406: Building Ventures Through Outdoor Recreation with Phil Shellhammer and Zoe Rose

Summary In this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Caleb Talley and Daniel Koonce are joined by Phill Shellhammer and Zoe Rose Maddox from the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) to discuss the newly launched Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator and how it’s changing the entrepreneurial landscape in northwest Arkansas and beyond. Phil kicks off the conversation by highlighting the foundational role GORP has played since October 2021 in nurturing early-stage startups in the outdoor recreation space, emphasizing GORP's mission to turn innovative ideas into viable business models rapidly. Zoe then brings attention to the scale of GORP's impact, noting that forty-six companies have participated, with many still active and generating revenue. One of the standout projects discussed in this episode is the Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator. This program differs from GORP, which focuses primarily on incubating new ideas, by aiming to push established companies to the next level. Zoe explains that the accelerator targets businesses ready to scale, particularly those innovating around cycling technologies, products, and community-building platforms. In a testament to the global reach of their endeavor, Zoe shares that applications have poured in from countries like the Czech Republic, the UK, France, New Zealand, and Korea, underscoring Bentonville’s growing reputation as a hub for cycling innovation. A key insight from the episode is the reflection on overcoming imposter syndrome and embracing curiosity. It's an inspiring reminder for all entrepreneurs to persist and stay passionate about their ventures. Tune in today!   Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (03:16) Arkansas’s Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneurship Expansion (06:40) How Arkansas Models Business Support (10:40) Av Bike-Focused Accelerator Program Launch (13:11) Marshall: Industry Expert & Cohort Advisor (17:18) How Bentonville’s an Emerging Hub for Remote Work (20:08) Virtual Cohort Launch and the Bentonville Summit (23:09) Bentonville’s Expansion Dream (28:43) Community Support for Entrepreneurs (30:46) Embracing Curiosity Over Expertise (33:18) Mission-Driven Work Satisfaction (34:41) Closing Thoughts   Links Caleb Talley Daniel Koonce Startup Junkie Startup Junkie YouTube Phil Shellhammer Zoe Rose Maddox Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator