BrandBuilders

We read some headlines just this week that said, “the great resignation is over,” and that the economy is actually still adding jobs. But ask just about anyone and they’re STILL struggling to find talent. And when that talent can’t be found down the street or across town, that’s where companies like Oyster HR come in. They help businesses hire, run payroll, and provide benefits – for talent locate...

Convergint is a company that works alongside a global network of partners and manufacturers to design, install, and service security, fire alarm, life safety, audio-visual, and building automation solutions for enterprise customers. They believe what sets THEM apart in the marketplace is their company culture, guided by their values and beliefs. This, they say, helps them stay accountable to their...

Every business – and every business owner and founder – has an origin story. Some are pretty straightforward, others take a more roundabout route. Jim Mallory traveled the world in the Navy, started his own business, learning the ropes – and the paint trade – as he went along. Today there are twenty-two Mallory Paint Stores in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. Their Brand Manager, Sarah Ro...

Our next guests are long-time partners and friends of the team here at The Dunstan Group. Jenn Snyder Gibson’s name comes up regularly around here, as Executive Director of the Hood-Hargett breakfast club. Her husband is Quinton Gibson, a world-class and world-traveled professional musician. But they’re not here to talk shop. They’re here today to talk about something really personal, and how open...

Tiffany Mielnik Parrish had a history of pain, illness, misdiagnosis, and frustration with no answers for the chronic pain and illness she had experienced since childhood. The pain persisted through her adult life as a professional, and into her role as a mother. Rather than wait any longer for answers, she decided to create her own solution – and one that’s helping others, too. So she founded Sel...

If we all scream for ice cream, then this episode of the BrandBuilders Podcast is going to get pretty loud. We’re talking to a pair of ice cream entrepreneurs who are bringing something new and different – and we’ll bet, pretty delicious – to the frozen treat game here in Charlotte. Garrett Tichy and Jess Berresse are co-founders of Seemingly Overzealous, a dairy-free dessert location that opens t...

With work, school, kids, family, and every other type of distraction in our lives, it can sometimes be hard to find a quick meal that doesn’t compromise your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Most everyone WANTS to eat healthy, but sometimes it’s just hard, confusing, or just plain inconvenient. That’s where Nautical Bowls fits in. They combine healthy, fresh, superfoods in what they call an “upl...

Founded in 1923 as the Charlotte Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, CEENTA has grown to become one of the largest multispecialty practices of its kind on the East Coast. That’s good news if you’re a patient—since you won’t have to travel to get top-quality care. In fact, CEENTA doctors pioneered some procedures right here in Charlotte that are now used daily around the world. Today, CEENTA has more tha...

Here’s a bold claim for you: We deliver results-driven professionals to results-driven companies. That’s what Mach Partners says about their ability and expertise in the professional recruitment services. We love that kind of attitude! Mach Partners is a leading Executive Search firm focused on delivering top Private Equity, Technology, Hedge Fund, Real Estate, Operations, Accounting, and Alternat...

A potential client can’t find you without a website. But these days it takes more than a web address and some good-looking graphics to attract customers and rise above the competition. That’s where Antilles Digital Media comes in. Antilles Digital Media delivers high quality website design and SEO services to rank ahead of your competitors on search engine results. This allows their clients to inc...

Starting over is hard work – whether it’s a job change, divorce, coming out, or living through grief… they all present unique challenges. Sisters Olivia Howell and Jenny Dreizen are making those transitions easier with “Fresh Starts Registry,” a first-of-its-kind platform built to support those going through brave and bold changes. They’ve told their story in interviews with Forbes, New York Magaz...

Right out of college, our next guest began a career at Microsoft. Jonathan Kite held different roles that allowed him to interact with hundreds of different companies. He learned how they developed, supported, and evolved software to solve business problems. When his two other co-founders approached the idea of a startup, he knew the time was right to try something new and fill a gap in the multif...

In case you haven’t been keeping score, sports history is being made fresh daily this fall, right here at Queens University. The Royals have notched first-ever Division 1 goals, points, and WINS in baseball, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, field hockey… and more. To the doubters, let’s just say the Royals have put the A-Sun conference on notice! Everyone loves a winner, and there’s LOTS to love...

There’s NOTHING easy about losing a family member. That heartbreak must be magnified exponentially when it comes to losing a child. In Charlotte, families who do suffer this life-altering event don’t have to go it alone. Since 1978, KinderMourn has helped bereaved parents, grieving children and teens by offering support and counseling programs, creating awareness of bereavement issues and empoweri...

So… how do you write an introduction for someone who’s in the business of making other people look and sound good? That’s easy! You “borrow” a couple of lines from their website! Here goes: “Beth Booker is a creative entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in PR and Marketing with the education to match. As the CEO of two PR companies, her diverse background spans multiple industries, from f...

In 1977, Blake Annable began designing and manufacturing sports equipment and apparel in Western Canada for specialty retailers and corporate clients. What began as a small business venture eventually grew to become one of the largest privately-owned and operated international apparel companies. That company is now called Stormtech. They got their first big break when a popular gym bag they made g...

Here’s a fun fact for you: Did you know George Washington is said to have created the FIRST promotional product? The story goes, Washington is credited with creating an election button for his 1789 campaign. How about that for some history they don’t teach in school? LOTS has changed since then, and so has the promotional products industry. As we like to say around here at The Dunstan Group, we ca...

A breast cancer diagnosis is news no one wants to get. Mercifully, the Charlotte area is blessed with opportunities for state-of-the-art treatment. While access to that kind of care can be life-saving or even life-extending, there’s more to treating the entire person. That’s where resources like Carolina Breast Friends play a role. From the big “pink house” on East Morehead Street, they work to pr...

Youth Advocate Programs – or YAP —  is in 32 states and the District of Columbia and in its 47th year of partnering with systems to provide community-based alternatives to youth incarceration, congregate placements and neighborhood violence. Last year, they launched the “ But I’m Not” public service ad campaign highlighting how the nonprofit works to transform youth justice, child welfare, b...

Charlotte is incredibly lucky to have some amazing talent not only IN the arts scene, but also helping guide some of our creative institutions. Tom Gabbard is one of those people. He’s been President and CEO of Blumenthal Performing Arts for nearly 20 years! Today, he’s our guest on the BrandBuilders Podcast.

No matter what your station in life, there’s a style or genre of music you that speaks to you. Music is a HUGE part of the soundtrack of our lives. I mean, who doesn’t recall the songs that remind them of first boyfriends or girlfriends, breakups, spring breaks, weddings… you get the picture. David Fisk has been around music for at least as long as his professional and formative years – and we’re...

CBRE Group is a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, and is the largest commercial real estate services and investment firm IN THE WORLD. Maybe you’ve heard of them? They have over 100,000 employees serving clients in more than 100 countries. John Christenbury and Piers Wates work in CBRE’s Tenant Representation Group, serving as their strategic advisor, lowering real estat...

As the world becomes more and more interconnected and tech-driven one thing is clear, data is king. Beyond what your favorite food is or how you like to dress, data in the 21st century can be an almost complete picture of who you are. With enough data on someone, you can begin to influence them and with our reliance on technology it is more important than it has ever been to have ethical tech comp...

The law. It can be complicated beyond belief and stakes can be very high whenever you enter a courtroom. This is only multiplied when it comes to family law. Adding deep emotions on top of what can already be a stressful situation only adds to that stress! Anyone who has gone through a family court case can attest to the fact that it isn’t easy… but with the right lawyer helping you and your famil...

If there is one thing we know for sure it’s that everything is changing fast! New cars, space exploration, advanced medicine, politics, and of course the newest dances to learn on TikTok. Fashion has also undergone a massive change if you compare it to the 2000s, the 90s, 80s, or 70s! But with all of the changes going on, there has also been a resurgence in vintage fashion. Today we are joined by...