Backstory & Beyond

This week, Ward is back in San Diego to check in with Andrea Van De Vort, founder of a collection of multi-branded boutiques with locations across North County California. They'll discuss the dominant trends in women's fashion, the evolution of Andrea's own label, and how the business has harnessed the power of social selling to become a destination for both visitors and locals alike—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.

Learn more about Van De Vort on their website and Instagram.

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This week, Ward returns to Charlotte to meet with Andy Phipps, co-founder of Arrow, a collection of barbershops that deliver quality cuts across North Carolina. They'll dive into how Andy and his brother uncovered a new niche in an established industry, the must-haves for any successful business, and the playbook Arrow has used to "bootstrap" its way to 11 locations — all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.

Learn more about Arrow on their website and Instagram

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This week, Ward makes his way to California to chat with Michael Palmer, owner of McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, a Santa Barbara institution for over 75 years. They'll discuss how Michael became a part of the McConnell's legacy, why being a dairy farmer has become a quality differentiator for the brand, and what Michael looks for in a celebrity partnership—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.

Check our McConnell's on their website and Instagram

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This week, Ward drives down to Austin to see Paul Hedrick, founder of Tecovas, the world’s fastest-growing Western wear brand. They'll discuss Paul's approach to radical hospitality, Tecovas's evolution from DTC to brick-and-mortar, and what the award-winning television show Yellowstone has done for the brand—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.

Learn more about Tecovas on their website.

Follow Tecovas on Instagram.

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This week, Ward is in San Diego with father-daughter duo Kevin Murray and Kelli Murray Larson, founders of Rylee + Cru—artistic and imaginative clothing for the modern child. They'll break down how Kelli leveraged an existing social media following to successfully launch a debut collection, why philanthropy was built into the business model from the start, and when Kevin and Kelli knew it was time to expand into the world of brick-and-mortar—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.

Learn more about the Rylee + Cru Collective

Follow Rylee + Cru, Quincy Mae, and Noralee on Instagram

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This week, Ward meets up with Jim Noble, restaurateur behind three of The Bowl at Ballantyne's concepts: Bossy Beulah's, Rooster's, and Copain. They'll explore Jim's childhood on a Southern farm, how he helped turn Charlotte into a culinary city, and his commitment to using his talents to make good food accessible to everyone—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.

Learn more about the Noble Food and Pursuits Concepts

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This week, Ward returns to LA to meet with Sarah Davis, founder and president of the ultra-luxury re-commerce brand FASHIONPHILE. They'll dive into Sarah's early days as a law student with an entrepreneurial mind, what luxury resellers can learn from heritage brands, and how authentication is more science than art. All that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.

Check out FASHIONPHILE on their website and Instagram.

Check out Sarah on X.

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This week, Ward travels to New York to chat with Nate Checketts, founder of Rhone, a performance lifestyle brand dedicated to championing fitness in all its forms. They'll break down the importance of focusing on mental health in the world of athletics, the power of in-person interactions in brick-and-mortar stores, and how technology is innovating custom-made clothing — all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.

Check out Rhone on their website and Instagram.

Check out Nate on Instagram.

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This week, Ward heads to Austin to meet with Khalil Rafati, author, motivational speaker, and founder of SunLife Organics, a juice bar brand with a celebrity following on a mission to love, heal, and inspire. They'll dive into Khalil's journey from addiction to entrepreneurship, the power of a single act of kindness, and how far Khalil will go to source the perfect ingredient — all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.

Check out SunLife Organics on their website and Instagram.

Check out Khalil on Instagram.

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This week, Ward sits down with Jacqueline Fitch-Little, Senior Vice President of Retail Leasing at Northwood Retail and Principal of Merch. They'll introduce Jac's new affiliate retail leasing consulting business, share the keys to building long-lasting retail relationships, and predict the retail trends that will dominate 2025—all that and more on this episode of Backstory and Beyond.

Check out Merch on their website and Instagram.

Learn more about Northwood Retail.