When you look at a new house it is easy to get caught up in the square footage and whether or not the kitchen has an island. But what about the windows and doors? You might not notice them right away, but if they weren’t there we’d bet a pretty penny you’d have a few words with the builder!

Today we are joined by Issie Knapp, Ben Collins, and Ryan Lavelle at Morrison Millwork. At Morrison their goal is to create windows and doors that accent new home builds so well, that they’ll be the first thing you notice!

We’ve all had that million dollar idea. The one that kept us up nights because it just made too much sense, and we needed to figure out how to make it happen. That idea that you daydream about and put hours, days, maybe even years into bringing to life. All that work only to realize that you are the only one that knows about your world changing product or service. Ah shoot!

Getting the word out can be one of the hardest parts of any entrepreneurial journey and if marketing yourself is beginning to take up all your time you may be wondering if you are utilizing your limited time wisely. Why is telling the story so hard? Annie Franceschi, today’s guest on the Brand Builders Podcast was thinking the same thing and that’s why she founded Greatest Story Creative!

Can you imagine rolling around town in your car, or spending time with your family in the house this summer? It sounds pretty nice. Now imagine those same scenarios with no air conditioning. Is it getting warm in here?

This summer has been pretty hot, and since we know things won’t be cooling down anytime soon a good air conditioning system is a must! Whether it is for your business, your car, or your home, cool air is essential and at the same time we barely think about it. For most of us air conditioning is something we only think about when it isn’t working, but our next guest is a little more interested in A/C than the average Joe. Today we are joined by Kurt Ehlers from LG Air Conditioning Technologies!

When we think about food there are those that eat to live and then we have those that live to eat. People that would fly around the world to try a dish or stay up all night to get reservations at the newest restaurant in town. But who makes all of this amazing food that we can’t get enough of? The Chef of course. Their culinary prowess always keeps us coming back for more!

Today we are joined by one of the best chefs that is calling Charlotte home! We are joined by Sam Diminich. You may have heard the name before and today we are going to learn about some of the things this world class chef has going on!

When you think of Goodwill, what comes to mind? Maybe that basket of clothes that you’ve been wanting to donate for the past year? The place you find the best thrifting treasures? Well yes Goodwill is great for finding new and gently used clothes a new home, but they do so much more! The original goal was to provide the resources and opportunities for people looking for work to find jobs, but it has expanded even beyond that.

Are you wondering what they do now? How you can help? It’s your lucky day because the next guest on the Brand Builders Podcast is Julie Drinkhahn from Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont. She’s here to answer all the questions you’ve had about their new mission and how they turn our clothes into opportunities for our community.

Have you ever wanted to host your own wine night? They always look like a great time in movies but where do you even start? If only there was someone that could help you plan, and not only supply the wine, but recommend food pairings for it! Wait… there is!

That’s right, our guest today Edward Kuehnle created Somm for the Day to help create wine-centered events for book clubs, social events, or just groups of friends hoping to have fun and drink great wine!

When you’re getting ready to leave your house in the morning you grab your phone, keys, watch, and wallet. For the sneakerheads and fashion-forward folks among us, your shoe choice is probably also at the forefront of your mind. But have you ever had to think about whether or not you would have shoes to wear?

There are millions of people around the world right now that live in that reality. Whole communities that don’t have shoes! Our next guest is on a mission to change that! Today’s guest on the show is Manny Ohonme, Co-Founder of Samaritan’s Feet.

Becoming a parent can be the most fulfilling, stressful, heart-warming, and chaotic time in your life. Your whole world, or at least a very big part of it, becomes centered around your kids.  Every parent wants the best for their children, the best food, the best schools, and the best future! But for some families that future is cut terribly short.

Our next guest has turned their personal tragedy into a blessing for so many others, throughout the Charlotte area. Today we are talking to Rachel Lee, philanthropist, wife, and mother who along with her husband Andy Lee started Madelyn’s Fund to help families with babies receiving treatment in the NICU throughout Charlotte.

When most people or partners start a business, they’ve usually got an incredible idea, product, or service to bring to the marketplace. What they generally don’t have is all the info or the experience to manage the “business” of owning or starting a business.

You know what we mean. The accounting, bookkeeping, taxes and such aren’t the tasks most business owners love to tackle. And it’s precisely how businesses that DO focus on those services provide solutions to companies of all sizes.

Gordon Hippe from Smart Financials Accounting is the kind of guy you want on your team when accounting and taxes and stuff AREN’T the reason you got into business in the first place!

It was very big news when Food & Wine named Charlotte one of its next great food cities. With new restaurants openings, award-winning chefs, and a world-renowned faculty at Johnson and Wales all getting regular attention… it seems like the options and opportunities are everywhere.

With all that, most of our audience – and probably many folks in Charlotte — aren’t worrying about where their next meal is coming from. But there’s a significant number that does. And thankfully, there are folks working to help them bridge that gap. Danielle Moore is the community outreach director for Loaves and Fishes/Friendship Trays and joins us on this episode of the BrandBuilders podcast.