Making Your Dream Home a Reality

Making Your Dream Home a Reality

Jamie Walker is one of those big-brained people. His knowledge is deep, he has a vision, and he knows how to get there. Honestly, one of my first thoughts was that he reminds me of other great innovators like Steve Jobs (but nicer), Elon Musk (but sane), or Mark Zuckerberg (but not a robot).

But it’s not about how big your brain is; what matters is how you use it. Jamie uses his “upper story” to help people design dream homes that are economical to build, functional to live in, and attractive to look at.

What makes Jaime stand out from the competition? Here’s an example: In a very unusual arrangement, a customer wanted two homes built side by side simultaneously, one for them and the other for their parents. Both were 6,000 square feet and used the same contractors to do the work, but Jamie designed one house and another architect did the other. The Walker house made it through the city plan review process a month quicker, and the builders completed that home two months earlier, all for $100,000 less than its twin next door!

Working with his father and grandfather building houses helped Jamie identify his path in life. Ever since, he’s been completely devoted to learning new skills to improve the services offered at his architectural firm, Walker Home Design. Since he has won Best of SLC three years in a row, I’d say he’s on the right path, wouldn’t you?

What’s unique is that Jamie has extensive experience actually building things. This is a guy who knows his way around a hammer. As he puts it, “Most architects have never built so much as a doghouse!” A lack of field experience means most architects and designers don’t actually understand construction, leading to inefficiency.

ONE STANDARD DUMPSTER!

Walker Home DesignJamie requires all of his team to have some experience in construction. They also go to job sites at least once a month so they can see their creations
being built and gain insight from the process. They’ve designed over 4,000 homes, and they’ve learned from every one.

In the film The Founder, which covers the beginning of the McDonald’s fast food empire, there’s a montage showing a kitchen floor plan drawn in chalk on a tennis court. The scene shows an overhead shot as the founders role play, redesign, and role play again and again, attempting to find the most efficient design and workflow possible for their kitchen. Their goal? To prepare hamburgers and get them to customers fast and at a great value.

This is the type of big-brain thinking I was referring to, and it’s neat to see how it plays out in home design and building. Another example of this was when a 10,000-square-foot house Jamie designed only produced one standard dumpster of material waste during construction. One standard dumpster! Efficient use of materials helps many Walker-designed homes appraise for double their build cost after completion.

Some people chase the dollar, others fame or power. Jamie’s thing is helping homeowners get the best bang for their buck. Walker Home Design believes that their houses should be economical to build, functional to live in, attractive to look at, and fun! Do you like themed rooms and secret passages? Jamie’s your guy, and he would love to make your childhood dreams come true.

Jamie Walker wants people to feel the same thing he does. You pull into your driveway at the end of a long day and get a warm, fuzzy feeling looking at the home you’ve always dreamed of and seeing it full of the people you care most about.

The Wood Samaritan

They scattered like cockroaches, avoiding eye contact as they scurried away pretending not to see me. Where was I?

You got it. I was at The Low’s Depot (or something like that). I was picking up some glue on the way home and saw a gas firepit on display as I walked in. My little lady has been eyeing them for months and this would be perfect — I’ll score major points if I bring this home, I thought. The problem? It was high up on an eight-foot shelf and I needed someone to get it for me.

Then I endured an experience that reminded me why I try to avoid the big box stores. As much as I wanted to buy that gas firepit, it was impossible to flag down any of the nearby employees (scattering cockroaches). Are you kidding me? Whatever happened to the friendly neighborhood stores of the golden years?

They’re still here! Sutherlands, the 2020 and 2021 winner for Best Hardware Store, has been here for decades, and it is still the family-owned neighborhood store it has been since it first opened over 100 years ago.

I was lucky in that regard. Sutherlands first opened in Missouri, which is where I grew up. My father built custom furniture for a living, and Sutherland’s was always reliable and friendly. The lumber was always better and often more affordable than at box stores. (I am addicted to repairing broken furniture; I am always looking for my next fix.)

When my family moved west, a lot of things were different. But Sutherlands was, and still is, reliable and friendly, treating customers with kindness and respect.

Wayne Clausing, The Wood Samaritan

Perhaps I’m old fashioned, but to me business is just as much about the people as it is the product. The values of a business are a reflection of the people who run it. Wayne Clausing, the manager of our local Sutherlands, began working there as a stock boy at 16 and has been devoted to his customers ever since.

I asked Wayne what makes Sutherlands so special and what has kept him there all these years. He told me that the Sutherland family are “the best owners in the industry!” They do a few things differently than most hardware and lumber stores, and that makes a world of difference for customers like me.

Sutherland’s managers aren’t bound by incredibly strict rules. Every community is different, so Sutherland’s lets managers like Wayne run the store like it’s theirs. Decisions ranging from inventory, hours, and suppliers to marketing and staff are his to make. They trust the man on the ground to do what’s best for their store and their customers. That’s why there are plenty of employees like Wayne who stay with the company as long as they do. It’s also why Wayne didn’t lose any employees because of the COVID crisis.

As you would expect, a business with a culture that is this customer focused creates repeat customers. Wayne’s crew treats customers with the same kindness and respect whether they’re spending $1 or $1,000. I would know, after all. I’m a third-generation Sutherlands customer, and they’ve never run away from me when I wanted to give them money.

How to Live Uncertain

Near the end of my time in the army (and for years afterward) I struggled with anxiety and depression. I cycled through mental health providers — three of them up and left their careers while they were treating me. I was in a bad place for quite a while, and it hurt me as well as those around me. With help, I eventually got through it. Now, helping others find the help they need is an important project in my life.

This is why I’m not going to try and be clever, as I often do when writing. Instead, I want to shed light on a very important message — It’s okay to ask for help.

One of the best places to ask for help is the OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center (TOATC). With 130 staff members and growing, it is the largest outpatient center of its type in the Mountain West. They are, of course, experts in treating obsessive compulsive and anxiety disorders, but they also treat body dysmorphia, PTSD, and a host of other related disorders.

“You don’t need to suffer in silence. There’s help available.” — Lynne Sill, COO

Like me, most people seeking help go through many counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists attempting to find something that gets them to a manageable state. Around here, that search is usually over once a person finds their way to TOATC.

A 35 percent reduction of problematic symptoms is considered a successful outcome in this field. TOATC is twice as good, with most patients seeing a 70 percent reduction in symptoms.

“You don’t have to suffer any longer. There is a way out with the right treatment.” — Paul Peterson, CEO

What does TOATC do differently? Their standard of care is evidence-based exposure therapy. This protocol leans into discomfort and designs custom exposures that teach patients how to act differently when confronted by perceived threats. Even children as young as 5 years can use the same system as adults to learn the skills to overcome their triggers.

Paul Peterson, who founded TOATC in 2015, expressed that “mental health” is just “health,” that the disorders they treat are as much physical problems as mental ones. It’s like the Matrix — the mind makes it real, and then the brain misfires. In his own words, “An enlarged heart isn’t treated with a dream journal. Mental health is a physical issue.”

LIVE UNCERTAIN

Life is uncertain. TOATC aims to arm patients with the tools to embrace life and learn to live with discomfort. Sound odd? Maybe, but it was immediately familiar to me, as being comfortable with discomfort is an important part of the military and strength training — both areas I am intimately acquainted with.

 “It’s not about thinking differently, it’s about acting differently.” — Leah Jaramillo, Senior Director

The OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center has helped thousands of people get their lives back. If you feel controlled by fear, anxiety, or obsessive thoughts, they have the skills to help you begin healing.

I strongly encourage anyone who struggles with these challenges to start by exploring TOATC’s website. They have a plethora of resources to get you started, including free online tests, reading material, video content, podcasts, and a lot more. Then I want you to call them and see how they can help you (or a family member). There’s nothing to lose if you do, and they accept most insurance. Just because no one else can do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you need to do it alone.

1-801-298-2000 The OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

[email protected]

Family, Food, and Windex

Yes, food is a very important component of Greek culture. Beyond the delicious dishes is the underlying truth that food brings families together.

When Geoff Patmides was a young Crete boy, he wanted his family to be together. He lost his father very early, and his mother was young herself. She had to be the breadwinner and was often away for work, leaving Geoff to be raised primarily by his grandparents.

Picture a Greek yiayia (grandmother) in your head, and you’ve likely got it right. Geoff grew up in a traditional Greek household, and his yiayia cooked the family dinner every night. According to a reliable source (the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding), they also used Windex to cure everything.

When his mother was home to share in the family meal, young Geoff noted that she loved his grandmother’s food. And thus Geoff’s training as a chef began while he was an elementary school–aged child.

The loss of a father and an often-absent mother can be hard for a young lad to understand. If he could learn to cook like his yiayia, perhaps his mom would stay around or even take him with her?

His grandmother’s cooking was hard to master. Elderly Greek ladies don’t use cookbooks, instead relying on their senses and experience to perfect their art. Geoff’s desire to earn love and acceptance from his mother began a journey that would eventually take him halfway around the world for training, education, and opportunity.

Authentic Greek Cuisine

The Local Greek is Geoff’s authentic Greek kitchen. What was once a catering side gig has blossomed into an award-winning restaurant.

In traditional Greek fashion, the restaurant is a family affair. In the role of Executive Chef, Geoff leads his small tribe while his lovely wife, Mia, is everywhere at once as she manages orders, assists in cooking, and keeps everything operating efficiently. Their five children all contribute, and other relatives lend a hand from time to time as well.

The older Patmides kids prepare vegetables (properly licensed!), work the register, and serve customers. The younger kids do their part by clearing tables and cleaning dishes. Geoff says their help is important. They help the restaurant run smoothly, and learn valuable lessons like how to earn.

Food brings families together. You may not have your own chef or yiayia to lay out an authentic Greek meal for your family, but that’s alright. Geoff Patmides has brought the Greek to SLC, and he would love to have you come by the Local Greek and be a part of his family.

Teamwork Makes the Hair Work

I’m gonna pull an old gem from the 2001 film A Knight’s Tale. During a climactic scene when William Thatcher (played by the late Heath Ledger, who had a beautiful head of hair) is in the stocks for unlawfully posing as a noble, his retainers are defending him from an aggressive mob. Prince Edward then dramatically reveals himself to the crowd and says softly to William, “Your men love you. If I knew nothing else about you, that would be enough,” and then proceeds to knight and ennoble the former peasant.

If you truly want to know the character of a person, look at how they treat their inferiors. It’s what came to mind repeatedly as I got to know Amber Reid, owner of Amber Renè Salon & Spa (and future knight?).

Indeed, as I review my notes I see the quotes from Amber are filled with praise for the members of her team, appreciation for clients, and demonstrations of humility. Amber never asks anyone to do anything she wouldn’t do herself. Her extensive experience, exceptional skill in her trade, and ownership of the business aren’t things she boasts about; to her, they represent responsibilities to her employees and customers.

SLC’s Best Hair Salon is Amber Renè

Such responsibility weighed heavily on Amber last year when she had to close up shop for over a month due to COVID-19, and then operate below capacity when she reopened. Despite the loss of business, Amber retained and paid every member of her 30-person staff. It might have been a struggle, but she kept her staff together and didn’t lose a single employee. That’s remarkable, as personal service industries like salons and barbers were hit harder than most, with as many as 100,000 establishments closing permanently.

But they got through it together. The stylists of Amber Renè Salon are women supporting women (and the occasional man). They believe that a team working together can accomplish much more than the sum of those individuals working alone.

After 30 years in the business, Amber (a master hairstylist) is now focused on mentoring and teaching her team. Every member of the team is experienced and brings unique skills to the salon, so it’s not only Amber leading the instruction. There are plenty of opportunities for peer coaching, ensuring that each individual and the salon as a whole continue to improve and learn. This learning mindset creates extraordinary stylists. Hair, waxing, makeup, nails, massage — you name it, they do it well.

Mastery is more than knowing how to do certain techniques or haircuts. A great hairdresser is something of a magician (though restoring my lost hair is too great a miracle to ask for). They see your potential when they look at you and then bring that vision to life with a professional cut and color. Perhaps it’s a deeper shade to bring out the color of your eyes, or a new shape for your bangs that accents your bone structure.

When you leave, you’re someone different. Your step is lighter and your head is high. For the ladies of Amber Renè Salon & Spa, liking your hair is unacceptable. They want you to love your hair.

A Force for Good … and Good Smiles

While running the Best of SLC each year, we’re fortunate enough to speak with hundreds of businesspeople and analyze thousands of businesses. It’s uncanny how often our proprietary formula for picking winners is validated by the exceptional and amazing people winning the awards. It’s no accident — they are the “best” for a reason!

If there are two things we consistently see with Best of SLC finalists, it’s charity and innovation.

Giving Back in a BIG Way

Dr. David Stubbs is no exception, because he has never forgotten those who have had a rough go in life. For example, his dental practice donates the proceeds of new-patient exams to a deserving local organization or individual every month, for causes like medical bills, food, scholarships, or the cost of a life flight that saves someone’s life.

All-on-4® Innovation

Stubbs DentalMy late grandfather wore dentures for 20 years before he passed. I still recall him chasing me around the house with his dentures sticking halfway out when I was a young boy. His teeth, or lack thereof, were something he was ashamed of. Eating was more challenging, sure, but what he struggled with most was the loss of his music.

Grandpa Glenn and my grandmother led the family band for decades (my mom was the drummer). With dentures, it was much harder to sing; the happiest man I ever knew didn’t like to show his teeth when he smiled because he was embarrassed.

Those who are fortunate enough to have great teeth don’t often realize how life-changing dentistry can be. The All-on-4® is a procedure offered by Stubbs Dental and designed to replace your upper or lower set of teeth. As a great alternative to dentures, you don’t need to replace each lost tooth individually. Your entire set of teeth is anchored with only four implants, in just one day with one surgery and a fast recovery. This procedure is a game-changer and not one that a lot of practices are capable of offering.

Ryan Van Seters

[2021 $45,000 New Smile Giveaway Winner: Ryan “Dutch” Van Seters A man of many hats, Dutch has served as an EMT, frontline health care worker, nondenominational pastor, counselor, educator, veteran, devoted friend, and father.]

Dr. Stubbs often gets patients who were told by another dentist that they weren’t a good candidate for the All-on-4® — but they’ve been able to help a great many of those patients restore their smiles anyway.

While my grandfather passed before having a chance with All-on-4®, I know that if he could have had it, it would have added a lot of value to the rest of his life.
Charity + Innovation = Awesomeness

Since 2018, Stubbs Dental has given away $315,000 of free All-on-4® procedures to patients who had great need and couldn’t pay for treatment. The goodwill is proving contagious, as well! Wanting to get involved, others have taken up sponsorships to cover the material costs. So how about it? Want to help change someone’s life?

 

 

Bet on a Penny, Hit a Jackpot

I love small, unassuming, locally owned restaurants. There’s nothing like the thrill of finding a great unknown place. When you first find one, you’re rolling the dice when you go in and order, but after one heavenly bite, you know you’ve hit the jackpot.

What’s great about “hidden gem” restaurants is that they represent a meritocracy of the food world. It’s not ad spending, lavish decorations, or neon lights that draw people in. What matters most is simply how good the food is.

Penny Ann’s Cafe was one of those unknown local gems. It was like a big secret that was (almost) too good to share. They have very competitive prices; it’s almost like you’re losing money if you don’t eat there. Their service is fast and flawless. And, of course, their food is incredible.

But in the internet age, it’s hard to keep a place this good a secret. I see you all out there, leaving a zillion five-star reviews and telling everybody!

Well, if it’s out, it’s out. And if you’re on a strict meal plan, maybe don’t go looking at the images in their Google profile. Mmmmm … hot cakes.

Home of the Heavenly Hot Cakes

Best of SLCWhen you walk into Penny Ann’s Cafe, it’s like going into their home, or perhaps your grandma’s house. Penny Ann herself and her sister Cindy can be seen caring for or chatting with customers, many of whom are regulars. Penny’s brother Warren is the executive chef, and brother Paul is handling daily operations. You’ll find many nieces and nephews helping prepare food, cook, and bus tables.

When their first cafe opened here in 2011, it was an instant hit. The little restaurant was churning out breakfast and lunch home runs, one after the other! How do they make all that great food in that little kitchen, and so fast too? I don’t know for sure, but I haven’t ruled out that Warren is a wizard.

Demand for Penny Ann’s cooking has led to a second restaurant in the area, then a third, and now, drumroll please, franchising opportunities! The family has taken great care to ensure that the quality always remains, that the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and that their famous hot cakes stay heavenly.

I said it; the secret is out! Families everywhere can look forward to the day they can operate their own Penny Ann’s Cafe, heavenly hot cakes and all, as the business is prepared for expansion with franchising.

Whether you’re hungry for hot cakes or a profitable business, you’re not gambling when you put all your chips in on Penny Ann’s Cafe.

You Can’t Fake Passion

In my family, dogs are more than companions. They’re our vigilant protectors, hunting buddies, and sometimes even our teachers. A playful dog can be a constant source of entertainment and create lifelong memories, or buffer us against loneliness.

Sure, sometimes our dogs can be a pain in the neck. Most of us find our investment of time, attention, and money to be more than worth it for the loyalty and love our dogs give us in return. But what do we do when our canine friends can’t join us when we travel?

That can be a real dilemma for dog owners. My twin sister, Laura, is constantly seeking her next adventure as she off-roads, goes fishing, or hikes to a hidden lake somewhere. This year a trip took her on a flight to the other side of the country, and this devoted dog mom was very concerned about her boys, Bandit and Casper. How could she ensure they received great care while she was gone?

They are used to daily walks and playing at the dog park, and leaving them in a traditional kennel for two weeks was something she just couldn’t do. Truth be told, it’s as much about taking care of her anxiety for the dogs as it is about their care. For dog owners like Laura, there’s Camp Bow Wow.

Passion for Pets

Camp Bow WowThe owners of Salt Lake City’s Camp Bow Wow, Juan and April Prado, are passionate about dogs. Before becoming owners, they were staff members. April was a full-time dog trainer and counselor for the camp, while Juan cared for the facility itself as a side gig. When the previous owner was ready to retire, Juan and April’s passion prompted her to offer them Camp Bow Wow.

Both are well educated and were on great career paths when they decided to make a change. April loves dogs about as much as a sane person can, but she and Juan are a team. When asked how he felt as they were making that decision together, Juan said, “I support my wife. I knew she was going to succeed no matter what.” It was a chance for them to go after something they were both passionate about.

April and Juan wear several hats while they keep Camp Bow Wow running like clockwork. April focuses on training dogs and helping new owners adjust to their new responsibilities. Juan fetches the business end of the stick, handling operations.

In his previous career, Juan guided young people through the juvenile justice system, using his expertise in criminology and counseling to get them back on track. Now, as a business owner who employs many young people, he sees Camp Bow Wow as an opportunity for him to continue helping young people grow, learn about leadership, and become problem solvers.

A Vacation That Dogs Dream Of

Instead of a cramped kennel that they can barely turn around in (basically jail), dogs staying at Camp Bow Wow have spacious cabins. They can spend most of the day playing in one of the indoor or outdoor play yards with their fellow campers, supervised by enthusiastic camp counselors. The staff handles grooming, feeding, and making sure dogs like Bandit get their daily medication.

As fantastic as this all-inclusive dog resort is, what sealed the deal for Laura was the camp’s live webcams that let her check in on Bandit and Casper anytime she pleased. For dog moms like her, Camp Bow Wow provides more than just canine care; they provide peace of mind.

With all this fun going on, I am left with just one question: Will they let me go to camp, too?

Brace Yourself for the Best

What is the best compliment you can give to an orthodontist? Since I help run the Best of SLC, you might be expecting me to say it’s winning the award for Best Orthodontist, but you’d be wrong. 

“I can pick your smiles out of a crowd,” said one local mom to Dr. Scott Vincent. Of the large group of kids she was supervising, six have had braces — and she correctly identified the four that had orthodontic treatment from the Vincent Team, just as her kids had. Vincent smiles are perfectly straight. They’re wide grins, showing a lot of teeth, and look natural with the shape of the patient’s face.

best orthodontistTruly the Best

Could they possibly be that good? Vincent Team Orthodontics has won their Best of SLC category three years in a row (which is the second-best compliment you can give an orthodontist), along with a host of other awards.

This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve done marketing and content development for hundreds of businesses, the lion’s share of which have been in the dental industry. I know when they are saying the right things to promote themselves and when concepts like community service are truly principles they live by and encourage in others. 

More Than Straight Teeth

Scott Vincent is a man who begins each morning by asking himself, “What can I do today to be better?” That philosophy applies to his family, his career, and his community. It also led to him starting his own practice in Salt Lake City in 2005.

Dr. Vincent strives to be more than just an orthodontist. He constantly evolves as technology and research provide new tools to improve patient outcomes. He has transformed the perception of a dental office being boring and uncomfortable; this practice is a place that kids like to visit.

The Damon Difference

We all know that braces aren’t everyone’s most favorite thing, and that’s why the Vincent team makes the process as easy as possible. They use Damon self-ligating braces, eliminating the need for rubber bands, metal ties, expanders, and headgear. Since they don’t use ties, these braces are more discreet. Even better, they don’t need to be tightened, they require fewer visits for adjustments, and they reduce treatment time. They even make it easier to keep teeth clean and healthy during treatment!

Worldwide Smiles

Vincent Team Orthodontics’ exceptional care explains why patients travel from as far away as Puerto Rico, Japan, and Indonesia to see them. Incredible patient outcomes explain why the smiles Vincent helped create can be picked out of a crowd. The team’s belief in being better every day is why they’ve earned the compliment of being SLC’s Best Orthodontist three years in a row. 

Discover the Cosmos Within

In sixth grade I had a science teacher who changed how I view not only the world, but everything. His enthusiasm encouraged me to enter a school science competition to launch a 2-liter bottle as far as possible using only mechanical and aerodynamic means.

Most kids created some kind of catapult or slingshot; mine was a heavy four-post design that could stretch some industrial rubber belts. I don’t recall exactly how far it flew, but after reaching its apex in height, it seemed to glide forever (and off of school property). And that was when I realized I love science.

I digested everything I could get my hands on, entered math and science competitions, and took my ACTs in seventh grade. Scientist Carl Sagan was my hero (think Neil Degrasse Tyson, but decades earlier). I wanted to be an astronaut, and I wanted to be on the first manned mission to Mars. (My eighth-grade astronomy teacher told me I was the right age!)

While I’m clearly not going to make it to Mars, I did make it to NASA for a brief time to teach strength training to some astronauts. But not making it to space isn’t the point. The hands-on experience of learning and seeing what science (and a little elbow grease) could do fueled lifelong learning. Most importantly, I dreamed big and looked at the world around me with wonder and awe.

That is a gift worth giving to all, adults and children alike. It’s also precisely what Clark Planetarium is designed to do.

“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” ― Carl Sagan

Strut Your Star-Stuff

clark planetarium

Clark Planetarium’s “interactive exhibits” (they prefer not to call them “video games” even though that’s what they are) are jaw-dropping. They are meant to be touched and explored. Each floor of the learning center is aimed at certain areas of interactive education, one floor each for Earth, near Earth, and beyond!

Clark PlanetariumUpon entering the Earth realm you are met with an interactive sphere. Want to see what fires or droughts the Earth is experiencing at this very moment? Say the magic word, and it will be shown. While you’re there, why don’t you design your own solar system — if you do it right (wrong?), your red dwarf can transition all the way to a big bang (game over). You can even defend your home planet from cosmic impacts in an epic video game … er … “interactive exhibit.”

As your adventure leads you into space, explore the mysteries that are near Earth. Imagine you’re Commander Neil Armstrong and attempt to pilot the lunar lander, experiencing the forces of gravity, acceleration, and inertia on the moon.

The top floor of the exhibit takes star travelers to the ends of our solar system and beyond. Start on Io, one of Jupiter’s largest moons, to program and drive your own exploratory rover. Learn about star size and density with hands-on activities, or gaze into the Vanta Black Hole, which is made from the darkest material ever created by humans.

If an enthusiastic science teacher and a homemade bottle launcher were so effective with me, imagine what possibilities exist within Clark Planetarium. At the very least, it’s educational family fun. As Carl Sagan would say, “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”

You never know, you could be inspiring the next great mind that turns the impossible into an incredible reality.