Dirt NC

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Summary: Sam and I talk all about chocolate and golf and the challenges of entrepreneurship!

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- How Sam had to pivot from his original business plan.
- How golf relates to life.
- The power of blind foolish courage.

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About Sam:
Sam Ratto’s path to the craft of making bean-to-bar chocolate started behind the wheel of a 40-foot RV. Sam used to drive that RV around America slanging skate shoes to skateboarders, surfers, snowboarders and dirt bike racers. But when Sam lost that job in the Great Recession of 2008, he relocated to Raleigh and found a part-time job roasting cacao beans for a local chocolate maker. Sam fell in love with the art and science of making bean-to-bar chocolate from sorting to roasting, grinding and tempering. He quickly started day dreaming of opening his own chocolate factory. 

In 2011, Sam opened Videri Chocolate Factory in downtown Raleigh, joining the ranks of the less than two dozen bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the country at the time. Videri chocolate is made with the finest cocoa beans, cocoa butter and organic cane sugar. The company does not use artificial flavorings or fillers, such as soy lecithin, xanthan gum and emulsifiers. All ingredients are thoughtfully procured, using sustainable purchasing standards. Videri’s production facility is allergy friendly and the chocolates are made without tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy or gluten. 

Since 2014, Videri has won eight Good Food Awards for its chocolate bars and confections; the awards honor superior tasting products made by companies that demonstrate social and environmental responsibility. Its 4,000 square-foot facility in Raleigh’s Warehouse District is home to a small batch chocolate factory, coffee shop and chocolate shop. In 2023, Videri was named one of the 10 best chocolate shops in the country by USA Today. For five years in a row, Videri has been named Best Chocolate in the Triangle in the annual readers’ poll by Indy Week. Videri has also been featured in GQ, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Condé Nast Traveler, The Associated Press, Our State Magazine, North Carolina Weekend and many more. 

In 2017, the Triangle Business Journal named Ratto one of its 40 under 40 winners, which honors outstanding professionals under the age of 40 for their contributions to their organizations and to the community. In 2019, Ratto was honored by the publication in its annual CEO of the Year awards. The company has more than 20 employees and its products are available for purchase at its Raleigh location, online and at various retailers in eight states. More info: viderichocolatefactory.com. 

In 2024, he opened Golf Golf Golf Indoor golf lounge & club. Venturing into the golf space has always been a dream and now it is a reality for Sam Ratto. Swing on by, have a beer, high five your pals and have a blast.

Connect with Sam: Videri Chocolate Factory | Golf Golf Golf | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Mentioned in the show:
Uncommon C

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Summary: Joe and I talk about value per acre, tax policy, and trees.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The importance of having empathy for your audience.
- The power of data visualization.
- The history and growth of Joe’s firm.

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About Joe:
Joe Minicozzi is an urban planner imagining new ways to think about and visualize land use, urban design and economics. Joe founded Urban3 to explain and visualize market dynamics created by tax and land use policies. Urban3's work establishes new conversations across multiple professional sectors, policy makers, and the public to creatively address the challenges of urbanization. Urban3’s extensive studies range geographically over 30 states, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami and Master of Architecture and Urban Design from Harvard University. In 2017, Joe was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Urbanists of all time.

Connect with Joe: Website | LinkedIn 

Mentioned in the show:
- https://www.strongtowns.org/urban3
- Not Just Bikes

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

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Summary: Bill and I talk about the history of Public Gardens, and the history and future of Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This interview was recorded on September 20th 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The connection of Public Garden to “Rural” Cemeteries.
- The creation, design, and history of Sarah P. Duke Gardens
- A lot of new vocab words!

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About Bill LeFevre:
Bill LeFevre is executive director of Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University.  His education includes a B.S. in Landscape Design from the University of Connecticut and an M.S. in Public Horticulture Administration as a fellow in the Longwood Graduate Program at the University of Delaware. 

Since being named as Duke Gardens’ first full-time director in 2007, the Gardens has completed over $12,000,000 in capital projects including the Durham Toyama Sister Cities Pavilion and Pine Clouds Mountain Stream in the Ruth Mary Meyer Japanese Garden, the restoration of the Roney Fountain and Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden, the Piedmont Prairie, and completion of the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden, a pilot project of the national Sustainable Sites Initiative.  

Bill is currently leading development of the proposed Garden Gateway, a $30 million capital program to redesign the main entry experience and provide much-needed facility expansion and visitor amenities.

In recent years, Duke Gardens has been ranked among the top 10 public gardens in the country and been awarded Horticulture Magazine’s Award for Garden Excellence from the American Public Gardens Association.

Bill is a past president of the American Public Gardens Association, previously served as executive director of Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia and managed the Parks Revitalization Project at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society following a successful career in commercial landscape construction and service in the United States Navy as a carrier-based air traffic controller. 

Connect with Bill: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- Mount Auburn Cemetery
- Chelsea Physic Garden
- Bartrams Garden
- PUBLIC GARDEN MAGAZINE
- Allée Definition & Meaning
- https://gardens.duke.edu/
- The Garden Gateway Project
- Join & Give

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carol

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Summary: Carolyn and I talk all about the past, present, and future of Research Triangle Park. This interview was recorded on September 19th 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Discussions around three major Research Triangle Park projects: The Hub, Boxyard RTP, and Frontier.
- What makes Research Triangle Park different from other Research Parks.
- What’s next at Research Triangle Park.

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About Carolyn:
Carolyn Coia joined the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (managing entity of Research Triangle Park) in 2016 and serves as Vice President of Real Estate. In her role, Carolyn has worked in all facets of real estate, including, but not limited to, strategic planning, development finance, due diligence, construction, project management, and leasing overseeing over 800K SF of office, laboratory, and retail development.

In addition to currently operating assets, and serving as the master developer, Carolyn leads developer negotiation and coordination of its 2M SF mixed-use development, phase 1 of Hub RTP – the future downtown of RTP. Hub RTP will, at its completion, be 4-6M SF of mixed-use product. Relative to her work at the Foundation, GlobeSt Real Estate Forum awarded Carolyn with a 2022 Women of Influence award. 

Prior to joining the Foundation, Carolyn worked for a group of companies owned by private equity, where she was heavily involved in acquisition pro forma work, budgeting/forecasting (P&L, BS, SCF) and ad hoc financial modeling for multiple start-up entities. Carolyn holds a B.S. in Finance form Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In her community, Carolyn serves as Governance Chair for the Research Triangle High School Board of Directors, committee member for the CoreNet Programs Committee, committee member for UCREW at TCREW, and serves as a mentor through the local ULI WLI mentor/mentee program. 

Connect with Carolyn: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Mentioned in the show:
- Hub RTP
- Frontier RTP
- Boxyard RTP
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Kendall Square
- Triangle Mobility Hub
- Durham Performing Arts Center

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my caree

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Summary: Chuck and I talk about greenway history in Raleigh and the new Peter A. Pappas Real Estate Development Program at NC State University. This interview was recorded on September 9th, 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Greenway history in Raleigh from 1969 to today.
- Landscapes are what we love in North Carolina.
- The new Real Estate program at NC State, past and future.

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About Chuck:
Chuck Flink is an award-winning author, planner and landscape architect who has completed greenway work in 250 communities, in 35 states, and in Europe, Asia, and South America. 
He is the recipient of four dozen national, regional and local planning and design awards. Chuck is a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects, he is the 2006 Distinguished Alumnus of the NC State University College of Design, 2019 recipient of the NC State University Watauga Medal and 2023 recipient of the ASLA LaGasse Medal.  
Chuck is the author of three books on greenways:  Greenways. A Guide to Planning, Design and Development (1993), Trails for the Twenty First Century (2001), and his most recent book “The Greenway Imperative: Connecting Communities and Landscapes for A Sustainable Future.”  
He currently serves as Director of the Peter A. Pappas Real Estate Development Program at NC State University.

Connect with Chuck: Website | LinkedIn

Mentioned in the show:
- Lewis Clarke Collection at NC State
- William “Bill” Flournoy Papers at NC State
- Raleigh Greenway Storymap
- Razorback Greenway
- NC State College of Design
- Pappas Real Estate Development Program
- [Book] Historic Black Neighborhoods of Raleigh
- Chavis-Dix Strollway
- North Carolina Cross-Triangle Ride

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I

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Summary: Victor and I talk all about urban manufacturing and creativity in Raleigh. This interview was recorded on September 5th, 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- How constraints breed creativity.
- How when you start a business young, you have everything to lose.
- The importance of understanding “enough”.

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About Victor:
Victor Lytvinenko and Sarah Yarborough started Raleigh Denim Workshop in 2007 in their hometown of Raleigh, NC and were inducted to the CFDA(Council of Fashion Designers of America) in 2013. The husband-wife team learned the techniques of traditional American jeansmaking through seeking out a series of informal apprenticeships with factory workers, patternmakers, and mechanics throughout the state. Raleigh Denim Workshop's products are all produced with a focus on design, process, material, and craft. 

The brand has been featured in numerous publications including New York Times, Vogue, and Wallpaper Magazine and sold worldwide at high-end boutiques across the country, London, Amsterdam and Tokyo. 

Sarah and Victor have collaborated on projects with OMA, Patagonia, Kate Spade, John Patrick Organic, Pilsner Urquell – exhibited at Art Basil Miami, and has been designing furniture and upholstery with Bernhardt Design for many years. 

Connect with Victor: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Mentioned in the show:
Council of Fashion Designers of America

[Book] The Good Life: Helen and Scott Nearing's Sixty Years of Self-Sufficient Living 

[Book] Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business

[Book] Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman 

[Book] The Braindead Megaphone 

Other interviews with Victor:
Clever Podcast
Nice Work Podcast

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as intr

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Summary: Jeremey and I talk all about the tenant rep brokerage process!

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The power of placemaking and a long term vision.
- How tenant representation is a “free service”.
- Best advice: have a plan and don’t rush.

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About Jeremy:
A Raleigh native, Jeremy Deckelbaum joined Elm Partners as Vice President in 2021 after working at Trademark Properties for several years. 

Jeremy has a knack for finding off market properties and focuses on investment sales and retail leasing.  Jeremy started his career in finance, which has served him well in both his professional life and in his philanthropic efforts. With a background in corporate sponsorships, partnerships and fundraising, Jeremy has had success building relationships and networking with business leaders. Previously, Jeremy has worked for organizations such as Cohost for NC CEO Forum, NC Football Club, and Teen Cancer America.

Jeremy is an active member in Retail Brokers Network, TCAR, ULI, ICSC and a board member of the Jewish Federation for Greater Raleigh area. Jeremy’s true passion is philanthropy, specifically to organizations dedicated to supporting children and teens. Jeremy was the cofounder of the Beard Gang for the NC State University basketball team that benefitted Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Jeremy and his wife Liza live Downtown and they have a baby boy, Marshall, a daughter, Katherine,  and a dog Butterbean. In his spare time, he enjoys hot yoga, golfing, traveling, supporting the Baltimore Ravens, and being with friends and family. 

Connect with Jeremy: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Mentioned in the show:
NCFC
Ideal’s Sandwich and Grocery
Figulina
Raleigh Magazine
Dorthea Dix Park

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time wit

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Summary: Casey and I talk all about Commercial Real Estate Banking. 

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Build your team before you need them.
- The process of getting a loan.
- Ladder up to get into commercial real estate investing.

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About Casey:
Casey was born in Danville, Va. but was raised in Yanceyville, NC.  He attended college at NC State University in Raleigh.  After graduating, Casey went into banking as a retail banker for two years but eventually made the shift to commercial banking.  Over the next 13 years, Casey would work for various banks as a commercial lender, in and around Wake County.  In 2015, Casey took a hiatus from banking to pursue another passion of his, cooking.  He spent the next two years cooking around the country and exploring the world through a culinary lens.  In 2017 he returned to Raleigh and commercial banking and most recently joined Carter Bank, where he just celebrated his one year anniversary. 

In his free time, you can still find Casey cooking in restaurants and at home, traveling, and hiking in the Asheville area with his beloved dachshund, Lotti.

Connect with Casey: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Mentioned in the show:
Chef and the Farmer

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oakcitycre.com.

Until next time, Thank you!

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Summary: Brooke and I talk all about Village District and shopping center management and leasing!

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- Brooke’s journey into the real estate profession.
- Regency’s 33/33/33 “rule” for tenant mix.
- The process for a local tenant leasing space and how they can find success in a shopping center.

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About Brooke:
Experienced real estate professional with a background in both property management and leasing transactions. As the General Manager at Village District with Regency Centers, she currently oversee a 550k sf. premier asset in the heart of Raleigh. By drawing patrons in, maximizing ancillary revenue sources, and leveraging contracts she's able to add value for all parties involved. She has a decade in the industry with a background in both leasing and property management as well as concentrations in real estate with my BSBA and MBA. She currently holds an active salesperson license in the commonwealth of Virginia and a real estate broker’s license in the state of North Carolina. She is a member of CREW/TCREW/PTCREW, ICSC, IREM (ACoM accreditation), The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals Network. 

In her spare time she enjoys playing volleyball, running, volunteering as a Big Buddy with Comfort Zone Camp and at CPO Food Bank, reading, and cooking.

Connect with Brooke: Website | LinkedIn | Village District Website

Mentioned in the show:
- Longwood University MBA
- Village District 75th Anniversary
- Regency Center’s Maxi Awards at ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers)

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have com

Send a text

Summary: Megan and I talk all about the process of permitting space for a tenant.

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- How a client prompted Megan to relocate her life and business to NC.
- The start to finish process for permitting a space in Raleigh.
- Megan’s advice to “swallow the worst case scenario.”

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About Megan:
Megan Kaufmann is the Founder and Principal of KC Studio Inc., an architecture firm specializing in commercial projects. Megan seamlessly manages all facets of the business, including client acquisition, financial oversight, and firm marketing, while leading the design process and providing guidance to her team of architects and designers. Presently licensed in a dozen states, Megan continues to cultivate an impressive portfolio, catering to esteemed clients that include Fortune 500 companies and several major healthcare providers.

Actively engaged in various industry-related organizations, Megan's dedication extends beyond professional endeavors. Her significant contributions to the community have garnered recognition from the Triangle Business Journal, American Institute of Architect’s, and NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association.  She is an active member of the American Institute of Architects, past-Chair for the AIA Triangle’s Women in Architecture, member of NAIOP, TCREW, and serves on the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department Citizen Advisory Group for John Chavis, John P. Top Greene, and South Park Heritage Walk projects. 

 Connect with Megan: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Mentioned in the show:
NCARB - National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Triangle - Women in Architecture Task Force

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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!

Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.

Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.

With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.

As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/sugg