The Bentonville Beacon

Cultivating Access to Opportunities with Robert Burns of the Walton Family Foundation

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

Curious how the Walton Family Foundation is catalyzing inclusive economic growth and cultural enrichment in Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta? Tune in to this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, where host, James Bell, is joined by Robert Burns, Home Region Program Director at the Walton Family Foundation.

The Walton Family Foundation represents several generations of family rooted in the places they work and in a family legacy of giving back. It brings together diverse perspectives to the same table, including caregivers and conservationists, educators and entrepreneurs, farmers and futurists, and doers and dreamers, to listen and learn, to reach a shared understanding, and to create innovative solutions that achieve true impact. The foundation works in three areas: strengthening the connections between K-12 education and lifelong opportunity; protecting rivers, oceans, and the communities they support; and advancing the Home Region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta.

In the Home Region, the Walton Family Foundation supports communities in Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta, working to realize a vision where everyone has access to opportunity so that every person and community thrives. They strive to catalyze a more vibrant, inclusive economy in Northwest Arkansas, and to grow equity through education and financial security in the Delta.

With its roots in Northwest Arkansas, the foundation is committed to making opportunity available to everyone who lives in the area by supporting entrepreneurs and innovators who strengthen the local economy; engaging teachers, parents and students to improve schools; and working to ensure residents in every neighborhood can access affordable housing, diverse transportation options and vibrant cultural spaces.

Likewise, the foundation is committed to investing and engaging in the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta, where they are looking to the next generation of community leaders with innovative ideas to strengthen schools, support small businesses and create economic opportunities that help Delta residents build a brighter future for their region through bold, homegrown solutions to the unique challenges facing their people and communities.

Throughout the episode, Robert shares how partnerships and collaborations facilitate meaningful transformation, the critical importance of storytelling in relating a powerful and clear understanding of people and the impact of their work, and how the Walton Family Foundation discovers and selects the game-changing initiatives it supports. Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Robert Burns

(3:57) About the Walton Family Foundation (WFF) and Its Mission

(6:42) The WFF’s Objectives in Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta

(12:30) Highlight the WWF’s Home Region Initiatives

(17:54) NWA’s Contribution to Innovation across the Country

(22:34) The WWF’s Support for and Collaboration with EforAll

(25:53) Local Organizations the WFF Supports

(29:55) Robert’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(32:40) Future Initiatives of the WFF’s Home Region Program

(36:50) Starting a Sustainable Relationship with the WFF

(40:01) How Storytelling Plays a Role in the WFF’s Community Engagement

(45:16) Closing Question

‍Links

Robert Burns

Walton Family Foundation Home Region

Empowering Youth through Financial Literacy and Technology with Somya Munjal of Youthful Savings

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 20 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

Want to hear some big Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas announcements from Youthful Savings? Check out this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, where host James Bell shares the studio with Somya Munjal, Founder and CEO of Youthful Savings, a tech-powered, learning ecosystem dedicated to socioeconomic empowerment through youth and beyond. Youthful Savings’ ecosystem consists of The Learning Marketplace (TLM), the Youthful Savings Marketplace (YSM) and the Youthful Savings Foundation (YSF). Through Youthful Savings’ educational products, youth are inspired to become heart-intelligent world citizens supporting mental well-being, economic empowerment and community development.

The Learning Marketplace is an innovative learning platform featuring revolutionary, downloadable learning exercises that include various topics such as entrepreneurship, personal finance, technology, Bitcoin and NFTs, art, vertical farming and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the Youthful Savings Marketplace aims to disrupt the growing wealth gap through the power of entrepreneurship and education. Lastly, the Youthful Savings Foundation provides engaged learners monthly capital through its Community Investment Fund (CIF), effectively reducing the bias in capital raising and providing equal opportunities for all.

Throughout the episode, Somya elaborates on Youthful Savings’ philosophy that if all youth receive the proper education and initial investment, they can create businesses that economically empower themselves and their communities. She also shares Youthful Savings’ positive impact on communities and some exciting announcements regarding Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:55) Introduction to Somya Munjal

(1:57) About Youthful Savings and Its Mission

(5:25) A Youthful Savings Success Story

(7:29) Somya’s Experience with Fuel’s Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Accelerator

(9:05) What’s Upcoming for Youthful Savings in Bentonville

(11:48) About Youthful Savings’ Ledger Office

(13:31) Youthful Savings’ First Enterprise Client

(14:37) Youthful Savings’ Partnership with Northwest Arkansas Community College

(15:53) How Partnerships Further Youthful Savings’ Mission

(16:51) Somya’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(19:50) Advice to Business Leaders for Reflecting Their Values

(22:35) Closing Question

‍Links

Somya Munjal

Youthful Savings

Grace Gill (grace@startupjukie.org)

2024 Fuel for Your Health Accelerator Part 3

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 13 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

Discover how health tech companies are reshaping the future of medicine from Bentonville. In this special three-part series of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell meets with cohort members of this year’s Fuel for Your Health Accelerator. James kicks off the episode with Grace Gill, Fuel’s Operations Manager, who shares how this accelerator matches scalable health tech startups with key enterprise partners to expedite the adoption of their transformative medical technologies. Different from other programs, during each Fuel accelerator, high-growth startups from around the world benefit from programming and support focused on developing operational value and selling to large customers, rather than just venture capital coaching.

This episode highlights several of Fuel’s current cohort members and innovators, including TapRoot Interventions & Solutions Founder and CEO, Scarlett Spring, and Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Linda Buscemi; Dart Health’s Founder and CEO, Brian Sage; and SOAP Health’s Founder and CEO, Dr. Steven Charlap.

Phoenix, Arizona-based TapRoot Interventions & Solutions is a woman-owned technology company at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), dementia care and behavioral healthcare. With its revolutionary AI-powered digital platform, Ella, TapRoot is helping organizations and caregivers to improve care for those living with dementia through a person-centered approach.

Denver, Colorado-based Dart Heath is reducing the cost of serving group healthcare by fixing the fundamentally broken exchange of data between group benefit providers and self-insured employers. Dart Health compiles disparate data sources from employers, providers, benefits administrators and claims, to portray a real individual with medical needs, effectively creating a single, secure, HIPAA-compliant, 350-degree view of a healthcare customer.

Boca Raton, Florida-based SOAP Health offers the ideal medical AI assistant. SOAP Health enhances and integrates patient intake and note creation to significantly reduce time of documentation and symptom assessment, appreciably increase average revenue and reduce malpractice exposure.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Grace Gill

(2:55) What’s Next for Fuel

(5:19) How Fuel Partners with the Community

(6:45) Fuel’s Funders

(7:13) Grace’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(9:24) Introduction to Scarlett Spring and Dr. Linda Buscemi

(10:33) About TapRoot Interventions & Solutions

(10:48) How Fuel and Bentonville Are Helping Scarlett and Dr. Buscemi

(15:59) Scarlett’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(16:49) Dr. Buscemi’s First Impression of Bentonville

(17:42) Introduction to Brian Sage

(19:46) About Dart Health

(22:48) How Fuel and Bentonville Are Helping Brian

(29:11) Brian’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(32:30) Introduction to Dr. Steven Charlap

(35:10) About SOAP Health

(38:38) How Fuel and Bentonville Are Helping Dr. Charlap

(40:23) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Fuel for Your Health Accelerator

Scarlett Spring, EMBA (scarlett@taprootela.com)

Linda Buscemi, PhD (linda@taprootella.com)

TapRoot Interventions & Solutions

Brian Sage, MBA

Dart Health

Steven Charlap, MD, MBA (scharlap@soap.health, 617-319-6434)

SOAP Health

Fuel for Your Health Accelerator

2024 Fuel for Your Health Accelerator Part 2

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 06 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this special three-part series of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell meets with cohort members of this year’s Fuel for Your Health Accelerator, a program that matches scalable health tech startups with enterprise partners to expedite the adoption of transformative medical technologies. James kicks off the episode with Tom Douglass, Fuel’s Entrepreneur in Residence, and is then joined by Rand Ragusa, Co-Founder of QuickTake Health; Erin Keyes, Co-Founder and CEO at Telegenixx; Dr. Bechara Saab, CEO and Chief Scientist with Mobio Interactive; and Natalie Shew, Founder and CEO from EmployWell.

New Orleans, Louisiana-based QuickTake Health provides innovative vital sign workflow automation and patient engagement kiosk solutions, revolutionizing the way healthcare facilities manage patient intake documentation and interactions. Dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes and enhancing patient experiences through innovative solutions, QuickTake’s intuitive interface allows patients to easily download their content to their phone and engage with personalized health resources, empowering them to take an active role in their own well-being.

New York-based Telegenixx is a digital health marketplace that unifies regenerative health physicians, laboratories, pharmacies and patients into one central platform focused on accessibility, affordability and easy-to-follow care plans. Through a tiered, all-inclusive subscription model, Telegenixx offers patients affordable access to elite physicians specifically trained in cutting edge peptide- and hormone-based protocols.

Singapore-based Mobio Interactive addresses the increased demand for mental healthcare globally with its commercialized AI digital diagnostic and psychotherapy platform. The platform serves as a stopgap for patients on waitlists for healthcare services, and contains convenient, scalable and remote monitoring tools that facilitate clinical decisions and the personalization of therapy according to real-time measures.

Lastly, Fayetteville, Arkansas-based EmployWell helps nurses work smarter not harder with its clinic workflow, Provider Ally, which is an AI-powered assistant that maps clinic workflows and automates nurse admin tasks for better work satisfaction and productivity. By automating administrative tasks and streamlining care team efficiency, nurses are able to voice and solve their top challenges and free up their time to focus on more direct patient care.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Tom Douglass

(2:12) A Fuel Success Story

(6:53) Fuel’s Local Partnerships

(7:38) Tom’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(9:22) Introduction to Rand Ragusa

(10:35) About QuickTake Health

(13:01) How Fuel and Bentonville Are Helping Helped Rand

(14:20) Rand’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(15:36) Introduction to Erin Keyes

(16:56) About Telegenixx

(18:18) How Fuel and Bentonville Are Helping Erin

(21:00) Erin’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(23:05) Introduction to Dr. Bechara Saab

(24:19) About Mobio Interactive

(27:48) How Fuel and Bentonville Are Helping Dr. Saab

(29:15) Dr. Saab’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(30:55) Introduction to Natalie Shew

(31:43) About EmployWell

(33:39) How Fuel and Bentonville Are Helping Helped Natalie

(37:19) Natalie’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(39:29) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Tom Douglass

Catapult Consulting

Rand Ragusa, AHIP (rand@quicktakehealth.com)

Fuel for Your Health Accelerator

2024 Fuel for Your Health Accelerator Part 1

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this special three-part series of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell meets with cohort members of this year’s Fuel for Your Health Accelerator. James kicks off the episode with Fuel’s Director, Darian Harris, who shares how this accelerator matches scalable health tech startups with key enterprise partners to expedite the adoption of their transformative medical technologies. Different from other programs, during each Fuel accelerator, high-growth startups from around the world benefit from programming and support focused on developing operational value and selling to large customers, rather than just venture capital coaching.

This episode highlights several of Fuel’s current cohort members and innovators, including Tyler Zanon, CEO of EndoShunt Medical; Beth Gall, Vice President of Sales with Rainfall Health; and Andy Olson, Co-Founder and CEO at Inherent Biosciences.

Chicago, Illinois-based EndoShunt Medical offers an innovative medical device used for targeted hemorrhage control in emergency situations. With a vision of ending preventable abdominal hemorrhage death and improving patient outcomes, EndoShunt’s goal is to give trauma surgeons the gift of time so they can give trauma patients the gift of life. The device is a novel endovascular delivery system that allows surgeons to place a temporary length adjustable shunt within the major abdominal vessels, effectively controlling hemorrhaging from an injury while maintaining blood flow to the rest of the body.

Berkley, California-based Rainfall Health was established to help bridge the gap in providing access to quality healthcare in medical deserts by breaking down barriers to healthcare and ensuring patients receive the comprehensive care they deserve. Rainfall Health is a partner to health systems, healthcare plans and government organizations, where its platform enables streamlined clinical care, in-depth health analysis, patient care coordination and rural care with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). For patients, it provides quick scheduling, easy discovery of in-network providers plus immediate access to provider ratings.

Salt Lake City, Utah-based Inherent Biosciences is a team of molecular biologists, data scientists, healthcare providers and entrepreneurs at the intersection of epigenetics and AI. They are working together to create new clinical solutions to address complex healthcare concerns. Through the use of its platform, Inherent Biosciences detects dysregulation across multiple genes and related pathways to pioneer a new category of diagnostics and therapeutics, radically transforming how healthcare providers diagnose and treat complex diseases like infertility.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Darian Harris

(2:19) About the Fuel Accelerator

(4:31) How Fuel Partners with Other Organizations

(5:25) Darian’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(8:29) Introduction to Tyler Zanon

(9:17) About EndoShunt Medical

(11:12) How Fuel and Bentonville Has Helped Tyler

(13:08) Tyler’s past Experiences in Bentonville

(16:17) Tyler’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(17:29) Introduction to Beth Gall

(18:46) About Rainfall Health

(20:18) How Fuel and Bentonville Has Helped Beth

(21:49) Beth’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(23:10) Introduction to Andy Olson

(24:17) About Inherent Biosciences

(29:13) How Fuel and Bentonville Has Helped Andy

(33:44) Andy’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(37:14) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Darian Harris, MBA (darian@startupjunkie.org)

Tyler Zanon, MPH (tyler@endoshunt.com)

Downtown Bentonville Incorporated

Orchestrating Bentonville’s Vibrant Community with Dana Schlagenhaft of Downtown Bentonville Incorporated

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Dana Schlagenhaft, Executive Director of Downtown Bentonville Incorporated (DBI), a private, not-for-profit organization uniquely positioned as a driving force to build and promote a welcoming, secure and lively downtown Bentonville. Established over two decades ago, DBI has played a key role in revitalizing the city and making it a place that people are eager to visit, discover and share with others.

Downtown Bentonville Inc. works to activate downtown spaces through expertly executed events, advocating for current and future downtown businesses and amplifying the voices of all Bentonville residents. Events include the Bentonville Farmers Market and Virtual Farmers Market, First Friday, the Art Market, the City of Bentonville’s Lighting of the Square, the Bentonville Christmas Parade, Market at Record, New Year’s Eve celebrations, Bentonville Toyland, Shop the Block, and Downtown Bentonville Art and Culinary Week. Additionally, DBI hosts a live show Sundays on KFSM Sundays called DWTN Now where Dana and her co-host, Aaron Nolan, highlight the unique stories of Downtown Bentonville.

During the episode, Dana shares her fascinating journey and her role in bringing to life the festive community events. She also expands on Downtown Bentonville Incorporated’s mission, the unique spirit of the Greater Bentonville Area community and her thoughts on Bentonville’s vibrant future.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:53) Introduction to Dana Schlagenhaft

(3:03) About Downtown Bentonville Incorporated and Its Mission

(4:20) Exploring DBI’s Events

(6:09) Telling Unique Stories through DWTN Now

(7:43) Supporting Small Businesses Downtown

(9:10) How DBI Partners with Local Organizations

(10:57) Dana’s Vision for the Future

(13:20) Dana’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(14:45) What’s Upcoming for DBI

(16:45) Advice for Getting Involved in Downtown

(18:25) How to Help Further DBI’s Mission

(20:02) Closing Question

‍Links

Dana Schlagenhaft (dana@downtownbentonville.org)

Angels in the Heartland with Canem Arkan and Quinn Robertson of Endeavor

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Canem Arkan and Quinn Roberston from Endeavor, where Canem serves as Managing Director for Endeavor Heartland and Quinn is Director of the 412 Angels Program. Endeavor is the leading, global community of, by, and for high-impact entrepreneurs. It is on a mission to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging and underserved markets around the world. With the belief that high-impact entrepreneurs transform economies, Endeavor creates a multiplier effect by inspiring high-growth founders to dream bigger, scale faster and pay it forward, effectively compounding their individual impact.

Endeavor was established with the idea that entrepreneurship can thrive anywhere if given the right resources to grow, resulting in its global footprint spanning over 900 companies in more than 42 growth markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the United States and Canada. Endeavor’s portfolio companies have created more than 4 million jobs and generated over 24 billion dollars in revenue. In 2024, Endeavor Heartland took responsibility for 412 Angels, an investor network and program created to educate and grow the level of angel investing in the super region along the U.S. Highway 412 corridor from Tulsa, Oklahoma, through Northwest Arkansas.

Throughout this episode, Canem and Quinn expand on Endeavor’s approach to supporting scale-stage entrepreneurs and startups, and they share their views on how Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem has evolved. They also discuss 412 Angels’ investment thesis and how they are increasing the number of local angel investors through the platform.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:52) Introduction to Canem Arkan and Quinn Robertson

(4:55) Endeavor Heartland’s Mission and Presence in Bentonville

(8:14) About 412 Angels

(11:33) 412 Angels Investment Thesis

(15:28) Why to Consider Angel Investing

(19:45) How Bentonville’s Startup and Capital Funding Landscape Has Evolved

(26:05) Canem and Quinn’s #BecauseBentonville Stories

(28:29) Partnerships with Other Entrepreneurial Support Organizations

(32:33) About The Multiplier Effect Podcast

(40:34) Closing Question

‍Links

Canem Arkan (canem.arkan@endeavor.org)

Quinn Robertson (quinn.robertson@endeavor.org)

Endeavor

Endeavor Heartland

Balancing Growth & Progress with Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Mayor Bill Edwards of the City of Centerton, a community focused on a wholesome lifestyle, cultural history, environmental preservation and nurturing local business growth. Since the 2020 U.S. Census, Centerton’s population has grown more than thirty-five percent, vaulting it to the twentieth largest city in Arkansas.

Centerton’s population has grown from 9,500 to nearly 25,000 residents during Mayor Edwards’ pivotal fourteen years at the helm. During that time, Mayor Edwards has prioritized adding amenities that strengthen quality of life. Among these amenities are outdoor recreation opportunities including parks, pavilions, splash pads, a sports facility and walking trails–and now, a community center.

During the episode, Mayor Edwards describes his journey of transitioning from a career at J.B. Hunt to his first foray into politics as on the Centerton City Council to Centerton’s top leadership role–and he shares insights into how the city is evolving by blending progress with preservation. You’ll also hear what exciting initiatives are underway, like the new Community Center, and how the City of Centerton collaborates with the surrounding Greater Bentonville Area and Northwest Arkansas region as a whole.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:52) Introduction to Mayor Bill Edwards

(2:45) Mayor Edwards’ Journey to Becoming Mayor

(3:59) The Growth and Development of Centerton

(5:28) Accomplishments of Centerton’s City Departments

(6:38) Sustaining Quality of Life While Expanding

(8:41) Centerton’s Collaboration with the Greater Bentonville Area and NWA

(9:52) Business Opportunities in Centerton

(10:49) Mayor Edwards’ #BecauseCenterton Story

(11:55) Centerton’s Future Community Center and Initiatives

(14:27) Closing Questions

‍Links

Mayor Bill Edwards on Facebook

Mayor Bill Edwards - Contact Information

City of Centerton

Creating the Safest and Most Connected Community with Jessica Pearson of the Bentonville Moves Coalition

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jessica Pearson, Manager of the Bentonville Moves Coalition, a vibrant alliance of more than five hundred community organizations, local businesses, schools, institutions, civic leaders and engaged residents working together to make the Greater Bentonville Area the safest and most connected city in the Heartland by 2027. With a commitment to creating a mobility network that is equitable to all users, the Bentonville Moves Coalition supports increased transportation choices for Bentonville’s bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, plus policies and initiatives that improve prosperity, health and quality of life.

As a visionary leader, Jessica previously oversaw the development of twenty-five miles of natural surface trails in Springfield, Missouri. She now leads the Bentonville Moves Coalition to keep the Greater Bentonville Area community informed about projects headed by Trailblazers and the City of Bentonville.

Throughout the episode, Jessica expands on how the Bentonville Moves Coalition’s is bringing their vision to life, emphasizing tactical urbanism, protected routes, and clear road rules to further bolster Bentonville's amazing quality of life. Additionally, Jessica highlights how upcoming projects, active committees, and a mini-grant program are accelerating Bentonville's transportation and mobility innovations

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:52) Introduction to Jessica Pearson

(5:53) About the Bentonville Moves Coalition

(9:50) Highlighting Coalition Members

(14:38) Bentonville Moves Coalition Committees

(19:47) The Coalition’s Mini Grant Program

(23:38) Bicycle Friendly Neighborhoods Designation

(27:30) Jessica’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(30:35) Upcoming Bentonville Moves Coalition Projects

(36:20) Closing Question

‍Links

Jessica Pearson (jessica@bentonvillemoves.org)

Bentonville Moves Coalition

A Fresh Twist on Barbecue with Ravi Dadi of Beach BBQ

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Ravi Dadi, Co-Founder of Beach BBQ, which has proven to be a vibrant addition to Bentonville's culinary scene and is known for its fresh, innovative approach to barbecue. With a rich background in his prior role in information technology at Walmart, Ravi brings a unique blend of corporate savvy and entrepreneurial spirit to the table, where he and his team are transforming the traditional BBQ experience with flavors that surprise and delight. Throughout the episode, Ravi shares how Beach BBQ’s carefully crafted menu amplifies the customer experience and how the Greater Bentonville Area has bolstered Beach BBQ by enthusiastically welcoming the restaurant to its award-winning culinary landscape.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:51) Introduction to Ravi Dadi

(3:38) Transitioning from the Corporate Information Technology to the Restaurant Industry

(5:29) Creating the Beach BBQ Experience

(6:56) About Beach BBQ’s Ambience and Menu

(9:53) Bentonville’s Impact on the Development of Beach BBQ

(12:22) How the Community Has Helped Grow Beach BBQ

(14:30) The Future Vision for Beach BBQ

(17:19) Advice to Individuals Switching Industries

(22:23) Closing Question

‍Links

Ravi Dadi

Beach BBQ

Quotes

“We have to make sure, no matter whether it’s vegetarian or nonvegetarian, we have to create the same ambience for the customer when somebody walks into Beach BBQ. Because they should not be worried that they’re vegan and won’t be getting any options. We want to make sure that even the vegetarians that come will be getting better options than the nonvegetarians.” - Ravi Dadi, (9:34)

“[Bentonville’s] a great community to do business in Northwest Arkansas because we have seen the customers coming and they are appreciating the local businesses and they are passing the message to their friends and families.” - Ravi Dadi, (10:09)

“Greater Bentonville is helping us a lot. Also, Ledger…we have gotten a lot of customers from there…and even the biking community. We have been invited to do the catering for biking when big events happen. Even the school.” - Ravi Dadi, (12:33)

“Northwest Arkansas is one of the best places. If I had to go back and say wherever I want to do business, I would say Northwest Arkansas should be the first place to do business. The way the community is helping the newcomers and getting [Beach BBQ] connected…that’s one of the best parts of Northwest Arkansas. I don’t think we can see this in the bigger towns” - Ravi Dadi, (13:10)

Catalyzing Community Development & Impact Investing with Ramsay Ball of Grey Space Collective

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell chats with Ramsay Ball, Founder of Grey Space Collective, a nonprofit organization based in Bentonville that focuses on community development. Through Grey Space, Ramsay and his team focus on real estate, ventures, hospitality and nonprofits to catalyze community development and impact investing. Throughout the conversation, he shares how cultures, colors and companies blend together to form new relationships, accelerate entrepreneurship and create more good for our community and people. And it is by seeding opportunities for more music, food and art, that Grey Space does its part to do more good, which results in a virtuous cycle of doing more good for the Greater Bentonville area.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:53) Introduction to Ramsay Ball

(6:51) About Grey Space Collective

(17:12) Creating Collisions with Diverse Social Clustering Initiatives

(21:54) Defining Impact Investment

(29:15) Ramsay’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(32:29) The Secret to Happiness

(38:08) Closing Question

‍Links

Focus Commercial Real Estate

Ramsay Ball (479) 640-6405

Grey Space Collective

HighGround Hospitality

Quotes

“[We] ended up moving to Bentonville and it was the best move of my life. It’s such a dynamic region and there is so much opportunity here. So that’s how I got here, and I love being here…but so many people were not born here. So many people have come from different parts of Arkansas and around the country. It’s just wonderful. Truly, the land of opportunity is in Northwest Arkansas.” - Ramsay Ball, (5:02)

“...you mix artists, you mix tech people, tech people from different companies,all. Everyone will go to a show, enjoy music, enjoy food, and it creates an opportunity for breaking down barriers, whatever barriers might be there. We often say culture and colors–between different cultures and different colored people, we have a lot of diversity [in Bentonville], and then companies, confluence of companies or people with companies to come together. And we heard that–I heard that–and I was thinking ‘Aha!’, this makes sense, and there’s an economic reason to do it also. So that was really the beginning of the thought process of Grey Space Collective.” - Ramsay Ball, (18:33)

“Impact investment has been an investment thesis for our group and I call it profit with a purpose…I’m a big believer that there are opportunities in impact investment to potentially beat a market return…So that’s a focus that we have is to hopefully demonstrate that you can do really good things and make above market return on your investments.” - Ramsay Ball, (22:39)

“I’ve heard [the Greater Bentonville Area] described in many ways, but the difference here is the culture. I noticed that when I moved up here. That’s what really sucked me in back in the day, was the opportunity and how things were merit-based…It’s progressive and so many people that come here feel that same spirit.” - Ramsay Ball, (29:28)

“The strategic leadership [in Bentonville] is so good. The mindset of the people here is so good. It’s very practical in ways, but very accepting of new ideas and thought processes. It’s unique, but there’s a certain magic here.” - Ramsay Ball, (31:42)

Bentonville’s Dining Revolution: Japan’s Culinary Art + Northwest Arkansas’s Ingredients with Phil Libin of Bentoville

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with return guest Phil Libin, a renowned serial entrepreneur known for his transformative ventures such as Evernote, All Turtles, mmhmm and now, Bentoville. Bentoville is a new concept that promises to revolutionize the dining experience in the Greater Bentonville Area by combining Japan’s culinary art with vibrant, local food culture from Northwest Arkansas. Throughout the conversation, Phil shares his insights on entrepreneurship,outlines his journey from the San Francisco tech scene to Northwest Arkansas and delves into the virtuous cycle and connection of quality of life and quality of work, while shedding light on the philosophy behind Bentoville.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:52) Introduction to Phil Libin

(3:36) About Bentoville’s Co-Founders

(5:15) The Inspiration and Vision behind Bentoville

(13:11) Bentoville’s Approach to Sustainability and Local Sourcing

(18:47) Belonging and Co-Creation

(21:25) How Phil’s Thoughts on Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas Have Evolved

(25:58) Phil’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(32:15) Advice for Entrepreneurs in Goldilocks Cities

(36:22) Closing Question

‍Links

Phil Libin

Bentoville

Quotes

“There’s a business hypothesis behind [Bentoville]...And it’s the theme that we were calling the Goldilocks cities. And what it means is over the next decade or so, more and more people will have the opportunity to choose where they want to live and where they want to work and not have those two decisions to be completely tied to each other…And a lot of those people are going to choose places that are optimizing for quality of life.” - Phil Libin, (6:39)

“We want people to think that you don’t have to give up anything. We don’t have to give up much because the perception in the past is…we get a slightly better quality of life, but we’re probably giving up some food and some culture and other things. And we’re saying, no, all of it can be better. Obviously, everything has some trade offs, but you don’t have to make any of those big sacrifices to go to a place that’s meant to be a great place to live.” - Phil Libin, (9:54)

“Bentoville is Japan style food, meaning it’s authentic Japanese food, but the important thing is not that it’s ingredients from Japan or even strict dishes, we’re not trying to make an American’s idea of a Japanese restaurant, we’re trying to make a cool restaurant in Japan.” - Phil Libin, (13:31)

“One of my board members said this quote that really stuck with me. She said, ‘What’s the difference between belonging to something and just being invited?’ And she said you can only belong to something that you help create, so if you want to have a feeling of belonging, you have to help create it. You can’t belong to something that you were a passive participant in…And so we’re really reaching out to the community, to people and to businesses because we want to be in that co-creation process.” - Phil Libin, (19:04)

“Everyone shows up [to Bentonville] without much expectation, and then everyone leaves blown away by how cool it is and how liveable it’s been.” - Phil Libin, (23:05)

A New Era for Walmart: Inside the New Home Office Project with Cindi Marsiglio

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Cindi Marsiglio, Senior Vice President for Corporate Real Estate at Walmart. With over two decades of experience in corporate real estate and government affairs, Cindi is at the forefront of Walmart’s monumental new home office located in Bentonville. She brings a wealth of insight from overseeing the mammoth task of managing Walmart’s office space across the United States, solidifying her as a leader who plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Bentonville’s thriving community. Throughout the conversation, Cindi shares the significance and intent behind Walmart’s cutting edge, open-concept campus, the sustainability efforts it’s championing and how it's transforming the way we live, work and play in the Greater Bentonville Area.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Cindi Marsiglio

(3:35) Cindi’s Role as Senior Vice President for Corporate Real Estate

(6:46) How Walmart’s New Campus Fits Its Goals

(10:25) Walmart’s New Campus’ Work Atmosphere

(15:57) The Sustainability of Walmart’s New Campus

(20:31) The Opening Timeline of Walmart’s New Campus

(24:53) About the Walton Family Whole Health and Fitness Center

(30:26) The Open Campus Design of Walmart’s New Home Office

(34:45) How Bentonville Helps Cindi and Her Family and Her Family Live Their Best Lives

(39:53) Cindi’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(41:56) Advice for Tackling Challenges to Propel Careers

(50:03) Closing Questions

‍Links

Bentonville Economic Development @ Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Cindi Marsiglio

Walmart

Walmart’s New Home Office

Quotes

“[Walmart’s new campus] is part of our overall aspiration to provide really great jobs with really great benefits. And part of that is to have a home office campus that is fit for the future. We want to retain great talent and attract new great talent…because Bentonville has been our home, staying in Bentonville was a fairly straightforward decision for us. We knew this was a place we wanted to continue to build the future of our global company, and that Bentonville was going to partner with us and go along on that journey with us.” - Cindi Marsiglio, (7:00)

“...it is about a mile from the downtown Bentonville square, and so it very much is in the heart of the Bentonville community. We have businesses and residents living on every edge of the campus and it’s a unique open environment. And so you want to be very much thoughtful about how you positively impact the community as a whole.” - Cindi Marsiglio, (10:52)

“...even more important than that, for me, is Bentonville’s evolution to becoming a much more broad, evolving, thoughtfully inclusive community so that people who visit here or choose to build a life and have a family or have a career here, it’s a journey that we’re on together. And I can play my own unique role, my family can play a unique role. But I think we can all find a place inside the community to be additive to that. I think it’s very unique, and I think Bentonville’s desire to be the best Bentonville we can allows us to chart that path.” - Cindi Marsiglio, (36:11)

Brewing Community: A Journey Into Coffee and Culture with Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, Co-Founder and Owner of Third Space Coffee, a beloved coffee haven nestled inside Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas in Bentonville. As an award-winning documentary filmmaker, Brooke’s work has appeared in National Geographic, PBS, NBC Sports, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, ABC Australia and more. Brooke’s curiosity and passion for cultural experiences led her to embrace the study of food anthropology and delve into the world of coffee, exploring the rich histories and communal aspects hidden in every cup. With the belief that sharing moments over coffee can create a lasting impact and break down barriers, Brooke shares about the founding of Third Space Coffee, why its menu is as intentional as the space it occupies and how it's fostering a community hub on the ancestral lands of the Quapaw, Caddo and Osage, in the heart of Bentonville, where connections are forged, ideas are exchanged and dreams are nurtured.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:53) Introduction to Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

(2:48) From Documentary Filmmaker to Coffee Shop Owner

(7:51) About Third Space Coffee and Why It’s Unique

(12:29) Third Space Coffee’s Mission

(17:52) Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas

(20:29) Potential Opportunities with 8th Street Gateway Park

(23:25) Community Partnerships

(28:37) Brooke’s Journey to Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas

(31:56) Brooke’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(35:08) Advice for Tackling Unknown Challenges

(43:53) Closing Question

‍Links

Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas

Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

Third Space Coffee Co

Bierhaus Creative

Quotes

“I think one big thing about Third Space is that even in the name, we teased how we’re a third place now. Third places are needed in society. They’re not home or the office. They’re this place where it needs to be accessible in public to everyone.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (7:59)

“We always say that we’re not just connecting humans to humans, we’re connecting humans to nature, humans to wildlife…but maybe it is a day where you put headphones in and you just want to work somewhere that’s good energy and around good people. And that’s what we want to provide.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (9:50)

“It was really important to us to be this shining bright light on someone’s day. And people who come in, they could be having an awful day, but if you get just three to five minutes to make it better, you’re doing something right.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (16:02)

“[The Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce has been] huge in allowing us to really get connected with other businesses as well, and be a part of the community and to either give some of our time and also be given a lot of insight and connections as well.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (23:36)

“People really lend their time, and I really believe that could only happen [in Bentonville]. And so Third Space Coffee is the manifestation of all of that, the culmination of all those connections.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (34:10)

Exploring Bella Vista’s Transformation with Mayor John Flynn

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn. Bella Vista is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities and growing community spirit, and as only the third mayor in the city’s history, Mayor Flynn’s leadership is pivotal in guiding and shaping Bella Vista’s growth. With a diverse background in law, education and public service, Mayor Flynn’s journey from corporate counsel to professor to Mayor of one of Northwest Arkansas’s most picturesque cities, solidifies his commitment and willingness to serve and improve the community he has grown to call home. Throughout the conversation, Mayor Flynn shares Bella Vista’s compelling blend of rich history and his vision for its future. He also discusses how the town’s friendly residents, community spirit and quality of life attract newcomers seeking natural beauty and opportunity, making Bella Vista a true gem in Greater Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn

(3:59) Mayor Flynn’s Motivation for Public Service

(5:36) How Mayor Flynn’s Experiences Have Shaped His Mayoral Career

(7:21) Bella Vista’s Fascinating History

(11:40) Mayor Flynn’s Vision for Bella Vista’s Future

(16:10) Bella Vista’s Personality and Its Role in Northwest Arkansas

(19:20) Current Developments in Bella Vista

(23:40) Experiences People Can Have in Bella Vista

(25:49) Mayor Flynn’s #BecauseBellaVista Story

(27:16) Why Bella Vista is Unique

(31:43) Advice to Residents Aspiring to Get Involved in Local Government

(34:02) Closing Question

‍Links

Mayor John Flynn

City of Bella Vista

Quotes

“[Bella Vista] has continued to grow in a successful way, and for the future, it certainly appears we’re going to continue to have growth, and that’s not going to be a problem. I’m looking to have controlled growth and maybe even keep from growing too fast. We’d like to develop the commercial side a little bit more.” - Mayor Flynn, (12:10)

“The nice thing about this area is there’s people in Bentonville and in Northwest Arkansas who are very interested in connectivity. Walmart’s been encouraging their employees to ride to work, and they have a goal of having ten percent of their employees riding their bikes to work, and there are a few people from Bella Vista doing that now.” - Mayor Flynn, (13:59)

“[Bella Vista’s] morphed into a combination of a [retirement community] and a bedroom suburb because so many people are going into town working at Walmart or JB Hunt. So we have an awful lot of people working at those folks and living in Bella Vista. And the trails have had an effect of making Bella Vista a bit younger, too…We have a vibrant trails community. And to have a lot of different outdoor activities, whether on purpose or just developed that way, we’ve become quite an outdoor recreational area and Bella Vista has certainly got a lot of outdoor recreational opportunities.” - Mayor Flynn, (16:48)

“[Bella Vista] is very welcoming and I feel like it’s a special place. And one of the things I always think about is you could play golf, or you could go on the trails, or you could go to Cooper Chapel, but most people move from out of town and the thing they comment on is how friendly and welcoming the people are.” - Mayor Flynn, (27:32)

Yeyo's Next Chapter: Farm Fresh to Culinary Ventures with Chef Rafael Rios

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this installment of The Bentonville Beacon, James Bell hosts Chef Rafael Rios, Founder and CEO of Yeyo’s. Yeyo's stands out as a celebrated culinary enterprise in Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas, acclaimed for its authentic Mexican cuisine and dedication to sustainable farming practices. This journey began with the Rios Family Farm and one of Bentonville's first food trucks, eventually expanding into multiple venues, including a restaurant in Bentonville’s 8th Street Market and a mezcaleria in downtown Rogers. Yeyo's is distinguished by its farm-to-table approach, using fresh ingredients from the family's farms to craft flavorful and traditional Mexican dishes. Chef Rios has been recognized as a multi-time James Beard Semifinalist, underscoring Yeyo's exceptional culinary quality and innovation. This prestigious acknowledgment places Yeyo's among America's top culinary experiences, highlighting its commitment to excellence and deep-rooted passion for Mexican food culture. During the discussion, Rafael shares how his familial heritage has shaped Yeyo’s approach to cuisine, how he blends his roots with the local culture and how Yeyo’s remains true to its farm-to-table philosophy while providing distinct experiences at each of its establishments.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Chef Rafael Rios

(4:04) Rafael’s Journey to Becoming a Restaurateur

(10:23) Multi-time James Beard Award Semifinalist

(12:59) Passion for the Farm-to-Table Philosophy

(19:32) Key Factors Leading to Yeyo’s Growth

(20:41) Breaking News: Unveiling Casa Magnolia in Springdale and a Fayetteville Food Truck

(24:39) Each Yeyo’s Location Offers a Unique Experience

(29:47) Happiness is What Brings People to Bentonville

(33:44) Rafael’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(35:56) Blending Rafael’s Mexican Roots with Local Culture

(39:12) The Spiritual Connection of Corn and Mexican Cuisine

(41:51) Advice to Aspiring Culinary Entrepreneurs

(43:41) Closing Questions

‍Links

Yeyo’s Mezcaleria y Taqueria

Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico

Quotes

“We have the ability and the capability of changing the culinary scene in our region…We are resilient. We know what we want, and our team embraces that. Our family embraces that. We work harder now…it allows us to fulfill a certain level of obligation that we now have with our community, the Latino community specifically, to empower them and let them know that we’re here and that we can do a lot of things if we do it from the heart.” - Chef Rafael Rios, (11:24)

“[Family] matters to what I consider a vital element to a healthy community. So what is it that you are truly doing with your business, and how is it seen by the community? Is it a sustainable business? But the most important thing is the added value to a meal and how it connects with the soil and Northwest Arkansas…everything is tied up to an experience at the end of the day. So we focus on what the experience is going to be.” - Chef Rafael Rios, (18:21)

“There is love for community, which is one of the biggest things that drove me to live [in Bentonville]. There is kindness throughout. There are opportunities…Living in Bentonville is a culmination of what our story was initially intended to be. We were looking for a place where we can be ourselves and we can be happy, a place where we can have opportunities to grow. Our kids can have good schools to go to, and the overall quality of life is amazing…So the overall thing is happiness. Happiness is what brings people to Bentonville.” - Chef Rafael Rios, (30:01)

Unboxing Bentonville’s Unique Blend of Business and Creativity with Bryan Fittin

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Bryan Fittin, Founder and CEO of Go Rogue Studio, a video production company who partners with individuals and businesses to create exceptionally customized content fit for unique brands, strategies and goals. With fifteen years of experience in the corporate world, Bryan’s journey from a career in sales and development to founding a creative agency provides a unique perspective on what it takes to thrive in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape. Bryan’s multifaceted role as a leader, mentor and community influencer makes him a key player in shaping the strong entrepreneurial spirit of the Greater Bentonville Area. Throughout the conversation, Bryan shares how lessons he learned from his corporate background have translated to business ownership, how Go Rogue is striving to build a network of creators and how Bentonville works to foster creativity and innovation in its entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:57) Introduction to Bryan Fittin

(4:29) About Go Rogue

(8:47) About the Rogue Creators Podcast

(11:07) Building a Network of Creators

(13:53) Translating a Sales Background to Leadership Skills

(17:54) How Bentonville Has Impacted the Growth of Go Rogue

(20:14) How Bentonville Fosters Creativity and Innovation

(22:28) Why Bentonville Stands Out to Entrepreneurs and Creators

(25:34) Bryan’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(28:39) What’s Next for Go Rogue

(33:20) Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

(49:17) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Bryan Fittin

Go Rogue Studio

Rogue Creators Podcast

Quotes

“[The Rogue Creators podcast] is a more selfish desire for me to be around other creatives and have those conversations and really create a community and a network of people because a lot of times what happens is, especially creators, we get this silo mentality…And that’s just not a way of growing. You have to collaborate to grow. And so for me that’s how can I get around creatives, have fun conversations with them, and get to know them as well as their processes.” - Bryan Fittin, (10:21)

“I expected [the Rogue Creators event] to be something small and we had people show up and it was great. We had some great sponsors as well and it was just a great time of people getting to know each other, and now we have people asking us when are you guys going to do that again…We even had some sponsors come on and say we want to sponsor the next one, which is super encouraging. And so that is something specifically for Bentonville, and Northwest Arkansas in general is a great place to be because of that. The community here wants to support.” - Bryan Fittin, (11:46)

“I think with the investments of the Waltons in general, obviously with the technology side of things, as well as mountain biking, I would say just being around and being in these conversations and hearing them and what you’re seeing, it only encourages you to do more and to be a part of that. And so this community is very alive. Bentonville is very alive.” - Bryan Fittin, (20:29)

The Future of Healthcare at Home with Andres Lazarte of Basis Health

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this insightful episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell shares the studio with Andres Lazarte, Co-Founder & President of Basis Health, a pioneering healthcare provider that relocated from Boise, Idaho, to Bentonville, Arkansas, in 2021. Basis Health is revolutionizing healthcare for aging people by delivering expert medical care right in the comfort of their homes. Basis makes healthcare accessible to elderly patients regardless of living setting and is reducing unnecessary hospital visits and healthcare costs, improving their quality of life.

Dedicated to innovation, Basis Health is at the forefront of shifting healthcare to a preventative, patient-centered model. As they continue to innovate, what will further set them apart is their use of cutting-edge artificial intelligence and predictive modeling technologies designed to continuously analyze conditions of their patients, identify the earliest onset of clinical decline and rapidly provide medical interventions and follow-up care.

Tune in now to discover the future of medicine!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:55) Introduction to Andres Lazarte

(3:46) About Basis Health and Its Unique Approach

(6:07) The Future of Healthcare

(8:54) Basis Health’s Relocation to Bentonville

(13:33) Basis Health’s Involvement in the Greater Bentonville Community

(15:45) How Bentonville Helps Andres and His Family Balance Work and Life

(19:36) Andres’ #BecauseBentonville Story

(23:43) Advice to Aspiring Healthcare Entrepreneurs

(26:12) Closing Question

‍Links

Andres Lazarte

Basis Health

Quotes

“Our unique approach is that we send providers, nurses, and urgent care workers to the patient’s home and we see them on a consistent basis. We’re able to see how their living looks, whether it’s assisted living, independent living, memory care. Wherever the patient is, we can meet them and bring healthcare to their door.” - Andres Lazarte, (4:17)

“Bentonville is the perfect spot because there’s support everywhere. We can really take all this healthcare and move it home because all the pieces are here, the support is here, the community is all about it…if you’re an entrepreneur, you should be flocking to Northwest Arkansas.” - Andres Lazarte, (13:05)

“[Bentonville] is such a unique location because it gives us the opportunity to get out in nature. We get to go to all these incredible activities. Almost every single weekend there is something to be done, something we can do as a family or individually that doesn’t involve me being in my office or going out and visiting some of my clients, so it really does a great job. We work hard and we play hard here in Bentonville.” - Andres Lazarte, (16:38)

“There was a day I woke up early in the morning, I went fishing, went on a hike though Kohler, and then within that same morning had a meeting with some Fortune 500 business owners and people who work for some of the biggest companies in the country. That doesn’t happen anywhere else…and because of Bentonville, I’m able to fulfill my love of being with my family, go out and fish and enjoy nature and hike, and then also make meetings with people that other people in other parts of the world have to fly hundreds of miles to get to.” - Andres Lazarte, (20:00)

Discovering Northwest Arkansas with Phillip Shepard of All Things NWA

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this engaging episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell visits with Phillip Shepard, the visionary behind All Things NWA and a seasoned Realtor at Collier & Associates. Phillip brings more than a decade of real estate prowess to the table, passionately guiding people through the captivating landscape of Greater Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas. He explores the region's unique fusion of outdoor allure, bustling event scenes and tight-knit community, all set against a backdrop of a thriving business environment and abundant high-quality job opportunities. A champion of the area's blend of mid-sized city comfort and big-city amenities, Phillip proudly labels it as the best place to live, work and play in America. He recounts his own transition from Chicago, exploring numerous remarkable U.S. communities before identifying Northwest Arkansas as the ultimate locale. Throughout the conversation, Phillip sheds light on how the Greater Bentonville Area is drawing a diverse populace, fostering growth and entrepreneurship within a community fabric that's rich in collaboration and unity.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Phillip Shepard

(4:26) Phillip’s Relocation to NWA

(7:06) The Status of NWA’s Residential Property Market

(11:39) The Benefits of Living in the Greater Bentonville Area

(19:27) NWA’s Big City Amenities

(24:22) Upcoming Developments in the Greater Bentonville Area

(28:13) Phillip’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(31:44) Why Bentonville’s a Desirable Place to Live, Work and Play

(42:27) Closing Question

‍Links

Phillip Shepard

All Things NWA

All Things NWA YouTube

Everything NWA

Collier & Associates

Quotes

“In the scale of everything, Northwest Arkansas still is very affordable in comparison. Now, the asterisk there, is you can find cheaper housing in America, but the unique thing about this area is that you get all the benefits of a larger area but with affordable housing. It’s really hard to find that sweet balance between having an area where you can have a job, you can live, you can work, you can play all in NWA. But you can’t find that anywhere else in America and have that affordable housing aspect to it.” - Phillip Shepard, (11:02)

“...to talk about the perks of Bentonville. That’s just kind of baked into the cake of being so close to the downtown section, all the events, all the community, all the biking trails, all of the things that go on in Downtown Bentonville. It’s fantastic.” - Phillip Shepard, (12:57)

“The fact the the Downtown [Bentonville] Area, which is very community focused, in a matter of months, can go from in one weekend, we can do farmers market, we can do a one hundred mile gravel race, we can do a 5k, we can do a Bentonville Film Festival, then an ice skating rink, and there’s a Bentonville Bike Fest happening. And it’s like how can so much happening in such a small area have such an impact and be done so well…you can leave the downtown square and come back the next day and it’s totally different. It’s an endless amount of stuff that only happens [in Bentonville].” - Phillip Shepard, (28:44)

“From a cultural perspective, there’s something for everyone. And the things that Bentonville has been focusing on are things that are core to almost everyone. If you say what’s important to a family, I want to have great schools for my kids, check. What’s important for people that want to move here, jobs and a career path, check. What’s important for people that just want to retire, you have Bella Vista, check. What’s important for single people that want to start a new life and get a new community, check. So you can go down the list and [the Greater Bentonville Area] hits so many important things.” - Phillip Shepard, (32:33)

Igniting Futures: Bentonville's Next-Gen Leaders at the NWA Tech Summit

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

Join host James Bell in this special episode of The Bentonville Beacon podcast featuring interviews with students from Bentonville Schools’s Ignite Professional Studies Program. These conversations were live-recorded at the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit, where the students were exposed to innovators, creators and leaders reshaping the world. At the start of the show, James also sits down with the program’s Director, Jessica Imel, to learn how Ignite helps juniors and seniors gain valuable work-based experience, industry-valued credentials and high-quality classroom instruction across nine different career fields. Ignite Professional Studies upholds its commitment to excellence by creating a real, relevant learning environment that helps students make informed decisions about their futures and prepares them for challenges and opportunities ahead. This nationally recognized program represents the collaboration of education, business and community to provide students with unique and immersive involvement that results in highly skilled, adaptable global innovators and leaders. Tune in now to discover how one of Bentonville’s unique educational programs is shaping tomorrow’s leaders today!

Show Notes

(1:46) Introducing Jessica Imel

(3:39) About Ignite Professional Studies Program

(6:23) Jessica’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(8:06) What’s Next for Ignite

(11:12) Advice for Learning New Skills

(12:20) Introducing Kaushal Dhumal

(12:43) Kaushal’s Project with the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

(14:43) Kaushal’s Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit Experience

(15:43) Kaushal’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(17:21) Introducing Sarthak Chaturvedi

(17:55) Sarthak’s Experience with Ignite Health Sciences

(19:32) Sarthak’s Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit Experience

(20:47) Sarthak’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(23:11) Introducing Aditya Sohaney

(26:54) Aditya’s Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit Experience

(28:13) Aditya’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(29:57) Introducing Praneel Vakkalagadda

(32:37) Praneel’s Experience with Ignite Health Sciences

(35:25) Pranee’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(36:57) Closing Thoughts

Links

Ignite Professional Studies

Jessica Imel

Bentonville Schools

Quotes

“One year ago, the chamber offered us some complimentary tickets to the NWA Tech Summit, and it was over fall break so we weren't hosting class, but we offered this opportunity to students. We had a couple of students who took us up on it, even though it was fall break, and listened to a session and wanted to meet the speaker afterwards. And what ended up happening is they ended up getting on a call. He invited them to join his research project. They did. They spent nearly all summer working on it…Fast forward to this year's Tech Summit, they were invited to do a thirty minute session to share their findings. We have stories like that in all of the career strands that we offer, but it's just one of those things that you're like, only in Bentonville would something like that happen.” - Jessica Imel, (6:47)

“One story that I have is Walmart. The Store 100 was opening a section of the store that would be directed to only fulfilling online orders. And it would be different because it would be very automated. Store associates wouldn't have to go inside the store and take up aisle space, taking up a lot of time. It'd be much more efficient. And we got to meet the CEO personally. I got to talk to John Furner, the CEO of Walmart U.S., and that's something that can only happen in Bentonville. Meeting the CEO of a Fortune 1 company in a store, that would only happen in Bentonville.” - Kaushal Dhumal, (15:43)

“We were in DC for a hosted trip, and we got to go to the Capitol building and speak to our state senator. Many of the states had trouble getting access and speaking to their state senator, but Senator Boozman was so friendly with us and we were able to talk to him. And apart from that, just meeting government officials so easily. Like over at our Ignite building, we've had people like Lukas Walton come in, the Senator, the State Secretary of Education, the Walton Family Foundation that have toured our building. And I've had the opportunity to give them those tours. So having people of that level come into our school and try to see what Ignite is and what these different things that us students are doing is just something I believe can only happen in Arkansas. It's a small circle, but we're all tight together.” - Sarthak Chaturvedi, (20:57)

“I moved from India here last year, to Bentonville. And I think it's the people in Bentonville, the kindness of the people and how grateful they are. I don't think I've ever made friends so fast and people being so nice to me ever like that. And I think in the past year I've made the best friend circle ever, got these internships, the high school program for Ignite, and I think it's just all these things together that make Bentonville as a whole.” - Aditya Sohaney, (28:25)

“We're such a small community, right? But there's so much, there's so many companies and we're able to get those experiences more than somewhere in Dallas where there's so much competition. It's limited to what you can do…but with how small [Bentonville] is, we're able to meet so many people and they remember us too because it's not like they meet thousands of people every day. They remember our faces. So these opportunities to connect with people are helpful.” - Praneel Vakkalagadda, (35:35)

Think Big, Plan Big and Play Big with NWACC's Dr. Dennis Rittle

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Dr. Dennis Rittle, President of NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC). NorthWest Arkansas Community College is a public, two-year institution that provides quality and affordable higher education in an effort to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding areas. NWACC is a nationally recognized, comprehensive college serving regional, national and international students on two campuses in Northwest Arkansas. With approximately three decades of experience in the higher education industry, Dr. Rittle shares his vision for NWACC and dives into NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s rich history and how it connects to Bentonville’s dynamic evolution.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Dr. Dennis Rittle

(9:43) NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s History and Its Bond with Bentonville

(13:18) Dr. Rittle’s Vision for NWACC

(15:33) An Overview of NWACC’s Innovative Programs and Future Developments

(23:21) Personal and Professional Impact of Bentonville

(31:02) Dr. Rittle’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(35:19) How Dr. Rittle’s past Experiences Shaped His Leadership

(47:47) Advice to Individuals Aspiring to Be in the Field of Education

(54:20) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC)

Dr. Dennis Rittle (drittle@nwacc.edu)

DennisRittle.com

Quotes

“[NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s] reaches are regional and now not only national, but international. We have students that are studying overseas. We have faculty that study overseas. We have those who are overseas coming here to Bentonville to study. Why is that? Because the college thought beyond. It thought bigger than itself, but it allowed the reach of Bentonville to go beyond…it thought big, it planned big, and then it played big.” - Dr. Rittle, (11:56)

“I think first and foremost, remembering that we are a community college, community is in our middle name. When people ask me, how should the college look and appear in the upcoming years, I said it should be a mirror of the community’s needs. Secondly, and tied inextricably to that mirroring of the community, is that we are student centric. We are focused on the needs of our students and where they are.” - Dr. Rittle, (13:25)

“They’re very eclectic, the students, both in their languages, in their experiences in life and in their stations of life. And so the more that we can have those relational collisions between students that allows to enhance the learning experience, that is my vision for the college.” - Dr. Rittle, (15:11)

“But here it is, [Bentonville] is an area that’s rapidly growing, and people still view other people as people. People are not viewed as things. They’re people. And I think that’s one of the greatest beauties here, is amongst all the innovation and all of the brilliance that exists here, through all of that, people still remember other people are people. And people are valued and respected and they’re treated well and they’re friendly.” - Dr. Rittle, (27:20)

Coffee and Community: Exploring Airship's Unique Destinations with Mark Bray

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Mark Bray, Owner and Founder of Airship Coffee. This independently owned, specialty coffee company boasts four unique cafes and a roastery, all located in Bentonville, Arkansas. Since its inception in 2008, Airship has consistently strived to exceed the ordinary in all its endeavors, with a strong commitment to enhancing the coffee experience for everyone involved. This commitment is underpinned by a dedication to excellence, fueled by the belief that its cafes are not just places to enjoy coffee, but vibrant hubs where genuine community connections flourish. Throughout the episode, James and Mark explore how Airship’s cafes are designed as destinations for adventure and why Bentonville's community-focused ethos makes it the perfect setting for Airship’s distinctive locations.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:52) Introduction to Mark Bray

(5:54) Airship’s Bentonville Locations

(13:57) How Bentonville’s Characteristics Influence Airship

(16:06) Airship’s Local Initiatives and Partnerships

(20:19) Mark’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(33:40) Advice to Business Owners That Are Community Driven

(39:07) What’s on the Horizon for Airship

(43:22) Closing Question

‍Links

Bentonville Moves Coalition

Mark Bray

Airship Coffee

Quotes

“Our idea around cafes is it’s not just a product that we’re designing, it’s an experience, and it’s a place. And so there’s the product that we associate with each one of our locations, and each one has a unique offering as well, but then there’s the identity of the place. And the Fifth Street location was a tasting room off the end of our roastery. So it’s become a place to get your canister filled, or buy a bag, and that is the identity of the place. We sell a tremendous amount of whole bean coffee to people that want to brew quality coffee at home.” - Mark Bray, (7:29)

“There’s an element of our culture at Airship that’s based on the identity of all the individuals that make up our community there internally. And I really believe that innovation only occurs when people are really hitting the sweet spot when they’re doing the thing that they were meant to do…And so my job in the business is to understand what that is for each person. And we’re trying to create a culture where that can come to life in the business. And then people are able to contribute to the community in that way.” - Mark Bray, (14:09)

“That’s what we’re here trying to do, is make Bentonville a better place to live. And to me, that really captures something very unique to Bentonville, there’s not a big us-versus-them mentality. There’s support coming from all angles.” - Mark Bray, (24:39)

“We chose Bentonville because we live here, raise our family here, and this is home. And it happens to have amazing potential for growth at the same time.” - Mark Bray, (44:57)

Runways to Growth: How XNA Transformed Bentonville and NWA with Andrew Branch

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Andrew Branch, Chief Operating Officer of XNA Northwest Arkansas National Airport. XNA began operations twenty-five years ago following an opening ceremony from then-President Bill Clinton and Air Force One. The airport's mission is to ensure that the safest and most modern aviation infrastructure is in place to satisfy the needs of the traveling public. The airport’s economic impact exceeds $500 million dollars and provides thousands of jobs annually. With nearly one million boardings, this year will be the best year in the airport’s history. Throughout the episode, James and Andrew discuss the start and growth of XNA and how the airport is connecting the region’s community to the world all while making Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas an even more desirable place for business and residents.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:57) Introduction to Andrew Branch

(3:29) Andrew’s Role as Chief Operating Officer

(5:06) XNA Northwest Arkansas National Airport’s Founding Story and Its Achievements

(7:52) The Challenges of Growing an Airport

(9:46) New XNA Construction and Terminal Modernization

(17:27) Aspects of Northwest Arkansas That Draw People Here

(24:42) Andrew’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(26:27) How Northwest Arkansas’s Growth Is Influencing XNA

(30:25) Andrew’s Three Wishes for XNA

(34:25) Utilizing Skills Learned and Developed in Previous Roles

(37:37) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

XNA Northwest Arkansas National Airport

Andrew Branch (andrew.branch@flyxna.com)

Quotes

“To your question about contributing to Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas’s desirability, the figure I’ve heard is something around sixty percent of people in Benton county were not born in Arkansas. So obviously they come from somewhere and their families are other places. That, along with the businesses that do business with Walmart, Tyson and J. B. Hunt that are here, having that connectivity where you can conduct business or have family visit you, it’s easier. I think that is huge for a region to be able to attract the kind of citizens we’re trying to attract to work at these companies.” - Andrew Branch, (11:47)

“I’ve lived in other places and not any place I’ve lived had so many of those things that you could do in one place and walk around. [Bentonville’s] like a perfect small town, and then five minutes away you’ve got all these other amenities that you wouldn’t see in a small town. And I think that’s what is unique about Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.” - Andrew Branch, (25:16)

“I was at an event in Fayetteville today and they were talking about how if you live in Bentonville, you want Bentonville to win. But if Bentonville isn’t going to get this new business, if Fayetteville gets it, that’s great, because there’s a feeling of it being a region, and that’s unlike other places I’ve lived. It’s not so competitive between the different cities. Obviously, there’s some healthy competition, but if we can’t get it, we want them to get it. We want the region to win regardless of whether it’s our city or the next city.” - Andrew Branch, (23:21)

2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 4: Ranu Jung, Justin Urso, Randy Wilburn, Jack Short and Katie Thompson

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

Join host James Bell in the final episode of a special four-part series of The Bentonville Beacon podcast, featuring live-recorded conversations at the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit with the thinkers and doers shaping the future of global tech in Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare and diversify the Northwest Arkansas economy. Now in its tenth year, the event is hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce and is supported by nearly 100 partners, including the Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Verizon, Salesforce, T-Mobile for Business, Zebra, Scott Family Amazeum and Arvest. These episodes bring together voices from the event to share their company’s stories, personal insights and unique #BecauseBentonville moments that define the community’s character. Tune in as we explore the innovations and experiences that are fostering a culture where technology meets the essence of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas!

Show Notes

(1:12) Introducing Ranu Jung and I³R

(7:12) Ranu’s Ernst & Young Innovator of the Year Award

(8:48) Ranu’s #BecauseBentonville Story

( 11:49) Introducing Justin Urso and the Walton College Master of Science in Product Innovation

(13:28) About the McMillon Innovation Studio

(16:59) Justin’s Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit Experiences

(18:17) Justin’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(21:10) Introducing Randy Wilburn

(24:15) Randy’s Northwest Arkansas Tech Summit Experience

(26:18) Randy’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(31:29) Introducing to Jack Short and the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

(34:56) Jack’s NWA Technology Summit Experience

(35:38) Jack’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(38:53) Introducing Katie Thompson and Science Venture Studio at Winrock International

(47:11) Katie’s NWA Tech Summit Experience

(50:01) Katie’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(53:59) Closing Thoughts

Links

Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I³R) at University of Arkansas

Ranu Jung

McMillon Innovation Studio at University of Arkansas

Justin Urso

Master of Science in Product Innovation (MSPI) at University of Arkansas

Big Box Karaoke
Concord Adams

Randy Wilburn

ONBoardNWA

I am Northwest Arkansas

Jack Short

Science Venture Studio at Winrock International

Katie Thompson

Quotes

“You walk into this place, Northwest Arkansas, and what do you see on The Momentary shouting out in pink? You belong here. This place has a unique situation. Think of it like a baby and a toddler growing up, and excitement of people coming together and all sectors, right? There is the private industry. There’s the philanthropic organizations. There is an entrepreneurial spirit. What did I hear, thirty-six people a day coming into this place. Only in [Bentonville and NWA] can you think about a future where people say, ‘Are you crazy that you’re going to be able to deploy solutions?’ It’s like, no, we are not because we are together. We have the ability in this place, unlike many other places, to not only think of solutions, not only produce solutions, not only deliver them, but actually deploy them and be able to move them at scale. So converge and together find the solutions and then distribute an impact at scale and really globally ultimately.” - Ranu Jung, (8:52)

“[The Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit] has been incredible. The biggest thing about all of this is just seeing the growth in the community, the industry, and the tech leaders’ companies that are not from this area coming here to be part of this.” - Justin Urso, (17:00)

“I think only in Bentonville can you go to a building and ride into that building on your bike, ride around that building and experience what it’s like for a cyclist to be able to commute to work and commute to a building that’s actually built for them. And that’s the beauty…I have a space at the Ledger. I can ride my bike to work and park it almost basically at my office, and it is perfectly suited and set up for the environment that we’re trying to create in Northwest Arkansas of more people on bikes using alternative transportation and providing them with the necessary resources so that they can really take advantage of that.” - Randy Wilburn, (26:19)

“I would tell them that what they’re experiencing in Northwest Arkansas is the future of what the United States is going to be like. Because I do believe we’re setting a new standard for what things can be like from a diversity perspective, from an employment perspective, from a jobs creation perspective and from an education perspective.” - Randy Wilburn, (30:16)

“The Greater Bentonville Area specifically is Bentonville, Centerton, Pea Ridge and Bella Vista, and that is our framework of who we encompass as the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce. But the chamber membership itself, our member base, it’s international, it’s global. We got people from all across the world who are members with us, and it just makes for a very fantastic experience as a chamber member.” - Jack Short, (34:00)

“[In Bentonville] there’s so many opportunities for my kids to explore their creativity and explore the environment and stuff. I mean the Amazeum is one of the places that we love to go to, but now my kids are getting older and they want to go see the artwork and go to Crystal Bridges…I didn’t get those experiences growing up because I grew up in a very, very small town, but I’m able to share those experiences, and get to experience it myself but also see my kids experience them, and I hope that it’s given them some inspiration to be whoever they want to be.” - Katie Thompson, (50:29)

2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 3: Paul Jones, Daizhan Ennals, Lonnie Emard, Scott Benedict and Micy Liu

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

Join host James Bell in this third episode of a special four-part series of The Bentonville Beacon podcast, featuring live-recorded conversations at the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit with the thinkers and doers shaping the future of global tech in Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare and diversify the Northwest Arkansas economy. Now in its tenth year, the event is hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce and is supported by nearly 100 partners, including the Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Verizon, Salesforce, T-Mobile for Business, Zebra, Scott Family Amazeum and Arvest. These episodes bring together voices from the event to share their company’s stories, personal insights and unique #BecauseBentonville moments that define the community’s character. Tune in as we explore the innovations and experiences that are fostering a culture where technology meets the essence of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas!

Show Notes

(1:12) Introducing Paul Jones

(1:53) About Gravity Industries

(9:01) Paul’s Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit Experience

(16:10) Introducing Daizhan Ennals

(18:02) About Renewed Robotics

(20:07) Daizhan’s NWA Tech Summit Experience

(21:16) Daizhan’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(23:53) Introducing Lonnie Emard

(25:27) About Arkansas Center for Data Sciences (ACDS)

(30:32) Lonnie’s NWA Tech Summit Experience

(32:39) Lonnie’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(37:04) Introducing Scott Benedict

(40:07) About McMillanDoolittle

(42:09) Scott’s NWA Tech Summit Experience

(43:09) Scott’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(45:47) Introducing Micy Liu

(47:53) About Life Mission Capital

(48:29) Micy’s NWA Tech Summit Experience

(52:20) Micy’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(59:19) Closing Thoughts

Links

Arkansas Center for Data Sciences

Quotes

“We are in preparations now to do this race series, and we are currently looking for more locations. And Bentonville has been such a fantastic place and everyone’s so welcoming that we really do want to try and push something to come out here. So watch this space, but hopefully we’ll be here for a race series in the future.” - Paul Jones, (8:26)

“I’ve seen some very eager sixteen year olds from Bentonville High School, as well as students from Texas and California, come to get a hands on [experience] where the new technology is going to be developed in America. And a lot of people believe that Bentonville in Northwest Arkansas can definitely be that spot.” - Daizhan Ennals, (20:48)

“Only in Bentonville, with Walmart giving an opportunity to [a nontraditional candidate] that might have otherwise never gotten that chance, do we get to be a part of that process. To chalk it up, I think we’re seeing that all over the state but clearly in Bentonville because of the relationship of organizations with Walmart that is so willing to be that community partner.” - Lonnie Emard, (34:03)

“I think the most obvious visual is when you spend any time in the Bentonville Square because, as I was telling somebody last week, I had lunch at Table Mesa and I was telling them that it used to be an office supply store for many years. And normally, on any given weekday if you were on the square, there was nobody else there. But this particular day when we were coming out of Table Mesa, the square was full, we could not get a parking spot, just all sorts of neat activity going on. And I think that’s indicative of the area in total in that the square has become a hub of activity.” - Scott Benedict, (38:11)

“Especially with the Walton Family Foundation and what you guys are doing there to build amenities in the area, it makes it even more attractive. I mean, yesterday we heard about an interesting stats update from Robert Burns with the Walton Family Foundation. He talked about move speed a couple of years ago. It’s thirty people per day moving in right now. So it’s like a twenty percent growth in how many are moving in per day.” - Micy Liu, (54:12)

2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 2: Featuring Charu Thomas, Toby Teeter, Payton Lenz, David Sanders, Clayton Woodruff and Rachel Hobert

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

Join host James Bell in this second episode of a special four-part series of The Bentonville Beacon podcast, featuring live-recorded conversations at the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit with the thinkers and doers shaping the future of global tech in Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare and diversify the Northwest Arkansas economy. Now in its tenth year, the event is hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and is supported by nearly 100 partners, including Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Verizon, Salesforce, T-Mobile for Business, Zebra, Scott Family Amazeum and Arvest. These episodes bring together voices from the event to share their company’s stories, personal insights and unique #BecauseBentonville moments that define the community’s character. Tune in as we explore the innovations and experiences that are fostering a culture where technology meets the essence of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas!

Show Notes

(1:12) Introducing Charu Thomas

(3:32) About Ox

(5:48) Introducing Toby Teeter

(6:59) Bringing Biomanufacturing Workforce Development to NWA

(11:53) Association of University Research Parks 2024 International Conference in Bentonville

(17:00) Toby’s NWA Tech Summit Experience

(19:56) Toby’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(22:25) Introducing Payton Lenz

(23:38) About Ledger

(27:14) Payton’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(29:41) Introducing David Sanders

(30:53) About EconoVention

(33:30) David’s NWA Tech Summit Experience

(34:52) David’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(37:53) Introducing Clayton Woodruff

(39:33) About Confiz

(40:20) Clayton’s NWA Technology Summit Experience

(41:12) Clayton’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(43:25) Introducing Rachel Hobert

(47:04) About Hivers & Strivers Capital

(55:15) Rachel’s NWA Summit Experience

(56:54) Rachel’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(1:00:05) Closing Thoughts

Links

The Collaborative - Bentonville

Charu Thomas

Toby Teeter

Hivers & Strivers Capital

Quotes

"When I first moved [to Bentonville] I didn’t know what to expect...Moving here from Atlanta was a leap of faith not knowing what the environment would be like. And I was so thrilled and pleasantly surprised by how kind and warm everyone was. And of course, with the immense talent across retail and supply chain from Walmart, Tyson, J.B. Hunt and the 1,300 suppliers and vendors that support them, it became home." - Charu Thomas, (3:32)

“Next year, Bentonville and Fayetteville are going to host The Association of University Research Parks International Convention…This is an opportunity for The University of Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas to show out and discuss best practices when you’re talking about creating a place where innovation happens. There’s a special thing happening in Northwest Arkansas and the world is starting to understand what’s happening here.” - Toby Teether, (12:11)

“It’s a [Bentonville] community hub, right? It’s not just an office building. It’s not just a meeting location. Not just an event space. It’s a space where people can truly come and gather and be part of something bigger than themselves. And that goes back to what Ledger is solving. It’s this whole ecosystem around bringing the community in, but also pushing people out into the community as well. So it creates this nice little ecosystem of these casual collisions and these companies being created.” - Payton Lenz, (23:45)

“I really like the feel of Bentonville, the attitude of the people and the flavor. And I’m sure this year’s [Northwest Arkansas Tech Summit] is going to be expanded because it’s much, much bigger this year than what we saw last year.” - Davis Sanders, (33:49)

“[The Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit] has been great…We get the benefit of having a lot of big companies here. We get the Walmarts, the J.B. Hunts, The Tysons. So the stuff you get to hear is really cool.” - Clayton Woodruff, (40:20)

“...we settled on Bentonville as a place to move because we looked at all of the incredible work everybody has already put into it. The University of Arkansas, private and public corporations, and a ton of nonprofits that are really into entrepreneurship. We saw an opportunity that not only could we really grow and build here in Northwest Arkansas, but there’s a lot of cultural alignment with our values of being services oriented and being willing to help a neighbor, help a friend, and that inclusivity exists here.” - Rachel Hobert, (44:44)

2023 NWA Tech Summit Live Part 1: Featuring Sapna Ramachandra, Tiffany Benitez, Brent Blecha, Kayla Norris, Paul Rowe, Jasmine Rara and G.B. Cazes

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

Join host James Bell in this special four-part series of The Bentonville Beacon podcast featuring live-recorded conversations at the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit with the thinkers and doers shaping the future of global tech in Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare and diversify the local Northwest Arkansas economy. Now in its tenth year, the event is hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and is supported by nearly 100 partners, including Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Verizon, Salesforce, T-Mobile for Business, Zebra, Scott Family Amazeum and Arvest. These episodes bring together voices from the event to share their company’s stories, personal insights and unique #BecauseBentonville moments that define the community’s character. Tune in as we explore the innovations and experiences that are fostering a culture where technology meets the essence of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas!

Show Notes

(1:15) Introducing Sapna Ramachandran

(3:13) About Kitestring Technical Services

(7:12) Sapna’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(11:45) Introducing Tiffany Benitez

(13:12) About the Women in Technology of Northwest Arkansas

(20:47) Tiffany’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(22:41) Introducing Brent Blecha

(23:22) About Retail Aware

(25:14) Brent’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(29:33) Introducing Kayla Norris

(31:05) About Marketing Main Street

(34:32) Kayla’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(37:43) Introducing Paul Rowe

(39:27) About Source Allies

(42:54) Paul’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(47:22) Introducing Jasmine Rara

(51:39) Jasmine’s NWA Tech Summit Experience

(57:41) Introducing G.B. Cazes

(1:01:59) G.B.’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(1:03:48) Closing Thoughts

Links

Kitestring Technical Services

Sapna Ramachandran

Tiffany Benitez

Women in Technology of Northwest Arkansas

Brent Blecha

Retail Aware

Kayla Norris

Marketing Main Street

Paul Rowe

Source Allies

Jasmine Rara

G.B. Cazes

Emory Solutions

Quotes

“I think what describes for me the essence of Bentonville is the entire experience of these last ten years put together. It has been heartwarming because for somebody like me, a woman of color who comes from thousands of miles apart, who has no family, no friends, no support system here to come and feel accepted, the local people and everybody around here have accepted me with open arms. And that speaks volumes of this place. It tells me you don’t have to be a certain color or race to be accepted because there are good people everywhere, and it wouldn’t have happened anywhere except [Bentonville].” - Sapna Ramachandran, (7:12)

“This is day one [of the NWA Tech Summit] and I’m already blown away. The amount of community that’s here, the amount of connection, the amount of vendors, and the way we can plug into our community and really see full force in conference form what all we actually have living in this Northwest Arkansas [and Bentonville] area.” - Tiffany Benitez, (19:13)

“[The NWA Tech Summit] has been amazing. Anytime you can talk to the number one retail company and some of the people surrounding it, the people that have gone before you that know how to get in there and some of the really cool things they’ve done, is incredible.” - Brent Blecha, (24:22)

“Whenever I had made the decision to leave corporate and work for myself, I went to Bentonville and I started looking for businesses in Bentonville to collaborate with and say, ‘Hey, I’m offering this service, do you need it?’ And some said yes and it has been a phenomenal journey.” - Kayla Norris, (35:29)

“We came up to Bentonville to check it out and we went to the Downtown Bentonville square. And one thing I think that’s really cool about Bentonville is as built up as it is, that town square has the same kind of atmosphere that the small towns have…It’s a really walkable area and I think that’s what I like about Bentonville is that you’ve managed to grow but still keep your city very walkable and approachable to everybody.” - Paul Rowe, (43:01)

“It’s been inspiring for me as a transplant. I’ve had this stigma in my head for what the center of America looks like, and I honestly was amazed and I am amazed by all the support that not just the community members provide, but that the companies provide. There’s this level of competition, but there’s also a level of respect with it. They help each other along. If they’re flourishing they’ll bring the other with them. So to me, that’s really exciting.” - Jasmine Rara, (51:39)

“I really think [the NWA Tech Summit] is a great opportunity to show off Arkansas. We’re not known for a tech hub, but we’re changing that in NWA, which is exciting. And we see the event growing year over year and the different diversity that’s coming in. It’s fantastic to be making a name for ourselves.” - G.B. Cazes, (1:01:06)

“Just in the short amount of time that I’ve been known to Bentonville, it’s changed so much and it’s changing so rapidly. And I think it’s because everybody is pulling in the same direction. So it’s a unique community doing a lot of unique things, but everybody’s doing it together.” - G.B. Cazes, (1:02:00)

Igniting Innovations: Engaging with Fuel's 2023 AI/ML Cohort - Part 2

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this special two-part series on The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell continues an engaging discussion featuring members of Fuel’s 2023 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Accelerator cohort. They spotlight Fuel's 12-week enterprise-ready accelerator program, which pairs seed- and growth-stage tech startups with key enterprise partners to fast-track the adoption of practical technology solutions. The program emphasizes operational value training over traditional venture capital pitch coaching. This episode highlights innovators from around the globe in the AI and ML sectors, along with their companies from various industries. Conversations include Dexter Caffey from Smart Eye Technology, Andrew Bart of AlgoFace, Mike Romeri at Analytics2Go and Kevin Butler from Edify.ai, who showcase their companies, their experiences through the Fuel Accelerator and their #BecauseBentonville stories, painting a vibrant picture of entrepreneurial growth and community connection.

Show Notes

(1:12) Introduction to Dexter Caffey and Smart Eye Technology

(2:20) Dexter’s surprise connection to Pharaoh Ramesses III

(3:09) About Smart Eye Technology

(6:22) Dexter’s Experience with Fuel and Bentonville

(11:14) Dexter’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(12:55) Introduction to Andrew Bart and AlgoFace

(14:10) About AlgoFace

(16:57) Andrew’s Experience with Fuel and Bentonville

(25:34) Andrew’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(28:14) Introduction to Mike Romeri and Analytics2Go

(31:03) Mike’s Experience with Fuel

(32:32) About Analytics2Go

(34:40) Mike’s Experience with Bentonville

(36:32) Mike’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(38:00) Introduction to Kevin Butler and Edify.ai

(42:36) About Edify.ai

(44:23) Kevin’s Experience with Fuel

(51:27) Kevin’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(54:24) Introduction to Grace Gill

(56:05) The Evolution of Fuel

(57:35) Fuel’s Application Process

(58:39) Closing Thoughts

Links

Quotes

“I had no intentions of moving [to Bentonville] when I first came here…but then I noticed that when you’re here in Bentonville, it’s a relationship town. It’s about building relationships. So I recognized that through the program and told my wife we’re going to be moving to Bentonville.” - Dexter Caffey, (10:19)

“I’m looking to open an office [in Bentonville]. I’d like to have a presence here. That is very much on my immediate radar from both a talent acquisition perspective as well as the exposure to the Walmart epicenter and how unique it is to have that kind of sponsorship to the community.” - Andrew Bart, (21:41)

“I’m sure I’m not the first one to say that the environment [in Bentonville] is a lot more professional, more experienced, and more innovative. It’s just a series of superlatives where you don’t expect someplace in Northwest Arkansas to bring together a group of innovative people from all over the world that can get things done.” - Mike Romeri, (35:39)

“[Bentonville] is the sort of place where if you put yourself out there and ask for some help, people are more than willing to do so. It’s obviously part of the mission and it’s been extremely helpful for our company…and it’s really opening up doors and leading to sales.” - Kevin Butler, (45:40)

Igniting Innovations: Engaging with Fuel's 2023 AI/ML Cohort - Part 1

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this special two-part series on The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell kicks off the first episode with an engaging discussion featuring members of Fuel’s 2023 AI/ML Accelerator cohort. Joined by Fuel's Director, Darian Harris, and Entrepreneur in Residence, Tom Douglass, they spotlight Fuel's 12-week enterprise-ready accelerator program, which pairs seed and growth-stage tech startups with key enterprise partners to fast-track the adoption of practical technology solutions. The program emphasizes operational value training over traditional venture capital pitch coaching. This episode highlights innovators from around the globe in the AI and ML sectors, along with their companies from various industries. Conversations with Somya Munjal of Youthful Savings, Keith Fix and Brent Blecha of Retail Aware, and Kannan Udayarajan of Siemba highlight their companies, experiences at Fuel Accelerator, and their #BecauseBentonville stories, painting a vibrant picture of entrepreneurial growth and community connection.

Show Notes

(0:56) Introducing Darian Harris, Tom Douglass and Fuel’s AI/ML Cohort

(8:49) Darian’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(12:21) Introducing Somya Munjal and Youthful Savings

(15:16) Somya’s Experience with Fuel and Bentonville

(19:20) Somya’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(21:43) Introducing Keith Fix, Brent Blecha and Retail Aware

(29:12) Keith and Brent’s Experience with Fuel and Bentonville

(35:01) Keith and Brent’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(39:16) Introducing Kannan Udayarajan and Siemba

(41:06) Kannan’s Experience with Fuel and Bentonville

(47:46) Kannan’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(51:06) Closing Thoughts

Links

Quotes

“I really think art is a very powerful tool for innovation and creativity, and I think the influx of art [in Bentonville] is really going to bring those creative minds to this area and really provide an opportunity for growth.” - Somya Munjal, (17:20)

“Bentonville has just been so fun, and it’s been a little bit of a surprise in terms of the community aspect of it. The ability to do business here and connect with folks on a personal level, as well as just on an accessibility level, has been great. I think that tied with the entire Fuel team—they’ve made great connections and gone to bat for us, and the programming is great, and the people are great. It’s been a good experience for me.” - Keith Fix, (30:31)

“It’s the ecosystem that makes Fuel very unique. The curriculum is one part of it, but the ecosystem around it—the people who are delivering the courses or the mentors that have been put around the program or the general networking events that have been established so that startups who come here get the ability to go out, mingle with these people and build their own authentic, genuine one-on-one relationships—that is just amazing. I haven't seen that kind of effort in any other program that we’ve been a part of.” - Kannan Udayarajan, (44:41)

Pedal-Powered Tales with Scott Fitzgerald of Buddy Pegs

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Scott Fitzgerald, Founder and CEO of Buddy Pegs, for a captivating conversation venturing into the whimsical world of cycling–a discussion that traverses an imaginative landscape where storytelling meets the spokes. Through Buddy Pegs, Scott and his team craft enchanting tales and hands-on experiences that not only teach kids to ride bikes but also bring families together through joyous play and adventure. Throughout the episode, James and Scott discuss Buddy Pegs’ cycling programming, Bentonville’s unique cycling and entrepreneurial opportunities, Scott’s time at Thaden School and how he uses storytelling to inspire the next generation of riders.

Show Notes

(0:56) Introducing Scott Fitzgerald and His Passion for Mountain Biking

(9:14) How Buddy Pegs is Shaping the Future

(17:29) Bentonville’s Unique Cycling Opportunities

(26:03) Scott’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(28:46) Thaden School

(33:14) How Scott Uses Storytelling to Get Kids on Bikes

(38:28) Light-Hearted Questions

(44:18) Advice Questions

(48:18) Connecting with Scott and Buddy Pegs

(49:49) Closing Thoughts

Links

Scott Fitzgerald, scott@buddypegs.com

Buddy Pegs

Quotes

“It really dawned on me when we were thinking about why we want to get more families on bikes and more kids on bikes. It’s all in the vein of trying to help make the world a better place for future generations. And we believe really strongly that kids who grow up with a close connection to the outdoors and a close connection to their family become the leaders we want to see in the future. They’re the citizens we want to see in the future. They’re the neighbors we want to have in the future.” - Scott Fitzgerald, (9:55)

“We immediately started to get connected to people here [in Bentonville] who would lean in and listen to what we were saying and be excited about it, and then give us five more names of people we should talk to. And then I’d text those people, and they would text back, and then we’d be having coffee the next day…If you need help here in Bentonville—especially from an entrepreneur standpoint—the help is there, and people will take your call, and they’ll meet you for a coffee and give you advice.” - Scott Fitzgerald, (18:55)

“We realized through so many of those conversations that we really needed a foundation for programming to get kids on bikes. So Buddy Pegs does have the storytelling and media side of it, and it has the direct programming side of it.” - Scott Fitzgerald, (37:10)

From the State Capital to the Mountain Biking Capital: Greater Bentonville's Role in Arkansas's Growth and Prosperity with Secretary Hugh McDonald

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald for a fascinating conversation about the state’s economic growth initiatives and the role Greater Bentonville plays in the state’s success. The Arkansas Department of Commerce’s mission is to champion economic opportunities through strategic initiatives and an equitable regulatory environment that attracts and grows businesses, safeguards consumers, enhances workforce quality and energizes the state’s infrastructure, creating a better quality of life in Arkansas. Throughout the episode, James and Secretary McDonald discuss Arkansas’s diverse economy, the importance of supporting its small businesses and entrepreneurs, the state’s booming outdoor recreation industry and much more.

Show Notes

(0:57) Introducing Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald

(3:23) Arkansas’s Diverse Economy

(6:43) How Bentonville Can Inspire the Rest of Arkansas

(9:28) Supporting Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship in Arkansas

(15:14) Arkansas’s Booming Outdoor Sector

(19:25) Workforce Development

(23:00) Economic Development Initiatives across the State

(26:17) Creating a Unified, Prosperous Arkansas

(31:38) Secretary McDonald’s #Because Bentonville Story

(34:12) Closing Questions

Links

Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald

Arkansas Department of Commerce

Quotes

“If you look around the state [at] all the activity that’s been happening. Northwest Arkansas—it’s been a twenty-plus year phenomenal story of growth, from Fortune 500 companies entrepreneurs.” - Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald, (5:21)

“Quality of life is just as important to be able to attract the right kind of talent, no matter where you are in the state. And I think the Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas [area] probably recognized that sooner than most folks in Arkansas. People talked about it all over the state, but you guys actually did it and made it a concerted strategy and put a lot of resources behind it.” - Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald, (7:46)

“I’ve always supported regionalism. Whether you’re in Little Rock, Northwest Arkansas or Northeast Arkansas, you cannot do economic development right if you’re focused on your boundaries.” - Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald, (26:57)

“Let’s try to bring down our barriers. Don’t get sidetracked with artificial boundaries, but break down silos. Work together in a partnership. Find, collaborate and solve big problems. You just can’t solve big problems if you’re doing it by yourself. You’ve got to find partners to do big things.” - Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald, (37:05)

Shifting Gears: Living Life By Bike with Tom McMullen and Rapha

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Tom McMullen for a rousing conversation about Rapha’s role in Bentonville’s exceptional bike culture. Tom is the Managing Director for North America at Rapha, the world’s finest cycling clothing brand, which relocated its North American headquarters from Portland, Oregon, to Bentonville, Arkansas, a few years ago. Throughout the episode, Tom and James discuss Tom’s recent move from London to Bentonville, Rapha’s expansion into mountain bike apparel and living life by bike in Bentonville.

Show Notes

(0:53) Introducing Tom McMullen and Rapha

(4:38) Living Life by Bike in Bentonville

(7:18) Rule of Three

(11:50) Tom’s Impression of Bentonville

(17:55) Tom’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(20:00) Tom’s NWA Favorites

(23:34) Rapha’s Future

(25:18) The Importance of Visiting Bentonville

(27:39) Light-Hearted Questions

(29:38) Closing Thoughts

Links

Tom McMullen

Rapha

Quotes

“Bentonville is a manifestation of living life by bike…I’ve visited Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin, and then after that, [it’s] probably Bentonville in terms of cities that you genuinely live life by bike. And that’s about recreation, but [it’s] also about transport, leisure with family and friends, and being able to get around. It’s a blueprint in my eyes for mobility and society going forward—that the bike becomes a key component for getting around, for having fun and living everyday life.” - Tom McMullen, (4:52)

“Someone moved from Los Angeles and said that there’s more going on from an investment point of view in Bentonville than there is in other cities around the world. So I think it’s been a pleasant surprise [to] me that it’s not just a sleepy town. In Northwest Arkansas, there’s loads going on, and it’s very diverse, which has been amazing.” - Tom McMullen, (12:33)

Healthcare’s Frontier: Attracting Global Medical Innovations with Jeff Stinson and HealthTech Arkansas

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jeff Stinson for a compelling conversation about Bentonville’s unique culture and how it helps businesses thrive. Jeff is the Director of HealthTech Arkansas, which is driving innovation for Arkansas health systems through internal innovation programming and accelerators for medtech, healthtech and therapeutics that attract accomplished startup founders from around the world. A long-time leader in the Arkansas entrepreneurial ecosystem, Jeff recently relocated to Bentonville, where he gets to live, in his words, a charmed day-to-day experience. Throughout the episode, James and Jeff discuss how HealthTech Arkansas is facilitating healthcare innovation by focusing on clinical engagement, Northwest Arkansas’s rising whole health sector and Jeff’s life transformation in Bentonville.

Show Notes

(0:54) Introducing Jeff Stinson and His Connection to Bentonville

(4:41) HealthTech Arkansas: An Innovation Catalyst

(11:21) The Benefits of a Virtual Accelerator

(13:32) BioAR and SymBiosis’s Affect on Bentonville

(16:37) HealthTech Arkansas Success Stories

(18:59) The Benefits of Being in Bentonville

(27:39) Jeff’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(31:34) Fun Questions with Jeff

(36:03) The Future of Healthcare Innovation

(42:31) What’s Next for HealthTech Arkansas?

Links

Quotes

“The thing that makes us different is that we built our entire program around clinical engagement. So we think we are one of, if not the only, program in the country that guarantees hospital pilot projects and clinical trials for startup companies.” - Jeff Stinson, (5:25)

“We present [our cohort] to our clinical trial sites here in the state of Arkansas and facilitate those clinical trials, and really it’s a great way for us to bring these advanced therapeutics into the state…Too many times, when Arkansans want to participate in these advanced clinical trials, they have to go get on a plane and go to Houston or Dallas or Chicago. So to the extent we can bring more of those into the state, we’re increasing access to care for Arkansans.” - Jeff Stinson, (10:24)

“What I have found moving to Northwest Arkansas…the accessibility is unbelievable. The people that I can meet with and talk to here who are in a position to move the needle for us—there’s no way you could have better access than you can in Northwest Arkansas to people who can make a difference in what you’re doing.” - Jeff Stinson, (20:35)

“[Moving to Downtown Bentonville] has been the most transformative thing in my life. I feel like when I walk outside every day, people sprinkle fairy dust over my head. It’s just a charmed day-to-day existence.” - Jeff Stinson, (23:30)

“[Bentonville] could not be a more magical place. The friends I’ve made here in four or five months—it’s just fantastic…It’s just a really great place to embed yourself in the social scene, meet people and make friendships.” - Jeff Stinson, (29:47)

Creating a More Sustainable Future in Cycling with Gnargo Bike Co.

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Elysia Contreras Springer and Zach Springer for an inspiring conversation about Gnargo Bike Co., which they founded in 2022. Gnargo Bike Co. is a trailblazing e-bike startup that seamlessly blends the charm of classic frames with modern electric functionality. The brand is reviving the timeless allure of vintage bikes, transforming them into state-of-the-art electric cargo bikes, while maintaining a commitment to a regenerative supply chain and prioritizing upcycling and sustainability. With a mission rooted in reducing waste, celebrating nostalgia and promoting eco-conscious transportation, Gnargo Bike Co. is more than a brand—it’s a movement towards a more sustainable future in cycling. Throughout the episode, the trio discusses Gnargo’s innovative and sustainable business model, the benefits of living and working in Bentonville, and Zach and Elysia’s experience with local entrepreneur support organizations, including the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP), Builders+Backers Northwest Arkansas and more.

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:56) Introducing Zach Springer and Elysia Contreras Springer

(10:51) Gnargo Bike Co. and Collaborating with 816 Bike Collective and Pedal It Forward

(15:45) Operating a Family Business

(18:50) Zach and Elysia’s Experience with GORP and Builders + Backers NWA

(30:43) Bentonville’s Booming Outdoor Recreation Industry

(33:33) Zach’s Advice to Business Leaders Considering Bentonville

(35:40) Balancing Work and Play in Bentonville

(38:01) #BecauseBentonville Stories

(42:43) Connecting with Gnargo Bike Co. and Other Fun Questions

(48:27) The Importance of the Circular Supply Chain

(53:23) Closing Thoughts

Links

Elysia Contreras Springer

Zach Springer

Gnargo Bike Co.

Gnargo on Instagram

Quotes

“Within each of these community bike shops is access to a really deep part of these areas in the United States where it’s not the people that you might find at your normal bike shop, but it’s the people that are truly the advocates of cycling. And if we can have those people as the Gnargo advocates throughout the United States, it fosters this grassroots mentality that we’ve started here...” - Zach Springer, (14:33)

“The first thing to think about when coming to Bentonville is to be humble and kind. I always listen first, and I think, with a place like Bentonville, where you have so many passionate people, both with their careers [and hobbies]—as a business leader, it’s really important to hear from those customers before we go in with any kind of ego or something like that.” - Zach Springer, (33:53)

“It’s more like an all-around experience of going through the town on a bike and [seeing] so many familiar faces…I have never lived anywhere that has had that before. I’ve lived in a lot bigger metropolitan areas where the density [makes it] hard to know people everywhere you go…But people are out and engaged in their community, and I love that about Bentonville, and that’s so much of what makes it attainable, too, because you are part of the community that you are building.” - Elysia Contreras Springer, (38:31)

Exploring Bentonville, One of the Fastest Growing Cities in America, with Mayor Stephanie Orman

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell engages in a lively conversation with Bentonville’s Mayor, Stephanie Orman. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, Bentonville seamlessly blends its global prominence with the charm of a welcoming, tight-knit community. As Bentonville celebrates its 150th anniversary, its unwavering commitment remains–fostering progressive growth while continuing to uphold and further elevate its high quality of life.

Recognized as one of America’s fastest growing and most dynamic cities, Bentonville is distinguished as the cradle of Walmart – the world’s largest retailer and Fortune 1. Additionally, Bentonville and the broader Northwest Arkansas region are home to over 1,400 corporate offices, encompassing every recognizable retail brand. Remarkably, the area also boasts a presence of roughly 400 of the Fortune 500. Yet, the heart of the business community remains with small businesses, complemented by a thriving startup ecosystem.

Among its gems, Bentonville proudly hosts the internationally renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, breathtaking natural scenery and an extensive network of trails that have solidified its title as Mountain Biking Capital of the World. Join James and Mayor Orman as they delve into Bentonville’s exceptional lifestyle, its unparalleled global ties and community ethos that shapes Bentonville into a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Thanks for tuning in!

#Bentonville150

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:58) Introduction to Mayor Stephanie Orman

(4:06) From City Council to Mayor

(6:32) Bentonville’s Remarkable Growth

(12:37) Bentonville’s Future Growth Plans

(14:41) Making Bentonville’s Growth Sustainable

(17:00) The Welcomeness of the Bentonville Community

(27:37) #BecauseBentonville Story

(30:50) Stephanie’s Favorite Thing about Being Mayor

(35:49) Closing Question

‍Links

Mayor Stephanie Orman

City of Bentonville

Quotes

“We find a way to make it happen. And it’s not just city government, we work with a lot of entities, but we have an amazing community here, and amazing partnerships that keep things going and moving. And when we see a roadblock, we figure out how to make it work.” - Mayor Stephanie Orman, (8:02)

“We have so much desire in our community to make the quality of life as high as it can be. We have the opportunity to seek some of those partnerships. So that’s really how we’re able to produce the type of projects within the city that you see.” - Mayor Stephanie Orman, (13:43)

“When people ask, what’s the secret sauce of Bentonville? I say it’s that we don’t just rely on the city government when we have a concern or problem. Our community is coming together. Hopefully, the city government is a big player in that, but we’re not the only player that wants to see it be successful.” - Mayor Stephanie Orman, (15:02)

“Go on the square and talk to people that are just visiting or maybe just moved here, and the first thing they’re going to tell you is just how welcoming the community is. And that’s really nothing the city is doing, that is the message of those who have lived here forever…we want you to love Bentonville like we do.” - Stephanie Mayor Orman, (17:05)

Sculpting the Future: Mayor Nathan See’s Vision for Pea Ridge

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell spends time with Pea Ridge Mayor Nathan See. Nestled beside Bentonville in Northwest Arkansas, Pea Ridge balances its rapid development with its rich history. In addition to being the gateway to Pea Ridge National Military Park, the city is located in close proximity to world-class businesses such as Walmart, J.B. Hunt and Tyson Foods. It is just 40 minutes from the University of Arkansas and is surrounded by outdoor recreation and cultural amenities just a few minutes away, including the picturesque Beaver Lake and the globally acclaimed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Join James and Mayor See as they explore the trajectory of Pea Ridge’s expansion, both current and future, under the mayor’s visionary leadership.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:59) Introduction to Mayor Nathan See

(6:49) The Story of Pea Ridge’s Growth

(10:06) Who Is Moving to Pea Ridge, Arkansas

(15:24) How Living in Pea Ridge Helps People Live Their Best Lives

(19:58) #LiveWorksHere Story

(23:29) About the Community Development Institute

(30:02) Collaborations between Pea Ridge and Bentonville

(34:09) Closing Questions

‍Links

Mayor Nathan See

City of Pea Ridge

Quotes

“Pea Ridge is a thriving community that has great opportunities for growth, family values and community involvement. That’s what we piece together as our scope of what we’re trying to go after as far as vision. That’s who we are, and that’s who we strive to be.” - Mayor Nathan See, (1:31)

“We want everybody to come in and be a part and be accepted into our city no matter their culture or their background or anything else. We want them to have a place to play at our parks and we want them to have a place to enjoy their families and friends and come together as a community at our community events.” - Mayor Nathan See, (11:03)

“Bentonville has great things going on from the murals to the mountain bike trails to sculptures, and that’s stuff we’re trying to bring to Pea Ridge.” - Mayor Nathan See, (30:35)

Making the Gluten-Free Life Sweet with Sandi Macklom and Sandi Sue's Gluten Free Bakery

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell chats with Sandi Macklom, the Founder and Owner of Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery. This shop caters to the Northwest Arkansas community with gluten-free breads, pies, cakes and custom orders. After adopting a gluten-free lifestyle, Sandi found it challenging to discover tasty gluten-free alternatives. Being an avid baker, she decided to rectify this gap by opening Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery. Throughout the episode, James and Sandi delve into the bakery’s mission, Sandi’s experiences at Brightwater (Center for the Study of Food) and the advantages of founding her bakery in Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:59) Introduction to Sandi Macklom

(3:23) Founding Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery

(6:47) About Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food

(8:43) Why Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery Started at the 8th Street Market

(10:45) Sandi Sue’s New 14th Street Location

(12:11) How Bentonville’s Culture Has Helped Sandi Sue’s

(15:30) Bentonville’s Exciting Future

(18:09) #BecauseBentonville Story

(22:51) Advice for People Thinking About Starting a Business

(32:01) Closing Question

‍Links

Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery

Sandi Macklom

Quotes

“8th Street provided us a great opportunity for proof of concept. It essentially limited financial risk on our part because we self funded…albeit it was only a hundred feet, we could get our product to a newer and larger segment of the community and make sure that what we thought was good is what everybody else thought was good.” - Sandi Macklom, (8:43)

“The thing that Northwest Arkansas, Bentonville and Rogers specifically, have is the breadth of things to do. It feels like a larger town with everything going on and all the social events, but you still have the regulars. I still recognize my people when they come in…you don’t really get that in larger cities, and that’s what brought me back [to Bentonville].” - Sandi Maklom, (12:32)

There were two things I was cognizant of when I was starting my business: One, the financial side because you can’t build a sustainable business if your finances aren’t in order…and the other harder thing, finding a marketing team that you trust…because you can have the best thing in the world, but if people don’t know you’re out there and how to find you, it doesn’t matter.” - Sandi Macklom, (23:31)

“Right now, a gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease. That’s why it’s such a passion of mine that people can come to my bakery and eat everything on the menu…being able to provide good food for people who unfortunately don’t usually get it, we’re very privileged and humbled and lucky to be able to do that for our community.” - Sandi Macklom, (32:15)

Exploring One of the Top 10 Most Iconic Cheese Shops in America with Jessica Keahey of Sweet Freedom Cheese

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Jessica Keahey, Owner of Sweet Freedom Cheese, Arkansas’s first cut-to-order cheese shop, offering a curated selection of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, wine and complementary gourmet food. Since its opening in 2018, Sweet Freedom Cheese has been featured in many notable publications, including Culture Magazine, Taste of Home and The Wall Street Journal. Most recently, Sweet Freedom Cheese was named by Wine Enthusiast as one of “The Top Ten Most Iconic Cheese Shops in America”. Throughout the episode, James and Jessica discuss the intricacies behind being a cheese monger, why Jessica opened her cheese shop in Bentonville and the fascinating world of cheese.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:53) Introduction to Jessica Keahey

(5:52) About Sweet Freedom Cheese

(13:12) Jessica’s Favorite Cheese

(21:41) Sweet Freedom Cheese’s Events and Classes

(23:11) Why Jessica Opened Sweet Freedom Cheese in Bentonville

(26:50) How COVID Affected Sweet Freedom Cheese

(31:35) Operating a Business in Bentonville

(35:39) #BecauseBentonville Story

(41:17) What’s Next for Sweet Freedom Cheese

(51:49) Jessica’s Favorite Moment That Involved Cheese

(55:20) How Engineering Has Helped Jessica Own a Cheese Shop

(58:22) Closing Question

‍Links

Jessica Keahey

Sweet Freedom Cheese

Quotes

“I think especially artisan cheeses that people are not familiar with, there is a real opportunity for education to really tell the story of the cheesemaker because that is part of the tale, and we start to create a relationship with our customers…it’s a lot of fun and it’s a very different kind of labor intensive business model to do.” - Jessica Keahey, (6:06)

“I’ve been in Northwest Arkansas for twenty-three years and I do consider it home. So I think that we deserved a cheese shop and I felt like it was something that we were ready for. It’s a great culinary hub.” - Jessica Keahey, (23:19)

“[Bentonville’s] such a great culinary place. You get to see these things that are evolving here. It’s such an interesting place as well, and it’s a great business-friendly community. There’s a lot of local support for things like culinary.” - Jessica Keahey, (31:36)

Cultivating Excellence in Bentonville Schools with Dr. Debbie Jones and Teresa Hudson

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Dr. Debbie Jones, Superintendent of Bentonville Schools. Previously, Dr. Jones served as Assistant Commissioner for Learning Services at the Arkansas Department of Education where she led its largest unit, which worked to enact educational legislation. Additionally, James is joined by Teresa Hudson, Immediate Past Director of Bentonville Schools’ Ignite Professional Studies, a program that provides relevant learning experiences in collaboration with regional businesses, nonprofits and industry professionals. Throughout the episode, James, Debbie and Teresa discuss why Bentonville Schools ranks amongst the top 2 percent in the nation, the school system’s leadership in workforce development and the incredible opportunities offered to students through the Ignite Professional Studies program.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:47) Introduction to Dr. Debbie Jones and Teresa Hudson

(5:54) Bentonville Schools’ National Rankings and Statistics

(12:40) About Ignite Professional Studies

(20:24) An Ignite Success Story

(24:51) How Ignite Will Continue to Evolve

(27:52) More Bentonville School Programs

(30:26) Local Ignite Partners

(38:28) How Bentonville Helps Debbie and Teresa Live Their Best Lives

(51:36) #BecauseBentonville Story

‍Links

Ignite Professional Studies

Dr. Debbie Jones

Bentonville Schools

Teresa Hudson

Not mentioned in episode: Ignite’s new Director, Jessica Imel

Quotes

“Our employees, they don’t just do it for the money. They do it because they truly love students, and they do whatever it takes to get kids proficient as they should, to master the content, to be the very best musicians, or the best athletes, whatever that may be.” - Dr. Debbie Jones, (6:59)

“In [Ignite Professional Studies], we hope to provide college credit for all our students to do certifications and to have internships. We feel like that’s the perfect blend of college career training that we want all our students to graduate with. What we hope to achieve is that they make better selections of what they want to do after high school.” - Teresa Hudson, (13:17)

“That social piece, having friends, having a supportive network, is linked with longevity. And we have that here…all the city leaders are present and they reach out and will help each other because we all want to be very inclusive. We welcome people here, and we want everybody to be successful.” - Dr. Debbie Jones, (38:29)

“Everyone cares about everything and they want all of it to be good. So I feel like that’s just the essence of Bentonville is that we’re all in it together and we all are looking for excellence in everything we do. And we’re proud, really proud to live here.” - Teresa Hudson, (52:55)

Showcasing the Intersection of Culture and Entrepreneurship in Northwest Arkansas with Randy Wilburn

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Randy Wilburn, Founder and Host of I am Northwest Arkansas, a blog and podcast that covers business, culture, entrepreneurship and everyday life in the Ozarks. Randy is also a consultant who teaches business leaders how to podcast at a high level, as well as Chief Encourager at Encourage Build Grow, a leadership development consulting service that helps people discover how to “Get 1% better every day.” Throughout this episode, Randy discusses his various ventures and why Bentonville and the other cities that make up Northwest Arkansas are amazing places to build businesses and experience life, resulting in one of the fastest growing-cities and fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Also during this episode, Randy announces his newest venture!

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:52) Introduction to Randy Wilburn

(4:45) How Northwest Arkansas Has Changed

(11:22) How NWA Has Helped Randy Live His Best Life

(15:49) About Encourage Build Grow

(25:07) About the I am Northwest Arkansas Podcast

(33:03) What Business Leaders Should Consider about Bentonville

(38:13) #BecauseBentonville Story

(43:00) Events That Have Shaped Randy’s Life

(51:31) Closing Question

‍Links

Randy Wilburn

I am Northwest Arkansas

Encourage Build Grow

OnBoard NWA

Quotes

“What I’ve experienced in Northwest Arkansas gives me hope for the greater nation, and I know a lot of what’s driven here right now, a lot of it is economically driven, but I also see the social aspects that are playing into that, and I think that’s important and that shouldn’t be lost on anyone.” - Randy Wilburn, (14:21)

“We understand and know local businesses and organizations, we interview them all the time. This is a natural connection between the community we’re building with I am Northwest Arkansas and the online job board.” - Randy Wilburn, (23:21)

“When you think about Bentonville, think about a city that is pro business, right? I think every city in Northwest Arkansas is pro business…but when I look at the city that is really open to helping steward this next round of entrepreneurship in this area, Bentonville is firmly a great place to do that.” - Randy Wilburn, (33:04)

“I’m putting Northwest Arkansas, as well as all four of the major cities, including Bentonville, up against any of these other major cities in terms of what’s available and what we have access to, and here’s the thing, it’s only going to get better.” - Randy Wilburn, (36:39)

Automating Innovative Product Research by Utilizing AI with Tim Hall and Simporter

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Tim Hall, Co-Founder of Simporter, a company providing software that automates new product research, including white space exploration, pre-launch forecasting, marketing simulations and product monitoring. After decades of working in consumer packaged goods (CPG), Tim recognized the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and made it his mission to make it easier for non-technical people to cut costs, improve consumer loyalty, reduce waste and grow revenue organically simply by embracing AI. Throughout the episode, James and Tim discuss the various problems that Simporter’s solutions solve; Simporter’s relocation from Atlanta to Bentonville; and the current and future utilization of AI.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:53) Introduction to Tim Hall

(3:32) Update on Simporter’s Ukrainian Team

(7:40) The Problem Simporter Is Solving

(12:26) About Simporter’s Other Co-Founder

(13:49) Simporter’s Future Growth

(14:47) Tim’s Experience with the Fuel Accelerator

(16:53) How Bentonville Helps Simporter

(21:17) Tim’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(23:51) The Utilization of Artificial Intelligence

(30:08) Advice to People Wanting to Use AI

(37:43) Closing Question

‍Links

Tim Hall

Simporter

Quotes

“The biggest problem we’re solving is product failure. You spend a lot of time and money launching a new product and then 95 percent of them will fail within two years of getting on the shelf. So we wanted to solve that with better data, making better decisions and validating those in a better way.” - Tim Hall, (7:40)

“We’re building a company to last. We’re building something that will endure and grow by solving people’s problems…And along the way we’re going to make a lot of money, and that’s nice, but our focus is to build something that is going to be around for a long time.” - Tim Hall, (13:49)

“What was unique [about Bentonville] was different groups would engage and then bring you to another group…and in each case we were getting some capital, but it’s really the people and the connections that we’re making…you’re six degrees from anybody you want to meet. And so that’s been really helpful.” - Tim Hall, (17:03)

“I would say [AI] is something different because it’s transformational. So, no, it’s not going to replace humans, it’s going to redefine how we engage with our roles today.” - Tim Hall, (23:51)

Fueling Bentonville’s Startup Renaissance with Michael Paladino and RevUnit

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Michael Paladino, Co-Founder and Chairman at RevUnit, a technology studio that helps companies supercharge their supply chain operations with technologies built specifically for them. RevUnit has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies four times and the Entrepreneur 360 list of America’s most innovative businesses. Additionally, with a people-centric mindset, it has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine on its Top Company Cultures list and as Best Place to Work by Arkansas Business. Throughout the episode, James and Michael discuss the past, present and future of RevUnit, the evolution of Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas’s startup ecosystem, and how the recent surge in artificial intelligence advancements is revolutionizing business and everyday life.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:51) Introduction to Michael Paladino

(4:49) RevUnit’s History

(8:24) What RevUnit Offers

(11:23) The Evolution of RevUnit

(16:12) Cultivating the Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas Startup Community

(20:31) The Future of the Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas Startup Community

(22:56) Why Tech Leaders Should Have a Presence in Bentonville

(30:20) #BecauseBentonville Story

(37:34) Advice on Managing the Emergence of AI

(40:17) Closing Question

‍Links

Michael Paladino

RevUnit

Quotes

“What we’re doing is building emerging technology for the supply chain, so we’re a professional services company. We come in and do custom work, but largely we’re looking at creating a great customer experience for that company whether it’s interaction with one of their clients or creating a new front end for a new system in the supply chain.” - Michael Paladino, (8:29)

“My hope is to see others come along and create their own RevUnits… I hope to see the various generations of entrepreneurs finding ways to give back and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.” - Michael Paladino, (20:52)

“There’s so many organizations here that are trying to do good and trying to create opportunities. I think the word I come back to often is access. You’re never more than one or two steps away from just about anybody in this community. And from what I understand, that’s relatively unique.” - Michael Paladino, (24:36)

“I think one of the most interesting skills over the next couple of years is going to be distinguishing between truth and lack thereof for generative content…there’s plenty of opportunities to talk about automation and creating marketing content, but for the average person, it’s going to be understanding what is real and what isn’t.” - Michael Paladino, (37:35)

Making the Wild More Accessible to All with Jeremy McGhee

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jeremy McGhee, Founder of The UNPavement, a movement that’s helping everyone get off the pavement and into the wild to heal our hurting culture of Nature Deficit Disorder. Jeremy is also Founder of JPM PRO, the US distributor of Sport-ON, off-road handcycles, providing adaptive mountain bikes and accessories to disabled riders, including options for paraplegics and quadriplegics. Additionally, Jeremy is a pro athlete, YouTuber, blogger, podcaster and consultant that partners with public, private and nonprofit land managers to design safe and fun universal trail systems. Throughout the episode, James and Jeremy discuss his business venture distributing off-road handcycles, his mission of ensuring disabled athletes have full access to the outdoors and how he is pioneering trails for everybody.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:52) Introduction to Jeremy McGhee

(5:11) About The UNPavement

(9:02) Jeremy’s Work as a Trail Consultant

(10:57) About JPM PRO

(18:17) Jeremy’s Discovery of Bentonville

(25:13) Jeremy’s Move to Bentonville

(29:08) #BecauseBentonville Story

(35:31) Advice for Overcoming Insurmountable Odds

(41:48) Closing Question

‍Links

Quotes

“The UNPavement is a movement of all of us off the pavement and into the wild because we’ve got these cool devices that we’re on all the time, and they allow us to accomplish so much in life, but we’re on them so much that it renders us that much more in need of a relationship with nature.” - Jeremy McGhee, (5:13)

“The major emotional thing I miss in life when I’m back in San Diego, is I watch my friends grab their board, run across the tracks and go catch a couple waves at sunset. That’s not in the cards for me anymore…But being [in Bentonville] and being able to just jump on my bike right out of my garage, literally across the street to Coler [Mountain Bike Preserve]. I get to fulfill that desire in a different way. I get to jump on my bike and jump on a trail.” - Jeremy McGhee, (26:46)

“The adaptive element to whatever I want to do is my mind. That is my greatest disability, and I have a feeling that a lot of people out there can relate to that. So whatever obstacles are in front of you, that’s going to be the hardest thing to overcome. So my advice is to do the things that help that. Taking care of ourselves is really important” - Jeremy McGhee, (35:44)

Never Settle for Good Enough (Coffee) with Andrea Allen and Onyx Coffee Lab

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Andrea Allen, US Barista Champion and Runner-Up World Barista Champion. Andrea is Co-Founder of Onyx Coffee Lab, a world-renowned café and roastery dedicated to the art and science of coffee, with a mission focused on the pilgrimage seeking quality, truth, and accountability in coffee. Since its founding in 2012 with the mantra “Never Settle for Good Enough,” Onyx has cultivated an award-winning team of roasters that ship freshly roasted coffee worldwide and has baristas serving unique coffee in four locations across Northwest Arkansas, including two in Bentonville–on the the Bentonville Square and at The Momentary. Throughout the episode, James and Andrea discuss the origin of Onyx Coffee Lab, the science behind sourcing specialty coffee beans and the thrill of competing to be the world’s best barista.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(1:03) Introduction to Andrea

(1:29) Andrea’s Backstory

(7:06) The Intricacies of Specialty Coffee

(12:23) Andrea’s Experience at the World Barista Championship

(16:36) About Onyx Coffee Lab

(21:05) Onyx Coffee Lab’s Vision

(22:41) What’s Next for Onyx

(24:05) About The Road to Milan Docuseries

(29:45) Growing Up in Northwest Arkansas

(31:39) The Evolution of Northwest Arkansas

(33:41) Onyx’s Two Bentonville Locations

(37:44) #BecauseBentonville Story

(42:56) Advice to Business Founders

(44:54) Closing Question

‍Links

Andrea Allen

Onyx Coffee Lab

Quotes

“It’s not just about standards. It’s about cultivating a really excellent product and then showcasing it for what it is.” - Andrea Allen, (17:45)

“For us, we just want to show what we’re doing to our customers who are folks drinking coffee at home or in our coffee shop or wholesale clients buying from us. And we decided to start putting all that information out there so people could learn more about specialty coffee.” - Andrea Allen, (20:28)

“You feel that warmth when you walk in there. You feel welcome or you feel like you can ask questions or be silent because you’re not super talkative that day. All of that is made possible by our team and their work and hospitality in the space. And I think that sort of thing is special to Bentonville because it’s such a great place to do business.” - Andrea Allen, (38:34)

Accelerating Enterprise-Ready HealthTech Startups with Fuel (part 2)

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this special two-part series of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by several founders in the inaugural Fuel for Your Health Accelerator cohort, plus Grace Gill, Fuel’s Operational Manager. Fuel operates a family of accelerators in Bentonville that are operationally focused. The program provides growth-stage companies with knowledge and opportunities to interact with enterprise-size entities to further accelerate their success. Fuel for Your Health features innovative growth-stage healthtech startups from around the world with a diverse range of solutions that are transforming the healthcare industry. In this episode, James speaks with a few members of the 2023 Fuel for Your Health cohort, including MatchRite Care’s CEO, Chris Jones, and COO, Steven Sattem; Zemplee’s Founder and CEO, Aparna Pujar; and Momentum Health’s Co-Founder and CEO, Philippe Miller. Throughout the episode, James and his guests discuss what inspired them to start their companies, what solutions they provide and their experiences with Fuel, Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:37) Introduction to Chris Jones and Steven Sattem

(3:10) About MatchRite Care

(6:34) How Fuel and Bentonville Have Helped MatchRite Care

(9:07) Chris and Steven’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(9:46) Introduction to Aparna Pujar

(11:20) About Zemplee

(18:00) How Fuel and Bentonville Have Helped Zemplee

(19:50) Aparna’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(21:13) Introduction to Philippe Miller

(22:01) About Momentum Health

(23:39) How Fuel and Bentonville Have Helped Momentum Health

(26:34) Introduction to Grace Gill

(27:42) About Fuel

(28:44) Grace’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(30:37) Closing Question

‍Links

Quotes

“I think it’s authentic buy-in from the community, but I think in Bentonville, it's truly something that’s noticeably different where there’s buy-in from any type of organization…There’s people here that will give you really high-quality advice at the time you need it most.” - Steven Sattem, (6:34)

“What’s unique about Fuel is that it gets you embedded into the enterprise community, right? It doesn’t just give you ideas on how to build your financial models, but it’s really focused on how you put your business inside the enterprise setting.” - Chris Jones, (7:43)

“I definitely love the community. I’ve loved being at the Ledger, and love the mentor teams I’ve met so far. And I do know that they say this region is becoming the next healthcare hotspot, and I’m very interested in being strategically aligned to this.” - Aparna Pujar, (18:38)

“It’s been remarkable...in my time here, it’s amazing how in every interaction with every person I’ve had, whether it’s at a networking event or at a coffee shop, the first thing people say within thirty seconds is, how can I help? What can I do? Who can I introduce you to?” - Philippe Miller, (23:39)

“Nobody works harder than Fuel to make an individual experience for each of these companies. And we prioritize getting connected, getting them the resources they specifically need. So Fuel is anything but cookie cutter. And I think that’s something that’s really unique to the program and a huge draw for companies that are coming from all over the nation and even internationally.” - Grace Gill, (27:47)

Accelerating Enterprise-Ready HealthTech Startups with Fuel (part 1)

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

In this special two-part series of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by several founders in the inaugural Fuel for Your Health Accelerator cohort, plus Tom Douglass, Fuel’s Entrepreneur In Residence. Fuel operates a family of accelerators in Bentonville that are operationally focused. The program provides growth-stage companies with knowledge and opportunities to interact with enterprise-size entities to further accelerate their success. Fuel for Your Health features innovative growth-stage healthtech startups from around the world with a diverse range of solutions that are transforming the healthcare industry. In this episode, James speaks with a few members of the 2023 Fuel for Your Health cohort, including Sarah Buechner, Product Manager with Lineus Medical; Francisco Nogueira, Co-Founder and CEO at Glooma; and Vinicio Vargas, Co-Founder and CEO of Ainnova Tech. Throughout the episode, James and his guests discuss what inspired them to start their companies, what solutions they provide and their experiences with Fuel, Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:37) Introduction to Tom Douglass

(1:46) About Fuel

(4:55) Tom’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(6:49) Introduction to Sarah Buechner

(8:20) About Lineus Medical

(9:57) How Fuel Has Helped Lineus Medical

(11:21) Sarah’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(12:25) Introduction to Francisco Nogueira

(15:53) About Glooma

(18:56) How Fuel Has Helped Glooma

(26:00) Introduction to Venicio Vargas

(26:52) About Ainnova Tech

(28:55) How Fuel Has Helped Ainnova Tech

(33:19) Venicio’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(37:41) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Tom Douglass

Fuel

Catapult Consulting LLC

Quotes

“The way this town operates and this region operates is really about handshakes over an experience…those types of things are where relationships are built and people become successful because it’s a handshake, it’s a support. And that’s what made my business successful, and that’s what made others’ successful. That’s really what the essence of Bentonville is, meeting somebody and having them bring you along on the journey.” - Tom Douglass, (5:57)

“Fuel for Your Health has been awesome for our company. We are a Northwest Arkansas company and we want to be in Northwest Arkansas hospitals. We want this to be a place where we can say we’re in hospitals in our hometown. So this has been a great opportunity to be introduced to all the large hospitals, to talk to nurses, to have those connections.” - Sarah Buechner, (9:57)

“It has been really amazing with all the mentors. We came here with three well-defined goals, but we understand that our opportunity is in the US. So we came here to Fuel to start our journey in the United States.” - Francisco Nogueira, (18:56)

“The feeling that I have is that Bentonville will be a healthtech hub in the country. That’s the most interesting part for us, and the biggest benefit we have at this moment is the connections.” - Vinicio Vargas, (29:40)

Nurturing and Celebrating Diversity in Mountain Biking with Harry Hill of Minority Mountain Bikers

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell shares the studio with Harry Hill, Founder of Minority Mountain Bikers (MMB), an organization dedicated to increasing and highlighting diversity in mountain biking. This episode spotlights the third annual Minority Mountain Bikers Bentonville Bike Week, comprising several days of rides, skills clinics, cultural events and community activities. Throughout the episode, James and Harry discuss the genesis and evolution of Minority Mountain Bikers, riders’ experiences during MMB Bentonville Bike Week and the wide range of support received from Bentonville and numerous people and organizations across Northwest Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:52) Introduction to Harry

(2:32) Harry’s Passion for Mountain Biking

(5:25) About Minority Mountain Bikers

(6:49) Why MMB Chose Bentonville

(8:13) About MMB Week

(11:26) Experiencing MMB Bentonville Bike Week

(16:43) How Bentonville Has Helped Diversity Initiatives

(21:28) #BecauseBentonville Story

(33:24) How Bentonville Has People Live Their Best Lives

(37:58) Closing Question

‍Links

Harry Hill

Minority Mountain Bikers

Quotes

“...most people are welcoming, but at the same time you tend to not feel like you can be yourself all the time when you’re the only one because it feels like you’re representing all Black people. So riding with more folks that have experienced life the same way you’ve experienced it is kind of where it started.” - Harry Hill, (5:54)

“We want it to be more than just bike riding. We want it to be like an overall experience. We want people to come in, have a good time and meet each other.” - Harry Hill, (15:57)

“One of my favorite things is something that’s after the event where I see somebody from one part of the country go to another part of the country and they meet up with somebody else that they met here. That's a result of what we do, and I feel like that’s fantastic.” - Harry Hill, (19:10)

“I haven’t been anywhere that’s like this [in Bentonville], where everything is so right here. Even if you don’t want to ride at Coler or Slaughter Pen, it’s all so close. There’s no reason not to be outside.” - Harry Hill, (34:31)

Exploring the 2023 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit with Kris Adams

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host Allie Johnston welcomes back to the show Kris Adams, Director of the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit. The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference, and it serves to further enhance, diversify and catalyze the economy of Bentonville and the Northwest Arkansas region. Throughout the episode, Kris breaks down what it takes to plan the NWA Tech Summit–and he shares what attendees may expect from this year’s gathering, the positive impact this important annual event has on the NWA community and why tech startups and scaleups are relocating, launching and growing in Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(1:00) Introduction to Kris Adams

(3:54) Kris’ Role as Director of the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

(5:44) Planning the NWA Tech Summit

(6:50) Importance of the NWA Tech Summit

(10:05) This Year’s NWA Tech Summit Theme

(15:51) The NWA Tech Summit’s First AI Series

(19:31) The Rise, Evolution and Implementation of GPT

(24:05) Kris’ XPONENTIAL Speaking Opportunity

(26:02) Why Bentonville Is the Ideal Home for Tech Companies

(29:44) #BecauseBentonville Story

(33:37) Closing Question

‍Links

Allie Johnston

Quotes

“I think the way I contribute to making Bentonville better is that the Tech Summit, while it is the Heartland’s premier technology conference, it’s not really a conference. What we’re building is more than that. We’re building a tech community here, and that’s what I love being a part of.” - Kris Adams, (4:58)

“It’s important for us to highlight [Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas], but it’s really for the tech community because you might think you need to relocate to Silicon Valley or New York City…but in Northwest Arkansas you can enjoy the trails and the art and the local culture that you can’t find anywhere else. So it’s important to tell that story as part of the Tech Summit.” - Kris Adams, (7:21)

“There’s a great quality of life here. There are places you can go and have office space available. There’s trails and bike paths to clear your head and get a fresh perspective. There’s just a lot of great reasons to be here in Northwest Arkansas, and anyone launching their company or looking to relocate should check us out here.” - Kris Adams, (26:52)

Highlighting the Spectacular Rise of Bentonville with James Bell

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, regular host James Bell takes a seat in the guest chair to be interviewed by his intern Allie Johnston, who was matched with Bentonville Economic Development through the University of Arkansas' Venture Intern Program. The Venture Intern Program connects undergraduate students from the university with startups, entrepreneurs, support organizations and investor networks for semester-long internships. Throughout the episode, Allie and James discuss James’ current role as Vice President for Economic Development at the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, how Bentonville is a place that punches above its body weight and the exciting things in store for Bentonville’s future.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(1:12) Introduction to James

(1:47) James’ Experience with the Venture Intern Program

(4:21) About James

(13:17) James’ Current Role

(18:23) Lessons Learned from Mentoring

(20:50) What Makes Bentonville Special

(24:17) Opportunities in Bentonville

(27:48) James’ Hope for Bentonville

(29:02) #BecauseBentonville Story

(34:12) Future Podcast Content

(37:27) Closing Question

‍Links

Allie Johnston

Quotes

“The cool part about this job is we were looking for somewhere that we could call home and never leave. And so now in this role, I get to do my tiny part helping build a community where my son may leave one day, but will come back or decide not to leave because there’s an abundance of opportunities…The whole world has changed and I’m glad to be here and be a part of it.” - James Bell, (12:30)

“This year there’s really a handful of goals that everything rolls up to. Number one is finding even more ways to share the stories of the businesses and leaders that are sparking the rise of Bentonville.” - James Bell, (14:56)

“If you look in the middle of the country, you’ll notice there’s a spot. That’s the Ozark Mountains. That’s where we are. And so short of snow and ocean sports, we’ve got it all here…And so in the area of outdoor recreation, this is a place in the middle of the country where people come to play.” - James Bell, (22:36)

“...my hope for who we are. And that’s two things, number one, that we continue to be and are even more a place where everybody belongs, where everybody wants to be here…The second one is, I want Bentonville to be the best version of itself.” - James Bell, (28:05)

Transforming Etsy Success into the Life You Want with Cat Hutchings

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Tue, 30 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Cat Hutchings, a jewelry e-commerce rockstar with two shops ranked in the top one percent of all Etsy stores, Through SpotLight Jewelry and Moonlight Supplies, Cat has made more than one hundred thousand sales and more than one million dollars in revenue. And she announces a new Etsy store, WonderLight Jewelry, during the show! Throughout the episode, James and Cat discuss her business ventures, the different strategies she has used to exponentially grow them and how having access to Bentonville’s extensive entrepreneurial resources has accelerated her success.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:51) Introduction to Cat

(1:49) About Cat

(5:44) The Journey of Establishing SpotLight Jewelry

(9:56) The Process of Creating New Jewelry

(13:41) Challenges during Business Growth

(18:26) About Moonlight Supplies

(21:34) Cat’s Consulting Business

(27:03) A Day in the Life of a Business Owner

(30:24) About Kiva

(33:35) Advantages of Being an Entrepreneur in Bentonville

(47:24) Cat’s Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas Favorites

(56:34) #BecauseBentonville Story

(1:00:13) Advice to Women Entrepreneurs

‍Links

Quotes

“...that’s how [SpotLight Jewelry] started. Then the journey after that and the learning and growth that the business went through, that I went through, has just been absolutely fantastic. And Bentonville has been a huge part of that.” - Cat Hutchings, (8:21)

“I started my Etsy consulting specifically because that’s what I knew so well…I loved thinking of how I can help these people make more money to support their families, to quit their full-time jobs and do what they really love.” - Cat Hutchings, (22:29)

“Being around the entrepreneurs here in [Bentonville], I don’t think my business could have done what it did without a lot of that support.” - Cat Hutchings, (35:06)

“...it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, how long you’ve been here, there’s always someone that’s willing to reach out and help you.That’s just crazy to me, and I’ve heard you talk about this on the podcast and how unique that is for this area.” - Cat Hutchings, (44:16)

Celebrating Bentonville’s Thriving Cycling Economy With Kenny Belaey and Bentonville Bike Fest

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 22 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Kenny Belaey, Founder and CEO of Bentonville Bike Fest, a festival that celebrates and champions everything bike related in Bentonville. Originally from Belgium, Kenny is a globetrotting mountain biker who holds the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) record for most podium spots at a world championship in the discipline of trial. Since his career started in 1996, Kenny has been nicknamed the Magician for his ability to clear seemingly impossible obstacles. He has been featured on the Extreme Sports Channel and is a Red Bull ambassador. Throughout the episode, James and Kenny discuss the motivation behind establishing the Bentonville Bike Fest, Kenny’s travels across the world and the exponential growth of the biking industry in Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:52) Introduction to Kenny

(8:37) Kenny’s Journey to Bentonville

(16:12) Bentonville’s Transformation into the Mountain Bike Capital of the World

(18:02) About the Bentonville Bike Fest

(30:04) Engaging with the Biking Industry in Bentonville

(41:07) #BecauseBentonville Story

(47:40) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Kenny Belaey

Bentonville Bike Fest

Quotes

“Bigger is not necessarily what we want. We want to be better…It’s going to feel more like a festival. The Old Applegate actually has a lot of history, so we’re bringing back a little bit of the old memories of the locals.” - Kenny Belaey, (18:01)

“...it’s about relationships they’ve built and I think everybody, even in Europe, knows about [Bentonville]. Locals don’t realize that, but everybody is looking at Bentonville as doing something. They don’t exactly know what yet, but they’re doing something that’s different, that works. So everybody is looking at this place.” - Kenny Belaey, (20:28)

“We are blessed with where we are because of all the brands that have a presence here. I’m talking about the CPG brand and all those companies, and they want to support cycling as much as the bike industry wants to support cycling. And that’s great and that’s something we want to keep growing on.” - Kenny Belaey, (31:05)

Cultivating a Women-Led, Women’s Health Ecosystem with FemHealth Founders

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 19 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this special episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by the innovative women who make up the inaugural cohort of FemHealth Founders. FemHealth Founders is a women-led, women-centric innovation hub that provides validation, mentorship and investment for female founders offering solutions to women’s health-related issues. With FemHealth Founders recently concluding its first accelerator, James sits down with leaders of the five participating startups, including: Jaki Johnson, Founder and CEO of WellMiss; Meredith Brunette, Co-Founder and CEO of Bunnii; Kristen Davidson, Founder and CEO of Function Feedback; Meghan Doyle, Co-Founder and CEO of Partum Health; and Sheereen Brown and Asia Barnes, Co-Founders of Between. Throughout the episode, cohort members discuss the inspiration behind their companies, the solutions they provide for their customers and their experiences during the first FemHealth Founders accelerator. Additionally, James interviews two of the dynamic trio behind FemHealth Founders, Elizabeth Prenger and April Roy, who share how Bentonville has embraced their program and made it possible.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:26) Introduction to Elizabeth

(0:46) About FemHealth Founders

(1:24) Why FemHealth Founders Is Located in Bentonville

(3:38) Introduction to Jaki

(5:38) About WellMiss

(10:54) Bentonville’s Whole Health Initiatives

(13:26) Jaki’s Most Important Cohort Takeaway

(17:10) Introduction to Meredith

(17:41) About Bunnii

(19:19) Meredith’s Most Important FemHealth Takeaway

(20:22) Introduction to Kristen

(21:04) About Function Feedback

(25:19) Kristen’s Most Important FemHealth Takeaway

(29:17) Introduction to Meghan

(30:02) About Partum Health

(33:00) Meghan’s Most Important FemHealth Takeaway

(35:14) Introduction to Sheereen and Asia

(37:01) About Between

(38:59) Asia’s Most Important FemHealth Takeaway

(39:59) Sheereen’s Most Important FemHealth Takeaway

(42:12) Introduction to April

(42:21) About the FemHealth Accelerator Experience

(43:17) #BecauseBentonville Story

(45:04) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Quotes

“Bentonville right now is on fire with its entrepreneurial support. Obviously, the city was built on entrepreneurship and it seemed like the right place for our founders to come and find the resources they need to grow and scale their businesses.” - Elizabeth Prenger, (1:24)

“WellMiss is building the first human form of digital health clinic to provide holistic and integrated trauma care to women.” - Jaki Johnson, (14:56)

“What we’re trying to solve for is consolidating all the medical data into one place and providing interoperability on our platform to patients, providers, and their payers. And that allows for more of a seamless healthcare experience.” - Meredith Brunette, (18:23)

“We had access to a number of mentors to discuss different areas…Being able to get my prototype put together and preparing to send it out to pelvic therapists for beta testing was really pivotal. Having all the resources we had was amazing.” - Kristen Davidson, (25:27)

“...the best thing about it is you build community, you build knowledge, but also you get your passion reignited by meeting other people who are solving different problems but with equal amounts of enthusiasm and excitement.” - Meghan Doyle, (33:06)

“The most impactful thing and the most helpful thing that has happened during the program is having the mentors available that can push us, that can broaden our view.” - Asia Barnes, (39:06)

“It’s been wonderful to be in a group of other founders that are in the trenches right along with us…that sense of community is really, really important.” - Sheereen Brown, (40:05)

“I think [FemHealth Founder’s] biggest inspiration is having this community in Bentonville, in Northwest Arkansas, supporting our vision to help women-led companies.” - April Roy, (43:26)

Building Fifty Women-Led Companies in the Heartland with FemHealth Founders

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 15 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Natalie Shew, Co-Founder of FemHealth Founders, an innovation hub catalyzing and supporting women-led companies that offer solutions to women’s health-related issues. With over eleven years of experience in nonprofit and for-profit management, Natalie is also the Founder and CEO of EmployWell, a healthcare engagement platform on a mission to take better care of the people taking care of us. Throughout the episode, James and Natalie discuss FemHealth Founders’ first accelerator, the struggles women entrepreneurs face and why Bentonville is the perfect location for femhealth companies to launch, build and scale.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:53) Introduction to Natalie

(1:45) About Natalie

(2:28) About EmployWell

(8:52) About FemHealth Founders

(11:47) FemHealth Founders’ Partners

(17:49) FemHealth Founders’ First Accelerator

(20:42) Scaling with FemHealth Support

(23:11) Accelerator Challenges

(27:21) Making Women Led Companies More Profitable

(34:41) Navigating Work-Life Balance as a Woman

(39:29) Why Bentonville Should Be Considered for Companies

(45:50) #BecauseBentonville Story

(50:52) Advice to Women Founders

(52:02) Closing Questions

‍Links

Natalie Shew

FemHealth Founders

EmployWell

Quotes

“FemHealth Founders was birthed out of this need for a more curated experience to the women’s health market, to the women’s health issues, and then also to this third piece of women founders trying to grow and scale companies and accessing very little of the capital that’s out there.” - Natalie Shew, (10:38)

“We have this beautiful cohort of not only impactful women, but brilliant, intelligent and motivated people who are solving women’s health issues…I was skeptical about how this whole peer-to-peer mentorship would go, but it’s been the best thing the founders have benefited from.” - Natalie Shew, (19:11)

“One of the challenges is there’s not enough time. The hope is that we would be able to provide support to these founders over the entire lifetime of their business, that’s why we’re building relationships here, not just companies.” - Natalie Shew, (23:12)

“...[Northwest Arkansas] is an inspiring place because of this entrepreneurial ecosystem. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life, and I’m not sure there is another place like this in terms of a community of people who will rally around you.” - Natalie Shew, (40:13)

Increasing Access to Technology Talent with Tyler Dunbar and Central Standard Talent

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 08 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Tyler Dunbar, President of Central Standard Talent, a technical talent and recruiting agency that specializes in helping US businesses assemble and retain high-performing software development teams. Although Central Standard Talent is based in the epicenter of the Mexican Silicon Valley, it has recently announced the opening of its US headquarters in Bentonville. Throughout the episode, James and Tyler discuss Central Standard Talent’s mission and its assimilation into the Northwest Arkansas ecosystem, why it’s beneficial for companies to have a presence in Bentonville and how lessons learned during Tyler’s time in US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal are helping him now as a business professional.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:52) Introduction to Tyler

(2:41) About Central Standard

(4:43) Current Workforce Issues

(8:16) Central Standard’s Partner Company, Metova

(10:41) Future Evolution of Central Standard

(12:33) Advantages of Having a Presence in Bentonville

(17:56) Transitioning to Bentonville

(21:22) #BecauseBentonville Story

(26:36) Using Skills from the Navy in Business

(31:47) Closing Question

‍Links

Tyler Dunbar

Central Standard Talent

Quotes

“We’re really excited to be in Bentonville and the Ledger specifically, it’s a really cool space and a great creative environment…Bentonville is an amazing place.” - Tyler Dunbar, (2:45)

“People are nice, and economically speaking, it’s very business friendly. You have organizations that are focused on making Bentonville and NWA as a whole a great place to land from a professional standpoint.” - Tyler Dunbar, (12:34)

“More priorities should be placed on moving and figuring it out as you go because everyone is going to make mistakes. Some weeks are great and some weeks are terrible, but the reality is if you keep going you’re going to win. It might not be in the timeline you wanted, it might not look like you thought it was going to look, but you’ll win. And that’s the goal.” - Tyler Dunbar, (16:03)

“What we should be doing is spending time with those people and helping them and teaming up and partnering and collaborating with them. And success is going to happen off of those relationships because relationships are still the most valuable thing in this economy.” - Tyler Dunbar, (28:53)

Propelling the Future of Mobility with Cyrus Sigari

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 05 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this special episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Cyrus Sigari, who was appointed by former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson as Chairman of the Arkansas Council on Future Mobility (ACFM). The ACFM recently released its Arkansas Future Mobility Report, which provides a bold, visionary and specific plan to ensure the state’s leadership in advanced mobility. Cyrus is also Co-founder and Managing Partner of UP.Partners. UP.Partners is an early venture capital firm building companies that move people and goods cleaner, faster, safer and at a lower cost on the ground, in the air, over the sea and in space. Additionally, Cyrus is Co-founder and Executive Chairman for jetAVIVA, a global brand that selects, acquires and sells high-performance aircraft–and he serves as a Board Member of Bentonville-based Game Composites, which designs and manufactures the world’s finest and most nimble aerobatic aircraft. Furthermore, he leads UP.Summit, the definitive annual gathering of leaders from around the world who are rethinking the future of transportation. Throughout the episode, James and Cyrus discuss the Arkansas Future Mobility Council’s recommendations and how Bentonville is a key driver in the State of Arkansas’ leadership in advanced mobility.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:51) Introduction to Cyrus

(4:23) Cyrus’s Background

(7:43) Objective of the Arkansas Future Mobility Council

(15:51) Implementing Council Recommendations

(19:34) Advancing Mobility in Bentonville

(25:15) UP.Partners Macro and Micro Trends in Mobility Report

(35:06) Mobility Megatrends

(40:03) #BecauseBentonville Story

(42:47) Closing Question

‍Links

2023 Macro and Micro Trends in Mobility

Cyrus Sigari

UP.Partners

UP.Summit

Arkansas Future Mobility Report

Quotes

“I haven’t had a lot of experience dealing with government related initiatives, but this certainly made me hopeful about how when you get people with a common vision to work together, some exceptional work can happen…I’m pretty fired up, and I think we’re just getting started.” - Cyrus Sigari, (9:00)

“The bottom line is we have a collective vision, a great moment in history to take real action, to take advantage of these opportunities, work together as a community, create a plan, present the plan and then let the community run forward with it. I feel really blessed to have the opportunity to have a small part in all that.” - Cyrus Sigari, (14:23)

“The most important skill [future engineers and scientists] will need is language…The amount of resources we need to be putting towards helping people learn how to translate a vision from their mind into spoken or written word is the new computer science.” - Cyrus Sigari, (23:36)

“...we all have some sort of divine purpose in our hearts and minds, and there’s tools out there to help us realize those purposes that can be of service to all of humanity…I think we’re in a hopeful time, and that’s one of the more exciting things for me on a day-to-day is my job is literally to stare at hope.” - Cyrus Sigari, (37:08)

“I think education is going to be one of the biggest areas of explosive growth that we see as a result of these sorts of technologies and, like I said, I feel fortunate to be alive during this time.” - Cyrus Sigari, (39:10)

Expanding Economic Opportunity and Prosperity with Mike Malone, University of Arkansas

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 01 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Mike Malone, Vice Chancellor for Economic Development at the University of Arkansas. Mike has nearly three decades of experience building coalitions and partnerships to advance community and economic development opportunities. Previously, Mike had served as the CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council, where he led the creation and implementation of regional growth resulting in an improved quality of life in NWA. Additionally, Mike has held senior leadership positions in the White House, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the US Senate, and the US House of Representatives. Throughout the episode, James and Mike discuss the University of Arkansas’s economic development initiatives, why the University of Arkansas is investing in Bentonville, plus what resources and services the Division of Economic Development offers for expanding economic opportunity and prosperity across the entire state of Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:51) Introduction to Mike

(2:17) About Mike and his Role as Chancellor

(5:52) Relations between the University of Arkansas and NWA Community

(10:27) About I³R

(16:46) Why the University of Arkansas Is Investing in Bentonville

(20:15) The University of Arkansas’s Focus on Smart Mobility

(23:50) How Industry in Bentonville Is Shaping the World

(29:29) Advantages of Being Located in Bentonville

(34:52) Other University of Arkansas Initiatives

(38:35) Describing Bentonville’s Community

(42:23) Entrepreneurial Support from the University of Arkansas

(44:42) #BecauseBentonville Story

(49:02) Learning from Past Experiences

(51:15) Advice to Aspiring Leaders

(55:36) Closing Questions

‍Links

University of Arkansas Division of Economic Development

Mike Malone

Quotes

“We’re a big, complex place and a lot of people have existing relationships or contacts and it’s great if they do. For new industry, for industry moving to Arkansas, they might not have those relationships or a path in, we want to be able to provide that access.” - Mike Malone (9:19)

“The thing we hoped would happen, and has happened, is it’s become this hub of entrepreneurial activity in Bentonville, and it’s not all university driven entrepreneurial activity, but it’s the thing that happens from putting interesting, amazing, dynamic people in the same space together in proximity to one another.” - Mike Malone, (18:15)

“...but I hope we’ve built a region and a state that’s dynamic enough and offers enough professional opportunities, recreational opportunities, quality of life and amenities that at some point if [my daughters] want to come back, those things are here and they’ll have a great and fulfilling life.” - Mike Malone, (27:10)

“I think it’s access to talent and access to resources. Whether it’s in the field of logistics or if you’re into art or if you’re an outdoor business, some of the world’s greatest minds in those sectors are here.” - Mike Malone, (40:46)

Improving Lives through Technology with Josh Duntz of Metova

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Josh Duntz, President of Metova, a full-service technology mobile software and user experience agency that builds products, services and custom experiences for early-stage companies and global brands. Metova recently relocated to Bentonville, where its new headquarters is located in the Ledger building. Josh is also the Co-founder of Stasis, a digital health company that researches, designs and delivers therapies for autonomic nervous system reconditioning. Throughout the episode, James and Josh discuss Metova’s mission, how Metova differs from other custom software firms and what prompted Metova’s move to Northwest Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:52) Introduction to Josh

(2:32) About Stasis

(4:32) About Metova

(9:37) Emerging Technologies

(12:29) Metova’s Relocation to Bentonville

(19:09) Metova’s Workplace Culture

(21:13) The Evolution of Metova

(23:41) Why Companies Should Be Present in Bentonville

(26:25) Learning from Different Career Paths

(32:25) #BecauseBentonville Story

(37:50) Breaking into the Tech World

(41:34) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Josh Duntz

Metova

Stasis

Quotes

“We do everything digital transformation. Basically, if a startup or company has an idea, we can build that idea and put it into production and life, and then maintain that for however long they see fit.” - Josh Duntz, (4:33)

“I think the atmosphere and the people have been amazing since my time here. It’s cool to see such a diverse group of people that have relocated here from all over the country. I think that’s what you need to build really cool, interesting companies, diverse thoughts and people from different places.” - Josh Duntz, (23:41)

“I think a lot of people, when they’re on their deathbed, regret a lot of the things that they didn’t do, and I don’t want to be that person. So I’ve always followed my dreams and gone down the path of doing things that I wanted to do, even if they were risky or had a large likelihood of failing.” - Josh Duntz, (36:35)

Accelerating Outdoor Industry Startups with the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program - Part 2

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

This Bentonville Beacon episode is part two of a bonus series that highlights the third cohort of the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). James Bell is joined by Brent Robinson, Founder of Greenway Bike Co., Alex Huesing from Cloud Pad, Marley Blonsky, Co-founder of All Bodies on Bikes and Eliot Jackson with Reggy. GORP is a Bentonville-based business incubator focused on the development of innovative solutions within the outdoor recreation industry. Its third cohort features a mountain climbing startup and five cycling companies that have access to team mentoring, workshop training and dedicated product/service development to help them launch, build and scale globally. Throughout the episode, James, Brent, Alex, Marley and Eliot discuss the intent behind each of their companies, how they’ve benefited from participating in GORP’s third cohort and how the Bentonville community is helping them build and expand their businesses.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:59) Introduction to Brent

(3:42) Building Greenway Bike Co.

(6:18) The Benefits of GORP

(7:03) What’s Next for Greenway Bike Co.

(8:40) Brent’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(10:40) Introduction to Alex

(13:38) About Cloud Pad

(17:02) Alex’s Experience with GORP

(19:31) Challenges Building Cloud Pad

(21:00) Advice for Finding Clarity

(22:12) Alex’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(24:32) Introduction to Marley Blonsky

(27:24) Transitioning from Seattle to Bentonville

(29:04) About All Bodies on Bikes

(34:02) How GORP Helps Founders

(38:30) Marley’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(42:13) Introduction to Eliot

(45:57) About Reggy

(47:11) Partaking in the GORP Cohort

(49:31) How Bentonville Helps Build Businesses

(51:37) Eliot’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(56:47) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Quotes

“These are kits that have been around for twenty years, but it’s sometimes hard for you to get in there and do it…So we’ve found a way that we can start to offer those services and present those kits to people in ways they can utilize them.” - Brent Robinson, (4:07)

“We want to build a smarter boulder pad because we know there’s a better way to do it. Our hope is that by making a product that’s both safer and more affordable, we can prevent injuries and get more people to be excited about going outside.” - Alex Huesing, (15:05)

“GORP is a phenomenal program that gives you a good structure for approaching and learning some of the challenges that are inevitable along the way of starting a company, but the most important thing it provides is this social support network of peers.” - Alex Huesing, (17:12)

“GORP has given me the framework, the language, the tools, but most importantly, the resources… it really just got me off on a good foot to go down this path and figure out if it’s a viable market opportunity.” - Marley Blonsky, (34:42)

“To me, the intersection between entrepreneurship and cycling, and really the outdoors, is Bentonville. I’ve been to so many places and there’s nowhere that those two intersect as much as they do here.” - Eliot Jackson, (47:31)

Revolutionizing the Trucking Industry with Aayush Thakur and Deme Yuan of FR8relay

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Aayush Thakur and Deme Yuan, a husband and wife team who co-founded FR8relay, where Aayush serves as the CEO and Deme is the COO. Aayush is also a board member for the Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses and a council member on the Forbes Business Council. FR8relay is a technology company working to create a more efficient and equitable trucking logistics ecosystem by introducing a collaborative model where multiple drivers work together to transport shipments. Throughout the episode, James, Aayush and Deme discuss how FR8relay is working to revolutionize the long-haul trucking industry, what entrepreneurial resources they have tapped into and their relocation to Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:51) Introduction to Aayush and Deme

(2:12) About FR8relay

(6:33) Inspiration behind FR8relay

(11:30) Grant Funding

(15:36) Northwest Arkansas Resources

(21:26) Why FR8relay Relocated to Bentonville

(24:55) Why Founders Should Partake in Fuel

(31:53) How Bentonville Has Helped Build FR8relay

(41:02) #BecauseBentonville Story

(45:37) What’s Next for FR8relay

(46:45) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses (AAAB)

Aayush Thakur

Deme Yuan

FR8relay

Quotes

“The objective is for our product, for our company, to increase efficiency in the way long haul trucking is done. Our beneficiaries would be everyone involved in the value chain.” - Aayush Thakur, (3:22)

“Electric vehicles are only used and marketed for short distances because it doesn’t make sense to have to stop and wait for them to charge in long haul. But with FR8relay, we could actually make it make sense.” - Deme Yuan, (13:48)

“The people in the community have been very helpful in getting connected to the right folks here…but in our personal life too, we are living in the community and that is also phenomenal. The people are just amazing.” - Aayush Thakur, (32:03)

Accelerating Outdoor Industry Startups with the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program - Part 1

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

This Bentonville Beacon episode is part one of a bonus series that highlights the third cohort of the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). First, host James Bell is joined by Phil Shellhammer, who was recently appointed by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to the Natural State Advisory Council. Phil is Director of Business Incubation for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Arkansas, and he is responsible for GORP. GORP is a Bentonville-based business incubator focused on the development of innovative solutions within the outdoor recreation industry. After speaking with Phil, James sits down with co-founders of two companies in GORP’s third cohort, including Michael Burton and Clayton Woodruff, CEO and COO of UNCL Co, and Tracy Byrd from Best Ride of Your Life, b-royl. Throughout the episode, James, Phil, Michael, Clayton and Tracy discuss these companies, how the GORP experience is advantageous to founders and why the diversity of GORP's mentors is important.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:58) Introduction to Phil

(2:22) How GORP Has Evolved

(3:45) What’s New with GORP

(5:02) About GORP’s Past Cohorts

(6:56) About the Natural State Advisory Council

(8:19) Phil’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(10:04) Introduction to Michael and Clayton

(10:24) About UNCL Co

(11:21) The University of Arkansas's New Venture Development Program

(12:20) Michael and Clayton’s Pitch Competition Success

(14:57) The Benefits of GORP

(17:38) Michael and Clayton’s #BecauseBentonville Stories

(20:41) Introduction to Tracy

(21:56) The Solution b-royl Offers

(24:45) Tracy’s Experience with GORP

(29:18) Tracy’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(31:39) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP)

Phil Shellhammer

Quotes

“One of the biggest evolutions is we’ve had more companies come in. We’ve been able to fund and get more companies into the program itself, which has allowed us to expand the cohort model.” - Phil Shellhammer, (2:25)

“Where we found a lot of the value are the other founders that are in the program. It gives you the opportunity for people to vet your ideas that are in different industries, but also those that are closely related.” - Michael Burton, (15:33)

“We have some really great mentors we’re working with and they’ve helped us along. They’re from various backgrounds, which helps make sure we’re headed down the right path, and honestly just thinking about things we wouldn’t normally think about.” - Clayton Woodruff, (16:00)

“The program has been exceptional. It’s not only a place where you’re getting to learn new things that you simply don’t know…it’s been very helpful in being able to connect us to the right people. We have three mentors and mine are exceptional. They have different backgrounds, which adds to the puzzle.” - Tracy Byrd, (25:29)

Navigating the World of Retail with Angie Bailey and Best In Class Suppliers

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Angie Bailey, the Co-founder and CEO of Best In Class Suppliers, a team of retail experts dedicated to helping businesses navigate the processes and challenges of working with major retailers. Angie also serves on the City of Bentonville Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Community Task Force as well as the Bentonville Library Foundation Board of Directors. Throughout the episode, James and Angie discuss challenges facing the retail industry, how Best In Class Suppliers helps its partners overcome those challenges and Bentonville’s influence on the world of retail.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:52) Introduction to Angie

(3:21) Angie’s Passion for Retail

(6:00) About Best In Class Suppliers

(9:10) Overcoming Challenges

(12:23) COVID’s Impact on the Retail Industry

(17:13) Emerging Retail Trends

(19:41) How Technology Affects Retail

(21:01) Remaining Competitive

(24:03) What’s Next for Best In Class

(26:18) Bentonville’s Role in Retail

(33:37) Angie’s Work with the DEI Task Force

(40:49) Advice to Young Professionals

(42:48) Closing Questions

‍Links

Angie Bailey, 479-657-0671

Best In Class Suppliers

Quotes

“We are the type of people who will work with you from A to Z. We’ll be with you through the good and the bad of working in retail, and we’re very curious. We like to learn new things. We think anything we can learn and share with our company partners will help us be better and help them be better.” - Angie Bailey, (2:00)

“We’re still seeing the effects of what we went through with the pandemic and the shutdown. The supply chain has gotten easier, but it has caused all of us to rethink the way we manage a supply chain.” - Angie Bailey, (14:34)

“The thing that is most important for us to keep central is to know who our customer is and what they need from us…The best thing we can do to help the companies we work for is understand the technology that’s impacting them that they don’t have the time to learn about.” - Angie Bailey, (21:02)

“I do think there’s an increased level of competition here…Competition makes us think outside of our comfort zone, makes us do things or take chances we might not otherwise take. So I think that’s amazing about living in a community like the one we have. I think it affords people the opportunity to better themselves.” - Angie Bailey, (27:18)

Expanding Access to Funding for Small Businesses with Martha Londagin of Northwest Arkansas Kiva Hub

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Martha Londagin, the inaugural Capital Access Manager for the Northwest Arkansas Kiva Hub, a non-profit that increases access to capital for entrepreneurs. Additionally, Martha is a Business Consultant at Startup Junkie, an organization that offers consulting services to entrepreneurs at no cost, and she is the creator of HER Entrepreneur Journey, a yearly series to encourage the development of woman-owned businesses in NWA. Throughout the episode, James and Martha discuss how Kiva provides funding opportunities for entrepreneurs when conventional lenders can’t, ways Startup Junkie and HER Entrepreneur Journey positively impact founders, and why Bentonville’s culture is ideal for small business owners.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:52) Introduction to Martha

(3:18) About HER Entrepreneur Journey

(8:31) Startup Junkie’s Mission

(10:38) About the Northwest Arkansas Kiva Hub

(14:48) Ideal Micro-Borrowers

(18:33) Northwest Arkansas Success Stories

(22:28) The Kiva Loan Process

(28:17) Ideal Micro-Lenders

(33:43) Spreading the Word about Kiva

(38:24) What Makes Bentonville Great

(45:07) How Bentonville Has Changed

(48:15) Bentonville in the Next Five Years

(51:29) Advice to Small Business Owners

(54:38) Closing Thoughts

‍Links

Martha Londagin

Startup Junkie

Kiva Northwest Arkansas

Quotes

“The Startup Junkie Foundation is funded by multiple grants and resources and it’s to appoint a mission-driven organization that believes that entrepreneurship improves lives, families and communities. And so we are here to empower innovators and entrepreneurs at every level in the nine counties of Northwest Arkansas.” - Martha Londagin, (9:04)

“By having hubs, by having a partner like the Walton Family Foundation pay a local nonprofit like Startup Junkie to get someone trained to offer the program, to have classes, to sit beside them…they are eighty percent more likely to finish the application and get approved.” - Martha Londagin, (14:08)

“That’s the whole point of Kiva. We want to help you build your business credit and get used to having a business loan and paying it back.” - Martha Londagin, (25:41)

“Bentonville has always throughout its history been a hub of commerce, and all of that is small business. And so if you want to come to a place that has at least one-hundred-fifty years of history being a great birthplace, a great place to develop and grow a small business, this is it.” - Martha, Londagin, (39:45)

Sparking and Nurturing Creativity through Arts and Sciences with Sam Dean of the Scott Family Amazeum

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Sam Dean, the Founding Executive Director of the Scott Family Amazeum, a hands-on museum for children and families. The Amazeum features approximately fifty thousand square feet of exhibits meant to enhance family involvement while bringing learning to life and evoking a sense of curiosity. Sam is passionate about creating opportunities that encourage the community to engage in arts and sciences in an effort to further explore the world around us. Throughout the episode, James and Sam discuss the goal of the Scott Family Amazeum, why Bentonville is the perfect location and how the Amazeum does its best to interact with the community.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:51) Introduction to Sam

(1:38) Sam’s Background

(11:10) About the Scott Family Amazeum

(15:13) From Idea to Exhibit

(21:03) Connecting with the Community

(22:28) Why Bentonville Stands Out

(25:13) The Perfect Weekend in Northwest Arkansas

(28:18) #BecauseBentonville Story

(30:49) The Future of the Amazeum

(32:54) Closing Questions

‍Links

Sam Dean

Scott Family Amazeum

Quotes

“We’re about sparking and nurturing the curious and creative spirit in all of us…it’s a place that’s about having questions and the opportunity and time to be able to explore those questions whether it’s hands on, hearts on, [or] minds on.” - Sam Dean, (11:28)

“The special sauce is that there are so many amazing folks in this community. I’ll say two things. One, this community wants to work together. You can feel it here that people are collectively trying to advance this whole region…and people are accessible. They answer the phone.” - Sam Dean, (22:30)

“We want to keep doubling down. You should have an amazing moment whenever and wherever you are. Whether you’re out around a square for a festival or whether you’re at home playing with rice and beans and want to learn how to count and sort. You should be able to have these amazing experiences.” - Sam Dean, (31:51)

Sharing Black Culture and Joy with Black Paper Party

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Madia Willis, Jasmine Hudson and J’Aaron Merchant, the Co-founders of Black Paper Party, where Madia fulfills the role of CEO, Jasmine serves as the Chief Merchant and J’Aaron completes the trio as the Chief Creative Officer. With a combined fifteen years of retail experience, this dream team started Black Paper Party to spread joy through culturally relevant products by combining award-winning illustrations with trendy prints and patterns to create unique wrapping paper designs. Throughout the episode, James, Madia, Jasmine and J’Aaron discuss Black Paper Party’s mission, the struggles they have faced as Black women entrepreneurs and how Bentonville’s culture has helped accelerate Black Paper Party’s growth.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:52) Introduction to Madia, Jasmine and J’Aaron

(1:49) About Madia

(2:40) About Jasmine

(3:38) About J’Aaron

(4:31) Black Paper Party’s Backstory

(6:43) The Inspiration behind Black Paper Party

(9:40) Black Paper Party’s Journey So Far

(13:45) Challenges Building Black Paper Party

(17:37) The Value of Combined Experiences

(20:26) Challenges Faced as Black Entrepreneurs

(24:15) Obtaining Funding

(29:07) How Bentonville Can Help Women Entrepreneurs

(34:57) Bentonville’s Culture

(38:00) Advice to Entrepreneurs

(40:00) #BecauseBentonville Stories

(45:36) Closing Questions

‍Links

Quotes

“...there was a real sadness, almost a palpable feeling of fed upness in the Black community, and it was really a catalyst for change. So we thought this is the perfect time for us to really cement what our idea is…and what we saw was a kind of white space opportunity, which was visual representation of Black families during the holidays.” - Madia Willis, (7:03)

“I would say it’s very easy to be underestimated as Black women entrepreneurs in this industry. And then of course we're leading with Black-focused characters, so everyone’s like, ‘Are you sure you want to do that?’ And we’re convincing people there’s a need for it. People want to see it, and it is truly accepted.” - J’Aaron Merchant, (13:45)

“It’s kind of pushing and standing on the integrity of why we were founded and what we’re here to do. So making sure that we’re still putting that most authentic foot forward when it comes to our brand is something the customer is really resonating with.” - Jasmine Hudson, (22:33)

“It’s crazy the amount of culture you’ve taken into this little place. I try to explain [Bentonville] to people and it almost feels like it’s not real. Some of the things that you do, some of the people that you meet and it’s just actually a very welcoming community.” - J’Aaron Merchant, (39:10)

Sparking the Movement to End Pet Homelessness with Jackie Roach of Best Friends Animal Society NWA

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jackie Roach, Executive Director of Best Friends Animal Society - Northwest Arkansas, a leading animal welfare organization pioneering the no-kill movement. Best Friends is working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025, and has helped reduce the number of animals killed from an estimated seventeen million per year to around three-hundred-forty-seven thousand. In addition to building Best Friends’ presence in Northwest Arkansas, Jackie is also the Co-founder of Taysia Blue Rescue, a nonprofit organization that envisions a time where all adoptable Siberian huskies and Alaskan malamutes have a loving home. Throughout the episode, James and Jackie discuss the importance of fostering animals, what Best Friends hopes to achieve and how the community can get involved in working to make the world a kinder and more compassionate place with Best Friends' new Pet Resource Center in Northwest Arkansas.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:51) Introduction to Jackie

(2:57) About Taysia Blue Rescue

(6:00) Why Breed-Specific Rescues Are Needed

(8:26) About Best Friends and Its Mission

(9:38) Bentonville’s Community-Based Resource Center

(12:13) The Benefits of Fostering Pets

(16:02) Community Pet Pantries

(18:20) Available Vet Services

(23:29) Bentonville’s Business Community and Culture

(25:52) #BecauseBentonville Story

(30:17) Closing Questions

‍Links

Best Friends Animal Society

Jackie Roach

Taysia Blue Rescue

Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas

Quotes

“We understand there are going to be some animals in shelters that are too sick or too not behaviorally sound to make it into the community or be adopted. So no kill is really just a benchmark. We look at a ninety percent save rate. We’re working with every shelter and community to try and help them achieve that.” - Jackie Roach, (8:50)

“An animal shelter is a very transactional place…What we want to do, the idea of the community supported shelter, is inviting the community to help be a part of the solution as we reach out to the community in need.” - Jackie Roach, (11:13)

“Foster care is really important. An animal shelter is a very dangerous, unhealthy place for a cat or dog to live for a lot of different reasons. Disease can be very prevalent, and just the environment of being in a cage and seeing other animals is very stressful.” - Jackie Roach, (12:14)

“[Bentonville] is like no other place I’ve ever been. It’s really incredible. The community is so open and willing to listen and to help…It’s just a really unique thing.” - Jackie Roach, (23:29)

Innovating Solutions to Bring Joy to Cyclists with the Smith Brothers of Altangle Cycling

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Squires and Scott Smith, Founders of Altangle Cycling, where Squires serves as President and Scott is the CEO.

Altangle Cycling makes high-quality, innovative products that help solve common problems associated with owning and maintaining a bicycle. After growing up in an entrepreneurial family and in the outdoors, both brothers journeyed down separate paths after college. Squires went into industrial construction, and Scott worked in corporate finance before they ventured into the startup world to bring Altangle Cycling to life. Throughout the episode, James, Squires and Scott discuss the intention behind Altangle Cycling, why it relocated to Bentonville and what it’s like being business partners as brothers.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

(0:52) Introduction to Squires and Scott

(1:21) About Squires

(3:18) About Scott

(8:08) The History behind Altangle Cycling

(10:54) About Altangle Cycling

(13:43) From Idea to Reality

(26:27) Altangle’s Move to Bentonville

(30:38) Being Embraced by the Bentonville Community

(34:44) Benefits of Having Altangle Cycling in Bentonville

(41:25) #BecauseBentonville Story

(44:06) From Banker to Founder

(46:13) Being an Inventor

(50:02) What’s Next for Altangle Cycling

(53:05) Closing Questions

‍Links

Squires Smith

Scott Smith

Altangle Cycling

Quotes

“Simply put, our mission is to make high-quality, innovative products that help solve common obstacles associated with owning and maintaining a bicycle. So we ultimately want to have a full product line that at its core helps people enjoy cycling, and all things cycling related, to their fullest extent.” - Scott Smith, (10:59)

“You can see it too, everything happening here is so incredibly intentional, you know? And when you see a city that’s growing really quickly and then the intention behind that growth inspires a lot of confidence, you’re coming into something where you can see the end goal and there's an opportunity to be a part of the end goal.” - Squires Smith, (29:03)

“It doesn’t matter what your job is, if it’s a startup or not, it may feel a little intensified at the moment, but it’s really easy to bury yourself in your work, but Bentonville has a really good way of keeping you focused but balanced.” - Squires Smith, (35:09)

“People ask me, ‘How do you work with your brother?’ I can work with him because we’re so different and I think we have a pretty good sense of what our lane is and staying in our lane…The most important thing we had to do was trust each other.” - Scott Smith, (48:10)

Catalyzing Bentonville’s Innovation Ecosystem with Toby Teeter of The University of Arkansas Bentonville Collaborative

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Toby Teeter, Director of the University of Arkansas Bentonville Collaborative. The Collaborative is an impetus for innovation in Bentonville, where the University of Arkansas’ presence focuses on outdoor recreation, bio-design, whole health, advanced mobility, and technologies for retail, supply chain, logistics, and corporate enablement. Additionally, Toby is a serial entrepreneur and investor, with his most current venture being Omni Brands, a company that designs, builds and scales ecommerce businesses with its product studio, third-party logistics and ad agency services. Toby also serves on the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Throughout the episode, James and Toby discuss modernization in Bentonville and The Collaborative’s mission and vision for the future.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:51) Introduction to Toby

(4:08) About Omni Brands

(6:58) Goals of The Collaborative

(11:23) The Collaborative Initiatives

(17:26) Future Plans for The Collaborative

(22:17) Toby’s Experience and Background

(25:28) Having a Presence in Bentonville

(29:11) Bentonville Favorites

(32:21) #BecauseBentonville Story

(35:03) Advice to Entrepreneurs

(37:54) Closing Questions

‍Links

The UofA Bentonville Collaborative

Toby Teeter

Omni Brands, LLC

Quotes

“We’re more centered on economic development than applied research. It’s a little more pragmatic, but really the framing question is, ‘How can the University of Arkansas be a catalyst for innovation in Bentonville?’” - Toby Teeter, (8:17)

“One of the sectors of interest for us in Bentonville is smart mobility, and that in essence is the movements of both product and people by electric means, whether it be in the air or on the ground…That program is considering what degree offerings, facilities, equipment, faculty and research would put us on the map.” - Toby Teeter, (13:28)

“I love Bentonville. It’s a draw to people like us. This is a city on the move. Dynamic people are moving here by the day from all over the world, and they’re bringing such diverse talents.” - Toby Teeter, (22:20)

“The concept of innovation is simply thinking in a new way. And, often that requires a diversity of thought, is often inspired by art, good beer, coffee and good music. The leaders of this community understand that, and that is why [Bentonville] is essentially a theme park for innovators.”

“You don’t have to have everything figured out…Just get it out there, and you learn so much more stumbling your way through the early years until you figure it out. Sometimes it hurts, but so many entrepreneurs just sit on the startline and are afraid to actually launch the product.” - Toby Teeter, (35:19)

Building the Future of Frontline Work & Web3 with Josh Stanley of Cartwheel Startup Studio

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Josh Stanley, CEO and Managing Partner of Cartwheel, a startup studio that creates B2B SaaS companies. Cartwheel ideates, validates, co-founds and funds B2B SaaS and Web3 businesses that accelerate capabilities. In addition to Cartwheel, Josh is also the Co-Founder of PushKin and Hashku. PushKin is a B2B SaaS communication platform for franchise operators who need a better way to communicate with their deskless employees, and Hashku is a newly established company that provides brands and agencies with software to plan, launch and maintain their new digital assets. Throughout the episode, James and Josh discuss the difference between venture and startup studios, the success of Cartwheel and Bentonville’s entrepreneurship community.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:52) Introduction to Josh

(12:46) About Cartwheel

(19:19) Cartwheel’s Methodology

(26:17) Cartwheel’s Successes So Far

(34:01) Bentonville’s Startup Community

(39:59) Entrepreneurship in the Next Five Years

(43:00) Living Your Best Life in Bentonville

(46:36) #BecauseBentonville Story

(51:51) Closing Question

‍Links

Quotes

“I quickly picked up that there’s a great entrepreneurial ecosystem here. There’s a lot of support in that system. It’s a very flat community in the sense that you can access anybody here. There isn’t this hierarchy or barrier to entry into having a meaningful impact in the community.” - Josh Stanley, (14:19)

“We’re all working towards making something special here, making things happen, helping each other out…but it feels like we have a good mix of the right kind of leadership and talent.” - Josh Stanley, (36:24)

“We really do try and make time to offer feedback and offer help where we can…that’s our favorite way to give back. I don’t see this as just us building our own companies, but also about can we raise the other boards with the tide alongside us?” - Josh Stanley, (50:17)

Creating AI Powered Data Insights for Retail Success with Vance Reavie of Junction AI

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Vance Reavie, Founder and CEO of Junction AI, a SaaS platform offering scalable "no code" artificial intelligence. Junction AI is driving big change with its “AI-as-a-service” solutions that power affordable, accessible and impactful data-driven insights for brands, agencies and marketing organizations. In addition to Junction Ai, Vance is also a member of the Forbes Agency Council and an experienced IT consultant who helps companies benefit from using AI by delivering exceptional customer experience and gaining a competitive advantage. Throughout the episode, James and Vance discuss artificial intelligence’s impact on the world, the problem Junction AI solves and Vance’s participation in Fuel Accelerator.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:53) Introduction to Vance

(2:28) The Basics of Artificial Intelligence

(4:43) About Junction AI

(10:34) The Evolution of Junction AI

(17:18) Junction AI’s Ideal Customer

(21:28) The Fuel Accelerator Experience

(30:44) Vance’s Move to Bentonville

(33:55) Bentonville’s Startup Community

(37:55) Entrepreneurial Resources

(40:30) Vance’s Bentonville Favorites

(45:43) Uses of Artificial Intelligence

(51:21) Closing Questions

‍Links

Vance Reavie

Junction AI

Quotes

“We’re at a point now where the cost has come down so intensely that it makes so many things that we have thought about or tried in the past, but couldn’t get done, be done quickly now, can be done affordably now and can be done in a mass way.” - Vance Reavie, (2:44)

“I always want to find a way to solve complex problems simply…So we thought, ‘How can we automate so many pieces of this puzzle?’ We can take an interesting use case, we can run it through our platform, and then we can deliver something that’s useful.” - Vance Reavie, (7:17)

“All the big tech companies are here because they have a specialization in the logistics part, supply chain part, human management part, retail part and ecommerce part. They’re here with the decision makers because they have that opportunity to be here. They’re not just selling to the giant here, they’re selling that experience internationally but from right here in Bentonville.” - Vance Reavie, (16:25)

“I was really impressed by the commitment to innovation here and by a lot of the companies and what they were doing with their visions of where they saw the future and how they use these different technologies.” - Vance Reavie, (34:33)

Making Office Space Flexible and Accessible with Jon Cadieux of NWA Workplaces

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jon Cadieux, President of NWA Workplaces, a company that offers private spaces, meeting rooms and virtual offices to businesses and organizations. NWA Workplaces’ mission is to make their client’s office lives comfortable, easy and fun in an effort to encourage increased productivity. In addition to NWA Workplaces, Jon also founded the Northwest Arkansas Tech Council as well as the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit, and he previously served as the President of the Rotary Club of Bentonville. Throughout the episode, James and Jon discuss the intricacies of NWA Workplaces, the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit and the growth Bentonville has experienced.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:51) Introduction to Jon

(2:11) About NWA Workplaces

(6:11) NWA Workplaces Clients

(8:38) NWA Workplaces Services and Amenities

(11:42) NWA Workplaces Locations

(16:22) Challenges Jon Experienced

(20:28) Jon’s Accomplishments

(22:52) Founding the NWA Tech Summit

(32:40) The Rotary Club of Bentonville

(38:18) Why Jon Came to Bentonville

(41:13) Bentonville’s Growth

(46:59) Advice to Business Leaders

(56:00) #Bentonville Story

(58:48) Closing Questions

‍Links

Northwest Arkansas Tech Council

Jon Cadieux

NWA Workplaces

Quotes

“We have various other services that we offer, but mainly it’s all based around providing an office environment for people to get more work done.” - Jon Cadieux, (10:59)

“I'd say the biggest challenge I’ve had is myself. Sometimes you become the bottleneck for your company to overcome. So many entrepreneurs when they start out say ‘I’m going to do everything’…don’t put the tool belt on. You have to get other people to work in your business and then you work on your business.” - Jon Cadieux, (16:56)

“I wanted to have the Tech Summit be a thing for people who were working for big corporations, but also there be strands that small businesses owners could come and benefit from.” - Jon Cadieux, (29:46)

“If you want to compromise and live in a nice community or the new stuff that’s going to be coming online over the next couple of years, you still cannot beat [Bentonville]...I think it’s fantastic that people who are not high income earners can still live here and enjoy so much.” - Jon Cadieux, (45:50)

Scaling the Most Epic Wave of Comeback Stories the World Has Ever Seen with Chris Thompson of Sober Sidekick

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Chris Thompson, Founder and CEO of Sober Sidekick, a free sobriety app that helps users maintain their sobriety by connecting with a community of people who can empathize with where they are. Sober Sidekick allows users to become the hero of their own recovery and helps them reach unimaginable new heights. Following his own battle with addiction, Chris created Sober Sidekick to be a support system for individuals in their darkest moments and to show them that no matter what, they are never alone. Throughout the episode, James and Chris discuss the inspiration behind Sober Sidekick, who Sober Sidekick aims to help and why Sober Sidekick was established in Bentonville. Thanks for tuning in! Show Notes: (0:53) Introduction to Chris (2:31) Founding Sober Sidekick (6:19) About Sober Sidekick (9:38) Sober Sidekick’s Users (12:15) Why Northwest Arkansas? (17:37) About Bentonville’s Startup Ecosystem (20:17) Benefits of Living in Bentonville (28:33) What’s Next for Sober Sidekick (33:00) Closing Question Quotes “As I began my own recovery journey and reflected on all the different factors that kept me down for so long, I asked, ‘How could we build something that creates a world where it’s easier for people to climb out of this pit?’” - Chris Thompson, (2:55) “It’s an app available in app stores for iOS and Android, and it’s endless support around the clock in real time. The one thing I’ll say is people don’t use [Sober Sidekick] for its features, they come back for each other and that’s the difference maker, community.” - Chris Thompson, (8:19) “What I found the most positive [about Bentonville] is the intentionality. Here are our goals. Here’s what we want to see happen in the alignment of leaders across the different spaces. That’s what has been the most exciting to me, the willingness to collaborate and seeing each other as teammates versus strangers.” - Chris Thompson, (17:58) “Our mission is to scale to the most epic wave of real life comeback stories the world has ever seen. That’s a mission that won’t end until all twenty-two million Americans who are chronically suffering have found their journey.” - Chris Thompson, (28:33)

Helping Online Communities Connect and Engage with Derrick Reives & Venki Mandapati of UpSquad

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Derrick Reives and Venki Mandapati, Co-Founders of UpSquad, an on-demand engagement platform that helps organizations connect, communicate and collaborate. With over twenty-four years of experience working for Fortune 100 companies, Derrick serves as the CEO of UpSquad, and Venki is UpSquad’s CTO with over a decade of experience as a technology and data science leader. UpSquad’s custom, peer-to-peer platform assists nonprofits, schools and businesses in efficiently managing skill building, work-readiness, mentoring and more with shared equity that encourages support. Throughout the episode, James, Derrick and Venki discuss how UpSquad is advantageous to organizations, the startup path that led to UpSquad and how Bentonville is a positive place to work and live.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:54) Introduction to Derrick and Venki

(1:25) About Derrick

(2:53) About Venki

(4:21) The Ideation of UpSquad

(6:42) What UpSquad Provides and Who They Serve

(12:33) UpSquad’s Success

(16:38) From Corporate to Startup

(23:52) UpSquad’s Experience with Delta I-Fund

(33:22) UpSquad’s Participation in 1 Million Cups

(39:02) How Living in Bentonville Has Changed

(46:19) #Bentonville Story

(50:15) Closing Questions

‍Links

Derrick Reives

Venki Mandapati

UpSquad

Quotes

“What we do is take programs from nonprofits, schools, government agencies and businesses, and we put them in a virtual space. Virtual is the need of the hour, specifically hybrid where they can have both in-person and virtual activities going at the same time. We make it very easy for their members to collaborate in this innovative space.” - Derrick Reives, (6:55)

“That’s another milestone. As entrepreneurs we’ve had to learn to communicate what we’re doing and how it’s helping people. That’s priceless.” - Derrick Reives, (15:26)

“One of the main reasons we decided to open offices here in Northwest Arkansas and Bentonville is because we saw the entrepreneurial support for organizations like us. Not only that, but there’s this ecosystem across the entire state trying to pull in those that are out-of-state.” - Derrick Reives, (29:52)

“Entrepreneurship is difficult, and sometimes we need that environment to really succeed because it’s not going to be a day, it’s not going to be a month, it’s going to be years. We need to work together in order to really create something out of nothing.” - Venki Mandapati, (49:17)

Enabling eCommerce for Makers, Bakers and Shakers with Edwin Ortiz of Rejoicy

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Edwin Ortiz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rejoicy, a platform designed to help local shoppers support small businesses through digital storefronts. Rejoicy makes local goods available everywhere and to everyone by facilitating sellers and shoppers through an easy-to-use online marketplace. With over fourteen years of experience, Edwin is also the founder of Luncher, a company dedicated to delivering food from your favorite restaurants to your workplace. Throughout the episode, James and Edwin discuss Bentonville's entrepreneurial resources for founders and how Rejoicy helps businesses go from brick and mortar to click and order.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:53) Introduction to Edwin

(1:33) About Edwin

(4:00) About Luncher

(10:38) Pivots in the Startup World

(12:19) About Rejoicy

(16:39) Rejoicy’s Recent Work

(20:00) Edwin’s Experience with Techstars

(23:01) Advantages of Being Located in Bentonville

(26:53) Local Resources for Entrepreneurs

(31:44) Why Founders Should Have a Presence in Bentonville

(37:06) Bentonville Favorites

(42:07) Bentonville’s Contributions

(44:53) Closing Questions

‍Links

Edwin Ortiz

Rejoicy

Quotes

“When you look at what we’re doing with Rejoicy, it’s ‘What would people do if we make it easy to pursue their passion?’ The reality is that’s its core. The goal is to help people do what they love.” - Edwin Ortiz, (8:53)

“We make it super easy for them to get started. They can start their store in one minute, and they can be selling in less than ten minutes. That is the core of what we want to do.” - Edwin Ortiz, (13:34)

“There’s this feeling, this energy happening in Northwest Arkansas. It almost feels like the Renaissance. You have big companies, but you also have this growing number of startups.” - Edwin Ortiz, (23:51)

“I think for people who are interested in ecommerce, retail, products, the future of work, medtech (and more). Northwest Arkansas is the right place. Northwest Arkansas is the place that will attract all those things because it has the right ingredients to help those businesses succeed.” - Edwin Ortiz, (32:01)

Using Tech to Revolutionize Jewelry Stores with Andy Martin of Wishfluence

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Andy Martin, Owner and CEO of Moonlight Games, a video game company dedicated to developing mobile apps. Moonlight Games’ extensive list of applications includes Wishfluence, the first branded wishlist app to provide luxury jewelry stores with the means to connect every customer with their dream product. Andy founded Wishfluence with his wife to streamline how jewelry stores manage their customer’s favorite pieces. Throughout the episode, James and Andy discuss Andy’s entrepreneurial journey, the pros of being located in Bentonville and what it’s like to build a company with your spouse.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:52) Introduction to Andy

(26:07) Gauging Competition

(30:33) Andy’s Experience with Innovate Arkansas

(39:04) Benefits of Establishing in Bentonville

(49:21) How Families Thrive in Bentonville

(58:00) Advice to Couples Starting a Business

(1:01:12) Future Plans for Wishfluence

‍Links

Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)

Jeanette Collins

Northwest Arkansas Council

Yee-Lin Lai

Sarah Goforth
University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Innovate Arkansas

Arkansas I-Fund

1 Million Cups - Bentonville

University of Arkansas Tesseract Center for Immersive Environments and Game Design

USC Cycling: Bentonville Becomes Home for U.S. National Mountain Bike Team

Catherine Corley

David Sanders

Slaughter Pen - Oz Trails Northwest Arkansas

8th Street Market

28th Street Park - Cricket Pitch

Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center

Book: Sam Walton, Made In America

Quotes

“I said, ‘I’m going to do this wishlist thing, and I’m going to do it right.’ Because I’m passionate about startups and I really like how this is solving a problem.” - Andy Martin, (21:30)

“I realized I was in the same position I’d been in building the technology based on what I think the people need without a real avenue to get it to them. And the thought that it will just be good enough and they’ll sign up is not how it works.” - Andy Martin, (30:42)

“..another thing about LA is how cutthroat it is. Why would someone tell me about an opportunity that could help me if it in any way diminished their chances of being helped by that thing? Where I don’t think we have that mentality here at all…the thought is there’s plenty for all to share and we can grow it all together.” - Andy Martin, (39:23)

“I received this advice a lot, and hopefully one day I can take it, which is to leave the work at work.” - Andy Martin, (59:44)

Transforming Retail Execution and Workforce Management with Stan Zylowski of Movista

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Stan Zylowski, CEO and Co-founder of Movista, a software development company that provides an all-in-one platform for retail execution and workforce management. Movista integrates a multitude of disparate systems into a single user-friendly interface where everyone can manage, review, and approve work. With more than fifteen years of experience in sales, marketing, and general business, Stan has had great success in brand and account management, sports marketing, and operations. Throughout the episode, James and Stan discuss how Movista’s core values are the foundation for its success and best practices for developing a future workforce.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:54) Introduction to Stan

(7:09) About Movista

(12:59) Local Entrepreneurial Restaurants

(19:45) Movista’s History

(26:37) Movista’s Success

(33:42) Movista’s Core Values

(36:51) Cultivating a Future Workforce

(42:36) Bentonville’s Development

(47:06) #Bentonville Story

(49:53) Bentonville Favorites

(53:10) Closing Questions

‍Links

Stan Zylowski, stan@movista.com

Movista

Daniel Hintz

Downtown Bentonville Inc.

University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub

Ignite Professional Studies | Bentonville Schools

Bentonville Christmas Parade

Mayor Stephanie Orman

Quotes

“Our secret sauce at Movista is that we were the first to market on mobile and we give a single user interface to field teams.” - Stan Zylowski, (8:52)

“I sometimes say we took the dirt road so others can take the superhighway, and that’s great. That’s totally fine. We learned a lot of lessons along the way, but hopefully, we left a lot of breadcrumbs to help people follow the path.” - Stan Zylowski, (12:21)

“It’s about giving back, and the last anchor, the bedrock of the whole thing, is let’s have fun. We have to be here. We have to work. Let’s make it fun. So yeah we’ve lost some deals, but we’ve never lost a party.” - Stan Zylowski, (35:25)

“What I love about Northwest Arkansas is that any company you can think of would be able to be started here. Everyone that has products signed to Walmart, when they send people here, they don’t send the drags, they send the best and brightest…It’s this crazy combination of wealth gained in a conservative way.” - Stan Zylowski, (39:30)

Providing Game-Changing Consumer Data with Mike Steely of Veriphix

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Mike Steely, Commercialization Officer at Veriphix. Veriphix is a behavioral dynamics platform that leverages behavioral science and machine intelligence to empower individuals to turn chaos into creativity. Along with his role at Veriphix, Mike is an Arkansas startup champion and angel investor focused on identifying innovative ideas that can be molded into investable companies. Throughout the episode, James and Mike discuss Veriphix’s experience with Fuel Accelerator, why Bentonville is an optimal place to establish startups and how to prepare startups to become enterprises.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:53) Introduction to Mike

(3:05) History of Veriphix

(6:11) Veriphix’s Experience with Fuel Accelerator

(8:54) Getting Enterprise-Ready

(13:39) A Day in the Life at Fuel

(15:56) Bentonville’s Entrepreneurial Environment

(22:52) #Bentonville Story

(30:25) Bentonville Favorites

(36:19) Why People Should Visit Bentonville

(40:43) Advice to Entrepreneurs

(47:20) Most Memorable Moment

(50:22) Closing Questions

‍Links

University of Arkansas Bentonville Collaborative

Mike Steely, mike@veriphix.com, (501) 410-3394

The Momentary

Plug And Play Tech Center Northwest Arkansas

House of Songs

Black Fret

21c Museum Hotel

Osage Park

Thaden Field

Bentonville Brewing Co.

Zipline

DroneUp

1 Million Cups - Bentonville

*Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Quotes

“I would tell a founder, ‘If you don’t have a lot of enterprise experience, there’s nowhere better you can come to learn than Fuel because you’re living and breathing it everyday.’ Because of all the mentors that are brought into the program, you’re living and breathing how a major corporation makes decisions” - Mike Steely, (9:36)

“If you want me to give you a secret sauce to why we’re positioning ourselves here, we can talk about lifestyle and other things, but number one is I can get business done here more efficiently.” - Mike Steely, (18:22)

“...from a business standpoint, and even from a personal one, what people don’t understand about this area is that there is a mentality in this city that is ‘rising tides lift all boats.’ That means everyone you bump into and have a meeting with is truly interested in what you’re doing.” - Mike Steely, (32:46)

“You’re not going to leave [Bentonville] thinking you have wasted your time because there’s not a person I know that has come to the area that hasn’t enjoyed the experience.” - Mike Steely, (37:46)

Accelerating Inclusive Entrepreneurship in Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas with Rodrigo Salas from EforAll NWA

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Rodrigo Salas, Executive Director at Entrepreneurship for All Northwest Arkansas. EforAll is a non-profit organization that works to accelerate economic and social impact in NWA through inclusive entrepreneurship. With over twenty years of experience, Rodrigo is also the founder of Kualli Foods, a business that sells Hispanic cooking sauces and marinades, and a passionate community advocate who serves on multiple local boards and committees. Throughout the episode, James and Rodrigo discuss EforAll’s mission and who can benefit from it, how the community can contribute to EforAll and why it’s advantageous for EforAll to have a Northwest Arkansas location.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:55) Introduction to Rodrigo

(5:36) About EforAll

(8:14) Why Rodrigo Joined EforAll

(10:16) Businesses EforAll Has Served

(19:32) How EforAll Works

(31:22) How the Community Can Get Involved

(36:24) Why Rodrigo Moved to Bentonville

(41:43) Advice for Business Leaders

(48:49) Businesses That Can Benefit from EforAll

(50:40) The Development of Bentonville

(52:22) Bentonville Favorites

(58:25) #Bentonville Story

(1:00:13) Closing Questions

‍Links

Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) Northwest Arkansas

Rodrigo Salas

Molli Sauces

Ana Ortiz

Northwest Arkansas Community College

Tower Bar | The Momentary

Sweet Freedom Cheese

Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico

The Rise @ Coler Mountain Bike Preserve

Airship Coffee at Coler

Beaver Lake

Downtown Bentonville Square

Museum of Native American History

Quotes

“I think one of the major things the Walton Family Foundation, and all the major players in Northwest Arkansas, wants is to create an environment where everybody has an opportunity and a place to be because they belong in the community.” - Rodrigo Salas, (6:56)

“...all of them have been an inspiration to me. It’s incredible the amount of energy, dedication and passion they have for their business and what they want to build. No one has disappointed us in any way. On the contrary, I think they’ve exceeded our expectations by far.” - Rodrigo Salas, (11:04)

“One of the key elements of our program that’s not a cookie cutter kind of thing is that it’s customized to each one’s experience. That’s what we make sure each of our entrepreneurs and mentors understand.” - Rodrigo Salas, (21:40)

“The new generations are thinking more about quality of life rather than building a career in a big corporation. They want to have a little bit of both. And [Northwest Arkansas] is the perfect place for that because you have all these outdoor activities and things you can do.” - Rodrigo Salas, (45:30)

Building an Evergreen Technology Services Company with Exceptional Culture in Bentonville with Jared Smith

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jared Smith, President and CEO of Kitestring Technical Services, a leading technology services firm. Kitestring brings together talented people, influential ideas and a mission-driven culture to turn business visions into tangible value. Jared has led Kitestring for nearly ten years, scaling it from fourteen employees to more than 150, and he is also a board member of STOPWATCH, another local tech firm that provides cloud-based commerce software. Throughout the episode, James and Jared discuss the evolution of Kitestring, the importance of workplace culture in retaining employees and the benefits of establishing a business in Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:54) Introduction to Jared

(6:43) About Kitestring

(8:58) Jared’s Proudest Moments at Kitestring

(11:23) Challenges Kitestring Has Faced

(14:04) How COVID Effected Kitestring

(18:24) Leaving a Legacy

(19:35) Employee Retention

(25:28) Sustainably Attracting Employees

(31:00) Advantages to Being Located in Bentonville

(34:07) Bentonville’s Culture and Evolvement

(40:33) #Bentonville Story

(42:37) Closing Questions

‍Links

Kitestring Technical Services

Jared Smith

Onyx Coffee Lab Bentonville

Meagan Kinmonth Bowman

STOPWATCH

Dave Gandy

Font Awesome

Quotes

“What we’re doing in essence is helping our customers solve hard problems. That’s what we do, and we bring in knowledgeable people. Currently, there’s 185 kitestringers who are really smart people dedicated to solving really hard problems for our customers, which are anywhere from startups to the world's largest company.” - Jared Smith, (7:42)

“I think about legacy a lot, and I would love to leave something and build something that’s bigger than me. That’s a part of what motivates me…we’re evergreen versus exit-focused companies. We’re building companies for the long haul, and when you have this long perspective, it’s easier to absorb challenges as they come.” - Jared Smith, (15:33)

“I think the key to keeping people in your company where it’s more than just a paycheck is it has to be something they get real fulfillment and joy out of. I think that fulfillment and joy is going to come from the work they do, but also the people they work with.” - Jared Smith, (20:49)

“I’m hiring talent that already lives here, and there’s a lot of talented people living in Bentonville that have a ton of great experience that have worked for some of the big companies here. So there's a good talent pool that has gotten better and better over the years.” - Jared Smith, (32:21)

Bonus Episode | NWA Tech Summit Live, Featuring Alex Howland, Craig Immel, Caleb Talley, Katie Thompson, Kirt Gill & John Wilcox

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

The NWA Tech Summit is the Heartland’s premier technology conference and serves to enhance, prepare, and diversify the local Northwest Arkansas economy. In its ninth year, the NWA Tech Summit came back with 1,700 registered attendees when it returned in-person to downtown Bentonville. The NWA Tech Summit is an event hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and it is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, Northwest Arkansas Council, Walmart, J. B. Hunt, Tyson Foods, Salesforce, and the University of Arkansas Blockchain Center of Excellence.

Show Notes

(0:52) Introduction to Alex Howland

(13:26) Introduction to Craig Immel

(30:44) Introduction to Caleb Talley

(36:05) Introduction to Katie Thompson

(44:32) Introduction to Kirt Gill

(59:15) Introduction to John Wilcox

(1:06:33) Closing Thoughts

Links

Alex Howland

Alex Victtoria Events

Craig Immel

GoKey Network

The Momentary

Freshgrass | Bentonville

Startup Junkies Podcast

Katie Thompson

Science Venture Studio

Winrock International

VIC Technology Venture Development

Kirt Gill

NeuraStasis

Whole Health Institute

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

John Wilcox

Diatech Diabetes

Walmart (new home office)

Ledger

Table Mesa Bistro

Museum of Native American History

21c Museum Hotel

Quotes

“We’re in a place where people care about the future of our built environment, and that’s so powerful. I think they’re building the right way. I think there’s some important people here doing the right type of work in figuring out what’s next and how we’re going to plan for the impacts of what we build now and what it’s going to mean for future generations.” - Alex Howland, (8:03)

“I’m happy to be here in Northwest Arkansas and blown away by all the changes I’ve seen…the changes have been significant, but they’ve also been really nice. I see a lot of quality development, and it’s cool to see quality of growth and not just quantity.” - Craig Immel, (13:37)

“I think it’s a testament to how much the community’s grown and the effort of the Chamber and other stakeholders in Northwest Arkansas, Bentonville specifically, to develop what is here, add onto it and do the things that are enticing the talent and culture to put down roots.” - Caleb Talley, (35:17)

“I have a six and an eight year old, and we love coming up to Bentonville…I grew up in a small town in Texas and didn’t have the opportunities to see artwork, so to be able to take them to places like Crystal Bridges at no cost to me is always amazing.” - Katie Thompson, (42:36)

“It’s my first time coming to Northwest Arkansas, and it’s really beautiful…I went to Crystal Bridges, and there’s certain art pieces that really spoke to me…It’s hard to imagine what America looked like before all this development, and how beautiful this country is from a natural perspective, and you get to imagine it through some of the artwork that’s there, and I think that’s special.” - Kirt Gill, (53:43)

“We were able to see the Walmart campus being built and that total bikeable building, everything is so modern…Bentonville is beautiful, and I’ve been very impressed with the urban planning and the restaurants…The infrastructure is incredible, and I saw the bike pass too, so that’s been awesome. I want to come back and do some more riding.” - John Wilcox, (1:03:29)

Winning Commerce through Bentonville's STOPWATCH with Meagan Kinmonth Bowman

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Meagan Bowman, Founder and CEO of STOPWATCH, a cloud-based commerce software. STOPWATCH allows businesses to thrive in the blinding speed and complexity of commerce by optimizing profit across retailers in real time. In addition to leading STOPWATCH, Meagan is also a member of Fast Company’s Executive Board and a full-time contributor to the Forbes Technology Council. Throughout the episode, James and Meagan discuss how COVID impacted supply chain management and consumer behavior, the specific challenges women in business face and the specialty of Bentonville’s startup ecosystem.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:57) Introduction to Meagan

(5:35) A Recovering Supply Chain

(8:04) How COVID Changed Consumer Behavior

(12:54) About STOPWATCH

(17:14) Meagan’s Experience with Fundraising

(23:19) Advice to Women Raising Capital

(27:13) Balancing Motherhood with Entrepreneurship

(29:11) Why Bentonville is Right for STOPWATCH

(32:29) Bentonville’s Startup Ecosystem

(37:12) Bentonville’s Past, Present and Future

(40:29) #Bentonville Story

(45:29) Closing Questions

‍Links

Atento Capital/412 Angels

Bentonville Square

Wright’s BBQ

Medical Device Guru

Quotes

“When you have a barcode on the back of a product, a different barcode could be on the back of the same product in a different retailer. So what stopwatch does is reverse engineer and put the genie back in the bottle and ask, ‘If you had one sky how would you build this out differently?’” - Meagan Bowman, (15:20)

“Developer talent is fantastic here. It’s very prevalent in things like Walmart and JB Hunt. It’s stuff that’s organized and it’s stuff big money gets made off of. So I knew from a culture perspective, [Bentonville] is going to be a really good place to build a team.” - Meagan Bowman, (30:14)

“I like that type of energy. It’s kind of like get-up-and-go energy. I think one thing I really love about Northwest Arkansas is it doesn’t feel to me like you have to work super fast and be really flashy to make friends.” - Meagan Bowman, (34:18)

Bonus Episode | NWA Tech Summit Live, Featuring Andres Lazarte, Aaron Ivy, Amir Hoss, Liam La Fargue & Eugene Park

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

Show Notes

(0:54) Introduction to Andres Lazarte

(5:43) Introduction to Aaron Ivy

(15:52) Introduction to Amir Hoss

(25:25) Introduction to Liam La Fargue

(38:15) Introduction to Eugene Park

(47:03) Closing Thoughts

Links

Kitestring Technical Services

Northwest Arkansas Square 2 Square Bike Ride

Onyx Coffee Lab

Plug And Play Tech Center Northwest Arkansas

21c Museum Hotel - Bentonville

8th Street Market

Bike Rack Brewing Co.

Bentonville Brewing

Osage Park

Buddy Pegs

Airship Coffee at Coler

Quotes

“You get the best of both worlds. You have all the innovators and you have all the resources from Walmart and all the other companies. That culture made it a no-brainer to build [Basis Health] here…There’s a lot of other places in the world I could probably be, but Bentonville is the only place where I can walk down the street and go fishing in the morning and meet billion dollars of investment money in the afternoon.” - Andres Lazarte, (3:52)

“I’ll lead in with talking about how incredible Northwest Arkansas is. It’s really all become one community with different sub-sectors and cultures within that. Rogers, Bella Vista, Bentonville and Fayetteville are all very different from each other but are very much one big economic powerhouse.” - Aaron Ivy, (11:52)

“What I’ve been seeing is that a lot of executives and enterprises we have relationships with have moved to [Bentonville] over two to five years ago. It’s been amazing. So the conversation I have with them is that you come here and you never expect that what you see here is far beyond what you expected before coming here.” - Amir Hoss, (19:45)

“What I’ve really enjoyed at this tech summit is the presence and support that emerging technology companies are receiving from Fortune 500 companies and the recognition from huge corporate partners. I find that inspiring and extremely relieving.” - Liam La Fargue, (34:11)

“I love all the family things that are going on…I love the fact there are wonderful bike trails and restaurants. Everything here has grown so fast, but it feels like very thoughtful growth and growth that’s been designed for families. That’s what keeps us here.” - Eugene Park, (42:46)

Touring the World's Best Mountain Biking Trails with Mark Marsiglio & Charles Greathouse of TrailPilot

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Mark Marsiglio, Co-founder of TrailPilot, and his business advisor, Charles Greathouse. TrailPilot is an iOS and Android audio guide app designed to help mountain bikers navigate off-road adventures. The app gives riders expert advice on trail features and provides turn-by-turn directions based on their GPS location. Throughout the episode, James, Mark and Charles discuss the ins and outs of TrailPilot, their experience with being a Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program cohort and how Bentonville is working to be ‘unrecreateable.’

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:56) Introduction to Mark and Charles

(2:52) About TrailPilot

(5:35) Accessibility for Beginners and Visitors

(8:40) The Cost of TrailPilot

(9:47) Next Year's Forecast

(11:03) Being a GORP Cohort

(16:41) Advice for Those That Want to Join GORP

(20:47) The Past and Future of Bentonville

(28:26) Bentonville Favorites

(36:01) #Bentonville Story

(38:53) Closing Questions

‍Links

Downtown Bentonville Inc.

Ozark Adventure Trail, Day 3

Ozark Adventure Trail, Day 4

Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico

Bentonville Bike Fest

Quotes

“They don’t have to wonder where they are, and most importantly, they don’t have to wonder what things the trail has in store for them that they might not expect. We want a rider to enjoy the trail more on their first run and be able to have a safer experience that is not going to surprise them.” - Mark Marsiglio, (3:12)

“It turned out to be a great opportunity, and I learned a lot and got a lot of resources and education focused on personal commitment from my side to have the accountability of the program behind me. It resulted in great progress for the building of the business.” - Mark Marsiglio, (11:50)

“I would say that if you’re the next Austin or the next Silicon Valley, there’s two things you must do that you don’t want to do to be the next version of somebody else. Number one, you must take their problems and number two, you must accept you can only be second.” - James Bell, (26:47)

Bonus Episode | NWA Tech Summit Live, Featuring Jennifer Thomas, Amy Hopper Swan, Clark Cogbill, David Sanders & Andy Martin

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

Show Notes

(0:55) Introduction to Jennifer Thomas

(13:11) Introduction to Amy Hopper Swan

(22:25) Introduction to Clark Cogbbill

(32:10) Introduction to David Sanders

(41:58) Introduction to Andy Martin

(49:28) Closing Thoughts

Links

2022 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

Jennifer Thomas

Plug and Play Tech Center

Amy Hopper Swan

Arkansas Research Alliance

Horizon Health Solutions

Clark Cogbill

Arkansas Economic Development Commission

David Sanders

Innovate Arkansas at Winrock International

Andy Martin

Wishfluence

Arkansas I-Fund & Delta I-Fund at Winrock International

Bob Kurcheravy

Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce
The Preacher’s Son

Quotes

“Now we have this robust market of startups that are providing new opportunities for chronic health, are meeting consumers where they are and are changing how you approach healthcare…consumers have started driving their own healthcare in ways they hadn’t previously.” - Jennifer Thomas, (3:44)

“Arkansas Research Alliance has been around for fifteen years, and we exist to keep scientific talent in our state and recruit scientific talent here. We see this as a means to economic development. It’s a long-term outlook, but our scientists are pushing research forward, partnering with industry and creating their own companies and jobs for Arkansas.” - Amy Hopper Swan, (17:28)

“The whole mission and goal of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission is to increase jobs in the state and increase the average salary. To do that we help businesses that are already here grow, and we recruit businesses to the state.” - Clark Cogbill, (23:15)

“...it’s a wonderful program that really is a lead commercialization agent for the state. Our team of business and industry advisors help knowledge-based ventures grow in Arkansas. We focus on accelerating the business model and how we develop the talent and get founders and CEOs investible.” - David Sanders, (33:20)

“The ideal customer is selling the higher-end jewelry for us, and that’s because they’re probably a bigger store and just a little more sophisticated…A one to two store company, ten to twenty staff selling high-end jewelry items. That’s the exact type of company we’ve helped a few times already.” - Andy Martin, (44:05)

Transforming Workplace Mobility with Kourtney Barrett of Walmart

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Show Notes:

(0:53) Introduction to Kourtney

(1:58) Kourtney’s Role at Walmart

(6:07) A Mobility-Centered Walmart Campus

(8:43) Getting People on Bikes

(10:38) Shared Mobility Options

(12:37) Making People Comfortable on Bikes

(14:44) A Company that Cares

(17:32) The Future of Bentonville

(20:43) Ten Quick Favorites

(24:04) Mountain Bike Capital of the World

(26:58) Closing Questions

‍Links

Walmart (new home office)

Kourtney Barrett

Walmart (corporate)

Women of OZ NWA

JUNK Brands

Bar Cleeta

Ozark Mountain Bagel Co.

Conifer

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art | Nature & Trails

Quotes

“From an entrepreneurial standpoint, the best way I know to build something is to first hear from your customer and my customers are the associates. So we have had a number of information gathering events and bike demos.” - Kourtney Barrett, (6:31)

“When there’s less automobiles, people seem to breathe a little easier and there’s a little less stress. So working together with the city, with trailblazers, and with different organizations, has provided quick access to researching best practices.” - Kourtney Barrett, (9:22)

“We have the city focusing on helping us have safe routes on the street infrastructure…That’s very important when it comes to associates and residents that haven’t been on a bike in a while. It needs to be a fun and good experience and safety is paramount. You have to feel safe to want to do it.” - Kourtney Barrett, (12:47)

“This campus is a game changer and it’s an example to the rest of the world on how to have an environment that is a winning working environment for the associates and what happens when you provide outdoor spaces for them to work and connect with others and promote movement throughout the day.” - Kourtney Barrett, (16:00)

Bonus Episode | NWA Tech Summit Live featuring, Phil Shellhammer, Mike Steely & Connor Pocta

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Show Notes

(0:51) Introduction to Connor Pocta

(11:29) Introduction to Mike Steely

(26:37) Introduction to Phil Shellhammer

(34:53) Closing Thoughts

Links

2022 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

Fuel Artificial Intelligence Accelerator

Phil Shellhammer

Bentonville Collaborative

Toby Teeter

The Rise of the Rest by Steve Case

Buffalo National River

Museum of Native American History

Quotes

“For me, [an automation and robotics engineer] is somebody who’s taking things like robots and making that work for our company. So we’re taking the robots and we’re seeing how we can make it do a job that works for our company and with COVID and the labor shortage, these robots are a necessity…It’s really making a big difference right now.” - Connor Pocta, (3:32)

“We’re reshaping the way you understand how to interact with a customer. We can identify through a small survey the beliefs of a group and then how to actually nudge or influence those beliefs over time on behalf of a brand or organization.” - Mike Steely, (12:27)

“GORP is an incubator for startups and for early stage entrepreneurs. They’re trying to build some solutions with outdoor recreation specifically. It could be products, services, digital solutions, anything that has to do with trying to solve a problem with outdoor recreation.” - Phil Shellhammer, (27:37)

Making High-Quality Fertility Care Accessible to Everyone with Tammy Sun

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Show Notes:

(1:10) Introduction to Tammy

(2:34) The Frequency and Struggles of Infertility

(4:27) About Carrot Fertility

(5:37) The History and Growth of Carrot Fertility

(7:38) The Scale of Carrot Fertility

(8:31) Tammy’s Journey to Bentonville

(10:18) Lack of Fertility Benefits

(14:28) Funding for Female Founders

(17:05) Navigating Rejection

(19:40) Advice to Other Female Founders

(21:58) Bentonville’s Influence

(26:50) Closing Questions

‍Links

Quotes

“We make it easy for companies to give employees financial and emotional coverage and physical support for every aspect of lifelong fertility healthcare. Starting from before you’re ready to achieve pregnancy through egg freezing and pregnancy itself.” - Tammy Sun, (4:36)

“When you think about compensation and benefits, what’s included as part of your healthcare is really important because if it’s not covered, what happens is you ultimately have to pay for it yourself.” - Tammy Sun, (10:36)

“Women already make eighty cents on the dollar. When you think about having to then forgo making an investment in a retirement account or real estate, it actually widens the pay gap because they're going into their personal accounts to pay for it.” - Tammy Sun, (11:28)

“I think for any female founder who is thinking about starting a business, I would encourage them to stick very close to their customer.” - Tammy Sun, (14:53)

“If you’re a female founder, building resilience early on and understanding your problem, your solution, and your customer, all you need is one investor to support you.” - Tammy Sun, (17:57)

Bonus Episode | NWA Tech Summit Live, featuring John Wilcox, Jo Lynn Clemens, Tom Douglass & Megan Werner

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

Show Notes

(0:55) John Wilcox

(14:44) Jo Lynn Clemens

(27:21) Introduction to Tom Douglas

(35:36) Introduction to Megan Werner

(42:17) Closing Thoughts

Links

2022 Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

Attraversiamo Technologies

Quotes

“The Northwest Arkansas Tech Summit is an interesting opportunity for startups in the southwest and mid-south to check out…between the pitch competition, connecting with the region for investment opportunities, and hearing about other technology, it makes it all worth it to come to Bentonville.” - John Wilcox, (13:27)

“...people are approachable, so it maintains what’s valuable and important for families and companies that wish to grow. You have that diversity of thought here from all over the country because these companies attract talent from everywhere. It really is a mecca.” - Jo Lynn Clemens, (24:01)

“I can go into any office or restaurant and have a conversation with somebody that ultimately could help my business from a small business growth perspective…in terms of friendliness, acceptance, and everything else, it’s unique across the country.” - Tom Douglass, (30:19)

“I’ve already had an abundance of ideas pop up in my head of, ‘I can talk to this person and they can help us with this or we could help them with that.’ It’s a great hub for connecting and resourcing and growing our economy.” - Megan Werner, (40:37)

Funding Northwest Arkansas' Next Generation of High-Growth Startups with Sterling Smith

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0600

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Sterling Smith, Managing Director of Atento Capital’s Northwest Arkansas hub. Sterling spent time as a computer program analyst and software engineer before starting his journey as a serial entrepreneur and VC. His experience in operations has shaped his entrepreneurial and VC development, but ultimately, his drive to add diversity to the investment world sets him apart. Throughout the episode, he and James discuss his career, Atento Capital’s investment in the Heartland, the reasons for Bentonville’s success, and much more.

Show Notes

(0:53) Introducing Sterling Smith

(4:37) Sterling’s Passion for Entrepreneurship

(8:39) Introducing Atento Capital

(12:09) Atento’s Presence in NWA

(19:25) 412 Angels

(23:12) How Bentonville Has Changed in the Last Fifteen Years

(29:09) Comparing Bentonville to Other Prominent Markets

(30:25) What Sets Bentonville Apart for Founders and Startups

(34:21) How Operational Experience Benefits a VC

(37:48) Sterling’s Strengths and Weaknesses as a Founder

(41:28) Closing Thoughts

Links

Fuel Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Accelerator

Startup Junkie

Cartwheel Studios

Blockchain Center of Excellence

Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Venture Intern Program

Whole Health Institute

XNA - Northwest Arkansas National Airport

Quotes

“It took none other than for me to revisit Bentonville after being gone for so long for me to touch down and feel the energy that exists here.” - Sterling Smith, (13:16)

“I feel the same energy today in Bentonville that I felt eight years ago when I first came to Austin, which is a much larger city, but the same fundamentals that existed there are in this region as well.” - Sterling Smith, (13:46)

“Investing in startups is on the riskier side of investing in assets, generally speaking, and I’ll say that the approach that we take—we do everything we can to derisk and provide investors that participate in 412 Angels with an unfair advantage when making those decisions.” - Sterling Smith, (21:37)

“For people that want to be around other passionate individuals and passionate organizations that care about producing world-changing and practical solutions, I think that if you are in any of these spaces—B2B SaaS, direct to consumer, CGP, logistics…this is a great place to be for that.” - Sterling Smith, (31:54)

Attracting Supply Chain and Innovation Startups from Around the World to Bentonville with Josh Saffran

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Joshua Saffran, Director of Plug and Play Northwest Arkansas. Plug and Play is an open innovation platform that connects its corporate partners with startups to fill needs and drive innovation forward. Originally based in Silicon Valley, Plug and Play added a hub in Northwest Arkansas to serve its corporate partners in the region, as well as mine for new, innovative startups in the area. Throughout the episode, James and Joshua discuss Plug and Play, Bentonville’s value to businesses, and how startups can stand out from the crowd.

Show Notes

(0:50) Introducing Joshua Saffran

(2:45) The Gents Place

(4:00) Plug and Play

(7:05) Why, How, and When Plug and Play Came to Northwest Arkansas

(8:05) How Plug and Play Connects Corporations with Startups

(9:37) Stories from Plug and Play’s Live Events

(13:38) Sourcing Startups

(14:40) Why Business Leaders and Startups Need to Be In Bentonville

(16:43) Joshua’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(19:40) How to Connect with Joshua and Plug and Play

(20:06) Joshua’s Family

(23:06) How Founders Can Make Their Startups Standout

(24:03) Closing Thoughts

Links

Plug And Play Tech Center Northwest Arkansas

Joshua Saffran

The Gents Place

Saeed Amidi

Plug and Play Tech Center

Quotes

“Most folks are working specifically with the startups, but we’re working with the startups and bringing them to the corporate partners…So it’s a win for Walmart in this example because we’re bringing them technology. It’s a win for the startup because they don’t have that relationship [previously]. So there’s a lot of pluses for both sides in this.” - Joshua Saffran, (5:40)

“Having a global company based out of Silicon Valley with a local hub here in Northwest Arkansas, to me, is a tremendous value to everybody within our ecosystem.” - Joshua Saffran, (6:43)

“[Bentonville’s] community is fascinating—it’s like nowhere else I’ve ever lived, and I’ve lived in Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago, New York…What’s on the horizon to come here is so incredible, and the growth we’ve seen in the last couple years is nothing compared to what’s going to happen in the next few years. The cost of living is great. The technology is coming here…You have three major corporations in Walmart, JB Hunt, and Tyson all here. Anybody that sells to Walmart has an office here. There’s so many reasons to be here.” - Joshua Saffran, (14:54)

“I’ve never seen anything like this—what’s going on [in Bentonville]. The way people interact, connect, help, and pay it forward. It’s such a cool spot.” - Joshua Saffran, (17:22)

Why a San Francisco Startup Founder and Investor Moved to Bentonville with Phil Libin

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Phil Libin, a software engineer turned serial entrepreneur. Phil’s currently the Founder and CEO of All Turtles, an early-stage product studio, as well as the startup mmhmm, a video software business that aims to create more sustainable and joyful ways to work and collaborate. With a long history of success, Phil has extensive experience with transforming ideas into companies. Throughout the episode, James and Phil discuss Bentonville's economic ecosystem and the complexities behind founding a startup.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:54) Introduction to Phil

(2:33) About All Turtles

(3:30) About mmhmm

(8:27) Phil’s Journey to Bentonville

(12:12) Surprising Aspects of NWA

(18:59) Entrepreneurial Opportunities in NWA

(20:30) About Bentonville’s Economic Ecosystem

(27:01) The Intricacies of Being a Founder

(31:42) Raising Venture Capital

(38:10) Learning from Failure

(42:59) Closing Questions

‍Links

Sam M. Walton College of Business

Quotes

“I think it’s a more humane way to live. People spend a lot of time talking about work-life balance, and when you frame it like that, those two things are pulling against each other…It’s only fairly recent that those two were seperate things.” - Phil Libin, (7:02)

“The companies I’ve seen here tend to focus on more real problems, and the companies I’ve seen in the Bay Area and San Francisco tend to chase opportunities more than focus on problems.” - Phil Libin, (21:01)

“That’ll be the next version of economic development, which is different from what it used to be before because before you had to start thinking about the company first, now you can start thinking about the people.” - Phil Libin, (23:30)

“At All Turtles, when we hear a pitch, we internally talk about what is the most likely way for it to fail so we know what to work on first, because we always want to run at the hardest problems first, because that’s what’s going to kill us.” - Phil Libin, (41:06)

Accelerating Bentonville's Startup Scene with Matthew Ward of Fuel

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Matthew Ward, the Director of Fuel Accelerator, an enterprise-ready accelerator that matches growth-stage startups with key enterprise partners. Along with his role as Director at Fuel, Matthew is also a Senior Associate at Cadron Capital Partners and a Consultant for Startup Junkie. Throughout the episode, James and Matthew discuss how Fuel’s accelerator model differs from others and why Bentonville is such a great area for people to plant their startups.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(1:00) Introduction to Matthew

(5:03) Why Fuel Was Started

(9:22) What Fuel Is Doing Differently

(12:02) Others Involved in Fuel

(17:50) Why Bentonville Is an Ideal Place for Startups

(20:26) Fuel Success Stories

(24:28) The Criteria for Working with Fuel

(31:38) What’s Next for Fuel

(32:21) Closing Questions

‍Links

Matthew Ward

Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)

Cadron Capital Partners

Northwest Arkansas Council | Life Works Here

Northwest Arkansas Startup Crawl

Bentonville Economic Development | James Bell

Quotes

“At the end of the day, what we are trying to do is have companies from around the world come to Bentonville and experience it and say, ‘I want to put down some roots here. I want to create jobs and bring in talent because that’s good for the ecosystem.’” - Matthew Ward, (11:04)

“As a whole with Bentonville, people want to help you out. And also you have a lot of diversity here with people coming to work for Walmart. So you have collaboration, hospitality, and a different view. To me that’s a really good combination.” - Matthew Ward, (19:11)

“One, their solution has to be able to have a chance of selling into the enterprises here…and the second piece is someone who’s willing to make that commitment and sacrifice to be here and make connections.” - Matthew Ward, (24:29)

“...they don’t want to be average, they want to be the best. You can experience a lot of exceptional things (in Bentonville), and alongside doing business with world-class companies, you have the chance to enjoy yourself in the off time with cycling or food.” - Matthew Ward, (27:32)

Creating Northwest Arkansas' Entrepreneurial Ecosystem with Jeff Amerine of Startup Junkie

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jeff Amerine, founder and managing director of Startup Junkie, a consulting service that supports, inspires, and educates entrepreneurs at no cost. With thirty years of experience, Jeff has an extensive background in business leadership and early-stage investments. Throughout the episode, James and Jeff discuss the startup community in Northwest Arkansas and how Startup Junkie assists entrepreneurs.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:57) Introduction to Jeff

(1:35) Jeff’s Background

(3:08) About Startup Junkie

(5:49) Surprising Success Story

(8:33) Favorite Startups

(12:07) How Startup Junkie Helps Entrepreneurs

(16:13) About the Startup Junkie Podcast

(22:15) The Best Version of Tomorrow

(24:55) Why Businesses Should Be Founded in Bentonville

(29:33) How the Startup Community Has Evolved

(33:21) What’s Next for Startup Junkie

(37:11) Closing Questions

‍Links

Startup Junkie | Jeff Amerine Caleb Talley Martha Londagin

Fuel Accelerator | Kiva Northwest Arkansas | Startup Junkies Podcast

RevUnit | Michael Paladino Joe Saumweber

Ox | Charu Thomas

NWA Workplaces | Jon Cadieux

EforAll Northwest Arkansas

Rise of the Rest | Steve Case Jamie Rodota

Phil Libin

University of Arkansas Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation | Sarah Goforth

Atento Capital 412 Angels Cadron Capital Partners NewRoad Capital Partners

Blue Marlin Partners | Becca Shaddox

Permjot Valia

Quotes

“We’re at the point where I often hear Bentonville is the next Austin and that’s one of those things I both love and hate. My response is always, ‘We don’t want to be the next Austin, we want to be the next best version of ourselves.’” - James Bell, (21:26)

“These people are accessible. It’s not like you have to get a decree to see them. You’re going to run across them on a bike trail or in a coffee shop. So, proximity to great people would be a benefit.” - Jeff Amerine, (25:25)

“People here are by nature entrepreneurial and helpful. They had to band together. So when people come here from elsewhere, they’ve captured that, they’ve built on that, and it’s gotten even better.” - Jeff Amerine, (26:41)

“You can walk out any door in any one of these cities on any given day of the week and there’s something small business or startup going on. So that regular cadence of activity and engagement is really something.” - Jeff Amerine, (32:13)

Scaling Startups with Jessica Head of Endeavor Northwest Arkansas

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jessica Head, marketing director at Endeavor NWA, a global organization helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses to transform economies. With over ten years of experience, Jessica is a passionate and creative strategist specializing in experiential marketing, branding, and digital campaigns. Throughout the episode, James and Jessica discuss Endeavor’s ideal student, the tools Endeavor has to offer, and what Endeavor hopes to achieve in NWA.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:57) Introduction to Jessica

(4:40) The Story of Endeavor

(9:15) Endeavor’s Goal for NWA

(12:06) Endeavor’s Ideal Entrepreneur

(17:42) Endeavor’s Selection Process

(19:09) About Endeavor Catalyst

(22:49) Endeavor in NWA

(26:55) Biggest Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make

(29:39) Closing Questions

‍Links

Megan Kinmonth Bowman (James called her April in the episode–sorry, Megan!)

STOPWATCH

Quotes

“We have some unique voices that are a part of this community that have helped to champion some really interesting mentorships that can be available to entrepreneurs worldwide.” - Jessica Head, (9:52)

“So expanding our visibility of Endeavor and the support we provide to neighboring cities of Northwest Arkansas is to ensure we have connectivity and that the talent and education crosses vertically in these different codes.” - Jessica Head, (10:57)

“They’re able to engage in international selection panels that are hosted all over the world. It’s an opportunity for founders to mingle with other entrepreneurs that are also at that stage of growth and looking to become an Endeavor entrepreneur.” - Jessica Head, (14:06)

“It becomes a selfless process that ensures that these founders get the trusted resources they need and the correct advice to have economies to scale.” - Jessica Head, (15:48)

A Sneak Peek into the World’s First Bikeable Building with Ledger Bentonville

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Josh Kyles, the mastermind and developer behind Ledger, and Mary Best, the director of operations at Ledger. As the first bikeable building, Ledger is cultivating working environments that everyone can thrive in while elevating an individual’s desire for movement and well-being. Throughout the episode, James, Josh, and Mary discuss the artistic details incorporated within Ledger, who Ledger caters to, and how it seamlessly blends into the Bentonville culture.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(0:55) Introduction to Josh and Mary

(4:37) Josh’s Inspiration behind Ledger and Its Bentonville Location

(8:18) About Ledger

(9:49) Inspiration Behind the Bug Gem Artwork

(14:08) Meaning behind Bikeability

(16:52) Highlighting Artists with Conference Rooms

(19:26) Intertwining Ledger into the Fabric of Bentonville

(22:39) Businesses Opening at Ledger

(24:48) What Ledger Means to Bentonville

(29:25) Overcoming Challenges While Building Ledger

(32:21) Closing Questions

‍

‍Links

Quotes

“I tell my people one of my favorite times was when I saw some guys that worked on the job by the fence showing it to their kids. That’s what you want to create. Where that sense of ownership and pride travels through to every person that touches the job.” - Josh Kyles, (7:17)

“...it’s this ethos and this story around how now is the best time to be alive. It’s that these bugs are doing the work to create something that’s bigger and better for everyone.” - Mary Best, (11:53)

“We had investors and developers who said this building should be a mirror and the community should see themselves here.” - Mary Best, (18:17)

“We hope that not just on the architectural side that it starts to set the bar for not just Bentonville, but the region. People look at it and say, ‘This is what can be done. Here’s the interaction that can be had. Here’s how it’s done right.’” - Josh Kyles, (26:01)

Moving the Bicycle Industry Forward with PeopleForBikes and SHIFT'22 Bentonville

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes, and John Paul Shaffer, the Northwest Arkansas business innovative director for PeopleForBikes. PeopleForBikes is a non-profit organization focused on uniting individuals and businesses to make bike riding better for everyone. They accomplish this by helping communities quickly build better places to ride. Throughout the episode, James, Jenn, and John Paul discuss PeopleForBikes’ current lobbying efforts, what they’re working on in the NWA region, and the upcoming Shift ‘22 conference.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(1:17) Introduction to Jenn and John Paul

(3:49) PeopleForBikes’ Mission

(4:38) Current Lobbying Efforts

(7:09) Making the Cycling Industry More Inclusive

(9:29) Why PeopleForBikes Chose NWA

(11:20) The Biking Scene in Bentonville

(14:37) PeopleForBikes Work in the Region

(20:15) About the Shift ‘22 Conference

(27:33) Closing Questions

‍

‍Links

Quotes

“We really believe the bike makes life great and believe in the profound effect the bicycle can have on lives in communities. So we’ve been centering on this mission of making America a place where bike passes and trails are ubiquitous.” - Jenn Dice, (4:02)

“We do a lot of work in the equity mobility space, making sure all people have a chance to move around their communities freely. There’s not a one-size-fits-all aspect, so we’re lobbying for different purchase incentives or tax credits.” - Jenn Dice, (6:29)

“It’s the same mindset of if we want people to make a behavior change, we need to equip them with the knowledge and the gear. But also on the other side, let’s program things that make them want to get out and ride a bike.” - John Paul Shaffer, (14:53)

“Our three tracks are diversity, equity and inclusion; climate change or sustainability; and fostering assembly manufacturing in the United States and growing jobs.” - Jenn Dice, (21:19)

#Because Bentonville Highlight Episode

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary:

Welcome to a special episode of The Bentonville Beacon Podcast. This week, we’re taking a break from our regular episodes to highlight why Bentonville is so amazing. We’ve chosen a few clips from some of our favorite moments of The Bentonville Beacon Podcast so far. Sit back and enjoy these clips, and check out Bentonville, where you get more of what you want, and less of what you don’t!

Show Notes:

(0:32) Cyrus Sigari of Up Partners, Future Mobility Council of Arkansas, and Fly Oz

(2:26) Morgan and Tyler Baumgardner of Encore Bike Rentals

(5:42) Rich Drew of The Ride Series

(8:30) Bonnie Adams of Swim OZ

(12:45) Kris Adams of NWA Tech Summit

Building the World’s Finest Aerobatic Aircraft with Josh Richards of Game Composites

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Josh Richards, COO at Game Composites LLC, an aviation and aerospace components manufacturer. Josh’s background is rooted in technical excellence, with experience in highly-regulated industries such as aerospace and nuclear power. Throughout the episode, James and Josh discuss Game Composites, the GB1 GameBird, and why Bentonville is the perfect place for advanced manufacturing.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(1:27) Introduction to Josh Richards

(1:44) Josh’s Passion for Aviation

(4:17) About Game Composites

(7:21) About the GB1 GameBird

(10:34) The GameBird Building Process

(13:21) Blazing a Trail for Advanced Manufacturing

(18:50) Exposing Customers to the GameBird

(21:06) Growth Plan for Game Composites

(23:07) Game Composites Employee Opportunities

(26:48) Why Bentonville Is Ideal for Game Composites

(31:54) The Bentonville Experience

(34:45) Final Questions and Thoughts

‍

‍Links

Josh Richards

Game Composites LLC

Quotes

“So part of the history that’s important is that the company was never really just founded to build GameBirds. It was always about creating, you know, being a significant player in aviation manufacturing. Maybe not a Boeing right out of the gate, but somebody who makes a difference and really makes a splash in the environment.” - Josh Richards, (5:51)

“We see a lot of customers now that want a really custom experience. So, one of the challenges of running a manufacturing business with an operations mindset is how do you give a custom experience, but in a repeatable fashion.” - Josh Richards, (11:33)

“The expansion does a couple things for us. It helps us vertically integrate some of our products that go into the aircraft. We want to build as much stuff as we can in Arkansas. On the other side of it, we’ve got big plans for the company on what’s next. We’re working on what we call GB2, so the second iteration or second version of aircraft for Game Composites.” - Josh Richards, (21:27)

How Bentonville Became the Mountain Biking Capital of the World with Gary Vernon

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Gary Vernon, a seasoned Sr. Program Officer at the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group. Gary, a key person behind OZ Trails, is the main reason for the explosion of the mountain bike trails in NWA. Throughout the episode, James and Gary discuss the large expansion of trails and what that has meant for the culture and economy in NWA, specifically Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(1:57) Introduction to Gary Vernon

(3:04) Walton Family Foundation vs. Walton Personal Philanthropy

(4:31) The Rise to Mountain Bike Capital of the World

(7:22) About OZ Trails

(9:41) Specialty of the NWA Trails

(15:23) NWA’s E-bike Mentality

(18:09) Why Cycling Companies Are Moving to NWA

(24:45) About the Bicycle Industry Employers Association

(27:05) Economic Impact of NWA’s Trial System

(34:48) Changes in the NWA Region

(43:05) Where Bentonville Is Headed

(45:11) Final Questions

‍

‍Links

Walton Personal Philanthropy Group

Gary Vernon

Quotes

“I can do a nine-mile ride from work on a single track within a block of my house, which is amazing…I think the benefit that we really can’t measure is the mental benefit of being able to get active, and you don’t have to ride a mountain bike to be on [the trails].” - Gary Vernon, (29:35)

“I couldn’t tell you how many people I’ve met in the last year that have moved here, and they can work remote wherever they want and just wanted to be near the trail. The sense of pride in the region is definitely noticeable.” - Gary Vernon, (35:11)

“Sustainability is a big word in the trail building industry because weather and use and all that can wear on a trail and raise the cost of maintaining it. That’s the one thing that we’re always trying to solve is the maintenance conundrum.” - Gary Vernon, (43:10)

Leading the Smart Mobility Revolution with Dr. Richard Ham

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Dr. Richard Ham, a seasoned transportation executive with four decades of experience in security safety operations and administration compliance and enforcement. Dr. Ham’s list of expertise and accomplishments is long and includes but is not limited to the associate director of the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas, where he co-leads the largest graduate program at the University of Arkansas. Throughout the episode, James and Dr. Ham talked about the progression of drones within the next couple of years and the mobility space in Bentonville.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes:

(1:13) Introduction to Dr. Ham

(3:00) About Dr. Ham

(5:37) Dr. Ham’s Passion for Aviation

(8:36) The Progression of Drones

(25:29) The UP.Summit

(34:17) University of Arkansas Planning Grant

(37:12) Fully Autonomous Trucks

(40:09) Presence of Mobility Companies in Bentonville

(45:39) How to Get Involved in the Mobility Space

(57:13) Closing Questions

‍

‍Links

Dr. Richard Ham

Quotes

“...if you want to deliver something to Jonesborough, there’s just no good way to get there because it’s pretty rural…the ability to have an automated cargo route that would make the flight in an hour and a half and then turn and work it the other way. It starts to connect communities in a way that nobody really thought about.” - Dr. Richard Ham, (16:14)

“If you think of these small towns, it affects how commerce happens. If you can get something in three hours then do you have to have as many brick and mortars? There’s gonna be a discussion about that and some really smart people that think that way in retail and wholesale are gonna think about how we do distribution if this is our model now.” - Dr. Richard Ham, (22:16)

“We’re gonna talk about where we are with our ability to accept manufacturing and workforce readiness…If you don’t have that foundation, you end up with a lot of voices, but there’s never a consolidated voice that people will look to when they are looking to come here.” - Dr. Richard Ham, (32:58)

“Developing that framework and then knowing where to step up from there is really important because if you don’t, then when you start making some decisions later on, you’re going to wish you’d have done that differently because it would have been better.” - Dr. Richard Ham, (38:08)

Floating Around Bentonville with Rob Mahler of Naz-T's FloaT Shop

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0500

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell was joined by Rob Mahler, founder and lead tech for Naz-T’s FloaT Shop, a local onewheel rental and repair shop that specializes in repairing and customizing PEV vehicles. James and Rob talked about the vision, challenges, and future of building Naz-T’s FloaT Shop, the development of NWA, and the growth of onewheels.

Thanks for turning in!

Show Notes:

(1:11) Introducing Rob Mahler

(1:27) A Passion for Onewheels

(4:11) About Naz-T’s FloaT Shop

(7:18) The Growth of Onewheels

(9:22) About FloatLife Fest

(13:23) Challenges with Building Naz-T’s FloaT Shop

(15:55) Development in NWA over the Years

(22:08) Mountain Biking Capital of the World

(24:54) Future of Naz-T’s FloaT Shop

(34:59) Most Important Lesson Learned

(37:59) Closing Thoughts

‍

‍Links

Naz-T's FloaT Shop

FloatLife Fest

Quotes

“They say this is my stomping ground. I wanna show you around so you can connect with us at any time. If you come to town to rent one, they’ll link up with you and they’ll go ride with you. They just want to ride, so they’ll show you around town and the whole piece.” - Rob Mahler, (8:41)

“It started out of a need to do certain things, but then we needed to do certain things for others. So we get paid for a service then go buy some inventory that we might need. So the greatest challenge is keeping inventory on hand so that we can get it out to the customers fast.” - Rob Mahler, (13:28)

“...we’ve taken the time to really build toward quality of life and quality of place for the last 15 years, which really helped us out during the pandemic because we were positioned to take in all those people that wanted to leave places like San Francisco and said ‘I’m done and I’m not going back.’” - James Bell, (24:00)

Delivering Bikes Across Northwest Arkansas with Encore Bike Rentals

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(1:33) Introducing Morgan and Tyler

(2:41) All about Encore Bike Rentals

(9:22) How the Baumgardners Came to Bentonville

(19:44) The Baumgardners’ GORP Experience

(26:53) Morgan’s and Tyler’s Favorite Trails

(31:42) How Companies Should Be Capitalizing on Bentonville

(40:45) What’s Next for Encore Bike Rentals

(45:00) Because Bentonville

(49:26) Morgan’s and Tyler’s Favorite Lesson Learned This Year

Links

Quotes

“What we’re trying to do with Encore is capture our experience the first time riding here, simple as that. I want people to rent from us and be able to go out on a bike that’s set up for them, that feels good for them, and will take them where they need to go on these trails and have that spark that we felt when we first rode here.” Tyler Baumgardner, (13:43)

“We just kept coming back to ‘experience.’ We want the experience to be wonderful for cycling and biking and mountain biking, all of it in Northwest Arkansas.” Morgan Baumgardner, (25:33)

“Part of the reason I think these trails are here is talent attraction in some aspects. Because people that have options with their career, they look at where they’re living and their quality of life and they’re like, ‘Hey, I really like mountain biking. I don’t really want to have a job in a place that doesn’t have it [or other outdoor activities].’ You can kind of name one besides snow sports and we’re good to go—we have pretty much everything.” Tyler, Baumgardner (32:57)

Bonus Episode | Boosting Your Mountain Biking Skills with Rich Drew and The Ride Series

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(1:45) Introducing Rich Drew

(4:45) How Rich Ended Up in Bentonville

(6:59) Rich’s Ride Series

(18:55) Mountain Biking and the Brain

(34:00) Nutrition and Riding

(41:04) Rich’s Favorite Trails

(47:55) How Cycling Companies Should Be Taking Advantage of Bentonville

(57:13) What’s Next for Rich and The Ride Series

(1:04:55) Rich’s Favorite Lesson Learned This Year

(1:09:00) Because Bentonville

Links

Quotes

“The success of our YouTube channel for me doesn’t come from views or subscribers, it comes from the feedback, the comments, some of the relationships we have built through that. It’s exciting because I’ve been able to try to stay true to what we wanted in the beginning, and that was making things that were positive, things that were educational, things that were entertaining, and something that I would always be ok with my son watching.” Rich Drew, (14:40)

“The idea is we want to remove all the impediments. We want you to just be able to focus on the technique. If you can focus on the technique, you can have time under task. You can be doing it right. And then you can go to the trail and potentially do it right. So…should you just go ride? You should, but you should just go ride doing things properly.” Rich Drew (20:19)

“When you come here you realize the vast majority of mountain bike riders, they don’t want to ride mountains. They want to ride trails that are accessible, that aren’t dangerous, but that are exciting for them and their level. They want to do it in the vicinity of amenities that are world-class and abundant. And nowhere in the world does it like this place.” Rich Drew (50:01)

“When I’ve had the opportunity to have conversations with those business leaders, all I’ve said to them is ‘do something that makes an impact.’ If you come in and your efforts are to make a positive impact on the community, I think everything else will take care of itself because people here can see through that.” Rich Drew, (51:32)

“All I did was highlight what so many amazing people have poured into. The amount of people that have put effort into making this place what it is, to be able to showcase that, and have people [and their] kids see it and come here, that’s just a true honor, and it’s a responsibility that I relish.” Rich Drew, (1:10:43)

Leveling Up Delivery in Northwest Arkansas with DroneUp

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(2:47) Introducing John Walker and Tom Vernon

(4:39) Learning about DroneUp and What They Do

(6:04) What Challenges DroneUp Has Faced to Get Where They Are Today

(9:17) The Benefits and Practicality of Drones

(15:01) All about the Safety Measures and Best Practices of Drones

(31:09) What Made NWA Ideal to Build DroneUp

(35:53) What’s to Come for DroneUp

(48:58) Because Bentonville

(55:06) Tom’s and John’s’ Favorite Lessons Learned This Year and Closing Thoughts

Links

Quotes

“[NWA] gave us a huge opportunity to expand, very much a crawl-walk-run approach to how we were going to move this. And to learn all of the lessons, not just about the drone, those are the things we kind of knew…You can build all of these amazing technologies and apps, but like any other agile and innovative company, all of the lessons you learn actually happen when you start doing it.” John Vernon, (31:27)

“Our culture really aligns well with Walmart’s. Ours is about doing it safely and then growing it appropriately…By being associated with Walmart, I don’t think we were looked at as sort of this rogue drone company that’s going to start flying all over, but we were partnered with Walmart and therefore we were expected to behave like Walmart, and just by virtue of our culture and how we operated, we did.” Tom Walker, (32:48)

“Make no mistake about it…Northwest Arkansas is very very innovative. It’s interesting because in some ways it still has the laid back feel of the parts of Arkansas that I used to really like; it wasn’t a super fast-pace; it didn’t feel that way. But if you look at the innovation that’s going on around here…It’s almost like this subtle underground community of hyper-innovation that’s super impressive for the area.” Tom Walker, (34:33)

“I think that sense of accomplishment overcomes the fear, uncertainty, or doubt of what’s going to be next. Focusing whatever you can do to be the best that you can be in the moment that you’re in has really been an enriching experience for everybody involved, and I think in emerging industries, it’s another drawing factor that brings people in and helps people feel like they’re a part of something that’s more than just a day-to-day job.” John Vernon, (52:15)

“Keep humble. I wouldn’t say ‘Be humble,’ it’s ‘Keep humble.’ We’ve come a long way but we’ve got a long way to go…I think more than anything, especially with the growth that we’ve experienced over the last year, it’s very easy to get caught up in the big number that you see around growth and people count, but its also very humbling.” John Vernon, (55:06)

Exploring the Future of Mobility with Cyrus Sigari

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(2:07) Introducing Cyrus Sigari

(3:35) Deep Dive into Up Partners and Everything They Do

(18:21) All about Flying Cars

(24:40) Future Mobility Council of Arkansas

(32:59) Arkansas as a Major Player in the Future of Mobility

(42:37) Because Bentonville

(46:05) Cyrus’ Favorite Lesson Learned this Year and Closing Thoughts

Links

Future Mobility Council of Arkansas

Cyrus Sigari

Up Partners

Game Composites

Fly Oz

Quotes

“We believe that we’re at this really unique point of the existence of humanity where mobility is changing very rapidly and in such a way that it can really increase the quality of life for humanity.” Cyrus Sigari (3:59)

“[We ask the question] ‘Is it needed? Is this something that’s going to make the world a better place?’ I’m not interested in investing in another social media company or something else that’s just trying to steal peoples’ eyeballs to try and sell them something. Deeply in our hearts, we want to be supporting entrepreneurs and companies that are creating technologies that are increasing the quality of life for humanity.” Cyrus Sigari, (11:22)

“Mobility, and in particular aeromobility, makes the world a lot smaller. It brings people together and it makes borders disappear.” Cyrus Sigari, (21:47)

“[We need to move in the] right direction when it comes to educating our children around things that really matter, [like not] telling them to go sell stuff instead of go build stuff and create a future that’s worth getting up and excited about. That’s pretty darn important, and I’m really excited to see the outcome of that set of initiatives.” Cyrus Sigari, (30:20)

“Silicon Valley is no longer a place, it’s a headset around innovation and disrupting what was in the past for a greater future. It’s no longer a thing that is completely monopolized by the coasts anymore. The heartland is really getting the opportunity to be a home for innovation and technology and support humanity in a very different way.” Cyrus Sigari (33:59)

Preparing for the Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit with Kris Adams

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(1:24) Introducing Kris Adams

(2:07) Kris’ Passion for Technology and His Role in It

(3:01) All about the NWA Technology Summit

(13:32) Pitch Competition Information

(20:48) Kris’ Journey to the Summit

(25:16) Because Bentonville

(32:02) How to Sign Up for the NWA Technology Summit

(33:30) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

NWA Tech Summit

Quotes

“[The NWA Tech Summit] is the premier technology conference here in the heartlands. And we believe that because of our size, pulling in about 1,400 in-person participants in 2019, and then over the last couple of years virtually, about 1,200, that size alone makes us unparalleled in the region for technology conferences.” Kris Adams (3:04)

“If you have a cool toy to bring with you, bring it and show it off. Because now that we’re back in person, we’re not stuck in the confines of being behind a screen for a virtual event. If you have something flashy and exciting and fun that you can show us, that we can touch and see, that’s what we want to have at the Tech Summit this year.” Kris Adams, (19:35)

“This is the way I [can] have my cake and eat it too. I could get to play with all of this fun tech, and then use it as a way to continue to help make Bentonville and the surrounding area better.” Kris Adams, (22:00)

“You know, when you move somewhere, you move with some hopes and expectations for what the local area will be like. We knew what we had seen on paper and what we’d seen on a screen, and then to really come and experience it in person, it just blew away even our wildest expectations.” Kris Adams, (24:05)

This year, the Northwest Arkansas Tech Summit will be returning for an exciting in-person event all across Downtown Bentonville October 16-18, 2022. The event will focus on technological advancements in five different tracks: Mobility & Supply Chain, Health & Wellness, Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, and Web3. Click here to register today! We hope to see you there!

How Northwest Arkansas is Revolutionizing the Rock Climbing World | Pedro Somarriba of Lacaida Ropes

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(1:12) Introducing Pedro Somarriba

(2:21) Pedro’s Passion for Climbing

(7:42) The Climbing Scene in Arkansas

(12:14) Introducing Lacaida Ropes

(17:02) Lacaida Ropes Product Launch Announcement

(18:10) All about Tarps and Their Upcoming Interform Collaboration

(22:02) Plug for GORP: Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program

(23:31) Pedro’s #BecauseBentonville Moment

(29:16) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Arkansas Climbing Coalition

Pedro Somarriba

Lacaida Ropes

GORP

Quotes

“You have organizations like the Arkansas Climbers Coalition, so the development, adding new routes, making routes safer by rebolting and putting up new cleaner, more safe hardware attracts more people to the state, people come to the state and see what it has to offer in terms of climbing, and ideally they spend dollars here.” Pedro Somarriba, (10:27)

“[We’re] making a life-saving device here. This is something that people will trust their lives with. [we] need to lean into that. How do you make a lifesaving device safer and not just more aesthetically pleasing by putting cool designs on it? So that’s why we leaned into the metered ropes.” Pedro Somarriba, (13:12)

“These outdoor rock climbing routes are within a 15 minutes drive of downtown Bentonville. The accessibility is a game-changer.” Pedro Somarriba, (23:47)

“We realized that the same trail we hiked in on is a mountain biking trail. So [we] have mountain bikers zooming past the rocks that we’re climbing on. Where else are you going to find that, like back-to-back rock climbers and mountain bikers using the same natural resources and just enjoying the outdoors?” Pedro Somarriba (24:38)

Paddling through Northwest Arkansas with Scott Holley of Eddyline Kayaks

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(0:47) Introducing Scott Holley

(2:31) All about Entrepreneurship through Acquisition

(7:23) Deeper Look at Eddyline Kayaks

(9:20) Exploring the Technological Aspect of Making Kayaks

(17:15) Scott and Eddyline Kayaks’ Connection to Bentonville

(26:20) Scott’s Vision for Kayaking’s Impact on Northwest Arkansas

(28:34) Scott’s NWA Kayaking Bucket List

(39:23) How Bentonville Can Help

(42:10) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Quotes

“We are out there helping people to safely access healthy and clean waterways. So for us, the safety portion is really important. We use all of our products, and we make sure that we design all of our products for a comfortable, high performance experience on the water, but also with safety in mind.” Scott Holley, (7:23)

“One of the things that we’ve seen, especially during Covid, is that consumers are looking to have a more direct relationship to the brand. So whereas before, a retailer would really push product out to consumers, consumers are now coming in armed with a lot of information, a lot of foreknowledge…We know that we need to maintain that relationship with the end user. ” Scott Holley, (23:58)

“What I would love to see if we fast-forward 5-10 years from now is that the development looks a lot like what we’ve seen [with] mountain bikes and biking in general, and I can’t think of a place anywhere that has really created that model better than Arkansas.” Scott Holley, (26:20)

“If you have people who kayak, they’re going to be intimately aware of shoreline health…so it’s a little bit of a virtuous cycle, right? More people will kayak if you have healthy waterways, and then the more kayakers you have on healthy waterways, the more that they’re going to be invested in protecting and preserving those, and then creating new opportunities for access.” Scott Holley, (30:42)

Highlights of Season 1

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Shownotes

(0:42) Episode 1 | Helping Entrepreneurs Define and Launch Their Businesses | Phil Shellhammer of GORP

(2:31) Episode 2 | Why Outdoor Rec Businesses Should Consider Bentonville | Andrew Gibbs-Dabney of LIVSN

(7:40) Episode 3 | Why Should Business Leaders Care about Bentonville? | Nicole Dougan of Strider Bikes

(13:25) Episode 10 | How Technology is Improving Bentonville's Mountain Biking Experience | Bryce Paden & Ryan Shelton of Flowfeed

(15:54) Episode 4 | Falling in Love with Northwest Arkansas | Danny Collins of 37 North Expeditions

(22:32) Episode 11 | Bringing Extreme Sports to Bentonville with Seth Johnson of Amped Electric Games

Swimming in the Land of OZ with Bonnie Adams of SWIM OZ

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 27 May 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(0:53) Introducing Bonnie Adams

(7:25) Introduction to Swim OZ and Joys of Swimming

(12:35) Plugging the Upcoming Walmart OZ Mile Swim Race

(13:56) How to Prepare for an Open Water Swim

(20:25) The Importance of All-Over Fitness in Training

(27:15) Why Bentonville?

(30:47) How Everyone Can Capitalize on Bentonville Outdoors

(36:06) Bonnie’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(46:21) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Quotes

“It’s a wonderful thing to be able to learn to swim. It’s a life skill. I firmly believe that everyone should know how to swim.” Bonnie Adams, (8:02)

“It’s 100% on all of it. It’s one thing to condition your body for swimming, or for running, [or] we’ve got a ton of cyclists in the area, so cycling...We want you to ride your bike. We want you to swim. We want you to run. But we want you to do other disciplines as well…It’s going to allow you to have a cross-benefit that you’re only going to get when you’re doing something else as well.” Bonnie Adams, (20:25)

“I went from being the big fish in a little pond [in other places in the US] to being the small fish in the ocean [in NWA]. And there’s so much of that, that translates into what Northwest Arkansas is, from not just a swimming standpoint, but from a recreational standpoint, from a business standpoint…The caliber of person that lives here, is moving here, is astounding.” Bonnie Adams, (25:24)

“It’s moments where different parts [of Bentonville outdoor recreation] can intersect and expose you to seeing something for the first time in a different way that you kind of forget about unless you’re in this area.” Bonnie Adams, (39:30)

Arkansas's Booming Outdoor Recreation Industry with Katherine Andrews

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 23 May 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(0:50) Introducing Katherine Andrews

(3:12) A History of the Office of Outdoor Recreation

(11:43) How Companies Today Are Choosing Locations for Their Businesses

(14:11) How Katherine’s Office Is Helping Businesses Say Yes to Arkansas

(18:05) Northwest Arkansas’s Competitive Advantages

(20:37) Why Bentonville?

(21:22) How Outdoor Companies Can Capitalize on Bentonville

(24:22) Katherine’s 5-Year Goals for the Office of Outdoor Recreation

(27:00) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Katherine Andrews

Quotes

“Arkansas’s outdoor recreation scene is unmatched. We are a state that prides ourselves on the abundant opportunities in our great outdoors. In the Natural State, we have over 100,000 miles of navigable streams and rivers, 600,000 acres of lakes, 5 world class Epic Rides mountain bike trails, thousands of miles of hiking trails, over 3.2 million acres of public land, America’s first National River, the Buffalo National River…America’s first Reserve National Park, which is Hot Springs National Park…the highest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalations, big game hunting…and on and on.” Katherine Andrews, (5:43)

“One of the hardest challenges for recruiting companies [is] actually getting someone from the company to come here. But once we actually got them here, then they [say] ‘ok now I understand. It makes sense to me.’ There’s an incredible opportunity as a state right now to capitalize on attracting new companies and workers to the state by leveraging our natural assets.” Katherine Andrews, (11:09)

“Today, one of the biggest driving forces for companies when they’re making location decisions is workforce. Some of the others are business friendliness, cost of doing business, cost of living, proximity to suppliers and consumers. Fortunately for us, we have all of those things. We are one of the most business-friendly states in the US, we are located smack-dab in the middle of the country…and we have a very diverse industry in Arkansas.” Katherine Andrews, (11:43)

“There’s something special happening here. Bentonville is a community that cares deeply about its people and about creating a sense of place. It draws companies in. So if you look at the investments being made by the philanthropic groups, large corporate organizations, and others, that only just becomes more clear. Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing metros the US, so…that choice to me would be a no-brainer to move here.” Katherine Andrews, (20:37)

“My overall goal is for this office to become the one-stop-shop for all things outdoor recreation, a gathering place for knowledge, information, and resources.” Katherine Andrews, (24:10)

Making the Best Bikes in America with Drew Medlock of Allied Cycle Works

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 16 May 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(0:36) Introducing Drew Medlock

(2:09) A Taste of What Allied Cycle Works Is All About

(5:23) Making Bikes in the USA vs. Asia

(8:24) What Brought Allied Cycle Works to Bentonville

(14:40) Why Bentonville?

(16:47) How Businesses Can Capitalize on Bentonville

(17:55) What’s Next for Allied Cycle Works?

(18:45) Why USA-Made?

(19:57) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Allied Cycle Works Factory Videos

Drew Medlock

Allied Cycle Works

Quotes

“We had the vision to bring high-tech frame manufacturing processes back into the United States…Brands didn’t really have the in-house knowledge [to build carbon fiber frames] in the United States…So our goal was to bring that back.” Drew Medlock, (2:28)

“Northwest Arkansas has been really great because there’s a good manufacturing base here from the poultry industry and people who are good at working with their hands and are easy to train here locally.” Drew Medlock, (6:33)

“I just see so much opportunity still left here. I think there’s so much good momentum and positive momentum about really growing the outdoor industry as a whole and growing our community…It’s cool to be somewhere where there’s a blue sky in terms of what’s possible” Drew Medlock, (14:40)

“[Northwest Arkansas] is a place that is growing. There’s lots of development, we can see more diversity coming into the area, and it feels like a place where you can have this access to the outdoors and be a part of it but also build a sustainable business climate for your employees.” Drew Medlock, (17:34)

Bringing Extreme Sports to Bentonville with Seth Johnson of Amped Electric Games

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 09 May 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(0:39) Introducing Seth Johnson

(1:50) All about Amped Electric Games and Why It Started

(6:12) What to Expect at Amped Electric Games

(17:02) How People Can Capitalize on Bentonville

(17:48) Organizations Supporting New and Innovative Things in Bentonville

(28:25) Seth’s Advice for Outdoor Enthusiasts Visiting Bentonville

(30:01) Details for the Upcoming Amped Electric Games

(32:44) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Use Seth’s discount code ERIDELIFE at revrides.com

Quotes

“One of the major reasons [we chose Bentonville] is the people here are just so dang nice…everywhere I go in Bentonville, everyone I tell this idea to, they just get really excited. I see the lights go on in their eyes and they say ‘This is what Bentonville needs!’” Seth Johnson, (3:18)

“Trail etiquette is something that is very important to us and something that we try to instill from the very beginning when somebody begins riding these devices.” Seth Johnson, (8:25)

“Mountain bikers have enjoyed these trails for many years, and we’d like to come and enjoy them too. I know that I personally have gone and put in time digging rides locally, so we want to be involved, we want to help, [and] we want to contribute. We’re not just here to take away or to detract from the trails. I think we can all live pretty peacefully together.” Seth Johnson, (9:48)

“Everything is connected here… Everybody knows everybody, and so I’m trying to introduce myself and become part of that community.” Seth Johnson, (25:47)

“I think success is going to look like everybody having fun. That’s the most important thing to me.” Seth Johnson (26:45)

How Technology is Improving Bentonville's Mountain Biking Experience | Bryce Paden & Ryan Shelton of Flowfeed

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 02 May 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes:

(0:45) Introductions

(6:08) Getting into Mountain Biking

(8:45) Flowfeed App

(9:36) Collaboration over Competition

(18:54) Why Is Bentonville Best for Flowfeed?

(21:41) Response to Flowfeed

(23:53) Newest Features

(29:57) The Hardest Learning

(36:13) Tapping into Local Resources

(40:45) How Bentonville Is Changing

(44:44) How Else Should People Know Northwest Arkansas?

(53:14) Where to Find Flowfeed and a Final Shameless Plug

Links:

Quotes:

“So we live in a digitized data-rich world, and we believe that data can add a lot of value to the mountain biking community.” Ryan Shelton, (8:57)

”That's not to say, you know, the answer is go ride everything. The answer is: let's make sure we efficiently communicate all of the excellent trails we have down here that can be ridden in almost any weather condition, and all of the value that's here, even when it's wet outside.” Ryan Shelton, (16:57)

”The raw drive and desire to grow that I found here meant huge potential, and being an entrepreneur, I'm always betting on the upside. And I think the upside on entrepreneurship in Northwest Arkansas over the next five years is tremendous.“ Ryan Shelton, (20:35)

”We felt like if you try to build something for everybody, you potentially build something for nobody, so we wanted to be really focused on mountain biking and make sure that we could really understand that user well.” Bryce Paden, (29:04)

”We're no longer just where Walmart is. There's this whole other narrative that's being built that is resonating with people.” Bryce Paden, (41:18)

Coaching the Next Generation of Mountain Bikers | Kyla Templeton of Bike School Bentonville

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(0:23) Introducing Kyla Templeton

(6:23) Why Kyla Started Bike School Bentonville

(14:48) What Makes Bentonville Trails Special

(22:52) Bike School Bentonville’s Upcoming Programming

(24:47) What’s Next for Bike School Bentonville

(28:59) Kyla’s Favorite Ride

(30:20) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Girls Bike Bentonville FB Group

Kyla Templeton

Bike School Bentonville

Arkansas NIKA

Quotes

“I love to ride my bike. I find a great deal of freedom when I ride my bike, and fun. And it helps me to feel like a kid and also to feel really connected to the world and myself and the people that I’m with…So I love to ride my bike and I love to share that with other people and for people to discover for themselves what it means for them.” Kyla Templeton, (1:55)

“You know it is wonderful, like that’s one of the things that’s so special about Bentonville, is that you don’t have to load your bike up in the car to have an amazing bike experience…Here, you can just hop out your door and there’s, in so many places, a trail within ten minutes.” Kyla Templeton, (9:40)

“The trails are really good and they’re well-built. And the trailblazers and the team of people doing the trail development, they’re really trying to push the industry forward in all kinds of different ways…So the trails are really well-made and are well-maintained and they’re built so that the trails almost teach a rider how to ride.” Kyla Templeton, (16:01)

“It doesn’t take much to find that peace and solitude [on the trails] if that’s what you’re looking for, but it’s also really cool to have this communal experience on the trails with a bunch of other people.” Kyla Templeton, (20:24)

The Importance of Community and Corporate Citizenship with Jeanelle Harris of Outdoor Cap Co.

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(0:41) Introducing True NWA Native Jeanelle Harris

(2:01) Outdoor Cap Co.

(11:23) How Outdoor Companies Can Thrive in Bentonville

(14:03) What’s Next for Outdoor Cap Co.?

(23:27) Importance of Community and Corporate Citizenship

(26:09) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Jeanelle Harris

Outdoor Cap Co.

Quotes

“I think some of what our secret sauce is, is our expertise focused on headwear, but also the people. We have a lot of people who are long-tenured, who are committed to our business and helping us be the experts and serving our customer loyalty, both to the business and to each other. So, definitely the people are our secret sauce.” Jeanelle Harris, (3:29)

“Within the last five years, and even recently, there’s been conversations where when I say ‘Bentonville,’ [people] say ‘Oh, I want to go there! I want to travel there. I want to take my family there.’ You know, there’s a vibrance that has really come about that Bentonville is a place on the map.” Jeanelle Harris, (11:49)

“We started to see these corporations and families like the Walton Family Foundation really start to pour into the community and look at some of the things we could use as growth potential and realize that we needed to raise up a new generation that my kids are a part of to make sure that they understand diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Jeanelle Harris, (17:48)

“The one thing that I would want people to know about Outdoor Cap and in turn, myself [and] my family because it all ties together, is our pull towards community and corporate citizenship and the fact that we don’t just want to exist in Bentonville as a company without giving back as well.” Jeanelle Harris, (23:26)

Bonus Episode | How the Fuel Accelerator Helps You Get Enterprise-Ready with Vance Reavie and Jigesh Vora

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(1:12) Introducing Vance Reavie and Jigesh Vora

(5:41) Participating in the Fuel Accelerator and Other Resources in NWA

(13:33) Initial Thoughts on Bentonville

(18:45) Bentonville Stats

(22:10) What’s Next for SwiftGo and Junction AI

(25:23) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Quotes

“For me, [the Fuel Accelerator] was a pivotal moment for our company in understanding where we fit in, what value we can add, and how I can take advantage of [Bentonville’s] business community to propel forward.” Vance Reavie, (6:34)

“What impressed me about Fuel was the fact that the engagement from the community is amazing. I mean, everybody from mentors, advisors, corporate partners—everybody was very engaged in truly helping the startups get to where they wanted to go or where they need to be.” Jigesh Vora, (7:18)

“[Fuel] isn’t a program that teaches you how to pitch or how to go chase the VC model or any of those sorts of things. It’s about being enterprise-ready.” Vance Reavie, (11:49)

“I think the majority of the companies around here are small businesses, which is perfect from an ecosystem perspective for a startup. Even if it’s a growth-stage startup, it’s the perfect place to be because you have the top Fortune companies here, but you have this ecosystem of small businesses that you can partner up with and improve the overall value of your solution.” Jigesh Vora, (15:19)

“The work-life balance here is—everyone talks about it, but [Bentonville] actually delivers it in a real way that you can appreciate every day.” Vance Reavie, (16:56)

Is NWA the Next Austin? | Kalene Griffith, President and CEO of Visit Bentonville

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Show Notes

(0:27) Introducing Kalene Griffith

(2:52) Why Kalene Chose Bentonville

(4:39) How Bentonville Has Changed

(6:39) Introducing Visit Bentonville

(11:58) Upcoming Events in Bentonville

(14:05) How People Should Think of Bentonville

(18:04) Why YOU Need to Experience Bentonville

(29:34) Is NWA the Next Austin?

(32:26) Stories that Encapsulate Bentonville

(38:01) Punching above Our Weightclass

(40:20) Bentonville Schools

(43:05) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Kalene Griffith

Visit Bentonville

Quotes

“What I love about [Bentonville} is the people, hands down. I’m fortunate that within about three to five months I felt like this was home…I felt like the people that were here made me feel welcome and part of their families.” (2:59) - Kalene Griffith

“[Early on], we were the home of Walmart, and that was pretty much our story. Now, we’re the home of Walmart, we’re the mountain bike capital of the world, we are an arts destination. So we’re a lot of different things now. And so we get to tell a lot of different stories in 2022 versus 2005.” (8:55) - Kalene Griffith

“If you’re here for the cycling, you get an experience where everybody in our community has adopted that cycling culture or that cycling initiative that we have pushed through for our community.” (18:30) - Kalene Griffith

Why Bentonville's Culture Is Right for Your Outdoor Recreation Business | Nicholas Olano of American Hunt

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Shownotes

(0:28) Introducing Nicholas Olano and His Journey to NWA

(6:04) American Hunt

(13:48) Participating in GORP

(20:15) Why YOU Should Care about NWA

(21:45) What’s Next for American Hunt?

(23:02) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts

Links

Nicholas Olano

American Hunt

Quotes

“What keeps us [in Northwest Arkansas] is everything. This is hands down, the best place I’ve ever lived. We have four moderate seasons, so by the time you’re sick of one season, you have a new season rolling around.” (3:57) - Nicholas Olano

“We’re not just a hunting platform. There’s ATV off-roading, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and we have an ‘other’ category. So if you think your land is suitable for any outdoor activity, you’re more than welcome to put in on American Hunt.” (12:19) - Nicholas Olano

“It seems like every other incubator wants a piece of the pie, and [GORP] did not, which was really cool. And that also kind of goes to show Bentonville culture. This is an area where a lot of people just want to help people.” (15:50) - Nicholas Olano

“There’s a lot of other places that might have an REI or something like that. But then where do you go? You have to drive two hours to get somewhere to use that stuff. In Northwest Arkansas, you drive 15 minutes east or west, and next thing you know, you’re in pristine wilderness. We have one of the cleanest rivers in the country. We have the first national river. We have float trips. We have mountain biking…we literally have everything here.” (20:34) - Nicholas Olano

Falling in Love with Northwest Arkansas | Danny Collins of 37 North Expeditions

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Shownotes

(0:27) Introducing Danny Collins and 37 North Expeditions

(4:36) Falling in Love with Northwest Arkansas

(6:57) Helping Everyone Fall in Love with the Outdoors

(14:36) Prioritizing Diversity and Equity in the Outdoors

(18:56) What Business Owners Need to Know about the Ozarks

(25:33) Advice for Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneurs

(30:12) What’s Next for 37 North?

(33:34) The 37 North Team

(35:57) Choosing a Superpower and Closing Thoughts

Links

Danny Collins

37 North Expeditions

Quotes

“Our very simple goal and aspiration is to get as many people outside as humanly possible and to make it really simple and convenient to do so. And really, a byproduct of that is helping people fall in love with our beautiful natural landscapes and therefore want to protect it.” (2:01) - Danny Collins

“Northwest Arkansas is growing at such an incredibly rapid rate, and there’s so many exciting aspects to that…It’s a really vibrant combination of these people that are moving in from really everywhere with a community that is putting everything into the outdoor connection.” (15:11) - Danny Collins

“For so long, [outdoor programming for youth] was just about teaching your kid how to fish, teaching your kid how to kayak, and the list goes on…For us, we are like, ‘Teach your kid how to love the outdoors. Teach your kid how to feel comfortable in the outdoors and how to slow down.’ So we lead with the connection to self, connection to others, and connection to nature.” (32:05) - Danny Collins

Why Should Business Leaders Care about Bentonville? | Nicole Dougan of Strider Bikes

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Shownotes

(0:21) Introducing Nicole Dougan and Strider Bikes

(3:57) Who’s shopping at Strider?

(7:20) Revitalizing Downtown Bentonville

(9:11) The Strider Cup and Adventure-cross

(12:20) Nicole’s NWA Origin Story

(15:08) Why Should Business Leaders Care about Bentonville?

(21:05) What’s Next for Strider in Bentonville?

(22:14) Closing Thoughts and Choosing Your Superpower

Links

Nicole Dougan

Strider Bikes

Quotes

“Even though we [biked and kayaked] a lot back in Missouri, it was always a day—it was a feat to load up and go get enough miles in or to go float. Whereas now, we live in Bella Vista and can be on the river in 10 minutes, and you know, the Back 40 [mountain bike trail] is in our backyard, and I can ride my bike to work now.” (14:30) - Nicole Dougan

“I think Bentonville is so unique in that—first of all—the infrastructure’s there, so that’s the obvious [thing].” (15:16) - Nicole Dougan

“To come here and be able to work, make a decent living, have great jobs, have access, and still be able to have that family balance is really unique to anywhere I’ve seen. And so not only can you offer your business a great location and support from the community, but you can also offer your employees so much by being here.” (15:56) - Nicole Dougan

“We talk about being here and having access to things, but being here, people have access to you because it really is very centrally located and easy to get to.” (17:05) - Nicole Dougan

Why Outdoor Rec Businesses Should Consider Bentonville | Andrew Gibbs-Dabney of LIVSN

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Shownotes

(0:16) Introducing Andrew Gibbs-Dabney and LIVSN Designs

(6:56) Utilizing Kickstarter

(16:16) The Advantage of Being in NWA

(23:47) Why Outdoor Rec Businesses Should Consider Bentonville

(28:25) Advice for Aspiring Outdoor “Rec-preneurs”

(30:52) What’s Next for LIVSN?

(32:49) The Deep Talent Pool in NWA

(36:40) Choosing Your Super Power and Closing Thoughts

Links

Andrew Gibbs-Dabney

LIVSN Designs

Quotes

“What Arkansas has I think is something special—maybe less flashy, but it’s not anything less inspiring [than the other outdoor hubs in the country].” (17:01) - Andrew Gibbs-Dabney

“If there’s mountain biking or cycling in the company’s interest, there’s definitely a reason to be here.” (25:15) - Andrew Gibbs-Dabney

“From my house, I can access almost 300 or 400 miles of trails and not get in my car. From my office, I can do the same thing. Anywhere in Bentonville, you don’t actually have to drive anywhere. You don’t have to even have a bike rack if you don’t want to.” (25:40) - Andrew Gibbs-Dabney

“The outdoor industry is thriving in the southeast, and a lot of these brands do most of their sales here.” (27:21) - Andrew Gibbs-Dabney

“We’ve had 80–150 applicants for every job we’ve posted. We’ve ended up hiring someone locally each time because the best person for that job happened to be here.” (33:22) - Andrew Gibbs-Dabney

Helping Entrepreneurs Define and Launch Their Businesses | Phil Shellhammer of GORP

Bentonville Economic Development | Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Summary

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Bentonville Beacon podcast!

In today’s episode, host James Bell sits down with Phil Shellhammer, Director of the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). Phil recently launched GORP as a part of the University of Arkansas’s education and research program in Bentonville, known as The Collaborative. The pair discusses how GORP serves entrepreneurs in the area and why outdoor brands should consider Bentonville as their new home!

Thanks for tuning in!

Shownotes

(0:20) Introducing Phil Shellhammer and GORP

(3:39) Helping Entrepreneurs Define and Launch Their Businesses

(8:03) Who Is GORP Serving?

(11:08) Bentonville’s Draw for Outdoor Recreation Brands

(16:45) Unique Opportunities that Bentonville Provides

(19:44) What’s Next for GORP?

(23:11) Choosing Your Super Power

(24:23) Closing Thoughts

Links

Phil Shellhammer