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Small Businesses

Greater Bentonville’s Role in Arkansas’s Growth and Prosperity

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald for a fascinating conversation about the state’s economic growth initiatives and the role Greater Bentonville plays in the state’s success. The Arkansas Department of Commerce’s mission is to champion economic opportunities through strategic initiatives and an equitable regulatory environment that attracts and grows businesses, safeguards consumers, enhances workforce quality and energizes the state’s infrastructure, creating a better quality of life in Arkansas. Throughout the episode, James and Secretary McDonald discuss Arkansas’s diverse economy, the importance of supporting its small businesses and entrepreneurs, the state’s booming outdoor recreation industry and much more.

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Creating a More Sustainable Future in Cycling

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Elysia Contreras Springer and Zach Springer for an inspiring conversation about Gnargo Bike Co., which they founded in 2022. Gnargo Bike Co. is a trailblazing e-bike startup that seamlessly blends the charm of classic frames with modern electric functionality. The brand is reviving the timeless allure of vintage bikes, transforming them into state-of-the-art electric cargo bikes, while maintaining a commitment to a regenerative supply chain and prioritizing upcycling and sustainability. With a mission rooted in reducing waste, celebrating nostalgia and promoting eco-conscious transportation, Gnargo Bike Co. is more than a brand—it’s a movement towards a more sustainable future in cycling. Throughout the episode, the trio discusses Gnargo’s innovative and sustainable business model, the benefits of living and working in Bentonville, and Zach and Elysia’s experience with local entrepreneur support organizations, including the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP), Builders+Backers Northwest Arkansas and more.

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Making the Gluten-Free Life Sweet

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell chats with Sandi Macklom, the Founder and Owner of Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery. This shop caters to the Northwest Arkansas community with gluten-free breads, pies, cakes and custom orders. After adopting a gluten-free lifestyle, Sandi found it challenging to discover tasty gluten-free alternatives. Being an avid baker, she decided to rectify this gap by opening Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery. Throughout the episode, James and Sandi delve into the bakery’s mission, Sandi’s experiences at Brightwater (Center for the Study of Food) and the advantages of founding her bakery in Bentonville. 

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Exploring One of the Top 10 Most Iconic Cheese Shops in America

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Jessica Keahey, Owner of Sweet Freedom Cheese, Arkansas’s first cut-to-order cheese shop, offering a curated selection of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, wine and complementary gourmet food. Since its opening in 2018, Sweet Freedom Cheese has been featured in many notable publications, including Culture Magazine, Taste of Home and The Wall Street Journal. Most recently, Sweet Freedom Cheese was named by Wine Enthusiast as one of “The Top Ten Most Iconic Cheese Shops in America”. Throughout the episode, James and Jessica discuss the intricacies behind being a cheese monger, why Jessica opened her cheese shop in Bentonville and the fascinating world of cheese.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Automating Innovative Product Research by Utilizing AI

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Tim Hall, Co-Founder of Simporter, a company providing software that automates new product research, including white space exploration, pre-launch forecasting, marketing simulations and product monitoring. After decades of working in consumer packaged goods (CPG), Tim recognized the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and made it his mission to make it easier for non-technical people to cut costs, improve consumer loyalty, reduce waste and grow revenue organically simply by embracing AI. Throughout the episode, James and Tim discuss the various problems that Simporter’s solutions solve; Simporter’s relocation from Atlanta to Bentonville; and the current and future utilization of AI.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Making the Wild More Accessible to All

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jeremy McGhee, Founder of The UNPavement, a movement that’s helping everyone get off the pavement and into the wild to heal our hurting culture of Nature Deficit Disorder. Jeremy is also Founder of JPM PRO, the US distributor of Sport-ON, off-road handcycles, providing adaptive mountain bikes and accessories to disabled riders, including options for paraplegics and quadriplegics. Additionally, Jeremy is a pro athlete, YouTuber, blogger, podcaster and consultant that partners with public, private and nonprofit land managers to design safe and fun universal trail systems. Throughout the episode, James and Jeremy discuss his business venture distributing off-road handcycles, his mission of ensuring disabled athletes have full access to the outdoors and how he is pioneering trails for everybody.

Thanks for tuning in!

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Never Settle for Good Enough (Coffee)

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with Andrea Allen, US Barista Champion and Runner-Up World Barista Champion. Andrea is Co-Founder of Onyx Coffee Lab, a world-renowned café and roastery dedicated to the art and science of coffee, with a mission focused on the pilgrimage seeking quality, truth, and accountability in coffee. Since its founding in 2012 with the mantra “Never Settle for Good Enough,” Onyx has cultivated an award-winning team of roasters that ship freshly roasted coffee worldwide and has baristas serving unique coffee in four locations across Northwest Arkansas, including two in Bentonville–on the the Bentonville Square and at The Momentary. Throughout the episode, James and Andrea discuss the origin of Onyx Coffee Lab, the science behind sourcing specialty coffee beans and the thrill of competing to be the world’s best barista.

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Highlighting the Spectacular Rise of Bentonville

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, regular host James Bell takes a seat in the guest chair to be interviewed by his intern Allie Johnston, who was matched with Bentonville Economic Development through the University of Arkansas’ Venture Intern Program. The Venture Intern Program connects undergraduate students from the university with startups, entrepreneurs, support organizations and investor networks for semester-long internships. Throughout the episode, Allie and James discuss James’ current role as Vice President for Economic Development at the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, how Bentonville is a place that punches above its body weight and the exciting things in store for Bentonville’s future. 

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Transforming Etsy Success into the Life You Want

On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Cat Hutchings, a jewelry e-commerce rockstar with two shops ranked in the top one percent of all Etsy stores, Through SpotLight Jewelry and Moonlight Supplies, Cat has made more than one hundred thousand sales and more than one million dollars in revenue. And she announces a new Etsy store, WonderLight Jewelry, during the show! Throughout the episode, James and Cat discuss her business ventures, the different strategies she has used to exponentially grow them and how having access to Bentonville’s extensive entrepreneurial resources has accelerated her success.

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Accelerating Outdoor Industry Startups – Part 2

This Bentonville Beacon episode is part two of a bonus series that highlights the third cohort of the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). James Bell is joined by Brent Robinson, Founder of Greenway Bike Co., Alex Huesing from Cloud Pad, Marley Blonsky, Co-founder of All Bodies on Bikes and Eliot Jackson with Reggy. GORP is a Bentonville-based business incubator focused on the development of innovative solutions within the outdoor recreation industry. Its third cohort features a mountain climbing startup and five cycling companies that have access to team mentoring, workshop training and dedicated product/service development to help them launch, build and scale globally. Throughout the episode, James, Brent, Alex, Marley and Eliot discuss the intent behind each of their companies, how they’ve benefited from participating in GORP’s third cohort and how the Bentonville community is helping them build and expand their businesses.

Thanks for tuning in!

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