Summary:
On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with the president of Outdoor Cap Co., Jeanelle Harris. Outdoor Cap Co. was founded in 1977 by Paul Mahan, and 45 years later, it is one of Bentonville’s best-kept secrets, helping to lead the area in innovation, corporate citizenship, and of course, incredible outdoor headwear. Together, James and Jeanelle discuss Outdoor Cap Co., what is putting Bentonville on the map, and how we can work together to lead a new generation into growth.Thanks for tuning in!
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Show Notes
(0:41) Introducing True NWA Native Jeanelle Harris 
(2:01) Outdoor Cap Co.
(11:23) How Outdoor Companies Can Thrive in Bentonville 
(14:03) What’s Next for Outdoor Cap Co.?
(23:27) Importance of Community and Corporate Citizenship
(26:09) Superpowers and Closing Thoughts
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‍Links:
JAMES BELL
JEANELLE HARRIS
OUTDOOR CAP CO.

Quotes
“I think some of what our secret sauce is, is our expertise focused on headwear, but also the people. We have a lot of people who are long-tenured, who are committed to our business and helping us be the experts and serving our customer loyalty, both to the business and to each other. So, definitely the people are our secret sauce.” Jeanelle Harris, (3:29)

“Within the last five years, and even recently, there’s been conversations where when I say ‘Bentonville,’ [people] say ‘Oh, I want to go there! I want to travel there. I want to take my family there.’ You know, there’s a vibrance that has really come about that Bentonville is a place on the map.” Jeanelle Harris, (11:49)

‍“We started to see these corporations and families like the Walton Family Foundation really start to pour into the community and look at some of the things we could use as growth potential and realize that we needed to raise up a new generation that my kids are a part of to make sure that they understand diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Jeanelle Harris, (17:48)

‍“The one thing that I would want people to know about Outdoor Cap and in turn, myself [and] my family because it all ties together, is our pull towards community and corporate citizenship and the fact that we don’t just want to exist in Bentonville as a company without giving back as well.” Jeanelle Harris, (23:26)
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On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell sits down with the president of Outdoor Cap Co., Jeanelle Harris. Outdoor Cap Co. was founded in 1977 by Paul Mahan, and 45 years later, it is one of Bentonville’s best-kept secrets, helping to lead the area in innovation, corporate citizenship, and of course, incredible outdoor headwear. Together, James and Jeanelle discuss Outdoor Cap Co., what is putting Bentonville on the map, and how we can work together to lead a new generation into growth.

‍Outdoor Cap Co.
‍“I think some of what our secret sauce is, is our expertise focused on headwear, but also the people. We have a lot of people who are long-tenured, who are committed to our business and helping us be the experts and serving our customer loyalty, both to the business and to each other. So, definitely the people are our secret sauce.” Jeanelle Harris, (3:29)

Outdoor Cap Co. is a business focused on its people and the community it has created within itself. It is a community where team members are encouraged to work to live, not live to work, where they can hop on a trail on their lunch break, and where they are free to enjoy everything their city has to offer. They love being Bentonville’s best-kept secret where they can employ hundreds of people, changing their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

‍“The one thing that I would want people to know about Outdoor Cap and in turn, myself [and] my family because it all ties together, is our pull towards community and corporate citizenship and the fact that we don’t just want to exist in Bentonville as a company without giving back as well.” Jeanelle Harris, (23:26) 

Jeanelle believes that coming out of Covid is an opportunity to go “back to the garage,” in which founder Paul Mahan started Outdoor Cap Co. This year, they will celebrate 45 years of Outdoor Cap Co., and Jeanelle believes they are just getting started as a company, but also that this ideal seeps into the greater community as well. They care immensely about their products and love to serve everyone from the big Fortune 500s to the mom and pop shops that help promote The American Dream.

Why Bentonville?
‍“Within the last five years, and even recently, there’s been conversations where when I say ‘Bentonville,’ [people] say ‘Oh, I want to go there! I want to travel there. I want to take my family there.’ You know, there’s a vibrance that has really come about that Bentonville is a place on the map.” Jeanelle Harris, (11:49)

Jeanelle is a true NWA native and loves that the area offers so much in the way of outdoor access and opportunities and in the development of culture, art, and culinary advancements. She loves that although it is growing at an incredibly fast pace, it still has a hometown feel to it. Bentonville is not just about Walmart anymore. There is so much happening here, and we should be so proud of our town.
‍“We started to see these corporations and families like the Walton Family Foundation really start to pour into the community and look at some of the things we could use as growth potential and realize that we needed to raise up a new generation that my kids are a part of to make sure that they understand diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Jeanelle Harris, (17:48)

Jeanelle is so thrilled to see corporate giants like Walmart, JB Hunt, and Tyson set the example to invest in Northwest Arkansas, not just do business here. Outdoor Cap Co. has taken up this beacon and refuses simply to exist in Bentonville. They are committed to keeping Arkansas beautiful themselves, not waiting for someone else to do it.When we ask the question, “Why Bentonville?” Jeanelle reminds us that Bentonville packs a big punch, and it’s just getting started.
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Get Connected!
‍Thanks for tuning in to this bonus episode of The Bentonville Beacon! Join us weekly for more stories from entrepreneurs and business leaders who are making a positive impact on Bentonville’s culture, community, and lifestyle. Don’t forget, Bentonville is a place where you can have more of what you want and less of what you don’t!