis is ruthlessly designed to fuel the blame game:
— Your kids aren’t getting your full attention.
— You’re getting behind on work.
— You’re not spending enough one-on-one time with your husband.
— Your friends are wondering where you’ve been.
— You’re not up-to-date on your scrapbooks.
— You haven’t blogged in three months.
— Your house is a mess.

Sound familiar? If you’re not careful, you can push and pull yourself into oblivion with no hope of even tip-toeing down that daunting, teeny-tiny balance beam.

But interestingly enough, balance isn’t supposed to discourage you. It’s supposed to make you happy. (Yes, really.)

“Balance is a big component to living a healthy, joyful life,” says Tara McCausland, a certified life coach with Mission: Ignition, which is based in Spanish Fork. “Without it, you quickly become depleted of energy and can even start losing your sanity.”

Well, in the hope of all things sane, here are six ways to strive for and achieve balance (leotard not included).

1. Quit using the word ‘balance.’
(We know, we’re not really helping with this one.)
“That term balance is a tricky one. It’s a big buzz word, but a lot of us women don’t like it. And it’s because it’s become completely taboo and unrealistic. There is a misconception of what balance should look like,” Tara says. “So avoid the word altogether. Instead of asking yourself if you’re balanced, ask yourself if you’re living a healthy and joyful life. Do you feel whole? That concept of wholeness resonates well for women. It’s something that’s easier to measure.”

2. Prioritize and plan.
“Life hands us so many distractions, so it’s important to sit down and determine what is most important to us,” Tara says. “Is it family? Work? Health? Financial stability? Answering those questions and prioritizing what matters most to us is imperative. It gives us the concrete direction we need in our lives.”

3. Invest in yourself.
“If you imagine yourself as a cash box, and you always have people coming and withdrawing from you, it will deplete you of your time, energy and resources. If you are not investing consciously and consistently in yourself, there won’t be anything left to give,” Tara says.

4. Make boundaries.
“This is another thing that’s really hard for women,” Tara says. “Be able to tell people ‘no’ if you have a need that’s more important. When you say ‘no’ to something, you’re saying ‘yes’ to something else. And if that ‘yes’ is consistent with the priorities and values you’ve already set, it will make all the difference.”

5. Eliminate guilt.
“We can only do so much, so give yourself permission to be OK with what you’ve accomplished,” Tara says. “Balance can’t happen if you are constantly feeling guilty about what you haven’t done. Focus on what you have done, and be proud of that.”

6. Know your expectations.
“There’s that old saying that expectations are the root of all frustration. There’s a lot of truth to that,” Tara says. “That’s not to say we should lower our expectations or never strive to improve ourselves, but it’s time to be realistic for yourself and for those around you.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MAGAZINE ONLINE

SANDY DUBOIS
Sandy Dubois needs you to bear with her.

“I need to warn you — I could talk about this forever,” says the Bank of American Fork employee with a contagious countenance. “Just the thought of it makes me want to smile — and burst into tears!”

The “this” is Project Teddy Bear, an annual teddy bear drive sponsored by Bank of American Fork for local children in crisis. And the wide-ranging emotions are simply part of the deal.

“This is about more than a teddy bear,” says Sandy, who is the founding angel behind the project. “It’s just so much more than that. These bears help the kids heal in so many ways.”

And that’s no understatement. Every teddy bear Bank of American Fork collects goes to two local centers for in-need children — the Family Support & Treatment Center in Orem and the Family Support Center in Midvale. The teddy bears are given to the children when they arrive at the center, and the stuffed animals are used primarily in play therapy to comfort the children and aid in the healing process.

“It’s just so rewarding,” Sandy says. “For every teddy bear we donate, a child has something to hug and something to love. We’re in tears all the time. It’s completely overwhelming.”

Sandy first came up with the idea for the teddy bear drive 10 years ago. It was Christmas time, and she and her fellow employees were preparing to exchange festive gifts and treats like they always do.

Then it came to her.

“There were so many of us, and I started thinking about what would happen if we pooled our resources,” she says. “So I sent out an e-mail and said, ‘I know it’s fun to remember each other around the holidays, but how would you feel about finding little children in need and giving to them instead?’ I immediately got e-mails back saying, ‘Let’s do it.’”

And did they ever. That first Christmas, they collected 257 teddy bears.

“It was such a small number,” Sandy recalls. “But it was a start. And then customers started seeing what we were doing and wanted to help. And then the schools heard about it. And then church groups. And before we knew it, the entire community was on board.”

Fast-forward to the present, and Project Teddy Bear is stronger than ever. In 2008, Bank of American Fork collected 6,037 stuffed animals — the largest number yet. And the community looks forward to the magical mayhem that comes with collecting the bears every year.

“We’ve run out of places to put them!” Sandy says. “We have to make a walkway in the bank just so people can get through. It’s a sight to see.”

The other sight to see is the willing community members — and oftentimes children — who contribute to the cause.

Last year, two little sisters wanted to contribute, so they went door-to-door in their neighborhood collecting teddy bears.

“Who could say no to those little faces?” Sandy says.

There was also the athletic club at Spanish Fork High School. They collected hundreds and hundreds of teddy bears — and the big, tough, teenage boys delivered them with beaming smiles on their faces.

Then there was the little girl with brain cancer who came into the bank a few years ago with her walker — completely bald from chemotherapy — and brought all of her teddy bears to give to the children who had been abused.

“I know what it’s like to need a hug,” she said.

“We have the best, most wonderful customers. They’re like family. And the fact that everyone has taken this little idea to bigger and better heights is just overwhelming. It’s magical,” Sandy says. “Oh no, here we go again. Here come the tears.”

Someone give this angel a bear hug.

STEPHEN W. & BETTE GIBSON
Bette and Stephen W. Gibson are teaching people in the Philippines how to fish, so to speak.

Ten years ago, the Provo couple started The Academy for Creating Enterprise, a center that teaches students how to create their own jobs and provide for themselves and their families.

“We were adamant this academy be about building self reliance,” Stephen says. “We didn’t want it to simply be a charity.”

Stephen’s push for economic ingenuity comes from his history as an entrepreneur. He has founded a number of successful businesses (including one business that graced the Inc. 500) and is currently a volunteer at the BYU Marriott School’s Center for Entrepreneurship.

“Entrepreneurship is in my veins,” Stephen says. “I just love it.”

And in 1995, he met another love: the Philippines.
After hearing a lecture about a non-profit organization, Enterprise Mentors International, Stephen traveled to the Philippines with the organization’s founder. He was instantly taken with the Filipino people.

“I was enamored with them. They’re so kind and hospitable. Plus, they love fat people — it’s a sign of wealth. So of course I felt comfortable there,” he laughs.

And the more he learned about the people, the more he realized their need to break the cycle of poverty through business education.

“If you give people money, they don’t know what to do with it,” Stephen says. “But if you give people education, they can find the money themselves.”

While a great organization, Enterprise Mentors International wasn’t a perfect fit for what Stephen and Bette wanted to do. So in 1999, they set out to start The Academy for Creating Enterprise, which was designed for Filipino people who have served LDS missions. (They have since expanded into Mexico and Brazil.)

“We packed up 10 suitcases and 13 boxes of books, literature and used computers, and we shipped them to the Philippines,” Stephen says. “It was right at the turn of the century when we didn’t know what was going to happen with Y2K. So we thought before our airplane falls out of the air, let’s get over there and start serving.”

The Gibsons moved to an island called Cebu for 19 months and immediately located a building to host the academy. The space had 12 bedrooms, seven bathrooms, two kitchens and a training area.
But even with the building, there was still a tremendous amount of prep work to be done.

“I’m the kind of guy who thinks with a broad brush, so once we had the building secured, I relaxed,” Stephen says. “But Bette thinks details. She knew we needed food, beds, toilet paper, mattresses — she took care of everything.”

The academy enrolls approximately 30 students at a time. While it may seem like a small number, the Gibsons are concerned with quality over quantity.

“The people we teach have been home from their LDS missions for four to six years,” Stephen says. “We find the best candidates — those who are sick and tired of being sick and tired. We move them into the academy for eight weeks, we emerge them in the curriculum, and then they learn how to determine their own destiny. There is a way out of poverty, and we teach them how to find it.”

Since its inception, the academy has had 1,500 graduates. Within that group, 52 percent own their own business and another 30 percent hold steady jobs. What’s more, the students become the masters.

“From that very first group we hired two of the students as faculty members,” Stephen says. “We still direct the vision of the school, but students are now learning keys to success from their own people. It’s a wonderful, wonderful thing.”

The Gibsons’ favorite moments come from alumni who have broken the cycle of poverty and have gone on to feed their families and succeed on their own merits.

“Our culture teaches us we have the responsibility to lift up the poor,” Stephen says. “How could we not be involved?

“This is my mission. I was meant to use the resources and knowledge of business that I have to help the less fortunate — not by giving them things to eat, but by teaching them how to be providers. My favorite quote is, ‘My dream is not to die in poverty, but to have poverty die in me.’ Don’t you just love that? What an honor it’s been to be a part of this.”

CASCADE COLLISION REPAIR
Brian Nichols was driving past his Cascade Collision Repair center in Lehi when he noticed something unusual.

“I saw a truck sitting out front with all of its doors open, so I called my manager to see what was going on,” Brian says. “Turns out a local man died an untimely, tragic death in the vehicle. The car needed to be aired out, and our Lehi team was working to fix it for the man’s wife.”

Not only were they working to fix it, they decided to raise money to pay for the repairs.
“This man’s wife had a brand new baby, she had a funeral to pay for, and she felt like her world was collapsing all around her,” Brian says. “So our employees got together and wanted to help where they could.”

The employees then approached the five owners (Brian owns Cascade Collision with his three brothers and their mother) and asked if they would be willing to contribute. The owners told them they’d match whatever amount the employees could raise.

When it was all said and done, the woman’s car repairs were taken care of, her car rental was covered and she had $1,200 in cash left over.

“It’s one of those opportunities that puts your life in perspective,” Brian says. “It meant a lot to be able to help.”

And what meant even more to Brian and the owners was that this good deed was employee-driven.

“We came out of this with the greatest amount of pride for our employees,” Brian says. “We have a value system in place we live by that says we care beyond ourselves. We don’t just come to work everyday — we care about our customers and their needs. Our employees have taken that to heart.”

And this isn’t a one-time occurrence, either. The employees at Cascade Collision make it a point to help local citizens and charities in need.

“We love helping out where we can,” Brian says. “Our employees are always doing great things. And while this story is nothing spectacular — it’s just an ordinary act of kindness — it shows the high caliber of employees we have.”

Not to mention it debunks that ol’ stereotype.

“You know, everyone thinks of body men as people that are gruff or hardened, but these are the kindest people you’ll ever meet,” Brian says. “They’re really just a bunch of softies.”

DR. RONALD PUGH
In 1982, Dr. Ronald Pugh had his eyes opened.

The Utah County-based optometrist was at a conference in Boston with eye doctors from all over the world, and the keynote speaker shared that more than half of the earth’s population will never once see an eye doctor or have glasses — and every single one of those individuals will have eye problems if they live long enough.

“In that instant, I knew I needed to do more than just stay in my city, my county, my state,” Dr. Pugh says. “I knew I needed to make a difference.”

And in March 1984, that difference began with a journey to Durango, Mexico. On that trip, 14 eye doctors examined 3,200 people in five days.

“It was a wonderful experience,” he says. “And after that trip, I committed not only to come again, but that as long as I could breathe and wiggle, I would use my skills to give the people of the world the ability to see.”

Dr. Pugh has been breathing and wiggling his way to Mexico for the past 25 years — traveling there almost 40 times. Every trip they take thousands of used eye glasses, perform eye exams, and then fit the glasses and donate them to the Mexican people. The glasses are a sight for emotional eyes — they’ve helped people thread a needle, read a book and, best of all, see photographs of their grandchildren.

“The whole trip is worth helping just one person,” he says.

In fact, Dr. Pugh can recall many of those “one persons.”

He remembers a little girl whose vision was akin to “walking around in the bottom of a swimming pool.” Then they gave her cataract surgery, after which she broke into a smile, her eyes filled with tears.

Then there was the 14-year-old boy who was legally blind. He could only see three or four inches from his face, he couldn’t function in school, and he was treated by his family like he didn’t have all of his faculties. But when Dr. Pugh’s team put the right lenses on him, there was nothing wrong with his eyes. He was a fully functioning teenage boy.

“It was one of those little miracles you live for,” Dr. Pugh says.

Throughout his journey to help the people of Mexico, Dr. Pugh has had overwhelming support from his family. His wife, Lynda, has traveled with him on every single trip. His son has been on 19 of the expeditions. And his daughter met and married a fifth generation Mexican and now lives in the country, helping the Pughs coordinate and prepare for the projects from the other side.

“It’s such a wonderful mission to be a part of,” Lynda says. “Over the years, my kids have come home appreciating their own bed, appreciating my cooking. We have it so good here. We have so much. It’s wonderful to be able to give back to those who don’t have what we have.”

Dr. Pugh has also received welcome support from the Provo Rotary Club.

“Ron espouses the idea of Rotary, which promotes ‘service above self,’” says Bryant Larsen, a member of the Provo Rotary Club.

But for Dr. Pugh, it all comes back to his vision for a crystal clear world.

“Eye glasses are so simple when you have access to them,” says Dr. Pugh, who is now trying to expand his services into Honduras. “We need to give people that access. It completely changes their lives.”

And it also changes the lives of those on the other side of the lenses.

“I am forever changed,” Dr. Pugh says. “I look at life in a completely different way.”

Irony intended.

COUNTY OF ANGELS
On Nov. 9, 2008, Cari Greer’s life changed in a mere moment.

Driving along the highway with her husband, Bill, their two little boys, and a baby girl on the way, their car hit a 2,000-pound cow in the pitch-black night.

After the crash, Bill had glass in his hand, the kids had seat belt bruises, and seven-month-pregnant Cari — suffering the brunt of the impact — had been knocked unconscious.

But in that mere moment, angels were among them.

“People stopped at the scene of the accident to help. One family — who I still don’t know — even took my kids and gave them some food,” Cari says. “I was unconscious, my husband was worried I wouldn’t survive, and this family stepped up and took care of my kids. When I heard that story, I just cried. How can I ever repay them?”

Cari has been asking herself that question for the past eight months — but the “them” has grown to include an entire county of angels. Angels who packed up the Greers’ house in Lindon; moved them to their new house in Lehi; unpacked their things; cooked their meals; cleaned their house; drove their kids to school (sometimes 40 minutes round trip); sent cards, flowers and gifts; made care packages for her kids; sewed bedding for the new baby; created a “secret giver” during the Christmas season; offered companionship; and prayed for them.

“My husband and I have broken down into tears of gratitude on a number of occasions. We couldn’t do this alone,” Cari says. “The car accident has been life changing for our family.”

Life changing is an understatement.

Cari has always been one of those mile-a-minute women. She’s a devoted wife and mother. She’s an entrepreneur (Cari is the founder of the original shoe party company Sole Desires). She’s a daughter. She’s a sister. She’s a friend. She’s vibrant. She’s energetic. She’s contagiously optimistic. And she’s independent.

But her independence crashed right along with the accident. Cari has dealt with insurmountable injuries. She’s undergone reconstructive surgeries. She’s had physical and emotional pain. And she’s endured it amidst moving to a new a home and giving birth to a beautiful, healthy little girl. (“She’s our little miracle,” Cari says.)

Independence — no matter how badly she wanted it — just wasn’t an option.

“It’s hard to ask for help,” she says, “especially when I’m used to just doing everything myself.”

So thankfully, Cari didn’t have to ask.

In fact, when you ask those who’ve helped the Greer family, you’ll get a chorus of, “How could we not?”

“I’ve had a lot of people say, ‘Why are you doing so much to help her?’ But how could we not do that for someone we love and care about?” says Shelley Sims, one of the many angels in Lindon who’s been there for the Greers. “It’s been hard to see her go through the pain, but I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than stick by my friend in need.”

“I just love Cari. I think of her like my daughter,” says Jill Jorgensen of Lindon. “She is so sweet and so appreciative. It meant everything to me to be able to help her.”

“She’s been a joy to help,” says Vicki Howe, yet another Lindon-ite. “I’m so grateful to know her. We just adore her.”

When the Greer family moved to Lehi a month after the accident, her new neighborhood picked up where Lindon left off (although, truthfully, Lindon never left).

“I received a phone call about Cari from the Relief Society president in her LDS ward in Lindon, and she told me that Cari was pretty special and pretty important,” says Jalaire Terry, a close friend and member of the Relief Society presidency in Cari’s new Lehi ward. “She told me Cari was very independent and that she won’t ask for help — she’ll say she’s fine when she’s not. This Relief Society president made me promise we would follow through and help Cari every way we could. And we felt privileged to do so.”

Cari’s family has also been a rock on her road to recovery. Her husband even learned how to flat-iron (yes, flat-iron!) her hair.

“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, and it’s been so difficult to see her go through this,” says Lisa Greer, Cari’s sister-in-law and a resident of Lehi. “But Cari has always done so much for other people. She has always served others. How could you not want to help her?”

Even more amazing to Cari were the angels she’d never met. A local cleaning company, Above and Beyond Cleaning, was one such angel. The business cleaned the windows in Cari’s new house — free of charge.

“I kept trying to give the owner money, but she wouldn’t take it,” Cari says. “Then I found out the workers had volunteered their own time to come do this for my family. They didn’t even know me. How could they do that?”

The how and why is simple, Jalaire says. It’s Cari’s never-complain and smile-even-when-you-don’t-feel-like-it personality.

“She’s just strong. She’s a wonderful mom and wife, and she’s a God-fearing woman who has relied on her faith to pull her through,” Jalaire says. “She’s an amazing person who has had to deal with more than most of us are asked to — and she’s surviving. She’s an inspiration to everyone around her, and she’ll be inspiring others for a long time to come.”

And that’s no understatement.

“We all have problems we go through, and you just have to keep going with the best attitude you can muster. The first time they un-stitched my eyes, I thought I was someone else. It was so hard. But I learned at that moment that I could either stay Cari or I could disappear and lose myself,” she says. “I knew I needed to stay Cari. Just because I look different doesn’t mean I’m different inside. We are lucky. We are blessed. I’m so grateful to be alive and to be able to watch my kids grow up. So many people have it worse than we do. We still have our family. We have our new little baby who makes me smile every day. And we’ve been reminded of what’s really important.”

And what’s important to Cari is her family, her faith, her friends and her gratitude.

“We can’t thank this community enough,” Cari says. “This is literally a community of angels.”

Utah Valley at its best.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MAGAZINE ONLINE

Kneaders Bakery & Café may just be the greatest thing since sliced bread. In its 12 years of business, the sandwich shop sensation — led by founders Colleen and Gary Worthington — has risen right along with its key ingredient. Just take a look at its dedicated customers.

Before heading to the hospital with his soon-to-deliver wife, one Utah Valley man stopped at the Orem store in a hurry.

“His wife was in labor out in the car,” Colleen says. “But he said the minute she was done having the baby, she wanted a Kneaders sandwich in her hands.”

Then there’s the gentleman who endured chemotherapy — with a little chicken soup for his soul.

“During his treatments, his wife bought him Kneaders chicken noodle soup every day. So when he got his doctor’s permission to go out, he wanted to come to the store, see what it was like and thank me for all of the great soup,” she says. “It was sweet to meet him.”

Colleen describes that contagious customer connection with one word: comfort.

“We do our best to make everything comfortable — we serve comfort food, and our stores are warm and cozy,” she says. “People can buy things, but they can’t buy comfort.”

Kneaders, a history
Interestingly enough, Kneaders wasn’t always in the Worthingtons’ life recipe. The couple owned nine Subway stores in Utah and Colorado for 12 years, but when Subway told them they had to start opening on Sundays, they decided to sell and go into retirement.

That is, until they actually retired.

“We got really bored in our retirement,” Colleen says. “We were doing a lot of volunteer work, which was wonderful, but we decided to look for something else to do.”
As it turns out, looking to the future meant looking to the past.

“My husband comes from a family that baked their own bread every day — they never bought a solitary loaf of bread,” she says. “Bread and baking were a part of our makeup. It just made sense.”

So Kneaders opened its Orem location in 1997, selling freshly baked European breads and pastries. Notably missing were sandwiches — thanks to a non-compete agreement they signed with the man who bought one of their Subway stores.

“Under the contract, we weren’t allowed to sell sandwiches for 10 years, but everyone kept asking for them,” Colleen says. “So we went to him six months after we opened and told him to name a price for us to get out of the contract. He did, we paid it, and we were on our way.”

And then there were eight
It’s 2009, and Kneaders is all grown up. There are now eight locations in Utah and Arizona, seven of which are franchises. The first franchise opened in Provo, and the most recent locations opened in Lehi and Arizona this past year.

“It’s really exciting to see them so successful,” Colleen says. “Each new store has the biggest ever opening, and it’s thanks to the other franchisees who have worked so hard and done well at what they do.”

But while it’s exciting to see her franchisees thrive, it’s also hard to let go.

“I once had a franchisee say to me, ‘It’s OK, it’s our baby.’ And I thought, ‘I think you adopted MY baby!’” Colleen laughs.

To make sure the adoption is in tip-top shape, she spends much of her time training the franchisees and familiarizing them with the policies and practices of the “mother store.” And when the new location is out of state, the schooling only gets more intense.

“My kids call my training at the Arizona store the ‘21 Day Seige,’” Colleen says.

Family in knead
Part of the Kneaders fun comes from it being a family affair. Colleen and Gary are partners with their son, James, and son-in-law, David.

“It’s great working with family,” Colleen says. “I guess it could be hard if everyone didn’t pull their weight, but we’re all really determined to carry our load. Plus, it means my little grandkids come running through the store. Nothing makes a grandma happier than that!”

And when she says they each pull their weight — she means it. Colleen is regularly seen wiping tables, taking orders at the drive-through or doing anything that requires good old fashioned hard work.

“Work energizes me,” Colleen says. “And it’s wonderful to be in a position where I can have this wonderful job and still take care of my wonderful family. They’re my No. 1 priority.”

To keep their priorities in perspective, the Worthingtons have added family touches throughout the store. In fact, one of the smoothies was named after Colleen and Gary’s “meet cute” all those years ago.

“We met and worked at BYU, and every morning when Gary passed my desk he’d say, ‘Morning, Sunshine.’ So that’s what we called the smoothie,” Colleen recalls. “Everything in the store is really personal to us.”

Economy Drivers features Utah Valley entrepreneurs and is sponsored by Brent Brown Automotive Group. Brent Brown was named one of Utah Valley’s Top Revenue Companies in BusinessQ’s UV50.

Colleen Worthington at a glance
Age 61
Family Husband, Gary; 6 children (ages 26-40)
Hometown Provo
Wakes Up 4 a.m.
Goes To Bed 8 p.m. (“Or else I’m pretty grouchy.”)
What Makes Her Laugh Grandchildren
How She Relaxes Work. (“When I’m worried about something, all I want to do is scrub the tile in the store or frost some sugar cookies in the back. That’s how I feel better.”)
Favorite Kneaders Bread French Country Sourdough
Favorite Kneaders Sandwich Turkey Bacon Avocado (“I’m with the customers on this one.”)
Favorite Kneaders Treat Key Lime Tarts
In Five Years Kneaders Will  Expand. (“We’ll be about four times bigger than we are right now. I see us having 40 stores open and doing more out of the state.”)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MAGAZINE ONLINE

Mary Ann Turner and her husband were ready for a call to order.

“We’re getting older, and we want everything left to the children — not to the government,” she says.

So the St. George couple consulted attorney Justin Heideman, a partner at Ascione, Heideman & McKay in Provo, and is now hard at work with him on an estate plan.

“This is not something we should do by ourselves,” Mary Ann says. “This is something we need, and it’s important that it be done right.”

Mary Ann isn’t the only one who needs an estate plan — everyone does. And there are no ifs, ands or buts about it.

“This isn’t an option. It’s a new year, and it’s time to put your life in order,” Justin says. “If you don’t, there will be inescapable penalties and consequences.”
Consider this your “escape” clause — four dos and don’ts you can trust.

DO … Start now
It’s the age-old question of wills and trusts: How old should I be?

“Really, everyone should have a will. But in a practical world, a single sophomore in college isn’t worried about what they’re going to leave behind,” Justin says. “So I’d say the minute you purchase life insurance in excess of $250,000, or the minute you have children, you need a will.”

Other “triggering factors” include assets with sentimental value, or any time there’s a specific direction you want your possessions to go in. Also important to note: If you fail to get your estate in order, the government will create something out of nothing.

“Even if you don’t draw up an estate plan, you have one. It’s just not the one you want,” Justin says. “If you pass away without the right documents in place, the state legislature will enact their ‘default plan’ and disperse your assets for you. You give up any and all control you could have had.”

DON’T … D.I.Y.
Drawing up your own will is kind of like doing your own taxes.

“It can be done, but it is never done right,” Justin says.

The most common mistake for a do-it-yourself will is it fails to be compliant with state law. From failure to have proper witnesses and signatures to the inevitable language ambiguity, there are just too many critical points that can go wrong.

“Too often, people create a document that doesn’t accomplish what they think it does. It doesn’t protect their assets, or it’s improperly notarized,” Justin says. “A will or trust is too crucial to make such mistakes.”

DO … Use the right pros
It’s not enough to hire a professional. It must be the right professional.

“Attorneys have a unique advantage when it comes to creating estate plans,” Justin says. “From a legislative aspect, we help create the law, we argue the law in court and we understand the pitfalls someone can fall into. Because of that, we know how to draft wills and trusts correctly and effectively.”

That’s not to say you can’t consult your accountant or financial adviser — Justin recommends it, in fact. But when it comes to the actual drafting, make your case with a lawyer.

“Attorneys, by definition, are legal counselors,” he says. “When it comes to these documents, our counsel is tested.”

DON’T … Forget about trusts
Turns out the old idiom needs an addition: Where there’s a will — plus power of attorney and probating — there’s a way.

“A will by itself is actually not that effective,” Justin says. “There are extra steps involved in order to make it valid.”

Because of those extra steps, it’s important not to ignore trusts. They’re more costly, but unlike wills, they aren’t subject to probate proceedings, you can avoid court supervision when dealing with disputes, and the record remains private.

“There are certainly pros and cons to both documents,” Justin says. “But an attorney will lay out the options for you and find the best solution for your situation.” UV

Ascione, Heideman & McKay, LLC is a full-service law firm that focuses primarily on business litigation, contracts, real estate transactions and estate planning. The firm’s clients include many established and growing businesses, and it has offices in Provo, St. George and Price.

VIEW THIS STORY IN THE MAGAZINE

The company Jeff Alexander started 29 years ago is not the same Alexander’s Print Advantage standing in Lindon today. Just scan through its “then and now.”
Then, the company was a retail copy center. Now, it’s a commercial printing business.
Then, Jeff had a Xerox 9400 copier and a single pallet of paper. Now, the company has a number of printers and clients such as FranklinCovey, IHC and Deseret Book.
Then, Alexander’s was a one-man show. Now, it’s an act of delegation.
This common (and often inconvenient) “change of plans” comes with the job title of entrepreneur. But luckily — or perhaps appropriately — Jeff understood the job description’s fine print.
“You have to adapt if you want to succeed,” Jeff says. “If the company needs new technology, you have to learn it. If it needs new policies, you have to implement them. And if something’s not working, you have to change it.”
Just call it Alexander’s advantage.

Youthful good looks
In 1979, Jeff Alexander was a sprightly BYU grad with a plan. The budding entrepreneur knew he wanted to start a business — the only question was what business.
Cue the research.
At the time, there weren’t any retail copy centers in Utah County, so Jeff decided to pioneer the movement. And in true ironic fashion, his inexperience helped rather than hurt.
“I didn’t know much about the business, but when you’re young you don’t seem to worry about whether something will fail,” he says. “You view the whole experience as more of a learning process.”
So Jeff worked and learned and succeeded. And when Utah County’s business community started to ripen — making way for a new, viable customer base — Alexander’s took the leap into the digital commercial printing world.
“It was the right move for us at the right time,” Jeff says. “That was when we became more than a copier. We became a business partner.”

Put ’er there, partner
With a degree in public relations, Jeff likes people. He enjoys meeting with them, working with them, and helping their businesses grow. Which, essentially, is why the transition to commercial printing made sense.
“We really don’t like to be known as ‘just that printer,’” Jeff says. “When people call us, they don’t just get a bid. They get a partner that will help them develop a number of projects.”
Some of Alexander’s “above and beyond” projects include creating a program called “Advantage” for Provo’s Nu Skin Enterprises, which helps the company manage marketing materials for its distributors online, as well as a “Printware” program for FranklinCovey, which helps the company with its “Design Your Own” planner pages.
“We become a strategic part of our clients’ businesses,” Jeff says. “And there’s no better way to do it.”
In addition to the client, Alexander’s other “partner” is its employees. Jeff places a special emphasis on making each person feel like he or she matters.
“You have to be loyal to your people,” says Jeff, who cites employees who have been with the company for 10, 15 and 25 years. “We try to promote an environment where there is open communication. Building trust is absolutely essential.”
That trust has been especially crucial while Alexander’s has grown to be one of the largest commercial printing companies in the country. In other words, trust translates to delegation.
“The bigger we’ve gotten, the more important it’s been to get the right people in place,” Jeff says. “We won’t succeed if I’m not able to delegate.”

The fine print
Building a business isn’t all fun and copies — unless, of course, you’re Jeff Alexander.
“I love creating and trying new things,” he says. “It’s rewarding. When you work hard and accomplish what you’ve set out to do, there’s nothing like it.”
And too often, people miss out on the chance to succeed.
“So many times people are afraid to try new things, and then they lose out on amazing opportunities,” Jeff says.
One opportunity Alexander’s never loses is the chance for expert customer service. The company lives by the “law of referability,” which outlines four principles: 1. Be on time. 2. Do what you say you’re going to do. 3. Finish what you start. 4. Be polite.
“If customers can’t depend on you, they won’t stay,” Jeff says. “Especially in this Internet age. With the onset of social networking, customers will hear about everything you do — good and bad. You have to live up to your word.”
Copy that.

Economy Drivers features Utah Valley entrepreneurs and is sponsored by Brent Brown Automotive Group. Brent Brown employs 400 and was named one of Utah Valley’s Top Revenue Companies in BusinessQ’s UV50.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MAGAZINE ONLINE