The Best of Raleigh

Ryan Prestel says the biggest myth in smart home tech is that everything's wireless. Here's why that's costing homeowners. Ryan Prestel, co-founder of Connesso , joins Gretchen Coley to unpack what it actually takes to build a smart, connected luxury home in Raleigh. They cover Josh AI, app fatigue, lighting design, and why the old guard of home technology is being disrupted. In this e...

What does it take to build an entire city from the ground up? In this episode of Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Joe Graziose, Executive Vice President of Residential Construction and Development at RXR, the developer behind Veridea, the 1,200-acre master-planned community rising in Apex. Joe is a 40-year veteran who started as a busboy at 13 and a New Yorker who fell hard for...

What does it take to build one of the most recognized brands in American menswear, walk away from it, and then help scale another from $10 million to nearly $200 million? In this episode of Best of Raleigh, we sit down with Chris Knott, founder of Peter Millar and Chief Merchandising Officer at johnnie-O. From his first retail job at 14 in Fuquay-Varina to building a global brand from a side hustl...

What does it take to actually feel like yourself again, not just “fine for your age”? In this episode of Best of Raleigh, we sit down with Dr. Philip Deibel, founder of D5 Health and former OBGYN, to talk about the new model of personalized longevity medicine taking root in Raleigh. From his twelve years delivering babies at Arbor to building a concierge practice where he sees only three patients...

What does it take to transform a dying mall into one of the most recognizable addresses in North Carolina? In this episode of Best of Raleigh , we sit down with Mike Smith, CEO of Kane Realty, the company behind North Hills, Smoky Hollow, The Row at Dix Park, and the North Hills Innovation District. From trading a career in investment banking for the operator side of real estate to helping lead on...

What does it take to turn a one-chair salon into one of the most recognizable beauty brands in Raleigh, North Carolina? In this episode of Best of Raleigh , we sit down with Christina Kirkey, founder of Pinup Studio , to talk about building a business rooted in confidence, community, and connection. From her early passion for beauty to navigating personal loss and growing a 16-chair salon with a t...

Raleigh is full of entrepreneurs who see opportunity where others see routine. Few embody that spirit quite like Brian Burnett, founder of Glenwood South Bespoke Tailors , a Raleigh-based tailoring house that has quietly become the go-to destination for men who want to elevate their wardrobe. On this episode of the Best of Raleigh , host Gretchen Coley sits down with Brian to talk about everything...

In this episode of Best of Raleigh , Gretchen Coley sits down with Marci Bailey of Bailey’s Fine Jewelry for a powerful conversation about legacy, entrepreneurship, and the evolving diamond industry. Marci shares the remarkable story behind Bailey’s, a family business founded in 1948 by her husband’s grandparents. After being widowed at 36 with two young children, Trey's grandmother became the...

Interior design doesn’t have to be expensive, or intimidating. In this episode of Best of Raleigh , Gretchen Coley sits down with Donna Verdi & Julie Campbell (designers at Arhaus in Fenton) to break down what’s actually worth investing in, how to avoid costly furniture mistakes, and the home design trends making a major comeback. You’ll hear practical tips like where to splurge (your “bones”...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh , host Gretchen Coley sits down with Jill Donovan, founder of Donovan’s Dish, Jill’s Beach, and the stunning new wedding venue Donovan’s Manor in Fuquay Varina. Jill shares how she built a catering and meal delivery brand from the ground up, why branding and marketing mattered from day one, and how food became her love language for Raleigh families. They dive...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh , host Gretchen Coley sits down with Sam Siegel, founder of Empire Training Academy, to talk about fitness, mindset, and building real community through strength training. Sam shares his journey from college athlete to fitness entrepreneur, why he left big box gyms to create something different, and how Empire blends safe barbell strength training with condit...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh , host Gretchen Coley talks with Michael Kooiman, publisher of Home Design & Decor Magazine, and Vicki Serany of Southern Studio Interior Design about the design trends shaping Raleigh homes today. From bold color and rich textures to blending antiques with modern fabrics, they explore how homeowners are moving away from cookie cutter spaces and back towa...

In this episode of Best of Raleigh, we dive into leadership, home renovations, and how to find the perfect neighborhood in Raleigh. Whether you’re looking to renovate your home, explore renovation loans, or find the right place to live in the Triangle, this conversation with Ken Combs from CQC Home is packed with insights and local expertise.

Buying your next home shouldn’t require perfect timing. In this episode of The Best of Raleigh , Gretchen Coley sits down with Michael Martin of Martin Mortgage Group at Fairway to break down a game-changing bridge loan that can help buyers purchase before selling, including a unique structure that can pay off the current mortgage and create up to 6 months with no bridge-loan payments.

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh , host Gretchen Coley sits down with Sherri Durbin, founder of Consider It Done ASAP , one of the Triangle’s go-to concierge and home organizing services. Together, they unpack what it really means to “outsource the overwhelm”, from closet overhauls and move-in unpacking to the everyday tasks that quietly steal your time, like returns, errands, meal prep, and...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh , host Gretchen Coley sits down with Joanna Knott, founder and owner of Monkee's of Raleigh , a beloved North Hills boutique known for its joyful style, thoughtful curation, and community driven approach to fashion. Gretchen and Joanna explore the powerful connection between personal style and the spaces we live in, and how both can shape confidence, iden...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh , host and real estate expert Gretchen Coley sits down with Kyle Tears, executive chef of Whiskey Kitchen , one of downtown Raleigh's most beloved dining destinations. Gretchen and Kyle discuss what's made Whiskey Kitchen a local favorite for nearly a decade, from its massive thoughtfully curated whiskey selection down to a menu designed around Southe...

In this episode of Best of Raleigh , Gretchen Coley sits down with Alex Iordanou, founder of Dwell Proper , a new luxury real estate staging company raising the bar on both vacant and occupied staging. Gretchen and Alex talk about why staging matters, from the stat that staged homes keep buyers inside 45 minutes compared to six in a vacant space, to how color, texture, and scale can instantly tran...

In this episode of the Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley sits down with Jay McCabe, Marketing Director for Focused Property Inspections. With a team that has spent nearly three decades uncovering what homes cannot say out loud, Jay brings a clear, practical, and buyer focused view of what makes a home truly sound. From the company’s beginnings in Maine to its growth across the Triangle, Jay shares h...

Custom homes. Creative vision. Raleigh roots. In this episode of the Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley sits down with Abbie Lee Roehm, founder of Paces and Roehm Architecture. With nearly two decades of experience that spans New York, Atlanta, and international landmark projects, Abbie Lee brings a rare blend of artistry and technical skill to every home she designs. From her early days working on g...

Authentic flavor. Heartfelt hospitality. Raleigh roots. In this episode of Best of Raleigh , Gretchen Coley sits down with Ajit, founder of Jalwa Indian Bistro , one of North Raleigh’s most talked-about new restaurants near Northridge Country Club. After years in the banking world, Ajit followed his passion for food and people, bringing a world-class dining experience to the Triangle. Born from a...

Girls’ Night In. Southern charm. Raleigh connection. In this episode of Best of Raleigh , Gretchen Coley sits down with Vicki Serrani, founder of Home for Entertaining in downtown Cary. After decades designing stunning homes through her firm, Southern Studio, Vicki saw a need to bring true hospitality back, so she created a space where gatherings are simple, stylish, and full of joy. Part event sp...

Luxury meets craftsmanship. Vision meets style. In this episode of Best of Raleigh , Gretchen Coley sits down with Wick Morgan, the creative force and founder behind The Spectacle , Raleigh’s premier destination for luxury eyewear in North Hills. With over 30 years in global fashion and optical design, Wick isn’t just selling glasses—he’s curating personal style, one frame at a time. From his earl...

Good food. Great people. Raleigh charm. In this episode of Best of Raleigh , Gretchen Coley sits down with Haley Borden, the visionary founder of Good Graces , a new gathering spot in North Hills. Part market, part bar, part eatery, Good Graces is redefining what it means to eat, drink, and connect in Raleigh. Haley shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind...

Insurance may not be flashy, but in today’s episode of Best of Raleigh, we make it real, personal, and even... fun? Join host Gretchen Coley as she sits down with Nick Nance, a Raleigh native and former general contractor turned trusted insurance advisor with NC Farm Bureau. Nick shares how his background in construction and disaster restoration gave him a hands-on perspective that now helps famil...