Utah has a unique business culture, not in any other context than just being unique. Here’s how the dictionary defines unique:
–adjective
- existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics: a unique copy of an ancient manuscript.
- having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable: Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint.
- limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area: a species unique to Australia.
- limited to a single outcome or result; without alternative possibilities: Certain types of problems have unique solutions.
- not typical; unusual: She has a very unique smile.
Utah seems to be friendly to small businesses in general. But the reason Utah is unique has nothing to do with how friendly it is to small businesses. Utah is unique in the culture that it has cultivated among entrepreneurs here.
A joke among locals is that Utah is the "Multi-Level Marketing Capital of the World" and rightly so. There have been many MLM schemes to flood the state in the last 20 years. This opportunistic style of business has effected the perceptions of many. We have found it difficult sometimes to work with entrepreneurs and small business owners due to their belief that things should be free or low-cost just because they are starting their own business. Or on the other hand, they are apprehensive because they have been "taken" before and do not want it to happen again. It is a problem that is fomented by other entrepreneurs in our own field of website design and development... Constantly being undersold by an inexperienced designer because of initial cost is a problem.
To combat this we tend to target more out of state business. Sadly we’ve found that business is better in other states because of the masses of disaffected small businesses. To be fair there are more factors that contribute to the mindset here in Utah. It may or may not be obvious what that is, but it is beside the point. We can’t lump everyone into that category, but more often than not we are confronted with a constant beat down about prices.
With that said, we love Utah. We would not want to work anywhere else. The redeeming quality about Utah is the ability for the entrepreneurs to listen. Half the battle of selling website design in Utah is educating the client. If they will listen to us explain the costs vs. benefit of website design they tend to change their minds.
If you live in Utah, don’t take offense. We love this state and its people. In spite of the mindset of small business owners and entrepreneurs we believe Utah receives all the accolades it does because it is a pretty great state. The way Utah performs in the national business landscape is quite amazing actually. Utah website design is still growing and will continue to benefit from Utah’s small business owners and entrepreneurs.
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