Courageous Dreamers Win

Toska Husted began her journey over 20 years ago in London, England when she became a graduate of the elite "Steiner" School of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, appointed by Queen Elizabeth II. Toska also holds a diploma in Beauty Culture, and received her diploma as a qualified Beautician from the Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, which is internationally recognized in...

Colleen Odegaard is an Emmy award winning broadcast journalist, TV host, certified life coach, video and media coach and the host of the Wake Up To Your Life podcast. She wants all of us to stop living on autopilot and "wake up" to creating richer, fuller lives through self awareness and mindfulness.   Colleen relates to her clients and listeners with her personal stories, a sense of humor and pra...

Fabi Preslar is the owner and president of  SPARK Publications , a national, award-winning, independent publishing firm specializing in the design of niche magazines, special publications, and independently published books for print, digital, and interactive media. Her firm's publications enhance credibility and distinction, enabling individuals and organizations to thrive and excel. Preslar has b...

Ole Mason Jar is a specialty line of menswear founded in Charlotte in 2013. Co-founder Bradley Rhyne brought a background in accounting and finance to the table, along with a passion for creating timeless, trusted men's clothing.  In today's episode of Piece of the Pai, host Nesha Pai talks to Brad about making the shift from the 9-5 world to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind the brand, and...

Kent Youngstrom is a visual artist, designer and author in Charlotte, NC. His vivid artwork has found a home blurring the lines between traditional and modern arts. His designs and ideas have landed him major partnerships with companies such as No Bull and CB2 In today's episode of Piece of the Pai, host Nesha Pai talks to Kent about his art, his background, and why he doesn't think of himself as...

It takes a special kind of dedication to endure the physical demands of being a top flight UFC fighter. However, in many ways, a UFC fighter needs the same entrepreneurial skills as a business owner in order to be successful. Today's guest on Piece of the Pai is Sara McCann. A mother, wife, and also the first woman to ever win a medal in Olympic wrestling, Sara talks about balancing the rigors of...

Maureen Anders of Anders Ruff is our guest on this episode of Piece of the Pai. Anders Ruff is a popular graphic design, party styling, DIY blog and online shop. Founded in 2013 with her friend Adria Ruff, the company has grown to more than 100 franchise locations across the country. From humble beginnings creating decorations for children's parties, AR has grown to designing sets for magazines an...

In this episode of Piece of the Pai we  interview  Cel  Thompson, who   is a single mom, self-made fitness guru and beat the odds to be the only salesperson to rise to the top of her fitness company without a college degree. From being in over 25 fitness competitions to coaching pro sport cheerleaders, she is the definition of hustle. More recently,  Cel  won the Judge's Choice Award for the 2019...

In this episode we are honored to interview Jenn Andrews of Move For Jenn. Jenn worked in corporate America for many years before becoming a stay-at-home mom and launching a successful Isagenix career. Her passion for health and fitness was her foundation. What she didn't know is that career would lead her to her security blanket when she was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma (as a mother of t...

Today's episode of Piece of the Pai features small business and jewelry maker Preston Bolles of Ellison James Designs. Proving that necessity is the mother of all invention, Preston began making jewelry when she couldn't find the right pieces to wear during Carolina Panthers game days. Once she began making her own, she couldn't stop getting compliments. Tune in to hear Nesha talk to Preston about...

In this episode we are focusing Mitch Purgason, head designer and owner of Stitched By Mitch.  Mitch is a guy beyond his years and has the charisma of Frank Sinatra and cool of Richard Branson. He has differentiated himself in the industry with his customer service and creativity. He can create anything that he can draw so he does not limit himself to men's suits, he also creates urban style jogge...

In this episode of Piece of the Pai, we are focusing on Lauren Kunijo & Kenna Ehman, owners of the South End hair salon Kenna Kunijo. Lauren & Kenna are not only talented hair artists, but they are philanthropic entrepreneurs who give back to the community. They truly believe in community over competition and are dimes in the Queen City. Take a listen at how they came together, created a beautiful...

In 2011, Alyssa Wilen (né Gorelick) and her boyfriend (now husband and business partner) Andrew saw a gap in the market in terms of fun, friendly and hands on cooking classes. Alyssa, who had a degree in the culinary arts, began talking to Andrew, who had a background in business, marketing and events, about how they could fill that gap. Slowly, through meticulous research and building piece-by-pi...

In this episode we are focusing on Chrystal Rose, a self-made entrepreneur who battled through a long road of trial and error. Chrystal did not have the typical route of education and the perfect business plan to find her passion and entrepreneurial mission. Instead, many different jobs led her to what she now is doing and loving. Her company, Rebellia, is a customized apparel company for athletic...

In this episode we are focusing on Megan Miller, Marketing Director of Opera Carolina, speaks of taking the stage again, as well what it is like being in front of as well as behind the Opera. She talks about how she initiated new ways to involve a whole new younger demographic with opera as well as how she continues to think outside of the box. She has taken her passion and created a side hustle....

In this episode we are focusing on Karen Hill, financier by day and cycling instructor by night. Karen overcame all odds to ever be able to have fitness in her life after a life threatening heart condition and heart surgery. She not only was able to get fitness back into her life, but she opened up a boutique gym to help others. Karen's latest accolade was being interviewed by Self Magazine. IN TH...

Garrett Tichy is the owner and founder of Hygge Coworking in Charlotte, NC. Garrett's story is one that is familiar to many entrepreneurs: unsatisfied with a comfortable, yet ultimately unfulfilling full time job, Garrett set out on his own to take his future into his own hands. After several years as a manager at Gamestop, Garrett knew that a career change was inevitable. The first step was to ge...

In this episode we are focusing on Rich Moyer, Serial Entrepreneur in Charlotte NC, who is a millennial that created and sold one company and is now a Founder/CEO of two new concepts-one an ice cream shop and also a self-serve beer/wine bar. ​ In This Episode Rich Moyer talks about how he jumped ship in corporate America at Paychex, and then started a janitorial business and fell in love with the...

In this episode we are focusing on Stephanie Melish Neuman, Inspirational Speaker, Author, and Success Coach, who helps amazing people improve their life and their business while increasing their bank accounts. She is known as "The Sales Barista" and has helped many people on the path to success. IN THIS EPISODE Stephanie tells us what she does---she is a success coach helping people become the be...

In this episode of Piece of the Pai, we are focusing on successful social media influencer and athlete, Asheton Brown, founder of her personal brand Smasheton. Asheton aims at empowering humans through movement. With over 27,000 followers on Instagram, Asheton is certainly an influencer. IN THIS EPISODE Asheton speaks about her background being completely different, by being a Political Science ma...

In this episode we are focusing on David Yermanos, owner of Get Fit Foods, a new healthy lifestyle grab-and-go meals concept in Charlotte, NC. David is a serial entrepreneur and a GM with a high end entertainment concept and decided to start this venture when he could not find this meal prep niche being serviced in this manner. Since 2003, David has been in the event promotions and marketing indus...

In this episode we are focusing on Trish Bennett, former Owner & Buyer of doll boutique and how she switched gears from the fashion industry into pet care and the importance of happiness as an entrepreneur. After spending 15 years in the insurance industry, Trish moved to Charlotte in March 2013 and opened Doll in Sept 2013. She owned and operated doll for 4 years and decided to pursue happiness w...

In this episode we are focusing on successful entrepreneur, William Wilson, Founder and CEO of William Wilson Clothing and how he got started and overcame his fears of trying new things to become successful in his business. After serving eight and a half years in the US Navy, before becoming an award-winning celebrity clothing designer; William was on a pit crew for Ultra Motorsports, and was the...