I Am Northwest Arkansas®

About the Show:“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” MaimonidesCarol Silva Moralez is the president and CEO of Upskill NWA, a workforce development program that provides low-income wage earners with access to education and high-wage, high-demand jobs in healthcare. She has 25 years of experience in Walmart, including 18 years as an operator and 7 years at the Walmart home office.Carol Silva Moralez has had an incredible journey to the position of president and CEO of Upskill NWA, a program that connects low-income workers to education and high-wage healthcare jobs. She drew on her experiences at Walmart to build a team and create a culture to uplift those in the program. The program has already changed the lives of 100 participants, and the children of those participants are more likely to go to college. Despite the hardships of the pandemic, the program is still going strong and has had an incredible financial impact of $617,000 in the first eight months of 2022."It's truly an honor to be there, to be the support, and to lift them up so they can do the things that they need to do to graduate from school and change their lives." Carol Silva MoralezIn this episode, you will learn the following:1. How a 25-year Walmart company veteran succeeded as the President and CEO of Upskill NWA.2. The success story of a workforce development program that has been in place for 30 years and has had significant wins.3. How Upskill NWA has seen a dramatic financial impact in Northwest Arkansas within eight months of its launch.All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Carol Silva Moralez on LinkedInUpskill NWA on LinkedInWebsite for Upskill NWAUpskill NWA on InstagramUpskill NWA on FacebookThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

About the Show:Are you an entrepreneur looking to start, build, and run a business? Are you sick of hearing generic advice and tips that don't work? If your answer is yes, then this podcast episode is for you! Mark Zweig, Founder of Inc 500/5000 companies and a business savant is here to share his knowledge and experience discussing his book, Confessions of an Entrepreneur: Simple Wisdom for Starting, Building, and Running a Business. Bob Lutz, a former vice chairman of General Motors, says it best: "I highly recommend this book to anyone thinking of creating their own business. Mark Zweig has a well-deserved record of success as an entrepreneur, and he shares his vast knowledge and experience. It's filled with practical how-to advice, and he never fails to emphasize the key traits common to success: a positive belief in the idea and a willingness to take the necessary risks." Mark Zweig will help you to understand the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and guide you to find the success you have been searching for.Mark Zweig is a Founder of 3-time Inc 500 companies, a University of Arkansas Walton School of Business Professor, and a friend to many. He is the former owner of Zweig White and Associates, which then became Zweig Group. His expertise and business knowledge have made a lasting impression on students and entrepreneurs in Northwest Arkansas and beyond. His latest book, Confessions of an Entrepreneur: Simple Wisdom for Starting, Building, and Running a Business, is filled with practical advice and emphasizes the key traits common to success. Tune into this I am Northwest Arkansas episode to learn more about Mark Zweig and his book.Mark outlined six steps you need to follow to find success in business.:1.    Have a positive belief in your business idea and be willing to take the necessary risks.2.  Reach out to mentors and people with experience in the field.3.   Utilize resources available to you, such as universities and other educational institutions.4.  Take advantage of networking opportunities.5.   Assemble a team of experts to help you along the way.6.   Have a plan and stick to it.     All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Mark Zweig on LinkedInWebsite for Mark Zweig Inc.Website for Zweig Group This episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.com

About the Show:Newly married Neil Greenhaw embarks on an inspiring journey from small-town Arkansas to the global stage, only to return home to find his true calling in cultivating a vibrant music and entrepreneurial culture in Northwest Arkansas with collaboration, passion, and purpose."Always be in the room with people that are better than you because it'll make you better." - Neil Greenhaw.Neil Greenhaw is the principal owner of HAXTON Road Studios and a former touring musician. He has experienced the world through music and now brings his spirit of collaboration and expertise to his recording studio and real estate business in Northwest Arkansas.Neil Greenhaw grew up in Harrison, Arkansas, until he graduated college and his life took off. His wife got accepted into college in Nashville, and he got an audition to play for a band that traveled worldwide, opening his eyes to new cultures and inspiring him. After moving back to Arkansas, Neil and his wife decided to start a family and looked for a way to make their dreams a reality. They built a studio in their house and started recording, eventually outgrowing the space and building a full-blown commercial facility. The spirit of collaboration in Nashville taught Neil how to work with others, and the facility became a place for artists to come, be inspired, and make their art. He believes Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas need more venues to bring in top musical talent for recording purposes.In this episode, you will learn the following:1. How did Neil Greenhaw's small-town upbringing change his perspective on life?2. How did the spirit of collaboration contribute to the success of Neil's Nashville studio?3. What challenges and opportunities exist for artists in the Northwest Arkansas music scene? All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Neil GreenhawWebsite for Haxton Road StudiosHaxton Road Studios on InstagramHaxton Road Studios on FacebookHaxton Road Studios on TwitterHaxton Road Studios on LinkedInThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

About the Show:“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”Albert EinsteinWhen Chris Thompson hit rock bottom on Thanksgiving Day 2018, he realized that alcohol was his only solution and that his best thinking had gotten him there. Faced with overcoming his ego, Chris took a leap of faith and launched a sobriety support app to help others, transforming his suffering and shame into purpose."Recovery isn't about overcoming alcohol or drugs; it's overcoming ego. Alcohol and drugs are just the fuel that makes you so attached to your ego and so much in self-preservation mode. Fear driven. And fear only comes from the ego. It's about protecting a conception of yourself that isn't even real." Chris ThompsonChris Thompson is the founder of Sober Sidekick, an app that helps people in recovery stay connected and overcome isolation. He is a former college athlete and entrepreneur who has been in recovery for four years.Chris Thompson was an ambitious college athlete who had just started his first business and felt invincible. However, when a difficult situation arose, alcohol became his only solution for all his problems. On Thanksgiving Day, he woke up on the sidewalk for the fourth consecutive day, feeling hopeless and isolated. He realized his best thinking had gotten him there, and he decided that today would be his day one. He called a hotline, sought treatment, and eventually found his way to a sober living facility. With his friends' help, he could commit to recovery and put his goal of sobriety first. He channeled his ambition into creating The Sober Sidekick app, which allowed people in recovery to connect and support each other and saw their suffering and shame be transformed into purpose.In this episode, you will learn the following:1. Everyone has an opportunity to be in recovery from anything - not just drugs or alcohol.2. What if today was the day that you made that change?3. How can an algorithm be created so that no one ever goes without support?4. Why Chris moved to Northwest Arkansas and what this area has meant to him. All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Sober SidekickWebsite for Sober SidekickSober Sidekick on InstagramSober Sidekick on FacebookSober Sidekick on LinkedInSober Sidekick YouTubeThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

About the Show:We have been toying with the idea of creating an episode Hall of Fame for the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast. We figured we would start keeping track of the most downloaded episodes we’ve shared and the episodes that impact the host and listeners most.  While we are excited to share the first entry into our podcasting hall of fame, we are equally saddened by the reason that we have to do this now.  Two years ago, Mark Zweig, who many of you have heard us mention on the podcast, introduced us to a dynamo of an Entrepreneur named Brant Barnes.  Randy had the best time sitting with Brant in his Shelter Insurance office here in Fayetteville. Brant told one story after another, going back to childhood and ending up at the age of 41 with multiple pizza food franchises, a ton of rental properties, and an incredibly successful insurance agency.  He entertained us so with his energy and stories. Randy even moved all of his personal and business insurance to Brant’s Shelter Insurance Agency.  The other thing that struck us about Brant was that he was always willing to give his time and talent to his teammates across all of his businesses and to special organizations.  He was a businessman that made a difference in the communities he served in.  We lost Brant a few weeks back.  He crashed his plane on approach to Drake Field. It was dark, and he was in an unfamiliar aircraft.  Mark Zweig wrote a great article about Brant recently. You can read it here.  The letter is a tribute to Brant and a reminder that every day is precious.  This episode is worth a listen.  Episode 119, entitled “How NWA Serial Entrepreneur Brant Barnes found success in Authenticity.” will be the first entrance into our I am Northwest Arkansas Podcast Hall of Fame.  If you need some encouragement and have struggled in business or life. This is the episode to listen to.  Please consider sharing this message with a friend.  We could all use a reminder of how precious each day is.  Godspeed Brant!         All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Original Show Notes Episode 119 with Brant BarnesBrant Barnes Shelter InsuranceShelter Insurance Website - Brant BarnesThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.

About the Show:"I didn't want to do business unless I did it right. And I love nature. It's a big part of my life. I grew up in it, and I just strayed away from it for all those years that I was in the city. And now that we moved out here, we're in the mountains. Fayetteville is huge on sustainability and the environment. I really loved that. And I thought it was a great opportunity for me to implement these business ideas." -  Russell IngramChef Russell Ingram is a self-taught culinary expert who has spent the past 12 years honing his craft in some of the best kitchens in the world. He is now the owner of Dot's Nashville Hot Chicken food truck, where he strives to create a zero-waste dining experience with locally sourced ingredients.Chef Russell Ingram was unsatisfied with his retail job and decided to take a leap of faith into a professional kitchen. With no experience, he quickly became a master of all the stations and was able to create dishes that were put on the menu. He then went to Atlanta to gain more experience before returning to Nashville. He wanted to focus on more intricate dishes, so he jumped up to Chef de Cuisine at a French restaurant. After moving to Northwest Arkansas, he noticed no hot chicken food trucks, so he decided to open one himself. He was determined to make it as sustainable as possible, so he sourced all of his ingredients locally and set up a composting system for the waste product. He now runs two businesses, a hot chicken food truck and the Yacht Club Food Truck Park on N. College Avenue in Fayetteville. In this episode, you will learn the following:1. Chef Russell Ingram's ambitious journey from retail to running his own sustainable Food Truck restaurant.2. The deliciousness of Nashville hot chicken and how to recreate the perfect texture with smashed red potatoes.3. How Chef Russell Ingram has implemented a sustainable zero-waste dining experience in Northwest Arkansas.All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Russell IngramWebsite for Dot's Nashville Hot ChickenDot’s Nashville Hot Chicken on FacebookDot’s Nashville Hot Chicken on InstagramChef Russell Ingram on InstagramThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.com

About the Show:Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness because greatness is determined by service.  - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This episode featured Lindsey Leverett Higgins, the President of the Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Council. Lindsey shared how the Council was established in 1996 by the late Reverend J. Aaron Hawkins to bring a large celebration to Northwest Arkansas in honor of Dr. King and raise money for scholarships. The Council has grown since then and has become a vital part of the black and minority community in Northwest Arkansas. Each year, the Council gives out the Salute to Greatness Award to recognize community members for their work in the community and raises money for scholarships. Lindsey shared that Northwest Arkansas is growing in diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages anyone considering moving to Northwest Arkansas to do so. We also discussed the role that local employers, both large and small, play in promoting DEI in recruitment and retention efforts."Come find your tribe, get engaged, get involved, meet people, understand the local hangouts, the beauty shops, and the barber shops. Know that if you're coming from a major city, there are not necessarily from a diversity standpoint, not yet, but we're getting there." -Lindsey Leverett HigginsIn this episode, you will learn the following:1. The Impact of the Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Council on Diversity and Inclusion in the Community2. The Salute to Greatness Awards and How Recipients are Selected3. Advice for People Considering Moving to Northwest Arkansas from a Diversity Perspective.All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Lindsey Leverett-HigginsWebsite for Northwest Arkansas MLK CouncilNorthwest Arkansas MLK Council on InstagramNorthwest Arkansas MLK Council on FacebookNorthwest Arkansas MLK Council on TwitterNorthwest Arkansas MLK Council on LinkedInThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.com

About the Show:“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie CurieAlex Howland is a passionate advocate for women's empowerment, having worked with women for the past ten years. She is the founder of Dovetail, an event in January 2023 that seeks to provide an open forum for women to discuss topics like legacy, generational wealth, business, and mental health and wellness."We as women have to really make our own way. My mom immigrated here from Italy when she was a baby, and it was really impactful to see her be able to come from literally nothing and grow a really successful woman-owned business." - Alex HowlandAlex Howland has started a program called Dovetail for women in Northwest Arkansas to provide a place for them to connect, learn, and grow. Alex met Randy Wilburn while working on the Place Summit event, and they have become friends. Dovetail will be held in January 2023 at Theater Squared, with an intentional grounding session led by Michaella Yoga, PowerPoint presentations, conversations, and an optional happy hour sponsored by Women Run. Dovetail will cover legacy, generational wealth, business, diversity, and mental health and wellness topics. Alex hopes to create more community partnerships and provide an open forum for attendees to have meaningful conversations.In this episode, you will learn the following:1. What is the Dovetail program, and how will it help women in Northwest Arkansas?2. What innovative ideas and conversations will be explored at the Dovetail event?3. How can mental health and wellness be addressed to help support women in difficult times, such as during and after the pandemic?All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Alex HowlandWebsite for Alex HowlandAlex Howland on InstagramAlex Howland on FacebookAlex Howland on LinkedInDovetail NWAWomen RunOther episodes you’ll enjoy:Episode 200 - Did You know that Arkansas has Acres of DiamondsDid You Know The Greatest Maritime Disaster In The United States Happened In Arkansas?CirclesNWA is Helping Move People Out of Poverty One Family at A TimeChef Matt Cooper and Conifer Are Planting The Seeds of Community With a Gluten-Free Restaurant In Downtown BentonvilleThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.com

About the Show:Northwest Arkansas Has Acres of Diamonds…“Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard if you but dig for them.”Russell B. ConwellWe can’t believe that this is episode 200 of the podcast. Who would have thought that going around the Northwest Arkansas community with a digital recorder and a microphone to interview people and organizations to learn more about them would become a thing? Podcasting has been the perfect platform for sharing unique stories and personal resilience tales. Every episode has provided a place where people could be themselves and share the stories that matter to them, whether it was a successful business, a great creator, a fantastic organization, or an idea.  We love telling and sharing stories that matter here at I am Northwest Arkansas, and the truth is that ALL stories matter. Some just need to be shared in front of a microphone.  We will continue to record and share these stories until it makes sense not to do so anymore.  But we are a long way off from that day. Until then, keep tuning in weekly to learn more about Northwest Arkansas, maybe your neighbor, and yourself. We will keep pressing RECORD!Peace and Love!All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Russell B. ConwellAcres of Diamonds StoryTemple University This episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"ONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.

About the Show:“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice your gift.”- Steve PrefontaineWhen Lakisha Harper Bradley, a former Walmart employee, is propelled by a spiritual download to leave her comfort zone and start her own business, 'My-T-By-Design,' she embarks on an inspiring journey to use art as a therapeutic tool to empower others to embrace their inner Picasso and uncover their unique gifts."We all have unique gifts, but it starts with us believing in ourselves in order for the gifts to come out. The tea is a representation of your truth." - Lakisha Harper BradleyLakisha Harper Bradley is a mother, wife, sister, friend, and the founder of My-T-By-Design Therapeutic Art Studio. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and has a passion for art that was passed down from her father.Lakisha Harper Bradley was born and raised in Louisville, Arkansas. She had a long career at Walmart but felt compelled to leave and start her own business. She started My-T-By-Design Therapeutic Art Studio, which allows people to embrace their inner Picasso and communicate through art. After receiving an inspirational download during a traffic jam, Lakisha left Walmart to embark on this new journey. She now serves a variety of groups and organizations, helping them to create their masterpieces.In this episode, you will learn the following:1. Exploring the intersection of business, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.2. Examining the power of leadership and art in the family dynamic.3. Investigating how a profound spiritual experience can lead to a business venture of therapeutic art.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email My-T-by-DesignWebsite for My-T-by-DesignMy-T-by-Design on InstagramMy-T-by-Design on FacebookMy-T-by-Design on LinkedInOther episodes you’ll enjoy:Did You Know The Greatest Maritime Disaster In The United States Happened In Arkansas?CirclesNWA is Helping Move People Out of Poverty One Family at A TimeChef Matt Cooper and Conifer Are Planting The Seeds of Community With a Gluten-Free Restaurant In Downtown BentonvilleThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"FindItNWA.comONBoardNWA.comLooking for your next career move in Northwest Arkansas? Check out ONBoardNWA.com, the hyper-local job board designed to connect job seekers with leading employers in our community. From entry-level positions to executive roles, ONBoardNWA is your one-stop shop for job opportunities right here in NWA. Take the next step in your career and visit ONBoardNWA.com today.