I Am Northwest Arkansas®

About the Show:Originally from Michigan, Keaton Smith came to the University of Arkansas for school and never left.  He came with a curiosity for what it would be like to live in the South, and now, with a wife and a young daughter, Keaton feels genuinely at home here.  Keaton has a heart for housing and sustainability, and his efforts on a professional and personal level prove this. He is currently a VP with IberiaBank, soon to be First Horizon, and he is on the Board for Partners for Better Housing for the last ten years.  Keaton is excited about the initiatives taking place by many local corporate citizens, including Walmart but he says there is still so much work to be done.For the past three years, Keaton has also served as a Board Member for the Fayetteville Public School system.Curiosity, Patience, Empathy, and Action, are four attributes that drive Keaton daily.  Check out this episode to hear why.  All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Keaton SmithKeaton Smith on InstagramKeaton Smith on TwitterKeaton Smith on FacebookKeaton Smith on LinkedInWebsite for Partners for Better HousingWillow Bend Development - Housing project in South Fayetteville (Mixed-Income Home Ownership Neighborhood).Rapid Northwest Arkansas growth leads to higher housing costs - NWABJ ArticleUrban Land Institute of NWAThis 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:We recently sat down with Brandi K. Harris, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving Northwest Arkansas. A Tulsa native, Brandi is a great therapist and counselor, and she is also an accomplished author with two books born out of her counseling practice: Love Well and Grace for Parents. In our conversation, Brandi breaks down the importance of seeking counseling help even before you think you need it. She takes time to break down the process, and no matter what type of health insurance you have, there is an option available for you here in Northwest Arkansas.This episode is an insightful and encouraging conversation, and Brandi provides so many nuggets of wisdom.  All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Brandi K. Harris on InstagramBrandi’s Blog - It Takes A BreathOaks Counseling WebsiteOaks Counseling StaffMockingbird Kitchen in FayettevilleMJ’s Pizzeria in SpringdaleLove Well by Brandi K. HarrisGrace For Parents by Brandi K. HarrisThis 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 had a chance to sit down with Paul Gatling, the Editor and Associate Publisher of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal recently. Paul has worked in Northwest Arkansas for more than two decades and cut his teeth in journalism and media at a daily newspaper in Central Arkansas as well as the Henderson State Sports Information office. Paul walks us through the genesis of the business journal from its origins in Little Rock to the creation and evolution of the business newspaper/magazine here in Northwest Arkansas.  In addition to the NWABJ magazine, they have a website, Talk Business, and Politics which updates daily business news here in NWA and beyond. They also have a podcast, a radio segment on Ozarks at Large on KUAF - Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Report, and the Roby Report every Sunday morning on Channel Five here in Northwest Arkansas.We chronicle a lot of the changes that have taken place to put Northwest Arkansas on the map and how Walmart and some of the other large firms in the area have helped to propel the economic and population growth of the region.All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Paul Gatling on LinkedInWebsite for NWABJNWABJ on FacebookNWABJ on TwitterNWABJ on LinkedInSubscribe to NWABJNWABJ PodcastPaul’s favorite restaurants:Doe’sMcClardsCatfish HoleFlying FishPaul’s favorite Book right now: The Cubs WayThis 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:It's not often that we get to sit down with another local podcaster on the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast.  Episode 132 is unique because our guest hosts the Look What I Did Podcast, Daniel Quin.  We talked about the challenges of starting a podcast and why getting people to come on your show is easier than getting new listeners to the show.  There is so much we unpack about Daniel’s journey here in Northwest Arkansas, the genesis of the Look What I Did podcast,  and why we both believe that podcasting and voice are going to continue to grow and be HUGE in the future.  Plus, we share some great things to see, do and eat in Northwest Arkansas. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Look What I DidWebsite for Look What I DidLook What I Did on InstagramLook What I Did on TwitterLook What I Did on TwitterLook What I Did on FacebookDaniel Quin 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: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 don’t know about you but we love chicken!  Our next guest on the podcast, Tom Gordon, CEO and Co-Founder of Slim Chickens based in Fayetteville, AR breaks down how he and Co-Founder, Greg Smart got the successful fast-casual Chicken business started and are focusing on growing the business “One store at a time!”  Tom lives by one of our favorite quotes: "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today!"All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show* Website for Slim ChickensSlim Chickens on TwitterSlim Chickens on FacebookSlim Chickens on InstagramSlim Chickens on LinkedInTom Gordon on LinkedInBiography of Will RogersRalph Mason from SonicThis 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:It’s reinvigorating to witness how Downtown Springdale, Arkansas has become a vibrant and energized hub of opportunities. We recently talked with Jill Dabbs, Executive Director of the Downtown Springdale Alliance, to discuss her insights and plans for the Downtown Springdale area and why it’s a great place for you to move whether you are from another state or even from another country!The Downtown Springdale Alliance started out as a beautification committee to get the place cleaned up, and plant flowers and trees. But the alliance eventually transformed into something meaningful for the people of Downtown Springdale.From receiving a million-dollar design excellence grant for Luther George Park to multiple façade grants to restore the magnificence of old historical buildings, the Downtown Springdale Alliance is the herald of art and diversity that would last throughout the generations.But what sparked the redevelopment of Downtown Springdale?The development of the Razorback Greenway Trail was the trigger. From there, an apartment complex like Little Emma immediately got filled, and Big Emma is next on the line. With the existence of various parks, markets, etc., the benefit it would give to the locals will last for a long time.If you want to have fun and hang out in Downtown Springdale, you get to enjoy the wide, open green spaces they have to offer, enjoy live music on the last Thursday of each month, eat luscious food from local restaurants, or even admire the mural paintings supported by the Arts Center of the Ozarks.But why should you invest and move to Downtown Springdale?It’s the vast opportunity zones!Opportunity Zones can be found around the town. Whether you are an artist, a real estate investor, a painter, a woodcarver, or a restaurant owner, Downtown Springdale is the cradle of opportunities you don’t want to miss out on. And to fuel that fire even further through Jill’s words, “If you bring us a good idea. We will work really hard to help you make it happen!”All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Jill DabbsJills Dabbs on LinkedInWebsite for Downtown SpringdaleDowntown Springdale on InstagramDowntown Springdale on YouTubeDowntown Springdale 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:On this IANWA Special Edition episode, we sit down with Jerra Nalley Toms to discuss some of the most incredible things opening here locally in Northwest Arkansas. Whether it's a new restaurant, Food Truck, Store, or something else, we've got you covered. Don't be the last to hear about something new in your backyard. This week we are focused on international food markets in Northwest Arkansas.All this and more on this Special Episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show* Tang's Asian Market on Facebook - SpringdaleTang's Asian Market on InstagramAsian Amigos Supermarket on Facebook - SpringdaleWebsite for European Gourmet NWA - RogersEuropean Gourmet NWA on FacebookIndia Plaza on Facebook - 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.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:It took a minute to release this episode, but we believe it is better late than never. We recently sat down with Matthew Micksin, Senior Director of Real Estate with Common, to discuss his company’s entrance into the Real Estate market in Northwest Arkansas. Common is one of the nations leading residential brands and operating platforms for Multi-Family developments.  Blue Crane, a development and real estate company part of The Runway Group and based in Bentonville, answered an RFP from Common to build a new style of real estate development for today’s workers in Bentonville. Whether you are remotely working from home with a local company or a firm on the West or East Coast, there will be living units ideally suited for this new lifestyle - counits, microunits, or traditional apartments, to name a few. Hear all about how Blue Crane was one of five finalists, out of 29, for Common’s Remote Work Hub. The other finalists include New Orleans, Ogden, Utah, Rocky Mount, NC, and Rochester, NY. Common will pursue projects with all of these locations.  It seems that Common and Blue Crane are figuring out ways to capitalize on some of the work/life changes that have taken place partly because of the pandemic and partly because each new generation demands a fresh take on the way that we live and work. All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Website for CommonCommon on FacebookCommon on TwitterCommon on InstagramCommon on LinkedInArticle from Talk Business & Politics on CommonThis 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 sit down with Dr. Marti Sharkey, Pediatrician and member of the City of Fayetteville Board of Health, and Dr. Gary Berner, Internist and Chief Medical Officer of the Community Clinic, to discuss the 4th wave of the pandemic and how the Delta Variant of COVID-19 is wreaking havoc here in Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas, and other parts of the country. The challenges are even greater in the parts of the country with the least vaccinated population. Doctors Sharkey and Berner address the popular misconceptions about the virus and what is needed for Northwest Arkansas to get ahead of this pandemic. The answer is simple. Get Vaccinated. Please take a moment to listen to this special episode and share it with a friend. If you are not vaccinated, this episode may be just what you need to hear to consider protecting yourself from these new COVID-19 variants that are stronger than the original one that started the pandemic more than 15 months ago. All of this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*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.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!"

Click Here For More Information (PDF)Hear our discussion with Bianca Montoya from BikeNWA discussing the Critical Mass Summit. The two-day summit takes place on Friday, July 23, and Saturday, July 24, 2021.Critical Mass Summit, supported by the Walton Family Foundation, is A two-day summit designed to empower and connect women and other underrepresented genders with the trails, cycling, and active transportation community. This includes cis women, trans women, women of color, the non-binary community, and those who are otherwise marginalized.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.