The Best of LKN

EXPLORE

Society & Culture

© 2024 PodJoint

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts221/v4/44/8a/0c/448a0c77-692b-bb97-2fe0-ad225a3ec7c3/mza_11761813775368352292.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

The Best of LKN

Epic Journey Media

368 episodes

3 days ago

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...

Show more...

Places & Travel

Society & Culture,

Entrepreneurship

All content for The Best of LKN is the property of Epic Journey Media and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

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...

Show more...

Places & Travel

Society & Culture,

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/368)

The Best of LKN

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 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...

3 days ago

34 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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...

6 days ago

31 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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...

1 week ago

20 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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...

2 weeks ago

29 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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...

2 weeks ago

40 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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...

2 weeks ago

54 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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...

2 weeks ago

1 hour 7 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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...

2 weeks ago

22 minutes

The Best of LKN

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. 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 ...

3 weeks ago

37 minutes

The Best of LKN

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, 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...

3 weeks ago

19 minutes

The Best of LKN

358: Heidi Karant - Founder of the 210 Collective (Davidson, NC)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Support the show

3 weeks ago

40 minutes

The Best of LKN

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, 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 ...

3 weeks ago

46 minutes

The Best of LKN

356: Liz Mills & Krissy Feighery - The Cougar College Podcast

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter The Best of LKN https://thebestoflkn.com/ Support the show

4 weeks ago

50 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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...

1 month ago

42 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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...

1 month ago

42 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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: ...

1 month ago

35 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 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 ...

1 month ago

38 minutes

The Best of LKN

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 journey from LSU to Lake Norman, how she discovered her passion for dentistry, and why she chose a holistic approach to oral health. Dr. Wilbanks explains what sets holistic dentistry apart — focusing on root-cause care, biocompatible materials, and treating the mouth as part of ...

1 month ago

30 minutes

The Best of LKN

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. Stacy shares how she and her husband turned a side hustle into one of the Lake Norman area’s go-to names for lawn care, outdoor living, and hardscape design. From mowing and maintenance to patios, pavers, and outdoor kitchens, their team transforms backyards into stunning...

1 month ago

31 minutes

The Best of LKN

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. They break down what relocation buyers really need, how to “level-set” expectations, and why Lake Norman’s lifestyle (boating, golf, pickleball, greenways, and year-round amenities) keeps winning hearts. Plus: practical market context for ...

1 month ago

47 minutes