What if your company made the Inc. 500 and then almost went out of business?

In this episode of NWA Founders, we sit down with Thomas Addington and Allen Befort, co-founders of Givingtons, to unpack how they built a fast-growing book company and how it almost got away from them. Today, they've built a company that blends storytelling, product design, and brand strategy into something entirely different from traditional publishing, but it wasn't always like that.

For founders who are struggling in building efficient processes for their people, this episode is a masterclass in failing, learning, and persevering while scaling.

Summary

Thomas and Allen break down how Givingtons positioned itself inside an old industry without becoming trapped by it. Rather than competing with traditional publishers on volume or price, they focused on design, presentation, and emotional connection. They built a creator-first book company.

Givingtons grew fast (but not by accident). The founders share how they approached product development with intentionality, how they navigated wholesale and retail partnerships, and why packaging and perceived value matter as much as content.

While Givingtons has a thriving creative culture today, it wasn't always like that. Thomas and Allen rehash the company's most difficult years and their commitment to building a company that focuses on people over products.

Highlights

00:00 What is Custom Electronics?

08:00 The shift in the trades

22:00 Aversion to debt
29:00 Technology in BIG buildings
47:00 Core values
57:00 What's next for Custom Electronics?

Key Takeaways

1. Differentiate in crowded markets by owning a category - Givingtons didn’t try to be a better publisher, they built a different kind of book company.
2. Creative brands still require operational discipline - Product design, inventory, margins, and cash flow matter just as much as vision.
3. Focus on people over products - The founders stayed committed to creating a thriving environment for their people, which in turn makes for better products.

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→ Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart

What does it take to lead a 70+ year old family-owned company into the future without losing sight of what made it successful in the first place?

In this episode, we’re joined by Todd Simmons of Simmons Foods for an in-depth conversation on leadership, legacy, and building a company with a long-term vision. As a multi-generation family business rooted in Northwest Arkansas, Simmons Foods has grown by staying deeply committed to its people, its values, and the communities it serves.

Todd shares thoughtful insights on what it means to lead responsibly, how family businesses can navigate growth without losing their identity, and why stewardship matters just as much as scale. We talk about making decisions with future generations in mind, developing strong leaders from within, and balancing innovation with tradition in an ever-changing industry.

Whether you’re a founder, executive, or emerging leader, this episode offers meaningful perspective on leading with intention and creating impact over the long haul.

Summary

Todd opens up about growing up in Siloam Springs, watching the company expand under his father and grandfather, and how that shaped his views on responsibility and work ethic. After years of learning every part of the business, he stepped into the CEO role and helped transform Simmons into a vertically integrated powerhouse.

One of Todd’s greatest challenges has been maintaining Simmons’ strong internal culture through rapid expansion. He talks about how core values like servant leadership, long-term thinking, and putting people first aren’t just internal slogans, they’re guiding principles baked into how the company operates, recruits, and retains talent.

Todd discusses how Simmons Foods has adapted to market changes, workforce dynamics, and supply chain challenges, all while investing in innovation and infrastructure. He also shares advice for other leaders: take care of your people, have the discipline to make hard decisions, and don’t let growth outpace your values.

Highlights

00:00 Todd's earliest memory of working in Simmons Foods

10:00 Origin of Simmons Foods (Bill Simmons)

33:00 Chaplain Program & Employee Clinics
46:00 NWA in the early 2000s
69:00 Growth of Pet Food Unit

Key Takeaways

1. Lead with values - Simmons Foods has scaled because its leadership is rooted in long-term principles not short-term trends.
2. Culture doesn’t scale automatically - You have to fight for it, reinforce it daily, and protect it as you grow.
3. Stewardship is a strategy - Treating a company like something you’re building for the next generation leads to better decisions.

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For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com

→ Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart

What happens when you combine blue-collar grit with high-tech precision and build a company from the ground up without taking on a dime of debt?

In this episode, we sit down with John Musser, president of Custom Electronics, to explore how a regional integrator went from a borrowed truck and a box of cables to a 100+ employee business working on some of the most iconic projects in Northwest Arkansas.

Custom Electronics is behind the scenes of places like the Ledger, the AMP, and University of Arkansas athletics facilities. But John’s story is about much more than wires, it’s about betting on people, staying debt-free, building from scratch, and creating a culture where hard work isn’t optional, it’s expected.

If you’re a small business owner, tradesperson, or young founder trying to figure out what real, sustainable growth looks like, this episode offers an honest, practical roadmap.

Summary

Custom Electronics was started in 2008 by Victor and Daphne Rell during a housing boom in NWA. John joined in 2014 with a background in commercial electrical work and a drive to scale their commercial offering. Over the next decade, the company would grow 10x, all while running lean, hiring people based on hustle (not résumés), and refusing to take on debt.

Despite national competitors with bigger marketing budgets and deeper pockets, Custom Electronics has carved out market share by focusing on service, speed, and simplicity. From security and AV to smart homes and large-scale commercial systems, John and the team built their reputation by doing the job right and doing it fast.

With five core values (humility, efficiency, dependability, generosity, and excellence) literally tattooed on John’s hand, it’s clear the culture at Custom Electronics is more than a plaque on the wall. They hire for work ethic over experience, reward loyalty with six-figure promotions, and maintain a workplace where hard work is both expected and celebrated.

Highlights

00:00 What is Custom Electronics?

08:00 The shift in the trades

22:00 Aversion to debt
29:00 Technology in BIG buildings
47:00 Core values
57:00 What's next for Custom Electronics?

Key Takeaways

1. You don’t have to take on debt to grow - Building at the speed of cash forces discipline, prioritization, and smarter decisions.
2. Hire on grit, not credentials - John built a 100-person team by looking for people who showed up, worked hard, and wanted to learn.
3. Your culture is your product - From warehouse signage to how you show up at job sites, every touchpoint communicates what your business stands for.

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For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com