Chatter with BNC

Welcome to Business North Carolina's Weekly Roundup, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, we are joined by Jasmine Hathaway, the Founder of Compass Coordinators. Jasmine talks to Ben Kinney about her journey to start Compass Coordinators, how the company is doing, how they help their clients, music, and more. 

Welcome to Business North Carolina's Weekly Roundup, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, we are joined by Hunter Westbrook, the president of  HomeTrust Bank of Asheville. He describes how the largest financial institution based in western North Carolina has grown to nearly $4 billion in assets since converting to a mutual savings and loan in 2012. The West Virginia University graduate discusses competition with megabanks and fintech companies and the rapid growth of the Asheville economy.

Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, we are joined by Albert Eckel, the Co-Founder and Partner at Eckel & Vaughan. Ben and Albert talk about how Eckel & Vaughan was founded, starting a new business during tough times, new things happening in the world of brand communications, and flexibility in the post pandemic work environment. 

Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, we are joined by John Nelms, the president of the N.C. Economic Development Association and Senior Economic Development Manager at Duke Energy. The Oxford native talks about the group's passion for supporting the state's community colleges and why North Carolina consistently ranks among the most attractive states for relocating businesses. Nelms has a bachelor's degree from N.C. State University and a Campbell University MBA. He worked in state government before joining Duke predecessor Progress Energy.

Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, we are joined by Thomas Stith, the President of NC Community College System. Thomas talks to Ben Kinney about his background and journey to the community college system, the role community colleges play in training today's workforce, and things to look out for in the NC Community College system in the near future.

Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, we are joined by Diana Doukas, the Manager for Economic Impact and US Policy Programs at Facebook. Diana and Ben talk about her journey from politics to Facebook, the impact of social media on small businesses, and new things happening at Facebook in North Carolina.

Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, we are joined by Eric Henry, the President & CEO of TS Designs. Eric talks to Ben about his professional journey and history of TS Designs as well as his views on being a business based in the Triad region.

Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, we are joined by Kevin Cassidy, owner and operator of the new Ninja Nation in Huntersville. Cassidy discusses his 18-year career as a Hollywood stuntman (including eight Marvel films), his experience as a franchisee of Ninja Nation, the recent peak in interest around American Ninja Warrior, and more.

Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, we are joined by Penny Whiteheart, the Executive Vice President at Piedmont Triad Partnership. Penny and Ben discuss how she came to PTP, her interest in economic development and community leadership, what's new at PTP and Carolina Core as well as women in powerful positions in economic groups and organizations. 

Welcome to Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. Charlotte is attracting fast-growing financial technology companies including Credit Karma, Robinhood and Better.com to complement the city's big banks. Tariq Bokhari, the executive director of the Carolina Fintech Hub nonprofit, explains why the city is a hotspot and describes his group's unconventional efforts to boost the number of skilled tech workers in North Carolina. Universities won't be the answer to solving the tech worker job shortage, says Bokhari, who is on the Charlotte City Council.