How can farmland investment become more accessible, transparent, and scalable?
In this episode of NWA Founders, we sit down with Carter Malloy, founder and CEO of AcreTrader and Acres.com, to discuss how his company has modernized farmland investing and land data management. Carter shares his journey from hedge fund analyst to startup founder, the challenges of scaling a venture-backed business, and why land remains one of the most underutilized asset classes in the U.S.

Summary

Carter Malloy launched AcreTrader to democratize farmland investment, making it easier for individuals to own shares in farmland without the complexities of direct ownership. As the platform scaled, Carter and his team realized a bigger issue—a lack of accessible data on land transactions and ownership. This led to the creation of Acres.com, a geospatial technology platform that provides real-time land data and analytics for farmers, investors, and real estate professionals.

Raising venture capital and growing a tech-driven agribusiness in Arkansas presented unique challenges, but Carter successfully secured funding from top investors while building a high-caliber team. He discusses the importance of hiring intentionally, fostering a strong company culture, and adapting business models to stay competitive.

Like many startups, AcreTrader faced market shifts, particularly as interest rates and venture capital landscapes changed in 2023. Carter shares candid lessons from scaling too fast, making difficult layoffs, and refocusing on long-term sustainability. His ability to balance rapid growth with operational discipline offers key takeaways for any founder navigating uncertainty.

Highlights

[00:02:15] – Carter’s background in finance and the early inspiration for AcreTrader

[00:12:45] – The mechanics of farmland investing and why it's historically overlooked

[00:22:10] – Raising venture capital outside of Silicon Valley: Myths vs. reality

[00:30:30] – Building Acres.com: Solving the land data transparency problem

[00:41:50] – Scaling a business quickly and lessons from overexpansion

[00:50:25] – How farmland investment compares to other asset classes

[01:02:10] – Carter’s thoughts on leadership, hiring, and company culture

[01:15:30] – What’s next for AcreTrader and the future of land investment

Takeaways

1. Market Disruption Requires Timing & Execution – The success of AcreTrader and Acres.com highlights the power of solving inefficiencies in legacy industries, but execution is just as important as having a great idea.
2. Growth at All Costs is Not Sustainable – Carter candidly shares how scaling too quickly led to tough decisions in 2023, reinforcing that long-term success comes from balancing growth with operational efficiency.
3. Data is the New Competitive Advantage – From farmland investment to geospatial analytics, access to high-quality data is transforming industries, and businesses that leverage data effectively will lead the market.

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What does it take to build a beloved breakfast brand from the ground up?
In this episode of NWA Founders, we sit down with Sam Russell, co-founder of The Buttered Biscuit, to discuss how he and his wife transformed a dream into a thriving restaurant brand in Northwest Arkansas. From corporate America to scratch-made biscuits, Sam shares the journey of identifying a market gap, scaling a restaurant business, and leading with purpose, strategy, and culture.

Summary:

Sam Russell never planned to open a restaurant, but after recognizing that Northwest Arkansas lacked high-quality, scratch-made breakfast options, he and his wife saw an opportunity. With backgrounds in corporate strategy and real estate, they launched Buttered Biscuit in just 40 days after acquiring their first location.

What began as a single breakfast spot quickly evolved into a multi-location brand with six thriving restaurants and more in development. Sam outlines how they self-funded expansion, built a strong leadership team, and made key real estate decisions that positioned Buttered Biscuit for long-term success.

For Sam and his team, success isn’t measured only by revenue—it’s about creating a company that invests in people. From providing full healthcare benefits for employees to launching Project Biscuit, an initiative focused on empowering underestimated individuals in the workforce, Buttered Biscuit demonstrates how a company can grow while maintaining its core values.

Highlights:

[00:02:15] – The vision behind Buttered Biscuit: identifying a market need

[00:07:30] – From corporate America to hospitality: Sam’s transition

[00:15:45] – The 40-day challenge: How they launched their first location

[00:24:10] – Lessons learned from early operational mistakes

[00:33:25] – Scaling to six locations: strategy, leadership, and real estate

[00:47:40] – Why Buttered Biscuit isn’t franchising—yet

[00:55:15] – Building a purpose-driven workplace and launching Project Biscuit

Takeaways:

1. Meet a real market need – Buttered Biscuit thrived because Sam and his wife listened to the community and built their business model around a clear demand for high-quality, made-from-scratch breakfast.
2. Brand culture drives consistency – The Buttered Biscuit Brand Card ensures employees understand and embody the company’s values, creating a strong and unified work environment.
3. Growth should be intentional – Rather than expanding too quickly, Sam and his team focused on building a scalable, high-quality model that supports future expansion without compromising execution or culture.

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We headed to downtown Rogers to visit with Andrea Allen, co-founder of Onyx Coffee Lab and 2020 Barista World Champion to hear how her and her husband built an industry-altering, local coffee company. We also dissect each of Onyx's locations around Northwest Arkansas, dive into Andrea's early mistakes as a business owner, and ask her how she's been able to scale excellence.

NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark and Nick Beyer.

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