Small Biz Love

with Mailena Urso & Nathan Allen of Concord Adams

Owner Mark Smith shares how the pandemic forced him to think creatively, offering new products and forming collaborations with other local small business owners in Bentonville, Arkansas.

with Allyson Malone

Nate Walls, the proprietor of Secondhand Smoke Catering, created Second Helping NWA to provide meals for those in need. The non-profit expanded due to COVID-19, adding non-perishable foods, gained a greater donor base and partnered with a local restaurant for use of  kitchen facilities as demand grew.

Sheila Posey of On Point Solutions on the rapid pace of change in today's small business environment and strategies to help employees, individuals and organizations transition through change.

Owner Bobby Duncan and member Eddie Andrus discuss the entrepreneurial effort of this small business, creating relationships of great depth and value. This niche enterprise, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, built a community across demographics and the economic spectrum.

Sandra Pritchard and Kathy Harris share the importance of consistent communication for their relationship-based business, remaining connected with their customers during a 7-week closure due to the 2020 pandemic.

Cal Rose of Wright Lindsey and Jennings works with clients across the business life cycle. He shares expertise on various legal issues for small and emerging businesses including contracts, tax law, incorporations and organizational issues.

Mailena and Justin Urso, owners of Big Box Karaoke, discuss their partnership in business and life; moving forward in the face of COVID-19 with a combination of strategy, "trusting your gut", working lean, and the support of friends, family and customers.

A conversation with Lindsay Ramsey, owner of Kindness and Joy Toys in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Lindsay shares how her business met the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.

Jeff Allison and Reese Roberts talk about the challenges of closure due to COVID-10, how ASBTDC helped walk them through the disaster loan process,  the ways they provided assistance to laid-off staff and the changes, innovations and adaptations that enabled Bordinos to successfully reopen.

Devin Howland, Director of Economic Vitality, City of Fayetteville discusses the impact of the current COVID-19 crisis on local business, the challenges facing Fayetteville and surrounding communities and the efforts by the city to address current and ongoing needs impacting economic development.

A conversation with Mary Beth Brooks, director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas & Eddie Andrus, financial & strategy consultant and project director of the Small Business Emergency Assistance program, NWA Council.

A conversation with Small Business Emergency Assistance HR and Strategy consultants Allyson Malone & Chris Case

Juliana Echeverri, business consultant with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas, shares how the ASBTDC assists entrepreneurs in starting, growing or transitioning a small business and the various options available for financing.

Lori Lieblong, business consultant with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas describes how this valuable resource can inform your decisions when starting or growing a small business. Offered at no charge to ASBTDC clients, market research includes information on trade areas, demographic profiles, consumer segments, market potential and understanding your potential customer.

Small business owners Lindsay Ramsey of Kindness and Joy Toys and Mary Mickel of Resplendent Hospitality talk about #MASKUPARKANSAS​, a grassroots movement to educate Arkansans on the importance of masks to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Molly Rawn, CEO at Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission and Kalene Griffith, President & CEO of Visit Bentonville discuss their efforts to brand, promote and sell their respective cities. Kalene and Mollie also collaborate to promote the arts, the outdoors and entertainment throughout NWA during the 2020 pandemic and reopening efforts.

Co-owner Mollie Mullis shares the strategy she and her partner developed to address potential COVID-19 exposure of their employees that would allow the flow of their work environment to continue without closure.

Tyler Green and Derek Lee discuss how they switched business models to address changes necessary to provide patient care while ensuring survival of their physical therapy business in light of COVID-19. From assessing basic functions needed to operate & provide services to the CARE adaptations that helped maintain staff and/or get them back to work as soon as possible.

Virginia Gimlen, Ropeswing Hospitality Group and Rob Apple, hospitality consultant present ideas and best practices for hospitality owners navigating the COVID-19 crisis.

Rockin' Baker is a bakery business that trains and employs neurodiverse individuals helping them transition into permanent employment. Daymara Baker describes this model of entrepreneurship + social enterprise and how to grow sensibly in the face of enormous need. The bakery is a Benefit Corporation - B Corp - with a separate non-profit arm. Board member Sandy Wright and Cameron, a Rockin' Baker cadet, describe their involvement and the benefits reaped from the program and its mission.

Steve Brooks, founding partner at  Eldridge Brooks Partners & Morgan Johnson, associate, answer common questions on disaster-related sick leave and provide information on tax credits available to small businesses.

A conversation with epidemiologist Cara Osborne, Assistant Professor in the College of Education and Health Professions, School of Nursing, University of Arkansas. 

This workshop is intended to elevate technology awareness for small business leaders. We will discuss various technology topics that impact your business from telecommunications and network security, to vendor relationships and software subscription services. Our workshop host brings a broad spectrum of experience ranging from volunteer service for non-profits to driving technology innovation for Fortune 100s. We hope to equip local businesses with resources and knowledge to improve technology decisions and planning. There will be a short Q&A concluding the workshop where our host will answer any specific questions you may have about your technology needs.

2020 sucked. Now what? Investing time in your team is investing in your business. Join Chris Case for a workshop on how to rethink and rebuild your team after a tough year. Understand your people and how to hire, motivate, and come back stronger than ever.

Based in Atlanta, Nicely Built provides digital marketing services including brand designs and websites built to engage and convert users.  Natasha is passionate not only about her clients, but also helping small businesses at large navigate the confusing and ever-changing world of e-commerce. She calls on both her personal experience as an employee in the coding world and now as an entrepreneur helping other entrepreneurs.

In this comprehensive workshop, you will learn how to claim and optimize your Google 'My Business' listing.  This will include how to add rich content and generate reviews for greater engagement with your potential customers.  We'll also show you how to understand the analytics generated and what it means to the success of your overall strategy.  You will gain an understanding of the overall importance of optimizing your Google 'My Business' listing and how to make your existing listing even better!

Have you ever thought about owning a business but didn’t know where to start? Join us for an informative workshop where you’ll learn about the challenges and benefits of owning a franchise from an experienced franchise consultant. Arm yourself with information and learn if franchising is the right opportunity for you.

Join Mary Beth Brooks of the ASBTDC for a panel discussion on Buying or Selling your business.  The Northwest Arkansas CBI Team (Confidential Business Intermediaries) will be our panelists and we will be discussing: Getting your business ready to sell How value is determined Who are buying businesses and why? The process of buying or selling The Transaction:  From Letter of Intent to Closing

Learn professional tips and tricks to make your product photography reflect your brand while attracting and engaging your audience. This interactive workshop with professional photographer Nikki Toth will cover topics integral to product photography, including composition, using natural light, setting up a DIY light box studio, creating beautiful, eye-catching flat lays, and using storytelling techniques to integrate your company’s personality and message into your photographs! Nikki is a professional photographer for small business, non-profit organizations, and families for the past six years. Her professional style is to capture the true essence of her subjects and she wants to help you capture the essence of your business.

More and more buyers are looking to social media before making purchases. In this webinar,  experts from Modthink will review social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Google My Business. The seminar will also cover social media marketing campaign basics including the 10-4-1 rule, content types, campaign cadence and voice. Presented in partnership with the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce with Katie Brandt, Trey Robinson and Madelyn Smith of Modthink.

Bookkeeping is one of the most important aspects of your business, so why do so many small business owners find themselves struggling with their  books through the year or stressing to puzzle piece everything together at the end of year and at tax time? Because you are doing a little bit of everything in your business! It’s only natural that some things are done better than others or fall through the cracks completely. This workshop is designed to help small businesses understand what needs to be maintained and why, as well as how to fit your bookkeeping  into everything else you do so that you’re not stressed or struggling. Wendy Kane is a certified CPA who has a passion for helping independent contractors and small businesses with bookkeeping. Her XXX of years as a tax preparer and experience as a financial coach give her a unique perspective into what can be done day to day to maintain financial health and well being.

Let’s talk! You’re always on the run as a small business owner. Even if you have time to pause and capture a moment or a product, who has time to edit it!? Nikki Toth has some simple solutions and professional guidelines for you to follow so you feel less stressed and more confident in your ability to edit photos from your phone. Grab your favorite local lunch, bring your questions for Nikki, and join the conversation.

Too busy to even think about editing your smartphone photos? Think again! Using the Adobe Lightroom Photo Editor app, Nikki will teach you quick and easy editing basics that will elevate your marketing photos and make them stand out in your customers’ social media feeds

Do you love your local businesses? Show them! Join us for a conversation with Maven, Two Friends Books, Sweet Freedom Cheese, and Big Box Karaoke. Find out how these local businesses are surviving and thriving through this unique time and what holiday season gifts and events they have in store for you.

What is email marketing? Why do you need it? How do you do it? Developing and knowing how to utilize your email list is essential for a successful 2021. Natasha of Nicely Built  will guide you through a Step by Step process from getting started to best practices that you can implement now to help make sure you close out this year strong and start the new year off right.

How do your photos support your brand? Join Nikki Toth of Nikki Toth Photography for a Lunch Break Q&A and get all of your questions answered about using your social media photographs to help highlight, unify and support your brand awareness!

Today, we’re bringing you Developing Your Band & Marketing Strategy with Lori Lieblong of the ASBTDC in Northwest Arkansas.

Learn basic photography techniques and skills using your smartphone. We’ll discuss tips and tricks to optimize your phone camera’s capabilities as well as elements integral to all eye-catching photography, like using light, composition, and perspective, creatively and effectively. Presented by Nikki Toth, a professional photographer photographing small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and families for the past six years.