For Sapphire Fountains, water is a medium for artistic and architectural transformation.
The company, which specializes in the custom design, construction, and maintenance of high-end water features, is behind many well-known fountains, water features, and splash pads along the Wasatch Front. From residential escapes to commercial installations, the company operates with an elegant mission: to uplift and inspire through the beauty of water.
“Our primary goal is to uplift others,” said founder James Harris. “The company serves both residential and commercial clients and has been fortunate to develop many of the most recognizable water features in Utah.”
While the business was created and built with an artisan mindset, reaching the next level of commercial success required a strategic infusion of capital to professionalize operations and expand capacity.
Navigating the Challenges of Rapid Growth
Scaling a specialized construction firm often creates a capital gap, meaning there isn’t enough revenue or operating capital to sustain growth.
“Understanding and implementing a good growth strategy can be difficult,” said Harris. “It can be hard to know when to push forward with an idea and when to shift directions.”
For Sapphire Fountains, this gap became evident as the company reached several significant milestones at once. As business grew, Harris realized he needed to move into a more efficient production facility, hire a sales team, and transition from manual project management and procurement to a sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, all at once.
The stakes increased significantly when Sapphire Fountains secured an $870,000 project — the largest in the company’s history. Completing the project would require a massive upfront investment in materials and labor, far more than traditional bootstrapping could cover.
Facilitating the Connection: The Role of Davis County COG
The Utah Small Business Credit Initiative (USBCI) program has an ongoing relationship with the Davis County Council of Governments (COG), which helped Saphire Fountains find USBCI and access a unique source of capital.
By providing technical support and local expertise, the Davis County COG ensured that Harris could effectively navigate the requirements for small-business loans. This collaborative model demonstrates how regional economic development organizations can help “main street” businesses to access state and other resources.
“Working with people I know and feel I can trust was vital,” said Harris. “Having a partner like Davis County COG that understands our business and needs and was willing to help us build our credit was critical. And, this provides a path to traditional lenders we’ll want to work with in a few years.”
Tangible Economic Impact
With USBCI-backed funding, Sapphire Fountains pivoted from local artisan work to large-scale commercial operations. In the months after it received funding from USBCI, the company:
- Completed the move to a new building and finalized critical leasehold improvements.
- Hired a new salesperson and other staff, providing high-quality employment opportunities within Utah.
- Fully implemented an ERP system with CRM, project management, and procurement modules to streamline inventory and customer tracking as the firm scales.
- Secured and funded materials for the $870K project, ensuring a successful completion by early 2026.
“This loan has been a game-changer for our growth,” said Harris. “We’ve moved into a new building, hired new employees, and are currently executing the largest job in our history. None of this would have been possible without the support of USBCI and Davis County COG.”
Looking Forward
Sapphire Fountains is experiencing a near-term productivity surge and is now well-positioned for long-term growth. Harris plans to double the company’s headcount and profitability by the end of 2026, with plans to showcase its work at major venues such as the California State Fair and high-profile events in Las Vegas.
By leveraging USBCI funding to build a robust internal system and a stronger credit profile, Sapphire Fountains isn’t just building fountains; it’s building a resilient Utah business. Harris is enthusiastic about encouraging other entrepreneurs to explore USBCI.
“Do your homework and talk with the staff about how to leverage this kind of loan to build the credit and reputation needed for even bigger needs in the future,” said Harris. “Have specific uses for the money in mind so it drives growth.”
Interested businesses can learn more online or contact [email protected].