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Today’s guest has built one of Charlotte’s most beloved “shop local” destinations by turning a little bungalow in Plaza Midwood into a treasure hunt of vintage‑inspired gifts, home decor, and local makers. Michelle Castelloe is the owner and operator of Moxie Mercantile, a community‑centric, curated gift boutique that has grown from its original Commonwealth Avenue shop into multiple locations in the Charlotte region.

Michelle launched Moxie after a 14‑year career as a Brand Director with Anthropologie, bringing a corporate retail skill set to a business that blends soul, style, and substance. She’s passionate about building community, championing artists and small makers, and using retail as a vehicle for philanthropy—what she calls “retail for purpose”—so that every purchase can help give back to causes she cares about. 

Michelle, welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:45 — 33.7MB)

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Today’s guest wears two very different hats that actually fit together perfectly. Chuck Kistler is the co-owner of Vaulted Oak Brewing, the popular neighborhood brewery on Monroe Road, known for its community vibe, big patio, and eclectic tap list. When he’s not pouring into the local beer scene, Chuck is a General Account Manager at TIAA, bringing a financial professional’s discipline to a small business built on fun, hospitality, and community. 

Chuck and his partners have turned Vaulted Oak into a true “third place” with food trucks, trivia, music bingo, live music, and family‑ and dog‑friendly events that connect the surrounding neighborhoods of Oakhurst, Echo Hills, Elizabeth, and Cotswold. Now he’s using that platform for something deeply personal: hosting Pancakes Over Parkinson’s, a fundraiser brunch at the brewery benefiting The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s work to cure Parkinson’s disease.

Chuck, welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:33 — 53.0MB)

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She’s a strategic marketing pro, brand storyteller, and customer experience expert with more than two decades of experience driving growth for top organizations. Carly O’Brien is also the founder of Carly O’Brien Consulting, where she helps businesses refine their marketing, transform their messaging, and build brands that resonate. Her perspective blends creativity with data-driven insight — and her approachable style makes complex marketing strategy feel human and doable. We’re thrilled to welcome Carly to The BrandBuilders Podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:09 — 67.6MB)

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Our guest today is a serial entrepreneur and growth-minded leader who’s built an entire ecosystem around helping other business owners think bigger. Chad Jenkins is the Owner and CEO of SEEDSPARK and the creator of SEEDSPARK CoLAB, a collaboration-focused platform that helps entrepreneurs connect, innovate, and scale. Through SEEDSPARK, he and his team use technology, strategy, and what they call “The Digital Continuum” to solve real business problems and spark meaningful growth. From acquiring and growing dozens of companies to coaching others on how to “abandon convention and grow through collaboration,” Chad brings a unique, high-energy perspective on leadership and entrepreneurship.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:09 — 52.4MB)

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Our next guest is a visual brand storyteller who helps businesses look as good as they really are. Mandi Boedicker is the founder of Dry Ink Designs, a Charlotte-based studio specializing in logo design, visual branding, and websites that tell a clear, compelling story. From new launches to rebrands, she guides clients through everything from concept and color to full brand systems and online presence. We’re excited to dig into how she builds brands that stand out and how her design and marketing background shapes the way she serves her clients. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:49 — 58.9MB)

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Today’s guest has spent two decades in the trenches of outside sales, from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to capital equipment and beyond. Mike O’Kelly is the founder and host of the Surviving Outside Sales Academy – and podcast, where he helps sales professionals navigate a chaotic, ever-changing landscape with better habits, systems, and mindset. Through his show, coaching, and content, he shares real stories from his own career — the big wins, the missed deals, and the lessons that came from both. We’re excited to unpack what he’s learned about building a long-term sales career, creating processes that scale, and standing out in an ultra-competitive field. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:57 — 37.5MB)

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She’s built a career around helping people find peace, balance, and real tools for navigating life’s challenges. Tammy Morath is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and the founder of Soho Therapy Group — a practice built on compassion, collaboration, and community. From individuals to families and couples, Tammy and her team focus on practical, strengths-based therapy that helps clients thrive. We’re excited to dive into the story behind Soho Therapy Group and how Tammy’s leadership approach has shaped both her business and her clients’ success.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:56 — 49.4MB)

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Some stories are so improbable that if they weren’t true, you’d never believe them. Dean Otto’s story is one of them. A lifelong athlete, sales leader, and dad, Dean was out for a Saturday morning bike ride in Charlotte when he was hit from behind by a Ford F-150, paralyzed from the waist down, and given just a 2% chance of ever walking again. Less than a year later, he crossed the finish line of a half marathon—running side by side with his neurosurgeon, Dr. Matthew McGirt, who had performed the complex spine surgery that saved his mobility. 

But the comeback is only part of the story. Dean chose to forgive the guy who hit him, invited him into his life, and turned a horrific accident into a lesson in grace, courage, and belief. We can’t wait to hear more about this one… Dean, welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast! 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:06 — 33.1MB)

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If you’ve ever tried to shop for home or auto insurance alone, you know it can feel confusing, rushed, and a little bit like guesswork. The McElveen Agency and Goosehead Insurance flips that script. Led by agent and agency president Jay McElveen, the Charlotte-based firm uses cutting-edge technology and relationships with more than two dozen top-rated carriers to shop the market and build custom policies in just minutes. 

Jay started his agency in 2017 with a focus on serving families and partnering closely with real estate and mortgage professionals, so that when someone is buying a home, refinancing, or just reassessing their coverage, they have a trusted advisor in their corner. Jay, welcome to the BrandBuilders Podcast! 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:51 — 42.0MB)

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Tiffany VanDeMark believes your brand is felt before it is understood — and she has spent her career helping people and organizations make that feeling count. From launching global experiential marketing and wellness initiatives at Chobani, to leading brand and revenue growth for health and fitness companies, she has built a reputation as a dynamic leader who blends strategy, storytelling, and heart. After founding her own consultancy, VanDeMark Partners, Tiffany expanded her work as a speaker, coach, and board member, guiding executives, founders, and especially women through seasons of reinvention in their lives and careers — reminding people that reinvention is not a failure, but a superpower.