Grassroots: A Down-to-Earth Experience

by MIke Hunter

From-the-ground-up is the best way to describe this family-owned eatery that is becoming a true standard for the lunch crowd. “Grassroots” is very much the mantra let alone the fare for this Southern-influenced American cuisine hot spot. All high-quality ingredients with from-scratch technique makes for an appetizing experience. Chef/owner Christopher Collins, a seasoned … [More]

2016 Buick Cascada Convertible

by MIke Hunter

Free-spirited and a joy on the open road is the convertible 2016 Buick Cascada. Making a brand shift for the past few years, Buick surprises with its marketing campaign to elevate the brand to a “hip” car manufacturer. Well, there is some meat behind what it is pushing. Many of the Buick models are competing with German luxury vehicles and winning out. One such vehicle is the … [More]

For-Profit Stands on ‘For People’

by Bob Chapman

It was 2009. The global economy was in the beginning of its worst downturn in many, many years. Barry-Wehmiller, at that time, was a 124-year-old company that had started as a supplier of bottle-washers and pasteurizers to the brewing industry. In the late 1980s, financial challenges forced the company to reinvent itself by beginning a process of acquiring companies that … [More]

Fast Pitch: Pitch & Learn

by Mike Hunter

Social Venture Partners is presenting its 6th Fast Pitch Challenge for nonprofits on March 1. Finalists are mentored for two months prior to competing, in an effort to help them perfect their pitch and win the attention of philanthropists. Fast Pitch and Social Venture Partners do so much to give awareness to innovative nonprofits. See some of the past pitches online. Fast … [More]

Considerations with Funding a Company

by R. Steven Reed

Determining the best capital structure for a business is one of the many difficult decisions owners and founders must make. Capital structures vary widely, and what may work best for one company may be completely wrong for another — depending on the industry area, resources available and management team. Different capital structures include bootstrapping (completely financed by … [More]

Buck &Rider: Aussie Beach House-Inspired

by Mike Hunter

This newest eatery from the people at LGO, who brought us Le Grand Orange and Chelsea’s Kitchen, was built from the ground up with Phoenicians in mind, inspired by a beach house in a coastal town in Australia. A unique concept that brings the sea to the dining table, this fun-vibe space is at once open and cozy, fresh and simple in a comfortably causal atmosphere. There’s … [More]

2017 Infiniti Q30

by Mike Hunter

The new Infiniti Q30 is slated for delivery later this year, but is making an impression for its technology, design and focus on a new generation of driver for Infiniti. It is based on an all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 208 horsepower boasting an impressive 258 lb-ft of torque. All of the power is channeled through a 7-speed, dual clutch transmission that pre-selects … [More]

We’re Stuck in a Success Crisis! 

by Susan Ford Collins

Success and leadership have gears — and we’re not shifting them correctly. We’ve gotten stuck in the “more-better-faster, what-have-you-done-for-me-lately, too-busy-racing-around-to-enjoy-our-lives” gear. We’re over-fed, under-nourished, over-medicated, under-rested and under-satisfied. Think of the wear and tear trying to drive everywhere using only one gear — second gear — … [More]

Business-Friendly Environment?

by Mike Hunter

Small-business owners gave Metro Phoenix a B– for its business friendliness, ranking it in the top 50 percent of cities nationwide, according to the recently released 2015 Small Business Friendliness Survey conducted by Thumbtack, a technology-based marketplace designed to connect consumers with small-business professionals within local communities. Among the key findings … [More]

Ocotillo: A Food & Drink Campus

by Mike Hunter

The brainchild of food, drink and coffee enthusiasts Dave Johnson, Sacha Levine, Walt Sterling and Kelly Ehley, this culinary campus is all the rage in Phoenix. With a restaurant, coffee bar, actual bar and an entertainment complex, Ocotillo is bringing patrons all that they desire and thrilling them in the process. This metropolitan campus was built from the ground up in an … [More]