Summary
In this engaging episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell visits with Phillip Shepard, the visionary behind All Things NWA and a seasoned Realtor at Collier & Associates. Phillip brings more than a decade of real estate prowess to the table, passionately guiding people through the captivating landscape of Greater Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas. He explores the region’s unique fusion of outdoor allure, bustling event scenes and tight-knit community, all set against a backdrop of a thriving business environment and abundant high-quality job opportunities. A champion of the area’s blend of mid-sized city comfort and big-city amenities, Phillip proudly labels it as the best place to live, work and play in America. He recounts his own transition from Chicago, exploring numerous remarkable U.S. communities before identifying Northwest Arkansas as the ultimate locale. Throughout the conversation, Phillip sheds light on how the Greater Bentonville Area is drawing a diverse populace, fostering growth and entrepreneurship within a community fabric that’s rich in collaboration and unity.
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Show Notes
Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.
(0:54) Introduction to Phillip Shepard
(4:26) Phillip’s Relocation to NWA
(7:06) The Status of NWA’s Residential Property Market
(11:39) The Benefits of Living in the Greater Bentonville Area
(19:27) NWA’s Big City Amenities
(24:22) Upcoming Developments in the Greater Bentonville Area
(28:13) Phillip’s #BecauseBentonville Story
(31:44) Why Bentonville’s a Desirable Place to Live, Work and Play
(42:27) Closing Question
Links
Bentonville Economic Development
Quotes
“In the scale of everything, Northwest Arkansas still is very affordable in comparison. Now, the asterisk there, is you can find cheaper housing in America, but the unique thing about this area is that you get all the benefits of a larger area but with affordable housing. It’s really hard to find that sweet balance between having an area where you can have a job, you can live, you can work, you can play all in NWA. But you can’t find that anywhere else in America and have that affordable housing aspect to it.” – Phillip Shepard, (11:02)
“…to talk about the perks of Bentonville. That’s just kind of baked into the cake of being so close to the downtown section, all the events, all the community, all the biking trails, all of the things that go on in Downtown Bentonville. It’s fantastic.” – Phillip Shepard, (12:57)
“The fact the the Downtown [Bentonville] Area, which is very community focused, in a matter of months, can go from in one weekend, we can do farmers market, we can do a one hundred mile gravel race, we can do a 5k, we can do a Bentonville Film Festival, then an ice skating rink, and there’s a Bentonville Bike Fest happening. And it’s like how can so much happening in such a small area have such an impact and be done so well…you can leave the downtown square and come back the next day and it’s totally different. It’s an endless amount of stuff that only happens [in Bentonville].” – Phillip Shepard, (28:44)
“From a cultural perspective, there’s something for everyone. And the things that Bentonville has been focusing on are things that are core to almost everyone. If you say what’s important to a family, I want to have great schools for my kids, check. What’s important for people that want to move here, jobs and a career path, check. What’s important for people that just want to retire, you have Bella Vista, check. What’s important for single people that want to start a new life and get a new community, check. So you can go down the list and [the Greater Bentonville Area] hits so many important things.” – Phillip Shepard, (32:33)
Discovering Northwest Arkansas with Phillip Shepard of All Things NWA
In this engaging episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell visits with Phillip Shepard, the visionary behind All Things NWA and a seasoned Realtor at Collier & Associates. Phillip brings more than a decade of real estate prowess to the table, passionately guiding people through the captivating landscape of Greater Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas. He explores the region’s unique fusion of outdoor allure, bustling event scenes and tight-knit community, all set against a backdrop of a thriving business environment and abundant high-quality job opportunities. A champion of the area’s blend of mid-sized city comfort and big-city amenities, Phillip proudly labels it as the best place to live, work and play in America. He recounts his own transition from Chicago, exploring numerous remarkable U.S. communities before identifying Northwest Arkansas as the ultimate locale. Throughout the conversation, Phillip sheds light on how the Greater Bentonville Area is drawing a diverse populace, fostering growth and entrepreneurship within a community fabric that’s rich in collaboration and unity.
Phillip’s Real Estate Journey
Being born and raised in Chicago, Phillip’s early years were steeped in the world of real estate as his parents ran their own brokerage firm. This intimate family connection laid the groundwork for Phillip’s career, inspiring him to become a licensed real estate agent in 2009. Despite the economic climate of the time, Phillip continued to hone his skills in a city facing more and more challenges before his parents decided to sell their brokerage.
Faced with the decision to buy the family business or facilitate its sale, Phillip found himself seeking a change. Opting for a fresh start, Phillip landed in Northwest Arkansas, embarking on a new chapter of his real estate career where he’s imprinted on the market by showcasing NWA as a region bustling with activity, economic opportunity and an affordable cost of living.
“In the scale of everything, Northwest Arkansas still is very affordable in comparison. Now, the asterisk there, is you can find cheaper housing in America, but the unique thing about this area is that you get all the benefits of a larger area but with affordable housing. It’s really hard to find that sweet balance between having an area where you can have a job, you can live, you can work, you can play all in NWA. But you can’t find that anywhere else in America and have that affordable housing aspect to it.” – Phillip Shepard, (11:02)
The All Things NWA Experience
All Things NWA is a one stop shop for individuals looking to relocate to the region. With the mindset that you can live, work and play all in NWA, it offers 3-day NWA itineraries and adventure guides for anybody who wants to discover the magnetism of the area. This experience includes adventure/sports, art/food, sightseeing/fun and activities for kids.
Additionally, All Things NWA offers an NWA Starter Pack featuring one hundred and twenty pages full of information about the area including an in-depth look at the school systems, all the amazing activities available, detailed information about the area’s world class hospitals and the museums and art culture. And to learn even more about the best restaurants in Bentonville, the pros and cons of living in Northwest Arkansas and more, users can visit Everything NWA for local insights.
“From a cultural perspective, there’s something for everyone. And the things that Bentonville has been focusing on are things that are core to almost everyone. If you say what’s important to a family, I want to have great schools for my kids, check. What’s important for people that want to move here, jobs and a career path, check. What’s important for people that just want to retire, you have Bella Vista, check. What’s important for single people that want to start a new life and get a new community, check. So you can go down the list and [the Greater Bentonville Area] hits so many important things.” – Phillip Shepard, (32:33)
Get Connected!
Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Bentonville Beacon! Join us weekly for more stories and advice from the entrepreneurs, business executives and community leaders who are sparking the rise of the Greater Bentonville Area. If you are interested in discussing whether your business should have a presence in Greater Bentonville or would like to discuss this podcast, please contact James Bell. You may reach James at jbell@greaterbentonville.com or (479) 273-2841.
Links for Additional Mentions
Construction imminent for $51M mixed-use development on Walton Boulevard in Bentonville
Explore Downtown Bentonville (Downtown Bentonville Incorporated)
Coffee and Community: Exploring Airship’s Unique Locations with Mark Bray
Never Settle for Good Enough (Coffee) with Andrea Allen
University of Arkansas Readies One-of-a-Kind Chip Research & Fabrication Facility
Alice L. Walton School of Medicine
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Bentonville Becomes Home for U.S. National Mountain Bike Team
