bentonville

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)

enMarch 11, 2024

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

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)

enMarch 04, 2024

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

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)

enFebruary 26, 2024

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

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)

enFebruary 19, 2024

Exploring Bella Vista’s Transformation with Mayor John Flynn

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)

enFebruary 12, 2024

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

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)

enFebruary 05, 2024

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

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)

enJanuary 29, 2024

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

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)

enJanuary 22, 2024

Discovering Northwest Arkansas with Phillip Shepard of All Things NWA

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)

enJanuary 16, 2024

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

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)

enJanuary 08, 2024

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

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)

enJanuary 02, 2024

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

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)

enDecember 26, 2023

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

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)

enDecember 18, 2023

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

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

University of Arkansas

Justin Urso

McMillon Innovation Studio at University of Arkansas

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)

enDecember 11, 2023

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

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)

enDecember 04, 2023

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

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)

enNovember 27, 2023

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

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)

enNovember 20, 2023

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

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)

enNovember 13, 2023

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

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)

enNovember 06, 2023

Pedal-Powered Tales with Scott Fitzgerald of Buddy Pegs

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)