I Am Northwest Arkansas®

About the Show:In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Entrepreneur Tanner Green fromOculogx.  He is one of the youngest people that has been on the podcast.Tanner is full of energy, ideas, and creativity, and he learned at an early age how toleverage those abilities into new opportunities, especially his latest projectas the COO of Oculogx.You may be familiar with this company as we sat down a few episodes ago (episode75) with Charu Thomas, the Founder and CEO of the company.  Oculogx is a software and technology order fulfillment company for retailers.  Hear the whole story as only Tanner can tell it on this episode of the IANWA Podcast.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.com🎧 This episode is brought to you by FindItNWA.com – the hyper-local business directory made for Northwest Arkansas. From local eats to trusted pros, it’s the go-to spot for discovering what’s great nearby. 📣 Are you a business owner? Get listed today and connect with thousands of locals looking for what you offer. 👉 Visit FindItNWA.com to explore or join now. FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

About the Show:Our Guest on the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast, Jennifer McMurray, is living proof that you don't have to let Student Loan Debt get you down. Learn how she figured out a way to pay off $72K in Student Loan debt by Flipping Houses right here in Northwest Arkansas. Jennifer's story may sound amazing. It is, but when you actually hear her tell how she problem solved her student loan debt and in the process built a profitable business you may think it's time for you to get off the couch and start something too.  Jennifer McMurray is the #BacheloretteFlipPad and she is out to build her Flipping Empire.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:FindItNWA.com🎧 This episode is brought to you by FindItNWA.com – the hyper-local business directory made for Northwest Arkansas. From local eats to trusted pros, it’s the go-to spot for discovering what’s great nearby. 📣 Are you a business owner? Get listed today and connect with thousands of locals looking for what you offer. 👉 Visit FindItNWA.com to explore or join now. 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.

Show Notes Coming SoonMentioned in this episode:Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.com🎧 This episode is brought to you by FindItNWA.com – the hyper-local business directory made for Northwest Arkansas. From local eats to trusted pros, it’s the go-to spot for discovering what’s great nearby. 📣 Are you a business owner? Get listed today and connect with thousands of locals looking for what you offer. 👉 Visit FindItNWA.com to explore or join now. 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.

Show Notes Coming Soon!Mentioned in this episode:Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.com🎧 This episode is brought to you by FindItNWA.com – the hyper-local business directory made for Northwest Arkansas. From local eats to trusted pros, it’s the go-to spot for discovering what’s great nearby. 📣 Are you a business owner? Get listed today and connect with thousands of locals looking for what you offer. 👉 Visit FindItNWA.com to explore or join now. 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.

A brief summary of this episodeMentioned in this episode:Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.com🎧 This episode is brought to you by FindItNWA.com – the hyper-local business directory made for Northwest Arkansas. From local eats to trusted pros, it’s the go-to spot for discovering what’s great nearby. 📣 Are you a business owner? Get listed today and connect with thousands of locals looking for what you offer. 👉 Visit FindItNWA.com to explore or join now. 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 episode, we sit down with Bjorn “BK” Simmons, Managing Partner with Venture Noire to discuss the local Startup scene in Northwest Arkansas. Bjorn is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and after raising $2M in capital he wasted no time getting his startup, Wyzerr Inc., off the ground. We connected with Bjorn after learning about the Big Pitch competition he recently did with the Walton Family Foundation.  They pulled together $30,000 for the Virtual Pitch Competition with Entrepreneurs of Color.  The event, which took place on June 4th, 2020, was a tremendous success.  We got a chance to witness the virtual coaching call before the event and the event itself.  Bjorn and his team at Venture Noire know what they are doing and are good at coaching entrepreneurs. In addition to Venture Noire and the Walton Family Foundation, several other local firms and organizations had a hand in the Big Pitch event including, the Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce, The Venture Center, Frost PLLC, Wright Lindsey Jennings, The Foundation for Social Impact, High Street Equity Ventures, and StartUP NWAR.   Hear more about the Big Pitch event and Bjorn’s efforts with Venture Noire to help with diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to help build confidence and profitability in underrepresented founders. 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:FindItNWA.com🎧 This episode is brought to you by FindItNWA.com – the hyper-local business directory made for Northwest Arkansas. From local eats to trusted pros, it’s the go-to spot for discovering what’s great nearby. 📣 Are you a business owner? Get listed today and connect with thousands of locals looking for what you offer. 👉 Visit FindItNWA.com to explore or join now. 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:“This place has the ability to provide anything you want to do.”Ezekiel KindleIn this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Ezekiel Kindle, founder of Kindle Spices. Together, they delve into Ezekiel's thrilling journey of creating his very own hot sauce brand. Ezekiel isn't just a business owner; he's a spicy food aficionado and a gardening enthusiast. Hear how these personal interests provided the perfect soil for planting the seeds of Kindle Spices. He opens up about the key moment that shifted him from daydreaming to action, turning his passion into a viable business.Community plays a vital role in any entrepreneurial journey, and Ezekiel’s is no different. Learn about the supportive ecosystem of Northwest Arkansas and how it became an invaluable asset to Kindle Spices. Ezekiel stresses the importance of local collaboration, and how tapping into community resources fueled his venture.Whether you're a hot sauce lover hunting for a new favorite or an aspiring entrepreneur in need of inspiration, this episode is packed with insights. Tune in to explore the unique challenges, invaluable community support, and, of course, the fiery passion that made Kindle Spices a success.All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email for Kindle SpicesWebsite for Kindle SpicesKindle Spices on InstagramKindle Spices on FacebookKindle Spices on LinkedInThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" 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.com🎧 This episode is brought to you by FindItNWA.com – the hyper-local business directory made for Northwest Arkansas. From local eats to trusted pros, it’s the go-to spot for discovering what’s great nearby. 📣 Are you a business owner? Get listed today and connect with thousands of locals looking for what you offer. 👉 Visit FindItNWA.com to explore or join now. 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:TBAImportant 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:Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.com🎧 This episode is brought to you by FindItNWA.com – the hyper-local business directory made for Northwest Arkansas. From local eats to trusted pros, it’s the go-to spot for discovering what’s great nearby. 📣 Are you a business owner? Get listed today and connect with thousands of locals looking for what you offer. 👉 Visit FindItNWA.com to explore or join now. 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:This is not a normal episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.I struggled all week with the events happening in our country. With the Pandemic Death Toll topping 100,000 people in just 120 days and the senseless murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day, I had to stop for a second and process what was actually going on.This episode is definitely a departure from what you find on the I am Northwest Arkansas Podcast but I realized that I have to be true to myself and my feelings otherwise this is just another exercise without any real meaning or soul.I pray that you find comfort in my thoughts and words and that, if needed, they bring you to a place of reconciliation that all is not well in our great country and it will take the combined efforts of everyone to solve this problem."Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."Margaret Mead We should be back to regular programming next week but we will be checking in on you from time to time.Be that Change!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.com🎧 This episode is brought to you by FindItNWA.com – the hyper-local business directory made for Northwest Arkansas. From local eats to trusted pros, it’s the go-to spot for discovering what’s great nearby. 📣 Are you a business owner? Get listed today and connect with thousands of locals looking for what you offer. 👉 Visit FindItNWA.com to explore or join now. FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

About the Show:Today we sit down with Lewis Chase, who along with Michael and Matt Sutton, is one of the founders of Feed and Folly. Based in downtown Fayetteville, Feed and Folly took over a building that has not been occupied since 1972.  For those of you that are “OFF” (Originally from Fayetteville), this building used to house the B&B Automotive store but the building has been empty for decades.  Lewis Chase comes from a long line of business owners here in Northwest Arkansas and Michael and Matt Sutton are originally from Southport England but grew up with Lewis here in Fayetteville. Michael and Matt were working in a restaurant in Colorado and Lewis convinced them to come back to Northwest Arkansas and open up Feed and Folly.  The timing was terrible.  They had a soft open scheduled for the week in March that Arkansas had to shut down due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.  Lewis, Michael, and Matt persevered and waited patiently to open up things in a safe way.  The restaurant has a very funky vide to it with custom wrought iron furniture and fantastic woodwork throughout.  The highlight of the restaurant is its Rooftop bar which has wide-open Southern views of the Ozarks. You can actually see, the Mount Sequoia Cross, Fayetteville Square, and West Fork from the rooftop.Feed and Folly provides a very nice assortment of comfort food on the menu from Cheesesteaks, Fish N’ Chips, Salads, Charcuterie Boards, and Smoked Wings (Smoked and then fried). They source a lot of their food from local farms so you know their offerings will be fresh. And, a beautiful smoker out back provides the smoked meats.  You can make a reservation to eat on the rooftop patio and enjoy a socially distant meal.  Their to-go menu is also up and running at FeedandFolly.com call them up and order a meal. Be sure to mention that you heard their Origin story right here on the I am Northwest Arkansas Podcast.   All of this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas.  Important Links and Mentions on the Show* Website for Feed and FollyFeed and Folly on FacebookFeed and Folly 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.FindItNWA.com🎧 This episode is brought to you by FindItNWA.com – the hyper-local business directory made for Northwest Arkansas. From local eats to trusted pros, it’s the go-to spot for discovering what’s great nearby. 📣 Are you a business owner? Get listed today and connect with thousands of locals looking for what you offer. 👉 Visit FindItNWA.com to explore or join now. FindItNWA.comSignature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"