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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

25:54

392: Matt Venuti - The AmeriCosmos Experience (Cain...

The Best of LKN ·

2026/04/10

Matt Venuti is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and national touring artist who began his musical journey as a trumpet player before discovering the electronic valve instrument (EVI) in a Boston jazz club. That chance encounter launched a decades-long career of exploring groundbreaking instruments – from the hang drum he sourced from makers in Bern, Switzerland, to Himalayan bowls and custom sound-scape instruments – which he layers live on stage using a sophisticated looper he oper...

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19:16

391: Karen Schmidt - Freshwater Shoppe on Brawley...

The Best of LKN ·

2026/04/08

Karen Schmidt of Freshwater Design Build returns to the Best of LKN Podcast to share exciting news: Freshwater Shoppe, a retail design studio that opened in October 2025 on Brawley School Road in Mooresville. Located next to their full-service design and build studio, the shop brings the same high-quality upholstery, rugs, window treatments, and accessories Karen's team uses in their professional designs — now available to anyone, no full design engagement required. A team of professi...

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19:50

390: Christy Martin - Boxing Legend & Survivor

The Best of LKN ·

2026/04/05

Boxing Legend Christy Martin on Surviving Domestic Violence and Building Christie's Champs Boxing legend and domestic violence survivor Christy Martin joins the podcast to discuss her nonprofit, Christie's Champs, and her whirlwind 2025 — which included the release of her biographical film Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney. Christy shares how the organization empowers survivors through practical support like laptop computers in boxing gyms, backpack drives, safe house visits, and helping victi...

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38:50

389: Joe Meehan - Optima Vita Consulting

The Best of LKN ·

2026/04/01

Jeff sits down with Joe Meehan, founder of Optima Vita Consulting, whose path to wellness coaching wound through pre-med studies, a professional basketball career in Switzerland, nine years coaching Division I ball at Bucknell University, and ultimately a master's degree in medical physiology and aging from the University of Florida School of Medicine. Joe shares how all of those experiences converged into a one-on-one wellness coaching practice built around four pillars – nutrition, exercise...

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51:24

388: Stephen Grotz - Architecture, Renovation &...

The Best of LKN ·

2026/03/27

Stephen Grotz, founder of Stephen Grotz Architecture PLLC, joins the podcast to talk about his path from Culpeper, Virginia to building a multi-state residential architecture firm. Stephen shares how his love of home design started early — sketching houses as a young child — and traces his career through firms in Chicago and Charlotte before launching his own practice two years ago. The conversation centers on a stunning full-home renovation on the south end of Lake Norman in Huntersville, a ...

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28:26

387: Alongside Families - Meet Meghan Macy & Mary Kay...

The Best of LKN ·

2026/03/25

In this episode, Jeff welcomes Meghan Macy, COO of Alongside Families, and Mary Kay Portaro, board member and former staff volunteer, to share the story behind this Charlotte-based nonprofit. Founded in 2017 by Emily Kemmann, Alongside Families works to prevent unnecessary foster care placements by providing temporary child hosting and wraparound support for families in crisis — with a track record of 100% family reunification across 350 child hostings and nearly 5,000 nights of care. M...

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41:51

386: Real Massage LKN - Therapeutic Massage in...

The Best of LKN ·

2026/03/20

Cindy and Eric are the husband-and-wife team behind Real Massage LKN, a new therapeutic massage studio located at 5206 Slanting Bridge Road in the Denver/Sherrills Ford area of Lake Norman. Cindy brings over two decades of experience as a massage therapist, having built and grown a successful practice in Myrtle Beach from 2007 to 2020 before relocating to the area and coming out of a brief retirement. Eric draws on a lifelong career in hotel management and hospitality to handle the bu...

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38:14

385: Carol White - Impeccable Closets

The Best of LKN ·

2026/03/18

Carol White's road to owning Impeccable Closets wound through a corporate PR career at GTE/Verizon, a stint as a stay-at-home mom, and seven years managing sales and training at a big box organization retailer — where she discovered a passion for closet design. A chance conversation at a BNI meeting eventually led to a business partnership, and Impeccable Closets was born two weeks before COVID. She bought out her partner in 2022, opened her first showroom in Huntersville about a year ago, an...

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37:04

384: Sarah Conrad - Growth, Running & Women of Strength

The Best of LKN ·

2026/03/13

Sarah Conrad, owner of Clean Eatz Lake Norman, returns to The Best of LKN podcast to share updates on the brand's expansion to five Charlotte-area locations — Cornelius, Mooresville, Charlotte, and Concord — and what's new on the menu, from turkey burnt ends to lobster mac & cheese and a fan-favorite ramen dish. She also opens up about the risks of opening the Concord location post-COVID, how Clean Eatz serves the local NASCAR community through catering, and why stepping away from...

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26:21

383: Executive Women of Lake Norman - with Joanie...

The Best of LKN ·

2026/03/06

Jeff sits down with Joanie Baker, President of Executive Women of Lake Norman, and Kellie Grutko, the organization's Director of Communications. Together they share the story of a group that's been connecting Lake Norman's women in business since 2010 — built not around leads and referrals, but around genuine education, mentorship, and community. With monthly socials and luncheons featuring guest speakers, a growing membership back in the 30s after COVID, and a flexible (not cutthroat) ...

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25:21

382: Charlene Ferrell White, DVM - Homeward Vet

The Best of LKN ·

2026/02/27

Jeff sits down with Charlene Ferrell White, a veterinarian with Homeward Vet, to discuss the growing demand for mobile, in-home veterinary care across Lake Norman and the greater Charlotte area. Charlene shares her path from Northern Virginia to NC State Vet School, followed by experience in emergency and general practices in Colorado and California, before discovering her passion for house-call medicine. The conversation highlights how mobile care creates a calmer, more personal experi...

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29:49

381: Logan Sandate - The Carolina Factory

The Best of LKN ·

2026/02/25

Logan Sandate rejoins the podcast to share what's happened since her first appearance last summer. Girl Power Carolinas Flag Football launched its inaugural season in Mooresville with over 80 girls, wrapped up an eight-week fall run complete with Super Bowl rings and weekly core value awards, and has already expanded into Fort Mill, South Carolina. A Banner Elk league is on the way this summer through a partnership with Lees-McRae College coach Mike Brown. Logan has also taken on a ne...

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61:09

380: Garrett Tichy - Seemingly Overzealous Ice Cream

The Best of LKN ·

2026/02/18

Garrett joins The Best of LKN podcast to talk entrepreneurship, community, and how Seemingly Overzealous Ice Cream grew from a pandemic-era experiment into one of Charlotte’s most distinctive food brands. He shares his early days in SEO and agency life, what pulled him into coworking with Hygge, and why proximity to other builders was always the secret sauce—being close enough to ask questions, share ideas, and solve problems in real time. The conversation also digs into modern small-busine...

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23:26

379: Mackenzie Murphy - Eternal Elegance Salon...

The Best of LKN ·

2026/02/12

Meet Mackenzie Murphy of Eternal Elegance Salon in Cornelius, NC. Learn about her personalized salon experience, entrepreneurship journey, and upcoming Lake Norman events. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Mackenzie Murphy, owner of Eternal Elegance Salon in Cornelius, to talk about entrepreneurship, intentional beauty services, and building a client experience that goes beyond hair. Mackenzie shares how growing up in a family of entrepreneurs shaped her work ethic and inspired her to ...

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44:57

378: Stephen Chuilli - Lagniappe Homes

The Best of LKN ·

2026/02/05

There's something special about meeting a builder who actually lives next door to his clients — and means it when he says, "We build it like we own it." In this episode, Jeff sits down with Stephen Chuilli, founder of Lagniappe Homes, to talk about his family's stunning mountain-style residence on Schooner Drive in Cornelius, the story behind the company name (it's a New Orleans thing — and yes, everyone mispronounces it), and what's trending in custom home design heading into 2026. What we c...

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28:26

377: Living in Lake Norman - Cayce Blackley on...

The Best of LKN ·

2026/01/30

Some people grow an audience. Others grow a community. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Cayce Blackley—the creator behind the wildly popular Instagram account Living in Lake Norman—for a warm, honest, and genuinely fun conversation about what it really means to share local life with heart, consistency, and purpose. Cayce opens up about how the account started (spoiler: her husband secretly created it), how it grew organically to nearly 8,000 followers, and why championing small businesses...

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41:51

376: Brooklyn South Pizzeria - A Lake Norman Staple

The Best of LKN ·

2026/01/22

In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff sits down with Craig and Lucy, the owners behind Brooklyn South, one of Cornelius’ most beloved local restaurants and a longtime staple of the Lake Norman food scene. Craig and Lucy share their journey from Long Island, New York, to Lake Norman, and the story behind opening Brooklyn South in 1998—long before Cornelius became what it is today. They reflect on the early days of the restaurant, the challenges of building a business in a growing community,...

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42:30

375: Lake Norman Golf Club - Meet Gavin Arsenault and...

The Best of LKN ·

2026/01/13

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Kyle Cerminara, owner of Lake Norman Golf Club, and Gavin Arsenault, the club’s general manager, for a wide-ranging conversation about the rebirth of one of Lake Norman’s most talked-about golf properties. Kyle shares his journey to Lake Norman, his background in asset management, and why preserving and elevating the course—rather than developing it—was central to his vision. Gavin brings decades of experience turning around country clubs, including Rock B...

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35:23

374: Jen Campbell Boles - Lake Norman Luxury Travel Expo

The Best of LKN ·

2026/01/06

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Jen Campbell Boles, founder of Explore More Travel Co., for a wide-ranging conversation about intentional travel, customization, and building a relationship-driven business. Based in the Lake Norman area, Jen shares how her agency designs highly personalized trips—from Europe and Asia to safaris, cruises, and luxury resorts—by truly understanding how her clients like to travel. The conversation dives into river cruising, bucket-list destinations like Icela...

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30:52

373: Dr. Henry Wilson, MD - Lake Norman Plastic Surgery

The Best of LKN ·

2025/12/30

In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff sits down with Dr. Henry Wilson, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Lake Norman Plastic Surgery, to talk about his journey, his new practice, and why Lake Norman felt like the right place to put down roots. Dr. Wilson shares his path from Arkansas to Harvard and Vanderbilt, extensive surgical training along the East Coast, and leadership experience within large healthcare systems—before ultimately launching his own private practice in Hun...

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392 results

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