The Best of LKN
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 bankers and realtors, to teachers and coaches, we look forward to introducing you to the best Lake Norman has to offer!We hope you enjoy these episodes. Thank you for following The Best of LKN!
Episodes
370 episodes
372: Bill Godwin - Paper Skyscraper
Paper Skyscraper has been a Charlotte favorite for decades—and now it’s officially part of the Lake Norman community. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Bill Godwin, owner of Paper Skyscraper, to talk about the brand’s long history, its cult-...
•
24:14
371: Cheryl Luckett - Dwell By Cheryl Interiors
I sat down with Cheryl Luckett, founder and principal designer of Dwell by Cheryl Interiors, for a much-needed round two—this time in person after a tech issue cut our first conversation short. Cheryl’s story is a masterclass in the kind of dis...
•
48:35
370: Ryan Webber - The Power of Video Marketing
In this episode, Jeff finally sits down with Lake Norman marketer and serial entrepreneur Ryan Webber to talk about the real work behind great content—and why most small businesses are overcomplicating it. Ryan shares his journey fr...
•
49:26
369: Matt Phillips - Next Horizon Homes of Lake Norman
In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff sits down with Matt Phillips, owner of Next Horizon Homes — one of Lake Norman’s most trusted renovation and custom-home builders. Matt shares his winding journey from Army...
•
33:08
368: Matt Doyle - Guild Mortgage
In this episode, Jeff sits down with mortgage expert Matt Doyle of Guild Mortgage—a longtime Lake Norman local who grew up in Sherrills Ford and has watched the region transform over the past three decades. Matt shares his journey from studying...
•
34:51
367: Adam Wilson - Co-Founder of Learn Music
In this episode, Jeff sits down with Adam Wilson, founder of Learn Music in Cornelius, to unpack the inspiring journey behind one of Lake Norman’s most beloved creative organizations. Adam shares how a childhood split between Charlotte and Sout...
•
31:25
366: Ivan Besancon - Lake Norman Pickleball Club in Mooresville
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 Nor...
•
20:26
365: Caleb Hannon - Founder of Lake Waste
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 wi...
•
29:33
364: Ken Brock - How RODTEES Fuels Small Businesses in Lake Norman
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 Norma...
•
41:09
363: Fontana Di Vino - Meet Chef Scott Leibfried and Robert Maynard
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 appro...
•
54:33
362: CrossFit Cornelius, Five Years Later - Strength, Systems, and Serving the Community
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 th...
•
1:07:59
361: Safe Harbor Peninsula Yacht Club - New Amenities, Fall Events & Community Spirit
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 Nik...
•
22:27
360: Carl Steinmann - Varsity Zone HVAC Mooresville
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.<...
•
37:46
359: Lisa Sherman - Harris Farms in Mooresville (by Empire Homes)
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, Em...
•
19:29
358: Heidi Karant - Founder of the 210 Collective (Davidson, NC)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email NewsletterThe Best of LKN
•
40:26
357: Derek Ciraulo - Owner of Royal Home Inspections
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, w...
•
46:53
356: Liz Mills & Krissy Feighery - The Cougar College Podcast
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email NewsletterThe Best of LKN
•
51:01
355: Per Scholas North Carolina - Meet Mike Terrell, Senior Managing Director
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 th...
•
42:18
354: Jodi Vose - Jodi Vose Refined Style
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 cons...
•
42:11
353: Brett Hemphill - Owning a Lake Norman Vacation Rental (2x)
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 vacatio...
•
35:37
352: Ignite School of Real Estate - Meet Tracy Frazier & Melea Lemon
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 e...
•
38:10
351: Dr. Erin Wilbanks - Holistic Dental Centers in Cornelius
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 jou...
•
30:23
350: Stacy Hernandez - Lake Norman Lawn Services
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.Sta...
•
31:29
349: Melissa & Erik Sanchez - Lake Norman's Home Team
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....
•
47:55