Troy Pottgen with Narwhal Stories and Drew Shaw with Voyce Threads E10
NARWHAL STORIES was founded in 2018 to create branded content that tells great stories and invites audiences to join in the fun. When you work with NARWHAL, you get a “blessing” of nationally award-winning writers, directors, editors and designers who provide outstanding creative, production and post for your content projects—from websites and TV commercials to long-form web series and documentary-style storytelling. 
Troy Pottgen is a pretty good husband, dad and creative director/writer with two decades of experience helping brands share their stories.
Troy earned degrees in Business at Illinois and Copywriting at Miami Ad School. He is a two-time recipient for Copywriter of the Year, a nominee for Creative Director of the Year and winner of Best in Show at the Phoenix ADDYs, and his work has been featured in Communication Arts, the One Show and Art Directors Club of NY.
He once claimed to watch 100 movies and read 100 books a year until his wife’s meticulous documentation in 2012 proved otherwise. Through his volunteer work, Troy tries to live the words of Marian Wright Edelman: “Service is the rent we pay for being.” If you ever greet him with, “Hey TP, I love NARWHAL Stories,” he’ll buy you a coffee.
Connect with Troy on LinkedIn and follow Narwhal Stories on Facebook and Twitter.
Voyce Threads is a socially conscious lifestyle brand that brings awareness to important causes by designing unique pairs of mismatched socks inspired by the work of charitable organizations. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each pair is donated back to the nonprofit the socks represent. 
Elementary school teacher turned sock peddler, Drew Shaw lives to show others what’s possible when you have time and good ideas.
As a budding serial entrepreneur, he founded an education consulting company, wrote a children’s book, and launched a retail brand in just three years.
His most recent venture, Voyce Threads, is a socially conscious lifestyle brand that brings awareness to important causes by designing mismatched socks that tell the inspiring story of charitable organizations. His passions intercept at the point of education, community, and entrepreneurship as evidenced by his numerous board positions on community organizations and nonprofits in Phoenix.
Connect with Drew on LinkedIn and follow Voyce Threads on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Arizona Good Business Radio
What is good business? What are local businesses doing to build a better Arizona?
Join Arizona Good Business Radio to hear from local companies who are:
- Centering purpose at the forefront of business
- Creating social well-being for the community
- Prioritizing sustainability and positive environmental practices
- Growing strong company cultures through building authentic teams
- Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion are involved in all business decisions
Arizona Good Business Radio features local business leaders that are redefining what it means to do good business.
About Your Host
Thomas Barr is the Executive Director for Local First Arizona, the largest coalition of local businesses in North America. He advocates for a strong local business community that contributes to building vibrancy, equity, and prosperity across the state. A proud Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, Thomas leads the business coalition of Local First Arizona by advocating for the economic and cultural benefits provided by building strong local economies.
Thomas steers the strategic direction of LFA’s major programs and initiatives as well as the engagement of over 3000 businesses across Arizona. As Executive Director, Thomas guides a team of statewide senior directors overseeing the execution of LFA’s communication strategy, major initiatives and key partnerships, as well as the collaboration of over 30 staff implementing work in entrepreneurship programs, small business advocacy, local food initiatives, sustainability, urban development and community building. He frequently speaks to groups locally and nationally, presenting the impact of Local First Arizona and the importance of local economy work in building prosperity.
Outside of Local First Arizona, Thomas has participated in volunteering his time to many causes and organizations throughout the Valley including Young Nonprofit Professionals – Phoenix, Equality Arizona, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Heritage Square Foundation and Phoenix Legal Action Network. Additionally, Thomas is a 2018 Phoenix Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, alumni of Arizona Leading for Change, and current participant in Valley Leadership Institute’s 40th cohort.
Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Local First AZ
Local First Arizona is a nonprofit organization that celebrates independent, locally owned businesses. We support, promote and advocate for a strong local business community and raise public awareness of the economic and cultural benefits provided by strong local economies. Local businesses contribute to a sustainable economy for Arizona and build vibrant communities we’re all proud to call home.
