Summary
On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jessica Head, marketing director at Endeavor NWA, a global organization helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses to transform economies. With over ten years of experience, Jessica is a passionate and creative strategist specializing in experiential marketing, branding, and digital campaigns. Throughout the episode, James and Jessica discuss Endeavor’s ideal student, the tools Endeavor has to offer, and what Endeavor hopes to achieve in NWA.
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Show Notes
(0:57) Introduction to Jessica
(4:40) The Story of Endeavor
(9:15) Endeavor’s Goal for NWA
(12:06) Endeavor’s Ideal Entrepreneur
(17:42) Endeavor’s Selection Process
(19:09) About Endeavor Catalyst
(22:49) Endeavor in NWA
(26:55) Biggest Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make
(29:39) Closing Questions
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‍Links
JAMES BELL‍‍
‍BENTONVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
JESSICA HEAD
ENDEAVOR NWA
LINDA ROTTENBERG
CHARU THOMAS
OX
CARTER MALLOY
ACRETRADER
SPENCER JONES
LINEUS MEDICAL
AAYUSH THAKUR
DEME YUAN
FR8RELAY
STAN ZYLOWSKI
APRIL SEGGEBRUCH
MOVISTA
MEGAN KINMONTH BOWMAN (JAMES CALLED HER APRIL IN THE EPISODE–SORRY, MEGAN!)
STOPWATCH

Quotes
“We have some unique voices that are a part of this community that have helped to champion some really interesting mentorships that can be available to entrepreneurs worldwide.” – Jessica Head, (9:52)

“So expanding our visibility of Endeavor and the support we provide to neighboring cities of Northwest Arkansas is to ensure we have connectivity and that the talent and education crosses vertically in these different codes.” – Jessica Head, (10:57)

“They’re able to engage in international selection panels that are hosted all over the world. It’s an opportunity for founders to mingle with other entrepreneurs that are also at that stage of growth and looking to become an Endeavor entrepreneur.” – Jessica Head, (14:06)

“It becomes a selfless process that ensures that these founders get the trusted resources they need and the correct advice to have economies to scale.” – Jessica Head, (15:48)‍‍
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Helping Businesses Flourish One Entrepreneur at a Time‍
On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Jessica Head, marketing director at Endeavor NWA, a global organization helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses to transform economies. With over ten years of experience, Jessica is a passionate and creative strategist specializing in experiential marketing, branding, and digital campaigns. Throughout the episode, James and Jessica discuss Endeavor’s ideal student, the tools Endeavor has to offer, and what Endeavor hopes to achieve in NWA.
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Building a Super Region in NWA
Although the NWA chapter of Endeavor is the smallest office, it’s no less mighty. There’s a multitude of talented individuals in this region, which is a result of incredible leadership at the companies included in the Endeavor NWA ecosystem. And although these companies are outside the scope of the Tyson, JB Hunt, and Walmart bubble, they are no less impactful because of their potential to ensure the cities around NWA, such as Tulsa, become a super region.
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“We have some unique voices that are a part of this community that have helped to champion some really interesting mentorships that can be available to entrepreneurs worldwide.” – Jessica Head, (9:52)
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Endeavor NWA’s board is a testament to the success they’ve had in the area. Not only have they helped scale companies in the Heartland, but they’ve also supported founders in different countries. This backing has provided the perfect opportunity to bridge the gap between putting the Heartland on the map in a unique way and making Bentonville a part of the narrative. This goal was one of the most important factors behind Endeavor launching its NWA office.

“So expanding our visibility of Endeavor and the support we provide to neighboring cities of Northwest Arkansas is to ensure we have connectivity and that the talent and education crosses vertically in these different codes.” – Jessica Head, (10:57)

The Ideal Endeavor Entrepreneur
The entrepreneurs that Endeavor selects to work with are ones who have the capability to scale up. They have found a product market fit and are at an inflection point in their growth journey. Because of this, most entrepreneurs that enter the Endeavor selection process have between $500,000 and $1 million in annual revenue. Endeavor also provides programs to entrepreneurs that are in the earlier stages of their business but have the potential to level up and eventually engage in their selection process.

“It becomes a selfless process that ensures that these founders get the trusted resources they need and the correct advice to have economies to scale.” – Jessica Head, (15:48)

In order to become an Endeavor entrepreneur, they are required to build out a profile of who they are, where they’re wanting to go, their business strategy, and their growth plans. Then this profile is presented to a panel of local members that provide feedback. If a business passes the local panel review, they are then reviewed by an international selection panel. If successful again, they gain access to the wide variety of services and resources offered by Endeavor.

“They’re able to engage in international selection panels that are hosted all over the world. It’s an opportunity for founders to mingle with other entrepreneurs that are also at that kind of stage of growth and looking to become an Endeavor entrepreneur.” – Jessica Head, (14:06)
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Get Connected!
‍Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Bentonville Beacon! Join us weekly for more stories from entrepreneurs and business leaders who are making a positive impact on Bentonville’s culture, community, and lifestyle. Don’t forget, Bentonville is a place where you can have more of what you want and less of what you don’t!