The Startup Junkies Podcast

Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Matthew Ward and Victoria welcome Katie Linder-Jesse, the innovative mind behind Small Bay Solutions. Small Bay Solutions supports tenant businesses and aims to drastically reduce the failure rates of small enterprises. Situated in Northwest Arkansas, the facility comprises 33,000 square feet of climate-controlled, new construction units designed t...

Summary In this special episode of Startup Junkies, we’re recording live from Startup Crawl 2024 where we sat down with a variety of guest entrepreneurs and their innovative ventures. Louis Lee, CMO of Wonderful Platform, discussed its pioneering work in senior care technology. Wonderful Platform’s companion robot, Avadin, addresses elderly loneliness and depression through personalized AI-driven...

Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Caleb Talley, Daniel Koonce, and Jeff Amerine sit down with Lane Patterson, founder of HIGHWAY Ventures, a startup studio that incubates and launches mobility companies in Northwest Arkansas. Unlike conventional venture studios that build minimum viable products, HIGHWAY Ventures focuses on leveraging federally funded technologies from various rese...

Summary En este episodio de Querido Emprendedor, conversamos con Brittany Yvonne Johnson, fundadora de Ambivert Books, un emprendimiento dedicado a los libros, enfocado en la comunidad hispanohablante. Durante la charla, Brittany nos comparte su experiencia como emprendedora, los retos de lanzar un negocio, y su historia personal. Además, hablamos de cómo su pasión por la literatura y la conexión...

Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, the focus is on navigating banking challenges using technology, featuring Joe Ehrhardt, CEO of Teslar Software. Host Caleb Talley, alongside co-hosts Daniel Koonce and Jeff Amerine, delves into the significance of ethical business practices and the integral role of technology in modernizing community banks. Teslar Software is a forward-thinking technolog...

With Startup Crawl 2024 being right around the corner, we wanted to rerelease last year's Startup Crawl episode. Get a sneak peek at what to expect at this year's event! Summary On this special episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Victoria Dickerson head to Startup Crawl, where they interview several entrepreneurs participating in this year’s event. The night celebrate...

  Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, we sit down with guests Don Huffner and Scott King to explore the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Northwest Arkansas. Don Huffner is an investment professional with RZC Investments, where his keen eye for sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and monitoring investments drives success. With a rich background that includes private equity...

Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Victoria Dickerson, Jeff Amerine, and Daniel Koonce are joined by Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of The Women's Foundation of Arkansas (WFA). Founded in 1998, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas has been working to understand the diverse needs and realities facing women and girls so it can respond through purposeful action and engaged philanthropy.  The foun...

Summary En este episodio de Startup Junkies en Español, conversamos con George Ramirez, dueño, CEO y fundador de HEXA Insurance Agency LLC. George comparte su experiencia como emprendedor latino y los retos que ha enfrentado al iniciar y hacer crecer su negocio. Discutimos la importancia de enfocarse en un nicho específico y cómo identificarlo, además de cómo aprovechar las relaciones para impulsa...

Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Claudia Scott and Daniel Koonce are joined by Stephanie Sirianni and Caitlin Livingston, co-founders of The Wellnest Shop, a brand that brings you the best in authentic health and healing, and products to support self, family and home. Founded in 2022, The Wellnest Shop stands as a beacon of holistic wellness and community support, providing a rang...

Summary En este episodio, el Dr. Adam Arroyos, CEO y fundador de Serve2Perform, comparte su inspiradora trayectoria y los desafíos que ha enfrentado como emprendedor exitoso. Conoceremos qué lo motivó a escribir 'PerformanceGPA®', las influencias que han marcado su camino y lo que lo impulsa a seguir sirviendo a nuestra comunidad. También hablamos sobre los desafíos más comunes que enfrentan los n...

Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Victoria Dickerson, Caleb Talley, and Daniel Koonce sit down with Tom Gordon, the dynamic co-founder and CEO of Slim Chickens, a restaurant setting itself apart by offering high-quality chicken products and embodying southern hospitality. Founded in 2003, Slim Chickens has expanded to two-hundred and eighty-four restaurants globally, including fran...

Summary En este episodio de nuestro podcast, tenemos el placer de conversar con Federico Deciga, dueño de Deciga’s Lab. Federico comparte con nosotros su inspiradora trayectoria en el mundo de las finanzas, desde sus comienzos y las influencias que lo llevaron a seguir esta carrera, hasta su transformación al negocio de la comida.   A lo largo de nuestra charla, Federico nos habla de los desafíos...

Summary In this virtual episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Caleb Talley, Daniel Koonce, and Jeff Amerine chat with serial entrepreneur and founder of Growth Readiness, Todd Westra, about what it means to be “growth ready.” Drawing from his experience interviewing two-hundred and fifty CEOs in thirteen weeks, Westra identifies recurring themes in business growth, particularly the importance of peopl...

Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Daniel Koonce and Jeff Amerine are joined by Rick West, chairman and co-founder of Field Agent, a company revolutionizing B2B retail solutions by offering an on-demand marketplace with efficient, cost-effective tools for retail professionals to evaluate in-store conditions, drive sales, understand shoppers, and generate ratings and reviews. The pla...

Summary En este episodio de Startup Junkies En Español, conversamos con Mauricio Guerrero, propietario de 211 Café en Bentonville. Mauricio nos comparte su historia que inicia en Guatemala, su pasión por el café, las adversidades vividas y su experiencia siendo un emprendedor latino en el Noroeste de Arkansas. Hablamos sobre la transición de su carrera en el mundo corporativo, a ser un dueño de ne...

Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Harrison Kitson and Daniel Koonce welcome Josh Owen and Daniel Fritsche to talk about their NFT trading platform, TradePort, which is the most comprehensive multi-chain NFT aggregator for traders and developers.  Founded in 2021, TradePort is a multi-chain NFT marketplace and infrastructure company aimed at seamlessly integrating the creation, buyi...

Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Harrison Kitson and Caleb Talley dive into the innovative Carbon Chicken Project with Turner Tomlinson, Jody Hardin, and Richard Ims. These pioneers are at the forefront of renewable agriculture, utilizing biochar and up-cycled poultry litter to revolutionize farming practices.  Turner Tomlinson, with a background in chemical engineering and water...

Summary En este episodio, nos sumergimos en la inspiradora historia de Diego Morales Ibarra, un líder comunitario dedicado y multifacético. Diego, originario de Guanajuato, México, nos comparte su viaje desde sus inicios hasta convertirse en una figura clave en el desarrollo económico y comunitario de Arkansas. Exploramos cómo su paciencia y perseverancia han sido fundamentales en su rol como Dire...

Summary In this week’s episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Caleb Talley and Daniel Koonce are joined by Rachel Heisten and Alissa Owsley, founding partners of LifeWork Talent, a consulting service helping organizations unlock the power of their people by building a culture where individuals thrive, enjoy the best experience, and develop exceptional human skills.  Alissa and Rachel, who initially met...

Summary Join our hosts Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Daniel Koonce in this episode of Startup Junkies as we explore the fascinating world of sleep therapy with Elsbeth Fast, a dedicated entrepreneur transforming lives through innovative sleep solutions. Elsbeth is the founder of True Sleep Therapy, a private practice specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI).  Elsbeth’s ca...

Summary On episode 5 of Business Buzz, host Daniel Koonce welcomes Fayetteville’s own Lewis Chase, one of the founders of Feed and Folly, City Park, and Guisinger Cocktail Club. Daniel and Lewis discuss Lewis’s background, his relationship with his business partners, and the origin of “the Dudes of Folly.” Lewis talks about what inspired him to start each new venture and how he is able to bring so...

Summary En este emocionante episodio, nos acompaña Azalia Molina, la talentosa dueña de Clever NWA, una destacada agencia de marketing que ha revolucionado el panorama empresarial. Azalia nos guía a través de su increíble viaje, compartiendo cómo convirtió su pasión en un negocio exitoso. Descubre los secretos detrás de su impresionante trayectoria empresarial y aprende de su experiencia única com...

Summary In this episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast, hosts Caleb Talley and Harrison Kitson welcome two dynamic companies making waves in the outdoor and creative content industry: Blk Elk Media and LIVSN Designs. Joined by Andrew Gibbs-Dabney from LIVSN and Daniel Mitchell and Trent Sugg of BLK ELK, this engaging conversation dives into the origin stories of these innovative brands, their jour...

Summary In this episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast, hosts Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Harrison Kitson are joined by Travis Hester, founder of Eat My Catfish, a successful catfish and seafood restaurant in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Inspired by his love for cooking and his culinary background, Travis established Eat My Catfish fifteen years ago, which has now blossomed into a thriving chain of...