3 Utah leaders share their secrets to success at StartFEST

3 Utah leaders share their secrets to success at StartFEST

(Natalie Crofts/KSL)


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PROVO — As StartFEST unfolds, Provo is buzzing with new ideas and tips from experienced professionals.

The weeklong startup festival, which ends Saturday, was designed specifically for people who are interested in startups and technology. However, many of the principles shared during the 182 events can be useful for people of all walks of life.

Below are highlights from three speakers' Thursday afternoon presentations at the Covey Center.

Gail Miller, owner of Larry H. Miller Group

Gail Miller speaks at StartFEST in Provo. (Photo: Natalie Crofts/KSL)
Gail Miller speaks at StartFEST in Provo. (Photo: Natalie Crofts/KSL)

It is never too late to start something, according to Gail Miller. A self-described "late-bloomer," Miller described how she never wanted to be a businesswoman but discovered a love for the work after her husband, Larry H. Miller, died at age 64 in 2009, leaving her the sole owner of the Larry H. Miller Group.

Miller said that when she and her husband purchased their first car dealership, they never intended to create an empire or even own more than one dealership. However, by the time of her husband's death they owned numerous dealerships, theater complexes, a racetrack and even an NBA team, in addition to other ventures.

From the beginning, Miller was set to take ownership of the businesses if something happened to her husband. Each night he would come home to tell her everything that happened during the day, allowing them to grow together with their business.

After her husband's death, Miller said she took control of the company not because she wanted to, but because it was her husband's request. He told her she had the common sense and wisdom necessary to help their sons navigate the business after he was gone. However, as the sole owner, Miller missed her husband's "daily downloads." As a result, she started attending meetings — and was surprised to find that she thought they were fun.

"I'm enjoying life at a whole different level as a businesswoman," Miller said. "It's never too late to get involved. From this vantage point now, I feel like I can do a lot of good."

David Bradford, motivational speaker

Photo: Natalie Crofts/KSL
Photo: Natalie Crofts/KSL

With 35 years of experience in the technology field, including more than a decade spent as senior vice president and general counsel of Novell, David Bradford has rubbed shoulders with many influential people. Now as a motivational speaker, he shares what he learned with others.

Bradford focused on eight lessons during his presentation Thursday, starting with what he learned during his interactions with Microsoft and Bill Gates. While his interactions with the company weren't all positive, he said the importance of surrounding yourself with smart people became clear.

In another lesson he emphasized how character matters, saying that when people can trust each other, relationships accelerate. Equally as important: People need to be accountable for their actions — a lesson he said he learned from star quarterback Steve Young.

Bradford also said relationships mean everything in life and that you can't ever know everything a person has to offer.

"You may make connections here today that 20 years from now could be very important to your life," he said.

John Curtis, Provo Mayor

Provo Mayor John Curtis shot socks into the crowd during StartFEST Thursday. (Photo: Natalie Crofts/KSL)
Provo Mayor John Curtis shot socks into the crowd during StartFEST Thursday. (Photo: Natalie Crofts/KSL)

When he first took the stage, Provo Mayor John Curtis talked about how the city has changed since his grandfather's time and how it will continue to evolve in the coming decades. One of the city's goals is to "own" being the place for businesses to get their start.

Some of Curtis' remarks illustrated how concepts that are promoted in startup technology circles can be applied to other fields, including government. As someone who is well-known for his presence on social media, he understands the value of technology. He used his blogging as an example of something that could be considered disruptive to government, even though it is commonplace in other fields.

"This is a cool thing about my job — the bar is so incredibly low for government. What are your expectations for government? They're low, aren't they?" he said. "That's what is really fun about what I do. When I blog, I don't have to be this fabulous blogger. I just need to be better than thousands of lousy politicians at blogging."

Curtis said he would love to see someone turn the campaign process on its head, because having candidates answer to the same people each time produces the same results. Another aspect of government that could benefit from disruption is customer service, according to the mayor. He said there are still many people who drive their checks to city offices to pay their bills in person.

"You can't turn back growth, but you can direct it," he said.

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