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Michael Trivette helps parents navigate the long, complex, and often-confusing world of college choice and admissions. He’s an App State grad, and holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Georgia. He’s part of the team at College Transitions, a company that helps parents and high schoolers with one of the most important choices they’ll ever make. He’s our guest on the BrandBuilders Podcast!

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All of us wish we knew how to do “cool stuff” — like create a piece of art, homemade wreaths… or digital marketing with social media. But who has time for 8 weeks of classes? Not us. But we CAN set aside two or three hours for an introduction that gets us going, and that’s where SkillPop comes in.

The wildly popular classes are perfect for busy professionals or parents who have young families — because they teach a cool skill in just a couple of hours. Our guest on BrandBuilders is the woman behind this incredible concept, which has grown so quickly in 3 years that it’s now offered in 5 cities…  and the list of offerings is growing too. Welcome Haley Bohon, founder and CEO of SkillPop.

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Have you ever walked into a museum or trade show and been bowled over by the “wow” factor of a display or a booth, and thought “I’d like to meet the artist who created THAT”? Well, we’ve got one of them here with us today.

Our guest on the BrandBuilders Podcast is chief operating officer of one of Charlotte’s oldest and best-known display companies, Studio Displays. Founded nearly 40 years ago by the late Tom Pope, Studio Displays carries on the same artistic and creative passion, through the eyes and hands of Tom’s son Thomas, daughter Lori, and brother Chris — and a whole team of creative artists.

This week, we welcome Lori Pope to our studio — thanks for being here!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:14 — 34.7MB)

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How often do you buy yourself a new briefcase? How about luggage? Shaving kit? Wallet? These are all items that are commonly made of leather — or a leather look-alike — and most of us replace them about every 5 or 10 years, depending on what they’re really made of, and how well they’re made.

Our next guest on the BrandBuilders Podcast wants you to have just ONE case for your important papers, and he wants it to be one you’ll never have to replace. Scott Hofert is a former world traveler who wanted to be a homebody… and got to be, because of his passion for crafting leather. His business, ColsenKeane, was born from his desire to create lasting accessories that can be passed down through the generations.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:51 — 36.9MB)

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Blonde, brunette, redhead? Or how about auburn, ginger, strawberry blonde? It’s a different world when you’ve got red hair… and Stephanie and Adrienne Vendetti know it all too well.

For years growing up, the sisters struggled with make-up, hair products, and other cosmetics that would irritate their sensitive skin. They say necessity is the mother of invention… or in this case, the sister of it — as the Vendettis made it their mission to find the best products for redheads and let the world know where to find them. They’re here to tell the story of their brand, How to Be a Redhead.

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Charlotte is known for banking and Bojangle’s, but also a great place for young people to get great jobs, have fun, and maybe settle down and stay a while. Part of the vibe that attracts young folks, though, is how “cool” and “creative” a city can be… and our next guest on BrandBuilders is doing his best to make it that way.

Tim Miner is a founder of Charlotte is Creative and cohosts Creative Mornings Charlotte, the monthly gathering of the Queen City’s most creative people — or just people who want to be inspired by good vibes and creative energy!

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When children are taken into foster care, they usually have very little with them. It is a stressful, emotional time for the children, their biological families, and their foster families.

Four women in Charlotte have gotten together to create a “village” of sorts, to help foster children who are relocating with little notice and few belongings. Foster Village Charlotte starts with giving the children welcome packs — and then goes so much further. On this episode of the BrandBuilders Podcast, we talk with two team members, Becky Santoro and Sloan Crawford.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:31 — 28.2MB)

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Starting a company can be hard work — envisioning everything from the direction, to the branding, to funding and human resources. It’s no different with a non-profit organization, even if the goals of a non-profit are more socially-minded than profit-driven.

Often on a shoe-string budget, they still need the same type of strategic planning, development, and support as a business. Our next guest on the BrandBuilders podcast is someone who helps them do that. Caylin Haldeman is Project Development Manager at Next Stage Consulting, a company that also launched an incubator program for new non-profits last year, called CULTIVATE.