Gilbert’s Agritopia community has a new retail component. Barnone, housed in a remodeled 1950s Quonset hut that formerly served as a barn for the farm, has been sectioned to spaces for local craftsmen and restaurateurs, and opened to the public last November. In keeping with the spirit with which the Johnston family founded Agritopia to preserve the agricultural and village … [More]
Matson Money West Opens as Investment Destination
Registered investment advisory firm Matson Money, which moved to Scottsdale two years ago, is putting a touch of the tourism industry to its presence here. “When determining where to open our new facility, we were looking for a location that offered the best of climate, entertainment, and amenities for our visiting guests,” says Michelle Matson, author of Rich Chick and vice … [More]
2017 Range Rover Sport SE
Known as the luxury SUV brand around the world, Land Rover has continually shaped the market with multiple models to accommodate for size, price, performance and terrain. The 2017 Range Rover Sport SE comes at a time when the market is being dominated again by sportier and more efficient SUVs. The Discovery may be the perfect option. The 6-cylinder, 3.0-liter, Turbocharged … [More]
Phone Bashing
The smartphone is any businessperson’s best asset. To protect that asset, one may wish to obtain an insurance plan through one’s carrier. However, to offset any downtime, it may be necessary to have the right case to protect this asset from any injury. Here are our picks for the best, given what a businessperson may be doing to destroy his or her phone. Lifeproof Known to … [More]
The Vig: Four Neighborhood Hotspots
The Vig restaurants began with a first location in the Arcadia neighborhood — to great acclaim. The intent was to create a family-friendly and fun neighborhood tavern serving American and tavern-inspired comfort food at a good price with the highest-quality ingredients. Today, there are four Valley locations; each has its unique amenities, but all share in the lively and … [More]
Pizza, Pizza, Pizza
It’s still one of the most popular meals in America and always a great idea for lunch. Here are our picks for some of the best lunchtime pizza one can find in the Valley. Pizzeria Bianco Town & Country The famed pizza hot spot, known for diners like Oprah and celebrities of all kinds, has expanded to include this amazing location in Town & Country. Chris Bianco’s … [More]
Feedback: January 2017
Question: What is a lesson learned from 2016 that you anticipate using to your business’s benefit in 2017? Tom Beyer President and CEO Beyer Management Consulting, Inc. Sector: Management Consulting Strategically, the “total product solution” must be a primary part of the planning process. Total solution is more than the features and benefits of a product or service. … [More]
GPS Insight Recognized as One of Phoenix’s Best Places to Work for the Third Consecutive Year
GPS Insight, a leading technology provider of GPS vehicle and asset tracking for commercial and government fleets, was recognized at the Phoenix Business Journal’s Best Places to Work Awards as the number two best place to work in the mid-size business category (100-500 employees). This is the third consecutive year that GPS Insight has been recognized for the award, and the … [More]
Ralph Holmes Joins Cigna’s Arizona Leadership as President and General Manager for Regional Business
Cigna (NYSE:CI) has named Ralph Holmes as president and general manager for its commercial health care benefits plans in Arizona, adding to its Phoenix-based leadership team. Cigna Medical Group (CMG), the multi-specialty medical practice, and seniors plans in Arizona will continue to be led by Edward Kim who joined Cigna in 2011. In his role, Holmes’ responsibilities … [More]
Raising Money for a Business
All businesses need cash to operate. Sometimes a business may need outside financing for buying a new piece of equipment, research and development, buying inventory, or adding sales and marketing capacity. There are two ways to finance the capital of a business: The business can borrow money, called “debt financing,” or the business can sell part of its ownership to an … [More]
Cigna Employees Crochet and Donate 1,500 Caps for Babies at Banner-University Medical Center
Cigna employees crocheted 1,505 caps and donated the handmade hats to babies at Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Wednesday, Dec. 7. More than 700 babies are admitted in the NICU at Banner-University Medical Center every year who are facing a health complication that requires them to be hospitalized for continuing care. A Common … [More]
Startup Phoenix
The past few years have seen a tremendous growth in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the emergence of a strong startup community in Greater Phoenix. The broad interest in incubating businesses and accelerating startup development is evidenced in the diverse membership of the Arizona Business Incubator Association, which ranges from co-working spaces, incubators and … [More]
Courtney Klein, SEED SPOT
The entrepreneurial fever is alive and well in Arizona, and there is no dearth of people with ideas on how to build the proverbial “better mousetrap” — new products or services to meet emerging needs or fresh takes on those that already exist. And all of that energy is what powers a growing economy. But a successful business takes a lot more than an idea, however great it may … [More]
The Strong Case for Culture by Design
The United States destroyed its enemies in World War II because it out-produced them. Its manufacturing capacity was enormous and efficient. Its workforce was inspired and committed. The government, suppliers, and competitors all collaborated to produce the biggest manufacturing juggernaut the world had ever known. It seemed there was no end to America’s manufacturing … [More]
Loving Well, Sans Weirdness
While integrating love in business may sound nice as a theory, the real question is how to do it without it getting … weird. Of course, like anything in life, love can be a bit messy. But, for the sake of everyone, it doesn’t have to be mushy. Loving well and fostering such a unique culture is helped by these simple steps. Build Authentic Relationship It all starts with … [More]
GCU Team Wins Global Competition in Barcelona
It’s official: Storage Together is the best up-and-coming business concept on Earth. The idea was named the overall champion and declared the “Best Solution” at this week’s Smart City App Hack international finals competition in Barcelona. The creation of recent Grand Canyon University graduate Luke Amargo and current students Chelsea Evans, Josh McGuire, Jedidiah Woods … [More]
Yes, Businesses Have a Melt Rate
How can we gauge our relevance going forward in today’s tumultuous, disruptive and global business environment? How can we quickly determine if changes to our strategy and the way we do things is necessary? Are there a few key questions we would be wise to ask with our teams throughout the fiscal year? Let’s consider the case of the trillion-dollar U.S. food industry. As … [More]
Usher Gratitude into the New Year
The year is drawing to a close — a time of reflection for individuals and organizations alike. With that reflection often come resolutions: to focus on health, to raise more fundraising dollars, to make a greater impact on the lives of others. But what about “to be more grateful”? It’s not generally at the top of the resolution list. Science, however, is proving that a focus … [More]
