As clouds wash over the Verde Valley on a drizzly spring day, Nikki Bagley shakes the dirt from her gloves and offers a smile of satisfaction. “We’re planting tannat today, which is a minor Bordeaux blending varietal,” she said above the sounds of raking and shoveling. “It’s very dark and tannic so it can be a good stand alone wine – it is age-able and sturdy – or it can be used to beef up a lighter-bodied wine.” Bagley is the director of Yavapai College’s viticulture program. Joining her … [Read more...] about Cultivating a Multi-Million Dollar Boutique Wine Industry
Business
Field of Dreams
On a quiet Saturday afternoon in a secluded pocket of open land in Picture Canyon, a light breeze began picking up strength as the afternoon progressed, sending in banks of dark gray clouds from the Southwest. On a fenced piece of land, a group of younger workers leaned low over shovels and concentrated intently on the work at hand: the rush to get ready in time for the growing season this fertile quarter-acre farm plot that will be the heart and soul of Flagstaff Family Farm, a small-scale, … [Read more...] about Field of Dreams
Businesses Trading Hotel Rooms, Printing, Flowers
Imagine that a museum needs $1,000 worth of printing done. If the museum is a member of the Value Card Alliance (VCA), it could contribute $1,000 worth of memberships to the network and VCA would find a printer in the system to get the job done. In return, the printer would receive a $1,000 credit with VCA, to be used for services that another VCA member provides. The printer is not limited to whatever is offered by the museum, but can choose from anything within the network across the country. … [Read more...] about Businesses Trading Hotel Rooms, Printing, Flowers
Worn Wear Wagon Restores Favorite Outdoor Clothing
How confident can a caped crusader feel without his favorite winter jacket? Fortunately, Booker and his mom, Rachel Miranda, won’t have to go another chilly day without it. Patagonia’s Worn Wear Wagon fixed the broken zipper and Flagstaff’s young superhero is back in action. “This is so great,” said Rachel, sporting her well-worn Patagonia jacket that have had the sleeves replaced for free by the clothing company. “We’re thrilled with the repair!” Currently, the Worn Wear Wagon is … [Read more...] about Worn Wear Wagon Restores Favorite Outdoor Clothing
Moving Business Puts College Students to Work
Campus Bellhops is the little business that found a niche and filled it. The niche is “moving day” on campus. The Bellhops, who are college students, step in so parents and students do not have to muscle the kids’ belongings up and down from dorm rooms. It works. College students earn a little extra money and parents get a break. “It’s the Uber of moving,” said Justice Walker an employee and a senior at Northern Arizona University. “Everything is done by computer.” Founders … [Read more...] about Moving Business Puts College Students to Work
GiftCard Zen Acquired by RetailMeNot for $22 Million
RetailMeNot Inc., based in Austin, has acquired Giftcard Zen Inc., which started in Flagstaff, for $22 million in cash, plus up to an additional $11 million based on specific performance targets and other requirements. Giftcard Zen is a website where gift cards can be bought and sold at a discounted rate. Founder Aaron Dragushan launched the company out of his Flagstaff home and expanded with a Phoenix office two years ago. "GiftCard Zen shares the same mission with RetailMeNot, to help … [Read more...] about GiftCard Zen Acquired by RetailMeNot for $22 Million
Hensley Values Seasoned Employees
The sale of Golden Eagle Distributors has a silver lining for the 50 workers who faced the possibility of layoffs. Instead of walking papers, which they expected, most have been rehired by Hensley Beverage Company, which recently purchased Golden Eagle. “It’s really refreshing and no pun intended, this is a beer distributor,” said Carol Curtis of the Coconino Career Center. “We don’t always see that happen.” She said that many times in similar situations, the new owners fire the people … [Read more...] about Hensley Values Seasoned Employees
Customer Service is in His Bones… and Eyes
It is not surprising that people in Flagstaff talk about the personalized service provided by Dr. Phillip J. Wong. Besides successfully navigating the changing Flagstaff market for more than 38 years, the eye doctor comes from a family of longtime Flagstaff service providers. “I think the most important thing for a successful business in Flagstaff is that you have to deal with everyone on a personal level. I think that would be true in any market. You have to show patients that you care,” … [Read more...] about Customer Service is in His Bones… and Eyes
Welcoming Spirited Downtown Libations
A vital town is like a living organism – shedding old skins and growing new ones. Case in point: the closing of old drinking establishments and restaurants and the birth of innovative taverns for both wine and beer downtown. The popularity of Flagstaff as a destination for visitors and as a happy hometown for residents has created an evolving market for a variety of venues for entertainment and social interaction, including first-class restaurants, coffee and tea houses, bars, galleries, … [Read more...] about Welcoming Spirited Downtown Libations
Internet Scammers Stinging Northern Arizona
Internet scammers steal millions of dollars from victims nationwide each year, and they are not ignoring rural Arizona. Last month, Sara Bowyer of Munds Park received a phone call from her father. “He told me that he was on his computer, he clicked on something, and his screen went black. Then an urgent message appeared – something like, ‘Alert! Do not turn off your computer, call this phone number immediately.’ I said, ‘Dad, please tell me you didn’t call the phone number.’ “Well, he had … [Read more...] about Internet Scammers Stinging Northern Arizona