I Am Northwest Arkansas®

About the Show:In this episode of the podcast, we sit down for a second time with Brandi K. Harris, a marriage and family therapist serving Northwest Arkansas. This is the second time that Brandi is on the podcast. We had her on episode 134 of the podcast where we talked about all of the mental health counseling options available in Northwest Arkansas.Not only is Brandi a great therapist, but she also happens to have been a D1 Scholarship Athlete, and she has had more than a decade as a swimming coach with USA Swimming. She knows what she is talking about. Brandi discussed ways not to overwhelm yourselves with scheduling and to ensure that you take care of yourself while supporting your child's sports activities.  There are several examples of burnout with parents and children participating in sports nowadays. The stakes tend to be much higher than they were even a generation ago. Brandi gives us some straightforward ways to cope with the high level of involvement in children's sports.  Who doesn’t want their child to be the next LeBron James or Tom Brady?But, the primary focus should be on developing your children to become incredible human beings first. If they can make it to the highest level of achievement, that is a bonus. Involvement in sports can be an asset that gives your kids a solid foundation for their future. All this and so much more are on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Brandi K. HarrisWebsite for It Takes a BreathBrandi K. Harris on FacebookBrandi K. Harris on TwitterBrandi K. Harris on InstagramThe Inner Game of Tennis - Create mental approaches to peak performance in sport.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:We sat down with Joe Donaldson, Owner, and President of Sam’s Furniture in Springdale, Arkansas.  Joe is a second-generation furniture store owner who learned the business fromhis Mother and Father, Sam and Becky Donaldson.  Sam, a successful business leader in the corporate world, moved his family to Northwest Arkansas in the early 90s. Joe’s dad was the President of Long’s Drugs which was a large drugstore chain based in California. They were eventually purchased by CVS/Pharmacy. Sam retired from Long’s and set his family up in Springdale but it wasn’t long before he started what would become Sam’s Furniture.  They started with a small operation in downtown Springdale and eventually grew and moved their location to a big plot of land right off I-49 in Springdale.  Joe served in the military, and when he retired, he returned to Northwest Arkansas to work with his dad, eventually taking over the store in 2005.  He has led Sam’s Furniture and turned it into a Destination Furniture store where people go just to hang out as much as they do to buy furniture. According to Joe, it is not uncommon to see many men in the “Man Cave” at the store watching football games and enjoying free hot dogs and soda on weekends.   There is also a place for kids with a vast Arcade and plenty of things to do. The best part about Joe’s success is that he has worked hard to support several nonprofit groups in the area, including Second Milk which provides Milk and food to malnourished children in Malawi and three other African nations.  Finally, Joe shared some tips on his company's success. It begins and ends with the people that work at Sam’s Furniture.  He said that in business If you serve your people the same way you serve customers, you will never have a problem. All this and so much more are on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Sam's FurnitureWebsite for Sam's Furniture Sam's Furniture on Instagram Sam's Furniture on YouTubeWebsite for Second MilkThis 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:We got invited to a BiteNWA event a couple of years ago at the 8th St Market and we fell in love with the selection of great food coupled with a well-orchestrated event. We finally had a chance to get the folks from Bite NW Arkansas on the podcast to learn why and how they put on some of the most anticipated Foodie events here in Northwest Arkansas.  In addition to these amazing food events, the folks at Bite also coordinate and oversee the LPGA’s NWA Championship in Rogers, ARWe spoke to Lakyn Moren, Event Coordinator and Annye de Grand Fox, Event Director about the genesis of BiteNWA and how it grew out of the success of the NWA Championship which started in 2007.  The beauty of BiteNWA is that they’ve teamed up with several outstanding local organizations including the NWA Food Bank, Food Loops, Brightwater, and Black-Owned NWA. Listen to this episode and learn more about Bite NWA. If you were not hungry before this episode, you would be after. Visit the BiteNWA website for upcoming event dates. All this and so much more are on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email BiteNW ArkansasWebsite for BiteNW ArkansasBiteNW Arkansas on InstagramBiteNW Arkansas on FacebookBiteNW Arkansas on TwitterBiteNW Arkansas on YouTubeLPGA’s NWA Championship in Rogers, ARNWA Food BankFood LoopsBrightwaterBlack Owned NWA 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: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:It’s Labor Day here in the United States. The first Monday of September marks the end of Summer and the start of School in some areas - except NWA, where our kids have been in school for several weeks now, and maybe a reason to put away white until next year - but that might not be a thing.Labor Day became official back in the late 1880s when labor movements began gaining steam while fighting for wages and, more importantly, better working conditions and an 8-hour workday.    In 1894 after dealing with the Pullman Railway Car strike, President Grover Cleveland struck a conciliatory tone by making Labor Day a national holiday.  Around the world, they honor workers on May 1st, which is called May Day. For a while here in the US, we celebrated May Day and Labor Day. Still, the latter eventually won out for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the Marxist International Socialist Congress started May Day.  So here we are in our country's new era of work and labor. Coming out of the Pandemic has forced everyone to reconsider how they do work and, more importantly, what work should look like. Many of us got used to working from home and the flexibility this provides.  This is a far cry from the factories and labor-intensive industries that dotted our country when Labor Day started. There is undoubtedly a movement underfoot to improve working conditions and opportunities here in the US, and here in Northwest Arkansas. Many programs are available to people who want to pivot in their careers and find new meaningful work, and many upskilling programs are coming online every day.  We even featured the excellent folks from Skills Lab Training on episode 109 of the podcast, where we talked about ways that the next generation of workers here in Northwest Arkansas are being prepared for success in the labor force. The future does look bright, and there is opportunity everywhere.   Happy Labor Day!Important Links and Mentions on the Show* NoneThis 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:In this podcast episode, we sit with Natalie Tibbs, the Executive Director of Restoration Village and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County.  We learn more about Natalie and her team's work to ensure that women and children here in Northwest Arkansas have a safe place to go when they need help.  Natalie shared how she has been involved in helping people since she was a child. Her parents started Restoration Village back in the late ’80s.  Natalie started her career in nursing and then found herself serving the needs of women and children who were dealing with all levels of trauma and crisis in their lives. Listen to the whole episode to learn more about the differences that Natalie and her team are making in the lives of women and children here in Northwest Arkansas. It does take a village…A Restoration Village!Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Children's Advocacy Center of Benton CountyWebsite for Children's Advocacy Center of Benton CountyChildren’s Advocacy Center of Benton County on InstagramChildren’s Advocacy Center of Benton County on FacebookChildren’s Advocacy Center of Benton County on TwitterChildren’s Advocacy Center of Benton County on LinkedInWebsite for Restoration VillageRestoration Village on FacebookRestoration Village on InstagramRestoration Village on TwitterRestoration Village 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: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:Not every day, do we get to feature a previous guest on the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast, but this week we are doing just that. Doug Riverman Allen is the owner of Joses Bar & Grill in Tontitown. one of the best brunches in Northwest Arkansas. Doug was on episode 63 of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast which was a very encouraging episode about not giving up. It was recorded during the early stages of the pandemic and was one of our most listened-to podcast episodes.  A couple of years have passed, and we wanted to sit back down with Doug to learn more about his book-writing experience and why he chose the Kings River as a subject.  Several rivers are within a two hours drive of the four major cities in Northwest Arkansas. But the Kings River holds a special place in Doug’s heart. His book is titled “The Riverman’s Guide to The Kings River.”  Listen to the full episode to learn why.All this and so much more are on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Kings River ArkansasWebsite Kings River ArkansasThis 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:In this podcast episode, we sit down with two ladies who got bit by the entrepreneurial bug during the pandemic and joined forces to offer one of the newest boutiques, Bakeries in Northwest Arkansas.  Blanca Maldonado and Chef Danielle Reynolds are the creatives behind the Sugar Apple Baking Company.  Sugar Apple Baking Company offers a unique blend of West Indian and Traditional baked goods.  They brought samples to us during the recording of this episode, and we have to admit that we were hooked after the first bite.  These ladies have an amazing story of how they got to Northwest Arkansas and why they are doubling down with the bakery and have big plans to expand as they continue to build a loyal following of folks that love their baked goods.  If you have ever thought about starting a business or tried and failed in the past. This episode should provide a source of encouragement and excitement for what these ladies are doing even before opening up a Bricks and Mortar shop.  Trust us. You will want to sample their delights after hearing this episode. All this and so much more are on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Sugar Apple Baking CompanyWebsite for Sugar Apple Baking CompanySugar Apple Baking Company on InstagramSugar Apple Baking Company 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:One frequent theme that resurfaces on the podcast is the level of giving that takes place right here in Northwest Arkansas. We have the Walton Family Foundation among a host of other great organizations that give back to our local community and make a difference worldwide.  Sometimes these programs are some of the best-kept secrets under our noses.  One of our goals here at the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast is to tell as many of these stories as humanely possible.  Here is another one for you.We recently sat down with a busy couple, Sarah and Herbert “Boo” Buchanan to talk about their organization, Restore Humanity. RestoreHumanity.org is an organization that helps some of the neediest children in Kenya.  Their organization works to provide education and create a better life for kids from complex backgrounds, and many have no parents or support system of any kind.  Before even starting Restore Humanity, Sarah felt a calling to Africa in 2006. She spent some time in South Africa, where she got exposed to several programs making a difference in the lives of South African children. That experience fueled Sarah to want to do something in Africa, and she was attracted to meeting needs in East Africa, specifically Kenya.Restore Humanity was born in 2008. Sarah and Herbert attended Fayetteville High School but didn’t become friends until after college. Their friendship grew over the years as Restore Humanity started, and they eventually married and have not looked back.  Their commitment to the children of Kenya grows every year, and you can see the fruit of their efforts and the support received by Northwest Arkansas in their work at RestoreHumanity.org. All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Restore HumanityWebsite for Restore HumanityRestore Humanity on InstagramRestore Humanity on FacebookRestore Humanity 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:Olivia Trimble is Uniting Northwest Arkansas and Beyond Through Love and ArtWe recently sat down with Olivia Trimble,  Artist, and Owner of Sleet City Art and Supplies in Fayetteville. Olivia is the daughter of Eric Snodgrass, and she is a second-generation sign painter. You may be more familiar with her artwork as she has done many murals and signs throughout Northwest Arkansas.  She did the “Love Your Neighbor” and “Love Unites Us” murals and signs for Pink House Alchemy, Experience Fayetteville, and several signs for Ozark Beer Company.  Several of Olivia’s murals are now yard signs seen throughout NWA. You can check out all of Olivia’s hand-painted signs and murals right HERE.Olivia is not only impacting Northwest Arkansas with her signs and murals, but she has taken her show on the road to the Delta, where she won an award to help with Rural Placemaking through art in Eudora, AR, and Fox, AR.  These are two communities in need of public art, and Olivia will do a collaborative public art project with several local artists. Olivia also talks about her partnership with the folks from My T By Design, Lakisha Bradley and Stacy Harper, for the Graffiti Feeds program.  Olivia is profoundly inspirational, and we are thankful for our time with her doing this podcast. Take a listen; you can see what we are talking about yourself. All of this and more on this week’s episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas Podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Olivia TrimbleWebsite for Olivia TrimbleWebsite for Olivia Trimble hand-painted signs and muralsSleet City Art & Supplies on InstagramSleet City Art & Supplies on FacebookSleet City Art & Supplies on YouTubeEric SnodgrassPink House AlchemyExperience FayettevilleOzark Beer CompanyWebsite for My-T-By-DesignLight House Solutions on Facebook 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:Swimming is one of my favorite exercises. I don’t get to do it often, but I feel at home in the water. Our guest, Bonnie Adams, is the Founder of Joys of Swimming and Swim OZ, and she feels the same way about swimming. Located in Bentonville and originally from Oklahoma, Bonnie has been swimming since she was a kid. A former University of Arkansas Swim Team member, Bonnie has not met a pool that could hold her. Her love of swimming and competition is probably one of the reasons that she created the Swim OZ Open Water swimming event, known as the Walmart OZ Mile. If you’ve spent time on Beaver Lake, you know what a fun time that can be!  Imagine doing an Open Water swim in Beaver Lake for time and achievement.  That was Bonnie’s original dream when she created the Walmart OZ Mile event to find another way to enjoy the natural scenery and beauty of Northwest Arkansas and the Natural State.  Open-water swimming is a bit of a different animal, especially when you do it in the Ocean - think Ironman triathlons. A lake can be equally challenging when it comes to open-water swimming and the second year of the Walmart OZ Mile event will be no exception. The race features a one-mile triangular route around the Beaver Lake Dam and is open to all ages and levels of swimmers. In 2021, swimmers from around the state descended on Northwest Arkansas for the only sanctioned open-water swimming event in the Natural state.  Since the inaugural Swim OZ open water race, Bonnie is not looking back.  Swim OZ has created a weekend of activities and events surrounding the race, and participants from as far away as the West Coast have registered for this year’s event.   Bonnie has found her niche. If you are free on Sunday, September 25th, 2022, we have a special rate for your registration for the Walmart OZ Mile if you or someone you know wants to participate in the race. For a discount, visit the Walmart OZ Mile to register and enter the listener coupon code IANWA. We hope to see you there this year and in the future.  Happy swimming!The Walmart OZ Mile:Sunday, September 25, 2022, Beaver Lake Dam Site, Eureka Springs, ARAll this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email The Joys of Swimming Website for The Joys of SwimmingThe Joys of Swimming on InstagramThe Joys of Swimming on FacebookThe Joys of Swimming on TwitterThis 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