In this episode, Jeff sits down with Kas Matos, owner of The Coffee Shop and Twiggs in downtown Cornelius, NC. Kas shares his journey from growing up in Georgia to becoming a serial entrepreneur, creating unique spaces that serve and energize the community. We explore the evolution of his original concept, Thigs, a cozy cocktail bar that transformed into The Coffee Shop, a beautifully designed, moody-yet-welcoming coffee space serving up craft espresso, hemp-infused beverages, and yes—still offe...
Mar 26, 2025•27 min
In this episode, Jeff heads to the heart of Troutman, North Carolina for a visit to Davesté Vineyards, the closest vineyard to Charlotte and a beloved destination for wine lovers and casual sippers alike. He sits down with Meg Tipton, Winemaker, and Kevin Toomajian, General Manager, to explore the story behind this hidden gem, from its humble beginnings to its exciting future. Meg shares her journey from the corporate world to the winemaking scene, the science and art of crafting wine, and the v...
Mar 24, 2025•39 min
Julie Fagan is the creative force behind Peanut Butter Fingers, a popular lifestyle blog she launched in 2009. The blog's quirky name stems from Julie's habit of dipping her fingers in peanut butter - a simple pleasure that reflects her approachable and authentic online persona. Prior to becoming a full-time blogger, Julie worked in jobs in the public relations and marketing industry before realizing her affinity for writing and accepting a job as a content team manager for a large website. Afte...
Mar 21, 2025•50 min
Dixon Handshaw is the Chairman of the Board at Mooresville Arts, an important nonprofit located in the heart of downtown Mooresville, NC. Mooresville Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the Lake Norman region's cultural landscape by promoting the visual arts. Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025, the organization serves as a vibrant community for artists and art enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. It offers high-quality art education and provides venues for artists ...
Mar 19, 2025•29 min
In this episode, Lauren Spagnoletti, founder of Little Men Roaring, shares her journey from the entertainment industry to establishing a boutique marketing agency. She emphasizes the importance of identifying your target audience as the foundation of effective marketing strategies. Lauren discusses the benefits of repurposing content to maximize reach and reinforce brand authority. Additionally, she highlights the risks of relying solely on social media followers and the need for small businesse...
Mar 14, 2025•40 min
In this conversation, Taylor Judge, a licensed loan originator, shares her journey into the mortgage industry, discussing the appeal of her profession, current trends in mortgage rates, and valuable tips for first-time home buyers. She emphasizes the importance of building strong partnerships with realtors and leveraging social media for networking and professional growth. Taylor also highlights the significance of communication and trust in the mortgage process, especially for first-time buyers...
Mar 06, 2025•37 min
Dobson Interiors is a boutique design firm located in Lake Norman, North Carolina. The company focuses on creating aesthetically pleasing and functional living spaces tailored to each client's lifestyle and needs for every stage of life. Founded by Stephanie Dobson, a Charlotte native with a decade of experience in corporate finance, Dobson Interiors brings a unique blend of creativity and meticulous attention to detail to every project. Her background in corporate finance gives her a unique per...
Mar 04, 2025•44 min
Joining the podcast is Mark Mahoney, the CEO & Co-Founder of Jackrabbit Technologies. Jackrabbit Technologies is a leading provider of cloud-based class management software designed for youth activity centers, including gymnastics, dance, swim, and music schools. Founded with a mission to streamline operations for business owners, the company offers robust tools for scheduling, billing, student enrollment, and communication. With a customer-centric approach, Jackrabbit Technologies continuou...
Feb 28, 2025•39 min
Paige Richardson is a wardrobe stylist, fashion/image consultant, and the owner of Paige Richardson Styling. After spending nearly two decades in the corporate retail world as a merchandising executive in Manhattan and Charlotte, Paige decided to focus on what she loves the most—making women feel confident and like the best version of themselves when they walk out the door. During our conversation, Paige shares the story behind her career in fashion and her journey as an entrepreneur. She explai...
Feb 25, 2025•44 min
In this special podcast episode, Jeff sits down with board members from the Tarheel Trailblazers - a nonprofit organization that has been creating, maintaining, and protecting mountain bike trails throughout the greater Charlotte area since 1990. Tarheel Trailblazers @tarheel_trailblazers --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Best of LKN https://thebestoflkn.com/ Hosted by: Jeff Hamm Allen Tate Realtors® Charlotte & Lake Norman (NC) www.L...
Feb 20, 2025•45 min
In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, host Jeff Hamm interviews Nicole Leininger, a highly successful real estate broker in the Lake Norman area. They discuss Nicole's journey in real estate, her innovative marketing strategies, particularly the use of video, and the vibrant lifestyle of the Lake Norman community. Nicole shares insights on the current real estate market, including record-setting sales, and offers valuable advice for aspiring brokers looking to succeed in the industry. Nico...
Feb 17, 2025•32 min
Lauren Rorie is the owner of The Local Salon & Parlor in Cornelius, and she joins the podcast this week. During our conversation, Lauren shares the story of her entrepreneurial journey and the inspiration for owning her own salon. She shares a lot of the learnings experienced along the way, and some great advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. The Local Salon & Parlor is a community-focused hair salon that prides itself on delivering top-notch customer service. Specializing in haircuts, colo...
Feb 14, 2025•49 min
Stacy Jarrett is the new Managing Owner of Overflow in Mooresville. Overflow is a wildly popular and innovative self-pour tap room located in the Langtree area of Lake Norman. During our conversation, Stacy shares a little of her background and how she became the operational owner of Overflow in recent months. We talk about all that Overflow has to offer their guests. Plus, Stacy shares new ways locals can enjoy the space for private events and parties. Overflow 137 Mecklynn Rd Mooresville, NC 2...
Feb 04, 2025•23 min
Todd Ritter, the General Manager of MarineMax Lake Norman, joins the podcast! Is there any better way to enjoy Lake Norman than by boat? I don’t think so. Todd and I talk about some of the amazing brands available at MarineMax and the services they offer their customers. We also talk about the upcoming Mid-Atlantic Boat Show and how customers can land a great deal on their dream boat. The show isn’t just for those buying this year - I’ve attended for several years and have yet to buy a boat. It’...
Jan 31, 2025•43 min
The co-founders of Kunu Coffee Company, Terence and Debi Kidd, join the podcast to share the inspirational story behind their coffee company. The duo, along with co-founder Anthony Nugnes, formed Kunu Coffee in 2024 with a vision for a comfortable community gathering place with exceptional craft coffee drinks. Kunu Coffee Co. Cornelius: 18644 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031 Huntersville: 8519 Gilead Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078 Denver: 2204 St James Church Rd, Denver, NC 28037 Concord: 305 McGi...
Jan 28, 2025•46 min
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Best of LKN https://thebestoflkn.com/ Hosted by: Jeff Hamm Allen Tate Realtors® Charlotte & Lake Norman (NC) www.LKNreal.com Support the show...
Jan 24, 2025•29 min
Justin Orders joins the podcast to share the story behind Queens Orders Honey - an apiary located in Huntersville. In early 2018, Justin found himself unsure of his life's direction. He began beekeeping that same year and quickly discovered his passion for saving honeybees. What began as a single hive has now grown to over 40 hives. In addition to producing amazing local honey for consumers, Queens Orders also offers a variety of services including hive hosting, swarm removal/relocation, educati...
Jan 17, 2025•30 min
Ariel Leone joins The Best of LKN and shares the story of her journey in wellness, pageantry, and real estate. Ariel has a proven track record of enhancing communities through strategic community relations and health initiatives. Known for building strong partnerships and supporting high-impact programs, Ariel empowers individuals and advances community well-being. Links: Genevieve Boulanger & iShine Yoga Sign up for Friday Flow with Ariel - every Friday at 12pm -----------------------------...
Jan 14, 2025•31 min
In this episode, Jeff Hamm interviews Ben Bowen, a successful Lake Norman real estate broker from Premier Sotheby's International Realty. Ben shares his journey into real estate, his experiences in the luxury market, and the strategic marketing approaches that have contributed to his success. He emphasizes the importance of professionalism, understanding client needs, and the dynamics of the luxury real estate market. Ben also offers valuable advice for new agents, highlighting the significance ...
Jan 09, 2025•37 min
Sarah Browning and Becky Huff join the podcast to share details about Kids Camp - a new fitness concept by Burn Boot Camp! Kids Camp by Burn Boot Camp Kids Camp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidscamplakenorman/ Blog post mentioned: 10-Best Hiking Trails Around Lake Norman --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Best of LKN https://thebestoflkn.com/ Hosted by: Jeff Hamm Allen Tate Realtors® Charlotte & Lake Norman (NC) www.LKNreal....
Jan 02, 2025•28 min
Bill Saint is the founder of Classica Homes, a Charlotte-based home builder that blends the high-end quality of custom building with the value and consistency of proven systems. In this episode, Bill shares the story behind Classica Homes. He tells how his team’s background in custom home building inspired them to form a company that can deliver custom homes in a timely and cost-efficient experience. We talk about company values, the Classica mission, and what homebuyers can expect when working ...
Dec 20, 2024•48 min
The founder of The Lumen House, Britt Loukos, joins the podcast for this episode! The Lumen House is a modern, luxurious event venue located on 50 acres of picturesque land in Cleveland, North Carolina, about 45 minutes from Charlotte. Designed as a blank canvas for various events, including weddings, galas, corporate gatherings, and milestone celebrations, it features dramatic architectural elements like large picture windows and elegant mood lighting. In this episode, Britt shares the inspirat...
Dec 12, 2024•31 min
Adam Bratton rejoins the podcast to share new developments with his Human Powered Movement brand and some seriously cool upcoming events! Have a listen and follow these links for more info: Human Powered Movement HPM Instagram HPM YouTube HPM Strava Club HPM LinkedIn Events: MOVE - A Carbon Negative & Fat Ass Style Trail Run MOVE - A Carbon Negative & Bare Bones Style MTN Bike Ride More great ideas from HPM: Adventure Club Sustainable Stocking Stuffer Bundle Special mentions: HPM x Black...
Dec 05, 2024•38 min
In this conversation, TJ Todd, CEO of Studio 490, shares his journey from programming to entrepreneurship, detailing the evolution of his digital marketing agency. He emphasizes the importance of branding, website investment, and content creation for small businesses. TJ also discusses the significance of building a reliable team and maintaining long-term client relationships, offering practical advice for local marketing strategies. Studio490 | Follow on Instagram @studio490 -------------------...
Nov 22, 2024•33 min
Joining me for this episode is Scott Holcombe, the Founder & CEO of Autograph Cabinetry & Design. Autograph Kitchens, based in Cornelius, North Carolina, specializes in creating custom kitchen designs that blend beauty and functionality. The team is dedicated to helping families thrive in their homes. With a focus on personalized service, Autograph Kitchens collaborates closely with clients to bring their dream kitchens to life. Autograph Cabinetry & Design 18605 Starcreek Dr #106 Co...
Nov 15, 2024•40 min
ulie Wooldridge and Lucynda Caceres from Hope of Mooresville join the podcast this week! Hope of Mooresville, also known as HOMe, is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing transitional housing and essential support to homeless women and children in Mooresville, North Carolina. With a mission centered around fostering self-sufficiency and stability, HOMe offers a safe environment where residents can focus on personal development, education, and skill-building. The organiz...
Nov 08, 2024•25 min
Josh Tucker is a highly successful real estate broker who specializes in luxury Lake Norman waterfront properties. In this episode, Josh shares what led him to the real estate industry from a career in NASCAR. We learn about his strategy for developing a reputation for excellence beginning with his very first listing. This episode was recorded at Scrypt Media - a marketing and media agency based in Cornelius. Josh talks about the importance of high quality media in real estate marketing and how ...
Oct 31, 2024•43 min
Troy Fitzsimmons is the Director of Cornelius Parks & Recreation. He joins the podcast to share some exciting updates for the community and also to talk about the Cornelius Park Bonds Referendum. The Cornelius Park Bonds referendum aims to fund recreational improvements across the town, including parks, trails, and green spaces. The proposal focuses on enhancing public amenities, promoting outdoor activities, and expanding accessibility for residents. If approved, it would allocate significa...
Oct 29, 2024•27 min
Jason Moore, founder and director of Port City Heights, discusses his journey into the videography and media industry. He shares how he discovered his passion for aerial photography and videography through drones and how it led him to start his own business. Jason also talks about the services Port City Heights offers, including high-quality aerial media content for real estate companies, commercial businesses, and film production companies. He highlights the value of aerial perspectives in mark...
Oct 25, 2024•30 min
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Best of LKN https://thebestoflkn.com/ Hosted by: Jeff Hamm Allen Tate Realtors® Charlotte & Lake Norman (NC) www.LKNreal.com Produced by Epic Journey Media https://epicjourneymedia.com/ Support the show...
Oct 23, 2024•37 min
