NWA Founders: Software & Tech founders, episode pages (no audio)

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. 38: Eric Howerton, AdFury.ai

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Real entrepreneurs are obsessed with problem solving, Eric didn’t start businesses thinking about exits or valuations. He started because he saw gaps that needed to be solved. If you’re early in your journey, focus less on “what could this become?” and more on “what needs to be fixed right now?”

AI isn’t just a tool, it’s a new playing field, Most people approach AI as a way to do existing tasks faster. Eric’s perspective flips that: AI enables things that were never possible before. The founders who win won’t just optimize, they’ll rethink what’s even possible in their industry.

Your environment matters more than you think, Northwest Arkansas isn’t Silicon Valley, and that’s the advantage. The density of real problems, real operators, and real businesses creates a unique opportunity: solve meaningful problems where you are, instead of chasing abstract ideas somewhere else.

Ep. 11: Matt, Mitchell, & Matthew Mawby, Professional Business Systems

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Professionalism is a growth strategy - Clear communication, reliability, and appearance create a lasting impression that wins business.

Systems create freedom - SOPs and well-defined processes aren’t just about efficiency, they’re about enabling your team to succeed.

Culture and clarity go hand in hand - A well-run business supports its people through structure, not in spite of it.

Ep. 10: Tanner Green, Ox

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:00:00 GMT

AI is a tool to enhance human performance, not replace it, Ox’s solutions help workers increase productivity while maintaining job security and improving working conditions.

Raising capital is challenging, especially outside Silicon Valley - Ox successfully raised $16M+ despite limited venture funding in Arkansas, proving that investors will back strong ideas with real market traction.

Long-term partnerships matter more than quick wins, Unlike typical SaaS models, Ox prioritizes enterprise relationships, continuous improvement, and deep customer integration to maximize ROI.