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PODCAST

The Best of LKN

Epic Journey Media

Welcome to The Best of LKN podcast! Here you’ll find a collection of interviews with the owners of Lake Norman’s favorite businesses. Small business is the heart and soul of a community, and The Best of LKN is here to shine a spotlight on the small businesses that are making the biggest impact here in the Lake Norman region of North Carolina.In addition to featuring exceptional small business owners, we’ll also be interviewing the most influential professionals that serve the LKN community. From

society & culture places & travel

All Episodes

20:55

366: Ivan Besancon - Lake Norman Pickleball Club in...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/11/12

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff sits down with Ivan Besancon, Director of the brand-new Lake Norman Pickleball Club in Mooresville, to talk about the sport that’s sweeping the nation — and now thriving right here in Lake Norman. Ivan shares how the club came to life as part of the Lake Norman Clubs family — joining the region’s tennis and golf facilities under one growing banner. With six indoor courts, a full bar, lounge spaces, shuffleboard, and a lively atmosphere, this ne...

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30:02

365: Caleb Hannon - Founder of Lake Waste

The Best of LKN ·

2025/11/10

Jeff welcomes entrepreneur Caleb Hannon, founder of Lake Waste, for a candid look at how a hospitality mindset is reshaping residential and short-term rental trash service around Lake Norman. Caleb shares his winding path from marketing/hospitality/sports into “the trash business,” why he built a concierge-style, full-service pickup model for vacation homes, and how that expanded into reliable neighborhood service as legacy providers are exiting. They talk about community, wor...

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40:51

364: Ken Brock - How RODTEES Fuels Small Businesses...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/11/08

Ken Brock, co-owner of RODTEES and Your Logo Wear, joins The Best of LKN podcast to share a 37-year journey in custom apparel—from San Diego roots to building a thriving fulfillment and branding shop here in Lake Norman. He and his wife, Kim, run a true one-stop operation: in-house screen printing, embroidery, laser engraving, leather-patch hats, stickers, and banners, plus print-on-demand and drop-ship services for artists, schools, events, and brands nationwide. Their car-culture nich...

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54:15

363: Fontana Di Vino - Meet Chef Scott Leibfried and...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/11/07

Jeff welcomes restaurateur Robert Maynard, and Chef Scott Liebfried - the team behind Fontana de Vino in downtown Davidson. Scott shares how his experience with the Four Seasons and California cuisine shaped his approach to hospitality and concept creation. Robert and Scott unveil Fontana de Vino - an Italian-forward, steak-friendly concept blending “old world meets new” with an approachable vibe. Expect hand-cut, house-made pastas, prime steaks, and lively table-side activations - includ...

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67:41

362: CrossFit Cornelius, Five Years Later - Strength,...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/11/06

Five years after appearing on the very first episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Mike Ratnofsky of CrossFit Cornelius returns to share how his business and community have evolved. Since that podcast in 2020, C2 has transformed from a fitness studio focused on survival into a purpose-driven operation with clear systems, stronger leadership, and an even deeper connection to its members. Mike discusses stepping back from daily coaching to focus on strategy while longtime coach Robert Y...

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22:09

361: Safe Harbor Peninsula Yacht Club - New...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/11/04

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff returns to one of his favorite places on Lake Norman — the Safe Harbor Peninsula Yacht Club in Cornelius. Joining him are General Manager Kathy Dishner, Assistant GM Nikole Maust, and Marina Manager Harry Smith to share what’s new at the club. They introduce the exciting new Boat Club, a member-only amenity giving social members access to the lake without owning a boat. Harry details the fleet — six brand-new boats, including pontoons, a Naut...

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37:28

360: Carl Steinmann - Varsity Zone HVAC Mooresville

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/31

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff Hamm sits down with Carl Steinmann, owner of Varsity Zone HVAC - Mooresville, to talk about entrepreneurship, innovation, and serving the Lake Norman community. Carl shares how his 20+ years in corporate operations and real estate investing led him to take the leap into business ownership — trading boardrooms for attics and spreadsheets for service calls. After partnering with the national Horsepower Brands franchise group, he launched Varsity ...

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19:12

359: Lisa Sherman - Harris Farms in Mooresville (by...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/30

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Lisa Sherman, Sales Representative for Empire Homes, to explore one of Mooresville’s most exciting new communities - Harris Farms. With over 30 years of homebuilding experience, Empire Homes has become a trusted name in high-quality, thoughtfully designed communities across the U.S. and Canada. Harris Farms brings that legacy to the Lake Norman area with a mix of single-family homes and future townhomes starting in the high $400s - all in a locat...

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40:08

358: Heidi Karant - Founder of the 210 Collective...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/29

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter The Best of LKN https://thebestoflkn.com/ Hosted by: Jeff Hamm www.lknreal.com Produced by: www.epicjourneymedia.com Support the show

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46:36

357: Derek Ciraulo - Owner of Royal Home Inspections

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/28

Jeff sits down with Derek Ciraulo, owner of Royal Home Inspections, for a practical, no-nonsense look at home inspections around Lake Norman / Charlotte, NC. Derek shares his path from Long Island to Troutman, why communication matters as much as technical skill, and the most common issues he finds in this market—think crawl spaces, moisture, HVAC, radon, and “organic growth.” He also gives clear, money-saving tips for homeowners, sellers, and real estate agents. Royal Home ...

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50:43

356: Liz Mills & Krissy Feighery - The Cougar College...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter The Best of LKN https://thebestoflkn.com/ Support the show

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42:36

355: Per Scholas North Carolina - Meet Mike Terrell,...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/21

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff sits down with Mike Terrell, Senior Managing Director at Per Scholas North Carolina, a nonprofit delivering cost-free technology training that’s changing lives across the state. Mike shares how his journey - from the Marine Corps to federal intelligence work to nonprofit leadership - led him to launch Per Scholas in Charlotte during 2020. Since then, the organization has helped more than 1,000 North Carolinians transition into tech careers, g...

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42:29

354: Jodi Vose - Jodi Vose Refined Style

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/21

Jodi Vose is the owner of Jodi Vose Refined Style, a boutique styling service for busy professionals. Jodi has spent her entire career in the creative industry. She began as a hairstylist and later added wardrobe consulting, combining both to help clients achieve a polished, confident look. Her experience includes backstage runway work in New York City and Boston, where she collaborated with international stylists like Ralph Lauren. Those experiences strengthened her love for fashion and de...

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35:37

353: Brett Hemphill - Owning a Lake Norman Vacation...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/17

They discuss Brett's journey into real estate, the transition from coastal properties to Lake Norman, current market trends, and the challenges faced by investors today. Brett shares insights on managing vacation rentals, the importance of research, and offers advice for aspiring investors. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of real estate investment and the need for strategic planning in a changing market. Brett’s Lake Norman properties: Lakeshore Adrift: ...

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38:10

352: Ignite School of Real Estate - Meet Tracy...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/15

In this episode, Jeff interviews Tracy Frazier and Melea Lemon, co-founders of Ignite School of Real Estate. They discuss their backgrounds, inspirations for starting the school, and their commitment to providing a student-centric learning experience. The conversation covers the importance of mentorship, the diverse backgrounds of their students, and the various courses offered at Ignite. They also share insights on the flexibility of a real estate career, advice for aspiring ...

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30:23

351: Dr. Erin Wilbanks - Holistic Dental Centers in...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/13

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff sits down with Dr. Erin Wilbanks, a holistic dentist at Holistic Dental Centers in Cornelius, North Carolina. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Erin shares her journey from LSU to Lake Norman, how she discovered her passion for dentistry, and why she chose a holistic approach to oral health. Dr. Wilbanks explains what sets holistic dentistry apart — focusing on root-cause care, biocompatible materials, and treating the mouth as part of ...

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31:29

350: Stacy Hernandez - Lake Norman Lawn Services

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/10

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Stacy Hernandez, co-owner and project coordinator of Lake Norman Lawn Services, to talk about what it takes to build a thriving local landscaping company - and a life rooted in community. Stacy shares how she and her husband turned a side hustle into one of the Lake Norman area’s go-to names for lawn care, outdoor living, and hardscape design. From mowing and maintenance to patios, pavers, and outdoor kitchens, their team transforms backyards into stunning...

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47:55

349: Melissa & Erik Sanchez - Lake Norman's Home Team

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/08

Melissa and Eric Sanchez share their cross-country journey from California to New Jersey to North Carolina - and how hospitality and retail backgrounds shaped a real estate practice built on service, clear communication, and steady guidance. They break down what relocation buyers really need, how to “level-set” expectations, and why Lake Norman’s lifestyle (boating, golf, pickleball, greenways, and year-round amenities) keeps winning hearts. Plus: practical market context for ...

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32:10

348: Pat Helmandollar - Savvy Salon & Day Spa

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/06

Pat Helmandollar didn't plan to own a salon for three decades in Cornelius. After running successful salons in West Virginia for 15 years, she moved to Lake Norman to be closer to family. A serendipitous opportunity arose when Haircuttery wanted out of a Lake Norman location. That was October 1995. Savvy Salon and Day Spa became the area's first full-service day spa, offering hair, nails, massage, skincare, and more. Pat's success came from personal connections. She built her business through...

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55:33

347: Marc Corea - The Story of Motorcartrader.com

The Best of LKN ·

2025/10/01

In this episode, Jeff sits down in an “undisclosed location” in Cornelius, NC - surrounded by Jaguar E-Types, a classic Mercedes cabriolet, an air-cooled Porsche 911 Targa, and… a rogue Ford Fairlane - to talk with Marc Corea, owner of MotorcarTrader.com. They cover the emotional pull of classic cars, transparent selling, Lake Norman’s car culture, and why the E-Type might be the most rewarding (and occasionally stubborn) driver’s car ever made. Marc is a lifelong enthusiast and spe...

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366 results

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