Today on The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Teasha Cable, CEO and co-founder of C-Model, a decision intelligence platform that helps small and mid-sized businesses make better decisions using a combination of AI, data and real-world expertise. Teasha shares her journey from VP roles to founder, the importance of tracking business decisions and how technology like CORA gives small businesses a competitive edge.

Mentioned in this episode:

C-Model

Church Street Coffee & Books

Dynamic Decisions podcast

Company personality test

Schedule a demo with C-Model

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares practical tips for getting better results from AI tools like ChatGPT. Learn how specificity, tone-setting and smart prompting strategies can help small business owners save time while maintaining their authentic voice.

Mentioned in this episode:

Carrie’s talk on writing with AI

Infomedia

CEO Stephanie Friedman joins The Localist to share how she’s leading 128-year-old City Paper Company into a new era of tangible branding and national impact. She and host Carrie Rollwagen explore family business dynamics, intentional design and the power of merch that actually matters.

Mentioned in this episode:

City Paper Company

Cracker Barrel

Hard Rock Cafe

Spanx

Kendra Scott

Cafe Du Mode

Infomedia

Poppi

The Masters Tournament

Bromberg’s

Truckworx

The Power of Moments

Unreasonable Hospitality

Who Moved My Cheese?

In today’s episode, Carrie Rollwagen explores a powerful but often overlooked tool for entrepreneurs — taking an actual day of rest. Sharing her experiences from bookstore ownership to life today, Carrie explores how taking an intentional day of rest can recharge your creativity, protect against burnout and set healthy boundaries in a world that demands nonstop hustle.

Mentioned in this episode:

Church Street Coffee & Books

Follow Carrie on Instagram

Infomedia

Jessica Leitch of The Little Red Print Shop joins Carrie to talk about printmaking, community and running a creative small business. From vending machines and pop-ups to linocut workshops and wedding favors, she shares how she’s built a joyful, accessible art brand rooted in Birmingham.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Little Red Print Shop

The Little Red Print Shop on Instagram

Cala Coffee

Little Professor Bookshop

Cala Coffee on The Localist

Little Professor Bookshop on The Localist

The Market at Pepper Place

Cahabazaar

Studio by the Tracks

Local Love Pop-Up Market

Houseplant Collective

MAKEbhm

The Chasm Co.

Chasm Craft Club

Cahaba Brewing

Daily Edition

Ladybird Taco

Ladybird Taco on The Localist

Canvas

Ever feel like you're running in place at work — stuck in a loop of tasks and to-dos without knowing if you're really making progress? In this solo episode, Carrie Rollwagen digs into a simple but powerful framework from the book Designing Your Work Life, sharing how a daily spreadsheet helped her rediscover meaning, motivation and forward motion in her work. Whether you're a manager, an entrepreneur or somewhere in between, this one's for you.

Mentioned in this episode: Designing Your Work Life by Dave Evans & Bill Burnett

Restauranteur Jesús “Chuy” Méndez joins The Localist to share how he turned hustle, heart and a love for people into some of Birmingham’s favorite restaurant and bar concepts, including Salud Taqueria and Adiõs Bar. From pandemic pivots to people-first partnerships, Chuy reveals the secret sauce behind his growing empire — and why he’s betting big on Birmingham.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares how two short consulting sessions — one focused on branding and the other on her website — helped her gain clarity, realign her goals and simplify her strategy. She offers practical tips on preparing for advisor meetings and explains why even small business owners and personal brands can benefit from expert insight. It’s a reminder that meaningful progress doesn’t always require big changes — just the right perspective.

Mentioned in this episode:

Emily Wells

Emily Wells Localist episode

Pam Sanderson

Infomedia

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen chats with Alex Stern, founder of the pop-up sandwich concept Deli Ole. Alex shares how design, collaboration and community have shaped his business journey, from rooftop dinners to packed-out pop-ups. They dive into the power of starting small, the value of hospitality and how creativity fuels connection.

Mentioned in this episode:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deli.ole/

Helen: https://www.helenbham.com/

Juniper: https://www.juniperbham.com/

Slim’s Pizzeria: https://slimspizzeria.com/

Alex Kiker, videographer: https://www.alexkikerco.com/about

June Coffee: https://www.junecoffee.co/

Jimmy’s Localist episode

Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee/?hl=en

Golden Age: https://www.goldenagewine.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopBImn8tR8Nyldpf9ILULVhS9Sc5RKKQXCCKydCjKWbjpEIY1EA

Unreasonable Hospitality: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/products/unreasonable-hospitality-the-remarkable-power-of-giving-people-more-than-they-expect?_pos=1&_sid=5f78a5a24&_ss=r 

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares her strategies for public speaking as an introvert. She discusses overcoming the discomfort of speaking in public by practicing introductions, preparing backup notes, scheduling alone time before and after talks, and having a supportive presence in the audience. Carrie also emphasizes the value of public speaking for connecting with new audiences and showcasing expertise, particularly for entrepreneurs and business owners.