The Best of LKN

The weather is warming up and that means boating season is here! Hey friends, welcome back to the podcast. In this episode we’re talking about boating with the owner of Freedom Boat Club Lake Norman, Jeff Weir.  Freedom Boat Club is the world’s oldest and largest membership boat club with over 30 years of experience. Members have access to over 275 locations in the U.S., Canada, and France. Freedo...

In this episode, the team at Mbrace Studio joins me to share their thoughts on the wildly popular book: Atomic Habits, by James Clear. If you listened to the special 50th episode on the podcast, you’ll recall my plans to have a bonus episode every month where I invite previous guests back onto the podcast to discuss one of their book recommendations. This is our first attempt at such an episode, a...

In this episode, I’m sharing with you a conversation I had with the owner of Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Robin Smith Salzman. Robin and her husband Jack have built one of the premier automotive dealerships in North Carolina since moving to the area 18 years ago. But, the focus of our conversation in this episode revolves around another topic that’s near and dear to our hearts - animal res...

I noticed back in January of this year that one of Charlotte’s most prominent law firms had expanded into the Lake Norman area with the opening of a new office in Cornelius. Sodoma Law specializes in the area of family law, and the firm has made quite the name for itself over the past 12 or so years.  Nicole Sodoma, the founder and principal attorney at Sodoma Law, has received accolade upon accol...

In this episode, we’re featuring Davidson Lands Conservancy - a local nonprofit that focuses on preserving the area’s most important natural assets for future generations. The organization’s executive director, Dave Cable, joins us to share the story of what he describes as a calling to pursue a career in the preservation of natural resources. From the stewardship of important natural resources in...

As you know by now, we do love to feature thoughtful nonprofit organizations on the podcast, in addition to the best small businesses in the area. I have the honor of sharing the story of the Addison Hutchison Foundation with you today. The foundation is based on Mooresville and was created to honor the memory of 11-year old Addison Hutchison. Addison’s Dad, Shane Hutchison joins me to talk about...

Hello friends, welcome back to the podcast. This is episode 51 and we’re featuring a local coffee company that’s on the move with some really cool expansion plans in the works. Defined Coffee was founded 3 years ago by friends Anthony Nugnes and Keifer Moskaluk with the opening of their first location in Huntersville. “Quality and Community” are the founding principles of Defined Coffee, and stayi...

Here we are: The 50th Episode! We thought it would be a good idea to mark the occasion with a special episode - our first solo episode with just the host of the podcast. Sounds boring... I know, right? Here are some topics we cover in this episode: Countdown of the top 5 most downloaded episodes so far for the podcast! The inspiration for starting this podcast nearly a year ago. Recognize the brai...

We have sort of a bonus episode for you this week. Here’s a little back story: We began working on an article for our blog about two weeks ago - an article that would highlight a few great spots around Lake Norman to check out for St. Patrick’s Day this year. We reached out to these places for some information to include for the article, and one of those places BoatYard Lake Norman, responded with...

Long time listeners of the podcast will be familiar with my fondness for craft beer, so it will come as no surprise that I’m featuring another great local craft brewery in this episode. Dave Hamme, the founder of Lost Worlds Crewing Company in Cornelius joins me to share the story behind the brewery.  We actually cover a lot of territory in this conversation - the inspiration behind the Lost World...

In this episode, we’re featuring Daniel San Sushi and Asian Fusion restaurant in Cornelius. Listeners of this podcast will know how fond I am of Sushi and Asian Fusion Cuisine - last year we featured eeZ Fusion and Sushi in Birkdale Village on the podcast, and immediately after my conversation with owner Alan Springate I hopped in my truck and ran to eeZ for lunch. I’m getting hungry again just th...

In this episode, I’m featuring a conversation with the inventive founder of a Mooresville-based startup that is helping runners see and be seen in the dark. Body Lantern is a Veteran owned company that is creating safety products that enhance active outdoor experiences. Founder and owner Jamie Perrine shares the story of how the company’s flagship product, The Torch, was inspired by a precarious e...

Carolina Farm Trust is a nonprofit organization that manages a network of urban farms in the Charlotte Metro area, including one in Huntersville. Their goal is to make the area a global leader in sustainability by feeding the region with food from local farms. Joining me to discuss the mission of Carolina Farm Trust is the organization’s Executive Director, Zack Wyatt.  Helpful links: Carolina Far...

Welcome to episode 44 of Lake Norman’s #1 small business podcast. You may recall back in episode 22 I featured a conversation with Tiffany Ringwald, a highly talented and successful interior architecture photographer based here in the Lake Norman area. Tiffany works with many of the area’s most distinguished interior designers, and since our talk I’ve been hoping to feature an interior designer on...

In this episode , I’m very honored to be featuring a beautiful nonprofit organization that’s doing work in an area that is near and dear to our hearts here at the podcast. Pinky Swear Foundation was established by Steve and Becky Chepokas in memory of their son, Mitch, and the foundation serves to provide financial assistance and emotional support to children with cancer and their families. Joinin...

In this episode, we’re featuring a new Indian street food concept in downtown Davidson. I’d first like to say thanks to our listeners that have signed up for our email newsletter. That’s the best way to support this podcast, and I hope you’re finding value in receiving it. I also want to point out that we have created a guide for our guests with tips on preparing for your podcast interview. Our gu...

Welcome to episode 41 of the podcast! In this Real Estate Spotlight episode, we’re featuring real estate broker Jonathan Evans with Keller Williams. Jonathan brings a really unique perspective and skillset to the real estate sales market with his knowledge and vast experience in the Human Resources field. In this conversation, Jonathan shares some tips for home buyers in this hot seller’s market,...

Dr. Lori Hoe at the Main Street Veterinary Hospital in Cornelius joins us for episode 40 of the podcast! Lori shares what inspired her to open her own veterinary practice with the help of another veterinarian, and how their practice has grown over the years. Lori describes the ups and downs of running a veterinary practice during the pandemic, and how her team and her clients have really helped na...

Happy New Year Lake Norman! Let’s begin 2021 with some goal setting and healthier habits. The founders of Mbrace Studio join the podcast for the first episode of the new year to discuss positive habits, healthy eating, and their amazing fitness methodology. We talk about the Mbrace Studio’s philosophy of inclusion, creating a welcoming environment for people of all fitness levels, food freedom thr...

It’s Episode 38, and our last episode for 2020! I’ve had such a great time producing this podcast for you, and really looking forward to more great conversations in the new year!  In this episode, I sit down with Ashley George – she’s Mrs. North Carolina 2020 and the creator of the highly successful lifestyle blog, Wonder and Wear. Ashley shares some of her background, and we chat about her journe...

In this episode, I am extremely honored to feature a conversation with one of the most thoughtful, talented, and adored small business owners in the Lake Norman community. Elizabeth Connelly, the owner of the boutique luxury lifestyle brand Elizabeth Rose in Davidson, has been recognized by several of my guests on this podcast. The beautiful  company she has formed from her creative vision is trul...

Recently, I began reaching out to professional services firms in the area to feature their work on the podcast, such as financial advisors, real estate brokers, insurance agents, etc. When I ran across an article where Realtor.com had ranked the Charlotte real estate market the 3rd hottest in the U.S. in November, I realized that this might be a great time to feature a conversation with a highly s...

In this episode, I have a conversation with Alan Springate. Alan is the owner of one of my favorite area restaurants, eeZ Fusion & Sushi located in Birkdale Village. Alan and I talk about his background in the restaurant business, and the winding road he took toward the concept we know now as eeZ Fusion & Sushi. The conversation reminds me of something James Clear wrote in his book, Atomic...

50-billion plastic water bottles are thrown away each year in the U.S. alone. Only a small percentage of those are actually recycled. The rest end up in landfills, waterways, and oceans. Boomerang Water Company has developed an entire new concept for purifying drinking water at the source, and then distributing the water in a sustainable way that eliminates the need for single-use plastic bottles....

Welcome back Sarah Conrad to the podcast! Sarah and her husband Jason joined me recently in episode 30 to feature their amazing restaurant Barrel & Fork. In this episode, Sarah and I talk about her Clean Eatz Cafés in Cornelius and Mooresville. Clean Eatz’s mission is to help be the first step you take toward living a healthy lifestyle, and what could be more timely or relevant around the 2020...