The Doing Business in Bentonville Podcast

When Matthew Loveless walks into a room, you immediately sense that this is a man who knows the value of putting others first. Our conversation with Matthew, a seasoned veteran of Walmart with a rich history of servant leadership, uncovers the transformative power of this humble approach. Recalling the wisdom of leaders from Jesus to Sam Walton, we weave together personal tales and the philosophie...

Prepare to be enlightened as Andy is joined by the inimitable Scott Benedict, whose advice on retail and omnichannel strategies is nothing short of gold. From his storied career at giants like Walmart and Sam's Club to his innovative work with McMillan Doolittle, Scott brings a treasure trove of expertise that's been officially recognized by the industry for 2024. Their conversation trav...

Navigating life's foggy moments requires a beacon, and that's precisely what Doing Business in Bentonville is illuminating with Servant Leadership's new lighthouse emblem and logo—their commitment to guiding you toward clarity and purpose in your personal and professional life. Co-host Celia Swanson, whose book 'Gracious and Strong' offers a wealth of knowledge, rejoins An...

Prepare to be whisked away to the bustling startup hub of Bentonville, as we join forces with Phil Shellhammer from the Greenhouse to uncover the entrepreneurial treasures of Arkansas. Promising a treasure trove of insights, Phil walks us through the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program and beyond, sharing success stories that are nothing short of inspiring. Discover how ideas are skillfully nurt...

Unlock the secrets of omnichannel retail success with Greg Billingsley, Vice President of Technology and Development at Harvest Group, as we embark on a compelling exploration of the industry's dynamic landscape. From the roots of e-commerce to the towering presence of Walmart in the global market, Greg's journey and insights offer a panoramic view of how retail strategies are evolving....

Uncover the revolutionary tactics that are transforming the e-commerce landscape as we sit down with Allan Peretz and Darcy Ramler of Bold Strategies. These trailblazers take us through their company's metamorphosis from an e-commerce department for hire to a powerhouse of product innovation with Bold Labs. Darcy pulls back the curtain on her vast experience in the startup space and her conne...

Ever wondered how to conquer the Walmart marketplace and make your brand stand out? Buckle up as Michael Lebhar, the visionary CEO of Sellcord, returns to share his remarkable journey from a teenage entrepreneur to a powerhouse managing over 400 brands with a billion dollars in sales. He unveils the secrets to thriving in Walmart's competitive ecosystem and gives us a tour of the bustling bus...

Unlock the secrets to thriving in the competitive landscape of big-box retail as we welcome Michael Kleydman from Shift Retail Group to the show. Michael's wealth of experience, from his roots in a leading supplier role to his current mission of empowering up-and-coming vendors, offers a treasure trove of insights for anyone eager to conquer giants like Walmart and Sam's Club. This episo...

Andy Wilson, the executive director of Doing Business in Bentonville, shares the new vision to establish Bentonville, Arkansas as a global Omni Channel retail center. Emphasizing the importance of embracing change and demystifying the concept of omnichannel retail, he invites sponsors, suppliers, and those in the retail business to join their mission.

Ever thought about the journey of a product from an online listing to the vast shelves of Walmart stores? Join us with Michael Lebhar, the CEO and co-founder of SellCord, as he shares the captivating tale of his entrepreneurial venture that started when he was just 16. He managed to transform his garage startup into a thriving e-commerce business, eventually landing his products in Walmart stores...

Want to transform your leadership skills? Brace yourself for an episode packed with wisdom as we, your hosts Andy Wilson and Celia Swanson, seasoned leaders in the retail industry, take you through a transformative journey uncovering the essence of servant leadership. We begin by exploring the essence of your unique value proposition and why it's pivotal in leadership roles. Sit back as we sh...

Ready to do a deep dive into the world of retail and supply chain management? Clear your schedule, because we guarantee that you won't want to miss the insights from our guest, Misty Bonee. A veteran of 25 years in Walmart, Misty has plenty of wisdom to share, especially regarding the importance of focusing on customers and associates. Hear her thoughts on the shift towards point-of-purchase...

Ever wonder what it takes to pioneer industry-changing technology in the world of retail? Join us as we peel back the curtain with Rick West, co-founder and CEO of Field Agent. Rick takes us along on his journey from humble beginnings in Appalachia, through his 17-year stint at Procter & Gamble, to co-founding Field Agent, the first ever app to pay cash launched on iTunes. Join us as we relive...

Join us for a captivating session with Jeff Clapper, the strategic brain behind 8th & Walton, as we navigate the intriguing world of Walmart suppliers. As the leader of a major consulting and education firm, Jeff peels back the layers of his 13-year journey, imparting some invaluable wisdom on the cruciality of staying informed and ahead, particularly for small and medium-sized suppliers. Prep...

Ryan Monigan joins Andy Wilson on the latest episode of Doing Business in Bentonville Podcast. This conversation with Ryan promises to be an enlightening exploration into the future of retail, particularly the impact of Omnichannel Retail. Ryan talks about the recent transformation of Walmart stores into Omnichannel friendly spaces, and Ryan's invaluable insight on the importance of investing...

Get ready to unlock the backstage secrets of Walmart's famed Open Call event! Join us on a journey with Kim Souza, a senior analyst at Talk Business and Politics, and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, as we spotlight the incredible success stories of suppliers who have used this platform to catapult their products onto Walmart's hallowed shelves. Ever wondered how global retail gi...

Wondering how to succeed in the ever-evolving retail landscape? Get the inside track as we sit down with Dallas Counts, who attended the exclusive Walmart Seller Summit in Las Vegas. Dallas will be peeling back the curtain on Walmart's mission to lower costs and deliver what customers want. Hear firsthand about the retailer's transformation into a formidable Omnichannel retailer under th...

Celia Swanson, the first female Executive Vice President at Walmart, joins Andy Wilson on the first episode of the Servant Leadership Today Podcast by Doing Business in Bentonville. Her impressive 40-year career at Walmart and Sam's Club serves as a shining example of servant leadership in the corporate realm. Throughout her journey, we'll explore the pivotal breakthroughs, challenges, a...

Ready for an enlightening excursion into the pulsating world of start-ups and corporate innovation? This exciting episode will unfold the inspiring stories and insights from Josh Saffran, Director of Plug and Play Tech Center and Grant Waller, Account Executive for Arkestro. Plug and Play, a venture capital firm in Silicon Valley, has catapulted start-ups to the next level through strategic introd...

Join us on an exhilarating journey to Bentonville, Arkansas, as we sit down with Brendan Howell, a trailblazing entrepreneur who hails from the beautiful shores of New Zealand. Brendan has made waves in the tech industry with his inventive creations, including Dropit, a thrilling 60-second reverse auction platform. However, it's his latest venture, Loloft, that's redefining how companies...

Andy Wilson, the executive director of Doing Business in Bentonville, interviews Denise Thomas, the Chief Executive of the World Trade Center in Arkansas. The conversation begins with an introduction of Denise, highlighting her impressive career trajectory and her significant contributions to the World Trade Center. Denise shares her unique journey into economic development, which she describes as...

Helena Gadison, a former Walmart executive, shares her inspiring journey with Andy Wilson on this episode of the Doing Business in Bentonville podcast. Rooted in a strong foundation provided by her mother, Helena was taught that with faith and determination, she could achieve any goal. This belief system played a pivotal role in shaping her academic and professional trajectory, guiding her through...

Andy Wilson and Dallas Counts engage in a comprehensive discussion about the intricacies and opportunities in omni-channel retail. Dallas, with his 15 years of experience at Walmart, has transitioned to a role at WhyteSpyder where he serves as a liaison between Walmart, Sam's Club, and their suppliers. His unique position allows him to understand the challenges and needs of these retail giant...

During Walmart's annual Shareholder Week, the company pulled back the curtain on its latest technological initiatives designed to revolutionize the retail landscape. One of the highlights was the unveiling of its Market Fulfillment Center (MFC) at Store 100 in Bentonville. This center employs proprietary Alphabots that navigate a large vertical storage tower to retrieve items for online order...

Andy Wilson and Julie McKenzie, the Chief Commercial Officer of Trident Group, discuss Julie's multifaceted career, from her early days in retail with Dillard's and Walmart to her current leadership role at Trident Group. The discussion sheds light on Trident's eco-friendly initiatives, vertical integration, and its broad retail presence. Julie also shares her responsibilities in st...