The Best of LKN

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...

Welcome Hearts on Fiber owner Kim Clark to the podcast! Hearts on fiber has been recognized as a favorite local business by a few of my guests, so I was really pleased to have this chat with Kim. She shares a lot of her background and inspiration for starting this crafty small business, along with stories of the special relationships she has formed with her customers and other local small business...

Welcome Larry and Ginger Griffin to the podcast! Larry and Ginger are the owners of Royal Bliss Brewing Company, a refined yet approachable craft brewery in Denver, NC. In this interview, Larry and Ginger share a bit about their vast experience as entrepreneurs and the inspiration behind building their own craft brewery here in the Lake Norman area. Enjoy! From the Royal Bliss Brewing Company webs...

Welcome Hirschfeld Marketing Solutions CEO Todd Hirschfeld to the podcast. I chat with experiential marketing entrepreneur Todd Hirschfeld about the origins of his company, and the inspirations behind developing a team of forward-thinking engineers that build dynamic branded experiences for their clients. Based in Cornelius, Hirschfeld Marketing Solutions is truly one of Lake Norman’s most creativ...

Welcome back Mike Ratnofsky with CrossFit Cornelius to the podcast! Both Mike and his wife Kristin joined the podcast for the first episode (001) back in May, and in this episode Mike shares some exciting news for the local fitness community – the launch of OnUp Training, an online fitness platform designed to help you reach your full potential whether you have limited access to equipment or acces...

Welcome Tiffany Ringwald to the podcast! Tiffany is a freelance photographer based in Mooresville and specializes in the area of interior architectural photography. In this interview, Tiffany shares her background in photography and visual media which began at a young age. During her career, she has worked in graphic design, web design, branding, and internet marketing, in addition to commercial p...

Welcome Ana Vogel with Davidson Chocolate Company to the podcast! Ana shares the amazing story of her entrepreneurial journey and details the path that led her to owning Davidson Chocolate Company. I definitely feel like this should be a much longer interview - Ana's journey is an American Dream story that I know you will love! From Davidson Chocolate Company's website: "Growing up...

Welcome Hudson Salon owner Hudson Styles to the podcast! In this interview, Hudson shares some of the story behind his entrepreneurial journey. We talk about his path to salon ownership, a few of the guiding principles that have served his company so well, and the way he and his team have navigated the challenges of 2020. He shares a few of his favorite local small businesses, books on small busin...

Welcome Ryan McDaniels, Executive Director of the Lake Norman Economic Development Corp. to the podcast! In this episode, Ryan shares the story of the LNEDC and how they are working to bring new capital investment and highly skilled jobs to the Lake Norman region. Ryan and his team assist local businesses with expansion efforts, develop and support workforce training initiatives, recruit highly su...

"We love building spaces within our community that families can enjoy." ~Zack Whitt Welcome Good Drip Coffee and owner Zack Whitt to the podcast! Husband, Dad, Pastor, Serial Entrepreneur, CrossFit coach - we have a lot to discuss in this interview! Zach shares some really valuable insights into what makes an entrepreneur successful. Beginning with his Why, and then the Who, followed by...

Welcome Jacqueline Bassett to the podcast! Jacqueline owns Juelerye Fine Gifts and Art, a unique shopping destination in Cornelius. Jacqueline founded Juelerye in 2015 on the idea that a rewarding life is built with gratitude, purpose, and memorable moments. We discuss more about her inspiration for her small business, as well as how she and the artists she collaborates with have been able to succ...

Welcome Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse in Davidson, NC to the podcast! One of the principle owners, Chad Hollingsworth, joins us for an interview. We talk a little while about Chad's background, and how a forensic accountant found a path to becoming a restaurateur. Chad shares the inspiration behind naming the restaurant "Flatiron," and how a Tap Tower would become the centerpiece for...

Welcome Hoctor Chiropractic and Family Wellness in Cornelius to the podcast! Dr. John Hoctor joins me for an interview and shares some of his inspirations for becoming a chiropractor. We discuss his athletic background and current involvement in the sport of CrossFit, as well as his areas of chiropractic expertise. Here’s a hint: he treats a lot of athletes! John and I also discuss some of the gre...

Lindsey Williams joins the podcast to share the story of her journey from corporate lawyer to winemaker & small business owner. We talk a bit about the concept of an urban winery, the inspirational trip to Tuscany years ago, and the work that went into becoming a professional winemaker, as well as the process of renovating a historic space in Davidson to make a home for Davidson Wine Co.  We a...

Welcome to episode 13 of the podcast! Dr. Carrie Uehlein joins us for an interview. Carrie is the co-owner of The Veterinary Hospital of Davidson, a vet clinic that integrates conventional medicine, surgery, and dentistry with natural treatments, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and holistic nutrition. We talk a little bit about Carrie's background and inspiration for becoming a veterina...

Jon Dressler joins the podcast for episode 12! Jon and his wife Kim lead Rare Roots Hospitality, a company here in Charlotte that owns Dressler's Restaurant in Birkdale Village, along with several other fine dining establishments throughout the Charlotte area. Jon shares the story of his entrepreneurial journey and the guiding principles that have served him, his company, and his dining guest...

Welcome to episode 11! I originally planned to interview Sean to learn about one of his businesses: Main Street Coffee & Coworking, located in downtown Huntersville. Little did I know, he is also one of the principle investors in a plan to revitalize a large section of downtown Huntersville. So, of course we spend some time discussing his vision for the project, as well as the exceptional craf...

Welcome to episode 10! Jen Brule joins us this week for an interview. She owns Davidson Ice House in Davidson, North Carolina. Jen shares a bit about her entrepreneurial journey and details about her lovely restaurant in beautiful Davidson.  Enjoy! From the Davidson Ice House website: OUR FOOD We use classic French techniques mixed with a bit of southern flair to elicit the best flavors from our f...

Welcome to episode #9! The owners of SpeedPro Imaging and Pure Design Photography Studio, Lynn and Craig Bakstad, join the podcast for an interview. They share the details of the two businesses and the many important marketing products and services they provide. Enjoy! From the business websites: SpeedPro Imaging "Whether you’re an agency, corporate marketing or the owner of a small business,...

Welcome to episode 8 of The Best of LKN podcast! It's an honor to feature this Veteran-owned small business - W8less LKN Trampoline and Ninja Park! In this episode, I interview Larry Thompson who is the co-owner along with his wife Elise of W8less LKN. Larry shares the story of how he and Elise resolved to become small business owners, along with some of the challenges of opening a new busine...