We Spoke

Olkaris Marandu is the founder of Glory EV, an electric vehicle company focused on redefining low-speed transportation through sustainable, stylish, and practical electric vehicles. Under Olkaris’ leadership, the company has built a reputation for innovation, customization, and customer-focused design, providing EV solutions for neighborhoods, campuses, resorts, and community travel. With a vision...

Joshua Sahib is an entrepreneur, educator, and startup advocate dedicated to helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into sustainable businesses. As Managing Director of the Lowder Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship at Auburn University Harbert College of Business, Joshua leads programs that support students, founders, and small business owners across Alabama through mentorship, startup reso...

Ralph Olson is a longtime business leader, strategist, and mentor whose career has spanned some of the country’s most recognizable companies and industries. From helping develop the 2-liter plastic bottle at Pepsi to leading major organizations including E-Z-GO Golf Cars, Sherwin-Williams, Gibson Greetings, and R.A. Jones, Ralph has spent decades building businesses, leading turnarounds, and mento...

Matt Poirier is the owner of The Hound , a Southern-inspired restaurant known for its hospitality, storytelling, and deep connection to Auburn culture. Beyond The Hound, Matt has helped shape Auburn’s food and gathering scene through businesses including The Depot and Sneak & Dawdle . His approach blends community, creativity, and a passion for bringing people together through meaningful exper...

Auburn graduates and lifelong golf enthusiasts who turned their shared passion for the game into one of the Southeast’s premier golf retail experiences. Together, they built Moon Golf around expert knowledge, genuine hospitality, and a deep connection to the Auburn community. Their mission is to create a welcoming environment where golfers of every skill level can find the right equipment, improve...

Tune in to We Spoke as we sit down with Nourish Blooms , a unique flower farm and community-focused initiative serving the Auburn-Opelika area. Founded by pediatrician Dr. Katie Wolter, Nourish Blooms combines sustainably grown flowers with a larger mission of supporting food-insecure families and wellness programs through the Nourish Foundation. In this episode, we explore how flowers, wellness,...

Shotts recounts his unique upbringing and how his desire to honor coffee farmers through his roasting and packaging drives his business.

Griffith and Carroll talk all about fungi in this episode about the science behind mushroom varieties and why so many people are flocking to buying and growing clean mushrooms for consumption.

Contreras discusses the business drive he has to provide sustainable, expertly produced coffee products while maintating farmer relations and running a forward-thinking business model.

The Jones's reveal their drive for homemade baked items that keep bringing back customers while fulfilling a life-dream for this couple to own and work hard for a business.

Lester reveals the impetus for designing and selling a single-use self-heating canistor for coffee drinkers on the go.

Leonardi recounts his vast experience with company startups and the excitement that working with the NVA affords for building up new entrepreneurs.

Worley recalls the path that led him to create a new kind of Duck Call for enthusiasts interested in bird health and long-lasting products.

Brown discusses his passion for coffee and how he's helping create a space for students to find a career in the science of coffee production.

Johnston relives some of his favorite memories as owner of one of Auburn's iconic bookstores and the changes the company must now make to stay competitive.

Weston and Morgan discuss their business plan as young start-ups with an idea; growing an entrepreneurial venture one valuable employee at a time.

Tomasello talks through opening multiple coffee shop/bookstore locations in Auburn and Opelika with a focus on employee satisfaction and retaining loyal customers by making strong connections.