In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff welcomes Katelyn Graham, founder and CEO of The Admin Effect, a Cornelius-based firm serving independent financial advisors nationwide. Katelyn shares her journey from broadcasting to financial services, and how a life-changing experience inspired her to launch her own agency.

She explains how The Admin Effect supports advisors with virtual operations, team training, and consulting—helping firms streamline processes, scale with confidence, and better serve their clients. 

Katelyn also dives into leadership lessons, hiring the right people, and the importance of listening to clients.

The conversation touches on entrepreneurship, niche business models, and life in the Lake Norman area. 

Katelyn's story offers valuable takeaways for business owners, financial advisors, and anyone interested in scaling a service-based company.

The Admin Effect

Book mentioned:
Who Not How
by Dan Sullivan 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

Elevate Land & Realty

Charlotte | Lake Norman | High Country

https://lknreal.com/

Support the show

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

Elevate Land & Realty

Charlotte | Lake Norman | High Country

https://lknreal.com/

Support the show

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff sits down with Sara Lynn Brennan, founder and CEO of Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors. 

Sara shares her journey from teaching biology to building one of Charlotte’s premier luxury interior design firms. 

She opens up about her organic start on Instagram, the pivotal role COVID played in her business growth, and the importance of authentic storytelling in connecting with clients and referral partners.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How Sara transitioned from education to entrepreneurship and interior design.
• The role of social media in building her brand and client base.
• How her firm adapted during COVID to serve high-end clients and luxury real estate professionals.
• Why collaboration with builders, architects, and agents is key to successful projects.
• An inside look at her showroom, All Things Home, and how it makes luxury design accessible.
• Future growth plans for expanding her firm’s presence in Lake Norman and Charlotte.
  
  
  

Resources & Links

• Website: saralynnbrennan.com
• Instagram: @saralynnbrennan

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

Elevate Land & Realty

Charlotte | Lake Norman | High Country

https://lknreal.com/

Support the show

In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff sits down with Mariano Doble, owner of the Davidson Village Inn and founder of Vine Society. 

Mariano shares the inspiring story of how he and his wife turned a lifelong dream of owning a boutique inn into reality, their instant connection with Davidson, and the philosophy of “true hospitality” that keeps guests returning year after year. 

He also introduces Vine Society, a vibrant wine community born during the pandemic, offering master classes, travel experiences, and exclusive tastings. Mariano previews the upcoming Greater Lake Norman Wine Summit—a first-of-its-kind, all-day wine education event coming December 12, 2025, to the Kane Center for the Arts. 

The conversation also dives into community involvement, including support for local nonprofits, the Davidson Rotary Club, and the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce.

Davidson Village Inn
117 Depot St
Davidson, NC 28036
(704) 892-8044

Vine Society (sign up for their terrific email newsletter!)

Get your tickets: The Great Lake Norman Wine Summit

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

Elevate Land & Realty

Charlotte | Lake Norman | High Country

https://lknreal.com/

Support the show

Jeff sits down with Valerie Mano, owner of Fully Promoted Lake Norman in Cornelius, NC. 

Valerie shares her journey from France to the Caribbean to Lake Norman, and how she transitioned from a career in physical therapy to running a thriving promotional products and embroidery business. 

They discuss the services Fully Promoted offers—custom embroidery, branded apparel, promotional items—and how Valerie supports local businesses of all sizes, from startups to large companies. 

She also shares insights on small business ownership, the importance of sales and financial skills, and why she loves being part of the Lake Norman community.

Fully Promoted
19420 Jetton Rd
Cornelius, NC 28031
(704) 987-9630

Special mentions:

Lake Norman Small Business Network
H2 Public House

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

Elevate Land & Realty

Charlotte | Lake Norman | High Country

https://lknreal.com/

Support the show

In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff Hamm chats with Chelsea Kowalski, the creative force behind two standout Instagram accounts: @LakeNormanExploring and @FollowOurCompass. 

Chelsea shares how she transitioned from a career in accounting to content creation, her journey into social media management, and the growth of her local and travel brands.

Topics Covered:

• Chelsea’s move from upstate NY to Lake Norman
  
  
  
• The evolution from wedding videographer to full-time content creator
  
  
  
• Growing @LakeNormanExploring from food-focused to full lifestyle
  
  
  
• Behind the scenes of her travel account, @FollowOurCompass (72K+ followers)
  
  
  
• Working with brands like Sandals Resorts and local Lake Norman businesses
  
  
  
• Social media strategy tips for small businesses
  
  
  
• Favorite tools: iPhone, drone, CapCut, Instagram SEO
  
  
  
• Building community through content and collaborations
  
  
  
• The power of providing value and information in your posts
  
  
  

Local Businesses Mentioned:

• King Canary Brewing Co.
  
  
  
• Palm Berries
  
  
  
• Carolina Destinations
  
  
  
• Sully Steamer’s
  
  
  

Connect with Chelsea:

• Instagram: @LakeNormanExploring | @FollowOurCompass
  
  
  
• Email: [email protected]
  
  
  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

Elevate Land & Realty

Charlotte | Lake Norman | High Country

https://lknreal.com/

Support the show

In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff visits Skybrook Golf Club in Huntersville to chat with General Manager Matt Hill, a PGA professional with deep roots in the golf industry. 

Matt shares his journey from aspiring pro to club leader, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Skybrook’s vibrant community, semi-private model, and exciting new amenity: Toptracer.

Skybrook Golf Club
14720 Northgreen Dr
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 948-6611

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

Elevate Land & Realty

Charlotte | Lake Norman | High Country

https://lknreal.com/

Support the show

In this episode, Jeff welcomes Morgan Bernard (Store Manager) and Sloan Adler (Assistant Manager) from PostNet Cornelius. 

As long-time collaborators and community champions, Morgan and Sloan share how PostNet serves as a one-stop-shop for local businesses—offering everything from shipping and mailboxes to graphic design, printing, and marketing support.

The conversation dives into their personal journeys, the supportive culture of PostNet, and how the business has evolved under owner Lee Roberts. 

Sloan also shares about her photography business, The Vanessa Group, and the powerful impact of networking and community involvement in Lake Norman.

Whether you're a local entrepreneur, creative professional, or real estate agent looking to level up your marketing game, this episode is full of insights on building business with heart.

PostNet Cornelius
19825 N Cove Rd
Cornelius, NC 28031
(704) 895-4300

Special mentions:

The Vanessa Group
LKN Chamber
Women In Networking (Lake Norman)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

Elevate Land & Realty

Charlotte | Lake Norman | High Country

https://lknreal.com/

Support the show

Shawn Jessup and Bryan Lawson of XHALE Construction discuss their journey into the construction industry, focusing on high performance homes. They emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to home building, which prioritizes health, comfort, and energy efficiency. 

The conversation also covers their backgrounds, the significance of awards in the industry, and the detailed process they follow to ensure quality in their builds. 

Listen in to gain insights into the benefits of high performance homes and the intentional design philosophy that sets XHALE Construction apart.

XHALE Construction
9820 Northcross Center Ct
Huntersville, NC 28078
(336) 368-1155

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

Elevate Land & Realty

Charlotte | Lake Norman | High Country

https://lknreal.com/

Support the show

In this episode, we explore the journey of Lori Savio, the owner of Home, Heart & Soul, a boutique design business in Lake Norman. 

Lori shares her transition from Florida to the Carolinas, the challenges and triumphs of building her business, and her commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs. 

The conversation highlights the importance of community, collaboration, and the personal connections that drive success in small business.

Home, Heart & Soul
20901 Catawba Ave 
1st Floor
Cornelius, NC 28031
(704) 458-6464

Special thanks to:

Lake Norman Currents Magazine

Local mentions:

European Skin Solutions
Land Luxury Travel

Meraki by Laura Warren
Brandy DiCosmo - Hair Stylist

Color Blends by Emilee Burris
KLM Interiors 

Support the show