The Real Hickory Podcast

On this episode Mike talks to local commercial real estate expert Ryan Lovern with Commercial First Real Estate in Hickory, NC. They have a wide ranging discussion about what is hot and what is not so hot in the commercial market today. They also discuss Opportunity zones and how some DOT changes might affect future development in our area. We promise that you will be much more informed after list...

On this episode Mike talked to Mark Childers of Classic Home Renovations about the building and renovation process. There is a lot of really good information in here so we hope you enjoy it. Mark is a General Contractor in the Hickory area, and his company can be found at www.classichomerenovations.com   Podcast Credits:   The Real Hickory Podcast is hosted by Mike Kelly Jr. President of Hickory R...

On this episode we speak with Sarah Killian, Communications Specialist with the City of Hickory to talk about how things are progressing with the City Wak, The River Walk and the Trivium Business park. It was a very informative discussion and it is exciting to see how close we are to being able to enjoy Hickory in a whole new way. For more information on these projects go to https://www.hickorync....

Today we talked to Dr. David Peltzer about COVID-19 in our area and how it is transmitted and how we should be behaving to limit transmission. It was a good conversation and I hope people take heed and realize that wearing a mask in some public spaces is better than getting shut down again. Please feel free to share this because there is a lot of really good information. The Real Hickory Podcast i...

On this episode Mike talks to Lindsay Keisler President and CEO of the Chamber of Catawba County (our local Chamber of Commerce). They have a great discussion on how The Chamber is helping local business stay informed and what they are doing to support them as things begin to open up. To keep in touch with what they are doing go to www.catawbachamber.org We also produced this in video format so if...

Today Mike talked with Tim Kerley of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group in Hickory. Tim talked about how the mortgage industry is adapting in a post COVID-19 environment. Tim explained how interest rates are figured and what consumers need to know about forbearance. We even discuss local take out options and some TV shows that we are watching.  Podcast Credits: The Real Hickory Podcast is hosted by Mike...

Just Mike on this episode so it is short on time but has a ton of content. Discussion includes the local real estate market, some great people helping our community through this crazy time and some organizations that need our support. Please share with anyone you think it can help and hopefully we will be back in a couple weeks with our normal guest format.     he Real Hickory Podcast is hosted by...

On this episode Mike chats with Beth Williams of Williams Law Firm in Hickory to discuss the closing attorney's role in the real estate transaction. They have a wide ranging discussion on why title insurance is important and even talk about things going on around the Hickory area. Give it a listen and share with your friends.  The Real Hickory Podcast is hosted by Mike Kelly Jr. President of Hicko...

On this episode Mike talks to Michelle Morgan, Executive Director of Women's Resource Center in Hickory. They talked about what WRC does for the community, upcoming events, and how they help local women. She also discussed how people can help via volunteering or donations.   The Real Hickory Podcast is hosted by Mike Kelly Jr. President of Hickory Real Estate Group Inc. The opinions and views on t...

On this episode Mike chats with Zack Cranford the founder of several local businesses in our area including Standard Oyster Co. in Hickory, Charolais Steakhouse in Hickory, Foothills Distillery in Conover, and Granny's Country Kitchen in Claremont.  Zack talks about how he got started in business right out of college and what it is like be a local business owner. They also discuss how positive the...

On this episode of The Real Hickory Podcast we talk to Christine Winn of Winn Apprasial Group about the real estate appraisal process and some of her favorite things about our area. There is a lot of information in this one and we hope that you enjoy it.  Podcast Credits: The Real Hickory Podcast is hosted by Mike Kelly Jr. President of Hickory Real Estate Group Inc. The opinions and views on the...

On this episode Mike talks to Aaron Kohrs of Greenway Transportation. They discuss public transportation in our area and a little bit about what it is like to run for local public office. Hopefully you will learn some things about our area that you did not know before. For more info about Greenway go to www. MyGreenway.org Podcast Credits: The Real Hickory Podcast is hosted by Mike Kelly Jr. Presi...

On this episode Mike talks to Cameron Bixby about Hickory Young Professionals (HYP) a networking group for local professionals 21-40 years old. They talk on a variety of topics including local food, swimming with sting rays and her day job at Catawba Insurance in Catawba NC. For more info about HYP go to www. HickoryHYP.com   For more info about Cameron's company go to:  https://www.catawbainsuran...

On this episode Mike talks with Romeo Heatherly of Romeo Heatherly Insurance in Hickory. On the show they discuss a business networking group he belongs to called BNI and how it has helped his business over the years. Listen as they discuss wide ranging topics from insurance, favorite Valley Hills mall store and where to get a good burger in Asheville.  To contact Romeo go to his website at www. R...

On this episode Mike chats with REALTOR Hope Halbert where they discuss getting into the real estate business, the state of the local market and even a little bit about ghosts. Follow Hope on Instagram @hopehalbertrealtor or check out her website at www. HopeHalbert.com Podcast Credits: The Real Hickory Podcast is hosted by Mike Kelly Jr. President of Hickory Real Estate Group Inc. The opinions an...

On this episode Mike chats with Ryan Carroll of Full Metal Chicken  on a couple cool topics. First they talk about the Lake Hickory Trails which is a mountain bike trail system in Hickory NC. They discuss how it was started and how people can enjoy it now. The conversation then shifts to Ryan's company Full Metal Chicken a local full service digital advertising agency. It is a great conversation w...

On todays podcast Mike talked to Kim Lyke Holden Executive Director of the Catawba County Partnership for Children. She has been in this role for 21 years and has lived in the Hickory Area since the mid 90's.  The Catawba County Partnership for Children has several programs for Pre-K children and their parents that most people do not know about. For more information on the programs offered go to w...

On this episode Mike talks to Mandy Pitts Hildebrand CEO of the Hickory-Conover Tourism Development Authority also known as the Hickory Metro Convention Center and Visitors Bureau.  Mandy has been in this role for almost 4 years and previously was the Communications and Brand director for the City of Hickory. Mandy is a Hickory native and is really committed to our areas success.  Today they discu...

This week Mike talked with Ryan Lovern of Commercial First Real Estate in Hickory, NC. Ryan has been doing commercial real estate in our area for years and offers us a different take on what is going on in our hometown. On this episode Mike and Ryan discuss how the bond program is helping the local commercial market, opportunity zones and even why you need to pay attention to posted signs on peopl...

This week Mike interviews one of HREG's top agents Erin Hunt. Erin has only been in the business a couple years but has really hit the ground running and is doing very well so far in her career.  Mike and Erin talk about the current market, and what it is like to get into the real estate business.  Mike also breaks out a new segment this week where he asks 10 quick fire questions and Erin gets to...

This week Mike talked to Kelly Stewart of Run Time Races to talk about his business and how he is able to help organizations in our area raise money for charitable causes.  A big topic of conversation concerned the upcoming Charity Chase Half Marathon that is happening in Hickory on 4/13/19. Kelly gives us a glimpse into what charities are being helped and information on where to sign up if you wa...

This week Mike sat down with Lindsay Keisler President & CEO of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce. Lindsay gives a great explanation of what the chamber does and also talks about some of the programs that they are working on to make life better in our area especially for the local business community. I promise you will learn a lot if you are into that sort of thing.    Podcast Credits:   The...

Today Mike was interviewed on WHKY, a local radio station in the Hickory NC Area. They provided us with the audio from the show so we are sharing it with a quick intro but otherwise unedited. Mike has been an advertiser with WHKY in the past and the Hal Row is a local treasure. It was an honor to be on his show and hopefully the listeners got something of value from our talk.  Podcast Credits: Rad...

This week we talked to Kevin Mc Millan who has an insurance office in Newton NC. We discussed how to get into the insurance business, tips for getting homeowners insurance and things to look out for when picking an insurance company. It was a great conversation and Kevin was very informative. Kevin even talked about some past horror stories he has heard about in his years in the business. I really...

This weeks episode features Dave Leonetti the Business Services Manager with the City of Hickory. This show features discussion about the progress on the bond referendum and the future of the Hickory Trail system. They also discuss some similarities between Pawnee Indiana and Hickory NC and there is also a little bit of South Jersey/Philly talk.  If you are interested in creating a business in Hic...