NWA Founders: founders from Springdale, episode pages (no audio)

Ep. 40: Joe Ehrhardt, Teslar Software

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

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.

Ep. 39: Are Traasdahl, Crisp, Arkade

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

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.

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?

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?

Ep. 36: Chris Chandler, Chandler Capital Group

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Solve real problems, not theoretical ones: The breakthrough for Chandler Truck Accessories came from observing what was actually failing in the market (like broken toolbox doors) and building something better. Look for friction in the real world, that’s where opportunity lives.

You have to earn your way into leadership: Chris didn’t skip the hard part. Years of operating, failing, and problem-solving built the foundation that now allows him to lead and develop others. There’s no shortcut around the “doing” phase.

Diversification isn’t optional, it’s survival: Relying too heavily on one industry nearly cost them everything. Building multiple revenue streams within a focused niche gave them stability and long-term growth.

Ep. 26: Charley Boyce, Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT

You can’t scale chaos, Operational excellence is non-negotiable when building something big.

Legacy can fuel innovation, Instead of staying stuck in “how it’s always been,” Charley used legacy as a launchpad for growth.

Service is a brand, not just a department, Paschal’s reputation wasn’t built on marketing, it was built on thousands of interactions done right, over time.

Ep. 23: Joseph Reece, RMP Attorneys at Law

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Growth follows need, RMP didn’t scale from a master plan, it grew by solving problems and meeting client demand.

Culture drives cohesion, Excellence, generosity, and care are at the core of attracting and retaining top talent.

Wisdom matters most, Clients don’t just buy legal services, they invest in the wisdom and integrity of their attorneys.