I Am Northwest Arkansas®

"It's not about getting back to something. It's about, hey, who are you now?"

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Hope Cancer Resources president and CEO Chuck Hyde. Hope Cancer Resources doesn't treat cancer. It walks alongside Bringing Hope to Cancer Patients: The Mission and Impact of Hope Cancer Resources in Northwest Arkansas

and the long road back. Chuck traces the organization's roots to NARTI, the regional radiation center that local hospitals built together in 1984, and explains why he calls Hope the "first stop shop" rather than the one-stop shop: it's the first call you make, and if Hope can't help directly, it knows who can.

Chuck gets specific about what that support looks like day to day. A fleet of nine minivans drives about 30,000 miles a month, carrying around 25 patients a day to treatment from as far away as Alpena and Eureka Springs. Licensed social workers sit in on intake for every new patient at Highlands Oncology. A wellness center is staffed by trainers certified as cancer exercise specialists, and a care closet keeps hard-to-find supplies on the shelf. Every service is free, and because the Hope Cancer Resources Foundation covers overhead, 100% of community gifts go to patients. Chuck also opens up about losing two brothers-in-law to cancer in eight weeks, and Randy shares the recent loss of his cousin. This episode is for anyone facing a diagnosis, caring for someone who is, or looking for a place where their giving goes a long way.

• First Stop, Not One-Stop: Hope Cancer Resources aims to be the first call after a diagnosis, then connects people to its own programs or to partner organizations that can help.
• Transportation Removes Barriers: Getting to treatment is often the most urgent need, so Hope's drivers cover up to 60 miles from the point of treatment, including dental and other cancer-related appointments.
• Expertise, Not Just Good Intentions: Licensed social workers, counselors, and certified cancer exercise specialists bring professional training to every interaction, because life's hardest moments deserve more than good intentions.
• No Cost, Real Savings: Counseling, support groups, personal training, and financial help with rent, utilities, prescriptions, and gas are free, which keeps real money in families' pockets during treatment.
• Isolation Makes It Harder: Chuck says people struggle most when they withdraw and try to face cancer alone. Early screenings, second opinions, and advocating for yourself also make a difference.
• Survivorship Is a New Normal: Ringing the bell doesn't mean life goes back to how it was. Survivors deal with "scanxiety" and real changes, and the people around them need to understand that.
• Hope Becomes Paying It Forward: Many former patients and families who lost a loved one come back as volunteers and board members to give hope to someone else.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

• Hope Cancer Resources: https://hopecancerresources.org/
• Donate to Hope Cancer Resources: https://hopecancerresources.org/get-involved/donate/
• Apply for Assistance: https://hopecancerresources.org/apply-for-assistance
• Volunteer with Hope Cancer Resources: https://hopecancerresources.org/get-involved/volunteer/
• Transportation Services: https://hopecancerresources.org/services/transportation/
• Wellness Center for Hope: https://hopecancerresources.org/services/wellness-center-for-hope/
• Support Groups: https://hopecancerresources.org/services/patient-support/support-groups/
• The Care Closet: https://hopecancerresources.org/services/patient-support/the-care-closet/
• Tobacco Treatment: https://hopecancerresources.org/services/wellness-center-for-hope/tobacco-treatment/
• Hope Cancer Resources Foundation: https://hopecancerresources.org/about/our-foundation/
• Hope Unscripted Podcast: https://www.hopeunscriptedpodcast.com/
• Highlands Oncology Group: https://highlandsoncology.com/
• Northwest Arkansas Council: https://nwacouncil.org/
• Alice L. Walton School of Medicine: https://alwmedschool.org/
• NWA Gives: https://www.nwagives.org/
• Baum-Walker Stadium: https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/facility/baum
• Razorback Regional Greenway: https://razorbackgreenway.org/
• Walton Arts Center: https://waltonartscenter.org/

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

Winetopia 2026

*Note: Some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Grab our Newsletter 
• Email Us at [email protected]
• Connect With Our Facebook Page 
• Connect With Us on Threads
• Connect With Our Instagram 
• Connect With Our LinkedIn Page
• Join The Facebook Group 
• Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedIn

Thank you for listening to this I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.

Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas

Mentioned in this episode:

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

FindItNWA.com

Looking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"

FindItNWA.com

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) music director Akiko Fujimoto. Recorded at the Fayetteville Public Library just days into her tenure, the conversation traces her path from a psychology major quietly taking music classes to a mid-career conductor who has worked across the country, including as associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra. After years of visiting the region from her home in Conway, she explains why she made a beeline for the SoNA job and why she wants the orchestra to be the symphony of all of Northwest Arkansas, not just Fayetteville. Her approach starts from a simple idea: she thinks of herself as one of the listeners.

Akiko walks through her first season, which she calls her giant love letter to the region. It opens with celebratory dance music that builds to Stravinsky's The Firebird, centers on Beethoven's 5th in February, and closes in April with a nature program featuring Respighi's The Pines of Rome, The Lark Ascending, Wagner's Forest Murmurs, and a work by Arkansas-born composer William Grant Still. She also shares how becoming a Faulkner County Master Gardener shaped the way she "landscapes" a season, her hope to take the full orchestra to cities across the region, and her interest in partnering with the local health community on music and mental health. Whether you're a longtime subscriber or have never set foot in a concert hall, this episode is your invitation.

An Accidental Beginning: A high school choir teacher who handed Akiko her rehearsals first planted the idea of conducting, and she didn't even know it was a job until college.

A Symphony for the Whole Region: SoNA Beyond and SoNA Mentors already send musicians into schools across the region; Akiko's dream is to bring the full orchestra to each city, with programs tailored to local venues.

Programming as Landscaping: Like a landscaper reading the climate, the sun, and the client, she matches the region, the orchestra, and the audience against a growing database of repertoire to build a balanced season.

Music and Wellness: Drawing on her psychology background and Renée Fleming's anthology Music and Mind, she wants to explore how SoNA can support mental health across Northwest Arkansas.

Nature Takes the Stage: The April 2027 season finale is her ode to the Natural State, timed as a prelude to Earth Day.

Beethoven as Common Ground: She chose Beethoven's 5th for February partly as a way for her and the orchestra to build their relationship.

Everyone Is Welcome: Pre-concert talks and introductions from the stage give first-timers a roadmap, so the symphony feels welcoming rather than stuffy.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) Website: https://www.sonamusic.org/

SoNA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symphonynwa/

SoNA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonafan/

SoNA on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBwfkP-DovwhXqUzceEXssg

SoNA 2026-27 MainStage Season Tickets: https://www.sonamusic.org/ticketed-performances

Akiko Fujimoto on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akikoconductor/

Akiko Fujimoto on X (Twitter): https://x.com/akikoconductor

Walton Arts Center: https://waltonartscenter.org/

Fayetteville Public Library: https://www.faylib.org/

FPL Center for Innovation: https://www.faylib.org/innovation

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: https://crystalbridges.org/

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine: https://www.alwmedschool.org/

Heartland Whole Health Institute: https://www.heartlandwholehealth.org/

TheatreSquared: https://www.theatre2.org/

Mid-Texas Symphony: https://mtsymphony.org/

Faulkner County Master Gardeners: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/counties/faulkner/faulkner-county-master-gardener.aspx

Music and Mind by Renée Fleming: https://reneefleming.com/advocacy/music-and-the-mind/

Bryce Canyon National Park: https://www.nps.gov/brca/

IANWA Episode 37 with SoNA Conductor Paul Haas: https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/episode-33-sona-conductor-paul-haas-is-leading-65-years-of-symphonic-excellence-in-the-ozarks/

IANWA Episode 40: An Insider's Look at SoNA: https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/episode-40-65-years-of-symphonic-excellence-an-insiders-look-at-sona/

Winetopia 2026

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

*Note: Some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Grab our Newsletter 
• Email Us at [email protected]
• Connect With Our Facebook Page 
• Connect With Us on Threads
• Connect With Our Instagram 
• Connect With Our LinkedIn Page
• Join The Facebook Group 
• Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedIn

Thank you for listening to this I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.

Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas

Mentioned in this episode:

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

“You don't need an idea to start a company. You need the scrappiness and grit and durability, and then the recognition of someone with a good idea... that makes it more possible for more people to start businesses together.”

– Michael Basch

This episode is part of a special series supported by the Walton Family Foundation. Through their Home Region program, the foundation is investing in the people and ideas shaping Northwest Arkansas—across housing, entrepreneurship, transportation, and leadership.

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Michael Basch of Renaissance Philanthropy to dig into the next chapter for entrepreneurship in Northwest Arkansas. The conversation looks at how the region is growing when it comes to startups, access to capital, and why the newest path to business success may be smaller, focused, and driven by artificial intelligence.

Michael shares stories from his coast-to-coast career, insider tips on what makes NWA special, and why the old rulebook for startups is being rewritten right here. The episode highlights the brand new Northwest Arkansas Innovation Fund and discusses how it's set up to support both high-growth tech companies and Main Street businesses. The conversation also explains how AI is shrinking teams and startup costs, unlocking new possibilities, and why success in NWA looks different than chasing Silicon Valley's unicorns. This episode will inspire anyone who thinks about starting a business or wants to better understand the local startup scene.

Key Takeaways:

• You Don't Have to Leave Home to Win: Northwest Arkansas has everything needed to launch strong businesses—capital, mentors, resources, and community spirit.

• Rethinking Success: Small, profitable companies (not just billion-dollar unicorns) can be a big win for founders and the region.

• Filling the Capital Gap: The new Northwest Arkansas Innovation Fund is targeting early-stage businesses that often fall between accelerator support and traditional venture capital.

• AI Powers Small Teams: A team of 2-3 people with AI tools can now build and scale a company—no need for huge headcounts or sky-high funding.

• Main Street Matters: Restaurants, camps, and local businesses can also find help from this fund, not just tech startups.

• Paying It Forward: The region is getting close to a self-sustaining ecosystem, where local success stories help launch and fund the next wave of entrepreneurs.

• Collaboration Is Key: Partnerships between NWA and Tulsa organizations have helped build momentum and connect founders with capital and ideas.

• Focus on Problems: The best founders are deeply invested in solving problems they know inside and out.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

• Renaissance Philanthropy Website (Northwest Arkansas Innovation Fund info): renphil.org — find Launch 479 and Catalyze 479 details under “Funds”
• Michael Basch LinkedIn (contact): Michael Basch on LinkedIn
• Email for info: [email protected]
• Compound Foundry
• AcreTrader
• Ox (Pushkin, Simporter also referenced)
• Launch 479 (entrepreneurial fellowship, aiming to launch new companies in NWA)
• Catalyze 479 (early-stage investment fund)
• 412 Angels Network
• Startup Junkie
• UpVentures
• Main Street coffee shops: Onyx Coffee Lab, Airship

The Walton Family Foundation

The Walton Family Foundation is, at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of founders Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. The foundation works in three areas: improving education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in the home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas–Mississippi Delta.

Learn more at waltonfamilyfoundation.org

*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Grab our Newsletter 
• Email Us at [email protected]
• Connect With Our Facebook Page 
• Connect With Us on Threads
• Connect With Our Instagram 
• Connect With Our LinkedIn Page
• Join The Facebook Group 
• Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedIn

Thank you for listening to this I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.

Mentioned in this episode:

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

"I hope that our legacy is that we leave behind some really great places and neighborhoods."

— Jeremy Hudson

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Jeremy Hudson, co-founder and CEO of Specialized Real Estate Group, a Fayetteville-based development and property management company that has spent nearly two decades asking one question: how do we help this region grow without losing what makes it special? Recorded on-site at the Stonebreaker inside Markham Hill, the conversation traces Jeremy's path from a standard real estate deal (Echo Modern Flats) to a full-fledged philosophy of "cultivating healthy neighborhoods" — one that put sustainability, health, and community ahead of the usual playbook.

They dig into the story behind Markham Hill, a 119-acre neighborhood built around old-growth Ozark forest and a 39-acre conservation easement with the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust—six years in the making before a single home went up. They also look ahead to Drake Farms, a 165-acre mixed-use district on Fayetteville's north side designed to unfold over the next 15 to 20 years. Whether you're into real estate, conservation, or just want to understand how Northwest Arkansas is growing on purpose, this episode makes the case that the best developers are playing the longest game in the room.

• Long-Term Vision: The best projects think beyond the next quarter and look ahead 10 or 20 years into the region's future.
• Leading with Conservation: Markham Hill began with a focus on preserving nature, protecting over half its land, including 39 acres now in a conservation easement.
• Healthy Neighborhoods: Building health into both the environment and the homes themselves, from LEED certification to indoor air quality considerations.
• Community Connection: Real neighborhoods are built for people and gathering—not just for cars and houses.
• Patient Planning: Sometimes, the right move is taking six years of planning before building even begins, making sure every step honors the place and its past.
• Incremental Growth: Large-scale developments like Drake Farms are tackled one phase at a time, always with the goal of serving people and making neighborhoods better.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

• Specialized Real Estate Group Website: specializedreg.com
• Markham Hill Neighborhood: Markham Hill
• The Stonebreaker Hotel: The Stonebreaker
• Drake Farms Project: Drake Farms Project
• Northwest Arkansas Land Trust: nwalandtrust.org
• Roots Festival: Roots Festival
• Leverett Lounge: Leverett Lounge
• Hugo's: Hugo's
• Email Jeremy Hudson: [email protected]

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

Try ONBoardNWA.com Today!

*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Grab our Newsletter 
• Email Us at [email protected]
• Connect With Our Facebook Page 
• Connect With Us on Threads
• Connect With Our Instagram 
• Connect With Our LinkedIn Page
• Join The Facebook Group 
• Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedIn

Thank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.

Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas

Mentioned in this episode:

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

"I want the people that I work with and who I represent and who I inspire to know that it's worth it, that they're worth it, that they're valuable."

– Robyn Jordan

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with DJ, cultural facilitator, and HerSetHerSound founder Robyn Jordan to talk about the work she's doing to build greater economic opportunity, representation, and joy for women, people of color, and gender-diverse creatives in our region's music scene.

Robyn shares how HerSetHerSound grew from a single festival into a year-round ecosystem—188 bookings, 55+ artists, and over $100,000 injected into the local creative economy. She talks about her own journey, why mentorship and intentional space-making matter, and why real empowerment means more than just "exposure."

This one's for anyone who loves music, makes it, or cares about the people quietly shaping Northwest Arkansas's cultural life.

Key Takeaways:

• Empowerment Through Action: HerSetHerSound has created real economic impact, paying artists fairly and centering women, people of color, and gender-diverse creatives both on and off the stage.
• Building Community, Not Just Events: Robyn emphasizes hospitality, intentional curation, and intersectionality, crafting spaces where every guest, artist, and vendor belongs and feels seen.
• The Power of Local Roots: Robyn’s journey from party-goer to business leader is rooted in family legacy, mentorship, and a belief in bringing big possibilities to communities outside major cities.
• Challenging Industry Norms: The conversation highlights persistent wage gaps and barriers in the creative industry, calling for accountability, credit, and investment in those who make our culture thrive.
• Vision for the Future: With ambitions for more venues, year-round programming, and continued partnership with groups like NWA Pride and Juneteenth, HerSetHerSound models what inclusive growth in Northwest Arkansas music and nightlife can look like.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast

• Her Set Her Sound Website
• Her Set Her Sound on Instagram
• Booking Her Set Her Sound
• Tickets & Festival Info: FESTIVAL | Empower Change Today — Join the Movement — HER SET HER SOUND
• Arkansas Soul — Outlet amplifying Black and Brown voices
• Delta Dirt Distillery — Black-owned, Helena, AR
• Indigo Road Hospitality Group: theindigoroad.com
• Cousins Lounge (shoutout): Cousins Bentonville on Facebook
• NWA Juneteenth: NWA Juneteenth Facebook
• NWA Pride / NWA Equality: nwapride.org
• DJ Afrosia (mentioned local artist): DJ Afrosia Instagram
• FindItNWA.com NWA’s Hyperlocal Business Directory

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Grab our Newsletter 
• Email Us at [email protected]
• Connect With Our Facebook Page 
• Connect With Us on Threads
• Connect With Our Instagram 
• Connect With Our LinkedIn Page
• Join The Facebook Group 
• Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedIn

Thank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.

Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas

Mentioned in this episode:

FindItNWA.com

Looking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"

FindItNWA.com

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

We're taking a short summer break from new episodes, and while we're out we're bringing back some of the most downloaded conversations from the past year. This one's a favorite whether you caught it the first time or you're just finding it now. Robin Wallis Atkinson, founder and CEO of Upkept, talks with Randy about the decline of garment repair skills and how her platform is making clothing repair simple and climate-friendly. This episode was part of our Future is Local series with the Walton Family Foundation.

• Why fast fashion has made it harder to repair clothes, and how Upkept is bringing that skill back
• How thinking in terms of cost-per-wear can change the way you value what's already in your closet

Website: upkept.io

Listen to the original episode: https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/335

Mentioned in this episode:

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

This one's personal for me. We're taking a short summer break, and while we're out I wanted to bring back some of our most downloaded episodes from the past year, including this one. Fresh off the TEDx Fayetteville stage, I shared the full talk and the stories behind it, including my grandfather Mal Goode's story of becoming ABC News's first Black correspondent at age 54. If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to start something, this episode is for you.

• Why age can be an asset instead of a limitation, and how reinvention shows up throughout history
• A simple three-step process I use to help you reflect, reframe, and reignite whatever you've been putting off

Listen to the original episode: http://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/330

Mentioned in this episode:

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

Summer's here and we're stepping away from the mic for a few weeks, so we're digging back into the archive to share some of our most downloaded conversations from the past year. This is one worth a second listen, or a first one if it's new to you. Lynn Wong and Mike Thompson turned a dream of an ice cream shop into Pedal Pops and Pedal Park, an all-natural fruit pop business that's grown into a real community hub in Farmington. This episode was part of our Future is Local series with the Walton Family Foundation.

• How a kitchen experiment turned into a beloved local brand built on customer feedback and creative flavors
• Why Pedal Park has become more than a food truck stop, hosting trivia nights, live music, and pop-up markets for the whole community

Website: pedalpops.com

Listen to the original episode: https://iamnorthwestarkansas.com/326

Mentioned in this episode:

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

"I always want to have that posture of, like, what can I learn? How can I grow?"

– Danielle Keller

Danielle Keller didn't plan on becoming the steward of Northwest Arkansas's most beloved family magazine. She moved from California to Arkansas, built a life here as a mother and filmmaker, and somewhere along the way fell in love with the kind of community storytelling that big media rarely gets right.

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, Randy Wilburn sits down with Danielle to talk about her journey—from film and podcasting to relaunching Peekaboo Magazine in August 2025 with a bigger, higher-quality print edition that bets on something most people have written off.

She makes the case for print in a digital world. Not as nostalgia. As intention.

Personal essays from local parents, in-person community events, and real voices from across NWA — Peekaboo is proof that a magazine can still be a gathering place. This conversation is a reminder that the stories closest to home are often the ones worth telling most.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Change and Growth: It's never too late to start something new or pivot your career—real growth often happens later in life.
• The Importance of Storytelling: Personal stories connect people and help communities feel seen, valued, and understood.
• Relationships Matter: Building relationships is key to both personal success and community building; everyone has something to offer.
• The Power of Local Media: Hyper-local publications like Peekaboo give a platform to everyday stories and voices that otherwise might not be heard.
• Print Isn’t Dead: There’s a renewed appreciation for tangible, high-quality media that people can hold, share, and keep on their coffee tables.
• Community Support: Sharing vulnerable stories can lead to compassion and real community action, supporting those who need it most.
• Be Inclusive: Not everyone is an extrovert—seek out and include those on the fringe, and help everyone feel welcome.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

• Peekaboo magazine website
• Peekaboo magazine on Facebook:
• Peekaboo magazine on LinkedIn:
• Peekaboo magazine on Instagram: @peekaboomagazinenwa
• People of Northwest Arkansas Podcast
• Fayetteville Public Library
• Dogpatch USA (featured in Danielle Keller’s documentary work)
• John Brown University (JBU)
• Bentonville Film Festival
• Parkside Public (casual date night spot)
• Confident Coffee (favorite coffee shop)

You can pick up a physical copy of Peekaboo magazine at local libraries, museums, and family-focused spots throughout Northwest Arkansas—from Fayetteville to Bella Vista and Siloam Springs.

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Grab our Newsletter 
• Email Us at [email protected]
• Connect With Our Facebook Page 
• Connect With Us on Threads
• Connect With Our Instagram 
• Connect With Our LinkedIn Page
• Join The Facebook Group 
• Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedIn

Thank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.

Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas

Mentioned in this episode:

FindItNWA.com

Looking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"

FindItNWA.com

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

"Black Paper Party doesn't exist if it's not for the authentic representation of the Black diaspora and our products."

– Jasmine Hudson

What does it really take to build a business rooted in culture, stay true to your mission, and scale to 20,000 points of distribution—all from Northwest Arkansas? Jasmine Hudson, co-founder of Black Paper Party, is living proof that it's possible.

In this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn welcomes Jasmine back for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, representation, and what growth really looks like when you refuse to compromise your values. From packing orders in her garage during the early days to landing shelf space with major retailers, Jasmine pulls back the curtain on the journey—including what really happened after the Shark Tank cameras stopped rolling.

Jasmine also shares how Black Paper Party is using AI and technology to operate smarter, what it means to be selected for the prestigious Endeavor Heartland Scale Up Accelerator, and why staying connected to the mission of celebrating Black joy and culture has been their greatest competitive advantage.

Whether you're a founder grinding through the early stages, an entrepreneur looking to scale without losing your soul, or someone who simply believes that representation matters—this episode is for you. Pull up a chair and get ready to be inspired.

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity Matters: Staying true to your mission and serving your community is at the heart of lasting growth and brand loyalty.
• Growth Is a Journey: Black Paper Party went from the garage to major retailers by focusing on both process and relationships.
• Technology as a Tool: Leveraging AI can help small teams do more, from managing e-commerce to automating business tasks—but it should never replace original thinking.
• Retail Wisdom: Walmart can be a powerful incubator for brands, especially for those who understand their customer and the importance of scalability.
• Community and Networking: Programs like Endeavor Heartland Scale Up provide important mentorship and support, but you have to put in the work to benefit.
• Resilience in Business: Setbacks, like shipping disasters or lost deals, are part of the journey—true grit keeps you moving forward.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.

• Website: Black Paper Party
• Black Paper Party on Instagram
• Black Paper Party on Facebook
• Black Paper Party on LinkedIn
• Endeavor Heartland Scale Up Accelerator: endeavor.org (Check show notes for direct links.)
• Canem Arkan Endeavor Heartland Email
• Shawn Morris Endeavor Heartland Email
• Jasmine Hudson on LinkedIn
• FindItNWA.com NWA’s Hyperlocal Business Directory

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Grab our Newsletter 
• Email Us at [email protected]
• Connect With Our Facebook Page 
• Connect With Us on Threads
• Connect With Our Instagram 
• Connect With Our LinkedIn Page
• Join The Facebook Group 
• Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedIn

Thank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.

Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas

Mentioned in this episode:

FindItNWA.com

Looking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas? 🌟 From cozy cafes to essential services, FindItNWA.com has got you covered. Connect with your local community with just one click and explore something great. Visit finditnwa.com today! #LocalBusiness #CommunitySupport"

FindItNWA.com

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026

Winetopia 2026