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

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

James Bell 

Bentonville Economic Development

Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Ramsay Ball (479) 640-6405

Grey Space Collective

HighGround Hospitality

Focus Commercial Real Estate

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)

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

James Bell 

Bentonville Economic Development

Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

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)

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

James Bell 

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)

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

James Bell 

Bentonville Economic Development

Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

Third Space Coffee Co

Bierhaus Creative

Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas

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)

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

James Bell 

Bentonville Economic Development

Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

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)

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

James Bell 

Bentonville Economic Development 

Rafael Rios

Yeyo’s

Rios Family Farm

Yeyo’s Food Truck

Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico

Yeyo’s Mezcaleria y Taqueria

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)

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

James Bell 

Bentonville Economic Development 

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)

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

James Bell 

Bentonville Economic Development 

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)

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

James Bell 

Bentonville Economic Development 

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)

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

James Bell

Bentonville Economic Development 

Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit

Jessica Imel

Bentonville Schools

Ignite Professional Studies

Kaushal Dhumal

Sarthak Chaturvedi

Aditya Sohaney

Praneel Vakkalagadda

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)