Andrew Gibbs-Dabney, Founder and CEO of LIVSN Designs, joins the The Startup Junkies Podcast to discuss his entrepreneurial journey. Andrew got his start in apparel working for Fayettechill as a warehouse employee, but the success of the company would lead him to play the role of CEO in 2 short years. His passion for outdoor recreational activities and apparel led him to create his own clothing line– LIVSN. The idea of offering high-quality, durable outdoor clothing for people who value experien...
Sep 27, 2018•54 min•Ep. 141
Beau & Kourtney Barrett, Founders of JUNK Brands, join the Startup Junkies Podcast for episode 140. Beau and Kourtney detail the start of JUNK Brands, and how it grew to become the nationally recognized headband company that it is today. They discuss the importance of listening to the market and providing customers with authentic products that leave them coming back for more. Beau and Kourtney also explore the subculture that helped them scale, and how to use your community as leverage to keep g...
Sep 21, 2018•38 min•Ep. 140
Blake Puryear, Head of Product at Engine, is an e-commerce expert who has his eyes set on the future of the marketplace. Engine is a Fayetteville based e-commerce platform built for the digitally native, vertically integrated brands that are building and selling their own products directly to the consumer. In this episode, Blake and the team discuss their perspective on the Northwest Arkansas startup scene and what it means to be a part of passionate, thriving community. We dive into Blake’s pas...
Sep 03, 2018•38 min•Ep. 139
How does a startup, small firm, or entrepreneur with an innovative technology idea get the required facetime with a tech giant/mega retail corporation to pitch their next big idea and impact the world? Bryce Paden, co-founder of i2i Labs, has the solution in the unique form of a tech broker of sorts. Hardly a full year into business, he has proved, with an uncommon business model no less, that there is certainly a market for the service i2i Labs provides. The company curates and accredits small ...
Aug 20, 2018•47 min•Ep. 138
“The key is not to prioritize your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” Stephen Covey JB Hunt executives Shelley Simpson, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer and Todd Jenkins, JB Hunt’s Senior Diversity Lead & Chair of NWA YP Summit, join the Startup Junkie podcast for episode #136. They discuss both the importance of finding mentors as well as share insight on the differences between mentors, sponsors and coaches and why you should try to find all three! Shelley Simpson also shares her journe...
Aug 08, 2018•17 min•Ep. 137
Neil Greenhaw, founder of Haxton Road Studios, combines cutting edge technology and his passion for all things vintage to create a world class recording studio in Bentonville, AR. In this podcast episode, Neil shares his story of growing up in rural Arkansas where he fell in love with music, traveling internationally with a band up to 240 days a year, and then returning to Arkansas and opening a recording studio. Neil has chosen to invest in the community and believes that collaboration is key t...
Jul 30, 2018•43 min•Ep. 136
Trey Holt and Leo Orpin, co-founders of Black Apple Crossing, Arkansas’ first hard cidery, join us for their second podcast episode. Their cidery has experienced exponential growth over the last three years and they plan to distribute in retail stores later this year. In this episode, Leo and Trey share parts of the brewing process as well as “flopped” flavors that didn’t make it to market. In addition to serving a fantastic product, Black Apple Crossing believes in always putting the customer f...
Jul 09, 2018•49 min•Ep. 135
Ben Clark, CEO of B-Unlimited, bought the company in 2006 with big dreams but the economic crisis of 2009 forced him to scale back and focus on one customer, a sorority at the University of Arkansas. Fast forward nearly a decade and this apparel company has taken over the college market providing screen printed shirts to over 500 sororities all across the United States. Listen to how the power of perseverance grew a small company into one of the Best Mid-Sized Companies to work for in Arkansas*!...
Jun 24, 2018•42 min•Ep. 134
World-renowned art. Extraordinary landscapes. Delicious food. What more could Northwest Arkansas need to become the #1 destination in the United States? How about one of the greatest business executives in the recording industry investing in its success? Listen to the incredible story of Al Bell, a legend in the music industry, and his mission to take Bentonville’s music scene to the highest level. To learn more about Al Bell Presents, visit albellpresents.com . Get your weekly dose of entrepren...
Jun 14, 2018•48 min•Ep. 133
Dr. Jeff Standridge, Chief Catalyst at Conductor and best-selling author, shares advice with us on topics such as time management and the importance of discovering your “Why.” Despite Jeff’s concurrent roles as author, consultant, mentor, husband and father, he makes time for opportunities that support his “Why.” Listen to Jeff’s perspective on why his busy schedule still allows him time to take on new responsibilities! Find Jeff’s books on Amazon here: The Innovator’s Field Guide and The Top Pe...
Jun 04, 2018•47 min•Ep. 132
Startup Junkie team members chat with Founder, Jeff Amerine, about the journey that led him to where he is today. Jeff candidly discusses a variety of topics, focusing on the experiences that have shaped his current definition of success. On everything from his military background, which taught him to “focus first on the things that will kill you”, to family, where he artfully likens children and startups, Jeff gives us his fresh and genuine perspective. Finally, Jeff shares his goal of communit...
May 28, 2018•49 min•Ep. 131
Have you ever thought of taking a treasured family recipe and creating a company to share the treat with others? Co-owners and brothers Austin and Quinn Simkins share their story of growing their family pastime of making Chocolate Poppers into the business Simkins Brothers’ Sweets that won the IdeaFame Pitch Contest and placed second at the Collegiate Venture Competition. They also discuss the challenges they’ve faced along the way and share advice to those considering making their business drea...
May 21, 2018•39 min•Ep. 130
Meet the incredibly talented, Canon Reeves! CEO and co-founder of MORE Technologies, Canon is currently a sophomore at the University of Arkansas working toward providing every child in Arkansas access to robotics. From winning a competition with RFID smart cabinets to pitching at and winning the most recent Startup Weekend, Canon has been busy developing prototypes and add-ons for his robots. In the hopes of improving STEM education and access in the state, Canon plans on using MORE Technologie...
May 07, 2018•38 min•Ep. 129
The Enactus team at the University of Arkansas is on the rise, and is headed to the Enactus National Competition to present three major projects in Kansas City for the first time in eight years. Director of Enactus at the University, Rachel Sullivant, explains the students’ projects. From a hybrid coffee & retail space that employs adults with developmental disabilities to a workshop allowing those experiencing homelessness to create and sell home décor, Enactus is on a mission to engage student...
Apr 30, 2018•28 min•Ep. 128
We flip the script on Matt Waller, Dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, and place him in the hot seat. A purveyor of entrepreneurship, Dean Waller is known for his interviews with entrepreneurs, and we couldn’t be more excited to get the latest on business, entrepreneurship and the future of experiential learning at the University. The future of the Walton College of Business will integrate other colleges on campus to provide a hands-on and innovative learning experience that will crea...
Apr 20, 2018•56 min•Ep. 127
Meet Chad Williamson, a man who’s worn many hats (or should we say bowties ). From an early age, his perception on social constructs was shifted by his military brat upbringing. From his first business, to his current educational non-profit, it’s amazing to see how relationships and character development inspired Chad’s journey. Current co-founder of Noble Impact, an educational non-profit providing students with purpose-driven education, Chad has been a forerunner on the entrepreneurial scene f...
Apr 16, 2018•49 min•Ep. 126
Meet Steve Perry, president of Denovo Brands. Dedicated to innovative outdoor retail products, Steve, along with several other Denovo owners, stems from a career in mass market retail at Walmart. Denovo Brands includes Equip , which focuses on hammocks, and Kijaro , which produces premium sporting & outdoor chairs. Join us as we sit down with Steve and learn about the challenges of building a retail product company in NWA, as well as the ins and outs of product development. Learn more about Deno...
Apr 09, 2018•38 min•Ep. 125
Introducing our very own, Ellen Brune! Holding a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, Ellen is our Senior Entrepreneur in Residence. Ellen serves as a liaison between Startup Junkie and the University of Arkansas. Her focus is helping scientists at the University commercialize their research. Ellen’s experience with her own company, Boston Mountain Biotech , is invaluable and tailored to science-based startups. Much of the value of science-based startups is tied up in intellectual property, making it ...
Mar 30, 2018•39 min•Ep. 124
Ashton McCombs and Jeff are both Naval Academy graduates who took a successful plunge into entrepreneurship. In this episode, Ashton shares stories about the path that led he and two colleagues to leave corporate careers and start Phigenics, a smart water management company in 2004. It has been over a decade, and Ashton shares stories, lessons learned and advice to future entrepreneurs. In addition to presiding over Phigenics, Ashton is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Spectrum Living ...
Mar 28, 2018•33 min•Ep. 123
Rogelio Garcia Contreras is the Director of Social Innovation at the Sam Walton College of Business, and he’s planting the seeds of social entrepreneurship in NWA. Through bringing the Social Innovation Challenge to the University of Arkansas, Rogelio has created a collaborative environment for anyone who’s interested in solving pressing community problems with, you guessed it, innovation . By encouraging entrepreneurial social innovation, Rogelio provides a compelling argument for companies to ...
Mar 12, 2018•58 min•Ep. 122
Being an entrepreneur comes with its fair share of hang-ups and frustrations, but it’s not often that you’re ejected from the driver’s seat of your own business venture. Omar Kasim, previous founder and owner of Con Quesos, experienced just that. From an operational upswing, to having a partner leverage financials to remove him from the company, Omar is on the come up with his latest venture, Juice Palm. The first USDA certified organic restaurant in the state, Juice Palm is booming, and its col...
Mar 05, 2018•41 min•Ep. 121
From bubbles, to market crashes, to wise investment decisions – join us for a special episode where we bring back someone near and dear to our hearts, Jon Cadieux, the original co-host of the Startup Junkies Podcast! Jon is the CEO and founder of 455 Media Group, a company committed to helping small businesses get the most for their marketing budget. Check out 455 Media Group at 455mediagroup.com . Follow them on Facebook @ 455mediagroup . Get your weekly dose of entrepreneurial wisdom by subscr...
Feb 26, 2018•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 120
Did you know that there are 54 countries on the African continent? That’s 54 opportunities to trade and foster communications with nations that are up-and-coming in the sphere of innovation! Toyin Umesiri, CEO and founder of Nazaru, talks with us about commercial interests in Africa, the Trade with Africa Business Summit, and how one person can have a major impact on such a global scale. She also talks about how her company, Nazaru, fosters B2B dialogue and showcases Africa’s many different expo...
Feb 19, 2018•36 min•Ep. 119
Company executives don’t just grow on trees – your C-suite could come to you as a result of services that specialize in executive search and executive coaching. Join us as we learn from the best in the business (of business). Executive recruiter and Razorback football alum, Cary, explains the importance of culture and talent to a company, while career coach, Tanya, explains authenticity and succession planning to scale up a business. Looking to boost your business with talent? Check out Cary’s s...
Feb 09, 2018•41 min•Ep. 118
From its humble beginnings as a food truck, Yeyo’s Mexican Grill is setting up shop in downtown Bentonville. With a seasonal food truck and a brick-and-mortar business to run downtown, you might wonder how founder Rafael Rios had time to sit with us for this podcast episode. We join him in his restaurant, just days before its public opening, to talk about the roots and foundation of Yeyo’s, as well as the story behind the Rios Family Farm. Fun fact: If you eat in a restaurant in Bentonville, cha...
Feb 02, 2018•39 min•Ep. 117
Ever wonder why entrepreneurs flock to coffee shops? Recently published author, Ancil Lea, explains the mindset of an entrepreneur, as well as our ingrained aversion to traditional office spaces. In his book, Common Grounds: An Entrepreneurial Guide to the Coffee Shop , Ancil explains the importance of community support through your local coffee shop. Listen as Ancil spills the beans on the coffee shop dynamic, the entrepreneurial grind, and the potential for personalized healthcare through ever...
Jan 26, 2018•34 min•Ep. 116
If you’re looking for a made-from-scratch breakfast, look no further than The Buttered Biscuit. With fresh-made breakfast foods sourced from clean ingredients, Anna and Sam Russell deliver a homemade spin on the most important meal of the day. The couple, hailing from Michigan, explains their brand-built restaurant that facilitates great memories and a consistent brand culture. Driven by a love of breakfast foods and the experience of previous startup hang-ups, Anna & Sam have created a purpose-...
Jan 19, 2018•42 min•Ep. 115
Arjun and Arthi Krishna are the recent winners of the Congressional App Challenge for the Arkansas 3rd District, and two of the most inspiring students we’ve met! Their winning app, BookGazers, is a marriage of paperback books and augmented reality, and is currently being displayed on Capital Hill, and they’ve been invited to D.C. for the #HouseOfCode event. In this episode we discuss the Congressional App Challenge, the Y.E.A. (Young Entrepreneurs Academy) program hosted by the Greater Bentonvi...
Jan 09, 2018•34 min
Whether she is working in an international corporation or a startup team of one, Jerra Nalley has always had a knack for connecting people. She joins us on the show to share her story, and how she became the founder of Leisurlist, an all-encompassing platform to connect residents with their community in Northwest Arkansas. Eat. See. Do. Northwest Arkansas. Visit www.leisurlist.com and download the app on the app store today! Don’t miss a single episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast. Be sure and...
Dec 29, 2017•47 min
Skylar Wallace and Tyler Scantlan join the show from Arthur Dent’s, a new type of tea. They create a story and experience around one of the world’s favorite beverages, and are utilizing some of the best equipment in the world to craft your cup of tea. In this episode we learn about their inspiring story, which is a combination of determination, hard work, and an inclination to strike when an opportunity arises. They are both working full time jobs while pursuing their Executive MBA in the Entrep...
Dec 20, 2017•46 min
