From Book Clubs to Manager Training: The Inspiring Story of Campfire's Journey

In Episode 021 of the #kilnroadtrip, created and produced by The Swell Pod, hosts Spencer McKeown and Josh Taylor interview Steve Arntz, CEO of Campfire. Steve discusses Campfire's mission to enhance connections, particularly for leaders and teams in a post-pandemic world. He shares his personal background, including his experience in education technology and his family life. The conversation delves into the founding of Campfire, pivoting from a book club business to manager training during COVID-19, and the importance of listening to customers. They also discuss the significance of being deliberate and responsive in business.

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getcampfire.com

Connection fuels success—for people and companies. Campfire empowers leaders with the conversation skills that create a culture of connection and results.

Location: Kiln. Lehi

The Kiln Road Trip: Uncovering Deep Truths with 100 Pleasantly Rebellious Humans. 10 days. 5 States. 3,580 Miles.100 Interviews! Daily episodes starting on March 5, Monday to Friday, for the next 100 days, followed by a short documentary and a book about the journey.

Thank you to the partners and sponsors who made the kiln.roadtrip possible: Kiln, Moterra, Torus

And thank you to the crew who helped us document and share the journey: Denisse Leon, Ty Cottle, Nathan Clark, Findlay McKeown

Bullets:

• Interview with Steve Arntz, CEO of Campfire
• Background and founding of Campfire
• Mission and approach of Campfire
• Importance of listening to customers and market feedback
• Flexibility and pivoting in business decisions
• Maintaining focus on purpose and mission in business
• Features of Campfire's platform for facilitating conversations

Timestamps:

The Kiln Road Trip (00:00:03) Introduction to the Kiln Road Trip, its purpose, and the partners involved.

Interview with Steve Arntz (00:00:54) Introduction to Steve Arntz, CEO of Campfire, and the company's mission and approach.

Campfire's Mission and Approach (00:01:25) Steve Arntz explains Campfire's mission to close the connection gap and empower leaders with conversation skills.

Campfire's Delivery Approach (00:02:07) Steve Arntz describes Campfire's content, facilitators, coaches, and virtual platform for meaningful engagement and inclusion.

Steve Arntz' Background (00:02:41) Steve Arntz shares his background, childhood experiences, and early entrepreneurial venture.

Reasons for Frequent Moves (00:05:11) Steve Arntz explains the reasons behind his family's frequent moves and the economic mobility factors that influenced their relocations.

Starting Campfire (00:08:06) Steve Arntz discusses the founding of Campfire, including the initial idea, pivot from book clubs to manager training, and the business's evolution.

Pivoting the Business (00:12:16) Steve Arntz talks about the pivotal moment when they decided to pivot the business from book clubs to manager training, based on customer feedback.

Maintaining Flexibility and Purpose (00:15:08) Steve Arntz emphasizes the importance of maintaining flexibility, focusing on purpose and mission, and managing fear to drive creativity and adaptability.

Current Business Pivot (00:17:06) Steve Arntz explains the ongoing pivot of Campfire's business, opening up the platform for new opportunities and partnerships.

Deliberate and Emergent Business Approach (00:18:27) Steve Arntz discusses the importance of balancing deliberate and emergent strategies in business and life to create something amazing.

Deliberate and Intentional vs. Emergent and Spontaneous (00:18:51) Discussion about the balance between deliberate planning and spontaneous creativity during the road trip.

Leadership Development and Conversation Comfort (00:23:14) Discussion about addressing discomfort in conversations and leadership development through a reflective space in a Zoom-based platform.

Creating Something New: Impact and Determination (00:25:43) The importance of a strong "why" and the balance between doing good and doing well in creating something new or challenging the status quo.

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