The 3W Podcast
From the people that bring you 3W Magazine, welcome to the 3W Podcast! We aim to serve our community by promoting awareness of Northwest Arkansas’ thriving philanthropic movement; To provide a guide of dates to help coordinate events so every nonprofit gets the coverage they need and deserve; To give financially to local charities each year.
The 3W Podcast
The 3W Podcast: Mandy Macke, Jennifer Yurachek and Tareneh Manning
Ever wondered how a gala can change lives? Join us for a heartwarming episode of The 3W Podcast, where we sit down with the inspiring "Mandy's Mafia" — Mandy Macke, Jennifer Yurachek and Tareneh Manning. These extraordinary women share their dedication to Arkansas Children's Northwest, spotlighting the importance of the annual Gala of Hope and a remarkable $25 million donation that has significantly impacted pediatric care. Their stories illustrate how community support can transform health care in underserved regions, making quality medical treatment accessible without the agony of long-distance travel.
Our conversation also touches on the broader benefits of having specialized medical facilities close to home. Mandy, Jennifer and Tareneh emphasize how such hospitals not only alleviate the stress on families but also attract top-notch health care professionals and businesses to the area. Personal anecdotes reveal the emotional and practical significance of these institutions, while we reflect on the potential and necessity of expanding health care services to meet the needs of a growing population.
But that's not all! We dive into the exciting collaborations that blend fashion with philanthropy. Discover the allure of the Arkansas-exclusive sneaker collaboration with Christian Louboutin. Listen to the whimsical tale of designing the exclusive “Barbie-esque" shoe for charity and the fun, fashionable moments from the gala. This episode is a testament to how passion, dedication, and community spirit can not only enhance children's health care but also bring a touch of glamour and joy to the lives of those who support these noble causes.
Hey everybody, kasey here with the 3W Podcast. Welcome to the who what Wear. I have three friends with me today. I call them Mandy's Mafia. There's more to her group, but we only have two additional people here today. So first things first. Mandy, will you do the honors of popping the bubbles? Of course, I'm always, always willing, always ready, and now the meeting commences. I brought them the finest plastic today, not to be confused with China the finest Gold rimmed I'm sure it's real gold as well on the real plastic.
Speaker 1:So, out of all things, gold Can't be trusted with glass. That's why Mandy's doing the popping. I know, I know, okay, so here's. I know Okay, so here's my friends Mandy. Mackey Ta Renee Manny and Jennifer, you're a check, so say hey, ladies.
Speaker 1:Hey, this will be the best fun that everyone watches. I just know it. I didn't know that. So it's a lot. I'm not sure what to do. We're writing it in. I know, mandy Mackey, let's say who you are. I'm going to get all the titles correct because I will butcher everything. Sure, executive Director Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation, born and raised since 78 in Fayetteville. Five six, seven, eight. Five, six, seven, eight. Jennifer, you're a check Yuri for short. Sure, first lady of Razorback Athletics and Philanthropist since 2017.
Speaker 2:Yes, that's when you got on the ground, right? Okay, correct, tarina Manning, you go by T.
Speaker 1:That's right. So, interior designer, arts advocate and philanthropist yes, and official, long-term roots since 2005. Yes, yes and before. Philanthropist yes, and official long-term roots since 2005. Yes, yes and before, but yes, yes, with a stat in college, but you were born in oklahoma. I was born here, but no, I have in my old notes. You were born in oklahoma I grew up in oklahoma. Oh gosh, somebody lied in my notes you're right um, if she's in, she's out, she's back. I know right. That's why I'm like I think it was conceded, but hey, what, it could take a turn.
Speaker 1:It could take a turn. The bubbles are out, right. So we're here today to talk about arkansas children's hospital, specifically northwest, and to talk about the upcoming gala of hope on friday, august 2nd, at the fayetteville public library. Right, correct, okay. So, mandy, yes, you will have all kinds of notes. You're passing the torch, but let's start with you. So the gala turned 15 last year. Yes, last year was will golf. No, it was color of hope. So we had a color for 14 years assigned, and last year we, you reinvented it, shook it up. Yes, with the gala of hope. Yes, so you officially chaired it, though in 2019, before the planet shut down. Yes, and it was gold. I was going out with a bang.
Speaker 1:We went out with a bang. Literally how much bang More than 1,500 people got together to, and multiple wardrobe changes. Three wardrobe changes, yes, three. I think that's the max. Right, that's my, yes, that's my max. It's been two ever since. Yeah, just once, just once, yeah, so okay. So gold year you chaired, but you've never, really not. Well, you know, I'm true, okay I keep my hands in the mix.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I like to be a participant. Yeah, yeah, keeping my hands in the mix. But you know, it's, it's fun and it's it's a lot of, um, good work for a good cause. So, besides the fact that I'm a control freak, okay, it makes sense. Same, yeah, you're like and that goes there. Yes, okay, but let's talk about why children's like this came from Pat, right? Yeah, I mean, pat was a longtime philanthropist but her heart really was all about the children, and so when we had the opportunity to partner with Arkansas Children's over the years, it was a natural fit, but most children's over the years, it was a natural fit. But, most most significantly, when acnw was brought to fruition and so we, we buckled down and said, hey, we're going to partner with all these families and organizations and corporations and foundations and northwest arkansas, we all came together to build what we all now know is acnw for the past six years yeah, 18 2018, so one year after you got here.
Speaker 1:Right, right, it was intentional. Yes, absolutely yeah, they knew you were coming, so the church would be passed. And you just gave a huge gift. Last year, at the newly themed Gala of Hope, you gave $25 million, half to be named after her, pat, and for future expansions, and half for an endowment to provide care for generations to come, right. So the hospital ACH Hospital decided they were taking a statewide expansion. So both the Little Rock campus and the Springdale campus are undergoing a major expansion and so when we decided that we would support the big campaign, we directed our funds specifically to Springdale, to AC&W $25 million. Half of it would go to the capital campaign to build the second tower, the second hospital tower, and the other half is going to go to the endowment, which is desperately needed because we need to keep this service going, to continue to recruit and have the best physicians, the best health care professionals providing the care to the children of Northwest Arkansas. And the largest gift to date thanks, great, yeah, yeah, it was special, yeah, and it was special, it was special. And so, in honor of that gift, children's came back and said we're going to name the springville campus the pat walker campus, which is? It's fantastic, it's really sweet every time I don't. I haven't had to seek care there yet, and thankfully, right, I'm seeking care. But if you need care, seek care. That's what I always say. But I haven't needed to seek care yet. But I have been in there and it's just a sense of peace when you drive in and you see her name on the sign Thank you for saying that it's like a hug, right? She was such an integral part of the Springdale and Northwest Arkansas community. She was a grandmother for so many and such a loving and warm smile, and she was authentic and genuine about giving back to help everybody reach their full potential in life, and specifically kids, right, and health care is one of those primary elements. Yes, and without it we're down right. And so you know she lived in Springdale, for she didn't want to move from out of Springdale. She lived in Springdale for decades until didn't want to move from out of Springdale. She lived in Springdale for decades until her passing, and so I think it's super special that the ACNW campus is named.
Speaker 1:I know, I love it. Yeah, thank you, I love it, okay. So we're, we're jumping off of you, we're done. I mean, yeah, I was going to say we're done, don't ask me anything after me. I don't want to follow the ending, because the torch got passed to you. It did, lucky me, oh yeah, lucky you. You got it on the red ear, which was funny, of course. We made it red, but then it was covered. But then it was covered and then it was shut down. Yeah, which was just a bummer, but you pivoted.
Speaker 2:I want to have a yeah, I finally got to wear it, yeah, yeah but you pivoted to tailgate right?
Speaker 1:yeah, even more fitting because we can't get away with it. Yeah, it's more. Of course not no, no firstly, breathe it uh-huh, um yeah, but I mean it was great because obviously, what was actually we? We, I can say this Clank to Fame. We are the only back-to-back chairs. Oh, yes, you are. Yeah, the first year we really scaled it back. Yes, and really just, you know, you had it for two, then the Roberts, then the Swopes, Then the Swopes. Right, Okay, yes, so the first year we it was when yeah, our fans were really crazy.
Speaker 1:We really really just scaled back to something very simple and very small. And then the next year we were still on that bubble. You know, most children's hospitals across the country were not doing any you know sort of gatherings or any kind of gala and things, and so we kind of made the decision that, just to be safe, yeah, absolutely, we're going to just have individual parties and consistency was key.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and that's what we meant in your basement. We did. Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 1:We had a little film. That's right. We filmed in the basement. I mean it was great and I think people loved it. I mean we had wonderful food that was delivered to everybody's house. Yes, there was tables. So you know, your table consisted of of a party for 10 people.
Speaker 2:But it was delivered very dangerous with everything.
Speaker 1:Everybody logged on and watched together and it was. It was really. It was cool to see everybody coming together if we could not be together, coming together all over this area having their own different parties. It was neat. I loved it. It was a cool idea. It was a great idea. It did great in race, yeah, you just support thing. All that matters. Yeah, it's all that matters.
Speaker 1:Yes, but the children talk about your why, oh well, I mean I, I mean obviously, I mean I've got three kids. We've been very, I mean I'm a grand man now. I'm very blessed with good health for each of them, um, but I knew family members, friends, who have had, I mean my, my nephew had cancer, um, and was treated as a jews in in charlotte, um, a couple of years ago. And I just think in any community, I mean we love this community, we adore the people, we adore everything about it. And I just think one of the most important reflections of a community is how we take care of our children. I mean it's the most vulnerable population and to provide health care and not even what you were saying about, like you haven't had to go. Well, that's great. Like Arkansas Children's is making it, you know it's very much into wellness and we want kids to also come Like that's a win. You know what I mean. So everything that they do in this area.
Speaker 1:I mean I was floored by you know how far people had to travel to get this kind of care and having stories of people you know driving to Little Rock in the middle of the night, you know, and oh yeah, I mean it's only getting better right here and I mean we serve such a broad area. So, anyway, bottom line is kids are the core, they're our future, they're the most vulnerable population and to me, that's where giving starts is protecting those and doing whatever you can. So she didn't bully you it was there, might have been a little bully and there might have been some champagne. There's some bubbles.
Speaker 2:There's always bubbles I mean it's a great cause let's be real, that is so true.
Speaker 1:Who says no? There's only a few people I can. It's hard in my mouth, they might too yeah, I'm a room rotter, you know I like force a good cause down. Absolutely anyone, yeah same. They may have questioned whether they still wanted to be my friends after two years never, never. I don't see that happening never yeah no, it was great and I was very blessed. You know, I mean honestly, mandate has introduced me to so many causes and things. Well, you met and you met me, that's a great I mean, ding, ding, ding, that is the conduit to all things.
Speaker 1:Good, yeah, that's so great. Just saying that's a good one. And another conduit member t may, you're the new chair this year. Yeah, I keep calling it. I keep color coding everything, unfortunately. So to me, you're the blue, you're the blue. I just I don't mean to take away from the gala of hope, but I'm like, you're still the blue. Love that Right, because you got your big blue gown with your wings and everything and it's just going to be amazing.
Speaker 2:Gala of Hope. Yes, it's blue.
Speaker 1:It's blue.
Speaker 2:The room is blue.
Speaker 1:The last year was red and gold. Yes, yes.
Speaker 2:Amazing. Yes, talk about this year's. Oh, it's going to be amazing. We are playing off the casino theme again, because that was so much fun, it's so fabulous. We're ranking that up, we're taking it to the next level, just like we're taking the expansion of children's hospital to the next level. That's right. I'm doing the same with the gala and very excited, um, the decorations are divine. Oh, I can to be honest, like I've been involved in fundraising my entire adult life, and it is the most beautiful setting. Thanks to the chair every year.
Speaker 2:The non-chair chair and the chair in the stand Like that, the ghost chair, and I mean. They are such pros. It is absolutely stunning and it is so much fun. And seeing the child up there every year oh my goodness, rip your heart out. Yes, and I don't know if we're talking about this year's child or not, so I'll just keep that under wraps for now and then, but yeah, it's just going to be great. What is your mark on this gala?
Speaker 1:My mark on this gala on this gala, my mark on this gala, aside from all the money that's going to be raised that night. But if you walk into the room, what would I get? Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:Well, taranay is obviously the chair to share well, I think it's more about bringing some new people into the room, and that's really hard because they sold out before anything even goes on and that was another big change from color of hope to gala of hope was the smaller, intimate setting.
Speaker 1:You raise the ticket prices, prices which I fully believe in.
Speaker 2:You raise more money and it's the people that care and give that are actually in the room right and that's honestly more important than the room right, it's the people in the room and the reason we're there for the children and to support the staff every bit of the staff at children's and to make sure that we've got facilities and equipment that they need, and it'll take years to get there. So we have to be long-term committed to this as a community and we have to be long-term committed to this, as you know. Individual yes. So yeah, I mean I mean I don't know about a mark on the room. I mean I really do think it's the people. I mean new people, but people are a mark. I love that, having the opportunity to foster relationships and grow old relationships and new ones with people out in the community that really care about children.
Speaker 1:I love this. So, yeah, okay, I think that's right, but I also think, maybe with the flowers, todd's always numb for having a good floral. I'm like she is an interior designer, so I think, real I think, that you'll find that the linens look okay, you know, I mean, you always go to the right, right we?
Speaker 1:hit it yeah, I think you will. Yes, it might just be feeling a tinge elevated with that and I do think the um, like tarnay said, having the we're taking that casino to the next level. That also is feels very manning-ish, right. Yeah, it does, it does, it does, and so there'll be a bigger, bigger, bigger, bigger area for the gaming and because at the end of the day, investing in this hospital or bringing this hospital to benton and Washington County, that was a gamble.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, I mean right, but a necessary, unnecessary. I mean we have such population growth here and the region around us is underserved and having a children's hospital is necessary, I mean, and growing it so it can really serve at a much fuller capacity. I mean, thank god we have it, we don't want people leaving our area to seek care, love life.
Speaker 1:Yes, that's right. It's actually fascinating. There's 700,000 children in our region. So that's, you know, southern Missouri, southern Kansas and eastern Oklahoma that will benefit from and that do benefit from ACNW. But the expansion will play a key role to making sure that those 700,000 kids, in addition to our two to 300,000 in Northwest Arkansas, are all being satisfied with quality health care close to home.
Speaker 2:That's so amazing, because access is important Access is key.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's key. I mean, without it, you're six feet under or you're like, literally, traveling hours. And that's time, that's money, that money, that's stress, that's, you know, family, yeah, dealing with other family, members of home, I mean there's just a million things that play ever ending, yeah, never ending, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:You have to go far if you have to travel, absolutely decent health care right and on a less mission focused area, it also helps businesses here Absolutely Because you know it helps recruit the top people to our amazing corporation, our Fortune 500 corporation. Absolutely New upstarts Like it's important to have here and you know there are some states that don't have a children's hospital and to have two. I mean kudos to Arkansas.
Speaker 1:It's shocking. Kudos to Arkansas. I feel like they have a children's vision at this point and because there's a lot that it's glad yes, that around the country, right, but that's a testament to our state and our communities, that because children's health care is expensive.
Speaker 1:It is so a lot of hospital systems are getting out of it. It seems so specialized. Well, they specialize. Yeah, very special thing is you don't just need a needle, you need a small needle. Yeah, you know, everything is in a different size. Right, it is for for us at all and the size is this, yeah, that's from birth to right, 18, you got yeah and this is a change and dealing with pediatrics is just different than dealing with with adults.
Speaker 1:So we're but we're bringing in to tarnished part. We're bringing in so many qualified and educated, interesting health care workers, doctors, nurses, everybody that will be working in the facilities. Um, so it's mentioned, forward economic development. So you're bringing in those new members to our community. We're able to turn in with saying you know, we can recruit the businesses in our area can say we have a top notch children's hospital, so you bring your family here and you're not going to be right, you're not traveling out of state to get what you need.
Speaker 1:Or even at glenorock, which going down there is great because they have 100 of the surfaces, we only have a percentage, but we're growing, growing it, yes. And then the third economic is we're bringing in those people from those three other surrounding states. We're going to be the destination for them. So, unfortunately, if somebody's going to have to travel, thank goodness it's not our neighbors. We're satisfying that for our neighbors, checkmark. But we're going to be the destination for these families that are within a driving distance. They'll come to us. Well, that is an economic boost for our community. So it's really it is. It's our 60. It it is, it's star 60. It is, it's one of us.
Speaker 2:I love it.
Speaker 1:So does that. So what's your why?
Speaker 2:We know your why. No, I think I said my why. It's really about Do you have a personal why? Like yeah.
Speaker 1:I mean, aside from you know, all the just feel goods that we do all this every weekend.
Speaker 2:So I've had some real experiences with Children's hospital. So when lance, my husband is a physician and he has privileges at children's hospital and setting his partners and and um, I remember when we were in med school and we moved down to little rock from fayetteville and um and um on is it 6, 30 highway, 6, 30 there, and that Children's is on and honestly, for the first six months I lived there, I could not. I could not drive past Children's Hospital without just breaking down and crying. So I started finding all sorts of alternate routes to go around because I was just like I can't believe there's all these babies in here and this is heartbreaking. I had a young child and then later I had my second child in in little rock and um, and it was just a lot and it was like lisa, I don't know if it's what you decided to do, but I don't know if I can take it. If you come home and you're, you're healing babies with cancer, which he does do actually, um, as an otolaryngologist he does do that. But like I just didn't know if I could take it until the hospital and finally I like I was like, okay, settle yourself down.
Speaker 2:And I went and I it was probably six months in I went and I parked across the street in the parking lot, but just at that point in time pretty dangerous, you're all a little bitty lady over there, you know young, young woman um over there in my car and I sat there and I prayed and I said God, help me, you know, do what's best for the. And I prayed for the children and I prayed for the families and everything they go through, and especially the parents and then the siblings who kind of get pushed to the sides sometimes or you know, or just the fears and the things that they go through. And then I started praying for everybody in there. I said, janice, I prayed for the ticks, I prayed for delivery people, just everything that God would move through them and use that institution, use that hospital and use the people in Arkansas to really make other people's lives healthier and happier and to bless them with what God's will is for them. And so I mean, like that was, like it kind of sounds crazy. No, I love it.
Speaker 1:It's a crazy thing.
Speaker 2:I like it. I mean I'm way being way too honest here, but it's the truth. Yes, you know, and I mean of course I've had friends and family members and I'm not going to tell other people's personal stories, but they're very heartbreaking and then also very hopeful and wonderful. Things have come out of both the heartbreak and the losses, as well as the what I would call the victories and the survivors, and so, but those aren't my stories to tell.
Speaker 1:But those institutions, they can be scary, right. You're like, oh, I don't know what's going on in there.
Speaker 1:I'm scared of what's going on. But I think until you force yourself to either sit outside and pray or to walk through those doors and see all the miracles happening, it completely turns the tide on. Yes, yes, what your, your anticipations are of that place, or that's how I felt in the past, when I'm like, oh my god, I have a similar experience, not not with a hospital, but with another nonprofit here in town and it deals with children, and I'm like I am never going out there and they're like just come out here for a tour and it flipped everything. Now is the worst time to take a tour, because I was like, not seven months pregnant. I'm like what is wrong with you? You have a new baby in here that's seeking care. I don't need to see that, but that was where that new baby needed to be for safety.
Speaker 1:That's so right, like that's what the children taught. It's providing hope. They're always providing hope. The second you walk through those doors, yes, it's not scary, it's hopeful. And it's not scary. Well, speaking of that, from the aesthetics, it's not scary when you walk in there. It's not scary when you walk in there. It's so peaceful, it's light, it's airy, it's colorful.
Speaker 1:There's animals and figurines and things for kids to touch. It's interactive, the floors have things to touch on and there's just so much that makes it friendly and not scary.
Speaker 2:Even the security is friendly. Like you wearing a badge. Everybody goes in and signs in and wears their badge and everybody's so sweet about it and they're sweet about taking it back from you and, like you, don't feel like you're.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's a special skill set of people that work there. It is, but Arkansas Children's does a really good job of wrapping their arms around the family, and it's not just the child and the parent, it's their siblings. You know, I my year working with the johnsons and and tori, who had battle oh my gosh, she went to pre-k with my youngest actually, yes, and she's all.
Speaker 1:yes, she's a spitfire. She is a spitfire and I love that about. I don't you. But then her older sister, sydney, you know she's a. She was an older, the older sibling of someone battling, yeah, cancer and that's a very difficult thing for for a, they go by the wayside on accident, right, but Children's does a nice job of making sure that the siblings and the family are taken care of and that all their needs are met and really working the whole. And I think that speaks volumes to the staff, to the culture of our children. Yes, but it actually to me represents the very fiber of Northwest Target. I and I think, but it actually to me represents the, the, the very fiber of Northwest targets. I was just getting ready to say it. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:So I think that it really is care of each other. Yes, yes, so I I'm. It's such a proud collaboration, I think, for everybody that has been able to partner with children's and for those that haven't. I hope that they learn about ACNW and think maybe how they could partner. And maybe there are so many avenues there are, because, at the end of the day, a health care facility is like a city.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean it employs everything that you could ever think of in those pretend four walls. Yeah, so there's always a way to contribute or to step up or volunteer or advocate or anything. Yeah, and it can be something that sam's minimal to you, I mean can buy, like buying a toy, calling in on a telethon. It can be things that are a little bit more distant and remote, because that would be your comfort level, right? Not everybody's boots on the ground, not everybody's boots on the ground. You don't have to be the the volunteer that. I know several of the people who volunteer there, um, but you don't have to be doing that. Boots on the ground, everybody's boots on the ground. You don't have to be the volunteer. I know several of the people who volunteer there, but you don't have to be doing that boots on the ground activity. You don't have to sit on a board.
Speaker 2:You don't have to be a lady.
Speaker 1:I know the boots on the ground person.
Speaker 1:And you don't have to give five, six figures, seven figures to be important. Five dollars makes a huge difference. A toy drive difference. A toy drive, exactly A bag of candy. So I think that there's so much that we can all do to come together and support something as comprehensive as Arkansas Children's, but do it in a way that's meaningful to each of us. Absolutely. That's exciting and I think Children's lends itself to that. They have several different arms for fundraising. Of course, not only the gala, they have the golf tournament. Do you know how old the golf tournament is? 30 years, okay, yeah, I knew it was. I have gazillion written down in my notes little golfer kids is an amazing event and they've been doing.
Speaker 1:The guys, um, mike has been doing such a great job, you know mike sewell. Yes, consistent from day one, right, okay, yes, I mean he is, and they do such a nice job. And getting a large number of people to come out and participate, and the vendor community in particular, is important, but it's. It's exciting, right, it's something that they've been doing and people look forward to. I'm not a golfer, but but, um, that's my button drive. A mean beverage cart, oh I well, I can just you can receive.
Speaker 1:We have to do our part, casey. Yeah, I mean, there's stuff up, that's right just take your little tip cup to that that pole, oh wow I probably shouldn't have said that.
Speaker 2:Okay, okay, I'm gonna take it back and you were saying that you could do and that they should be proud. It's also an honor um to to be affiliated with children's right. But here's the real thing if you can't give anything, if you don't have time, if you're overwhelmed with work and children and family or whatever it is that you're you might have going on in your life, if you don't have financial resources, you don't have time or resources. You can talk about it to people. You can talk about your experience. If you've had a great experience, a little like you can certainly just give it a good word every chance you can get to people, just talk it up like that's important here.
Speaker 2:And then you know, I was on the ramen noodle diet when I parked across the street and I mean, you know. But then come to the circle around now and here I am, you know, and it's a god thing, that was your path. It's a god thing, yeah, but also, you know, always held it in my heart and so and have good things to say about it, have good things to share with the community and people in your circle. Word of mouth is invaluable, it really is. So if you think you have nothing, we always have something.
Speaker 1:Okay, you never know what story or how that affects something, and how that or someone and how that gets carried on.
Speaker 2:You get to talk to somebody about it in Walmartmart or at the airport, somebody else over here and makes a huge donation yes, that's absolutely true.
Speaker 1:Just talk on those planes at xna that's, that's my favorite. I mean, I like you don't know who you're sitting by, just just keep talking, but you're always. But you're always, there's always someone you know on that plane. Yeah, I just love it when everyone comes in from out of town. Well, I work for it and I'm like what you do. Yeah, sure, you do Not sure you will after this visit, but I thank you for coming in Locked you out. It's a bubble, cher.
Speaker 1:And it's a bubble, very, let's all be clear. Yeah, let's trade money. Let's all be clear. Yeah, let's turn your money, yeah, so 30 years of will golf, okay, yes, and that's august 1st and 2nd, so thursday and friday, yeah, and then out of will golf was how color of hope was born. That's right, was eight, yeah, it started off back in the day where they, um, like a barbecue, yes, after the golfers would get done, okay, and kind of have a little meal and and like a barbecue, I think. Then family and friends came and joined the golfers and kind of expanded and then, 16 years ago, they said, okay, we'll make this a real event, color of hope. And it was to your point, there was a color I know I can't get away from it.
Speaker 1:No, no, that's how it was I was, you know, the silver year, the green year, white, yes, that's how I reference it, but year one was blue it was, you know, but I'll your. One was blue. Ironically, year two was purple after that. Year two was purple After that, not real sure there was some green in there. Yeah, there was brown Chocolate, wasn't there? Raspberry, one year Raspberry.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that was 2018.
Speaker 1:That was great. I remember her tail as raspberry yes, raspberry. There was a turquoise-y year. There was a turquoise-y year Something. There were two. It wasn't brown, it was chocolate. Yeah, it was chocolate. It was chocolate because mars reekley was a sponsor, so and that's where. And then you voted on it. After you donated, you voted on the color of the m&m for the. So I'm gonna go here vote and you got a bracelet. Okay, that's cool, yeah, but you know, back there were thousand 59 people every year doing this.
Speaker 2:It was unique right.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, that was the unique part of it, and now you've retooled it. Well, you know, during those years they didn't have a hospital even so, think about that for three decades men and north and women of northwest are golfing for ach down in little rock, which I mean.
Speaker 1:That speaks fine that's huge people of northwest talk is not saying, hey, we understand that little rock has our children's hospital and they're raising funds and awareness and the conversation to promote ACH, right. And then 16 years ago they said, okay, now we're gonna, we're gonna elevate this, we're gonna have a gala, we're gonna have a party, we're gonna have fun, there's gonna be an auction involved and we're gonna get colors and all these things happening. And so they, we did that and then, all of a sudden, we had a, had a hospital opening. I think was the announcement, with the helicopter on the stage, that we were getting the a hospital opening. I think was the announcement, with the helicopter on the stage, that we were getting the physical hospital.
Speaker 1:Do you remember that? Was it the helicopter or the ambulance year? Because do you remember we had an ambulance one year in a helicopter and we had all the kids on. Then remember the year we had all the kids on stage? I do, um, that was a special year. That was a blue year. Okay, I remember being on stage. Do we have? Oh, was that maybe the turquoise hair?
Speaker 1:no, did we bring, it was blue.
Speaker 2:Oh, we brought oh yeah, because this isn't a color jaycee, we're not in blue mode.
Speaker 1:Did you say last year? No, oh well, we were in we're blue the year we had all the kids on stage. Oh, oh, oh, oh, yes, but that was we're not. This is not blue. No, no, we're not blue, even though we're black tie blue.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh it is such a point of contention with me and I think it is with you too.
Speaker 1:Oh, I know what you're about to say. Yes, black tie is black tie. Black tie means, ladies, you're in a long dress, long dress and gown. Do not wear a cocktail short dress, do not wear high-low gown, only Do not wear a tie. Well, it can be a black tie tie Right, a little fuzzy in there. So here's the thing. I agree, tuxedos, tuxedo. But I actually like a little flair for gentlemen, because otherwise they're not gentleman, because otherwise, well, you can bring personality.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's right, I don't think everybody has to be in a black tuxedo. I think, right, watch it, how about it? I think a black suit, yes, it is acceptable. I think no, it's acceptable. I think that, um, adding a cool tuxedo color, yeah, yes bring it on man why? Not.
Speaker 1:Yeah, don't wear a colored waist yeah, don't wear your navy blue suit. Don't wear your tan poplin suit because it's in August. Yeah, oh my, oh, my Well, I don't think anyone's coming in tan, but I do. I would choose a beautiful navy suit. I have seen some beautiful navy tuxedos, so there can be a very tailored blue suit that I can approve. And I'm pretty picky, I know, we know, yeah, but it's not a surprise here. So I think that there is room for creativity for men. But the bottom line is black tie means formal, it does Long and it means not casual, yes, you know. So I do think we have some room for personal play and education. Yes, yeah, but it's formal. Yes, it's not optional. It's not black tie optional, it's not optional. It's not black tie optional, it's black tie. That's right. That's right. Maybe we need to change the wording of black tie. To what would we change it to? I don't know. We've talked about this for years now. How about a little leg down?
Speaker 2:I know, right, I'm like, obviously, somewhat like well late, I'm telling you, I have some thoughts on some of the ladies.
Speaker 1:Doesn't matter what color, where, any color to me black tie is the most like this, that that is not like it's not like sassy casual. Oh yeah, I don't know what any of that means.
Speaker 2:I don't know, I don't know, oh is it not clear?
Speaker 1:no, no that's all over the place. Someone we have some of that once and it was spunky something. Oh, that's, I don't know. I love all that.
Speaker 2:It's all spunky what about smart casual? Oh, I love that, I love that, and smart casual stupid casual, something that's called stupid casual.
Speaker 1:It was in behind. Somebody did something in the dress code with snappy casual, snappy casual.
Speaker 2:I mean, that's kind of how you dress Do you think I'm snappy?
Speaker 1:casual, I do. That could be my grandma named Snappy. No.
Speaker 2:Jimmy.
Speaker 1:There we go, there we go and we're back, and we're back. I'm a big, big fan. Is that a debate right now? Big fan, is that a debate right now? Well, my kids are just. Well, I have a grand right. Yeah, do you have a name? Not really, I like jammy, but my kid, they have some. They have some associations with it. So my, my kids have some associates. Okay, jammy, okay, well, I'm just gonna let him name me. Who came up with all these things? Everybody says that, yeah, I'll be so hard on them, that is so hard. They want to start pushing it, so they'll say it. They're calling me Jenny, I don't know, but then it's not really a great call Jenny, just Jenny.
Speaker 2:No, I agree. Jenny, jenny, maybe that's Cheers to me, oh my God, with a little posture, jenny, that's a fancy Jenny. I was thinking for a skunk, jenna.
Speaker 1:That's where I was. Yeah, I'm living on.
Speaker 2:I don't know about that, take it sister no, I'm like no, no, not jenna no and jenny.
Speaker 1:Why jenny? Well, I think of jam. It's adorable I. I was googling, good grandma, and I found it and I was like this is perfect, jammy, jammy. I think it's adorable, but I cannot get into fancier than a jammy. It's in the key. Um, fancier you do you? Do you so fancy, I so fancy? I would not take gg if I were you. That's really overdone they should have seen and I have a gg, or my height change. What's yours gonna be, gg? Oh that is quick. Well, great yeah I'm going over.
Speaker 2:My kids tell me I do love gg.
Speaker 1:I just, I'm just messing with you, yeah you're, I'm pretty sure I cuss You're going to end up being a Gigi now. I totally will. My mom's a Gigi, my mom's a Gigi, yeah.
Speaker 2:There's so many Gigi's now.
Speaker 1:Maybe some Gigi's are a ROR. I'm not going to be a.
Speaker 2:Queenie and I'm not going to be a Mimi, and other than that I'm pretty okay with whatever they came up with. Probably no tt, maybe not tt tata tg oh, tata's funny. It's also maybe I don't know if you agree it's on you that yeah, it's fitting so. So my son always said you're gonna be taught and you're gonna be tootie. Ta, that's what you're going to be, oh.
Speaker 1:Tootie Tom Exactly.
Speaker 2:A terrible commercial and I'm like I'm not a Tootie. A Tootie, tom, I'm not a Tootie. Yeah, rah-rah, what Rah-rah?
Speaker 1:Maybe Kind of sounds like a dog barking, but maybe I was thinking cheerleading, okay, because you are kind of a cheer. Ask Lance about that.
Speaker 2:I don't think we're going to go there, it's just so bad.
Speaker 1:He's outside. Just kidding. I'm playing, I'm hanging, I'm like it's all right. Ooh Shit. That'd be funny if Lance just opened the door. I am here. I am here Speaking of.
Speaker 2:I am co-chair, dr Lance Manning. Co-chair, yeah, dr Lance Manning.
Speaker 1:I know, we didn't even talk about Lance. He's okay. We should have bought a paper doll. That would have been funny.
Speaker 2:I know I didn't think about it, but no pens, not like a voodoo doll?
Speaker 1:No, definitely not Just like a black one.
Speaker 2:We should have bought.
Speaker 1:Black Hunter too, because he helped you share. Hunter and Lance, I've seen them a hundred and one A hundred and one.
Speaker 2:Yes, let me tell you, I've seen them at these galas more than once, hasn't I? I still haven't. Well, and also at your house in the basement. Our basement gala the park, since you've been here and they pretty much just sit in the chairs and watch the ladies dance as we dance. That's right, they're helpers, they're helpers. Lance has actually done a great job helping. He's secured some pretty nice auction items oh that's awesome. Big shout out Lance Manning. Thank you. Can we tease any auction items.
Speaker 1:I think we can tease yours because we haven't announced anything else. But if you want to tease yours, you can. Otherwise, we haven't started pushing what's going to be out there yet. It'll come out next week, is that okay? Good job, it's a good variety I have a cover that tells me these things.
Speaker 2:You mean by the silent auction, Silent and live.
Speaker 1:Oh well, we can't use ours, because I think we're not going to put our names on it. Top secret y'all. Okay well, so we have some really good things, but the silent art is good. Variety, yeah, on both silent and, yeah, live. A lot of variety, something for everyone but, I think that's the thing about what's what's nice about gala of hope. So you've referenced that we've gone from a big, a big event in um. We went from a barbecue to a huge event.
Speaker 1:we went from a barbecue to a huge event and now we've got it back down to 500 people and changed locations. We're at the Fayetteville Public Library, which is so intimate and beautiful, amazing, it's a beautiful space. But then, if you've been to the Fayetteville Public Library and seen how amazing it is, wait. And if you come to Gala, because it is transformed by fabric and the chandeliers and the decor.
Speaker 2:And the walls.
Speaker 1:And the walls, and the walls, and the entire place and the wall the entire place.
Speaker 2:Yes, it is. It is something Crazy, it's something. Yeah, yes, and it's a heard out Met Gala, that's right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and so we've elevated it right, but we brought a third of the people into the room. But what's nice is that the silent auction and the live auction can be viewed by anybody. You can bid on any of it. Accessibility yeah, accessibility, just like the hospital. That's right, and so I think that's what's exciting. So people can get on and bid on any of the silent auction items. You can bid on the live auction whether you're coming or not, and then it does shut down at a certain point on that Friday and you have to start going either to live proxy or in the room.
Speaker 2:Right, but that makes sense?
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely, and so you can be a part of it. Whether you can be there or not, I love it, yeah, so that is some really good things. People should keep their eyes on Death and Mally. Experiences, experiences, experiences are huge. No one needs any more stuff. All they. I want a little bit of stuff. Well, I mean, let's talk about stuff. Let's talk about stuff. Let's talk about some stuff that you have happening in August. Let's talk about some stuff. Let's talk about some stuff.
Speaker 1:We've been super lucky to get Christian Louboutin to be a sponsor and supporter of Arkansas Children's. It started in 2019, and they have continued to partner with us every year and it's amazing. They bring a pop-up shop and we have an invite only uh, sale, but it's not hard, but it's so. Yes, it started off as like just my friends yes, right, my friends came and shopped, which we appreciate. Yes, and now we we still invite us. It's not hard to get invited because you can come with a, you can ask a friend to bring you. Yes, people will reach out to me and say, hi, you don't know me, but but I want to come to your event. Great, it's for the kids, it's all for the kids. It's for the children, because they come back 10% of the time. That's why my shoes are pretty. It's for the children.
Speaker 2:That's why.
Speaker 1:Mr Louboutin gave me this bag and he decorated it for me and inspired the dogon it. So I carry it to promote um gay love. Hope. It was color of hope then, but at the time we were raising money for pediatric cancer so our hematology oncology unit could be um added, and it is. It has been added and now we're working on the expansion, so to touch it bringing back I love it.
Speaker 1:So they're a sponsor of of gay love hope, but they are will also come a few weeks after gay love hope and we'll do another pop-up for their next collection, for their fall collection, and we have a fun theme for this collection. They're doing a little bit of a Western theme Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, cowboy Up, friends. And we are all country music lovers. Absolutely, they keep their traditional, you know heels. Everyone needs a pump. My boyette friends it's gonna, and we're all country music lovers absolutely they keep their traditional, you know.
Speaker 1:Uh, everyone needs a pump. There's sneakers. I've got a lot of their sneakers now and they've just got a lot things for everybody. A lot of sharks, yeah, sharks, a lot of sharks. They even collaborated with me. We made an arkansas exclusive sneaker this past year. So that was yes. Does everybody in this room own the sneaker? Yes, yes, absolutely. Y'all were my listeners, actually you did I did end up with a pair. Yes, you did, there are only 70 people worldwide, men and women, 70 who have that sneaker and ladies.
Speaker 2:That's right here too, right? Oh yeah, yeah, that's right, I know it's a really comfortable shoe. I know it is. It's one of the best shoes.
Speaker 1:It really is. I had to go down, so my size was not there, and so I was like, oh, I'm SOL. And then, I don't know, somebody made me stick my foot in one of them anyway. So I had to go down. So it worked out and that size was there it was meant to be. Yeah, yeah, that is the thing I will say about designer shoes, regardless of the brand. I'm not a size consistent. No, these are smaller than my original sharks that, oh, then the your sharks that I bought from. Well, they're all from you, but your, your capsule, your capsule collection, is smaller than this one.
Speaker 1:So look at tom buff t. Yes, yes, yes, I saw the two of you at an event in may of children's a la carte, yes, and somebody came up to me just randomly at another side of the event was like is that from mandy's capsule? It is, it, is it, it absolutely is, it absolutely is. Yeah, yes, and it's a very bold shoe for me. It is a bold shoe for you. You do do a little bit. You like a little plain, like a black, a white, a neutral floral or something. You're white with this, yeah, but red was. I was proud of you, yes, so I wore it to Razorback baseball games. Yes Pairs well with yes. Well, I mean, it is Razorback red, it is Hunter has worn his and done a lot of street cred from the future athletes.
Speaker 2:Oh.
Speaker 1:I'm sure, I'm sure yes.
Speaker 1:They're like oh, we might like you. Yes, he might be cool, he might be. The kids know what they are. Yeah, yeah, for sure they do. Yeah, what's? Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure they do. Yeah, what's? Um, yeah, so talk about your capsule. I know I just got side, no, that's right. But, yeah, talk about your capsule, even though it was like one and done, and sorry that y'all didn't get to join us, but speak to that because it was really cool. I had two pair. I think I got two. Yeah, a barbie shoe, yes, so we did. So. What happened was, a couple years ago I said, um, we need red shoe, we need us, we need something here for arkansas fans, because obviously the bottoms are always red, but they don't always have. Well, we don't walk around like this, that's right.
Speaker 2:There's not a red I do find myself doing that when I'm wearing it.
Speaker 1:I'm always like just gonna cross my or in a picture I like stick my foot out a little bit or lift my toe up, because I mean sure, that is too funny, I love it. I love it. Well. And and so they said, okay, we'll do something. So we started working on. What would we want to make? Well, I learned a lot about the, the brand and how they make something. First of all, collaborations previously were not being done, so marvel got ahead of me. Thank you, marvel. I mean, come on. But then we partnered and um collaborated and said and partnered it's a loose term. I mean I literally said I want to do this, they did it. I get nothing from it other than they give back to arkansas children. That's the partnership. But, um, we came up with the sneaker how long did it take?
Speaker 1:well, it's their exclusive shoes to here. Well, so they stole, right, they came here so we said we're gonna have a shoe. They don't do a capsule, meaning they have to have more than a shoe, okay, so we did a shoe for men and women and then we did a lady shoe, and that shoe, in all fairness, I just said, um, I needed to coordinate with what I also wanted a stadium bag. Okay, a university approved stadium bag. So it's a clear bag that you can take to sporting events and concerts. And I missed that purchase. That was well, it was. That was a no. No on my end. You should, I know, right, it's a massive regret.
Speaker 1:Having gone to the amp a couple of weeks ago, I was like, darn it, I'm going to play. Yeah, I was carrying that, it's all playing. Yeah, yes it, that has been, I think.
Speaker 2:Actually, though, we are working with them on that becoming part of their collection because it was that should be bad, because those sold out, those sold out in in minutes I mean I told you they would sell out before, like you could pre-sell them, and they'd been gone, like I was maybe gonna have to be out of town and I was losing my eye, like if I don't have that stadium, but if you do not secure me that stadium bag, because everyone's going to stadium bags, but that was a delight.
Speaker 1:So when you asked how long it was 18 to 24 months, but it was about the back, so it's PBC right, and so they were working on what type of quality would hold, because they're known for their embellishment right Like embezzlements. Yeah, they, and it needed to be able to hold the structure could still be clear because we were also we're very clear with them.
Speaker 2:It has to be clear. I was clear, I had clear paris right.
Speaker 1:So yes, it's not. It's not the same. They don't know, they don't rules Right. So we worked on that for a long time and they were not. The atelier was having trouble getting it all right. Finally they did. Finally they did. I love it. It was clear as mud for them. It was clear as mud, so they had a bag and a red sneaker and then they came up with a shoe to match the bag and that's that, the Barbie shoe. Yeah, so it's the clear PVC with the white heel that has a little bit of spike down the back and a little bit of curve. And a little bit of curve, because that's the new heel style that was part of their new release this year, and so that was a harder. That was harder for us to sell, if you can imagine. You know what.
Speaker 1:I wore that to BFF opening night and I got a million compliments on that shoe. It was real comfortable, Like it's not high. It's higher than a kitten, but it's lower. Yeah, it's an 85, I think it's an 85.
Speaker 2:It's an 85.
Speaker 1:Again, a little higher than a kitten, a little lower than a whatever, a regular.
Speaker 2:Regular.
Speaker 1:And I was like this is really like I'm in flats, but I don't like to be in flats, but I'm still on a heel, but a higher than a kitten.
Speaker 2:It still gets your calf that lift, it does.
Speaker 1:And the clear PVC whatever we call that held up to the heat, the humidity that evening. It did not fog over. No, because I'm like gross. Well, yes, and I have a pvc shoe of theirs from like a decade ago and that that pvc does fog that and that's so gross. And I love the look of all the pvc shoes. Yeah, so they worked it. They worked, reworked it, revamped it, um, and it is a very sexy, but it is, it's like it's a special, it's a statement. Yes, yes, and it is. It's like it's a special, it's a statement. Yes, yes, it's an understated shoe. Yes, so it's a winner. You're like it's a gala shoe and I'm like what the heck it is. I'm wearing this all summer Jeans and a v-neck white tee. It's so cute. Right Sun dresses so cute. Yes, gala dresses yes, I loved it. Wapta dresses Winning yes.
Speaker 1:You can wear it anywhere. I think that's the best part, and I do believe Crystal Bridges. She wore it. Yes, both Brittany and Taryn wore it. Oh, because?
Speaker 2:it was a white party.
Speaker 1:It was a white party, yes, perfect. And then I was going to wear it. I was like we're too much. Him and Jewel said I like your bags, they're like.
Speaker 2:Thank you.
Speaker 1:Well, you notice there's a theme going on here. It's for the kids, friends like the same things. Right, exactly. Well, and it was your castle, that's right and that's the key. So nobody else has these. Somebody was like I like your shoe. I was like, was like, especially when you can't get. So it's for the you're starting, sorry, that's right, you know what.
Speaker 2:You weren't on the list.
Speaker 1:A word for mandy mackie exclusive, exclusive, it's an exclusive shoe it is an exclusive shoe and it benefited the children of arkansas. Right, yeah, but that was a special event in april. In april, it's not what I was expecting when I walked in, right? Like oh where's all the shoes? They're? They will be right here they are coming.
Speaker 1:They're coming in August yeah, yeah, yeah, it was it was a change, like they'll wrap their arm around and you know when you say capsule on a trunk show, people don't really understand if you've never been to a capsule. I didn't even read. I'm just gonna be honest. It was like Monday shoe party is this day, I call it Monday's shoe party.
Speaker 1:I book my appointment and I show up and spend and we like that. It doesn't really matter if you're going to have a capsule or a horse. Thank you, yes, and they were. So. I mean they were so good about bringing additional things in as things sold out. I mean they were getting shipments every day.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we sold out of all the women's sneakers and the handbag within day one Nuts, yeah, yeah, that's crazy. And so they. All we had left were some Barbie shoes and so we were bringing in product like by the hours, like there'd be a shipment that would arrive, you know, one at 10 and then at two o'clock because they were just overnighting, and you know, I love that.
Speaker 2:So I do have a pair, a shoe box, that stuff, a little title man that says sa mandy.
Speaker 1:so my sales associate, yeah, well, the funny part is, people will talk to me if I am selling shoes. I'm like, well, I'm, I'm hustling for the children, yes, but I'm not selling shoes today. Not that I would be buying. I love it so much.
Speaker 2:I have a real job.
Speaker 1:I have a real job Sales associate Sales associate Mandy, that's like that is perfection, right? It says the printed out tag no. Oh, just a post-it I wish they would change all the receipts to say your name.
Speaker 2:That would be hilarious that to say your name that would be hilarious.
Speaker 1:That's your goal for August. Yeah, mark would. Yeah, the funny part is so it's called the Mandy. It's the Mandy Maxi or Mandy Maxi Capsule Collection, because I want to call it the Arkansas Capsule. No.
Speaker 2:I mean, it's so great.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Well, but it's you. So in Paris they're calling it Mandy Mackey, and then they'll say what's the plan for the Arkansas party. Is she related to.
Speaker 1:Bob Mackey, exactly, yeah, that's where I go, but they call it the Arkansas event and we become a part of the conversation. Do they do these events around the country? Do they have other people they partner with? You're just the most special. Well, they partner with organizations and nonprofits, but they do them in-house at at their stores. Okay, so we were the first to go off-site and we were successful. So they tried it. Somebody else tried to mimic it and it wasn't as successful for them. So they're, they're open as a brand. They've been talking to other people, but there haven't been as many that have come to be because they can't get the logistics. So I'm sure there'll be more of this. I mean, I've talked to two other store managers who've asked me how did I make it successful, what, what worked and how did I make it work. So they're working on it.
Speaker 1:Okay, because louis vuitton's um are sold the. The store is still very teeny, tiny. It's still tiny. I mean, mr louisitt has been designing since I think he went 91 maybe, you know, like when he broke out on his own okay, um, but it's still a very mom and pop shop kind of mentality and so they have few, few boutiques and then now they have, and, of course, sax and neiman's and bernberth's, and now nordstrom sell them in their stores, but not all stores, Okay, like they'll have shoes specific to the store, right, right, and so they do different things, and then they have an online presence, obviously, and then they have their international boutiques, right, so they're working on, you know, expanding. I like this.
Speaker 2:You own this little. I don't know what we want. She actually created this. She how, how, how. Her vision for children's hospital right for the children it has a fashion world yes, international stage. Yes, like they and look, it's so much better in northwest arkansas yes, I mean, we are ripping and it's so funny somebody
Speaker 1:said to me, they're like hunter's cool. Now I mean, right, yeah, well, I will say I'm going to give a shout out to the brand because they knew, when I became chair for 2019, they said what can we do to help you? They asked me and I thought that was super great and they said what can we do for you? And so not only did they have that very first pop-up and then so therefore, they became a sponsor for 2019. Mr louis baton did a video and it was very sweet and saying, you know, like, thank you, people of northwest times, oh, good luck, raise the money for these children. He's a father and it was. It was very kind and it was from his heart, because he doesn't just say yes to any old charity. You can't Right. And so I feel like we had buy-in from the brand, because Arkansas Children's is important and they could understand that, they could feel that they got the message and they said, yeah, we'll partner with you. And I think that circles back to speaking volumes to our community that's right To our community and what Arkansas children's means to our state. And so they were.
Speaker 1:There were a brand at that time who had no presence in arkansas. I love that no, zero. So they've since started presence through you. I might have we might have been the largest sales those days over the last century. I went into one of their boutiques in vegas and I was looking it was right before one of your shows and I was like the guy had to let me in and I'm like looking, I know exactly what I'm looking for. I'm looking for the like spaceship shirt looking thing and I don't see. It's real obvious, right, it's real big and loud and neon and orange one yes, you and I both have yes, and I'm like I'm sure he's like she's not buying anything because I probably looked homeless.
Speaker 1:I mean, it's just I did not pack well for this Vegas trip. It decided to drop 40 degrees in my flight over there for the whole week. I didn't pack anything for cold weather. I was prepared for hot weather, so I did look homeless. So whatever. Anyways, I'm looking for this shoe. I'm like I just want to see it in person before I buy it next week and I'm like do you have this shoe? And he's like nobody in the states has this shoe. And I was like, okay, my friend has this shoe next week I'm gonna get it. And he's like, okay, bye yeah, he yeah he was like, oh, your friend has your.
Speaker 1:I walked in and I was like, oh, he was so kind and cute and I really was kind. But I was like this is funny. I was like, oh, it's in California, but it's okay. It's okay, I'm going to get it next week. I love that, and they do. That's what's so exciting. They do bring things that are one of a kind.
Speaker 1:We got Canada. One of the Canadian stores did an exclusive shoe. It had Razorback Red on it. I said we need that. They got five of their 18 shoes sent to us. All five sold and then we had a couple more and so before they even premiered in their store. So, and then we had a couple more and so before they, even before they even premiered in their store.
Speaker 1:So I mean, things happen, right. Yes, we can make some things move. You can sell any red here. Yes, yeah, right, have you seen what's coming next month? I have, okay, yeah, you're happy with it. I am good. Yes, it's exciting, it's different. I think that's what's that's something about when you're doing a movie, because I talked about in the spring, right, we always do it. We always do it in the spring, march or april, and because we did the capsule is why we're going to do one in august. Um, but even when you do it in in march or april, their, their brand, is pretty true to keeping to the styles and the look they. They add a new style or look every year. Um, we're not the community that's going to always buy right tenant stiletto spikes, right, we're. We're going to have more the kitten heels and the sneakers and the practical the 85 yeah and so we, we, we are just different than maybe what they're what you think of.
Speaker 1:When you go to the normal stores, right, we're not not the typical crystal right, right crowd and so. But when you have the, the basics, every year people are seeing the same things because they do things overlap, things don't just yes, so things that are sold here one year might be sold in asia the following year, or they in canada or the, the states pick it back up because it was only picked up by two boutiques. So now all six boutiques now and four stores are picking up, so the product line may be repetitive to some people. There was have new stuff. There's always unique items, but that's what they're doing is they bring in the unique items for our event. So they do a really great job to help the ladies and men of Northwest Arkansas stay fresh. I love it. It's fun For the kids. Oh, good For the kids Circling back when you're running that credit card.
Speaker 1:Yes, for the kids, for the kiddos. We're doing it all for the kiddos. Yes, absolutely. That's right. That's right Because they're our future. They are. We have to keep them healthy. We do, we can do better. Always, we can do better. Yeah, absolutely, and that's what I've just never done. That's right. Coming together to make sure that we continue to meet the need and um and be ready for for all kids and their families I love it and also have cutting edge care yeah, so important.
Speaker 1:The machinery, the technology ever-changing I'm sure you listen to lance talk about it, I mean all the time, and it's just it's ever changing. And to recruit these physicians we have to have what they're being trained on in med school and fellowships and whatnot. So we've got to have what they're being trained on.
Speaker 2:We have to bring in that equipment right okay, well, and having two places, two locations, you know you'll have some things here, some things there, like it's long term and as much as we, yes, and I, I will say that I would love, it would be great, if no family ever had to travel outside of northwest arkansas.
Speaker 1:But that's okay, but that's not, not the reality we live in, right, do you have acnw to satisfy immediate, urgent and everyday situations, and then we, as the hospital unit, we have little rock that is able to say, okay, hey, it's all in comes the same, that's right, you couldn't do transplants here there's so many like very specialized things that have to have certain types of yes, you know they have staffing needs like usually things that need to be associated with them, with the university yeah, that's cool actually and so right, and so we will always have that amazing relationship with the mothership.
Speaker 1:It is the mothership. I mean, it takes that long. Yeah you have to have it with the flagship location that says, okay, that's where the source is going to be for these things, but then you can do your follow-ups back here in Northwest Arkansas, and so I think that it's a give and a take, right, it would be amazing to say that no family, no individual, no child ever had to go more than 30 miles to get reality. That's not reality, and so it's not reality.
Speaker 1:even I was gonna say anywhere so we're doing what we can and at a pace that's it seems fast and it's slow to other people, but we're doing it. I mean honestly, if you would have told me six years ago that we were already hospitals open and we're already into tower two, I would have said no, I would have guessed 10, or you're six, but no, our population's ever expanding. So we need the yeah, the space to care for, and it's it's really nice that children's answering that call and really what's happening is the northwest aransas community is answering that because they can't, we cannot do it as a hospital unit alone. It takes everybody, in all forms and fashion, to come together and make it happen. Well, wow. So I can't think of a better place to end. That's a mic drop.
Speaker 2:And we're done.
Speaker 1:And scene.
Speaker 2:Thank you for talking about it with everybody Do what. Thank 3W for giving us the time to show up.
Speaker 1:Thank you for carving out time, of course.
Speaker 2:Really hard, hard thank you for bringing schedules yeah, really, hydration is important, it's really important.
Speaker 1:She did not believe me and she texts me. I said I need to do. I was like, no, I promise you I'm gonna bring it. I had two jankety um splits in the mini fridge. I don't know, they've obviously come from somewhere, some gift bag of some sort. They've just been thrown in their refrigerator. I'm not gonna say what they are, they're not that and I was like, yeah, I got it and I text the photo hi oof because I was like I can't pass this up, yeah this this is it's in the car.
Speaker 1:I got it. I got two, Not just one. I got it. That was good, I was like kidding You're freaking it.
Speaker 2:It's funny. It was that funny ha-ha moment.
Speaker 1:Yes exactly Did you drop? How can I say ha-ha? I was like you're. I got you Five, six, seven, eight. I got you. Yes, okay, thank you, thank you, it was fun, thank you. Cheers to the children, cheers to the children and the future.
Speaker 2:We'll see you next time on the 3W Podcast. Keep inspiring a culture of giving, see ya.