Tyler Elm - BlueInGreen
Welcome back to another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast! This week, Caleb Talley and Jeff Amerine speak with Tyler Elm, Chief Marketing and Business Sustainability Officer of BlueInGreen. BlueInGreen designs the most efficient water treatment solutions in order to lower the total cost of treatment while improving water quality. In this episode, you will get to hear about Tyler's sustainability background, challenges of growing in a niche vertical, and potential exit strategies for BlueInGreen. Check out this episode!
Shownotes
(1:06) Introducing BlueInGreen
(1:52) Tyler’s career background
(6:47) BlueInGreen’s significant growth in a conservative market
(12:51) BlueInGreen’s plans to scale internationally
(15:50) COVID’s effects on scaling for BlueInGreen
(20:38) How teaming up with a strategic partner could benefit BlueInGreen
(28:20) Tyler shares advice to other people looking to team up with a startup
(36:02) Wrapping up
Links
Quotes
“What we’ve been trying to do is scale certain technologies and certain markets based on high value opportunities for the customer. So the drive of strong ROI and applications that really leverage our core competencies of being able to treat more water with less energy and have a smaller footprint.” (10:12)
“I would say that we’re giving the customer the opportunity to either tap a capital budget or an operational budget. In some applications, the operation, the operational savings cover more than the capital costs very quickly.” (23:34)
Hey everyone! Welcome back to another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast. This week, Caleb Talley has a special chat with Cameron Smith of Cameron Smith & Associates. Cameron Smith & Associates is one of the nation's leading recruiting firms that is devoted to finding and placing the best talent. In this episode, you will get to hear about the impact Cameron Smith & Associates has made in Northwest Arkansas, the game-changing moment for Mr. Smith, and the transformation of fastpitch softball in Arkansas. Check out this fun, insightful episode!
Shownotes
(00:34) Intro
(2:21) Cameron Smith and Associates origin story
(7:39) Cameron shares game changing moments from his career
(10:21) Cameron and his wife Monica’s meeting story
(15:32) How Cameron changed the Arkansas sports landscape
(21:41) COVID’s effects on Cameron Smith and Associates
(23:14) What’s next for the company?
(24:40) Best advice Cameron has received
Links
Quotes
“I was busier than all get out, and I really couldn’t hire recruiters quick enough to manage the business. So fast forward 25 years later. There are 1,600 plus Walmart vendors here. And I believe we are responsible for bringing more than 500 of those teams here, and help facilitating close to 5,000 jobs. It’s been a great run, and we’re very grateful” (5:13)
“When you’re first starting out, you have this vision for this business. You’ve got to ask a lot of questions. You have to do your due diligence. You’ve got to run the numbers and make a plan.” (25:31)
Welcome back to another week of the Startup Junkies Podcast! This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward have a chat with Sean Petterson, founder, and CEO of Strongarm Technologies. Strongarm Tech is a developer of a safety science platform that uses wearable sensors and AI-driven analysis to collect, analyze and predict insights on industrial workers in order to mitigate the risk of injury, enabling clients to mitigate workman's compensation claims from back injuries and increase worker productivity and comfort. In this episode, you will get to hear about Sean's compelling story and background, critical adjustments made during COVID-19, and insights around company culture. Check out this compelling episode!
Shownotes
(1:14) What is StrongArm Tech
(6:20) How StrongArm Tech saves company’s money
(9:51) Where will StrongArm be in the 3 years?
(12:13) COVID’s effects on StrongArm
(16:26) How insurance helps in StrongArm’s sales process
(19:23) Sean talks about keeping people from all areas of operation focused on the data that truly matters
(22:52) Sean shares stories of how StrongArm has been impactful and helpful to clients
(26:20) Sean talks about the culture of StrongArm
(29:39) Seans shares advice to his younger self
(31:53) Wrap up
Links
Quotes
“So today we’ve transitioned, and Strongarm is the world’s leading safety science company. We’ve had over 35,000 people run through our platform, and we’re reducing injuries now at a rate of nearly 50% year over year.” (5:32)
“So for us to be able to be front that is solely focused on one issue - the industrial athlete, and making them relevant in the future by driving value that is not seen necessarily, is our unique operation.” (21:58)
“We use a core set of values, and those values for us happen to be a cool acronym that ends up being sacred. But those values are things like self-improving, and our ability to stick to those is key for us to hire the same people as we build that scalable business.” (27:15)
“Your value as an entrepreneur and as an individual leader is your ability to synthesize. To disagree with some of the insights you may get, to agree with some of the insights you may get, but to synthesize your own thoughts based on the information that you pull in is hands down the most valuable asset.” (30:21)
206: Beer Saves The World... Again
Brian Crum and Bianca Tessa with Beyond the Tap
Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast! This week, Caleb Talley and Jeff Amerine talk with Bianca Tessa and Brian Crum from Beyond the Tap. Beyond the Tap is a podcast that brings together the best of craft beer, wine, and spirits, which are made in Northwest Arkansas. They inspire, educate, and celebrate the people who are making it happen as they sit down with the top brewers, distillers, and vintners across the region. In this episode, you will get to hear about the story behind the creation of the Beyond the Tap podcast, learning experiences around creating and growing a podcast, and insights around the adult beverage industry during COVID-19. Check out the episode!
Once again, we are back with another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast! This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward have an in-depth chat with Omid Moghadam, the founder and CEO of Namida Labs. Namida Labs uses unconventional approaches to develop quick solutions for current healthcare challenges. They have been an effective in creating large scale antibody testing for communities and large employers. In this episode, Omid discusses his expedition to Fayetteville, Arkansas; practical insights around COVID-19 related decisions and testing; and the meaning behind the company name "Namida". Buckle up for a great episode!
Welcome back everyone! This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward talk with Stacie Bloomfield, founder and artist of Gingiber. Gingiber is a creative company that aims to encourage and inspire others to live their fullest lives through workshops, products, and other areas. In this episode, some of the insightful information you will get to hear about include: Gingiber's pivot during COVID-19, the process behind creating a timeless product, and the management of quality behind a product. Listen in on this great episode!
Welcome back folks! It is another great week with the Startup Junkie crew. This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward zoom with Allan Peretz, founder and President of Bold Strategies, Inc. Bold Strategies brings together proven CPG experts and emerging digital talent to create custom e-commerce departments for their clients. In this episode, some of the interesting topics you will get to hear about are Allan's journey leading up to Bold Strategies, the effect of COVID-19 on e-commerce and retail strategy, and the vision of Bold Strategies. Do not miss out on these nuggets of information!
202: Flamingo Springs Trailer Resort - Your Next Retreat
GUESTS: Laura and Zack Kraus
Hey everyone! Welcome to another week of the Startup Junkies Podcast! This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward have a chat with Laura and Zack Kraus, founders of Flamingo Springs Trailer Resort. Flamingo Springs Trailer Resort is a 1950's Palm Springs inspired trailer resort featuring eight renovated and themed vintage travel trailers from the 1950's-70's. The trailers are permanently parked in a semi-circle surrounding a pool, astroturf and fire pit, and can be rented by the night. In this episode, you will get to hear about the creative process around Pink Flamingo, Laura and Zack's journey to Arkansas, and difficulties around building the resort. Listen in on this great talk!
Shownotes
(1:06) Flamingo Springs Trailer Resort
(2:54) How It Started
(8:24) How has COVID impacted Flamingo Springs Trailer Resort?
(10:14) Funny Stories around the trailers
(14:08) How did it all really come together, here, in Northwest Arkansas?
(21:43) What challenges have they faced?
(29:32) Laura and Zack share about things they know now that they didn’t when they first started.
(31:58) Closing Thoughts
Links:
It's another week of the Startup Junkies Podcast! This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, Jeff Standridge, and Matthew Ward talk with Martial Trigeaud, serial entrepreneur and Chief Operating Officer of Vascugenix Incorporated. Vascuegenix Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing innovative products to improve patient safety during interventional cardiology procedures. In this episode, you will hear about Martial's journey from France, his illustrious cycling resume, and Vascugenix's innovative product called the Speed-Torque. We hope you enjoy this exciting episode!
(00:34) Intro
(01:52) Martial’s Story
(04:34) Vascugenix Incorporated Overview
(10:30) What are the future plans for vascular genetics?
(12:32) The transition from advisor to a member of an executive team
(15:58) Let’s talk cycling
(26:27) Work-Life differences between France and the United States
(28:05) Martial’s Remodeling projects
(30:05) If you could take all the knowledge that you've accumulated at your current age and give some advice to your younger self when you were starting out your journey, what would that advice be?
(32:53) Close
Quotes
“And that's why I feel Vascugenix is going to be a very successful company because we really think about the 360 view from the worst scenario to the best scenario and everything in between.” (14:53)
So I feel like sometimes we need to push a little bit on people, but I understand at the same time, you don't want to push too hard on people because it's complex. Life in the US is very complex because you have family issues, financial issues. I mean, I understand all of that. I think we should do a mix of both where we need to push people a little bit more but manage them correctly for them to do a good job. (27:28)
“Be a learner. The first thing is to learn how to learn. Understand what is valuable and what is not valuable.” (30:24)
Links:
This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, Matthew Ward, and Taylor Hasley have a zoom party with Michael Iseman, Media and Investor Education at AcreTrader, and Jon Cadieux, founder, and owner of NWA Workplaces. During this special episode, the crew takes a trip down memory lane with some of the original Startup Junkies. You will get to hear about the early days of the Startup Junkies Podcast, COVID-19 related matters, and predictions of the economy. Come join the party to celebrate 200 episodes of the Startup Junkie Podcast!
It’s another week with the Startup Junkie Crew! On this episode, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward talk with Hannah Withers, owner of Maxine’s Tap Room and Leverett Lounge. Maxine’s Tap Room is a historical bar in Fayetteville that was voted one of the best bars in America by Esquire Magazine. Leverett Lounge is a Fayetteville favorite restaurant on Leverett Avenue that has a smooth balance of comfort and class. This week, you will get to hear about Hannah’s entrepreneurial background (1:15), Feed the Heard program (10:23), and the importance of locally owned businesses (23:04). We are glad you are with us!
Our Favorite Quote:
Jeff – “With the knowledge and experience you have now, what would you tell your past self?” (33:10)
Hannah – “We made so many mistakes… as long as you do what you love with people you trust, you will be okay.”
Welcome back to another week of the Startup Junkies Podcast! This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward have an in-depth zoom talk with Bo Counts, serial entrepreneur and owner of Pinpoint. Pinpoint is Arkansas’ first and only pinball bar. With over 20 classic pinball cabinets, skee-ball, darts, and a full bar, Pinpoint offers a fun, relaxed experience for people of various ages (21+) and backgrounds. In this episode, you will get to hear about Bo’s interesting career adventure (2:35), the allure of creating an experience with retro gaming that breaks stereotype (6:15), and the origin of the Pinpoint name integrated with expansion plans (16:28). You do not want to miss out on this great episode!
Our Favorite Quote:
Bo – “We don’t sell pinball or cocktails; we sell togetherness and experience.” (18:00)
We are happy to see you again on another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast! This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward have an exciting chat with Sam Parr, founder and CEO of the world's largest newsletter: The Hustle. During this episode, you will get to hear about Sam's career progression in various entrepreneurial pursuits, the research arm of Hustle Con Media called Trends.co, and valuable insights into how to attract consumers. Tune in to this value-filled episode!
Our Favorite Quote:
Jeff - "Where do you draw the line on fake news, free speech, and all of that since you are a media guy?"
Sam - "You have to let people do their thing... You must take the bad with the good."
Welcome to another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast! This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward have a focused conversation with Mike Preston, the Arkansas Secretary of Commerce and Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. In this episode you will get to hear about Mr. Preston's journey from Florida to Arkansas, Arkansas' commitment to small business initiatives, and the strategy to create more jobs in Arkansas. This is an episode you do not want to miss!
Our Favorite Quote:
Mike - "The state is here to support you... We see that business will be the answer to getting us back to where we were before."
In this Episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast, Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Matthew Ward have a virtual chat with Jordan Carmon, Co-Founder and CEO of Matchstick Studio. Matchstick Studio is a full-service creative studio that works directly with companies’ marketing departments to provide services, such as design, print, and copyrighting, that might not be offered internally in order to help these companies accomplish their goals. Learn about the motivations behind creating and growing Matchstick and how Matchstick is helping other businesses during the COVID-19 in this week’s episode!
Our Favorite Quote:
Jordan - “I want someone who is going to fit with the team first… (A) lot of the skills we are able to teach. The personality and the values are the most important things to us when considering hiring.”
Find Matchstick Studio Here
Connect with Jordan Here