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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

50:37

326: Mariano Doble - Davidson Village Inn & Vine Society

The Best of LKN ·

2025/08/14

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 ...

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27:15

325: Valerie Mano - Fully Promoted in Cornelius

The Best of LKN ·

2025/08/11

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.&nb...

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38:19

324: Chelsea Kowalski - The Creative Force Behind...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/08/08

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 Grow...

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23:27

323: Skybrook Golf Club - New Toptracer Range is Open

The Best of LKN ·

2025/08/06

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 --------------------------------------------...

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33:50

322: PostNet Cornelius - Supporting Small Businesses

The Best of LKN ·

2025/08/04

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 owne...

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53:29

321: XHALE Construction - Meet Shawn Jessup & Bryan...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/08/01

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 o...

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30:47

320: Lori Savio - Home, Heart & Soul in Cornelius

The Best of LKN ·

2025/07/30

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 Av...

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37:58

319: Sara Rubens - Seed to Sanctuary

The Best of LKN ·

2025/07/28

In this episode, Jeff interviews Sarah Rubens, the founder of Seed to Sanctuary, a business focused on creating beautiful and edible kitchen gardens. Sarah shares her journey from Washington State to North Carolina, her passion for gardening, and the therapeutic benefits of growing your own food. She discusses her unique approach to gardening, emphasizing the importance of integrating gardens into daily life and the joy it brings to her clients. The conversation also touches o...

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38:08

318: Harold Rice - CEO, Ada Jenkins Center

The Best of LKN ·

2025/07/25

In this inspiring episode, Harold Rice shares his personal journey from growing up in Charlotte to leading one of Lake Norman’s most impactful nonprofits. As CEO of the Ada Jenkins Center, Harold explains how his background in social work and deep ties to the community have shaped his passion for service. Harold walks us through the center’s five core programs—education, economic mobility, homelessness outreach, healthy initiatives, and asset building—and unpacks urgent issues facing our co...

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36:30

317: Shauntae Funkhauser - A4 Wealth Advisors

The Best of LKN ·

2025/07/23

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Shauntae Funkhouser, a financial advisor with A4 Wealth Advisors in Huntersville, NC. Shauntae shares her journey from healthcare to finance, her passion for helping clients navigate retirement and complex financial decisions, and her unique specialization in divorce financial planning. She discusses how A4 Wealth offers a comprehensive, in-house approach to financial services—including estate planning, tax strategy, Medicare, and more. Shauntae als...

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24:05

316: Town Hall Provisions - A Cozy New Pub in Cornelius

The Best of LKN ·

2025/07/21

In this episode, Jeff sits down on location at Town Hall Provisions, a cozy new pub nestled in the heart of Cornelius, NC, just steps from 131 Main. He’s joined by co-owner and head of kitchen operations Anthony, and marketing lead Erika, for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the area's most exciting new hospitality concepts. In this conversation, you’ll learn: The story behind Town Hall Provisions—from Anthony’s early days in corporate hospitality to launching this new neighborhood spot. ...

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29:54

315: Whitney Dove - Owner of Bean Catcher (mobile...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/07/18

In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff sits down with Whitney Dove, the founder of Bean Catcher—a retro-inspired mobile espresso business serving the Lake Norman area. Whitney shares her journey from growing up in Washington state’s coffee culture to launching her own business in a renovated 1970s camper, lovingly towed by a vintage truck named Clementine. They discuss her background, the leap to entrepreneurship, the challenges of maintaining a mobile café, and her passion for crafti...

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29:56

314: Alan Beulah - Area President of M/I Homes...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/07/16

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Alan Beulah, the Charlotte Area President for MI Homes, to discuss the builder’s legacy, mission, and local impact. Alan shares his journey from psychology major to homebuilding executive, the importance of culture and customer experience at MI Homes, and the company’s long-term commitment to serving families in the Charlotte and Lake Norman regions. They dive into: Alan’s background in sales, marketing, and homebuilding MI Homes’ history and expan...

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29:24

313: Jonathan Kepner - Service, Community, and...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/07/11

In this episode, Jeff interviews Jonathan Kepner, the owner of Romeo's Pizza in Davidson. They discuss Jonathan's entrepreneurial journey, the unique offerings of Romeo's Pizza, including their homemade dough and sweet sauce, and the challenges faced during the launch. Jonathan shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of networking and community engagement. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding business expenses and the role...

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27:22

312: Kellie Grutko - Founder of Purposeful Pivot

The Best of LKN ·

2025/07/09

In this episode of The Best of LKN podcast, Kellie Grutko, founder of Purposeful Pivot, shares her journey from a corporate marketing career to establishing her coaching business aimed at helping women navigate career transitions. She discusses the challenges she faced, the inspiration behind her business, and the services she offers, including one-on-one coaching and future retreats. Kellie emphasizes the importance of accountability in coaching and the need for women to expl...

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36:28

311: Eileen Stoner | The Stoner Group - Morgan Stanley

The Best of LKN ·

2025/07/07

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Eileen Stoner, a seasoned financial advisor and principal of The Stoner Group at Morgan Stanley, to explore her unique journey from neonatal nursing to guiding clients through retirement and divorce financial planning. Eileen brings 28 years of experience in wealth management and a deep passion for helping individuals—especially women—gain confidence and clarity around their finances. From the emotional complexities of retirement to the financial realiti...

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38:36

310: Logan Sandate - Girl Power Flag Football...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/06/27

In this episode, Logan Sandate, founder of Girl Power Flag Football Mooresville, shares her journey of starting a youth flag football league for girls in the Lake Norman area. She discusses her athletic background, the inspiration behind creating the league, and the importance of providing opportunities for girls in sports. The conversation highlights the community impact of youth sports, the accessibility of flag football, and the potential for local businesses to get involved throug...

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47:06

309: Doak Turner - Author of "A Crazy Journey (and...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/06/25

In this episode of The Best of Lake Norman podcast, Doak Turner shares his inspiring journey from feeling lost after high school to discovering his passion in the music and radio industry. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including the influence of music, the importance of identity, and the therapeutic process of writing his book, 'A Crazy Journey.' Doak emphasizes the value of taking chances, helping others, and the connections made along the way, ulti...

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28:34

308: Jason Julian - Reign Moving Solutions

The Best of LKN ·

2025/06/23

In this episode, Jason Julian, founder of Reign Moving Solutions, shares his journey from a corporate job to entrepreneurship in the moving industry. He discusses the importance of customer service, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the growth of his business through referrals. Jason emphasizes the significance of building trust with clients and maintaining personal connections as the company expands. He also provides valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and ...

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55:34

307: Dominick Thompson - Founder of Watershed...

The Best of LKN ·

2025/06/20

In this episode of The Best of LKN podcast, Jeff interviews Dominick Thompson, the founder of Watershed Builders. They discuss the growth of the Lake Norman area, Dom's unique journey from the automotive industry to construction, and the impact of his military experience on his business. Dom shares insights on launching his company and the importance of adapting to the local economy. He also explores the importance of strong relationships with trade partners, the significance of clien...

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366 results

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