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Targa’s Top 4 Business Growth Takeaways from T-Max 2025

Targa’s Top 4 Business Growth Takeaways from T-Max 2025

Jason Steed President and CEO at Targa Media

Jason Steed

Owner & CEO

Targa’s Top 4 Business Growth Takeaways from T-Max 2025

With 2025 in full swing, Targa is sharpening its focus on how we grow. T-Max 2025, our annual executive summit, helped us meld long-time tools with what we have yet to discover. If you’re in marketing, sales, or leadership, here’s what we’re prioritizing and how you might apply similar strategies in your vital roles.

For starters, I built the bulk of our agenda on feedback from my 2024 Eval / 2025 Goals survey that I personally conducted with every team member. Our team’s talents and goals have a tremendous impact on our leadership’s priorities. My compass centers on reconciling what we can become, paralleled with who each of us is today. My convictions drive my close attention to this balance for creating our culture’s sweet spot. These 4 discoveries emerged from our time together at T-Max:

1. Building Business while Maturing Culture

For us, growth isn’t about stacking headcount—it’s about developing the team and the systems that sustain long-term success. Our goal isn’t just to expand but to refine how we work, who we work with, and how we create value together.

Nurturing culture in a 2025 business landscape:

    • Building our talent pipeline intentionally – Promoting from within while selectively hiring external expertise where needed.
    • Sustaining our creative culture – Growth cannot and should not dilute what makes a team great. We’re reinforcing collaboration, agility, and iterative problem-solving.
    • Strengthening leadership pathways – We’re evolving our mentorship and delegation models to empower emerging leaders.

2. Client Stewardship: Adding More Value, Not Just More Services

It’s tempting to chase trends and expand services—but we’re doubling down on what we do best. That means refining our Unique Value Proposition (UVP) and ensuring our clients get strategic, high-impact marketing support.

What this means for marketers and decision-makers:

    • Focus on differentiation. Don’t just add services—refine what makes your brand indispensable.
    • Evaluate your audience strategy. Are you truly speaking to your best-fit clients, or trying to be everything to everyone?
    • Think beyond branding. What gets lost in the translation of telling your brand vs. hearing your brand? We marketers get in our own way far too often. Simplicity is meaningful and rejuvenating. Put another way: Branding isn’t just storytelling—it’s clarity, resonance, and relevance.

3. Shifting from Pricing Strategies to Value Strategies

One of our biggest priorities is to maintain and optimize our 22+ year clear and concise value models. We continually seek out best value-centric solutions, culminating around performance and results.

Ask yourself whether your perceived value matches your customers’ perceived value. More importantly, when perceived value doesn’t match (which is far too prominent in many business pricing models), how quickly and easily can you align with your stakeholders? Bridge perception gaps with timely and transparent communication. It all boils down to one word: trust.

 

4. Creative Leadership: Keeping Teams Agile

As we continue to evolve, our leadership approach must evolve with us. The best leaders don’t just execute—they confront chaos with curiosity, collaborate on workflows, and enlist the full team to help them remove obstacles.

At Targa, we’ve seen stronger leadership when we shift from direct execution into mentorship, process refinement, and a culture of curiosity.

For Leaders Looking to Scale:

    • Delegate by example. Empower your marketing support and sales teams with clear growth paths instead of just handing off tasks..
    • Encourage a “fail-forward” culture. Creative teams thrive when they’re given the space to experiment without fear of failure.
    • Refine, don’t over-polish. Real-world feedback is more valuable than over-engineering campaigns in a vacuum. The best campaigns evolve in motion—constantly adjusting to real-world feedback instead of stalled and stagnant.

    Want to See Us in Action?

    T-Max 2025 laid the foundation for intentional growth, where team development fuels business expansion—not the other way around. Whether you’re scaling your own team, refining your marketing strategy, or optimizing operations, the key takeaway is this: growth is a byproduct of well-developed people, processes, and positioning.

    Want to see our T-Max takeaways in action? Let’s talk about how Targa can help your team scale with agility and impact.

    Women’s History Month: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

    Women’s History Month: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

    Alison Hayes Sr Marketing Admin at Targa Media

    Alison Hayes

    People, Culture, Operations

    Women’s History Month: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

    March is Women’s History Month. And I didn’t know why. Or how it came to be. Or exactly what we actually celebrate every year. So here’s a quick history lesson on how As it turns out, it’s a long-standing tradition to reflect, recognize and celebrate the achievements of women who have shaped history and continue inspiring women to lead the way forward for generations to come. But, history lesson first!

    How Women’s History Month Came to Be

    Women’s Day has been celebrated since the early 1900s as a way to celebrate the contributions of women, including their support of manufacturing and war effort, and was also leveraged to campaign for women’s right to vote. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. He put it simply:

    “Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
    — President Jimmy Carter

    What started as a week-long recognition evolved into a month-long celebration in 1987 when Congress officially designated March as Women’s History Month. Every year since, U.S. presidents have reaffirmed its importance through annual proclamations, reinforcing the mission:

      • Honor the contributions of women throughout history
      • Recognize the ongoing fight for gender equality
      • Inspire future generations to lead and create change

    2025 Theme: Moving Forward Together

    This year’s theme—“Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations”—is a reminder of the power of mentorship, leadership, and collective progress. It’s a celebration of women who have dedicated their lives to education and empowerment and a call to action for each of us to embrace, elevate, and uplift one another. For me, it’s a great reminder that I have the power, the freedom, and the responsibility to promote women’s skills and create opportunity. Not just for one day or one month, but for a lifetime.

    Targa Women Celebrate Women

    At Targa, we don’t just talk about supporting women—we live it. Our team is predominantly female, spanning multiple generations, career paths, and life experiences. So, to celebrate Women’s History Month, we gathered for an open, honest, and inspiring conversation about the women who shaped us, the challenges we still face, and how we can continue driving change. We also shared some goofy stories and tasty parmesan cheese fries.

    “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”
    — Ayn Rand

    Who has inspired you throughout your life?

    Heather: My mother worked away from home as a graphic designer for several years, but about the time I was in fourth grade she moved her office into a bonus attic space above the garage. She managed all her own clients, had photography equipment, a light and drafting table and so many other cool tools. I admire her for her many years long freelance career that also included a few years in-house working for Meredith publishing, publisher of Better Homes and Gardens. I recently helped prepare her to move by clearing out her office. There were over 100 old zip disks filled with client projects, business stationery, royalty-free photo libraries, specialty papers, and all of her old-school typesetting tools. It was a fun reminder of the years when I was younger and worked as her “apprentice ” in that tiny attic office.

    Taleen: I was raised by some of the strongest, most amazing women in the world. My mother was always supporting and building businesses with my dad through my childhood and has gone on to build a successful family business with her siblings. I have had wonderful examples of hard work, giving back to the community, and digging deep for family and loved ones in life.

    Vanna: (whose mom just so happens to be Heather!): My mom. Not only am I following in her footsteps as a designer, I’m always amazed at how hard she works to make everything look so easy. She juggles her family, her health, her church, and her work with grace and strength.

    Alison: When I was 21, I worked at an Italian restaurant with a handful of women who all taught me important things — how to manage a business, how to be a good friend, how to mentor, how to manage parenting along with everything else, how to be strong. They were great influences at a formative time in my life.

    Lisa:I am also the child of a working mom. She was so quiet and capable I never realized just how hard it is to manage a family, a career, and a life. It’s not as easy as she made it look! I am so glad she showed me that it can be done, and that it is worth every bit of the struggle!

    Heidi: My mom, she was the first of her whole family, and I mean like the whole family to go to university. Unfortunately, it was met with a lot of criticism from the people in her life. Despite that, she completed her degree and she has gone on to do amazing things in her life and she does not even hold ill will towards the people who made her feel so bad about her choice to get a formal education.

    “As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it.”
    — Ruth Bader Ginsberg

    The Challenges Still Ahead

    While we’ve come a long way, women still face real challenges in work and life. Our team shared some of the biggest issues we believe need more attention:

    Affordable Childcare – Too many women are forced to choose between career growth and childcare options that are either inaccessible or unaffordable.

    Balancing Expectations – The pressure to “do it all” is real. Women juggle work, family, and personal growth, often feeling the weight of expectation to give 110% in every area of life.

    Equity in Opportunity – Women deserve the same professional opportunities and benefits as men. Finding flexible, fulfilling roles that allow women to thrive in their careers and personal lives should not be the exception—it should be the standard.

    “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
    — Maya Angelou

    What do you do for fun?

    Alison: I love running, biking and going to music festivals.

    Heather: I like to sing, watch movies, paint, make pottery. I also love going to concerts.

    Taleen: I love DIY home projects with my best handy man (that’s my husband!). I also love to spend time on my yoga mat and I have also recently picked up gaming. My favorite game so far has been Hogwarts Legacy.

    Lisa: I love being active…a hike in the mountains, golf rain or shine, walk the puppy, anything to keep moving! It’s always refreshing and empowering. I also like to cook (not bake!), and play games with my family, especially poker because I can still crush them!

    Heidi: I have found that I really love making bread. Silly maybe, but it is so relaxing for me to slow down and be intentional with my time and with bread, you really do have to be intentional and plan at least a little bit.

    Vanna: I spend a lot of my time playing video games with my friends. It’s a great opportunity to spend time with those who I can’t be in person with.

     “Friends. Sisters. Mothers. Professors. When women affirm women, it unlocks our power. It gives us permission to shine brighter.”
    — Elaine Welteroth

    How do the women in your life or on your team support you?

    Heather: They don’t really have to “do” much. Being there and being a sounding board is really important. We hear each others’ stories…We have each others’ backs.

    Taleen: My coven is there for the good, the bad, and the ugly. They show up to build me up when I need it and ask for my power and support in their moments of need. We share phone calls, funny memes to keep going some days, eat bad food together and remind each other that tomorrow will be better.

    Lisa: I love “my girls.” We all get that the struggle is real. Sometimes they’re just there for moral support, a hug, or for some real-world advice that helps me navigate this messy life. I hope that I provide the same invaluable support for the women around me, and future generations as well.

    Heidi: I really appreciate that the women in my life all come from diverse backgrounds and are just so different. It really helps me to build a better perspective on things. I feel like they are part of making me a better, more understanding person.

    “Well-behaved women seldom make history”
    — Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

    What advice would you give to women who aspire to be where you are?

    Alison: There are mentors all around you, you just have to look for them. They might not be at your job, but in your life, and they can inspire you and teach you a lot.

    Heather: Know your software skills, study design, be willing to accept that sometimes your design won’t work, but not because it isn’t good…it just isn’t meeting the needs of the project/client, and that’s ok.

    Taleen: Be willing to reinvent yourself and learn something new. Most people take major left turns three to five times during their careers, ending up in unexpected and often gratifying places. Say yes to things that scare you.

    Vanna: Why?! Abort, abort! Just kidding, because maybe where I’m at is not where I will end up. That can be scary. Don’t get bogged down in not being where you want to be. Go at your own pace and give yourself grace.

    Heidi: If you want to make a career change (I went from healthcare to marketing), surround yourself with people who support you to go back to school and make sacrifices that are already hard.

    Lisa: Always keep pushing, stay ahead so you can evolve with the times and stay relevant. And remember that the women around you are invested. They can be mentors, friends, frenemies, leaders, supporters. Be a positive part of this growing circle of support.

    “Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”
    — Julia Child

    What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

    Heather: Don’t take design criticism personally.

    Taleen: Anybody can not try ~ Mom

    Lisa: If you can, you do.

    Vanna: Avoid comparison, seek inspiration.

    “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
    — Jane Goodall

    How do you stay productive and motivated when you’re feeling burned out?

    Heather: Listening to music while I work, taking time off when needed, giving myself an attitude adjustment.

    Taleen: Even through low and hard times, my team motivates me to keep driving and trying. Making sure that I create good projects and good work for them to do.

    Alison: The hybrid work schedule has been huge for establishing and maintaining work/life balance. I love going to our beautiful office two times a week! The days that I am home I have time to fit in a quick run with my dog, Rosie, and make sandwiches for my kids when they come home from school. It feels like a win/win and everyone is happy!

    Lisa: Practice gratitude. I am thankful for this career, for the amazing people I work with, for opportunities to grow and create. Oh, and I swear like a sailor at times. It helps.

    Vanna: The best thing I can do for myself is take a “productive” break. Spending 10 minutes doomscrolling on my phone is only going to provide relief in that immediate moment. But going outside and just sitting with myself? That always helps me reset.

    “You never have to ask anyone permission to lead. When you want to lead, you lead.”
    — Kamala Harris

    In the next year, what are your goals for helping support women in business and in life?

    Alison: I’ve always believed in the power of supporting women, both in my career and in my personal life. Fortunately, I have experienced great support from my colleagues and peers in the workplace, which has only reinforced my commitment to supporting women’s advancement.

    Heather: I’m hoping to support young female designers in finding fulfilling work.

    Taleen: My goals over the next year are to create good runways for my team, to empower them to grow and expand their skill sets. Everyone needs to feel like they are progressing; it’s human nature to need those opportunities and it is important to me that those moments are seen and offered.

    Lisa: I am so motivated to ensure that future generations of women have the same — or more — opportunities than I have. We have to constantly work to ensure that the rights we’ve fought for are not eroded away. I have a daughter and nieces and younger co-workers. I want them to be safe and celebrated and free to become the best and happiest they can possibly be.

    Heidi: I think that the most important thing for me in this coming year is to just love the women in my life where they are at. I have so many friends and family that are in different seasons of life and that means that they all need something else. I want to be part of making them feel supported and happy where they are.

    The Power of Women, The Power of Us

    Women’s History Month isn’t just about looking back—it’s about moving forward together. It’s about continuing the work of the trailblazers before us, supporting each other now, and inspiring the next generation to break even more barriers.

    At Targa, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women—not just this month, but every single day.

    How will you celebrate, uplift, and support the women in your life?

    The Best of 2024: Targa’s Top 5 Most Read Articles

    The Best of 2024: Targa’s Top 5 Most Read Articles

    Alison Hayes Sr Marketing Admin at Targa Media

    Alison Hayes

    Sr. Marketing Admin

    The Best of 2024: Targa’s Top 5 Most Read Articles

    2024: A Milestone Year for Targa

    2024 was indeed a milestone year for Targa! It was the year we amplified our voice, publishing more articles than ever before. With so much to share, we embraced the opportunity to connect, inspire, and inform through our growing collection of content.

    Here’s what you enjoyed most: our top five articles of the year, plus an honorable mention. Thank you for tuning in, and cheers to an incredible year!

    1. My Ideas on Making Your Product Sticky

    Published on January 9, 2024, by Jason Steed

    Why It’s Top:
    As creatives and marketers, our goal is to make ideas “sticky”—crafting campaigns that adapt to shifting customer needs while maintaining brand integrity. Finding and leveraging what works—through tracking metrics, understanding customer and competitor insights, and embracing agility—is key to creating meaningful connections.

    Read more for tips on staying ahead and ensuring your messaging resonates

    Products on the shelf
    Products on the shelf

    2. Unveiling the B2B Marketing Trends for 2024: A Targa Analysis

    Published on January 13, 2024, by Lisa Harmer

    Why It’s Top:
    Targa’s analysis of marketing trends reveals that 2024 will demand a focus on authenticity, intentionality, and a strategic blending of human expertise with AI tools. In an age of AI-driven content, authentic storytelling and human-centered narratives will be essential to stand out in a saturated market.

    Read more for tips on staying ahead and ensuring your messaging resonates

    3. Shared Ownership: Opening New Doors for Targa

    Published on March 20, 2024, by Jason Steed

    Why It’s Top:
    The addition of Taleen as a business partner was not only a milestone for growth but also a pivotal moment for Targa. This enriched leadership brings expanded value to both our clients and team. With shared goals and complementary strengths, this partnership strengthens Targa’s ability to deliver innovative ideas, foster stronger client relationships, and provide balanced leadership.

    Learn how this partnership positions Targa for continued success

    Products on the shelf
    Products on the shelf

    4. What Focus Helps Us See—and Makes Us Miss

    Published on August 22, 2024, by Jason Steed

    Why It’s Top:
    Balancing focus and creativity is essential for uncovering great ideas. Structured focus provides the guardrails for projects, while stepping back allows unexpected, game-changing ideas to emerge. Explore our strategies for time-blocking, brainstorming, and journaling to help maintain balance and deliver unique, impactful outcomes for clients.

    See how to strike the perfect balance here.

    5. Our Team’s Inktober Adventure

    Published on November 1, 2024, by Alison Hayes

    Why It’s Top:
    What creative challenge lasts 31 days and gets the whole team sketching? If Inktober came to mind, you’re spot on. This beloved, month-long sketching event has inspired artists worldwide, and this year, we embraced the challenge as a team.

    Check out how we got organized and made it our own here.

     

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    Here’s to another year of creativity, connection, and growth. Thank you for being a part of our journey—we can’t wait to share even more with you in 2025! 🎉

    Pantone Color of the Year 2025: A Masterclass in Mouthwatering Marketing

    Pantone Color of the Year 2025: A Masterclass in Mouthwatering Marketing

    Evan McCain Art Director

    Evan McCain

    Art Director

    Pantone Color of the Year 2025: A Masterclass in Mouthwatering Marketing

    Let’s talk about The Pantone Color of the Year. What started as a quirky creative exercise 25 years ago has grown into a global phenomenon. It sparks endless conversations among designers, decorators, fashionistas, and color enthusiasts everywhere. The idea? Simple yet genius: pick a color that reflects the cultural, emotional, and social vibes of the moment. Think of it as a snapshot of the world’s mood in a shade.

    And the winner is…

    As someone who loves color, I look forward to this announcement every year. This time, I even tuned in for the countdown on Pantone’s website. And when the Pantone 2025 Color of the Year was unveiled as PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, I had to do a double take.

    Mocha Mousse? The color of the year is…brown?

    Yep. Brown. But not just any brown. According to Pantone, Mocha Mousse is “a warming, brown hue imbued with richness.” It’s cozy, indulgent, and comforting—like a warm mug of cocoa or a morning latte. Okay, I can get on board with that. And honestly, who couldn’t use a little more comfort right now?

     

    “Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence. Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, it extends our perceptions of brown from being humble and grounded to aspirational and luxe.”
    – Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute

     

    “For Pantone Color of the Year 2025, we look to a mellow brown hue whose inherent richness and comforting warmth reflects our growing desire for simple pleasures we can gift and share with others.”
    – Laurie Pressman, Vice President, Pantone Color Institute

     

    It’s hard not to admire how beautifully they frame the “why” behind their color selection. They’ve turned brown—yes, brown—into something aspirational. But it’s more than just the words; it’s about understanding the emotional resonance of color and how it shapes our collective experiences.

    From Mocha Mousse to Marketing Genius

    Let’s pause to appreciate what Pantone has done here. They didn’t invent color or trends, but they’ve made themselves the authority on the subject. The Color of the Year isn’t just a pick—it’s an invitation to connect, reflect, and spark conversations. Whether you’re a designer or someone who just really loves a good paint swatch, it’s a chance to join the dialogue.

    At our office, the buzz around Mocha Mousse got us thinking: where do we see this color in our lives? Turns out, everywhere.

    Here’s what the team had to say:

    Heather: “I like brown. But I don’t really like mousse. It’s a texture issue I think. Now give me a tray of warm gingerbread cookies fresh from the oven and we’re in business.”

    Taleen: “My morning coffee. It’s the comforting kick-start I need every day. Mocha-chocolatey.”

    Alison: “It’s outdoorsy—like woods, trees, and a hint of holiday coziness.”

    Josh: “Benny, my snack-sized pup! He’s sweet and full of personality—just like Mocha Mousse.”

    Jason: “It’s the Utah landscape in winter—subtle, rich, and grounding.”

    Lisa: “To me, it’s all about comfort and connection. I love making my son chocolate-peanut butter smoothies, topped with whipped cream and a chocolate syrup heart. It’s like a hug in a glass!”

    Justin: “These guitars that take me to my happy place. I might lack musical talent, but I more than make up for it in gear.”

    Heidi: “Mocha Mousse reminds me of my quails that I care for, they are all so sweet and brighten my day. I love to see how each of them has their own personality and light.”

    Vanna: “I love eye shadows, and mocha tones are some of my favorites. Buying eye shadow from MAC is one of my indulgences, and I have way more than any one pair of eyes will ever need! Talk about a ‘me moment.”

    Evan: “There’s nothing like the southern Utah slot canyons to really capture the vibe of Mocha Mousse. Warm and mysterious, rich yet warm.”

    Anonymous: “Is it just me, or does this scream Kardashian SKIMS ad?”

     

    Finding Mocha Mousse Magic in Your World

    You don’t have to love Mocha Mousse to appreciate its vibe. It’s elusive yet familiar, sweet but not cloying. So, where do you see Mocha Mousse in your everyday life? Snap a pic, share a story, or just enjoy the warm, grounding vibes this color brings.

    One thing’s for sure: this rich, cozy shade is here to remind us to savor the little comforts—and maybe indulge just a little. Cheers to the year of Mocha Mousse!

    Celebrating National Cookie Day the Targa Way

    Celebrating National Cookie Day the Targa Way

    Lisa Harmer

    Campaign and Program Director

    Celebrating National Cookie Day the Targa Way

    There’s a national day for everything, isn’t there? Some are just plain silly. But National Cookie Day? Now, that’s one we can really sink our teeth into! Not only does it give us an excuse to indulge in our favorite sweet treats (as if we needed one), but it also got us thinking: cookies and Targa have a lot in common. Intrigued? Let us give you a taste:

    We’re Not a Cookie-Cutter Agency.

    No stale, one-size-fits-all solutions here! At Targa, we do things differently. From how we support our clients to the way we bill, everything is crafted to be as unique as a hand-decorated gingerbread cookie.

    We’re a Snack, a Treat, or a Full Meal.

    Just like cookies can fit any occasion, Targa is designed to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re craving help with a single branding project, need a special event planned, or are hungry for a complete go-to-market campaign, we deliver the perfect bite every time.

    We’re Good For You.

    Cookies don’t always have to be sugar bombs; some strike the perfect balance of indulgence and nutrition. Targa works the same way—we mix the sweetness of creativity with the substance of smart, strategic marketing to give you results that feel just right.

    Products on the shelf

    Making the World a Better Place, One Cookie at a Time.

    To celebrate National Cookie Day, we hosted our first annual Targa Cookie Exchange—and it was as delightful as it sounds. The team brought their favorite cookies—some homemade, some store-bought, all delicious—and shared the love (and the sugar). What better way to brighten up a chilly December afternoon than devouring a dozen or so cookies with friends?

    But we didn’t want to stop there. We want to share the sweetness with you! Below, you’ll find some of our favorite recipes from the exchange, and we’d love for you to join in.

    Our Winning Recipes:

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    Products on the shelf
    Products on the shelf
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    Products on the shelf

    Celebrate Small Business Saturday with Us!

    Celebrate Small Business Saturday with Us!

    Lisa Harmer

    Campaign and Program Director

    Celebrate Small Business Saturday with Us!

    Celebrate Small Business Saturday with Us!

    This year marks the 15th anniversary of Small Business Saturday. On November 30, the day after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday is all about “shopping small” and giving back to the businesses that make Utah so special. With 22 years under our belts as a small, Utah-based business, Targa Media is thrilled to celebrate and support other local businesses!

    As a local marketing and ad agency, Targa Media is all about helping — big and small — succeed. We know from experience just how much heart and soul goes into every product, service, customer, and interaction. It’s what makes small businesses unique and essential to our community. This Small Business Saturday, we’re encouraging everyone to explore the local shops, restaurants, and services that provide so much color and life to our local neighborhoods.

    To give you some inspiration, here are some of our favorite local spots, handpicked by our team. Even though our office is based in downtown Salt Lake City, our team hails from all corners of the Wasatch Front. Hopefully you’ll be able to join us in patronizing these businesses, on Small Business Saturday and beyond!

    Utah Natural Meats – Jason

    This family-owned farm and business combines “locally grown” with “personal touch.” I was introduced to this company through a friend, and I’ve loved learning about the collective passions and hobbies of each of the family members. My hundred-mile round trips are few and far between, but you’ll find my hand baskets heavy with cheese, raw grass-fed milk, pork chops, breakfast sausage, and pastured eggs. Utah Natural Meats raises food the old-fashioned way…naturally yummy.

    Products on the shelf

    Publik Coffee Roasters – Alison

    Publik is one of those businesses that you can tell just loves our big little city and takes pride in serving rad, delicious coffees.

    Who knew that a plain cup of coffee could be so delightful?! I love their values: quality over quantity, being an active and productive player in our community, planet over profit, and creating places that people want to be in. I miss their Park City location but it’s nice to visit the Salt Lake locations when I’m downtown.

    Dancing Crane Imports – Lisa

    I will admit I am a bit of a hippie at heart. I absolutely love the energy at Dancing Crane. It’s a great place to escape, let your stress melt away, and get inspired to focus on goodness and gratitude. It smells wonderful, they have an amazing boutique, unique art, and all the good energy healing tools you need to find – or keep – your zen. And don’t get me started on the gorgeous jewelry selection! I always leave with a full soul and an empty wallet.

    Slide Ridge Honey House – Taleen

    This charming honey bee “ranch” is our family business. Dedicated to safeguarding the health and growth of the honeybee population with over 3000 hives in northern Utah, Slide Ridge produces five delicious flavors of honey wine vinegar, and actual honey wine! The vinegars add flavor to every dish, the wine is a treat, and we have sweet gift baskets for the holidays. Help us save the bees!

    Graywhale – Josh

    A staple for Utah’s audiophiles since 1986, Graywhale is Utah’s largest local, independent source for music, movies, games, record, toys, books and more. What started out as a humble CD exchange (which are now–inexplicably–making a comeback) is now a go-to for entertainment for all the cool cats in northern Utah.

    They specialize in pre-owned music and have an awesome selection of retro games too. I’ve spent countless hours in each going up and down the aisles, flipping through boxes of every type of music you can think of.

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    Taqueria 27 – Heather

    My small business shout out is Taqueria 27, not your typical “authentic” Mexican restaurant. The food is made from scratch and they use local ingredients when possible, sustainable and always fresh. T27 offers traditional flavors along with some out-there options like duck confit tacos. Almost everything is or can be made gluten-free plus which is a huge bonus for those of us who have celiac or gluten intolerance. They do not cross-contaminate their fryer oil, which is amazing. Highly recommend trying out the G.O.D. (Guacamole of the Day), T.O.D. (Taco of the Day), and F.O.D. (Fish taco of the Day). Even better? They have gluten-free churros!

    The Heavy Metal Shop – Justin

    This iconic Salt Lake City music store sells exclusively heavy-metal and hard rock music. They’ve been “peddlin’ evil since 1987” according to their tagline. A tough sell in conservative SLC. But to me and my fellow die-hard metalheads, it’s the mecca for all things heavy in Utah. Heavy metal, hard rock music, DVDs, CDs, merch, merch and more merch. Their hoodies are iconic and rock greats like Slayer and Alice Cooper have been known to rock THMS logo shirts.

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    Hanamaru – Vanna

    Are you looking to have the best ramen of your life? Hanamaru has got you covered. This local restaurant is a small, tucked-away local joint in Ogden, Utah, serving authentic Japanese food Thursday through Saturday. Saturday is Ramen Day. They’re open from 11 until the last ramen is sold out, which usually happens by 1pm so it’s a good idea to reserve your ramen ahead of time! It’s absolutely worth it though, and they have plenty of other options, including a delicious sushi menu, as well.

    Febi & Co Jewelry – Heidi

    Based right here in Utah, this local jeweler offers collection of beautiful, unique earrings that always put a smile on my face.

    And while the shop is primarily online, they’re also a regular presence at farmers markets and pop-up shops around the area. One of the things I absolutely love is their dual-sided hoops. These earrings are a total game-changer, and a steal! One side is silver, and the other is gold, so you can flip them depending on your outfit. They’re unique, fun and reasonably priced so it’s easy to treat yourself without feeling guilty about the cost.

    Pho 777 – Evan

    Salt Lake easily has more than 100 joints around serving pho. But only a few make more than a bowl of broth with “stuff” in it. The quality of the “stuff” (and the broth) is what matters. And Pho 777 has the good stuff. Family owned, Pho 777 is committed to bringing authentic (and dare I say, delicious) Vietnamese cuisine to the Salt Lake area. Their pho broth is made from bones, from scratch, every single day. It’s divine. And their banh mi is legit the best I’ve ever had. This is not just my opinion! Pho777 was named a 2024 Best Restaurant by Salt Lake Magazine. It’s so Pho-king good!

    We hope you enjoy this little “taste” of Utah! Please make a point to support your neighbors and our local businesses (Targa included!). You make a difference!