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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!
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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 disciplined pivot most people dream about but rarely execute. She grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and built a successful corporate career as a registered dietitian at a Fortune 500 company in Charlotte. She was good at it—really good—but over time sh...
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 from teacher and gym owner to running Webber Marketing and helping build The Real Estate Lawyer YouTube channel to nearly 100K subscribers with simple, value-first videos. Jeff and Ryan dig into why clarity beats clever branding, how FAQs and client stories can...
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 flight medic to home-services entrepreneur, to now leading a Denver-based design-build firm known for transforming challenging lots, reimagining dated lake houses, and guiding clients through complex projects with clarity and confidence. He also dives into hi...
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 marketing and economics at Appalachian State to becoming a top 1% loan officer and now the Sales Manager for Guild’s North Charlotte region. He opens up about the moment he realized how confusing the mortgage process can be for buyers and how that expe...
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 Southern California shaped his musical roots, how a leap of faith brought him back to the Lake Norman area, and why Cornelius felt like a place full of possibility. From teaching his first lessons in a borrowed room at Oak Street Mill to now serving more th...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support! Support the show
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 ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter The Best of LKN https://thebestoflkn.com/ Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support! Support the show
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...
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...
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: ...
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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