The Best of LKN

Some people grow an audience. Others grow a community. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Cayce Blackley—the creator behind the wildly popular Instagram account Living in Lake Norman—for a warm, honest, and genuinely fun conversation about what it really means to share local life with heart, consistency, and purpose. Cayce opens up about how the account started (spoiler: her husband secretly cre...

In this episode of The Best of LKN , Jeff sits down with Craig and Lucy, the owners behind Brooklyn South, one of Cornelius’ most beloved local restaurants and a longtime staple of the Lake Norman food scene. Craig and Lucy share their journey from Long Island, New York, to Lake Norman, and the story behind opening Brooklyn South in 1998—long before Cornelius became what it is today. They reflect...

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Kyle Cerminara, owner of Lake Norman Golf Club, and Gavin Arsenault, the club’s general manager, for a wide-ranging conversation about the rebirth of one of Lake Norman’s most talked-about golf properties. Kyle shares his journey to Lake Norman, his background in asset management, and why preserving and elevating the course—rather than developing it—was central...

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Jen Campbell Boles , founder of Explore More Travel Co. , for a wide-ranging conversation about intentional travel, customization, and building a relationship-driven business. Based in the Lake Norman area, Jen shares how her agency designs highly personalized trips—from Europe and Asia to safaris, cruises, and luxury resorts—by truly understanding how her clie...

In this episode of The Best of LKN , Jeff sits down with Dr. Henry Wilson, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Lake Norman Plastic Surgery, to talk about his journey, his new practice, and why Lake Norman felt like the right place to put down roots. Dr. Wilson shares his path from Arkansas to Harvard and Vanderbilt, extensive surgical training along the East Coast, and leadership experi...

Paper Skyscraper has been a Charlotte favorite for decades—and now it’s officially part of the Lake Norman community. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Bill Godwin, owner of Paper Skyscraper, to talk about the brand’s long history, its cult-favorite status, and what inspired the opening of the new Davidson location. Bill shares how a shop he loved growing up became the most joyful business he’s...

I sat down with Cheryl Luckett, founder and principal designer of Dwell by Cheryl Interiors, for a much-needed round two—this time in person after a tech issue cut our first conversation short. Cheryl’s story is a masterclass in the kind of disciplined pivot most people dream about but rarely execute. She grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and built a successful corporate career as a registered...

In this episode, Jeff finally sits down with Lake Norman marketer and serial entrepreneur Ryan Webber to talk about the real work behind great content—and why most small businesses are overcomplicating it.  Ryan shares his journey from teacher and gym owner to running Webber Marketing and helping build The Real Estate Lawyer YouTube channel to nearly 100K subscribers with simple, value-first video...

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff sits down with Matt Phillips, owner of Next Horizon Homes — one of Lake Norman’s most trusted renovation and custom-home builders.  Matt shares his winding journey from Army flight medic to home-services entrepreneur, to now leading a Denver-based design-build firm known for transforming challenging lots, reimagining dated lake houses, and guiding c...

In this episode, Jeff sits down with mortgage expert Matt Doyle of Guild Mortgage—a longtime Lake Norman local who grew up in Sherrills Ford and has watched the region transform over the past three decades. Matt shares his journey from studying marketing and economics at Appalachian State to becoming a top 1% loan officer and now the Sales Manager for Guild’s North Charlotte region. He opens up ab...

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Adam Wilson, founder of Learn Music in Cornelius, to unpack the inspiring journey behind one of Lake Norman’s most beloved creative organizations. Adam shares how a childhood split between Charlotte and Southern California shaped his musical roots, how a leap of faith brought him back to the Lake Norman area, and why Cornelius felt like a place full of possibil...

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff sits down with Ivan Besancon, Director of the brand-new Lake Norman Pickleball Club in Mooresville, to talk about the sport that’s sweeping the nation — and now thriving right here in Lake Norman. Ivan shares how the club came to life as part of the Lake Norman Clubs family — joining the region’s tennis and golf facilities under one growing banner....

Jeff welcomes entrepreneur Caleb Hannon, founder of Lake Waste, for a candid look at how a hospitality mindset is reshaping residential and short-term rental trash service around Lake Norman.  Caleb shares his winding path from marketing/hospitality/sports into “the trash business,” why he built a concierge-style, full-service pickup model for vacation homes, and how that expanded into reliable ne...

Ken Brock, co-owner of RODTEES and Your Logo Wear, joins The Best of LKN podcast to share a 37-year journey in custom apparel—from San Diego roots to building a thriving fulfillment and branding shop here in Lake Norman.  He and his wife, Kim, run a true one-stop operation: in-house screen printing, embroidery, laser engraving, leather-patch hats, stickers, and banners, plus print-on-demand and dr...

Jeff welcomes restaurateur Robert Maynard, and Chef Scott Liebfried - the team behind Fontana de Vino in downtown Davidson. Scott shares how his experience with the Four Seasons and California cuisine shaped his approach to hospitality and concept creation. Robert and Scott unveil Fontana de Vino - an Italian-forward, steak-friendly concept blending “old world meets new” with an approachable vibe....

Five years after appearing on the very first episode of The Best of LKN Podcas t, Mike Ratnofsky of CrossFit Cornelius returns to share how his business and community have evolved.  Since that podcast in 2020, C2 has transformed from a fitness studio focused on survival into a purpose-driven operation with clear systems, stronger leadership, and an even deeper connection to its members. Mike discu...

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast , Jeff returns to one of his favorite places on Lake Norman — the Safe Harbor Peninsula Yacht Club in Cornelius. Joining him are General Manager Kathy Dishner, Assistant GM Nikole Maust, and Marina Manager Harry Smith to share what’s new at the club. They introduce the exciting new Boat Club, a member-only amenity giving social members access to the lake...

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcas t, Jeff Hamm sits down with Carl Steinmann, owner of Varsity Zone HVAC - Mooresville, to talk about entrepreneurship, innovation, and serving the Lake Norman community. Carl shares how his 20+ years in corporate operations and real estate investing led him to take the leap into business ownership — trading boardrooms for attics and spreadsheets for service...

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Lisa Sherman, Sales Representative for Empire Homes, to explore one of Mooresville’s most exciting new communities - Harris Farms. With over 30 years of homebuilding experience, Empire Homes has become a trusted name in high-quality, thoughtfully designed communities across the U.S. and Canada.  Harris Farms brings that legacy to the Lake Norman area with a mix...

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Jeff sits down with Derek Ciraulo, owner of Royal Home Inspections, for a practical, no-nonsense look at home inspections around Lake Norman / Charlotte, NC.  Derek shares his path from Long Island to Troutman, why communication matters as much as technical skill, and the most common issues he finds in this market—think crawl spaces, moisture, HVAC, radon, and “organic growth.”  He also gives clea...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter The Best of LKN https://thebestoflkn.com/ Support the show

Jodi Vose is the owner of Jodi Vose Refined Style, a boutique styling service for busy professionals. Jodi has spent her entire career in the creative industry. She began as a hairstylist and later added wardrobe consulting, combining both to help clients achieve a polished, confident look. Her experience includes backstage runway work in New York City and Boston, where she collaborated with inter...

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast , Jeff sits down with Mike Terrell, Senior Managing Director at Per Scholas North Carolina, a nonprofit delivering cost-free technology training that’s changing lives across the state. Mike shares how his journey - from the Marine Corps to federal intelligence work to nonprofit leadership - led him to launch Per Scholas in Charlotte during 2020. Since the...

They discuss Brett's journey into real estate, the transition from coastal properties to Lake Norman, current market trends, and the challenges faced by investors today.  Brett shares insights on managing vacation rentals, the importance of research, and offers advice for aspiring investors.  The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of real estate investment and the need for strateg...