Greater Conversations

"The main thing is that they have autonomy and ownership over the destiny of their economic futures." Luke Hoffman, Regional Director, based in Winston-Salem, and Lauren Tudor, Executive Director of the North Carolina Employee Ownership Center, join us to talk about employee participation when they have a stake in a business and are involved in decision-making. They also share how employee ownersh...

"We search for a 'yes.' We look for ways to make deals work." Jamarkus Swinson is a yes-maker – in business and his personal life. He was part of the inaugural cohort of the Piedmont Federal Savings Bank GPS Program, an on-the-job training curriculum meant to recruit candidates of diverse backgrounds to become commercial bankers. In three short years, Jamarkus has rapidly climbed the ladder to bec...

Hasani Mitchell, Community & Economic Development Program Administrator for Forsyth County Government, joins us to discuss his team's strategic work – from business recruitment and tax incentives to job creation. Hasani identifies and supports opportunities to increase economic development incentives, affordable housing, infrastructure development, and grant funding activities in Winston-Salem and...

"Our core values are to put people first, listen then respond, innovate continuously, and give back to our community." Founded in Long Island, New York, in 2016, Darrell and Abbey Garner wanted to bring awareness of specialty coffee and loose-leaf tea to the area. During the height of the pandemic, the husband and wife duo relocated their small-batch roastery to Winston-Salem. Darrell and Abbey jo...

In part two of our conversation with Darrell and Abbey Garner, founders of ByGood Coffee in Winston-Salem, we dive into their entrepreneurial background and how Abbey's heritage sparked the creation of ByGood specialty loose-leaf teas. They also "spill the tea" on the next big thing they're working on to build community. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at info@winstonsalem.com. For additi...

"If it goes on your floors, it’s in our stores." Blake Cook, District Manager, and Emily Winfrey, Store Manager and Design Consultant for USA Flooring, join us to chat about the meaning behind their motto and why selecting flooring isn't something to jump into lightly. USA Flooring is a full-service flooring retailer with five brick-and-mortar stores in North Carolina. Its Winston-Salem location h...

The two Aarons of a/perture join us to chat about the art house cinema in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem. Aaron Botts is the theatre manager, and Aaron Kepley is the deputy director of this unique, nonprofit cinema founded by Lawren Desai. A/perture features diverse programming and award-winning films on its screens through partnerships with Sundance, the National Black Theatre Festival, Nati...

Identifying challenges and setbacks that cause stress and anxiety is the goal of Counseling with a Purpose. Founded in 2018 by Winston Under 40 Leadership Award Winner Shawanna Nicole Moore-Geter, her team uses advanced modalities such as brainspotting to help people facilitate change and achieve their goals. "Our real job is to ask the next best question ... to help you find insight." Shawanna an...

"We all go through things in life, and sometimes you need someone to help you filter through that information." At age 18, Mark Steele, executive director of Solutions for Independence, was paralyzed from his chest to his cervical five level. It was from this point of view, sitting in a wheelchair, that led him into the field of counseling. Mark joins us along with Adrian Boone, director of operat...

"Every brand is unique and should be presented in a unique way." The ability to think differently about brand creation and design is a concept that Elephant in the Room prides itself on. Chad Cheek, the owner of the award-winning firm, joins us to share ideas on brand design and strategic marketing, collaboration, and his passion and involvement in the arts – from serving on numerous boards such a...

"Small, small steps will add up to big results in your health." Alice Smith, registered dietitian and founder of Alice Approved, joins us to share ways everyone can fuel their bodies for success. A regularly featured expert on television and stage, she enthusiastically shares actionable steps to achieve wellness goals. Alice's philosophy is simple – simplify what you're eating, your nutrition, and...

"Give everyone what you've got and teach it, and they'll be great." From helping his mom in the kitchen growing up to becoming a corporate trainer to help young chefs hone their craft, Brian DePaulis has had a lifelong love of food. He joins us to share his journey of opening Elevated Catering in Winston-Salem, the story behind the name, and his approach to crafting an elevated menu for any occasi...

Cyrus Bush, a coach and mentor based in Winston-Salem, specializes in helping professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs achieve success in relationships, business, and life through emotional freedom techniques or EFT. Cyrus joins us to share how EFT or tapping can help release negative emotions and limiting beliefs to break down barriers that stand in the way of success in relationships, b...

Kathy Carr, executive director of SECU Family House, joins us in a conversation about this unique non-profit that serves adult patients and their caregivers when they travel to Winston-Salem for medical care. SECU Family House is a compassionate, comfortable alternative to a hospital waiting room or an expensive hotel. For over a decade, thousands of guests have depended upon the affordable lodgin...

Ben Schwab, partner and architect at STITCH Design Shop, joins us to discuss the award-winning architectural and interior design firm that started in Winston-Salem. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary in the City of Arts and Innovation with a recent expansion into Greensboro, Ben shares how the business started and expanded with focuses on commercial, adaptive reuse, modern residential, and inter...

The CARes Project is a nonprofit social enterprise and CDFI that offers vehicle financing for those with low and moderate incomes "because it's important for people to be able to get to work." Participants of the program become financially self-sufficient. Clients receive a low-interest car loan, money management skills, a personalized household budget, and financial confidence. Partnerships with...

Growing up in a single-parent home, Jeff Davids witnessed his mother work three jobs to make ends meet. He realized that he must do something different to secure his financial future. So, he began building a retirement portfolio. "Everybody starts at zero," says Jeff. The more he learned, the more compelled he was to help his co-workers, especially young people, do the same. After 20 years in reta...

After a long and rewarding 20-year career with Forsyth County Social Services, Wyomie Watson decided to jump into the world of entrepreneurship. Inspired by her grandmother's love of baking, Wyomie and her husband Eric launched RubyG's Buttercreme Sensations in 2019. The business has grown from a kiosk in Marketplace Mall in Winston-Salem to its own storefront on Peters Creek Parkway with online o...

In 2019, one month after his 22nd birthday, Mack Long took over the reins of Piedmont Disposal, the company his father, Kevin, started in 1999 with just one truck and a couple of dumpsters. Piedmont Disposal has expanded exponentially since its humble beginnings as a site solutions company specializing in commercial dumpster rental, portable restrooms, storage boxes, and consultative services for...

"When there's someone in need, and they don't have a voice, then you step in and help out." This philosophy shaped the life of Frank Cardenas, Co-Founder of FEDlogic, a federal benefits consulting firm. Growing up as a first-generation Mexican American, he helped his parents navigate and acquire the federal and state benefits they needed for his sister, Alex, who was born with a severe mental disa...

In 2009, some people thought the co-founders of Sightsource were out of their minds for launching a custom software development company in the middle of a financial crisis. "Regardless of the overall economic conditions, it's just a good space to be in." Sightsource's CFO and co-founder, Balint Gaspar, joins us to share the story behind this Winston-Salem-based company and their Empower program –...

As a young man growing up in Winston-Salem, Lou Baldwin would walk around downtown with its empty buildings and dusty streets and dream about what it could be. After graduating from UNC, he returned to Winston-Salem and purchased the real estate business his grandfather started in 1928. Lou then began a journey to get involved from a civic standpoint in redeveloping old buildings, preserving histo...

The spirit of entrepreneurship continues to thrive in Winston-Salem, with new businesses opening their doors in unique spaces across our community. Aubrey Linville, owner and partner at Linville Team Partners Commercial Real Estate, sits down with us to reflect on his experience watching downtown come alive and Linville Team's first ten years supporting buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords with...

Winston-Salem: the city of arts, innovation, and made-to-order bagels! We chatted with Marc Singer and Amy Singer Douglass, siblings and two of the three current owners of Bagel Station, which first opened its doors on Oakwood in 1990. Taking over the business in 2016, Amy describes themselves as "stewards" of the business, keeping everything quintessentially Bagel Station, down to the name and me...

Youth, college, and semi-professional soccer have been part of the Triad's sports scene for a long time. We now have even more reason to get excited about the sport with the addition of professional men's soccer. Carolina Core FC, an independent club, will join MLX Next Pro for the 2024 season. Managing Partner Megan Oglesby, President Andy Smith, Chief Operating Officer Evan Mitz, and Chief Sport...