NWA Founders

Cameron Clark & Nick Beyer
  • 5.0 (23)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

'NWA Founders' is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, hosted by Cameron Clark and Nick Beyer. Every other Tuesday, Cameron and Nick sit down on location with the people building companies here: founders, owners and operators from Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, Springdale and across the region. Guests have built coffee roasters, construction firms, software companies, staffing agencies, restaurants, retail brands and family businesses handed down through generations. The conversations run long, usually around 90 minutes, and cover the parts most interviews skip: the early money, the first hire, the year it nearly ended, and what they would do differently. Every episode, with full transcripts and a searchable archive of every conversation, is at nwafounders.com. To recommend a guest or ask questions, reach out at nwafounders@gmail.com and follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn for video content.

  1. 4d ago ·  Video

    #49 - Jim Smith & Rebecca Hurst (Smith Hurst, PLC)

    In this episode of the Northwest Arkansas Founders podcast, hosts Cameron Clark and Nick Beyer sit down with Jim Smith and Rebecca Hurst, the co-founders of Smith Hurst law firm and Emeraude (a multifamily office and business services platform). Jim and Rebecca share their parallel journeys — both with accounting degrees, both with tax LLMs from NYU — and trace the arc of their careers from the Friday firm (Arkansas's largest law firm) to launching Smith Hurst in 2011. They discuss the evolution of family offices in Northwest Arkansas, the explosive growth of the region's M&A and private equity landscape, and the strategic decision to expand beyond legal services into Emeraude, which provides family office and back-office business services to entrepreneurs and wealthy families. Throughout the conversation, Jim and Rebecca reflect on the relationships and timing that fueled their early success — from landing the Rockfish/WPP deal out of the gate, to the $83 million Acumen Brands capital raise in 2013. They cover practical topics like how M&A attorneys get paid (hourly, not success fees, to maintain objectivity), when to involve counsel in a deal (ideally before the letter of intent), and how AI is transforming legal practice. They also share the Wizard of Oz–inspired origin of the Emeraude name, discuss the $124 trillion wealth transfer ahead, and close with personal reflections on success, purpose, and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of building a business in Northwest Arkansas. Key moments: 13:45 — Their competitive edge: relationships, not the firm name — 738 files moved in two weeks14:30 — Landing the Rockfish/WPP acquisition deal out of the gate, giving the new firm instant credibility17:30 — Acumen Brands' $83M capital raise from General Atlantic, a top-five Q1 2013 PE deal45:35 — Why Smith Hurst bills hourly instead of success fees: maintaining objectivity51:18 — The Wizard of Oz / Emerald City story behind the Emeraude name75:55 — What's next: staying relevant as big players arrive in NWAThree key takeaways: Relationships are the real currency. When Jim and Rebecca left the Friday firm — the largest in Arkansas — 738 client files moved with them in the first two weeks. The business belonged to the relationships they'd built, not the firm name on the door. Jim emphasizes that most deals come through client and accountant referrals, and that the shift from legal advice to business strategy happens naturally over years of working alongside founders in the boardroom.Objectivity is worth more than a success fee. Smith Hurst deliberately charges hourly rather than taking a percentage of deal value, so clients never have to wonder whether the attorney's advice is driven by a personal financial stake in closing. Jim frames this as a trust principle: "We don't want them to feel that they're at risk that we're not giving them sound advice because we don't get paid if they don't close a deal." The same logic drives Emeraude — they facilitate, advise, and connect, but they don't manage assets or sell insurance, keeping their counsel independent.Northwest Arkansas is a once-in-a-lifetime window — and the clock is ticking. Both guests stress that the region's legitimacy as a market for private equity, venture capital, and talent is no longer a question. But Jim warns that bigger players will inevitably arrive as the population climbs toward 750,000 and beyond, and local firms must keep sharpening their edge. His advice to anyone on the fence: "Make the call" — whether for a family office, business services, or a career move — because the opportunity in NWA is as rare as it gets.

    #49 - Jim Smith & Rebecca Hurst (Smith Hurst, PLC)

  2. Sep 15 ·  Video

    #48 - Sarah Autry, Stephanie Peters, Garrett Peters (Duncan & Stone Paper Co.)

    This episode of the Northwest Arkansas Founders Podcast features the team behind Duncan & Stone Paper Co. — Garrett Peters, Stephanie Peters, and Sarah Autry — discussing how they built a keepsake journal and gift business that now does e-commerce across Amazon, Etsy, and their own Shopify store. They trace the origin story back to Sarah quietly hand-making pregnancy prayer cards from her living room, Stephanie recognizing the business potential, and a family medical crisis that pushed them to seriously commit. A scrappy weekend at a stationery conference in LA, sketched-out plans on a cardboard box, and a risky $30,000 wire transfer for their first inventory order set the company in motion just before the pandemic — which, unexpectedly, became a growth catalyst as people stuck at home began filling out baby books. The conversation then moves into the mechanics of scaling an online consumer brand: navigating Amazon dupes and copycats, structuring ownership (52% women-owned, quarterly financial reviews, an annual planning retreat), managing cash flow and inventory forecasting for seasonal spikes, and deliberately staying lean with just four full-time owners and outsourced specialists instead of an office and large staff. They dig into marketing economics (ad spend, return on ad spend, shifting traffic from Amazon to their own Shopify store), product strategy (designing a "funnel" of journals across life stages), and the unpredictability of channels like TikTok. The episode closes on reflections about partnering with best friends, protecting relationships through trust and quick communication, and how each founder defines success — mostly in terms of financial stability and time with family rather than pure revenue growth, even as they debate whether to scale toward $10 million. Key moments: 2:00 – Team introduces the business and Amazon/Etsy brand-building approach5:06 – Discussion of Amazon copycats, dupes, and trademark/copyright protection7:28 – Origin story: Sarah's stationery side hustle and the pregnancy prayer cards19:02 – Landing the manufacturer, the $30,000 first order, and pallets in the garage24:01 – Garrett quits his job to go all-in on the company28:42 – Scaling numbers: from 10 pallets in year one to 200 pallets today35:25 – Why they've kept the team to just four people, no office51:55 – Breaking down e-commerce mechanics: cost of goods, ad spend, ROAS69:36 – Each founder defines what success means to themThree key takeaways: Know your "why" before you grind. Multiple founders emphasize that a clear, personal reason behind the business — not just wanting extra income — is what sustains people through the hardest years of building a company.Structure and clarity protect both the business and the friendships. Formalizing ownership splits, roles, and communication norms (quick apologies, staying in your lane, quarterly financial reviews) before money is on the line kept the founders' partnership and friendships intact.Growth isn't always the goal. Despite having a path to double revenue, the team repeatedly chooses to stay lean and intentional, prioritizing time with family over maximum scale — success is measured holistically, not just in dollars.

    #48 - Sarah Autry, Stephanie Peters, Garrett Peters (Duncan & Stone Paper Co.)

  3. Aug 25 ·  Video

    #47 - Steve Graves (Cornerstone Coaching)

    Steve Graves joins the NWA Founders Podcast to talk about his four-decade career coaching CEOs, founders, and business owners through his firm, Cornerstone Coaching. He shares his philosophy of working with individuals rather than companies directly, on the belief that as the leader grows, so does the organization. He explains how he and his original partner, Tom Addington, start the business on faith and word-of-mouth alone, deliberately keep a small client portfolio to protect quality and their personal lives, and eventually build a scalable model only after multiple failed attempts, with the right team finally making it work. The conversation ranges widely across leadership philosophy: the "composite scorecard" for measuring a holistic successful life, the danger of listening to too many strategic voices versus unlimited voices of inspiration, the difference between businesses designed to scale versus those that aren't, harnessing ambition to something bigger than yourself, and staying alert to market shifts (using Kodak as a cautionary tale). He closes by reflecting on why Northwest Arkansas is a hotbed for talent and thought leadership, and how he personally defines success through a faith-anchored, multi-dimensional lens rather than money alone. Click the link for The Founders Toolbox - https://www.stephenrgraves.com/nwafounders. An exclusive coaching tool for listeners developed by Steve Graves & NWA Founders.  Highlights: 0:44 – The "composite scorecard" concept: your results reveal your organization's design.10:57 – Steve's origin story: choosing philosophy/theology over law, and eventually founding Cornerstone with Tom Addington.34:44 – "A man with a testimony is never at the mercy of a man with an argument" — on overcoming the "age barrier" as a young coach.45:04 – The two voices every founder hears: unlimited inspiration vs. very limited, trustworthy strategic guidance.50:46 – Why his core strategy is offensive, not defensive — set your own pace and execute your plan.58:01 – "Businesses create cultures, cultures create businesses — but people create the businesses and the cultures."63:17 – The "Bonfire on the Beach" metaphor: focus on one real fire (business) instead of scattering energy across many small ones.81:57 – The Kodak cautionary tale — staying "heads up" to market change instead of just executing.87:51 – Defining success through a faith-anchored, multi-dimensional "composite scorecard" rather than money alone.Three key takeaways: Vision – Steve's business model and mission stay remarkably consistent for nearly 40 years.Wisdom – Decades of both failed and successful attempts to scale offer hard-won lessons on timing, team, and model design.Steadiness – A patient, deliberate pace — rather than a rush to scale — defines his approach and his advice to founders. Full show notes, the transcript and every chapter: nwafounders.com/episodes/steve-graves-cornerstone-coaching/ More on Cornerstone Coaching: nwafounders.com/guests/steve-graves-cornerstone-coaching/ Every episode, searchable: nwafounders.com

    #47 - Steve Graves (Cornerstone Coaching)

  4. Aug 11 ·  Video

    #46 - David Harris (David Harris Construction)

    David Harris is a fifth-generation Rogers, Arkansas native and founder of David Harris Construction, one of Northwest Arkansas's most respected custom and luxury home builders. In this conversation, David takes us through his unlikely path into homebuilding — starting with spec homes on the side while working for his father's real estate company, dabbling briefly in the llama business, and slowly falling in love with the craft of building homes for families in a region he's watched transform from a quiet small town into a nationally recognized market. David opens up about what it means to build a legacy business in Northwest Arkansas — from navigating the 2008 recession with a balanced portfolio of custom and spec homes, to sourcing world-class subcontractors, architects, and materials from Atlanta, Texas, London, and beyond to meet the demands of today's ultra-luxury buyers. He also shares what it's like to bring his two children into the business, the discipline behind his loyal subcontractor relationships, and why he still shows up to the office until 6:30 PM every evening — not for himself, but for the next generation. Highlights 3:32 — "My least expensive home is now $950K": how David's price floor has shifted over his career10:11 — The llama business and other early entrepreneurial swings before construction took over13:09 — The origin of Shadow Valley: a golf course as a loss leader to attract relocating families29:08 — Building a team: why common sense and work ethic beat pedigree1:03:48 — Defining success: family, faith, and loving what you do — not the bottom lineKey Takeaways Relationships are your competitive moat. David has kept some subcontractors for 30+ years — not by overpaying, but by paying on time, treating them with respect, and staying loyal. When things go wrong (and they always do in construction), that loyalty is what gets problems fixed.Know the gap in your market. Whether it's a price point no one else is hitting in a neighborhood or a type of buyer underserved by national builders, David's success comes from reading the market carefully and building to fill real demand — not just building what's easy or profitable.Balance is a strategy, not a weakness. Staying roughly 50/50 between custom and spec homes wasn't an accident. It protected David through the 2008 crash, gave him creative fulfillment, and kept his business resilient across multiple market cycles. Full show notes, the transcript and every chapter: nwafounders.com/episodes/david-harris-david-harris-construction/ More on David Harris Construction: nwafounders.com/guests/david-harris-david-harris-construction/ Every episode, searchable: nwafounders.com

    #46 - David Harris (David Harris Construction)

  5. Jul 21 ·  Video

    #45 - Allisha Watkins (Paradox)

    Allisha Watkins is the founder and CEO of Paradox Audio — a Rogers-native-turned-NWA-entrepreneur who spent 20 years in the corporate CPG world, including stints at Procter & Gamble and Mars Wrigley, before going out on her own. She launched Paradox in 2019 after watching the traditional holding-company agency model fail the brands it was supposed to serve — with opaque fee structures consuming upward of 50% of client budgets and no real accountability to growth. Allisha built Paradox to sit at a different intersection: not a retail brokerage, not a mega-agency serving Coca-Cola, but a full-service retail marketing partner purpose-built for challenger and emerging brands who need someone in their corner. After a co-founder departure at the end of 2023, Allisha rewrote the business from the ground up — new values, new service model, new team structure — and that reset is what finally lit the rocket. Today Paradox is an 80% retainer business with a no-a*****e policy, a 90% client retention target, and a portfolio that spans Igloo, Health-Ade, Jinx Pet Food, Genius Gourmet, and a handful of brands being built from scratch, including a new beer brand and a Dollar General owned-label they took from naming all the way to shelf. Highlights 0:10 — How a physical therapy student became a CPG marketer: the curiosity pivot that launched a 20-year agency and brand career 10:34 — Why Allisha believes the holding-company agency model is structurally broken — and the moment she realized 50% of a client's budget was disappearing to fees 22:18 — What a "challenger brand" actually means, and why Igloo and Harry's are textbook examples of companies choosing mindset over market share 35:44 — The COVID boom, the supply chain crash, and how the aftermath forced Paradox to figure out exactly who they wanted to serve 49:02 — Taking over as sole CEO in 2023: rewriting the vision, mission, and values — and implementing EOS as the operating backbone 1:03:15 — The hardest part of ownership: carrying the weight of your people, and why the marketing is the easy part Key Takeaways Don't go dark — go smart. In uncertain economies, brands instinctively cut marketing spend. Allisha's counsel to every client right now is the opposite: show up clearly and consistently while competitors get quiet. The brands that hold their voice during downturns are the ones shoppers remember when things settle. The foundation comes before the plan. No media buy, influencer campaign, or retail launch will work sustainably without knowing your shopper's mindsets, motivators, and barriers. Paradox added research and brand development to its offering specifically because the tactics were running ahead of the strategy — and without the foundation, you're flying blind. Curiosity is the real competitive advantage. Allisha names it as one of Paradox's core values, but it shows up practically: asking why a category is declining, why a shopper buys, why a fee structure is the way it is. The brands and agencies that stop asking questions stop growing. Full show notes, the transcript and every chapter: nwafounders.com/episodes/allisha-watkins-paradox/ More on Paradox: nwafounders.com/guests/allisha-watkins-paradox/ Every episode, searchable: nwafounders.com

    #45 - Allisha Watkins (Paradox)

  6. Jul 7

    #44 - Alex & Lauren Blass (Blue Ribbon Industries)

    → Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart→ Learn more about Cushman & Wakefield Sage Partners Summary Alex and Lauren Blass are the husband-and-wife team behind the Blass family office in Northwest Arkansas — a fourth-generation operation that spans Blue Ribbon Industries, commercial real estate, and master-planned development. Alex grew up in Little Rock and came to NWA for college, eventually joining Sage Partners and taking a bet on a small landscaping company that became the foundation for everything that followed. Over the next several years he scaled aggressively — sometimes too aggressively — building trucking, site work, dumpster, and topsoil businesses on top of multiple development deals, all while processing the loss of his mother. Lauren left a 15-year CPG agency career — most recently as SVP leading Coke North America's commerce marketing — after her health made clear something had to give. After a year-and-a-half sabbatical she stepped into the family business, and the combination of her strategic discipline and Alex's vision has resharpened the focus of every arm of the operation. Today their active projects include the Bellevue mixed-use buildings, NWA Industrial flex warehouses along I-49, the long-in-the-works Pinnacle Village mixed-use site, and Trade Winds — a 130-acre master-planned neighborhood in Springdale that broke ground three weeks before this recording. Highlights 0:10 — How Alex got his start: the "crazy young guy" who approached Miss Hunt at Sage, bought a landscaping company with an SBA loan, and doubled revenue in year one7:34 — Why Alex says working together as a couple has been the hardest thing in 17 years — and also the best15:46 — The 18-month period where grief over his mother's cancer diagnosis drove Alex to launch five businesses simultaneously — and what it cost him35:22 — The design philosophy behind Bellevue: building something that looks like it has been there for 100 years in a market full of new construction51:18 — Alex's case for why Pinnacle can become the true downtown of NWA — and why TIF districts and shared parking structures are the key to getting there1:25:40 — Lauren on leaving her SVP career, the health wake-up call that forced the decision, and what she'd tell other women in the same positionKey Takeaways Know your lane — and your partner's. Alex is the visionary who finds the workaround; Lauren is the strategist who makes it executable. The partnership only started working when they stopped trying to operate the same way and leaned into what each of them actually does best.Trust conviction over consensus. Alex called the demand for wrapped apartments in Pinnacle years before national developers would underwrite it. By the time the market agreed, construction costs had doubled. Local knowledge and gut conviction are worth acting on — even when the room says no.Slow, controlled growth beats fast, chaotic growth. Scaling too many businesses too quickly without the right team creates fires, not momentum. The Blasses learned this the hard way and rebuilt the entire operation around that lesson. Full show notes, the transcript and every chapter: nwafounders.com/episodes/alex-and-lauren-blass-blue-ribbon-industries/ More on Blue Ribbon Industries: nwafounders.com/guests/alex-and-lauren-blass-blue-ribbon-industries/ Every episode, searchable: nwafounders.com

    #44 - Alex & Lauren Blass (Blue Ribbon Industries)

  7. Jun 23

    #43 - Donny Hubbard (Hubbard Clothing Company)

    → Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart→ Learn more about Cushman & Wakefield Sage Partners What if a clothing company focused less on clothes and more on experiences? In this episode, Donny Hubbard shares the remarkable story of going from a self-described poor kid who struggled in school to becoming one of Northwest Arkansas’ most connected entrepreneurs and the founder of one of the region’s most recognizable retail brands. Donny Hubbard didn’t build Hubbard Clothing Co. through venture capital, viral marketing, or a perfectly mapped-out business plan. He built it through relationships, relentless hustle, and a genuine passion for serving people. Summary What makes this conversation so compelling is that it’s not really about clothing. It’s about mentorship, sales, community, and the power of showing up consistently over decades. Donny walks through the lessons he learned from influential mentors, the early days of making cold calls from the Yellow Pages, and the relationships that ultimately opened doors he never could have unlocked on his own. Along the way, he shares stories of launching his first store, navigating economic uncertainty, betting on himself with limited resources, and building a business rooted in trust. Whether you're a first-time entrepreneur looking for practical wisdom or an experienced founder reflecting on your own journey, Donny’s story is a reminder that sustainable success is often built one relationship at a time. For founders and business owners, this episode also offers a masterclass in personal branding. Hubbard Clothing Co. has become far more than a retail store—it has become a gathering place, a network, and a trusted name throughout Northwest Arkansas and beyond. Donny explains how authenticity, consistency, and genuine care for people have fueled growth for more than three decades. Highlights 00:00 How Hubbard Clothing Co. curates experiences 14:30 Turning point in Donny's business 19:00 Starting a store in Louisville39:00 Developing the "Hubbard" Brand41:00 Balancing A.I. & Originality55:00 American vs. Italian suits1:02:00 Tailwater Club1:12:30 John Calipari's suit1:25:00 Scale and future of Hubbard Clothing Co. Key Takeaways 1. Relationships compound over time - Many of Donny’s biggest opportunities came from relationships he built years—even decades—earlier. The people you invest in today may become your greatest advocates tomorrow.2. Mentorship can accelerate everything - From his first boss to industry leaders who invested in his growth, Donny’s story highlights how the right mentor can provide confidence, perspective, and opportunities that would take years to discover alone.3. Hard work still matters - There are no shortcuts around effort. Whether it was making 50 cold calls a day, driving across the state for meetings, or starting a business with limited resources, Donny's journey demonstrates that persistence and consistency remain timeless competitive advantages. Follow us on LinkedIn NWA Founders Follow us on Instagram @NWAFounders Follow us on YouTube NWA Founders For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark and Nick Beyer. Full show notes, the transcript and every chapter: nwafounders.com/episodes/donny-hubbard-hubbard-clothing-company/ More on Hubbard Clothing Company: nwafounders.com/guests/donny-hubbard-hubbard-clothing-company/ Every episode, searchable: nwafounders.com

    #43 - Donny Hubbard (Hubbard Clothing Company)

  8. Jun 9

    #42 - Andrea Ritchie & Mary Mickel (AM Group)

    → Learn more about Greenwood Gearhart→ Learn more about Cushman & Wakefield Sage Partners What would it look like for your company's message to actually connect with it's biggest stakeholder? The local public. AM Group founders Andrea Ritchie and Mary Mickel have built one of Northwest Arkansas’ most respected communications and public relations firms by helping organizations tell their stories better. In this conversation, they share how a chance friendship evolved into a business partnership, why communications should be part of every company’s growth strategy, and how authentic storytelling can shape everything from local restaurants to billion-dollar development projects. Summary Andrea and Mary walk through the early days of building AM Group, growing from a handful of clients to a rapidly scaling agency trusted by some of the region’s most influential organizations. They discuss the importance of understanding your audience, owning your narrative before someone else does, and why relationships remain one of the most valuable assets in business. Their experience spans hospitality, tourism, real estate development, technology, economic development, and community-building initiatives, giving them a unique perspective on what makes organizations stand out in a crowded marketplace. The conversation also offers an inside look at modern public relations in an era dominated by AI, social media, and nonstop information. Andrea and Mary explain why businesses can no longer rely on their products to "speak for themselves," how strategic communications influences growth, and why founders should view storytelling as a core business function rather than an afterthought. Perhaps most importantly, they share lessons on building a values-driven company, choosing the right business partner, scaling a team without losing culture, and creating a business that serves both clients and employees well. For founders at any stage, it's a thoughtful conversation about growth, relationships, community impact, and the power of telling the right story at the right time. Highlights 00:00 What is AM Group? 7:30 How much of PR is putting out client's fires? 22:30 Landscape of PR & Communications in NWA27:00 Client success story: Experience Fayetteville41:00 Balancing A.I. & Originality55:00 Partnering with national brands coming to NWA69:30 What is the ROI on PR? Key Takeaways 1. If you don't tell your story, someone else will - The most successful businesses are intentional about shaping their narrative. Whether you're launching a startup, expanding into a new market, or navigating growth, clear communication builds trust and prevents others from defining your story for you. 2. Relationships are still the ultimate competitive advantage - AM Group's success has been built on authentic relationships with clients, journalists, community leaders, and partners. In a world filled with automation and AI, genuine human connection continues to create opportunities that technology can't replace. 3. Growth requires both strategy and culture - As companies scale, systems and processes matter, but so do people. Andrea and Mary emphasize hiring great talent, creating a healthy culture, and building a business that supports both client success and employee well-being. Follow us on LinkedIn NWA Founders Follow us on Instagram @NWAFounders Follow us on YouTube NWA Founders For guest suggestions or inquiries nwafounders@gmail.com NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark and Nick Beyer. Full show notes, the transcript and every chapter: nwafounders.com/episodes/andrea-ritchie-and-mary-mickel-am-group/ More on AM Group: nwafounders.com/guests/andrea-ritchie-and-mary-mickel-am-group/ Every episode, searchable: nwafounders.com

    #42 - Andrea Ritchie & Mary Mickel (AM Group)
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

'NWA Founders' is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, hosted by Cameron Clark and Nick Beyer. Every other Tuesday, Cameron and Nick sit down on location with the people building companies here: founders, owners and operators from Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, Springdale and across the region. Guests have built coffee roasters, construction firms, software companies, staffing agencies, restaurants, retail brands and family businesses handed down through generations. The conversations run long, usually around 90 minutes, and cover the parts most interviews skip: the early money, the first hire, the year it nearly ended, and what they would do differently. Every episode, with full transcripts and a searchable archive of every conversation, is at nwafounders.com. To recommend a guest or ask questions, reach out at nwafounders@gmail.com and follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn for video content.

Information

  • Creator
    Cameron Clark & Nick Beyer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © BTB LLC 2026
  • Show Website
    NWA Founders

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