Life + Culture

Stuntman On Raising Fearless Boys

Drift NWA's Jef Groff on Parenting Faith Over Fear Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Michelle Bazis & Provided Raising children is a dynamic challenge. There’s no failproof formula for successful parenting because we all have different ideas of what success looks like. Still, we tend to take the good and bad of our upbringing to write the rule book for our own household. Nowadays, this often looks like reverting to factory settings: where a sunny day and imagination are all a kid...

Life + Culture

Mentorship Through Mountain Biking

How Joseph and Kialynn Olivarez Are Stepping In With The Matthew Mark Foundation Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Michelle Bazis & Matthew Mark Foundation “I want this ‘thing’ - this father figure - to help me through life, and I didn’t have it.” Joseph and Kialynn [Kia] Olivarez are turning tragedy into triumph through the Matthew Mark Foundation - A local non-profit centered around outdoor activities like mountain biking and skateboarding, where the focus is mentorship and...

Life + Culture

Rule of Three

The Bike Race That Isn't Really About Racing Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Provided “Bring a gift for a stranger.”  Not the kind of request you’d expect when registering for a bike race, but according to event organizers Andy Chasteen and Lauren Pickman, Rule of Three [RO3] isn’t really about the race. Chasteen, who humbly refers to himself as “Head Idiot In Charge,” is responsible for the genesis of RO3, a one-of-a-kind event that combines road, gravel, and singletrack bike...

Local Services

Women-Owned Businesses in Bentonville

Celebrating Female Entrepreneurship in NWA Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Provided Dr. Allyson Mertens, Mertens Eye & Optics Dr. Mertins launched Mertins Eye & Optical in 2006 to provide concierge-level eye care and handcrafted luxury eyewear. She is also the co-founder and vice president of Buffalo Development, Inc., and serves on the board for Vision Arkansas. Renae Elkins, Burn Boot Camp Bentonville Elkins opened Burn Boot Camp Bentonville in May 2017 after a 14-year...

Wellness

Women's Wellness Partners For Today's Superwoman

A Clinical Support System Helping Women Who Do It All Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Provided Women's Wellness Partners NWA has created a synchronized system of support for today's Superwoman, offering personalized and holistic treatment for women by women. Contact: www.WomensWellnessPartners.com • 479-362-5724 Gipsye Robinson, LCSW What inspired you to open WWP?  Shelbi Gower and I were inspired to open WWP for many reasons. For me, it stemmed from my own experience with...

Life + Culture

Five Years of Bike Fest

"There are a few ingredients you need for a festival. Bentonville ticks all the boxes." Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Michelle Bazis & Russell Bloodworth Photography What defines a great festival? Tagging the word “fest” onto an event doesn’t necessarily qualify it as a true festival experience, but is there a recipe? Start with the basics: Pick a theme, choose a crowd-friendly destination, add a double dose of entertainment, finish with a few influencers, and garnish with some...

Local Services

Onward and Upward

How StartupNWA Is Strengthening Opportunities For Founders & Investors in Bentonville Article by Michelle Bazis The term “startup” has been glamorized since the tech boom responsible for Apple and Facebook. Every entrepreneur and investor dreams of discovering the next world-changing idea, but what does it take to turn an idea into a startup and a startup into a thriving business? Entrepreneurship is a dynamic and challenging path few travel – even fewer apart from the coasts.  Acting as a...

Finance + Legal Services

Bedrock Coaches Women's Financial Independence

Linda Stubblefield's unique calling to help the "suddenly single" find financial security Article by Michelle Bazis “I can’t stand this. I want to help these women.” Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Linda Stubblefield opened her boutique retirement planning firm Bedrock Asset Management, after watching friends and loved ones navigate traumatic life changes without a financial advocate.  The Arkansas-native, mother of three, and craft artist came of age when women weren’t in the room for...

Arts + Culture

Memorable Moments Per Mile

How Business Leaders & State Legislators Are Investing in Arkansas' Outdoor Economy Article and Photography by Michelle Bazis Three themes stood out during this year’s Governor’s Conference and Arkansas Outdoor Economy Summit: growth, accessibility, and play. The State’s hockey stick success in outdoor recreation was an expected celebration, however, it can’t be understated that everything from marketing campaigns and workforce recruitment to development projects and state legislation are...

Life + Culture

Local Startups Putting Bentonville On The Map

These NWA founders launched innovations in outdoor retail, cycling tech, lifestyle apps, AI and more. Article by Michelle Bazis Hightag Co-Founder/CEO, Alex de la Fuente "Hightag installs smart cameras throughout bike parks, ski areas, and other action sports facilities, giving athletes the power to automatically capture footage of themselves while they ride. The support of the startup ecosystem in NWA has been absolutely top-notch. I don't think we could have built Hightag anywhere else."...