Angela H. Brown is Chairperson of Salt Lake City’s Business Advisory Board and has been a member since 2014. She also represents District 1.
Angela has run SLUG Magazine for 18 years, turning a small black & white zine into a full-color print and digital magazine with a combined monthly circulation of over 630,000 monthly readers. Brown has perfected slugmag.com, featuring exclusive stories, photo galleries, and SLUG’s weekly podcast, “Soundwaves.” Brown has created numerous, successful SLUG Magazine events—supporting Utah’s actions sports’ athletes, local bands and local artists. Brown was recently awarded The Josephine Zimmerman Pioneer in Journalism Award from Utah’s chapter of the society of professional journalists.
In 2009, Brown launched Craft Lake City, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization recognized for showcasing Utah’s handmade community with an annual DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Festival. The DIY festival features over 250 local artisans exhibiting handmade works, a STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, Math) building, 50 local performers and attracts more than 60,000 attendees each year.
Angela also has mentoring programs for writers and photographer and also sits on the advisory board NowPlayingUtah.com.
Thank you Angela for bringing your talents to Salt Lake City’s business community!
Q&A with Angela Brown
| What are you excited about in District 1? | I’ve lived in District one for over six years and love the close proximity of the Fairpark Neighborhood to downtown—we’re talking a $10 Uber ride, folks! The cultural diversity, affordable housing and quiet neighborhoods make it a great place to live. |
| What changes would you like to see happen in District 1? | I’d like to see more local businesses open in District One. We currently have delicious lunch/dinner establishments and several locally-owned micro grocery stores. I’d love to patronize a neighborhood bar, pizza place and a third wave coffee shop. |
| What is your favorite “Third Place” to hang out in the District 1 neighborhood? | I’m a daily runner and love to weave my way through the Rose Park neighborhoods and pass the Joseph F. Steenblik Park. One of my favorite public art pieces resides there—a series of giant copper and steel cat sculptures. You’ll want to Instagram them. |
| What do small businesses in Salt Lake City need more help with? | I think the needs of Salt Lake City business owners vary—there are so many factors that come into play with being a profitable, small business. Overall, I think small business need help promoting their services and finding talented, dedicated and skilled workers. |
| What is Salt Lake City doing right for business? | Salt Lake City provides many grant and loan opportunities for small businesses like the Salt Lake County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund and Neighborhood Building Improvement Program. These resources are instrumental in allowing small business to expand and prepare for long term growth. Although it’s not in my district, I’m personally excited about the Granary District Mural Grant Program. I’d like to see this grant be extended into District One. |
| What is the first word or words that come to mind when you think of Salt Lake City? | Smart creatives. Opportunity. Home. |
About the Business Advisory Board:
The Business Advisory Board (BAB) is made up of city business owners and community leaders who partner with Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development. Its members are appointed by the mayor and must be SLC residents and/or have ownership interest in a Salt Lake City business. BAB helps direct city economic policy, promotes small business growth, supports local entrepreneurs, and encourages businesses to relocate to our city.
As part of an ongoing effort to keep SLC’s business community in the loop, the BAB shares synopses of monthly meetings on the Salt Lake City Economic Development’s blog page. Recordings are available to the public as well.