Episodes

Tim Rhodes is a guy who’s shaped one of Charlotte’s signature sporting events for over two decades. He’s the managing partner of the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, now gearing up for its 21st annual running on November 15. Under his leadership, the marathon has not only shattered attendance records but also contributed more than $600,000 to Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital, making a real difference for local families. Tim and his team have transformed the race into a weekend celebrati...

Our guest today is a builder in every sense of the word — of spaces, brands, and big ideas. Jared Londry is the founder of Point Blank Ventures, a Charlotte-based firm with a diverse focus that includes real estate investment, venture capital in hospitality and food & beverage, and creative brand design. If you’ve seen projects like Tipsy Pickle CLT, or caught glimpses of his passions for motorcycles, travel, and design on social media, you know Jared brings a distinct mix of grit, vision, and ...

Our guest today has spent more than 25 years helping people find balance — not just in their careers or relationships, but in their entire approach to mental wellness. Lepa Modie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based right here in Charlotte, and the founder of SEW Balance, a platform she created to give adults access to affordable, actionable mental health tools. Lepa recently shared her expertise in a new book called *Well Sh*t! Now What?! Your Survival Guide for College Success*, which t...

Today we’re excited to welcome Jennifer Payne, from Core Innov8tions. With a rich background as a certified Pilates instructor, nutrition coach, and wellness educator, Jennifer is dedicated to helping clients move, improve, and transform through mindful movement and holistic health practices. At Core Innov8tions, she blends Reformer Pilates, nutrition coaching, functional training, and group fitness in a studio environment designed for everyone, no matter where they’re starting from. Jennifer’s ...

You know what they say about opinions; everyone’s got one, and they all stink. You might be able to say that about most people’s… LinkedIn profiles. Today’s guest can fix that. She’s Amy George, founder and CEO of By George Communications, a boutique public relations and storytelling agency here in Charlotte. Amy’s LinkedIn Makeover and Training services have helped professionals and businesses transform their presence on the world’s top business networking site. Through in-depth one-on-one make...

Today we have Ashley Ausman on the program. Ashely is founder of The Essay Architect. A former AP English teacher at Charlotte Catholic with two decades of experience, Ashley specializes in helping high school seniors bring their authentic stories to life in college application essays. She launched The Essay Architect after seeing firsthand how even top students struggle to tackle the deeply personal writing required for college admission, and now she guides students and families through finding...

Welcome back to the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast. Today on the program, we’ve got Meg Fencil and Beth Suhr with us from Sustain Charlotte. Meg Fencil is Director of Engagement and Impact… Beth is Operations Director at Sustain Charlotte. If you are one of the 157 people moving here every day, Sustain Charlotte is local nonprofit working to build a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable community. And one of the ways they help spread that message, and introduce Charlotteans to their ow...

Welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast. Today, we’ve got Ben Brown, the owner of CS Brown Tile Marble and Stone, joining us. With years of expertise in high-end home and commercial projects, Ben has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship, creative solutions, and standout customer service. Whether you’ve admired a stunning custom countertop or walked across a beautiful tiled floor in the Queen City, there’s a good chance Ben’s team had a hand in it. Ben—welcome to the program!

Welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast, where we’ve got Liz Clasen-Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Roof Above, here in the studio with us. Liz has guided Roof Above since its founding in 2019, when the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte and Urban Ministry Center merged to form the most comprehensive homeless service provider in North Carolina. Liz has led innovative initiatives—expanding shelter capacity, launching permanent supportive housing, and uniting community partners to address the crisis of hom...

Welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast! Today, we’re excited to welcome Michael Stier, Area President of FocusCFO. Michael is a hands-on C-level executive and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience growing companies in technology and financial services. As the founder and former CEO of Adhesion Wealth, he led the company from startup to $13B in managed assets. Today, at FocusCFO, Michael empowers small and mid-sized business owners to boost financial control, plan for scalable growth, and p...

Welcome back to Brandbuilders Podcast! Today, we’re thrilled to have Jason Lucash, a true disruptor in the promotional products industry and a co-founder of Rupt. Alongside his business partner Mike Szymczak, Jason has launched a brand that goes far beyond the conventional — Rupt is a manifesto against the ordinary, merging visionary design with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability. Their products don’t just serve a function; they tell stories, create emotional connections, and turn...

Welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast! Today, we’re excited to have Courtney Swift-Copeland joining us— she’s the Owner and Creative Director of Salt Paper Studio + Productions, where she leads a powerhouse of a team, delivering full-service photography and video services. Known for her bold approach, collaborative leadership, and relentless pursuit of creative excellence, Courtney has built Salt Paper Studio into a destination for cutting-edge brand content and production. Courtney, welcome to t...

Today on The BrandBuilders Podcast, we’ve got Lou Fresta with us. Lou is Vice President of Sales & Marketing at CRC Industries—a company known for its HUGE line of chemical maintenance products serving industries from automotive to aviation. If you’re a car guy (or gal) you know. With more than 17 years at CRC Industries, Lou is not only an accomplished executive but also a respected mentor and advocate for inclusion and leadership development within the automotive sector. Lou’s career spans dec...

On this episode of the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast, we’ve got Cat Babbie here in the studio with us. Cat is a celebrated fiber artist and entrepreneur whose innovative work is redefining the boundaries of textile and mixed media art. Based here in the Carolinas, Cat explores texture, color, and form, often weaving personal narratives into her work. In addition to exhibiting her art, she brings a spirit of entrepreneurship to her creative journey, connecting with communities through works...

Welcome back to the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast. Our guest today is entrepreneur, athlete, and inspiration– Carson Clough. Carson is the co-founder of Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters, a local favorite coffee company known for its community focus and high-quality coffee craft. Prior to his entrepreneurial journey, Carson was a collegiate lacrosse player at Carolina and Florida Tech. Things changed dramatically after a life-altering accident that led to the loss of his leg. But that didn’t stop...

Welcome back to the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast. We’ve got Jason Dumas with us in the studio. He’s the principal and founder of FLICK Studios, one of Charlotte’s premier creative production companies. With a background in film, video, and digital media, Jason launched FLICK Studios to help brands, events, and organizations connect with their audiences through compelling visual storytelling. Since then, FLICK Studios has become a sought-after partner for commercials, branded content, doc...

Welcome back to the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast. We’ve got Courtney Oates and Mark Fontanilla with us. Courtney Oates is Marketing and Events Director at Nourish Up, and Mark Fontanilla is Event Director for Tour de Turns. The Tour de Turns is a late summer staple, and one of Charlotte’s most loved charity bike rides. The event not only invites riders of all experience levels to explore the city’s neighborhoods but, most importantly, raises critical funds for Nourish Up and its programs ...

On this episode of the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast, we’re excited to welcome Mark Treichler, from Classic Speed and Custom. Mark and his team are the go-to guys for building, restoring, and repairing classic vehicles and performance engines. Classic Speed and Custom has earned a reputation for quality and customer satisfaction—serving automotive enthusiasts and collectors who demand the best. Mark, welcome to the show!

On this episode of the BrandBuilders Podcast, we’re honored to welcome MaShonna Hughes, Executive Director and Chief Dignity Officer at Project Outpour. MaShonna is a compassionate, visionary leader with over a decade of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors, and a relentless dedication to social justice, equity, and restoring dignity in her community. Under her leadership, Project Outpour provides free mobile shower access and hygiene services to individuals experiencing homelessne...

On this episode of the BrandBuilders Podcast, we’ve got Garrett Summers, CPA and Owner at Foard and Company. If you don’t know, Foard and Company is an accounting firm serving Charlotte and the surrounding region for over 50 years. Garrett brings a wealth of experience in audit and tax services, with a particular focus on not-for-profit organizations and churches. Since joining the firm in 2012 and becoming an owner in 2020, Garrett has played a key role in upholding the firm’s commitment to qua...

Today on the BrandBuilders Podcast, we’ve got Ben Levenbaum, founder and CEO of Xceleration here with us. Xceleration has been a major player in enterprise rewards and recognition for over 25 years. Under Ben’s leadership, Xceleration has built a global reputation for its innovative, scalable technology—most notably the RewardStation platform. We’re looking forward to hearing about that one, too! With a diverse team spanning multiple disciplines and a client roster that includes some of the wor...

On the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast, we have David Walker with us, he’s the Commercial Development Officer at Standard Title. As the Southeast’s first specialized commercial title insurance agency, Standard Title empowers clients to secure and finance commercial real estate with confidence. In his role, David plays a key part in driving business growth and building partnerships, leveraging his expertise to help clients navigate complex commercial real estate transactions. We’re talking re...

On this episode of the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast, we’re pleased to welcome Dave Holtzman, President and Partner at Search Solution Group. If you don’t know yet, Search Solution Group is a leading full-service recruiting, staffing, and executive search firm with over 20 years of success. Dave plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s mission to connect organizations with uniquely qualified candidates across a wide range of industries, including Accounting, Finance, Engineering, IT, ...

Welcome back to the BrandBuilders Podcast! You know we love talking to folks with new ideas, and we’re excited to welcome Jake Corday to the show today. He’s an innovative entrepreneur revolutionizing in-store marketing with his company Waev. Jake’s platform combines sleek HD digital screens, advanced targeting capabilities, and real-time analytics to help businesses deliver captivating, data-driven promotions that engage customers. We met Jake a few weeks back over a coffee, and knew we had to ...