The Best of LKN

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...

Welcome owner Denise Ulhorn and designer Emily Frank of Blumengärten to the podcast! Blumengärten is an extraordinary LKN florist located in Cornelius, North Carolina. In this interview, Denise shares the story behind the founding of Blumengärten, the growth of the business, challenges during the COVID-19 epidemic, and a few of the behind-the-scenes details of running a boutique floral design busi...

Welcome Lucky Dog Bark and Brew to the podcast - where everyone knows your dog's name! Owner Kelly Waugh shares a bit of how she and her business partner came up with the Lucky Dog concept - a sports bar for entertaining people and pups alike.  We cover a lot of what Lucky Dog Bark and Brew has to offer, including: Full Bar, including Craft Beer, Cocktails, and Spirits Food Trucks Special Eve...

Welcome to episode #5! This one features another boutique fitness brand, Charlotte Running Company. The owner of the Northlake and Lake Norman (Mooresville) locations, Jamie Davis, joins the podcast for an interview. We chat a little about Jamie's professional background and his journey toward small business ownership. Then we dive into what makes Charlotte Running Company special and discuss...

Episode #4 is here! Wow, big thanks to the Lake Norman businesses that have agreed to join me for these short interviews. In this episode, I interview Beatriz Aguirre, the Managing Director at Waterbean Coffee!  Waterbean Coffee Company is a Lake Norman icon, and the anchor for two prominent shopping centers in both Huntersville and Cornelius.  Beatriz and I discuss quite a bit in such a short int...

LKN Real Estate SuperStar Becca Mangini joins the podcast for an interview! In this episode, Becca gives us a glimpse of her journey into real estate sales as a full time profession. She shares her love for real estate, her passion for professional development, and her affinity for the LKN community and its many stellar small businesses. We cover a lot in this short interview. Here are a few of th...

In this episode of The Best of LKN, I'm joined by the brewmeister of Eleven Lakes Brewing Company - Ray Hutchinson. Ray introduces us to the Eleven Lakes story, shares some background on the company, and talks about business amidst current events. From the Eleven Lakes website (www.elevenlakesbrewing.com): The Catawba River flows from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to the coastal...