In this episode of The cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Kurt Avery, the visionary founder of Sawyer, to explore the extraordinary journey of a company that’s turning innovation into global transformation.

What started with a snakebite extractor evolved into life-saving water filtration technology now used by over 140 charities across more than 90 countries, providing clean water to millions of people. From disaster relief in the U.S. to Uganda, Kurt shares how Sawyer is solving one of the world’s biggest problems—for just 10 cents per person for 10 years of clean water.

You’ll hear how faith, purpose, and relentless problem-solving drive their mission, why tech and behavior change are critical to impact, and how any business—no matter the size—can disrupt markets and make a difference. Kurt also offers lessons from his book “Sawyer Think: How a Small Company Disrupts Markets and Changes the World”, a blueprint for leaders who want to build legacy through impact.

Whether you’re a humanitarian, entrepreneur, or just someone who believes in doing good—this episode will inspire, challenge, and move you.

🛒 Learn more and shop: www.Sawyer.com

In this inspiring episode of the cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Abbi Nichols, founder and owner of Abbikadabbi’s Baking Co., to talk about her journey from teen baker to award-winning entrepreneur.

Abbi shares how she turned a childhood passion for baking into a thriving business, the story behind her whimsical brand name, and what it took to open her first storefront in Snowden Grove’s Top of the Sip development in 2024. As the 2024 SBA Mississippi Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Abbi talks candidly about the challenges of launching and scaling a business, staying true to her mission of combining delicious taste with eye-catching design, and how she’s creating meaningful connections through sweet treats.

Topics covered in this episode:
• Abbi’s origin story and how she started selling cookies at 15
• Winning pitch competitions at Ole Miss and securing startup capital
• Building a brand and growing a loyal customer base through social media
• The process of opening her storefront bakery and lessons learned
• Being a young entrepreneur and navigating work-life balance
• Tips for aspiring business owners and creatives
• Why taste, creativity, and community matter in business

📍 Whether you’re a small business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or just love a good cookie success story, Abbi’s journey will inspire you to follow your dreams and build something sweet from the ground up.

🎧 Listen now and support Abbikadabbi’s Baking Co.:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/abbikadabbisbakingco

On this episode of The CityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta welcomes Dr. Tracy Brower, sociologist, VP of Workplace Insights at Steelcase and author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work. Together, they explore the evolving nature of work culture, how organizations can foster more meaningful employee experiences, and why pursuing happiness isn’t the same as creating the conditions for it.

Dr. Brower shares her “Big 5” conditions for workplace happiness—purpose, connection, growth, performance, and gratitude—and emphasizes that happiness is most sustainable when we’re contributing to something larger than ourselves. She challenges traditional notions of work-life balance, favoring a more integrated and navigational approach to work-life harmony.

The conversation also covers how community-based office design can combat workplace loneliness, the role of assessments like the Predictive Index, and how leaders can inspire cultural transformation through intentional structure and support. From the impact of volunteering to design strategies that foster collaboration, this episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in improving the workplace.

Learn more: https://tracybrower.com/