The Best of Raleigh

Dream Homes, Local Roots: Inside Exeter Building Company with Stephen Dunn In this episode of The Best of Raleigh , host Gretchen Coley sits down with Stephen Dunn, President of Exeter Building Company, one of Raleigh’s premier luxury home builders. Discover how Exeter blends timeless design, craftsmanship, and client-first service to redefine modern living in the Triangle. Stephen shares his jour...

In this inspiring special edition of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Jaylen Snipes, a real estate advisor at The Coley Group and an endurance athlete on a mission to give back to North Carolina’s everyday heroes. Jaylen isn’t just running for fitness — he’s running 150 miles from Raleigh to Charlotte to raise awareness and funds for the North Carolina Firefighter Fund, an o...

A Michelin-trained chef. A James Beard nomination. A mission to redefine Indian cuisine in the South. In this episode of The Best of Raleigh , host Gretchen Coley sits down with Chef Bhavin Chhatwani, the culinary visionary behind Tamasha Modern Indian in North Hills. From palaces in India to Michelin-starred kitchens in San Francisco, Bhavin’s journey is as flavorful as the dishes he creates. He...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh Podcast , host Gretchen Coley sits down with Amity Rosa, CEO & Founder of Rosa Bella Artistry. An internationally published makeup artist and creative director, Amity has worked with top fashion brands, celebrities, and loyal clients who trust her to bring out their most confident selves. From her early beginnings in the beauty industry to building Rosa B...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh Podcast , Gretchen Coley talks with Julia Davis and Marina Kaydanova, the dynamic duo behind BK Pilates Raleigh. From New York beginnings to Raleigh’s Rockway district, Julia and Marina share their journey of friendship, entrepreneurship, and bringing true reformer Pilates to the Triangle. Discover how BK Pilates is more than a workout—it’s a community built...

What does it take to build one of the most trusted names in aesthetics? For Greta Nance, it’s 22 years of radical transparency, patient education, and fearless leadership. In this episode of The Best of Raleigh , host Gretchen Coley sits down with Greta, Director of Brand Strategy at Amelia Aesthetics , to explore her journey from front desk to executive leader—and how her personal story has helpe...

Get ready to rethink skincare. In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley sits down with Liz Smith, co-founder and CEO of ILŪMRA Skin, Raleigh’s newest medspa redefining self-care through a holistic, inside-out approach. With over 50 years of combined experience across the aesthetics and medical industries, Liz and her co-founders are introducing a new standard for regenerative beauty—...

Step into the world of bespoke Italian luxury with Dominique of D. Lacquaniti, the creative force behind some of Raleigh’s most exquisite footwear. In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley sits down with Dominique to uncover how his heritage, artistry, and dedication to comfort have led to a shoe collection like no other. From sourcing vintage leathers in Italy’s Marche region to red...

Thinking about building a custom home in Raleigh? In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Tim Thompson, founder of Raleigh Custom Homes, a builder known for pushing the limits of ultra-luxury living. With over 30 years of experience, Tim shares how he’s elevating Raleigh’s luxury home scene—from trendsetting Parade of Homes entries to his company’s bold strategy...

Healthcare is evolving—and Vega Vitality is leading the charge in Cary’s Fenton. In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley sits down with Dr. Andrew Donohoe, Medical Director of Vega Vitality, to talk about what it really means to help people look and feel their best. With a background in internal medicine and over a decade of experience in hospitals, Dr. Donohoe shares how his person...

Raleigh’s green spaces are more than just places to play—they’re a cornerstone of the city’s identity. In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley sits down with Stephen Bentley, Director of Raleigh Parks, to explore how the city’s parks, greenways, and community centers go from concept to reality. From leading multi-million dollar bond referendums to overseeing 200+ parks and 120 miles...

When it comes to protecting your lifestyle, legacy, and everything you’ve worked hard to build, insurance matters more than most people realize. In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley sits down with Katie McLean, Private Client Advisor at McGriff (now part of Marsh McLennan Agency), to talk about how she’s redefining the insurance experience for high-net-worth individuals. From mul...

Moving to Raleigh just got a whole lot smarter. In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley sits down with Taylor Casey, the creator of Kahmino, a game-changing neighborhood match survey built exclusively for Coley Group clients. Designed to help buyers match their lifestyle with the perfect neighborhood, Kahmino uses a quick, five-minute quiz to deliver personalized results that go far...

Wine lovers, this one’s for you! 🍷 In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley sits down with Jenny Farmer and Paula Kornell—two women who have turned their love for wine into something unforgettable. Jenny, a Raleigh local, and her husband Mike launched ZFG Wines, a bold but approachable Napa Valley Cabernet brand that blends passion with polish. Meanwhile, Paula, a fourth-generation...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, we’re talking fashion, entrepreneurship, and Raleigh’s retail renaissance with Kayla Brewer, founder of Voda Boutique — the go-to destination where timeless meets trendy in North Hills. Kayla shares how she turned a childhood love for fashion into a thriving brand rooted in style, service, and local flair. From her days at NC State’s College of Textiles to l...

Feeling confident in your own skin just got a whole lot easier! In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley sits down with Maegan Griffin, founder and CEO of Skin Pharm, the modern beauty brand redefining the med-spa experience with natural results, thoughtfully designed clinics, and highly effective skincare products. Maegan shares her inspiring journey from nurse practitioner to power...

Navigating Wake County schools can feel like a full-time job—between understanding capped schools, calendar choices, and sorting through public, magnet, charter, or private options, it’s no wonder parents feel overwhelmed. In this episode of  The Best of Raleigh , Gretchen Coley sits down with Libby Taylor, former educator and founder of SchoolUp Wake, to break down the complexities of the Wake Co...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, Gretchen Coley chats with Gary Post, owner of Atlantic Gardening & Designscapes, the powerhouse behind some of the Triangle’s most stunning home, office, and restaurant spaces—including Gretchen’s own! 🌿 From Gary’s unexpected leap from high-stress tech to horticultural bliss, to how Atlantic became Southern Living’s pick for top garden center in the So...

Ever walk into a home and instantly feel like this is where you belong? In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, we’re talking to the woman behind that magic—Cameron Flythe, interior designer extraordinaire at Design Works Studio. From styling Barbie Dream houses to transforming some of Raleigh’s most coveted homes, Cameron knows how to blend timeless charm with bold design choices that turn houses...

Ready to see how custom senior photography is being totally redefined in Raleigh? In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley chats with Emily Bautista, founder of Forever Young & Free—the boutique photography brand that’s giving high school seniors the ultimate confidence-boosting, glam-filled experience. From her first $300 camera to becoming one of the most sought-after phot...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Jack Paton, General Manager of Clark Hall Doors & Windows, to explore how a front door can do so much more than welcome you home—it can completely transform the look and feel of your space. For over 20 years, Clark Hall has been setting the standard in custom iron doors, combining timeless design with modern craftsmansh...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Dr. Greg Brannon, Medical Director and Founder of Optimal Bio, to explore the transformative power of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). With over 30 years of experience as an OBGYN, Dr. Brannon shares his personal journey and how he discovered the life-changing benefits of hormone optimization—not just for mi...

In this episode, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Martha Schneider, the visionary behind La Maison & Trellis , Raleigh’s premier home and floral boutique. As an expert in luxury interior design, Martha has built a brand that blends timeless elegance with modern functionality. She shares how she turned her passion for beautiful, functional spaces into a thriving business and why Raleigh was t...

In this episode of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Kendra Alley, a passionate wellness advocate, content creator, and lifestyle expert, for an empowering conversation about health, self-care, and finding balance as a busy mom. Kendra opens up about her journey to optimal health, revealing how something as simple as hydration and the right supplements—like Element—transforme...

In this episode of Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Patrick Young, Director of Raleigh’s Planning and Development Department, for an eye-opening conversation about the city's explosive growth and what’s next. With Raleigh ranking as one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., the stakes are high—how do we balance expansion while preserving the charm and character that make th...