Craftsmanship, Purpose, and Community Inspiration

Hi Friends,

This week on the I Am Northwest Arkansas® Podcast, we're diving deep into the world of craftsmanship, creativity, and second chances. I got to sit down with award-winning furniture designer, Matt Buell, for a heartfelt conversation about how woodworking changed his life—and how following your calling, no matter when it finds you, can lead to unexpected and extraordinary places.

🎙️ This Week's Episode: Pursuing Purpose at Any Age

Episode 329 – Matt Buell on Woodworking, Mentorship, and Living Fully

"If there's something that's calling you and it's not harming anybody, answer the call. Just do it." – Matt Buell

What's Inside This Episode:

🎸 From Counselor to Craftsman – Matt didn't discover woodworking until nearly 30, after a period of transition and soul-searching. He shares the challenges—and funny mishaps—that marked his early days, working out of a carport with little more than stubbornness and a drive for excellence.

🪑 Chasing Excellence, Losing Fear – Hear how Matt's willingness to embrace failure, obsession with tooling, and relentless pursuit of improvement catapulted him to national acclaim in the span of just a few years (despite never finishing that first guitar).

🛠️ Making Space for the Next Generation – Matt talks openly about the importance of mentorship for young makers, the need for trade education, and his passion for helping apprentices—and even host Randy's son—find pride and possibility in working with their hands.

🍽️ Bringing Artistry to Bentonville's Dining Scene – Go behind the scenes of Matt's recent project designing for RYN, Chef Matt Cooper's new restaurant, and discover how Matt weaves creativity into public spaces, leaving a legacy that will outlast us all.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Second Chances—It's never too late to follow a new dream or start over

• The Power of Passion—True craftsmanship comes from loving your work, not just chasing a paycheck

• Learning by Doing – Failure isn't the end—it's an important part of mastering any craft

• Mentorship Matters—Giving back by teaching others is both selfish and selfless; it's a way to leave a legacy

• Community Canvas—Northwest Arkansas is a rich landscape for creativity, offering opportunities and supportive people for artists and makers

• Trades Are Vital – Young people can build amazing careers in skilled trades, and these paths are as valuable as a college degree

🎧 Listen Now: Episode 329 – Matt Buell

Want more hands-on inspiration?

• Check out Matt's latest works at mbuellstudio.com

• Follow Matt on Instagram and Facebook

• Dive into our archives for more stories at the intersection of business, culture, and life in NWA

🎤 Join Us This Saturday: TEDx Fayetteville Returns!

On Saturday, October 4, we'll gather at the Fayetteville Public Library to hear from an inspiring group of speakers, including our own Randy Wilburn, who are ready to share their ideas worth spreading.

It's been five years since our last event, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome our community back for a day of connection, conversation, and inspiration.

There's still time to join us—tickets are available on our website! Share with your friends so we can pack the house and give a great live audience for these speakers!

🎟️ Get Your Tickets: tedxfayetteville.org

📱 Helpful Resource: Declutter Your Phone Photos

If you're like me, your iPhone is probably bursting with thousands of photos. This week, I came across a fantastic guide from Wirecutter that walks you through practical steps to organize and declutter your photo library. It's a game-changer for reclaiming storage space and actually finding the photos you want when you need them!

📖 Read the Guide: The Recommendation: Declutter Your Phone

🙏 Thank You

As always, thank you for being a part of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® community. Let's keep carving out our best lives—no matter the materials we start with.

See you next week!

With gratitude,

Randy Wilburn
Host, I Am Northwest Arkansas®

P.S. Share this episode with someone who's ready to start their next chapter. It's never too late.

📍 Find What You Need in NWA

This newsletter is sponsored by:

FindItNWA.com – Find It Fast. Find It Local.
Your hyperlocal business directory for Northwest Arkansas

ONBoardNWA.com – HyperLocal Jobs in NWA
Connecting talented people with great opportunities right here in Northwest Arkansas