BrandBuilders

Next time you’re on your computer, look at the last five brand websites you visited. How many of them looked exactly like each other? Same stock photography, same font, same promise to “transform your business.” Marketing has a sameness problem, and most people in the industry have just accepted it. Laurie “Nez” Donato is not one of those people.  After earning a BFA in Vis...

Charlotte is practically famous for its trees. They line the parking lots of office parks, anchor the corners of apartment complexes, shade the walking paths of neighborhoods we love. We trim them back when they get inconvenient, and sometimes — only when they fall — do we finally reckon with how much they were holding together. Trees are living infrastructure. Long-term investments that can outla...

There’s a question that lives in the back of the mind of nearly every parent raising a child with special needs. It doesn’t announce itself — it just sits there, quiet and heavy. What happens to my child when I am no longer here? For a long time, that question had no good answer. Families navigated a maze of government benefits, legal documents, and financial systems — often alone, gui...

In 2009, Charlotte had the distinction of being the largest city in the United States without a single brewery. Most people would look at that and see opportunity. Ryan Self did, and built his entire career from that moment forward. He spent thirteen years at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — from self-distributing kegs to Charlotte bars to statewide distribution across North Carolina. Building something...

Every business runs on data. Every data breach costs money, erodes trust, and — in some cases — ends companies. The question isn’t whether cybersecurity matters. It’s who you trust to protect you when the stakes are that high. Today’s guest built his career on that question. Matt Donato spent nearly two decades in professional services — starting in staffing and executive search,...

What does it look like when someone builds their entire life around a question — not “what can I get?” but “what can I give?” Today’s guest has been quietly answering that for over a decade, and the results speak for themselves: hundreds of young lives redirected, a nonprofit that has become a genuine force in Charlotte, and a reputation so consistent that his colleag...

The right lighting can transform a space—from how it feels to how it functions—and behind every smart system is someone who understands both the technical side and the relationship side of the business. Our guest today is Kenny Barnes , General Manager of FRM Lighting & Controls, based right here in Charlotte. FRM has been a leader in the electrical industry since 1969, and in 2024 they launch...

When you think “golf carts,” you might picture country clubs and fairways—but in Charlotte, golf carts are becoming a lifestyle, a way to move, connect, and have fun. At the center of that movement is Charlotte Golf Carts , led by entrepreneur and owner Fred Griffith . Fred’s journey hasn’t been a straight line. He’ll tell you he’s “had it all, lost it all, and never gave up,” and that imagination...

Charlotte is growing fast, and a lot of that growth is being shaped by people who don’t just build projects, they build communities. One of those leaders is Todd Collins , CEO and founder of Red Hill Ventures, a Charlotte-based real estate firm and investment platform focused on innovative, community-centered development. Under Todd’s leadership, Red Hill Ventures has invested in and revitalized k...

Today we’re talking about what it really takes to align brand, marketing, and revenue in a world where channels change daily but fundamentals still matter. Our guest, Jinnie Austin , is a Marketing and Ecommerce Strategic Advisor and fractional CMO who helps growing brands connect the dots between who they are, how they show up, and how they make money. Jinnie has worked with organizations like 36...

Charlotte’s movie scene has something truly special — and it’s not your average theater popcorn experience. The Independent Picture House isn’t just a cinema; it’s a community hub for film lovers, artists, and idea seekers. As Charlotte’s only nonprofit community cinema, IPH is building something more than a movie — a space where cultural conversations, local voices, and international films all me...

Today’s guest has gone from dancing in some of Europe’s most respected companies to becoming one of the most distinctive choreographic voices in contemporary ballet. Alejandro Cerrudo, danced professionally before he became Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s first ‑ ever resident choreographer in 2008.  His work has been performed by more than 20 dance companies around the world, and he has been recog...

Today’s guest helps power a national network you may not know by name, but you’ve almost certainly lived with their work. Insulate America is a nationwide group of independently owned insulation contractors that serves builders, remodelers, and homeowners all across the country. At the center of that network is David Beam, who works with member companies to strengthen their businesses, share best...

Today’s guest has built one of Charlotte’s most beloved “shop local” destinations by turning a little bungalow in Plaza Midwood into a treasure hunt of vintage ‑ inspired gifts, home decor, and local makers. Michelle Castelloe is the owner and operator of Moxie Mercantile, a community ‑ centric, curated gift boutique that has grown from its original Commonwealth Avenue shop into multiple locations...

Today’s guest wears two very different hats that actually fit together perfectly. Chuck Kistler is the co-owner of Vaulted Oak Brewing, the popular neighborhood brewery on Monroe Road, known for its community vibe, big patio, and eclectic tap list. When he’s not pouring into the local beer scene, Chuck is a General Account Manager at TIAA, bringing a financial professional’s discipline to a small...

She’s a strategic marketing pro, brand storyteller, and customer experience expert with more than two decades of experience driving growth for top organizations. Carly O’Brien is also the founder of Carly O’Brien Consulting, where she helps businesses refine their marketing, transform their messaging, and build brands that resonate. Her perspective blends creativity with data-driven insight — and...

Our guest today is a serial entrepreneur and growth-minded leader who’s built an entire ecosystem around helping other business owners think bigger. Chad Jenkins is the Owner and CEO of SEEDSPARK and the creator of SEEDSPARK CoLAB, a collaboration-focused platform that helps entrepreneurs connect, innovate, and scale. Through SEEDSPARK, he and his team use technology, strategy, and what they call...

Our next guest is a visual brand storyteller who helps businesses look as good as they really are. Mandi Boedicker is the founder of Dry Ink Designs, a Charlotte-based studio specializing in logo design, visual branding, and websites that tell a clear, compelling story. From new launches to rebrands, she guides clients through everything from concept and color to full brand systems and online pres...

Today’s guest has spent two decades in the trenches of outside sales, from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to capital equipment and beyond. Mike O’Kelly is the founder and host of the Surviving Outside Sales Academy – and podcast, where he helps sales professionals navigate a chaotic, ever-changing landscape with better habits, systems, and mindset. Through his show, coaching, and content, he...

She’s built a career around helping people find peace, balance, and real tools for navigating life’s challenges. Tammy Morath is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and the founder of Soho Therapy Group — a practice built on compassion, collaboration, and community. From individuals to families and couples, Tammy and her team focus on practical, strengths-based therapy that helps clients thrive. We...

Some stories are so improbable that if they weren’t true, you’d never believe them. Dean Otto ’s story is one of them. A lifelong athlete, sales leader, and dad, Dean was out for a Saturday morning bike ride in Charlotte when he was hit from behind by a Ford F-150, paralyzed from the waist down, and given just a 2% chance of ever walking again. Less than a year later, he crossed the finish line of...

If you’ve ever tried to shop for home or auto insurance alone, you know it can feel confusing, rushed, and a little bit like guesswork. The McElveen Agency and Goosehead Insurance flips that script. Led by agent and agency president Jay McElveen , the Charlotte-based firm uses cutting-edge technology and relationships with more than two dozen top-rated carriers to shop the market and build custom...

Tiffany VanDeMark believes your brand is felt before it is understood — and she has spent her career helping people and organizations make that feeling count. From launching global experiential marketing and wellness initiatives at Chobani, to leading brand and revenue growth for health and fitness companies, she has built a reputation as a dynamic leader who blends strategy, storytelling, and hea...

If you’ve ever bought or sold a home around the Charlotte area, you’ve probably seen the work of our next guest — even if you didn’t realize it. Those crisp, professional real estate signs that pop up on lawns and properties all over town often come from Carolina Realty Signs . Behind those signs is Wes Martin , owner and president of the company, who’s been growing this family business since he t...

Food has a unique way of bringing people together, especially in life’s hardest moments. Feast for Good does exactly that for cancer patients in the Charlotte area — organizing meals from local restaurants and food partners for folks braving treatment. By tapping into Charlotte’s culinary community, Feast for Good not only feeds people physically, but also provides comfort, dignity, and a re...