The Best of LKN

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...

Many of my guests have echoed the same sentiment that 2020, despite its challenges, has brought us many gifts. In this episode of The Best of LKN podcast, I’m sharing one such gift. Courtney Buckley joins the podcast to share the inspiration behind her latest small business venture: Your Mom’s Bazaar in Davidson - a sister concept of Your Mom’s Donuts in Matthews and Charlotte. Your Mom’s Bazaar i...

In this episode, I have a great conversation with Joe and Katy Kindred, the owners of Kindred restaurant in Davidson, and Hello, Sailor in Cornelius. To say that Joe and Katy are superstar restaurateurs would not be an overstatement – their career experience has spanned the globe, and their first restaurant – Kindred in Davidson – transformed the culinary landscape in the Lake Norman area. During...

I am so pleased to bring you his episode featuring Barrel and Fork, a lovely and unique fine dining establishment located near the heart of Cornelius. Owners Jason Tuton and Sarah Conrad join me for a great conversation about the inspiration behind Barrel and Fork. My wife and I were actually able to take the time out of our schedules to enjoy an evening at Barrel and Fork and experience the place...

Welcome HempLily owner Terri Long to the podcast! HempLily is an upscale boutique CBD oil store in Cornelius that is helping their customers find balanced wellness. In this episode, Terri shares her journey toward wellness after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia years ago. Terri founded HempLily in 2017, and her team’s mission is to soften the stigma of cannabis with a gentle name, bright, spa-lik...

Welcome Race City Flight Operations to the podcast! Race City Flight Ops is the fixed base operator (FBO) and flight school at Lake Norman Airport in Mooresville. Owner, manager, and flight instructor Patrick Lofvenholm joins us for a conversation about the history of the airport, his acquisition of Race City Flight Ops, and the many services they offer at the airport. It’s a high-flying episode 2...

In this episode, I sit down with Ed Watkins to talk about his 24-year career as a NASCAR  pit crew team member and his highly successful boat dealership on Lake Norman. Ed shares the story of how he began his long career in NASCAR, and the championship-winning principles that he has been able to bring to his own business - Ed Watkins Marine in Denver, NC. This episode will make you want to buy a b...