The Doing Business in Bentonville Podcast

Artificial intelligence is transforming manufacturing, and Squint stands at the forefront of this revolution with technology that preserves critical expertise while empowering operators to achieve unprecedented quality standards. When Andy Wilson met Devin Bhushan, CEO of Squint, he immediately recognized the transformative potential of Devin's approach to industrial AI. As factories face a g...

Ever wondered what happens to all that valuable customer data when your audience interacts with your brand on TikTok or Instagram? It disappears into the social giants' algorithms, leaving you paying more for less engagement and limited insights.  This is exactly the problem Rahul Sheth set out to solve with Genuin, a revolutionary platform that gives brands their own white-label social media...

Sam Walton's legacy has evolved far beyond big-box discount stores into a technological powerhouse that few consumers fully recognize.  Host Andy Wilson sits down with Kim Souza, a veteran journalist on the Walmart beat, to explore some of the retailer's latest developments. The "Who Knew" marketing campaign reveals what Walmart has become - a company capable of delivering good...

What if the future of retail is already happening somewhere else in the world? Nick Harbaugh, known to many as "The Retail Nomad," takes Scott Benedict on a fascinating journey through global retail landscapes, challenging American retail assumptions with every border he crosses. Having traveled to 30 countries documenting retail at the street level, Nick shares eye-opening observations...

Ever wonder why your size is never on the rack when the website says "in stock"? That frustrating disconnect between what retailers think they have versus what's actually available has plagued the industry for decades—until RFID technology changed everything. In this revealing conversation with retail veteran Mike Graen, we explore how a single technology implementation transformed...

What happens when you apply CIA intelligence-gathering methods to America's trucking industry?  Ryan Joyce, former intelligence operative turned freight tech entrepreneur, has created something extraordinary with GenLogs—a nationwide network of roadside cameras that's revolutionizing how companies track, validate, and secure freight transportation. The system is disarmingly simple yet pr...

Some people leave footprints that shape an entire community. Cameron Smith was one such individual—a visionary who transformed Northwest Arkansas's business landscape through genuine connections and a commitment to elevating others. Our milestone 100th episode brings together Wayne Callahan (former leader at SC Johnson and Heinz) and Eric Howerton (entrepreneur and founder of Podcast Videos)...

Trust, time, and transparency form the backbone of the most successful business partnerships in retail.  Drawing from 35 years of working together, Terry Trofholz and host Deanah Baker unpack what makes supplier-retailer relationships truly effective in today's complex business environment. They begin by acknowledging a challenge many businesses face: with increased responsibilities and the p...

The digital marketing landscape has transformed dramatically, with brands pivoting from traditional tactics to sophisticated digital strategies across platforms like email, social media, search, and retail media. But how can brands—especially smaller ones—effectively navigate this complex ecosystem without massive budgets or specialized teams? Shaun Brown, founder and CEO of BirdDog, joins us to r...

Four Walmart veterans with a combined 126+ years of experience gather to reveal how the legendary Saturday Morning Meeting became the cultural cornerstone that transformed American retail forever. The conversation feels like stepping into a time machine to witness retail history firsthand. Andy Wilson hosts Arthur Emmanuel (38 years at Walmart), John Reeves (22 years), and Dallas Dobbs (36 years)...

Terry Trofholz takes host Deanah Baker on a fascinating journey through five decades of retail evolution, offering rare insights from both sides of the desk—as buyer and seller—during some of the most transformative periods in American commerce. Beginning in 1973 as a buyer's assistant in Omaha, Terry's career trajectory mirrors the massive shifts that reshaped how Americans shop and how...

Meet Generation Alpha – children born after 2010 who are already reshaping retail landscapes globally. In this eye-opening conversation with Madison McBride, senior analyst at McMillanDoolittle and member of the Young Ebeltoft Group, we uncover surprising insights about tomorrow's power consumers. While you might assume these young consumers are too young to matter yet, the data tells a diffe...

Bentonville, Arkansas has become an unexpected hub for global supply chain innovation. At the Plug and Play event downtown, innovators, corporate leaders, and venture capitalists gather to tackle some of the industry's most pressing challenges. Josh Saffran opens by explaining how Plug and Play connects corporations facing supply chain challenges with startups offering innovative solutions. W...

Are you ready to learn how to successfully sell your products on Walmart's extensive marketplace? This episode features insightful discussions with Lane Carruth from SellCord as we unravel the secrets to getting your products into one of the largest retail spaces in the world.  Whether you're new to selling or a seasoned entrepreneur seeking to expand your reach, this episode offers prac...

What happens when you combine cutting-edge AI with proven learning science? Sasha Seymour, a former UNC basketball walk-on turned entrepreneur, reveals how his company Learn to Win is revolutionizing workforce training across industries. The traditional approach to training—passive slide decks, outdated manuals, and knowledge stuck in subject matter experts' heads—simply doesn't deliver...

Dive into the world of e-commerce with Chris Sheldon, a veteran in retail media, as he explores the complexities of omnichannel strategies and global expansion. This episode covers crucial insights from his work at Podia, focusing on how businesses can successfully navigate the shifting landscape of online retail. Shelton discusses the necessity for a customer-centric approach, unpacking the evolu...

Walmart retail veteran Deanah Baker steps into a new role at Doing Business in Bentonville, bringing three decades of transformational leadership experience to the podcast.  As the former Senior Vice President of Omni-Channel Merchandising at Walmart, Baker offers unprecedented insights into navigating retail's most challenging transitions - from brick-and-mortar to omnichannel and beyond. Ba...

Retail is undergoing an exhilarating transformation, largely driven by the integration of omnichannel strategies and advanced technology.  Entrepreneurial partners JS Bull and Eric Howerton join host Andy Wilson to highlight how businesses can leverage artificial intelligence to create a personalized shopping journey.  We dive deep into the modern retail environment, where customers expect seamles...

Dive into the new era of adaptive retail in our latest episode, where we explore how the pandemic has reshaped the retail landscape and consumer expectations. Join Scott Benedict and his guest Andy Wilson as they delve into Walmart's groundbreaking report on adaptive retail, which reveals how digital convenience is merging with traditional shopping channels. Learn how retailers are leveraging...

Supply chains are the backbone of effective business operations, and understanding this complex system can greatly benefit any professional in the industry. In this engaging episode featuring Nick Gowen, Vice President of 360 Box at JB Hunt, we delve into the evolving landscape of logistics and how one of the industry's leaders adapts and thrives amidst challenges.  Nick shares valuable insig...

DBB's Andy Wilson sits down this week with Brendan Howell, the visionary behind a movement to reshape the warehousing industry with an innovative model that promises flexibility and efficiency. Forget about long-term leases; Brendan discusses how Loloft enables businesses to secure warehouse space in just one day, catering to both small entrepreneurs and big names like HelloFresh. He shares i...

Unlock the future of retail with our insightful  Digital Front Door discussion featuring Alex Walderman and Tim McCracken from the Solum Group.  Discover how electronic shelf labels are reshaping the shopping landscape by bridging the gap between physical and digital retail experiences.  From operational efficiencies to enhanced customer engagement, Tim, Alex and host Scott Benedict explore the mu...

Have you ever wondered how a shift towards servant leadership could revolutionize your team's performance?  Let's take that thought further and explore the compelling world of high-performing teams with the guidance of Andy Wilson and guest Celia Swanson, whose wisdom is rooted in her book's powerful insights.  Together, Celia and Andy unravel the core elements of leadership—impact,...

Phil Shellhammer is back with Andy Wilson, and he's bringing some amazing insights from the University of Arkansas's Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.  Get ready to hear about groundbreaking initiatives like the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program that's nurturing early-stage outdoor recreation companies across Arkansas. Plus, discover how the Entrepreneurial Law Project...

Discover how access to capital can transform your business journey with insights from Rohit Mathur, CEO of Bridge Marketplace.  Rohit joins Scott Benedict break down the barriers small and medium-sized businesses face in securing the right financing and reveal practical solutions to manage working capital effectively.  With Rohit's expertise, you'll learn about innovative tools that simp...