Queen City Unleashed

In this episode of Queen City Unleashed, we got to chat with Ian Holmes. Ian is one of the Owners and Executive Director of New Age Athlete and New Age Flag Football. Ian is also a personal friend, which made shooting this episode a lot of fun. 

Ian has a huge heart for youth football and has been making his mark on the scenes for years, for both boys and girls. With over 1000 kids in his programs, he gets the chance to share his love of his favorite sport with so many. 

We know you will enjoy this episode and make sure you listen all the way through to hear us talk about early 2000’s fashion!!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In this episode of Queen City Unleashed, we sat down with Larry Swayne, the owner of Wingzza Mambo Sauce! He also has such a vault of knowledge about Charlotte, so we had a great time learning some history.

Wingzza Mambo Sauce, originally comes from the DMV (Maryland, DC, and Virginia). Larry wants Mambo Sauce to be known everywhere and with his company he is definitely spreading the word. 

The adversity that Larry has faced with his different businesses would have probably knocked a lot of us out, but his story is one of resilience and in this episode you will clearly see why Mambo Sauce is successful now. Larry was so honest and vulnerable with us and it led to such an encouraging conversation for anyone who will listen. 

You definitely don’t want to miss this episode where he shares his journey and so many fun facts about Charlotte.  

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In the first episode of 2025 for Queen City Unleashed, we sat down with Bryan and Kristen Brown, the owners of Benny Ferrovia’s and Benny Pennello’s!

Benny’s Pizza, known for their massive pizzas, originated at Virginia Tech… making this a very full circle episode for host Seyi Olusina, a Virginia Tech graduate. Kristen and Bryan shared the stories of them opening locations here in Charlotte, one of which involved them having a newborn and opening a restaurant at the same time. 

This was such a fun episode which ended with us getting to make a huge Benny’s pizza to take home! This is by far one of the coolest experiences we have had on the podcast and you won’t want to miss it. 

Tune into this episode to hear about their journey and how they balance the business, their relationship, their kids and everything else. 

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In this episode of Queen City Unleashed we sat down to chat with Andrea Ritcher, the owner of Pretty Honest Candles. A black woman owned soy candle company in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Andrea started her soy candle company after experimenting with candles for herself and friends/family. Since then she has been shouted out by Beyonce, Cosmopolitan, Buzzfeed and many others. She also told us about the challenges she has faced and how she balances all of this with being a wife and mom. 

Tune into this episode to hear about her journey and what she is learning about herself. Her honesty about entrepreneurship will be easily appreciated and make you want to root for her even more. 

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In this episode of Queen City Unleashed we sat down to chat with Jordan Dollard, the owner of Esther and Elsa and the woman behind Front Porch Sundays and Nebel’s Alley Night Market. 

Jordan has become one of the biggest voices and advocates of small businesses in Charlotte. She talked with us about some of her hobbies, her favorite spots in the city, and where she thinks there is potential in the city. 

Make sure you tune into this episode to hear about the many ways she supports small businesses and how our support of them is vital for the growth we want to see in our city. 

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In the 10th episode of Queen City Unleashed we went to a TV set to interview Mia Atkins, Co-host of WCNC’s Charlotte Today show. 

Mia has known she wanted to be on TV since she was 15 years old and she has worked so hard over the years to get there. From getting her own show 3 days out of college to getting to interview icon Dolly Parton, Mia is truly living out her dream. She cares so much about the city of Charlotte and has a unique position to get to touch so much of it by the people and businesses she interviews. How she lives her life so authentically is encouraging to see from someone on TV everyday and we are so happy she let us into her world to interview her! Share this episode with a friend and get to know one of the shining stars of Charlotte.

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In this episode of Queen City Unleashed we spend some time with Brandon Stirewalt, Director of Operations at Town Brewing Company. 

Brandon taught us so much about brewing, from agriculture, to the science, to the art, to the lack of diversity. His passion for what he does was gushing out in this interview. He also shared some really cool and innovative things that Town Brewing is doing when it comes to making beer. He believes that breweries are the new community centers and when he breaks it down, it becomes easy to agree! Grab yourself a beer and enjoy this episode!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In this episode of Queen City Unleashed we spend some time with local esthetician, Dani Simonetti, who is a friend and a neighbor. 

Dani shared with us what it was like to leave her corporate job and start a business. She told us how that switch helped her to understand her sexuality as a queer woman. We also got some really easy tips for how we can all take better care of our skin and she gave us a hilarious new way to enjoy museums! Hint… with an adult beverage. This episode is so raw and real but also funny, so you definitely want to make sure you give this one a go!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In this episode of Queen City Unleashed we get to sit down with local stand up comedian Jordan Centry!

Jordan tells us how he first got into stand up, some of his comedic inspirations, his worst fails and why he runs… it is not why you would think. Seyi also tells a joke that he has been working on for a long time to get Jordan’s approval. This episode is guaranteed to make you laugh so check it out and leave a review!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In this episode of Queen City Unleashed we got the chance to talk with Pedro Oliveria, the founder of P3 Soccer Lab, and private soccer coach in Charlotte. 

He told us all about his journey to America from Brazil, his passion for the game of soccer, and what it is like coaching and playing here in Charlotte. He has some incredible and funny stories of living in Iowa when he first moved here, and having to deal with parents on the team. Check out this episode to hear more!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed