Episodes

There was a commercial a few years back about a company that said they, “quote,” they make a lot of the things you know “better.” Truth is just about ANY product you use is PACKED with pieces and parts. And there are companies that may have never heard of that make those pieces and parts. One of those companies is Sur-Seal. They engineer, design, and manufacture ALL kinds of parts for all kinds of industries. From aerospace, to medical, to automotive, heating and air, lighting… the list goes on...

Garage bands, listen-up! Charlotte has a NEW place to play for musicians and creative noise-makers of all types. No, it’s not a storage shed or your mom’s basement… it’s called Jambox. Jambox is more than 2000 square feed of rehearsal rooms and event space for music videos, photo shoots, meetings, parties, and more. You can even rent amps, sound equipment, and other gear so you and your band can really rock – and not piss off the neighbors. Justin Honigstein is THE MAN to know at Jambox. He’s ou...

If you’ve been following us here at the Dunstan Group for any time, you know we’re big into working with folks who do great things in the community. One of those groups we’ve been working with for a looonngg time is the 24 Foundation. Since its inception in 2002, 24 Foundation has raised over $26 million to support cancer navigation and survivorship programs through local and national beneficiaries. And this whole things started right here in Charlotte! In the studio with us today is the 24 Fo...

It’s probably more than fair to say that “traditional media,” like the kind our parents used to know, is a thing of the past. Newspaper subscriptions have dwindled for years… TV news is a shell of what it was in its prime. And car makers may not even include the AM band on the radio. Sorry folks, your Facebook news feed is NOT the actual news. And what’s left of the “news” is arguably entertainment at best, and loaded with pop-up ads. So where do you turn if you want to know what’s REALLY going...

For some people, the idea of running a marathon is just plain crazy. For some, it’s a bucket list item, and for others, it’s something they do over and over again! No matter where you are on that list, one thing’s for sure: running a marathon is a big deal. It takes time and training, and it also takes a team committed to doing the work to put on an event that has tons of moving parts. Charlotte is lucky enough to have not only a world-class marathon right here in our own front yard… AND a team...

We read some headlines just this week that said, “the great resignation is over,” and that the economy is actually still adding jobs. But ask just about anyone and they’re STILL struggling to find talent. And when that talent can’t be found down the street or across town, that’s where companies like Oyster HR come in. They help businesses hire, run payroll, and provide benefits – for talent located all over the world. Kevin Pratt is our guest here on the Brandbuilders podcast to tell us how th...

Convergint is a company that works alongside a global network of partners and manufacturers to design, install, and service security, fire alarm, life safety, audio-visual, and building automation solutions for enterprise customers. They believe what sets THEM apart in the marketplace is their company culture, guided by their values and beliefs. This, they say, helps them stay accountable to their mission, and our number one objective: to be their customers’ best service provider. That is a TO...

Every business – and every business owner and founder – has an origin story. Some are pretty straightforward, others take a more roundabout route. Jim Mallory traveled the world in the Navy, started his own business, learning the ropes – and the paint trade – as he went along. Today there are twenty-two Mallory Paint Stores in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. Their Brand Manager, Sarah Ross, got up early to join us on this episode of the award-winning BrandBuilders podcast – and tell u...

Our next guests are long-time partners and friends of the team here at The Dunstan Group. Jenn Snyder Gibson’s name comes up regularly around here, as Executive Director of the Hood-Hargett breakfast club. Her husband is Quinton Gibson, a world-class and world-traveled professional musician. But they’re not here to talk shop. They’re here today to talk about something really personal, and how opening up about their story can help other folks get on the road to recovery.

Tiffany Mielnik Parrish had a history of pain, illness, misdiagnosis, and frustration with no answers for the chronic pain and illness she had experienced since childhood. The pain persisted through her adult life as a professional, and into her role as a mother. Rather than wait any longer for answers, she decided to create her own solution – and one that’s helping others, too. So she founded Selenite Beauty and the Spa at Selenite with the intention of its namesake, the mineral Selenite. In ...

If we all scream for ice cream, then this episode of the BrandBuilders Podcast is going to get pretty loud. We’re talking to a pair of ice cream entrepreneurs who are bringing something new and different – and we’ll bet, pretty delicious – to the frozen treat game here in Charlotte. Garrett Tichy and Jess Berresse are co-founders of Seemingly Overzealous, a dairy-free dessert location that opens this weekend at Camp North End. We’ve got them both here for the … yes, we have to say it: “the scoo...

With work, school, kids, family, and every other type of distraction in our lives, it can sometimes be hard to find a quick meal that doesn’t compromise your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Most everyone WANTS to eat healthy, but sometimes it’s just hard, confusing, or just plain inconvenient. That’s where Nautical Bowls fits in. They combine healthy, fresh, superfoods in what they call an “uplifting atmosphere.” We sure want to hear all about that! Nikki D’Errico is from Nautical Bowls Cha...

Founded in 1923 as the Charlotte Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, CEENTA has grown to become one of the largest multispecialty practices of its kind on the East Coast. That’s good news if you’re a patient—since you won’t have to travel to get top-quality care. In fact, CEENTA doctors pioneered some procedures right here in Charlotte that are now used daily around the world. Today, CEENTA has more than 150 providers in nearly 20 offices across the Carolinas. One of those providers is Dr. Jag Gill. H...

Here’s a bold claim for you: We deliver results-driven professionals to results-driven companies. That’s what Mach Partners says about their ability and expertise in the professional recruitment services. We love that kind of attitude! Mach Partners is a leading Executive Search firm focused on delivering top Private Equity, Technology, Hedge Fund, Real Estate, Operations, Accounting, and Alternative Investments professionals. We’ve got Matt Carr here on the BrandBuilders podcast to talk about...

A potential client can’t find you without a website. But these days it takes more than a web address and some good-looking graphics to attract customers and rise above the competition. That’s where Antilles Digital Media comes in. Antilles Digital Media delivers high quality website design and SEO services to rank ahead of your competitors on search engine results. This allows their clients to increase their online organic presence to get NEW clients and MORE revenue. Today in the studio, we’v...

Starting over is hard work – whether it’s a job change, divorce, coming out, or living through grief… they all present unique challenges. Sisters Olivia Howell and Jenny Dreizen are making those transitions easier with “Fresh Starts Registry,” a first-of-its-kind platform built to support those going through brave and bold changes. They’ve told their story in interviews with Forbes, New York Magazine, NBC News, NY Post, and Daily Mail… now they’re our guests today on this episode of the BrandB...

Right out of college, our next guest began a career at Microsoft. Jonathan Kite held different roles that allowed him to interact with hundreds of different companies. He learned how they developed, supported, and evolved software to solve business problems. When his two other co-founders approached the idea of a startup, he knew the time was right to try something new and fill a gap in the multifamily industry. Welcome, Jonathan Kite, co-founder of Rent Ready.

In case you haven’t been keeping score, sports history is being made fresh daily this fall, right here at Queens University. The Royals have notched first-ever Division 1 goals, points, and WINS in baseball, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, field hockey… and more. To the doubters, let’s just say the Royals have put the A-Sun conference on notice! Everyone loves a winner, and there’s LOTS to love over at Queens Athletics these days. We are stoked to have here in the studio — Jeff Dugdale, assoc...

There’s NOTHING easy about losing a family member. That heartbreak must be magnified exponentially when it comes to losing a child. In Charlotte, families who do suffer this life-altering event don’t have to go it alone. Since 1978, KinderMourn has helped bereaved parents, grieving children and teens by offering support and counseling programs, creating awareness of bereavement issues and empowering the community to assist those who have suffered though this loss. One of the many ways they bri...

So… how do you write an introduction for someone who’s in the business of making other people look and sound good? That’s easy! You “borrow” a couple of lines from their website! Here goes: “Beth Booker is a creative entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in PR and Marketing with the education to match. As the CEO of two PR companies, her diverse background spans multiple industries, from fashion to music, beauty to lifestyle, and healthcare to food and beverage.” Beth is Founder and CE...

In 1977, Blake Annable began designing and manufacturing sports equipment and apparel in Western Canada for specialty retailers and corporate clients. What began as a small business venture eventually grew to become one of the largest privately-owned and operated international apparel companies. That company is now called Stormtech. They got their first big break when a popular gym bag they made got picked up by local department stores. The rest, as they say, is history. Stormtech continues to ...

Here’s a fun fact for you: Did you know George Washington is said to have created the FIRST promotional product? The story goes, Washington is credited with creating an election button for his 1789 campaign. How about that for some history they don’t teach in school? LOTS has changed since then, and so has the promotional products industry. As we like to say around here at The Dunstan Group, we can put your name on almost anything! We are excited to welcome one of the giants in our industry, M...

A breast cancer diagnosis is news no one wants to get. Mercifully, the Charlotte area is blessed with opportunities for state-of-the-art treatment. While access to that kind of care can be life-saving or even life-extending, there’s more to treating the entire person. That’s where resources like Carolina Breast Friends play a role. From the big “pink house” on East Morehead Street, they work to provide a “holistic approach to meeting the needs of the breast cancer community through mentorship, ...

Youth Advocate Programs – or YAP — is in 32 states and the District of Columbia and in its 47th year of partnering with systems to provide community-based alternatives to youth incarceration, congregate placements and neighborhood violence. Last year, they launched the “But I’m Not” public service ad campaign highlighting how the nonprofit works to transform youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, intellectual disabilities and other systems. That’s a tall order, and Fred Fogg and Kell...