Tuesday Update 12/23: Matteo Vault Episode, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

Need a quick, satisfying listen for the holidays? We’re dropping a short update with a heavy hitter from our Vault: the Mateo Sonier story—born in Italy, record-breaker at the University of Utah, and the force behind a beloved Italian restaurant built with his family by his side. This is a grounded, human blueprint for turning personal history into a resilient business, with lessons on discipline, hospitality, and community that carry far beyond the kitchen.

We walk through how an athlete’s mindset translates to service, consistency, and quiet excellence. Mateo’s journey shows why fewer, better dishes beat bloated menus, and how honest feedback loops with regulars can outwork paid marketing in a city where word-of-mouth still matters. If you care about entrepreneurship, hospitality, local food culture, or the craft of building a brand that feels real, you’ll find practical takeaways you can apply tomorrow—whether you’re launching a product, opening a café, or refining your team’s rhythm.

To top it off, we’re closing the Kilby Block Party giveaway and rolling out a fresh one: two tickets to watch the University of Utah men’s basketball team face Arizona, a projected number one squad. It’s a chance to see elite play up close and share the moment with someone who needs a win this season. We also flag a few Christmas and New Year’s Eve notes so you’ve got options if your plans are still forming.

Press play for a focused listen, then jump into the giveaways. If this story hits home, share it with a friend who’s building something from scratch, rate the show to help others find it, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next drop.

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (00:53):
What is up, everybody, and welcome back to
another Tuesday update.
It is me, Eric Nilsen, the hostof the Small Lake City podcast.
This week we're going to keep itshort and sweet, but in case you
need something to listen to thisweek, whether to listen to with
family or to get away fromfamily, uh just re-uploaded the
episode with Mateo Sonier, thefounder of Mateo and now Strata,

(01:13):
uh, as the most recent episodein the Vault series.
Uh, this is such a fun episodebecause a lot of people know
about Mateo the restaurant, butdon't know how it came to be.
So definitely go check it out,and especially if you're
interested in someone who wasborn in Italy, came to the
University of Utah for school,broke multiple records in
swimming, decided he wanted tostart his own Italian
restaurant, and brought his ownfamily over from Italy to start

(01:36):
it with him.
Also, in case you haven'tentered, the Kilby Block Party
giveaway is going on, gonna bewrapping that up soon.
But also have another giveawaythat I will be announcing soon.
And in case you didn't know,because I haven't told you, it
is so you can win two tickets togo see the University of Utah
men's basketball team playArizona.
So Arizona is projected to bethe number one team for all of

(01:58):
the NCAA this year, so it'll bea chance to see the best team
play.
Uh, I'm excited to go.
Um, one day we will have a goodbasketball team, but until then,
we can watch the best one playas well.
So hopefully you all have greatplans for Christmas.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Uh lots of things happening inthe new year for New Year's Eve.
So make sure to check that out.
I will probably be postingsomething.

(02:19):
So I will probably be postingsomething soon.
So if you don't have any plans,I can help you find some.
But have a Merry Christmas and Iwill talk to you soon.