London Temple Missionaries’ Relative Killed In Westminster Attack; LDS Teen Finds Triumph On The Voice; And More!
BYU Grad Builds Multimillion-dollar Shoe Company
It was a Reddit post that first made Kory Stevens realize his business was on the up and up. A satisfied customer raved about the quality and affordability of the company’s no-show socks. The post quickly attracted the attention of over 120,000 visitors, and Kory’s socks began selling out.
“It was probably the most euphoric moment I’ve had, where I could see the potential and I finally saw, ‘Wow, people like what I’m doing and it’s worthwhile for me to continue,’” Stevens told the Daily Universe.
But the socks were only the beginning. Taft has since launched a line of stylish, affordable men’s footwear. Hand-crafted by experienced artisans in southern Italy, Taft shoes are made from the highest quality materials and sold direct to keep prices low.
From its humble beginnings in a south Provo apartment, Taft has only recently expanded to a warehouse. The company now does around $10,000 in sales on the daily.
“I remember in that moment feeling like we were really doing it — it was scrappy and rough around the edges, but we were really running a business, ” says Kory’s wife Mallory. From the get-go, Taft has been a family affair.
“The whole reason I started Taft was so that I could be with my family more than I would have been,” commented Kory. “I haven’t missed anything in my children’s lives. They know me as well as they know their mom, and that has always been important to me.”
Running a multi-million dollar company has taught the young couple a thing or two about teamwork.
“Whether it’s parenting or running Taft, we’ve found a groove that works for us. I think it has taught us to really listen to each other’s ideas and to not worry about who gets the credit,” Mallory said. “We just want the best for our family and for the brand.”
Kory doesn’t know where Taft will be five years down the line; he’s taking each success day-by-day.
Read more at the Daily Universe.
LDS Teen Aaliyah Rose Wins Battle Round On The Voice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeIAbSvrmsc
14-year-old Aaliyah will be advancing to the knock-outs on NBC’s the voice. Aaliyah wowed judges singing “Treat You Better” against 16-year-old Savannah Leighton on the Tuesday, March 21, episode. Part of coach Gwen Stefani’s team, Aaliyah showed potential and power during her blind audition, and proved her talent in the battle round.
“You were unbelievable,” Stefani told Aaliyah before crowning her victor. “That vibrato blows my mind.”
There were no hard feelings between Leighton and Aaliyah. Leighton sang only praises for Aaliyah on her Instagram, calling her “such a sweet and loving soul.. so blessed to have met her and to have shared the stage with her.. she’s seriously amazing.”
Aaliyah is among two Other LDS young women competing on the voice: 16-year-old Lauryn Judd of Draper Utah, who is on Keys’ team, and Hanna Eyre, 15, of Laguna Niguel, California, who is on Levine’s team.
Read more at Deseret News.
Latter-day Saints Help Reunite Japanese WWII Flag With Fallen Soldier’s Family
Lost and forgotten in the closet of an Alabama middle school, a Japanese WWII flag somehow survived the years and has now made its way back to Japan.
After discovering the flag, history teacher Veronica Hill learned that it was a “good luck soldier flag.” It was customary to give soldiers a flag signed by their friends and family, to carry with them into war.
Hill enlisted the help of Dennis Sellers, a Montgomery, Alabama, middle school math teacher and Latter-day Saint who just happened to have served his mission in Japan. Sellers translated the names on the flag and got in touch with a Japanese organization working to reunite families with their relatives’ flags.
Soon enough, the flag had made its way back to Japan.
“God had a hand in this,” Sellers said. “It was special for the son to have something from his father, to keep the memory of his father alive.”
Read more at Deseret News.
All Missionaries Announced Safe After Westminster Attack
A year after the deadly terrorist attack on Brussels, Belgium, another terrorist attack hit London on Wednesday, March 22nd. Killing two pedestrians and injuring 40, the perpetrator ran over bystanders using his car on Westminster Bridge before crashing into the gates of Parliament.
Identified as Khalid Masood, the attacker knifed and killed a police officer Keith Palmer before being shot to death.
All missionaries have been declared safe. Europe area president, Elder Patrick Kearon, commented on the attacks:
Our heartfelt prayers are with all those affected by today’s tragic attacks in Westminster. We pray that the power of God will bring comfort, healing and peace. May the spirit of goodwill bless the people of the United Kingdom.
Among those killed was Utah native, Kurt Cochran, who travelled to London with his wife, Melissa. Melissa’s parent’s were serving as London temple missionaries at this time. The Cochran’s were on the final day of their 25th anniversary trip to Europe.
Clint Payne, Melissa’s brother, released the following statement:
Our family is heartbroken to learn of the death of our brother- and son-in-law, Kurt W. Cochran, who was a victim of Wednesday’s terrorist attack in London. Kurt was a good man and a loving husband to our sister and daughter, Melissa. They were in Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, and were scheduled to return to the United States on Thursday. Melissa also received serious injuries in the attack, and is being cared for in the hospital. We express our gratitude to the emergency and medical personnel who have cared for them and ask for your prayers on behalf of Melissa and our family. Kurt will be greatly missed, and we ask for privacy as our family mourns and as Melissa recovers from her injuries.
Read more at LDS Living.