Electronic Records and Exotic Gifts Come to Fayetteville

Rock Solid Solutions
Owner: Shannon Williams
Address: 3231 N. Kings Cross, Fayetteville
Phone: 479-595-0577
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.rss-it.net
Startup date: July 1, 2009
Shannon Williams has an ambitious goal for the five-person team that makes up Rock Solid Solutions.

“We try to be the one technology provider for all small businesses,” Williams said. “To do that, we provide PC support, network support, telephone and telephone systems support, even audio-visual support.”

RSS, which launched July 1, is especially geared towards medical and dental providers. RSS currently sells Allscripts electronic health records and soon expects to be certified in terms of installing it.

“It’s an easy fit for us,” said Williams, a 16-year health care industry vet.

Williams has more than just knowledge and experience on his side. He said medical and dental groups are eligible to receive up to $44,000 in federal stimulus money – spread out over five years – if they adopt an EHR system. Groups not in compliance by 2015 will face fines, Williams said.

“Right now it’s a matter of us getting our name out in the state and the region,” he added.

So far Williams has landed clients from Siloam Springs to Magnolia. He said the Allscripts name generally prompts customers to “automatically have respect for what we’re doing.”

Williams said his ultimate goal is, “interfacing customers to the hospitals.”

Himalayan Mountain Shop
Owner: Lama Thinley Rapke
Address: 100 West Center St., Ste. 105, Fayetteville
Phone: 501-352-0292
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: Under construction
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday
Startup date: Nov. 27, 2009
The Himalayas are coming to Fayetteville a little bit at a time.

At least that’s the feeling one gets when entering the gift shop owned and operated by woodworking artist Lama Thinley Rapke. The 108-SF space that faces Block Street – a few doors “up” from Hugo’s – uses practically every inch of available space to display everything from handmade hats, purses and pashmina shawls to bowls, baskets and puja tables. The tables are striking works of maple, cedar and walnut.

There’s also a wide array of Lotka paper products including notebooks, journals, stationery and gift bags.

“This is the way shops look in India,” Rapke said, “really tiny and packed full of things.”

While Rapke’s specialty is woodworking, he imports the majority of the other items from India, Nepal and Bhutan. He has planned another buying trip for this spring. The products are handmade by family-owned businesses in those countries.  

Submit tips about new businesses in Northwest Arkansas to Rob Keys at [email protected] or 479-725-0394, ext. 323.