Skip to main content

Blanding Concrete Building Installer Cements Business Gains

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Utah State University has selected D & G Marian Inc., of Blanding Utah, as a successful business to highlight for the business’s sustained growth and contributions to the community. Owners Duane and Gayle Marian specialize in concrete building installations throughout Utah and nationally through CXT Inc., a concrete building manufacturer based in Spokane, Washington.

“Duane and Gayle’s persistence, hard work and willingness to take risks are commendable,” said Buddy Redd, Business Advisor at the SBDC. “They are good people and they provide the business ethic that we need in this state.”

Prior to launching the business, Duane worked for another concrete installation company. When his previous company was dropped from a major contract, Duane decided that he wanted to form his own corporation; Gayle wanted to get involved to help with day-to-day business operations.

The Marians were familiar with some of the business resources available from the SBDC and decided to contact Redd for help starting the business. Duane met with Redd to explore options, and the couple enrolled in a 12-week entrepreneurial class.

After the business launched, the Marians continued to meet with Redd to increase their efficiency and examine ways to expand the business. “It’s always good to have someone to bounce your ideas off of,” said Duane. “Its been nice to have Buddy as a mentor, so I am not the only one making decisions.” With a thorough business plan and an effective strategic map, the Marians quickly began to pick up additional contracts with CXT Inc.

D & G Marian currently specializes in the installation of high quality concrete structures such as: public restroom facilities, washrooms and storage structures. The company typically works on projects that involve remote-site installations across the U.S. for the National Forrest Service, state parks and the Bureau of Land Management. “Anytime we can get someone from outside of the area to spend money on local contracts such as the work done by D & G Marian, that helps our region's economic development,” said Redd. “It keeps people who work for Duane and Gayle employed and brings money back into the community.”

The Utah SBDC provides consulting, training and other resources to emerging and existing small business owners in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), the Lead UT SBDC Center at Salt Lake Community College, and other colleges and universities in the state. To learn more about the UT SBDC program, visit www.utahsbdc.org.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o...

SLCC Alumnus and U.S. Diplomat to Speak at 2025 Commencement

Salt Lake Community College’s 2025 Commencement speaker Branigan Knowlton will share his perspectives drawn from a 12-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. In serving his country, Knowlton has honed his foreign relations and diplomacy skills in Hong Kong, Mexico, Colombia and Italy. Knowlton is also a proud Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) alumnus (2002).     Knowlton currently serves at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. Before reporting to the embassy, he was detailed to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as part of the Transatlantic Diplomatic Fellowship program. In Bogotá, Knowlton worked for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, and in Hermosillo, Mexico, he worked for the Bureau of Consular Affairs. His first assignment abroad was in Hong Kong, where he worked for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.     "I've actively sought opportunities that push me into the unfamiliar, even when ...

Recognizing SLCC's 2025 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Andrew Vogt, PhD Associate Professor, Engineering

The Distinguished Faculty Lecturer is a recognition of quality work by one of Salt Lake Community College’s full-time faculty and a charge to develop that work over an academic year into a public presentation. A committee chosen by the Associate Provost for Learning Advancement selects the faculty lecturer each year. The lecture takes place in the spring. Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Andrew Vogt, PhD Associate Professor, Engineering Dr. Andrew Vogt’s teaching philosophy is guided by two principles, curiosity and efficiency.  “Curiosity leads us to study a topic and allows us to really understand the ins and outs of research, while efficiency is all about sustainability,” he says. Andrew describes curiosity as a pure, open-minded impulse to explore, such as the ease with which children learn new concepts with virtually no instruction. Efficiency adds maturity to that childlike impulse, creating structures and pathways for accomplishment.  Andrew’s work has alwa...