In this episode we’re featuring an organization that was started during the pandemic, and has been recognized by several of our esteemed guests here on the podcast. Chad Macy has merged his lifetime love for sports and fitness with a deep passion for helping kids work toward a life that is balanced. “Let’s get moving!” is the motto for Chad and his team, and Chad’s concept has grown exponentially over the past 12 months, reaching kids from all walks of life and fitness abilities. Chad was first ...
Aug 24, 2021•31 min
In this episode, we’re featuring a new small business in Mooresville that is delivering a chef-driven fine dining experience to your door. 55 Prime was founded by Chef Peter Olsacher in 2021 to provide an alternative to traditional meal prep services for an underserved luxury market. Chef Peter brings 40-years of professional culinary experience to 55 Prime, and a career that has spanned continents. I had the opportunity to sample several of the entrees on the menu, as well as a steak from the b...
Aug 17, 2021•1 hr 5 min
I finally have the opportunity to feature one of the coolest small businesses in the Lake Norman area - in fact, one of the coolest small businesses anywhere! Davidson Provision Company is located in the heart of downtown Davidson right on Main Street. Owner Matt Santos founded Davidson Provision Company after leaving a successful career in technology and investment banking. The self-proclaimed “corporate refugee” (I love that term, by the way - my new favorite) had a deep-seated desire to live ...
Aug 13, 2021•1 hr 8 min
In this episode, we’re featuring The Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Davidson College. The Director of the Jay Hurt Hub, Liz Brigham, joins me to share her background and the story of how she made the move with her family back to Davidson to lead the Hurt Hub in building an inclusive community of entrepreneurs and innovators. It’s an innovative and entrepreneurial episode 67 of The Best of LKN podcast. Thanks for joining us, enjoy getting to know Liz Brigham, Director of The ...
Aug 10, 2021•49 min
In this episode I sit down with Dan & Ben Schiermeyer, the owners of Suds & Shine Car Wash in Cornelius, and Affordable Mini-Storage of Statesville. What interests me most about their story is not only that they’re siblings that are now business partners, but that they also started their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic! While many businesses declined in the past 12 months, Dan and Ben have grown their interests from one to two businesses, and something tells me they are going to ...
Aug 05, 2021•33 min
Brittany Pomeroy is the founder of Flourish Together. Brittany founded Flourish Together in the middle of the pandemic as a commitment to helping organizations make a lasting, meaningful impact on people by creating environments where transformation can grow, thrive, and survive. Her work has been driven by a passion to bring a wholistic, human approach into the workplace while accelerating meaningful change. Brittany shares the inspiration for forming her company, which includes the story of a ...
Jul 30, 2021•37 min
In this episode, we’re featuring the Northwestern Mutual Lake Norman office. The office is led by Lynn Bowser, who joins us along with her associate Cara Cremeans. Lynn shares the story of her entrepreneurial journey, why she chose to partner with Northwestern Mutual, and some insights into the financial services industry as a whole. We talk a lot about values, women in business, and the satisfaction that comes with being able to provide products and services that have a positive impact on the l...
Jul 22, 2021•51 min
We’ve had the real honor of featuring several local and nationally recognized nonprofit organizations on the podcast. We especially love the nonprofits whose missions are to improve the lives of children and families in need - organizations like “The Pinky Swear Foundation” and “The Addison Hutchison Foundation.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations like these faced a real challenge when it came to fundraising - most of their signature fundraising events were cancelled or held virtually, ...
Jul 16, 2021•42 min
In this episode, I sit down with Michal Bay, the owner of the amazing Merino Mill in Mooresville. This is a conversation that I’ve really been looking forward to sharing, because Michal has such a great story. Born in a small Mesopotamian village along the Euphrates River, Michal's entrepreneurial journey has taken him across Asia to Europe and to the United States. Michal tells the story of how he started selling furniture wholesale practically door-to-door back in the 1990’s, traveling in his ...
Jul 09, 2021•38 min
As you know by now, we feature the best and brightest Lake Norman entrepreneurs, small business owners, freelancers, and nonprofit organizations on this podcast. In this episode, we're featuring one of the top producing real estate brokers in the Lake Norman area. Actually, one of the top producers in the entire Charlotte metro area. Phil Puma founded Puma & Associates Realty in Cornelius nearly 20-years ago, and since that time has assembled one of the highest performing real estate teams i...
Jul 01, 2021•39 min
In this episode, we’re really pleased to be featuring a conversation with Deborah Young, owner of The Deborah Young Studio in Cornelius. Deborah is a professional photographer that has been in the photography industry for over 40 years. Many of our listeners already know Deborah - she’s been creating your family portraits, wedding photos, and headshots here in Cornelius for nearly 30 of those years. Deborah joins me to share the story of her entrepreneurial journey, from the days of being a phot...
Jun 25, 2021•37 min
I have a really great episode lined up for you. I’m finally able to feature one of my favorite restaurant brands, Famous Toastery. The founder and CEO of the company, Robert Maynard, joins me to share a little of his background, and the inspirations behind the Famous Toastery concept. Robert also shares some really valuable insights into the journey of an entrepreneur, along with some sage advice for those listeners that may be just starting out on their own small business journey. This conversa...
May 25, 2021•38 min
A few weeks ago we published a blog article featuring some really amazing local boutiques to procure some beautiful gifts for Mother’s Day. I was really proud of the businesses we were able to feature in that article, especially since the owners of each of those businesses have been guests here on the podcast. But, as I proofread the article, I realized we were missing one important category - an upscale clothing boutique. Several clothing boutiques have been recommended by guests on the podcast...
May 18, 2021•50 min
The weather is warming up and that means boating season is here! Hey friends, welcome back to the podcast. In this episode we’re talking about boating with the owner of Freedom Boat Club Lake Norman, Jeff Weir. Freedom Boat Club is the world’s oldest and largest membership boat club with over 30 years of experience. Members have access to over 275 locations in the U.S., Canada, and France. Freedom Boat Club takes care of all the maintenance, cleaning, repairs, insurance, and storage. Fleets vary...
May 11, 2021•39 min
In this episode, the team at Mbrace Studio joins me to share their thoughts on the wildly popular book: Atomic Habits, by James Clear. If you listened to the special 50th episode on the podcast, you’ll recall my plans to have a bonus episode every month where I invite previous guests back onto the podcast to discuss one of their book recommendations. This is our first attempt at such an episode, and I think we pulled it off quite well. The Mbrace Studio team, Andrea and Diana, were featured back...
May 04, 2021•49 min
In this episode, I’m sharing with you a conversation I had with the owner of Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Robin Smith Salzman. Robin and her husband Jack have built one of the premier automotive dealerships in North Carolina since moving to the area 18 years ago. But, the focus of our conversation in this episode revolves around another topic that’s near and dear to our hearts - animal rescue and pet adoption. Robin and her team have been great advocates for several local humane society ...
Apr 27, 2021•37 min
I noticed back in January of this year that one of Charlotte’s most prominent law firms had expanded into the Lake Norman area with the opening of a new office in Cornelius. Sodoma Law specializes in the area of family law, and the firm has made quite the name for itself over the past 12 or so years. Nicole Sodoma, the founder and principal attorney at Sodoma Law, has received accolade upon accolade over the years for her advocacy and the way in which she and her team have empowered their client...
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 5 min
In this episode, we’re featuring Davidson Lands Conservancy - a local nonprofit that focuses on preserving the area’s most important natural assets for future generations. The organization’s executive director, Dave Cable, joins us to share the story of what he describes as a calling to pursue a career in the preservation of natural resources. From the stewardship of important natural resources in and around Davidson, to promoting community engagement through such programs as urban forestry and ...
Apr 01, 2021•58 min
As you know by now, we do love to feature thoughtful nonprofit organizations on the podcast, in addition to the best small businesses in the area. I have the honor of sharing the story of the Addison Hutchison Foundation with you today. The foundation is based on Mooresville and was created to honor the memory of 11-year old Addison Hutchison. Addison’s Dad, Shane Hutchison joins me to talk about the foundation and share some really great stories about how the foundation is making an impact in t...
Mar 26, 2021•35 min
Hello friends, welcome back to the podcast. This is episode 51 and we’re featuring a local coffee company that’s on the move with some really cool expansion plans in the works. Defined Coffee was founded 3 years ago by friends Anthony Nugnes and Keifer Moskaluk with the opening of their first location in Huntersville. “Quality and Community” are the founding principles of Defined Coffee, and staying true to their mission to connect with their guests and provide a special experience has proved to...
Mar 23, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Here we are: The 50th Episode! We thought it would be a good idea to mark the occasion with a special episode - our first solo episode with just the host of the podcast. Sounds boring... I know, right? Here are some topics we cover in this episode: Countdown of the top 5 most downloaded episodes so far for the podcast! The inspiration for starting this podcast nearly a year ago. Recognize the brains behind the podcast. A few highlights from the past year. Some cool changes and improvements we ha...
Mar 19, 2021•16 min
We have sort of a bonus episode for you this week. Here’s a little back story: We began working on an article for our blog about two weeks ago - an article that would highlight a few great spots around Lake Norman to check out for St. Patrick’s Day this year. We reached out to these places for some information to include for the article, and one of those places BoatYard Lake Norman, responded with a phone call. Chris Boukedes, the owner of BoatYard Lake Norman called and we talked for quite some...
Mar 12, 2021•50 min
Long time listeners of the podcast will be familiar with my fondness for craft beer, so it will come as no surprise that I’m featuring another great local craft brewery in this episode. Dave Hamme, the founder of Lost Worlds Crewing Company in Cornelius joins me to share the story behind the brewery. We actually cover a lot of territory in this conversation - the inspiration behind the Lost Worlds brand, the experience of opening a new brewery in March of 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pa...
Mar 10, 2021•51 min
In this episode, we’re featuring Daniel San Sushi and Asian Fusion restaurant in Cornelius. Listeners of this podcast will know how fond I am of Sushi and Asian Fusion Cuisine - last year we featured eeZ Fusion and Sushi in Birkdale Village on the podcast, and immediately after my conversation with owner Alan Springate I hopped in my truck and ran to eeZ for lunch. I’m getting hungry again just thinking about Sushi and hibachi… I may have a problem. Anyway, this interview was no different and I’...
Feb 26, 2021•31 min
In this episode, I’m featuring a conversation with the inventive founder of a Mooresville-based startup that is helping runners see and be seen in the dark. Body Lantern is a Veteran owned company that is creating safety products that enhance active outdoor experiences. Founder and owner Jamie Perrine shares the story of how the company’s flagship product, The Torch, was inspired by a precarious encounter early one morning on the way home from the gym. Jamie also shares some marketing strategies...
Feb 19, 2021•32 min
Carolina Farm Trust is a nonprofit organization that manages a network of urban farms in the Charlotte Metro area, including one in Huntersville. Their goal is to make the area a global leader in sustainability by feeding the region with food from local farms. Joining me to discuss the mission of Carolina Farm Trust is the organization’s Executive Director, Zack Wyatt. Helpful links: Carolina Farm Trust https://carolinafarmtrust.org/ Shop their online store: https://carolinafarmtrust.org/shop/ G...
Feb 12, 2021•44 min
Welcome to episode 44 of Lake Norman’s #1 small business podcast. You may recall back in episode 22 I featured a conversation with Tiffany Ringwald, a highly talented and successful interior architecture photographer based here in the Lake Norman area. Tiffany works with many of the area’s most distinguished interior designers, and since our talk I’ve been hoping to feature an interior designer on the podcast. I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to connect with one of the best: Brenna Morgan, t...
Feb 04, 2021•34 min
In this episode , I’m very honored to be featuring a beautiful nonprofit organization that’s doing work in an area that is near and dear to our hearts here at the podcast. Pinky Swear Foundation was established by Steve and Becky Chepokas in memory of their son, Mitch, and the foundation serves to provide financial assistance and emotional support to children with cancer and their families. Joining me for this episode is the current National All-Star Engagement manager and former North Carolina ...
Feb 02, 2021•48 min
In this episode, we’re featuring a new Indian street food concept in downtown Davidson. I’d first like to say thanks to our listeners that have signed up for our email newsletter. That’s the best way to support this podcast, and I hope you’re finding value in receiving it. I also want to point out that we have created a guide for our guests with tips on preparing for your podcast interview. Our guide: “10 Tips to be a Better Podcast Guest” is available for download for FREE at our website – www....
Jan 25, 2021•30 min
Welcome to episode 41 of the podcast! In this Real Estate Spotlight episode, we’re featuring real estate broker Jonathan Evans with Keller Williams. Jonathan brings a really unique perspective and skillset to the real estate sales market with his knowledge and vast experience in the Human Resources field. In this conversation, Jonathan shares some tips for home buyers in this hot seller’s market, and he mentions several partners in the area that have provided exceptional service for his clients ...
Jan 16, 2021•38 min
