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In this episode of Arizona Good Business Radio, host Thomas Barr chats with Nicole Bennett, the owner of Perry Consulting, about her journey from part-time event planning to building one of Arizona’s most respected event management companies. Nicole shares her philosophy of treating vendors as partners, her company’s non-traditional marketing approach, and her ability to stay calm and adapt to the unexpected through a wide variety of community events.

On this episode of Arizona Good Business, Lindsay Leavitt from Gallagher & Kennedy joins to discuss his passion for providing quality legal services to small businesses in Arizona. After witnessing the challenges of operating a small business through his father's experience, Lindsay committed himself to ensuring entrepreneurs receive the best support without breaking the bank.

In this episode of Arizona Good Business Radio, Thomas Barr chats with Kathleen Ventura, founder of Compost Crowd, about her journey from seeing compost pickup services in Columbus, Ohio, to launching a similar service in Northern Arizona in 2018. She shares how she and her husband started with just ten buckets, growing their business across Sedona and Flagstaff, and achieving the impressive milestone of diverting over 600 tons of waste from landfills, underscoring their commitment to sustainability.

In this episode of “Arizona Good Business” with host, Thomas Barr welcomes David Gressly and Isaac Dudley with Friends of the Verde River, discussing their work to protect and preserve the Verde River in Arizona. They shared how their organization employs a scientific approach, such as implementing a comprehensive water monitoring program, to inform better decision-making and resource allocation – as well as getting the community connected to the river. They also discuss the success of the River Friendly Living program, which encourages water conservation and habitat improvement by engaging a broad range of stakeholders, from homeowners to businesses.

In this episode of Arizona Good Business, host Thomas Barr sits down with Christin Marvin, the founder of Solutions by Christin, to discuss her inspiring journey from the restaurant industry to entrepreneurship. Christin shares her story, starting as a line cook at 15 years old and rising to managing partner in independent restaurants. After experiencing burnout, she and her husband moved to Tucson, where they redefined their lives, leading Christin to establish her own company focused on leadership development in the hospitality industry.

In this episode of AZ Good Business, Thomas Barr is joined by Whitney Yang, and Andrew Wong, co-founders of the Bambi Fund. They discuss the nonprofit’s mission to support historically excluded communities, including LGBTQ individuals and the formerly incarcerated, by providing them with opportunities and resources to start a successful business. They share their motivations, with Whitney focusing on the importance of understanding racial justice and the impact of mass incarceration in Arizona. Andrew is inspired to utilize his design background to help individuals succeed through the Bambi Fund’s Hustle House program, which provides entrepreneurship training for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Thomas and Niki also explore the challenges and opportunities businesses face today, from navigating compliance to advocating for equitable practices. Niki emphasizes the importance of employee-centered approaches, especially in the evolving landscape of remote work, and ends with a powerful message: “Get out there and be good to people.”

In this interview, you’ll hear incredible success stories from LocalFi’s portfolio, like Flancer’s, which thrived during the pandemic, and the nonprofit One Tree Planted, which saw a significant boost in donations and tree plantings thanks to an optimized online presence. Get practical SEO tips for your small business, from optimizing Google My Business profiles to creating compelling content.

Drink Me! Tea Room is a modern take on traditional Afternoon Tea. We offer plant-based, gluten-free and allergy friendly sweets and savories accompanied by premium organic tea and hand crafted cocktails. We focus on providing an unforgettable customer experience with attention paid to all the little details.

In the latest episode of Arizona Good Business, host Thomas Barr sets the stage for a lively conversation centered around community-centric business stories. He kicks things off by introducing the show’s focus and welcoming David DeLorenzo, a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse background that includes a stint in the music industry with Warner Brothers Records. David shares his fascinating journey from music to insurance, highlighting the pivotal role of passion and adaptability in navigating career transitions.

In this podcast episode of “Arizona Good Business,” host Thomas Barr discusses the challenges of accessing capital and fostering economic development in tribal communities, emphasizing the importance of understanding their unique historical and systemic barriers with Rafael Tapia, Director of Tribal Community Connections. Rafael’s background and experience with Local First Arizona underscore the significance of community-driven initiatives in addressing these issues. They delve into the complexities of tribal entrepreneurship and the need for culturally responsive strategies, inviting listeners to engage in the upcoming Arizona Good Business Summit to explore collaborative solutions.

In this episode of Arizona Good Business, host, Thomas Barr discusses with Andy Shirk, CEO of Educational Services, Inc., their mission to address staffing challenges in schools amidst teacher pay issues and shifts in teaching perception. They emphasize the need for more educators and ESI’s role in supporting HR managers. Shirk remains committed to ESI’s mission, while also exploring the complexities of operating in the education sector and bonding over shared interests like playing the bass guitar.

In this episode of Arizona Good Business, Thomas Barr engages in a comprehensive discussion with Cathleen Mitchell, the founder of Kaya Holistic. Explored are the store’s evolution from a focus on CBD products to a holistic botanical wellness approach, emphasizing education, sustainability, and advocacy for the entire hemp industry. Cathleen outlines the store’s expanded offerings, including plans for community events, creating a unique space for yoga, sound healing, and a demo kitchen. The interview underscores the store’s integral connection with the local community, Cathleen’s commitment to supporting local artisans, and the resilience of smaller businesses in delivering personalized and intentional retail experiences, especially in the face of pandemic challenges.

Local First Arizona returns for the Arizona Good Business Podcast! Our VP of Business Development, Thomas Barr, joins Erik Verryden of NexGen Partner Strategies and Stephen Harris of Journey Payroll to talk business, community and building relationships.

Local First AZ is back with another epsiode of Arizona Good Business with nonprofit leader and Executive Director of Million Dollar Teacher Project, Lloyd Hopkins. Thomas and Lloyd discuss their passion and care for teachers, why businesses who care about the well-being of our teachers, and how to get more deeply involved so we can build a better Arizona.

Join the Arizona Good Business Movement with TruWest Credit Union, Phoenix Business RadioX, and Local First Arizona.