#42 - Andrea Ritchie & Mary Mickel (AM Group)

#42 - Andrea Ritchie & Mary Mickel (AM Group)

→ Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart [https://greenwoodgearhart.com/] → Learn more about Cushman & Wakefield Sage Partners [https://www.sagepartners.com/] What would it look like for your company's message to actually connect with it's biggest stakeholder? The local public. AM Group [https://amginoz.com/] founders Andrea Ritchie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamritchie] and Mary Mickel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymickel] have built one of Northwest Arkansas’ most respected communications and public relations firms by helping organizations tell their stories better. In this conversation, they share how a chance friendship evolved into a business partnership, why communications should be part of every company’s growth strategy, and how authentic storytelling can shape everything from local restaurants to billion-dollar development projects. Summary Andrea and Mary walk through the early days of building AM Group, growing from a handful of clients to a rapidly scaling agency trusted by some of the region’s most influential organizations. They discuss the importance of understanding your audience, owning your narrative before someone else does, and why relationships remain one of the most valuable assets in business. Their experience spans hospitality, tourism, real estate development, technology, economic development, and community-building initiatives, giving them a unique perspective on what makes organizations stand out in a crowded marketplace. The conversation also offers an inside look at modern public relations in an era dominated by AI, social media, and nonstop information. Andrea and Mary explain why businesses can no longer rely on their products to "speak for themselves," how strategic communications influences growth, and why founders should view storytelling as a core business function rather than an afterthought. Perhaps most importantly, they share lessons on building a values-driven company, choosing the right business partner, scaling a team without losing culture, and creating a business that serves both clients and employees well. For founders at any stage, it's a thoughtful conversation about growth, relationships, community impact, and the power of telling the right story at the right time. Highlights 00:00 What is AM Group? 7:30 How much of PR is putting out client's fires? 22:30 Landscape of PR & Communications in NWA 27:00 Client success story: Experience Fayetteville 41:00 Balancing A.I. & Originality 55:00 Partnering with national brands coming to NWA 69:30 What is the ROI on PR? Key Takeaways 1. If you don't tell your story, someone else will - The most successful businesses are intentional about shaping their narrative. Whether you're launching a startup, expanding into a new market, or navigating growth, clear communication builds trust and prevents others from defining your story for you. 2. Relationships are still the ultimate competitive advantage - AM Group's success has been built on authentic relationships with clients, journalists, community leaders, and partners. In a world filled with automation and AI, genuine human connection continues to create opportunities that technology can't replace. 3. Growth requires both strategy and culture - As companies scale, systems and processes matter, but so do people. Andrea and Mary emphasize hiring great talent, creating a healthy culture, and building a business that supports both client success and employee well-being. Follow us on LinkedIn NWA Founders [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nwa-founders/about/] Follow us on Instagram @NWAFounders [https://chatgpt.com/g/g-p-679ff2436b74819198fb09c8fbaf8ed3-nwa-founders/c/679ff260-cf34-800b-b01a-9f46018f759e#] Follow us on YouTube NWA Founders [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_jiHttOOT7O-f7s6WTLXw] For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com [nwafounders@gmail.com] NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-clark-780012a8/] and Nick Beyer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-beyer-76a103ba/].

#41 - Taylor Faught (TRS Healthcare)

→ Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart [https://greenwoodgearhart.com/] → Learn more about Cushman & Wakefield Sage Partners [https://www.sagepartners.com/] What does it actually look like to scale a business through uncertainty without losing your people, your values, or your long-term vision? In this episode, Taylor Faught [https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-faught-5515b5a], CEO of TRS Healthcare [https://trshealthcare.com/], shares the story behind building and scaling a healthcare staffing company from a regional family business into a national operation. From navigating explosive growth during COVID to leading through a more challenging, post-pandemic market, Taylor offers a rare look into what it takes to grow sustainably while staying grounded in relationships and purpose.  Summary At the heart of the conversation is Taylor’s leadership philosophy: growth is only meaningful if it’s built on strong culture and clear values. Whether it’s transitioning to a fully remote workforce, maintaining team connection through intentional communication, or celebrating wins even in difficult seasons, Taylor emphasizes that people (not just performance) drive long-term success.  The episode also unpacks the evolution of the healthcare staffing industry, from pre-COVID stability to pandemic-driven demand and today’s more competitive, transparent market. Taylor shares how TRS adapted by focusing on efficiency, automation, and speed while never losing sight of their core mission: improving patient care by placing the right people in the right roles.  Finally, Taylor reflects on the deeper “why” behind the business. Through personal stories of how TRS nurses have impacted real lives (including his own) he reframes success beyond revenue. It’s about building something bigger than yourself, creating opportunities for others, and making a meaningful difference in moments that truly matter.  Highlights 00:00 What is TRS Healthcare 7:00 State of the Healthcare industry today 24:00 Why not scale more now? 38:00 How TRS actually helps hospitals 51:00 Alice Walton's impact in NWA Key Takeaways 1. Focus beats expansion (especially when things are working) - One of the hardest decisions Taylor made was saying no—especially during COVID when opportunities were everywhere. Instead of chasing short-term revenue, he focused on long-term partners and sustainable growth. If you’re building, the question isn’t “Can we do this?” but “Should we?” 2. Culture doesn’t happen by accident—especially in remote teams - From daily company-wide calls to camera-on meetings and annual in-person gatherings, TRS built culture intentionally. As Taylor put it, “You can still have a culture in a remote environment”—but only if you’re willing to lead it on purpose. 3. Your business is only as strong as the people it serves and supports - Whether it’s nurses, clients, or internal team members, Taylor’s approach is simple: take care of people first. For younger founders, that’s your foundation. For seasoned founders, that’s your story—one worth telling clearly and often. Follow us on LinkedIn NWA Founders [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nwa-founders/about/] Follow us on Instagram @NWAFounders [https://chatgpt.com/g/g-p-679ff2436b74819198fb09c8fbaf8ed3-nwa-founders/c/679ff260-cf34-800b-b01a-9f46018f759e#] Follow us on YouTube NWA Founders [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_jiHttOOT7O-f7s6WTLXw] For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com [nwafounders@gmail.com] NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-clark-780012a8/] and Nick Beyer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-beyer-76a103ba/].

#40 - Joe Ehrhardt (Teslar Software)

→ Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart [https://greenwoodgearhart.com/] → Learn more about Cushman & Wakefield Sage Partners [https://www.sagepartners.com/] What does it look like to build a software company in a highly regulated industry while remaining innovative? In this episode, Joe Ehrhardt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeehrhardt/], founder and CEO of Teslar Software [https://teslarsoftware.com/], shares the story behind building one of the fastest-growing fintech companies serving community banks across the country. From early lessons in leadership and entrepreneurship to navigating the realities of scaling a software business, Joe offers a grounded look at what it takes to build a company that lasts. Summary Joe walks through the early days of Teslar Software, including how the company identified a major operational problem inside community banking and created technology that helps banks automate workflows, improve efficiency, and better serve customers. Rather than chasing trends, Teslar focused on solving practical problems for real people—something that ultimately became a competitive advantage as the company scaled. The conversation also highlights the importance of listening closely to customers and building products alongside them instead of for them. Beyond software and banking, this episode dives into leadership, company culture, and the challenge of growing a business without losing the mission that made it successful in the first place. Joe shares insights on hiring the right people, creating alignment inside a growing team, and why humility and consistency matter more than flashy leadership styles. For founders in Northwest Arkansas and beyond, there’s a refreshing honesty to the way he talks about growth—not as a straight line, but as a long process of learning, adapting, and staying committed. One of the most compelling parts of the conversation is Joe’s perspective on storytelling as a founder. As companies mature, founders often realize their role shifts from simply building products to communicating vision, culture, and purpose. Joe explains why telling the story behind the business matters—not just for customers, but for employees, future hires, partners, and the broader community. Highlights 00:00 Working with Mark Cuban during PPP Forgiveness 7:30 How to prepare for luck as a business owner 18:00 College project turned company 30:00 Why is innovation important for Teslar? 44:00 Raising capital for expansion 60:00 A deeper look at PPP Forgiveness 1:21:30 A.I. Integration Key Takeaways 1. The best businesses often solve “unsexy” problems exceptionally well - Teslar Software didn’t grow by chasing hype. It grew by improving operational pain points inside community banks. For younger founders, this is a reminder that huge opportunities often exist in overlooked industries. For seasoned founders, it reinforces the value of staying focused on customer problems instead of constantly pivoting toward trends. 2. Company culture becomes more important as you scale - In the early days, culture happens naturally. As teams grow, culture has to become intentional. Joe’s approach highlights the importance of hiring people who align with the mission, communicate clearly, and care deeply about serving others well. 3. Founders eventually become storytellers - At some point, building the company isn’t enough—you also have to explain why it matters. Whether you’re raising capital, recruiting talent, or building customer trust, your ability to tell the story behind the business becomes a leadership skill of its own. Follow us on LinkedIn NWA Founders [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nwa-founders/about/] Follow us on Instagram @NWAFounders [https://chatgpt.com/g/g-p-679ff2436b74819198fb09c8fbaf8ed3-nwa-founders/c/679ff260-cf34-800b-b01a-9f46018f759e#] Follow us on YouTube NWA Founders [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_jiHttOOT7O-f7s6WTLXw] For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com [nwafounders@gmail.com] NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-clark-780012a8/] and Nick Beyer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-beyer-76a103ba/].

#39 - Are Traasdahl (Crisp, Arkade)

→ Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart [https://greenwoodgearhart.com/] → Learn more about Cushman & Wakefield Sage Partners [https://www.sagepartners.com/] What if one of the biggest business opportunities in the world was hiding inside a problem most people never think about? In this episode, Are Traasdahl [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aretraasdahl/], founder of Crisp [https://www.gocrisp.com/about] and Arkade [https://www.arkaderetail.com/], shares the story behind building a company aimed at solving one of the most overlooked global challenges: food waste. With one-third of all food produced globally lost before it ever reaches consumers, Are saw not just a broken system, but a massive opportunity to rebuild it using data, technology, and AI. Summary Are walks through his journey from growing up in a small town in Norway to building and exiting multiple technology companies in the U.S., including early innovations in mobile content and programmatic advertising. But Crisp represents something different. Inspired by a trip around the world where he witnessed both massive food waste and deep food insecurity, he set out to build a data platform that connects the entire retail supply chain—what he calls a “supply web”—to reduce inefficiencies at scale.  At the core of Crisp is a simple but powerful idea: if you can unify data across retailers, suppliers, and distributors, you can dramatically improve decision-making—from what gets stocked on shelves to how products are priced and distributed. What started with zero customers and tens of millions invested in technology quickly accelerated during the pandemic, growing to thousands of brands as the industry realized the need for better data visibility and collaboration.  Beyond the business itself, Are shares a broader philosophy on building: focus on solving meaningful problems, be willing to invest ahead of the market, and commit to creating something that delivers value not just for customers—but for the world. His “triple bottom line” approach—good for the world, good for customers, and good for the business—offers a compelling framework for founders thinking about long-term impact.  Highlights 00:00 Why is Are building in NWA? 4:00 Are's other companies (Thumbplay, Tapad) 19:00 Crisp is solving food waste in the supply chain 31:00 What makes Crisp different 46:00 Are's vision for Arkade Key Takeaways 1. Solve problems at scale—or rethink the problem entirely - Are didn’t choose a “cool” industry—he chose a massive one. The food supply chain isn’t flashy, but it’s a $10+ trillion ecosystem filled with inefficiencies. For young founders, this is a reminder: the biggest opportunities often live in overlooked industries. For seasoned founders, your story becomes more powerful when it’s tied to a problem that actually matters. 2. You need to be 10x better—not just slightly better - Incremental improvements don’t drive change—especially in complex, B2B environments. Crisp’s success comes from building a fundamentally different system, not just optimizing an existing one. If you’re building something, ask yourself: is this truly different, or just marginally better? 3. Build ahead of the market—and be willing to wait - Crisp invested tens of millions into technology before generating revenue. That’s uncomfortable—but it created a long-term advantage when the market caught up. Whether you’re early or experienced, there’s a tension here: can you see where things are going—and are you willing to build for that future before it’s obvious? Follow us on LinkedIn NWA Founders [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nwa-founders/about/] Follow us on Instagram @NWAFounders [https://chatgpt.com/g/g-p-679ff2436b74819198fb09c8fbaf8ed3-nwa-founders/c/679ff260-cf34-800b-b01a-9f46018f759e#] Follow us on YouTube NWA Founders [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_jiHttOOT7O-f7s6WTLXw] For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com [nwafounders@gmail.com] NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-clark-780012a8/] and Nick Beyer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-beyer-76a103ba/].

#38 - Eric Howerton (AdFury.ai)

→ Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart [https://greenwoodgearhart.com/] → Learn more about Cushman & Wakefield Sage Partners [https://www.sagepartners.com/] What if the real edge in your business is leaning into A.I.? In this episode, Eric Howerton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erichowerton], co-founder & CGO of AdFury.ai [https://www.adfury.ai/], pulls back the curtain on how AI is reshaping the future of retail, advertising, and entrepreneurship in Northwest Arkansas. This isn’t a hype conversation about AI; it’s a grounded, hard-earned perspective from someone who’s spent over a decade solving real problems for real customers. Summary Eric reframes what it means to be an entrepreneur in today’s world. It’s not about titles like “founder” or chasing funding—it’s about seeing a problem so clearly that you can’t ignore it. That mindset led him to build WhyteSpyder from $850 in the bank to a successful exit, and now drives his work at AdFury, where he’s tackling what he calls the “content supply chain” - the bottleneck that prevents brands from delivering personalized, relevant experiences at scale.  At the core of AdFury’s innovation is a simple but powerful shift: using AI not just to automate tasks, but to unlock entirely new capabilities. Instead of manually creating dozens of ad variations, brands can now generate highly personalized, dynamic content for individual shoppers in seconds: something that was previously impossible due to time and cost constraints.  Zooming out, Eric challenges the broader Northwest Arkansas ecosystem to think differently. Rather than trying to imitate Silicon Valley, he argues the region’s true strength lies in its deep retail expertise and problem-solving culture. The opportunity isn’t to chase trends, it’s to double down on solving meaningful problems faster than anyone else, especially as AI reshapes the industry at an accelerating pace. Highlights 00:00 What is the difference between a founder, entrepreneur, & business owner? 9:00 Evolution of tech scene in NWA 23:00 What is AdFury.ai ? 41:00 A.I. advice for small business owners 47:00 How AdFury is gonna change retail 58:00 Eric's hope for AdFury Key Takeaways 1. Real entrepreneurs are obsessed with problem solving - Eric didn’t start businesses thinking about exits or valuations. He started because he saw gaps that needed to be solved. If you’re early in your journey, focus less on “what could this become?” and more on “what needs to be fixed right now?” 2. AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a new playing field - Most people approach AI as a way to do existing tasks faster. Eric’s perspective flips that: AI enables things that were never possible before. The founders who win won’t just optimize, they’ll rethink what’s even possible in their industry. 3. Your environment matters more than you think - Northwest Arkansas isn’t Silicon Valley, and that’s the advantage. The density of real problems, real operators, and real businesses creates a unique opportunity: solve meaningful problems where you are, instead of chasing abstract ideas somewhere else. Follow us on LinkedIn NWA Founders [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nwa-founders/about/] Follow us on Instagram @NWAFounders [https://chatgpt.com/g/g-p-679ff2436b74819198fb09c8fbaf8ed3-nwa-founders/c/679ff260-cf34-800b-b01a-9f46018f759e#] Follow us on YouTube NWA Founders [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_jiHttOOT7O-f7s6WTLXw] For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com [nwafounders@gmail.com] NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-clark-780012a8/] and Nick Beyer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-beyer-76a103ba/].