Moonshot is looking for the innovator or entrepreneur with the next great idea. The 2024 Moonshot Rural Pitch Tour – an entrepreneurship contest similar to ABC’s “Shark Tank” – starts this month in Wickenburg. Pitch contests are scheduled in 16 cities across the state, reaching Flagstaff May 3 and 4, and culminating in Cottonwood with the final statewide competition in August. Last year, Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski and his wife, Ruth Ellen, made their pitch and won the statewide competition … [Read more...] about Moonshot Invites Entrepreneurs to Pitch Their Ideas
Local News
Building, Maintaining Business Relationships through Connections
It probably happened around Valentine’s Day in first grade for many of us – we became more aware of the people in our world – our family and our classroom – and we were prompted to send them a nice card, a valentine. For Relationship Marketing Specialist Janice Porter, every day is Valentine’s Day. She has made a business out of showing busy professionals how to build and grow a network efficiently by cultivating and nurturing relationships, which has translated into more business success for … [Read more...] about Building, Maintaining Business Relationships through Connections
Robyn Burtell Makes Sweet Gifts with Flagstaff Fruit Creations
Some might say that meeting new friends when you’re out cycling is a blessing, but when you find a friend and a future business mentor, well, Robyn Burtell might call that one sweet deal. Riding their bikes along the rugged trails around Kingman, her former home, Flagstaff Fruit Creations owner Burtell met Barbara “Be” Tarino and the two immediately bonded. “Robyn is very sweet and hysterically funny. She always makes me laugh on the trails,” said Tarino. “I saw that she was struggling with … [Read more...] about Robyn Burtell Makes Sweet Gifts with Flagstaff Fruit Creations
New Life, Fresh Touches, Positive Outlook Revitalizing Prescott Mall
Chris Lupo, owner of Pine Ridge Marketplace, says he is bringing the mall (formerly known as Prescott Gateway Mall) back to life. Now, his mission is to fill it up. Moving in that direction, he says an art gallery has moved in, a tea shop will soon follow, and Black and White Cafe is expected to arrive in a few months. “Excited is an understatement,” Lupo said about reviving the mall that he says has so much potential. “That’s what motivates us. I want the community to be encouraged to be … [Read more...] about New Life, Fresh Touches, Positive Outlook Revitalizing Prescott Mall
Steve Holmes Marks a Half Century of Building Flagstaff, Strengthening Community
Longtime Flagstaff businessman Martin Zanzucchi remembers the day Steve Holmes first rolled into Flagstaff. “He and another guy [Ed Duley] pulled into a gas station looking for directions to the football field. I looked at these two giants on motorcycles wondering what they were doing here. They had driven in from Compton, California, to play for the Lumberjacks. That was 1968.” As Zanzucchi recalls, “In football in the ‘60s, those guys were tough. They didn’t leave the game. They put tape … [Read more...] about Steve Holmes Marks a Half Century of Building Flagstaff, Strengthening Community
FBN Welcomes Linda Thein
Linda Thein’s colorful multi-media and advertising career has led her from billboards to airwaves, into film studios and casinos, through valleys and over mountains. Today, she is the advertising manager for both the Flagstaff Business News and Quad Cities Business News. “While buying ads for the casinos and selling TV, cable networks or radio airtime in Northern Arizona, I was also picking up Flagstaff Business News,” she said. “I found the articles to be very interesting and also thought it … [Read more...] about FBN Welcomes Linda Thein
Have Kindness, Ambition, Integrity Swiftly Moved into the Spotlight?
Never before have we seen Americans voting with their fashionable pocketbooks like we are witnessing today. And, from marketers to politicians, artists to athletes, we should all be taking notice if we hope to gracefully step into financial and public favor with this beautiful S-curve that promotes kindness, ambition, integrity and, yes, even femininity as strengths. While Taylor Swift was performing hit after hit with songs like “Shake It Off” in the early 2000s, the rising tide of Swifties … [Read more...] about Have Kindness, Ambition, Integrity Swiftly Moved into the Spotlight?
Financial Institution President Marks 40 Years at Credit Union
For longtime Flagstaff resident Jennifer Harris, a serendipitous opportunity that came along when she was a senior at Coconino High School led to a career that has so far lasted 40 years and landed her as president and CEO at Coconino Federal Credit Union. “If you had enough credits, you went to school in the morning and were released to work in the afternoon,” Harris explained. “Your employer contributed to your grade for the class. The CEO at the time came to the class for a presentation and … [Read more...] about Financial Institution President Marks 40 Years at Credit Union
Rolling into the New Year
On the road back home from Montana, Tim and Ruth Ellen Elinski of Cottonwood had a revelation. “We should start a business manufacturing these travel trailers,” said Ruth Ellen to her husband, referencing the camper Tim built from scratch that was rolling behind them in tow. “It got such rave reviews from other travelers on the road,” Tim explained. “At that point, it was just a matter of coming up with a name and jumping in,” he said. And jump in they did. That was five years ago, and since … [Read more...] about Rolling into the New Year
Buckle Up for 2024: Artificial Intelligence is Vastly Accelerating Small Business Efficiency
Wrapped in soft throws and sipping warm lattes, five women business owners gathered on overstuffed couches in a Charleston, South Carolina, beach house in October to mastermind strategies for overcoming challenges and positioning themselves for 2024. Their expertise spanned real estate, finance, marketing, business leadership and energy healing. Ideas were flowing like the gentle waves rolling to shore just outside the home. However, all motion stopped inside with the task of creating online … [Read more...] about Buckle Up for 2024: Artificial Intelligence is Vastly Accelerating Small Business Efficiency