https://www.bentonvilleeconomicdevelopment.com/
In today’s episode, host James Bell sits down with Phil Shellhammer, Director of the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). Phil recently launched GORP as a part of the University of Arkansas’s education and research program in Bentonville, known as The Collaborative. The pair discusses how GORP serves entrepreneurs in the area and why outdoor brands should consider Bentonville as their new home!
Thanks for tuning in!
Show Notes
Summary
Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Bentonville Beacon podcast!
In today’s episode, host James Bell sits down with Phil Shellhammer, Director of the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). Phil recently launched GORP as a part of the University of Arkansas’s education and research program in Bentonville, known as The Collaborative. The pair discusses how GORP serves entrepreneurs in the area and why outdoor brands should consider Bentonville as their new home!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(
0:20) Introducing Phil Shellhammer and GORP
(
3:39) Helping Entrepreneurs Define and Launch Their Businesses
(
8:03) Who Is GORP Serving?
(
11:08) Bentonville’s Draw for Outdoor Recreation Brands
(
16:45) Unique Opportunities that Bentonville Provides
(
19:44) What’s Next for GORP?
(
23:11) Choosing Your Super Power
Links
Quotes
“
Outdoor recreation is a large growth area for [Northwest Arkansas] for sure, and one that is a massive focus.” (
1:06) - Phil Shellhammer
“
If you have an idea within the outdoor recreation space, [GORP wants] to help and support [you]...What we’re doing right now is we are trying to build a structure that’s supportive of the core activities most [people] will come from.” (
8:23) - Phil Shellhammer
“
[Northwest Arkansas] has turned into a place for people to live and come to visit and play with a variety of different activities that are hard to find in the middle of the US.” (
11:22) - Phil Shellhammer
“
Because you have this large group of tourism coming in—this large investment in the space from the city and from other investors to make this a great outdoor rec space, then it’s natural for businesses to want to be here too.” (
12:02) - Phil Shellhammer
“
I imagine most people don't realize that having Walmart here isn’t just that Walmart is here, but they’re surrounded by every large CPG company as well. And so we have so much talent, not even just in Walmart, but calling on Walmart. And so all those companies are represented here in Bentonville—in the surrounding areas as well—which is just a much larger talent pool.” (
16:21) - Phil Shellhammer
“
It’s overwhelming when you first start as a founder in this area. You literally go from group to group, from person to person, from mentor to mentor because they’re all over the place and everyone’s so willing and able to help. I think one of the biggest things we have here is that community specifically for startups.” (
17:26) - Phil Shellhammer
What is The Bentonville Beacon ?
https://www.bentonvilleeconomicdevelopment.com/
On the Bentonville Beacon podcast, host James Bell brings you stories from the entrepreneurs, business executives and community leaders who are sparking the rise of the Greater Bentonville area. You'll hear how one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic cities and economies in the United States helps businesses grow and helps people live their best lives. Tune in, subscribe, and get excited to embrace Greater Bentonville with us!