Have you ever wondered what it takes to start a successful national brand? At Utah Business, we publish our weekly Founder Series on someone from Utah who has created a brand so special that it has captivated people all over the nation.

We want to bring their stories to life right off the pages of our magazine. Join us for our monthly Founder Fridays where we will interview one founder a month in an intimate setting. You’ll hear directly from them what their experience has been like, what they loved, what they would change, and what they want to accomplish next.

Gavin Christensen is a cornerstone of the Mountain West’s startup community and the Founder and General Partner of Kickstart. In 2008, Gavin pioneered the region’s venture landscape by launching Utah’s first seed-stage fund, filling a critical capital gap during the Great Recession. Today, Kickstart is the most active investor in the region, having backed over 150 companies.

Beyond his local impact, Gavin represents the region on the national level as the Chair-elect of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). In this role, he advocates for policies that support entrepreneurs and capital formation across the country. A BYU and Kellogg alumnus, Gavin is dedicated to building generational platforms and mentoring the next wave of founders and investors who will define our local ecosystem’s future.

Dr. Jerry Chidester and Mindee Chidester are the co-founders and co-owners of The Plastics Clinic + Spa, a rapidly growing aesthetic medicine brand based in Draper, Utah. The company began in January 2020 as Jerry Chidester, MD, PLLC—just weeks before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a small team of five employees and a modest space in Draper, the Chidesters made the deliberate decision to continue building through an unprecedented shutdown, leveraging early virtual consultation technology while Dr. Chidester also provided emergency hospital coverage to support the business and team.

Innovation and adaptability proved pivotal. Following a virtual grand opening in April 2020, the practice experienced rapid growth once in-person care resumed in May—driven by a strong digital presence and patient-centered approach. What began as a seven-person operation has since grown into a multi-entity organization with around 100 employees across clinical care, medical spa services, and surgical operations as of early 2026.

The business rebranded as The Plastics Clinic in 2021, expanded its surgical team, and opened its medical spa in April 2022—fulfilling Mindee Chidester’s long-standing vision of creating an elevated, wellness-driven spa experience. From the outset, Mindee played a central operational role, overseeing clinical and spa operations and guiding day-to-day execution alongside Dr. Chidester. As the organization has scaled and roles have become more defined, her focus has shifted toward brand strategy, culture, and long-term growth, serving as a key advocate for both team and patient experience. In parallel, Dr. Chidester launched The Plastics Academy, an initiative born from his vision to educate surgeons and aesthetic providers globally and now jointly supported by the founders as part of the company’s cultural mission. Together, the Chidesters are intentional about bringing on like-minded physician partners and leaders as they grow, with a shared goal of elevating the aesthetics industry through education, innovation, and consistent systems. With new locations planned for Farmington and St. George in 2026, their focus remains on building a globally respected brand rooted in excellence, culture, and purpose.