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What does it take to not only build a thriving company but to buy it back after it fails and make it stronger than ever?

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Zweig, founder of Zweig Group, a nationally recognized consulting firm for architects and engineers. Mark opens up about his multi-decade entrepreneurial journey from fixing up houses and starting a consultancy from scratch, to surviving bankruptcy, private equity disasters, and buying back his own business.

Whether you’re a new founder, a tired operator, or an aspiring entrepreneur with no roadmap, this episode will give you a masterclass in perseverance, problem-solving, and building a business with your bare hands.

Summary

Mark shares how he left Boston and a successful consulting firm to restart his life in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He explains why NWA’s welcoming, “Wild West” spirit made it the ideal place to teach, build, and rebuild. As a former architect-turned-entrepreneur, Mark’s story weaves together content creation, education, real estate development, and grit, all with one goal: make things better than you found them.

Mark describes himself as a “fixer,” and it shows. From flipping homes with authenticity and style to taking back the reins of Zweig Group after a failed private equity takeover, he’s done it all. His philosophy? Stay in the fight, outlast the storm, and don’t be afraid of risk, just don’t take stupid ones. He breaks down the true cost of failure (not just the trendy kind), how to navigate debt and cash flow crises, and why being hands-on with your team and customers matters more than ever.

Today, Mark teaches entrepreneurship, sits on multiple boards, mentors former students, and writes with brutal honesty. His definition of success is simple: “Spending your time the way you want, with the people you want to be with.” He makes the case for acquiring existing businesses instead of starting new ones, urges young founders to own their role, and reminds us all that you’ll never fail if you don’t give up.

Highlights

00:00 Afraid of taking risks?

10:30 Starting Zweig Group

20:00 Remodeling Homes
31:00 Buying back Zweig Group
43:00 Teaching at Walton College of Business
57:00 Starting a Business in NWA

Key Takeaways

1. Don't romanticize failure. “Fail fast” sounds good in a TED Talk, but in the real world, failure can wreck your credit, reputation, and relationships. Experiment, yes, but don’t build a business on the idea that it’s okay to crash.
2. Buying a business > starting one (most of the time). Acquisitions are often less risky, with built-in cash flow, customers, and teams. Startup worship has made founders overlook this path.
3. Success is ownership over your time. True freedom isn’t money or scale. It’s doing what you want, when you want, with people you respect.

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For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com

→ Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart

In a region growing as fast as Northwest Arkansas, who helps guide the pace of progress?
In this episode, we sit down with Marshall Saviers, CEO & President of Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners, one of the most influential commercial real estate firms in the region. With nearly two decades of experience, Marshall has brokered some of the largest and most impactful deals in Arkansas, but it’s his long-term mindset, focus on relationships, and local-first approach that truly set him apart.

From early lessons learned under seasoned mentors to co-owning and operating a full-service brokerage, Marshall’s journey is grounded in curiosity, trust, and consistency. Whether you’re in real estate, economic development, or simply trying to scale a business with staying power, this conversation is filled with timeless takeaways on partnerships, patience, and playing the long game.

Summary

Marshall shares how his early career was shaped by mentors who modeled both market expertise and personal integrity. He quickly learned that the best deals aren’t just about square footage or price, they’re about listening well, building trust, and solving real problems. That relational focus has guided every chapter of his career, from his first cold calls to navigating nine-figure development projects.

Now as president of Sage Partners, Marshall leads a team that manages more than 6 million square feet of property across Arkansas and beyond. He reflects on what it’s like to grow a business through people, and how transparency, local knowledge, and consistent follow-through keep Sage ahead in a competitive industry. He also talks about partnering with Cushman & Wakefield, and how that relationship has expanded their capabilities without sacrificing their NWA roots.

In a post-COVID world, commercial real estate is changing fast and Marshall has a front-row seat. He shares insights on the rise of mixed-use development, the importance of placemaking, and why Northwest Arkansas’s momentum is still just getting started. Through it all, Marshall emphasizes humility, clear communication, and staying grounded as both a business leader and community member.

Highlights

00:00 Starting Sage Partners

10:30 Surviving the 2008 Recession

29:00 Rapid Growth
43:00 Developing the Analyst Program
53:00 JB Hunt's Vision for Pinnacle

Key Takeaways

1. Play the long game - Marshall’s entire career proves that real estate isn’t about chasing fast deals, it’s about showing up, staying steady, and serving people well over decades.
2. People over property - At every turn, Marshall reinforces the idea that relationships drive results. That mindset has built trust with clients, partners, and the region as a whole.
3. Local roots scale better - Even while partnering with a global brand like Cushman & Wakefield, Marshall and the Sage team have stayed deeply committed to Northwest Arkansas—because that’s where the real value lives.

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For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com

→ Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart

What happens when a broke college student trades potpourri for a secondhand stove and ends up running one of the most productive candle factories in the country?
In this episode, we sit down with Burt Hanna, founder of Hanna’s Candle Company, to talk about building a business brick by brick in Northwest Arkansas. From 20-hour work weeks as a student to multi-million-dollar Walmart orders, Burt's journey is a masterclass in grit, scrappiness, and figuring it out.

This one’s not about flashy exits or polished pitches. It’s about showing up and staying scrappy, even when your entire inventory burns to the ground (literally). Burt opens up about the highs and lows of scaling from $100 side hustles to a $60 million revenue machine, plus what it means to build a company that outlives you. Whether you're a founder in the trenches or just candle-curious, there’s something here for you.

Summary

It all started in 1987, when Burt Hanna was a senior at the University of Arkansas just trying to make an extra $100 a month. With $4,000 in savings and a little help from his dad and a line of credit, he began selling potpourri to local gift shops. By the end of that year, he’d sold over $180,000 worth.

At its peak, Hanna’s Candle Co. hit $60 million in sales, fueled largely by a runaway product: the 6x6 pillar candle. But as with all great runs, the momentum slowed. Between 2005 and 2012, revenue dropped to $9.6 million, a brutal season marked by product saturation, price cuts, and the harsh realities of scale.

Burt didn’t sell to private equity, doesn’t chase government grants, and isn’t interested in brand hype. Why? Because he believes in jobs, real ones. Hanna’s Candle Co. employs hundreds of people in Fayetteville, many of whom have been there for over a decade. And Burt sees the factory as more than just a place to work, it’s a place where people feel safe, respected, and proud of what they build.

Highlights

00:00 Starting Hanna's Candle Company

17:30 From pot-pourri to candles

29:35 The '6 x 6' Candle

41:00 Decline from 2005-2012

1:00:00 Future of Hanna's Candle Company

Key Takeaways

1. Commitment: Burt’s decision not to sell to private equity, and his focus on local jobs, is a bold stance that more founders should consider.
2. Focus: He’s stayed in his lane. No distractions. Just jar candles done better than anyone else.
3. Figure It Out: Whether it was building a machine from scratch, trading potpourri for a stove, or surviving a recession, Burt embodies the scrappy, figure-it-out mentality every founder needs.

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For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com