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When you think “golf carts,” you might picture country clubs and fairways—but in Charlotte, golf carts are becoming a lifestyle, a way to move, connect, and have fun. At the center of that movement is Charlotte Golf Carts, led by entrepreneur and owner Fred Griffith.

Fred’s journey hasn’t been a straight line. He’ll tell you he’s “had it all, lost it all, and never gave up,” and that imagination is his superpower. From reinvention and manifestation to literally pulling himself up by his bootstraps, Fred has built and rebuilt his life and business through vision, hustle, and a refusal to quit.

Today we’re talking with Fred about the story behind Charlotte Golf Carts, how he turned carts into a community brand, and what he’s learned about resilience, creativity, and going all-in on a new chapter.

Fred, welcome to this episode of the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast.

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Charlotte is growing fast, and a lot of that growth is being shaped by people who don’t just build projects, they build communities. One of those leaders is Todd Collins, CEO and founder of Red Hill Ventures, a Charlotte-based real estate firm and investment platform focused on innovative, community-centered development.

Under Todd’s leadership, Red Hill Ventures has invested in and revitalized key properties across the region—from industrial parks to commercial spaces—while keeping an eye on long-term value, economic mobility, and the future of how people live and work. He’s also deeply involved in Charlotte’s civic and philanthropic circles, championing opportunity, diversity, and education alongside his wife, Janelle, and partners like Atrium Health.

Today we’re talking with Todd about how thoughtful real estate can shape a city, what he’s seeing in Charlotte’s market right now, and why purpose and profit don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Todd, welcome to this episode of the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast.

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Today we’re talking about what it really takes to align brand, marketing, and revenue in a world where channels change daily but fundamentals still matter. Our guest, Jinnie Austin, is a Marketing and Ecommerce Strategic Advisor and fractional CMO who helps growing brands connect the dots between who they are, how they show up, and how they make money.

Jinnie has worked with organizations like 361º USA and Exponent Edge, advising on strategy, ecommerce, and digital growth, and she’s built a reputation for stepping into leadership gaps and bringing clarity to messy marketing situations. Based in the Charlotte area, she partners with founders and leadership teams to create practical, sustainable marketing systems that actually move the needle instead of adding more noise.

We’re going to dig into what she’s seeing in the market right now, how brands can get unstuck, and why a strategic advisor or fractional CMO might be exactly what a scaling company needs.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:26 — 33.3MB)

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Charlotte’s movie scene has something truly special — and it’s not your average theater popcorn experience. The Independent Picture House isn’t just a cinema; it’s a community hub for film lovers, artists, and idea seekers. As Charlotte’s only nonprofit community cinema, IPH is building something more than a movie — a space where cultural conversations, local voices, and international films all meet under one roof.

Our guest today is one of the driving forces behind that mission — Claire Lechtenberg, Director of Marketing and Development at the Independent Picture House. Claire has been helping tell IPH’s story, growing its community impact, and turning film screenings into meaningful experiences that connect people. She’s also been recognized as one of Queens University’s “10 Under 10” alumni for her leadership and creativity in shaping Charlotte’s arts scene.

Let’s talk with Claire about how IPH is redefining what a movie theater can mean to a community — and why “more than a movie” perfectly captures this local treasure.

Claire, welcome to this episode of the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast.

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Today’s guest has gone from dancing in some of Europe’s most respected companies to becoming one of the most distinctive choreographic voices in contemporary ballet. Alejandro Cerrudo, danced professionally before he became Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s first‑ever resident choreographer in 2008. 

His work has been performed by more than 20 dance companies around the world, and he has been recognized with honors including the Boomerang Fund for Artists award, the Prince Prize for Commissioning Original Work, and the USA Donnelley Fellowship by United States Artists. 

In 2020 he became Pacific Northwest Ballet’s first‑ever resident choreographer and premiered his own show, It Starts Now, at The Joyce Theater in New York. In 2022, he took on a new challenge as artistic director of Charlotte Ballet, where he is now shaping the future of dance in this city.

Alejandro, welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast.

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Today’s guest helps power a national network you may not know by name, but you’ve almost certainly lived with their work. Insulate America is a nationwide group of independently owned insulation contractors that serves builders, remodelers, and homeowners all across the country.

At the center of that network is David Beam, who works with member companies to strengthen their businesses, share best practices, and deliver consistent quality. And while Insulate America is firmly in the insulation contracting business, there’s another side to the story: a deep commitment to giving back to employees’ families and support for very local, often very small organizations in the communities where their members live and work.

David, welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast.

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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.