How does a startup, small firm, or entrepreneur with an innovative technology idea get the required facetime with a tech giant/mega retail corporation to pitch their next big idea and impact the world? Bryce Paden, co-founder of i2i Labs, has the solution in the unique form of a tech broker of sorts. Hardly a full year into business, he has proved, with an uncommon business model no less, that there is certainly a market for the service i2i Labs provides. The company curates and accredits small tech teams before helping them present their innovations to large corporations that have the resources to buy the technology, but not the time or man-power needed to create it. Bryce also gives us a sneak peek into his next business. Think recreational axe throwing. Get excited!
To contact a professional at i2i Labs, visit https://www.i2ilabs.co/
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Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
jeff@startupjunkieconsulting.com
Michael@startupjunkie.org
“The key is not to prioritize your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”
Stephen Covey
JB Hunt executives Shelley Simpson, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer and Todd Jenkins, JB Hunt’s Senior Diversity Lead & Chair of NWA YP Summit, join the Startup Junkie podcast for episode #136. They discuss both the importance of finding mentors as well as share insight on the differences between mentors, sponsors and coaches and why you should try to find all three! Shelley Simpson also shares her journey of working up the ranks of JB Hunt and advice from her dad that helped her reach her current position. Lastly, she explains how she chooses priorities and where she allocates time to outside of work. You don’t want to miss this episode!
To learn more about JB Hunt, visit their site here and to learn more about Work Matters, check out their site.
Register for the NWA Young Professional Summit here.
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Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
jeff@startupjunkieconsulting.com
Michael@startupjunkie.org
Neil Greenhaw, founder of Haxton Road Studios, combines cutting edge technology and his passion for all things vintage to create a world class recording studio in Bentonville, AR. In this podcast episode, Neil shares his story of growing up in rural Arkansas where he fell in love with music, traveling internationally with a band up to 240 days a year, and then returning to Arkansas and opening a recording studio. Neil has chosen to invest in the community and believes that collaboration is key to successfully promoting local artists. Haxton Road Studios recently partnered with Bike Rack Brewing Co. to produce an album showcasing the musical talent here in Arkansas. Neil comments,“Sky’s the limit,” regarding the opportunities hovering on the horizon for the Northwest Arkansas music industry. After personally experiencing his state of the art recording equipment and seeing his commitment to quality, we couldn’t agree more.
To learn more about Haxton Road Studios, visit their site here.
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Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
jeff@startupjunkieconsulting.com
Michael@startupjunkie.org
Trey Holt and Leo Orpin, co-founders of Black Apple Crossing, Arkansas’ first hard cidery, join us for their second podcast episode. Their cidery has experienced exponential growth over the last three years and they plan to distribute in retail stores later this year. In this episode, Leo and Trey share parts of the brewing process as well as “flopped” flavors that didn’t make it to market. In addition to serving a fantastic product, Black Apple Crossing believes in always putting the customer first; listen to how this drives the cidery in everything they do!
To learn more about Black Apple Crossing, visit their site here.
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Hear the stories of other great startup businesses by listening to our previous podcasts here!
Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
jeff@startupjunkieconsulting.com
Michael@startupjunkie.org
Ben Clark, CEO of B-Unlimited, bought the company in 2006 with big dreams but the economic crisis of 2009 forced him to scale back and focus on one customer, a sorority at the University of Arkansas. Fast forward nearly a decade and this apparel company has taken over the college market providing screen printed shirts to over 500 sororities all across the United States. Listen to how the power of perseverance grew a small company into one of the Best Mid-Sized Companies to work for in Arkansas*!
*According to INC survey
To learn more about B-Unlimited, visit their site here.
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Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
jeff@startupjunkieconsulting.com
Michael@startupjunkie.org
World-renowned art. Extraordinary landscapes. Delicious food. What more could Northwest Arkansas need to become the #1 destination in the United States? How about one of the greatest business executives in the recording industry investing in its success? Listen to the incredible story of Al Bell, a legend in the music industry, and his mission to take Bentonville’s music scene to the highest level.
To learn more about Al Bell Presents, visit albellpresents.com.
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Hear the stories of other great startup businesses by listening to our previous podcasts here!
Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
jeff@startupjunkieconsulting.com
Michael@startupjunkie.org
Dr. Jeff Standridge, Chief Catalyst at Conductor and best-selling author, shares advice with us on topics such as time management and the importance of discovering your “Why.” Despite Jeff’s concurrent roles as author, consultant, mentor, husband and father, he makes time for opportunities that support his “Why.” Listen to Jeff’s perspective on why his busy schedule still allows him time to take on new responsibilities!
Find Jeff’s books on Amazon here: The Innovator’s Field Guide and The Top Performer's Field Guide
Follow Jeff on these platforms: Website, Conductor, Conductor Facebook
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Hear the stories of other great startup businesses by listening to our previous podcasts here!
Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
jeff@startupjunkieconsulting.com
Michael@startupjunkie.org
Startup Junkie team members chat with Founder, Jeff Amerine, about the journey that led him to where he is today. Jeff candidly discusses a variety of topics, focusing on the experiences that have shaped his current definition of success. On everything from his military background, which taught him to “focus first on the things that will kill you”, to family, where he artfully likens children and startups, Jeff gives us his fresh and genuine perspective. Finally, Jeff shares his goal of community engagement in Northwest Arkansas, a crucial component in building a thriving startup ecosystem here in our backyard.
To learn more about Startup Junkie, visit https://www.startupjunkie.org/.
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Hear the stories of other great startup businesses by listening to our previous podcasts here!
Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
jeff@startupjunkieconsulting.com
Michael@startupjunkie.org
Have you ever thought of taking a treasured family recipe and creating a company to share the treat with others? Co-owners and brothers Austin and Quinn Simkins share their story of growing their family pastime of making Chocolate Poppers into the business Simkins Brothers’ Sweets that won the IdeaFame Pitch Contest and placed second at the Collegiate Venture Competition. They also discuss the challenges they’ve faced along the way and share advice to those considering making their business dream a reality.
To learn more about Simkins Brothers’ Sweets, visit sbrotherssweets.com.
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Hear the stories of other great startup businesses by listening to our previous podcasts here!
Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
jeff@startupjunkieconsulting.com
Michael@startupjunkie.org
Meet the incredibly talented, Canon Reeves! CEO and co-founder of MORE Technologies, Canon is currently a sophomore at the University of Arkansas working toward providing every child in Arkansas access to robotics. From winning a competition with RFID smart cabinets to pitching at and winning the most recent Startup Weekend, Canon has been busy developing prototypes and add-ons for his robots. In the hopes of improving STEM education and access in the state, Canon plans on using MORE Technologies’ robotics kits to keep kids hooked on STEM for the long haul.
Check out Canon’s time-lapse of an all-night build session here.
Learn more about MORE at moretech.co, and check out summer classes for the kids at nerdies.me
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Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
The Enactus team at the University of Arkansas is on the rise, and is headed to the Enactus National Competition to present three major projects in Kansas City for the first time in eight years. Director of Enactus at the University, Rachel Sullivant, explains the students’ projects. From a hybrid coffee & retail space that employs adults with developmental disabilities to a workshop allowing those experiencing homelessness to create and sell home décor, Enactus is on a mission to engage students and the community to tackle complex social issues through entrepreneurship.
Get to know Rachel, and how you can get involved with social entrepreneurship by reaching out to her at rsullivant@walton.uark.edu.
Learn more about Enactus here, and check out the idea behind the McMillon Innovation Studio here!
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Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
We flip the script on Matt Waller, Dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, and place him in the hot seat. A purveyor of entrepreneurship, Dean Waller is known for his interviews with entrepreneurs, and we couldn’t be more excited to get the latest on business, entrepreneurship and the future of experiential learning at the University. The future of the Walton College of Business will integrate other colleges on campus to provide a hands-on and innovative learning experience that will create the next generation of entrepreneurs, small business owners and corporate moguls.
Check out all the Walton College of Business has been up to here!
Have a question for Dean Waller? Reach out to him at mwaller@uark.edu.
Check out his entrepreneurial spotlights on his Linkedin.
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Hear the stories of other great startup businesses by listening to our previous podcasts here!
Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
Meet Chad Williamson, a man who’s worn many hats (or should we say bowties). From an early age, his perception on social constructs was shifted by his military brat upbringing. From his first business, to his current educational non-profit, it’s amazing to see how relationships and character development inspired Chad’s journey. Current co-founder of Noble Impact, an educational non-profit providing students with purpose-driven education, Chad has been a forerunner on the entrepreneurial scene focused on purpose and experience. His advice for the budding entrepreneur is translated best by song – catch it at the end of the podcast!
Learn more about Noble Impact here!
Follow Noble Impact on Facebook, and Instagram @nobleimpact.
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Hear the stories of other great startup businesses by listening to our previous podcasts here!
Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
Meet Steve Perry, president of Denovo Brands. Dedicated to innovative outdoor retail products, Steve, along with several other Denovo owners, stems from a career in mass market retail at Walmart. Denovo Brands includes Equip, which focuses on hammocks, and Kijaro, which produces premium sporting & outdoor chairs. Join us as we sit down with Steve and learn about the challenges of building a retail product company in NWA, as well as the ins and outs of product development.
Learn more about Denovo Brands here, and check out Kijaro and Equip!
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Hear the stories of other great startup businesses by listening to our previous podcasts here!
Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman
Introducing our very own, Ellen Brune! Holding a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, Ellen is our Senior Entrepreneur in Residence. Ellen serves as a liaison between Startup Junkie and the University of Arkansas. Her focus is helping scientists at the University commercialize their research. Ellen’s experience with her own company, Boston Mountain Biotech, is invaluable and tailored to science-based startups. Much of the value of science-based startups is tied up in intellectual property, making it challenging to gain fundraising. With Ellen’s extensive experience, and her wealth of skills (including mountain biking and home brewing kombucha), she’s a strong advocate for the science-based entrepreneur in NWA.
Reach out to Ellen at ellen@startupjunkie.org & follow her on Instagram @ebrune3.
Want to learn more about Boston Mountain Biotech? Check it out here!
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Hear the stories of other great startup businesses by listening to our previous podcasts here!
Hosts: Jeff Amerine & Michael Iseman