Hello friends, welcome back to The Best of Charlotte podcast. I have to say that I’m really honored to be featuring the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey Team on the podcast. The team recently relocated their headquarters to Charlotte and will be training here full-time for their upcoming international competitions. 

Queens University Sports Complex is the home for U.S. Women’s Field Hockey. The sports complex boasts one of the few dedicated water-based turf pitches in the Nation and was one of the key reasons the U.S. national squad chose Charlotte for their new training headquarters. 

There were many other factors, though, that made Charlotte stand out as an ideal location for the team. Coach Greg Drake, Assistant Coach for the National Team, joins me in this episode to share a few of Charlotte’s other attributes that caught the attention of the organization. The reasons why U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey now calls Charlotte home.

Again, I have to say how proud I am to have this opportunity to feature U.S. Women’s National  Field Hockey here on The Best of Charlotte. Listeners, thanks so much for joining us. Here’s my conversation with Coach Drake.

U.S. Women's National Field Hockey Team

Queens University Sports Complex

Local CLT businesses recognized in this episode:

Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters
Smelly Cat Coffee House and Roastery
Optimist Hall

Books recommended:

David and Goliath
by Malcolm Gladwell

Team Work
by Ray McLean

Support the show

In this episode, I sit down with Jamey Boiter, the Principle and CEO at BOLTGROUP - a design innovation firm that has been helping companies build better brands for 35 years. Jamey shares the story of his journey as a Graphic Designer and Brand Strategist, and how a company’s brand means so much more than a logo. Much of our discussion revolves around what Jamey refers to as a “brand ecosystem.” He lends a hand in helping me better understand the importance of the communication and culture around a brand. 

As per usual, I bring up Simon Sinek and Seth Godin. I also talk a lot about Apple. That will not surprise our regular listeners, I know. But, how could I resist asking for  Jamey’s opinion, a branding EXPERT, on the philosophies of these forward thinkers and the rise of one of the most recognizable and revered brands in the world?

You’ll be happy to know that I only digress occasionally, and spend most of the conversation listening intently to Jamey’s description of how the ultra-talented team at BOLTGROUP executes the mission of branding design innovation for some of the most successful companies in America, and beyond.

If you’re an entrepreneur that has struggled, as I have, with nailing your company’s brand, this episode is for you. So, lean in my friends, and get to know Jamey Boiter, CEO of BOLTGROUP.

BOLTGROUP

Charlotte businesses recognized in this episode:

Groundcrew Sound

Hot Sake

Fionix Consulting

Charlotte Star Room

Podcasts recommended:

Design Matters with Debbie Millman

Design Observer

Books recommended:

Legacy

By James Kerr

Designing Your Life

By Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

Our Lake Norman area podcast: The Best of LKN

Support the show

It’s episode 36 and we’re featuring Around the Crown 10K and a conversation with the co-founder and race director Brian Mister. 

Brian shares how the inspiration for the annual running event came to him a few years back. We talk a lot about the running community in Charlotte and the volunteers and sponsors that so generously contribute their time and resources to the event. We also discuss how several different local government agencies collaborate to make this event possible.

The team at Around the Crown 10k continue their work throughout the year to develop and strengthen the Charlotte running community. Brian shares the details about the many activations around the city that help Charlotte that are aimed at keeping the city more active throughout the year, with a special focus on building a more inclusive running community.

Thanks for joining us. Enjoy getting to know Brian Mister and his spectacular running event - the  Around the Crown 10K.

Around the Crown 10k - Presented by Truist

Sponsors - Click Link for Full List

Charlotte Running Company - featured on The Best of LKN podcast

Beneficiaries

Partners for Parks
Carolina Farm Trust - featured on The Best of LKN podcast
RunningWorks

Local nonprofits mentioned in this episode:

24 Foundation
Charlotte Sports Foundation
Charlotte Marathon

Local businesses recognized in this episode:

Cara Cremeans - Northwestern Mutual - featured on The Best of LKN podcast
Davidson Provision Company - featured on The Best of LKN podcast
Boomerang Water Company - featured on The Best of LKN podcast
Run For Your Life - featured in episode 4 and episode 7
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Camp North End
7th Street Public Market

Thanks to:

The City of Charlotte

Support the show

In this episode, I head back to Southend Charlotte to sit down with the co-founder and head brewer at Wooden Robot Brewery, Dan Wade. Dan shares a bit about his background and the inspiration for launching a career in craft beer. We talk about his engineering background, and his travels to Scotland to receive a masters degree in brewing and distilling. Dan also details the commitment that he and his business partner Josh have made to building a positive work culture at Wooden Robot where employees can thrive.

As always, I thank you for joining us. Enjoy getting to know Dan Wade at Wooden Robot Brewery.

Wooden Robot Brewery

Local Charlotte businesses recognized:

Work at Recess Charlotte

QC Catering Charlotte

Enderly Coffee Charlotte

...and ALL the amazing Charlotte restaurants that serve Wooden Robot beer!

Books recommended:

Traction by Gino Wickman

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Effortless by Greg McKeown

Support the show

The guests in this episode are founders of one of the hottest fitness studios in Charlotte. Sweat Method is Charlotte’s first 30-minute group fitness studio. Their mission is simple: grow the fitness community through music, and a well-rounded approach to strength, cardio, and core training.

Founders Halle Hillman and Justin Gordon join me to share the Sweat Method story, and their own entrepreneurial journey. Listeners, if you’re in the early phases of your entrepreneurial journey, you’ll especially love the valuable insights that Halle and Justin share about overcoming the challenges of launching a fresh brand.

It’s another super high-energy episode 34 of The Best of Charlotte podcast. Thanks for joining us friends, enjoy the episode!

Sweat Method
1430 Winnifred Street
Charlotte, NC  28203

Local small businesses recognized:

Recess

Glory Days Apparel

Green Brothers Juice

Wooden Robot Brewery

Lost & Found

Ivy Robinson Events

Books recommended:

Blue Ocean Strategy, by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne

Podcasts recommended:

How I Built This with Guy Raz

The Skinny Confidential

Other resources:

Skillshare - Online Learning

Support the show

Hey friends, welcome back to The Best of Charlotte podcast. Before I roll this interview, I just have to say once again how great it has been to finally be able to get back to connecting with our guests in person. This is the third in-person interview for the Charlotte podcast since spending 14 months recording via Zoom meetings. It’s a great feeling to be able to visit our guests at their offices and locations, and spend a little extra time getting to know them and learn more about their work.

So, speaking of visiting my guests at their locations - the location for this episode was the coolest I think so far. Amy Aussieker is the Executive Director for Envision Charlotte, a public private plus collaborative that leads Charlotte’s progress as a global Smart City through innovations that strengthen economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability and positive community impacts. 

I met Amy at one of Envision Charlotte’s most recent projects, called the Innovation Barn in the Belmont neighborhood just outside of Uptown Charlotte. I would call the Innovation Barn a signature project - it is just amazing. 

In this episode, Amy is going to share a lot of details about the work Envision Charlotte is doing to lead an initiative for a circular and sustainable economy here in Charlotte, and beyond. Of course, I’m also going to get her to share a little biography on her own career and how she was inspired to join Envision Charlotte back in 2013.

It’s a very circular and sustainable episode 33 of The Best of Charlotte podcast, and we couldn’t be more thankful that you’re joining us. Enjoy the episode.

Learn more at:

Envision Charlotte

Innovation Barn

Thanks to the Envision Charlotte brand partners and sponsors:

Electrolux

Sealed Air

Coca-Cola Consolidated

Charlotte Center City Partners

City of Charlotte

Resources recommended:

Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Biomimicry Institute

Support the show

In this episode, we ‘re featuring a conversation with the team behind Recess - a company that’s building a flexible workspace community here in Charlotte, NC. Recess aims to help local restaurants and breweries utilize their dining and tap rooms during off business hours by creating unique co-working spaces for their members. 

The startup began with Wooden Robot Brewery in Spring of 2021, and has since expanded into Plaza Midwood, and has plans to continue expanding as more and more restaurants participate in the program.

Recess is a concept that is going places, and if you’re one of those individuals that find yourself working out of coffee shops or bland corporate coworking offices, you will want to have a listen and learn more about Recess.

Recess

Shout-outs to these local businesses:

Wooden Robot Brewery

Pinhouse

Sweat Method

Jags Head Coffee

Ilios Crafted Greek

Morelia Gourmet Paletas

Resources:

Podcast: How I Built This with Guy Raz

Book: The Index Card Business Plan, by Brian Eric Margolis

Support the show

In episode 31,  I have lined up for you a conversation with two executives at Luquire - a highly successful digital advertising and PR firm based here in Charlotte. Senior Vice President and Director of Client Service, Brooks Luquire, and Chief Creative Officer Glen Hilzinger join me to discuss Luquire’s recent rebranding process, (which by the way, involved a little help from Luke Kuechly). We also discuss Luquire’s commitment to several area charitable organizations, and the company’s initiative to foster diversity in the workplace. 

Listeners, I think you’re going to love the candid nature of our conversation and getting to know the team at Luquire. Thanks for joining us - enjoy the episode.

Luquire

Think Justice

Special mentions:

Project Life Movement

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Levine Children’s Hospital

Support the show

In this episode of the Best of Charlotte, I’m finally featuring a local Charlotte craft brewery. The founders of Resident Culture Brewing Company in Plaza Midwood join me to share the story of their company, as well as some exciting future plans that are currently in the works. Before I roll the recording, I want to let you know that we did have some minor audio difficulties. The owners were joining via Zoom from separate locations, which is always a little tricky. One of the locations was the brewery, which is in full production, so there will be some background noise there. However, the content of our conversation really makes up for it and I think you’re going to really love getting to know the team behind Resident Culture Brewing Company. So, with that let’s go ahead and get stuck right in - thanks for joining us friends, enjoy the episode.

Resident Culture Brewing Co.

2101 Central Ave
Charlotte, NC 28205

Local businesses recognized:

Elisabeth Rose

The Golden Carrot

Shop Boem

Charlotte Lately

The Batchmaker

Chilito Tacos

Pure Pizza

Books and Podcasts recommended:

How I Built This, with Guy Raz

Masters of Scale

How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie

Setting the Table, by Daniel Meyer

Support the show

Welcome back to The Best of Charlotte podcast.  We have another beautiful small business located in Southend to share with you. The Golden Carrot fine jewelry shop is a retailer of fine jewelry with a delicate aesthetic, handmade by independent designers. 

Founder and owner Nicole Corriher joins the podcast to share the story of her entrepreneurial journey. Nicole discusses the inspiration behind The Golden Carrot, some of the challenges of starting her own small business, and details some of the wonderful relationships she’s formed with other amazing Charlotte small business owners. 

This is a great conversation with the owner of one of Southend’s loveliest small businesses. My friends, you are going to love this episode and getting to know Nicole and The Golden Carrot. Thanks for joining us, enjoy the episode.

The Golden Carrot
2120 South Blvd.
Suite 3
Charlotte, NC  28203
(Located in Atherton Mill)

Shout-outs to these local businesses:

Elisabeth Rose

Fine Grit

Boem

Charlotte Lately

Resident Culture Brewing Co.

Books recommended:

Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe
By Laura Lynne Jackson

Profit First
By Mike Michalowicz

Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
By Gino Wickman

Shop these titles locally at Park Road Books

Support the show