In this episode, I’m sharing with you a conversation I had with the owner of Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Robin Smith Salzman. Robin and her husband Jack have built one of the premier automotive dealerships in North Carolina since moving to the area 18 years ago. But, the focus of our conversation in this episode revolves around another topic that’s near and dear to our hearts - animal rescue and pet adoption. Robin and her team have been great advocates for several local humane society organizations and animal rescue non-profits, and I think the work they’re doing would make for a great topic for this podcast. 

As always, listeners thanks for joining us - enjoy the episode.

Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Nonprofit organizations recognized:

Lucky Cats Rescue

Piedmont Animal Rescue

Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks Rescue

Lucky Labs Rescue

Lake Norman Humane

Humane Society of Catawba County

Stanly County Humane Society

Anson County Animal Shelter

Humane Society of Charlotte 

Greg Biffle Foundation

Make A Wish - Central Carolinas

Local businesses recognized:

Lake Norman Realty

The McIntosh Law Firm

Lucky Dog Bark & Brew

Whole Pet Veterinary Hospital - Davidson

Main Street Veterinary Hospital

Lake Norman Transportation

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I noticed back in January of this year that one of Charlotte’s most prominent law firms had expanded into the Lake Norman area with the opening of a new office in Cornelius. Sodoma Law specializes in the area of family law, and the firm has made quite the name for itself over the past 12 or so years. 

Nicole Sodoma, the founder and principal attorney at Sodoma Law, has received accolade upon accolade over the years for her advocacy and the way in which she and her team have empowered their clients to reach successful outcomes. Suffice to say, Nicole is an accomplished attorney, and no doubt has built one of the finest legal teams in the country right here in Charlotte. 

When Nicole and the managing attorney at Sodoma Law North, Sarah Bennett, agreed to join a conversation for the podcast, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was a little nervous and prepared to be intimidated, but what I experienced was far from anything I expected - this was a fun, and candid conversation - and I think you’re really going to enjoy the Sodoma story and getting to know Nicole and Sarah.

Sodoma Law

Sodoma Law - North (Cornelius)

Sodoma Law Blog

FB: @sodomalaw

IG: @thesodomaway

Shout-outs to these local professionals:

Eileen Stoner - Morgan Stanley

Mike Hege - Pridemore Properties

Birkdale Animal Hospital

Books recommended:

Untamed 

By Glennon Doyle

5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life

By Bill Eddy

Believe IT

By Jamie Kern Lima

Podcast recommended:

Brene Brown

Support the show

In this episode, we’re featuring Davidson Lands Conservancy - a local nonprofit that focuses on preserving the area’s most important natural assets for future generations. The organization’s executive director, Dave Cable, joins us to share the story of what he describes as a calling to pursue a career in the preservation of natural resources. From the stewardship of important natural resources in and around Davidson, to promoting community engagement through such programs as urban forestry and tree-planting initiatives, the Davidson Lands Conservancy is committed to helping balance Davidson’s precious ecosystems.

Davidson Lands Conservancy

Special thanks to:

Trane Technologies

MSC Industrial Supply Co.

Main Street Books

Bragg Financial Advisors

Colorful Creative Agency

Carrburritos Davidson

Copeland Richards Attorneys

Lake Norman Realty

Bartlett Tree Experts - Davidson

Charlotte Ear Nose and Throat Associates

D9 Brewing

Total Bond Veterinary Hospitals

Lake Norman Publications

Alta Planning & Design

Richards Group Real Estate

The McIntosh Law Firm

PostNet Davidson

TSC Residential Real Estate

WDAV 89.9 Radio

Fleet Feet Huntersville

Books recommended:

The Hidden Life of Trees

By Peter Wohlleben

A Natural History of North American Trees

By Donald C. Peattie

Support the show

As you know by now, we do love to feature thoughtful nonprofit organizations on the podcast, in addition to the best small businesses in the area. I have the honor of sharing the story of the Addison Hutchison Foundation with you today. The foundation is based on Mooresville and was created to honor the memory of 11-year old Addison Hutchison. Addison’s Dad, Shane Hutchison joins me to talk about the foundation and share some really great stories about how the foundation is making an impact in the community.

I also want to highlight for my entrepreneurial audience that the foundation is hosting its first annual charity golf event on May 1st, and there are still some openings for sponsors. I think this would be a great event for local small businesses to sponsor, so stay with us and we’ll share more details about the event in this episode. For now, I just want to thank you, as always, for joining us and learning about the Addison Hutchison Foundation… enjoy the episode.

The Addison Hutchison Foundation

Golf Tournament being held at Larkin Golf Club

Local businesses recognized:

No Label Candle Company

Prosciutto’s Pizza Cornelius

Alton’s Kitchen

The Learning Curve LKN

G & W Equipment

Century Contractors

Bishop Financial Partners

Done Right Marketing

Sweet Dreams Mattress & Furniture Lake Norman

Lake Norman Patio & Game Rooms

SLK Consulting & Web Design

Support the show

Hello friends, welcome back to the podcast. This is episode 51 and we’re featuring a local coffee company that’s on the move with some really cool expansion plans in the works. Defined Coffee was founded 3 years ago by friends Anthony Nugnes and Keifer Moskaluk with the opening of their first location in Huntersville. “Quality and Community” are the founding principles of Defined Coffee, and staying true to their mission to connect with their guests and provide a special experience has proved to be a winning combination. Defined Coffee has not only survived the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic, but is expanding with three new locations in different phases of development currently.

If you’re wondering how this is possible, you need only listen to this conversation and get to know Anthony and Keifer. You’ll see, as I did, why this team is succeeding in such a competitive and volatile market.

As always, thanks for joining us - enjoy the episode.

Defined Coffee

8519 Gilead Road

Huntersville, NC  28078

Local businesses recognized:

Tiffany Ringwald Photography - also featured in Episode 22 of the podcast!

Lake Forest Church

Barcelona Burger and Beer Garden

Clean Juice

Alino Pizzeria

Jags Head Coffee

Hatchett Coffee Roasters

Books recommended:

The Power of Moments 

By Chip Heath

The Lean Startup

By Eric Ries

Podcast recommended:

Keys to the Shop Podcast 

(We may receive a monetary commission if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these links. The Best of LKN is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

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Here we are: The 50th Episode! We thought it would be a good idea to mark the occasion with a special episode - our first solo episode with just the host of the podcast.

Sounds boring... I know, right?

Here are some topics we cover in this episode:

• Countdown of the top 5 most downloaded episodes so far for the podcast!
• The inspiration for starting this podcast nearly a year ago.
• Recognize the brains behind the podcast.
• A few highlights from the past year.
• Some cool changes and improvements we have in store for the podcast.

You’ll be glad to know that this solo episode with the host of the podcast only lasts 15-minutes. Enjoy. ;)

P.S. Thanks for the support, Lake Norman! Cheers!

We recognized our own businesses in this one:

Cranial Overdrive
https://cranialoverdrive.com/

Epic Journey Media
https://epicjourneymedia.com/

Support the show

We have sort of a bonus episode for you this week. Here’s a little back story: We began working on an article for our blog about two weeks ago - an article that would highlight a few great spots around Lake Norman to check out for St. Patrick’s Day this year. We reached out to these places for some information to include for the article, and one of those places BoatYard Lake Norman, responded with a phone call. Chris Boukedes, the owner of BoatYard Lake Norman called and we talked for quite some time. We've wanted to feature BoatYard on the podcast since beginning this journey almost a year ago, and invited Chris to join me for a recording - we also hatched a plan to get it published in time for this big St. Patty’s week. Hence the bonus episode. 

Chris’s background in the restaurant and bar business is prolific, and there’s no way we could cover his career in less than an hour, but suffice it to say he knows a thing or two about how to build a successful venue. In this episode, Chris shares the story of BoatYard Lake Norman and some plans he and his team have in store for the future. Stay with us until the end of this episode and we'll share BoatYard’s St. Patty’s Day plans and schedule of events. For now, enjoy getting to know Chris Boukedes, owner of BoatYard Lake Norman!

BoatYard Lake Norman

https://boatyardlkn.com/

18418 Statesville Road

Cornelius, NC  28031

IG: @boatyardlkn

FB: https://www.facebook.com/BoatYardEatsLKN

Zoey’s Nonprofit:

Yay!DAY

IG: @yaydaylife

FB: https://www.facebook.com/yaydaylife/

Thanks to local businesses:

Carolina Premium Beverage

Lake Norman Chamber

Recommended reading:

Stop Doing That Sh*t by Gary John Bishop

(We may receive a monetary commission if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these links. The Best of LKN is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

Support the show

Long time listeners of the podcast will be familiar with my fondness for craft beer, so it will come as no surprise that I’m featuring another great local craft brewery in this episode. Dave Hamme, the founder of Lost Worlds Crewing Company in Cornelius joins me to share the story behind the brewery. 

We actually cover a lot of territory in this conversation - the inspiration behind the Lost Worlds brand, the experience of opening a new brewery in March of 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic here in the U.S., how Dave and his team were able to adapt and thrive in their first year - that part Dave sums up with one of the best Matthew McConaughey quotes of all time. We also discuss the partnerships Lost Worlds has forged with some of our favorite local nonprofit organizations, as well as working with local businesses to better serve the guests at the brewery. 

Speaking of working with local businesses, Dave highlights the generosity and camaraderie shared with other local craft breweries - favoring collaboration over competition, an amazing  mindset that seems to be unique to the craft beer industry.

Lost Worlds Brewing Company

https://www.lostworldsbeer.com/

19700-D One Norman Blvd.
Cornelius, NC  28031

Local businesses mentioned in this episode:

Mbrace Studio

Lucky Dog Bark & Brew

Choplins Steak and Seafood

Matt’s Chicago Dog

Luna’s at the Lake

Lake Norman Chamber

Nonprofits:

Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center

Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks Rescue

Carolina Raptor Center

American Foreign Academic Research


Books:

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

The Complete Joy of Homebrewing

The Art of Winning by Dennis Conner

Small Data by Martin Lindstrom

Support the show

In this episode, we’re featuring Daniel San Sushi and Asian Fusion restaurant in Cornelius. Listeners of this podcast will know how fond I am of Sushi and Asian Fusion Cuisine - last year we featured eeZ Fusion and Sushi in Birkdale Village on the podcast, and immediately after my conversation with owner Alan Springate I hopped in my truck and ran to eeZ for lunch. I’m getting hungry again just thinking about Sushi and hibachi… I may have a problem.

Anyway, this interview was no different and I’ve ordered from Daniel San twice already since we recorded this conversation. Friends, the food is amazing. I’ll share more after the conversation, so stick around.

Owner Paolo Jose joins me to share the story of Daniel San Sushi and Asian Fusion in Cornelius, as well as the story of his own entrepreneurial journey. 

It’s another mouth-watering episode -  thanks for joining us friends!

Daniel San Sushi and Asian Fusion

https://www.danielsancornelius.com/

Local businesses recognized in this episode:

The Cycle Path
https://www.thecyclepath.net/

The McIntosh Law Firm
https://www.mcintoshlawfirm.com/

Davidson Wine Company
https://davidsonwineco.com/
(also featured on the podcast here)

Wilber Associates Architects
https://wilberassociates.com/

Learn Music
https://www.learnmusicnc.com/

Books recommended:

The Art of Simple Food
By Alice Waters

Mastering the Art of Japanese Home Cooking
By Masaharu Morimoto

Momofuku: A Cookbook
By David Chang

Support the show

In this episode, I’m featuring a conversation with the inventive founder of a Mooresville-based startup that is helping runners see and be seen in the dark. Body Lantern is a Veteran owned company that is creating safety products that enhance active outdoor experiences. Founder and owner Jamie Perrine shares the story of how the company’s flagship product, The Torch, was inspired by a precarious encounter early one morning on the way home from the gym. Jamie also shares some marketing strategies that have been most effective for his company, as well as some pivots they’ve made during the pandemic. I also ask Jamie what he knows now that he wishes he had known when starting the company 4 years ago. This might be my new favorite question for my entrepreneurial guests – I think we can learn a lot from their answers. 

Runners pay attention! The Body Lantern Torch is something you will want to have on hand for your evening or early morning runs. Enjoy my conversation with the founder of Body Lantern, Jamie Perrine!

Body Lantern

Web: https://www.bodylantern.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/bodylantern

IG: https://www.instagram.com/bodylantern/

Businesses mentioned in this episode:

Blumengärten                   https://blumengartenllc.com/ (our guests back in episode 7 of the podcast!)

Innovative Design Partners          https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-whitley-42251669/

Rene’s Sweet Treats                       https://renestreats.com/

Lab Pups Charlotte                          http://labpups.com/

Thanks for listening!

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