Summary
On this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Victoria Dickerson are joined by Chris Heivly, co-founder of MapQuest and managing director of Build the Fort. Based out of Durham, North Carolina, Chris is the author of Build the Fort: The Startup Community Builder’s Field Guide, a book which simplifies entrepreneurship and outlines five basic elements that are common to both startups and startup communities. Chris is passionate about sharing his expertise in helping other entrepreneurs find success, and as a frequent blogger and public speaker, Chris advocates the importance for communities to develop viable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Throughout the episode, Chris discusses the value in networking and mentorship as an entrepreneur, the mechanics of building a startup ecosystem, and the different types of business systems.
Show Notes
(0:54) Introducing Chris Heivly
(5:03) The Trajectory of MapQuest
(10:21) Chris’ Startup and Investing Journey
(13:17) The Importance of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
(18:41) The Process of Building an Ecosystem vs. A Venture
(22:02) The Impact of Mentorship
(29:16) Advice to Younger Self
(30:57) Closing Question
Links
Build the Fort: The Startup Community Builder’s Field Guide
Quotes
“Every entrepreneur knows, and if anybody’s been doing it for more than a couple of years, and if you’ve ever had any real success, you know that your success is based on the backs of the people that helped you. And it’s just the nature of this thing that you get help. And I think the best entrepreneurs seek help and are more self aware and more vulnerable to put themselves out there.” - Chris Heivly, (10:40)
“The very nature of being in an entrepreneurial community is one of disruption, is one of discovery, is a process of knowns and unknowns, with the best intent and with the best motivation.” - Chris Heivly, (17:03)
“The basis for our view is around systems theory, and in systems theory there’s either three or four types of systems. But along this continuum from simple to chaotic are two systems, complicated and complex. And although they’re synonymous in the dictionary, in systems theory, they couldn’t be more opposite.” Chris Heivly, (19:30)
“People think networking is a transaction. It’s not, it’s a connection. And I found the value in connecting with people and asking them two questions. Asking them what they’re stuck on and asking if there’s any way I could help them. And in doing that, I helped other people, and then other people helped me.” - Chris, Heivly, (23:48)
“To close the gap between success and failure you have to use your network, and your network is your community.” - Chris Heivly, (24:57)
Summary
En nuestro quinto episodio nos acompaña una invitada excepcional: Tahamara Ibarra de LinguaConnect Translations.
En esta edición Tahamara comparte su experiencia y conocimientos sobre la importancia de comprender no solo las palabras, sino también la cultura y el contexto detrás de cada mensaje. Descubre cómo LinguaConnect está transformando la manera en que nos comunicamos en un mundo cada vez más diverso.
Prepárate para sumergirte en una conversación que te inspirará a superar los límites del lenguaje y a conectarte de manera más profunda con aquellos que te rodean. ¡No te pierdas este episodio lleno de aprendizaje y descubrimientos!
Show Notes
(00:32) Introducción a Tahamara Ibarra
(02:06) La Educación de Tahamara
(03:25) Por qué Thamara Comenzó su Propio Negocio
(05:03) Cambios en la Cultura Local
(06:01) De una Idea a la Realidad
(07:10) La Cronología de una Empresa
(11:25) Superando Obstáculos
(14:41) Lecciones Valiosas
(17:57) Valores Fundamentales
(20:15) Palabras de la Sabiduría
Links
Quotes
“Estudie español con énfasis en el lado medico” - Tahamara lbarra (02:06)
“Al paso del tiempo lo que me di cuenta es que me gustaba más las clases de idioma y las clases medicas eran muy difíciles.” - Tahamara lbarra (02:06)
“Decidí estudiar para ser maestra de español y después seguí mi educación con una maestría en español… Y en la maestría era la intención de ser profesora” - Tahamara lbarra (02:35)
“Primeramente nunca me vi como una emprendedora, siempre pensé que iba a estudiar en algo, iba a trabajar, pero nunca sabia en que.” - Tahamara lbarra (03:25)
“Me di cuenta que siempre, en cada trabajo usaba mi habilidad de español.” - Tahamara lbarra (03:58)
“Llegue a la conclusión que podía combinar mi pasión de educar con mi amor a lo que es el idioma, la lectura y hacer un negocio de educar.” - Tahamara lbarra (04:04)
“Uno tiene que entender que el idioma refleja lo que es la historia.” - Tahamara lbarra (04:40)
“Ahora creo que hay más conciencia de que la información se debe de proveer (en otros idiomas).” - Tahamara lbarra (05:33)
“Estoy tan orgullosa y me siento humilde de saber que hay tanta ayuda para la comunidad.”
- Tahamara lbarra (09:59)
“Es impresionante cuantas personas de negocios comenzaron igual como yo, y como otras personas que literalmente era una idea...” - Tahamara lbarra (10:37)
“Estos programas hacen posible que las personas aprendan información, sepan a donde recurrir para sus herramientas y pongan esa información y herramientas a trabajar.”
- Tahamara lbarra (10:45)
“Para mí, el mayor obstáculo ha sido el miedo.” - Tahamara lbarra (11:38)
“Lo que me encanta de mi proceso es que es muy orgánico.” - Tahamara lbarra (12:17)
“Para mí, nuevamente, la barrera principal he sido yo misma.” - Tahamara lbarra (12:44)
“El sol sale para todos.” - Tahamara lbarra (14:13)
“Los valores siempre van a ser los mismos… Quizás tomen diferentes formas, o tomen diferentes colores, pero la idea básicamente es la misma.” - Tahamara lbarra (18:04)
“Creo que mi negocio representa las experiencias personales que yo viví como persona bilingüe.” - Tahamara lbarra (18:29)
“Tenemos que darnos cuenta de dónde venimos para saber a dónde vamos.” - Tahamara lbarra (21:09)
“Considero que no lo hubiera pensado antes, pero ahora lo que quiero hacer es regresar a dar a las comunidades que me dieron a mí.” - Tahamara lbarra (22:20)
“Reconozco que si no hubiera tenido buenos maestros y maestras que hubieran estado interesados en mi educación no estaría aquí.” - Tahamara lbarra (22:57)
“Yo quiero crear material que maestros puedan usar en sus salones para que aiga inclusividad.” - Tahamara lbarra (23:15)
Summary
On this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Caleb Talley and Victoria Dickerson sit down with Ahren Boulanger, the founder of Pleasant Counter, a family-run restaurant in Springdale specializing in burgers with a passion for sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. Ahren unpacks his diverse food influences, his take on the challenges of menu diversity, and why his preference for quality ingredients is revolutionizing the local dining scene. Additionally, he shares insights from his previous fermentation business, delves into the valuable lessons learned from international cuisine, and reflects on starting up in different regions, from California to Texas and now Northwest Arkansas. Caleb, Victoria, and Ahren also dive into what it takes to create food while aligning with your mission and discuss Pleasant Counter's recent trip to the World Burger Championships in Dallas where they placed 4th best burger in the world!
Show Notes
(1:09) Introducing Ahren Boulanger
(13:08) How Pleasant Counter fits into NWA’s Restaurant Scene
(23:10) Ahren’s Experience at the World Burger Championships
(36:03) How the Community Can Help Encourage Entrepreneurship
(44:49) Advice to Younger Self
(50:18) Closing Thoughts
Links
Quotes
“We leaned into a simple menu…there’s a lot of customization that’s kind of hidden in there, I’m not purposely trying to be cryptic, I just don’t want to clutter up the menu…[doing a few things and doing them well] is the philosophy I was trying to embrace.” - Ahren Boulanger, (8:37)
“There’s nothing we’re doing that’s so difficult. It’s just as long as we do it the way we like to do it, it works. But to try and do all that other stuff and not using an actual distributor that just shows up at your door and brings you things is rough, but it makes it so that we can do it the way we want to do it.” - Ahren Boulanger, (41:21)
“Also my personal phone number is the restaurant phone number. So my cell phone, you can just go on Google and literally call or text me…It’s just a little bit more personal. I guess it’s something that most people wouldn’t do, but it’s kind of our whole thing. There's not a lot of restaurants where you can go in and talk to the owner and actually have the owner bus your table, wash your dishes, make your food, take your order. So I think people like it.” - Ahren Boulanger, (49:01)
Summary
Welcome to another great episode of the Startup Junkie Podcast! On this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Caleb Talley and Jeff Amerine are joined by Canem Arkan and Shawn Morris from Endeavor, the leading global community of, by, and for high-impact entrepreneurs. Endeavor is on a mission to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging and underserved markets around the world by inspiring high-growth founders to dream bigger. Endeavor creates a multiplier effect by providing entrepreneurs with the platform to scale faster and pay it forward, resulting in a compounding of their individual impact. Throughout the episode, Caleb, Jeff, Canem, and Shawn talk about the importance of exposing yourself to a variety of markets and how a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem can exist anywhere with the right key people and support groups.
Show Notes
(0:47) Introducing Canem and Shawn
(1:23) Endeavor’s Origin Story
(3:46) Endeavor’s Expansion into New Markets
(10:36) What’s Next for Endeavor
(23:13) The Importance of Storytelling for Northwest Arkansas
(28:24) Celebrating Wins and Normalizing Failure
(34:24) Gaining Exposure to Different Markets
(41:14) Current Challenges in the State
(47:06) Advice to Younger Self
(50:51) Closing Question
Links
Quotes
“We work with scaling founders with the goal of job creation and revenue generation and what that does for economic transformation…Because what we found was people with good ideas need certain help and people who have fifty or one hundred team members need a different kind of help. So how do we plug and support all the organizations that exist and do that for scaling founders who need a different kind of help?” - Canam Arkan, (1:23)
“We still have a lot more to do. So part of what we’re trying to focus on is are there areas of specialty we can really hone in on because we’re industry agnostic, but it’s hard to be everything to everyone, which is what we try to do.” - Canam Arkan, (11:00)
“It feels more and more people are seeing that there’s things happening here in NWA. And so whether it’s investors from out of town or just founders in the region checking this place out, it feels more like people want to come in. And so how do we bring those people in and show them around and what’s happening here and hold their feet to the fire of you’ve been here, you’ve seen it, now start doing stuff here.” - Shawn Morris, (12:35)
“I think [celebrating wins] is helpful when it comes to selling to both, like bringing in and then retaining your employees, communicating to them like maybe we haven’t raised a ton of money or we have a down round, but there’s traction here. Your decision to jump ship from corporate to go work in a startup was smart because we’re moving in the right direction. And I think we have to reiterate that and derisk it to people as often as possible.” - Shawn Morris, (30:59)
Summary
Welcome to another great episode of the Startup Junkie Podcast! In this live recorded special episode, hosts Jeff Amerine and Caleb Talley join Amy Herzberg and Bob Ford, the co-founders of TheatreSquared (T2), and Shannon Jones, the executive director, on the set of A Christmas Carol for a captivating discussion about TheatreSquared’s origin and mission. Since its founding in 2005, TheatreSquared’s locally produced and nationally acclaimed productions have remained rooted in its founding vision that “theatre done well and with passion can transform lives and communities.” Throughout the episode, Amy, Bob, and Shannon share how TheatreSquared has impacted Arkansas’s artistic landscape and how its reputation continues to blossom in the performing arts world.
Show Notes
(1:45) Introduction to Bob Ford and Amy Herzberg
(2:23) TheatreSquared’s Origin Story
(15:59) TheatreSquared’s Impact on Arkansas’s Artistic Landscape
(19:53) Attracting Talent from the University of Arkansas
(26:29) Introduction to Shannon Jones
(33:29) Catering To New Audiences
(36:37) How TheatreSquared Approaches Innovation
(40:37) Measuring TheatreSquared’s Success
(44:32) Questions from the Audience
(52:54) Advice to Younger Self
(56:09) Closing Question and Thoughts
Links
Quotes
“Having this theatre [in Northwest Arkansas] makes a real statement about how the arts are valued in this area, and that means a lot to people who are coming from all over the place to study at the University of Arkansas in its theatre department.” - Amy Herzberg, (20:05)
“I think one of the things that theatre does really well is it touches lives. Like you said, in our mission, it transforms communities. And the thing about T2 and the thing I think that we do really well, and I think we'll continue to expand upon, is making that human connection. And I think one thing that we use to help build upon what is already there is our ability to adapt.” - Shannon Jones, (33:52)
“When I see a young person say, ‘I've never seen me and my friends on stage before, I've never seen my story before. Thank you.’ That's how I measure [success]. That's what keeps me going, that to me is impact. We could fill this place, I guarantee, if we put on certain shows over and over again, and that would also look like a certain kind of success. But our goal is to do both because what we're discovering is that our community wants to see a full range of stories because, as we know, everybody's different, but also everybody's the same. But that's an amazing kind of conundrum.” - Bob Ford, (41:19)