Atlanta Born & Brand: Recent Episodes
Connext Media
Incredible brands and small businesses are being built all over Atlanta. The founders and entrepreneurs behind them tell the stories of their successes, failures, and even provide some inspiration on building a brand that lasts in the capital of the south.
“The best burger in the world is the burger you think is the best burger. Not the burger someone else thinks is the best burger.” Check out our video feature with Billy Kramer, owner and founder of NFA Burger — a small but mighty burger joint located INSIDE a Chevron gas station in Dunwoody.
Ed Fisher opened the Big Green Egg store in Atlanta in 1974, where he was selling the domed clay cookers. He had discovered them while serving overseas in World War II and was impressed with how well they worked. 50 years and several iterations later, Big Green Egg has become a global phenomenon with a very loyal and dedicated fan base.
The Big Green Egg isn’t like other kamado cookers. When you own a Big Green Egg, you become part of the EGGHead community, a group of passionate and well-fed people who host events each year in the Atlanta area and all around the world. The product line has grown to include seven sizes of the Egg, with hundreds of accessories.
Tune in as we sit down with Ed Fisher and current CEO of Big Green Egg, Ardy Arani. They share a bit of the Egg’s history with us and where the company is today!
Over 30 years ago, 12 friends sat down and came up with an idea that would make volunteering in their community easier and more accessible, from there Hands On Atlanta was born.
Hands On has become a one-stop shop to bring together Atlanta volunteers and nonprofits. Their organization supports over 150 nonprofits in the Atlanta area and has daily opportunities for volunteers. From one time micro-volunteering, to a full year program with AmeriCorps there's something to fit everyone's schedule.
South Downtown, the very streets where Atlanta began! In 2016, Newport opened its Atlanta office and began investing in the future of South Downtown. Through 26 transactions, their team purchased 48 historic buildings and 4 acres of parking lots. The area’s first renovations started with historic Hotel Row and 222 Mitchell.
We sat down with Senior Vice President of Newport, April Stammel, to hear about their current and future projects — including plans for two residential buildings — and hopes to create a walkable, livable, inclusive and connected neighborhood.
Watch as Atlanta Born and Brand heads to Pullman Yards, an enchanting piece of Atlanta's history. We spoke with the current owner of Pullman Yards, Adam Rosenfelt, who shared invaluable insights into the site's history -- including the remarkable history of the Pullman Porters and their significant role in the civil rights movement -- and the ambitious revitalization efforts that aim to transform this historic gem into a vibrant, mixed-use community. Witness the awe-inspiring industrial architecture that has withstood the test of time and we chat with Adam about what they have in store for the third act of this site.
Join us as we head down to Pullman Yards, an enchanting piece of Atlanta’s history. We sat down with one of the current owners, Adam Rosenfelt, who shared insight into the site’s history — including the remarkable history of the Pullman Porters and their significant role in the civil rights movement — and the ambitious revitalization efforts that aim to transform this historic gem into a vibrant, mixed-use community.
Listen as we talk with Adam about the industrial architecture that has withstood the test of time and what they have in store for the third act of this site.
Head on down to the Pratt-Pullman District and enjoy their many exhibitions and family fun activities. Be sure to share with us if you check out Dailies and Sides, AlcoHall, or play a game of pickleball! For more information head to their website pullmanyards.com.
The journey of children in foster care can often be a stressful and sudden situation. Too many children arrive at their new foster homes with very few possessions, some with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Stay tuned for an in depth conversation with Rebekah about the inception of Jambos, and why she feels it’s important for all of us to focus on heart beat versus heartbreak language.
For more information on how to get involved with this awesome cause head to jambosdonates.com. There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities at their warehouse located in Buford, GA – bring your friends, colleagues and even the kiddos! And be sure to follow Rebekah and the Jambos team on Instagram @jambosdonates.
Founder and CEO, Mario Cambardella sits down with us today to talk about how ServeScape is using their technology to connect under-marketed landscape designers and plant growers with homeowners.
There’s no “right way” to run a business or raise a child. Both can be incredibly rewarding and challenging at the same time, and are made a whole lot easier when you have support from a community. That’s where Dawn Richardson + Kate Rosenow from Business Meets Baby comes in.
Between the two of them, Dawn and Kate have three kids and 10+ years of experience running businesses. Today, we’re chatting with Kate about her journey as a female entrepreneur, navigating pregnancy, post-partum and motherhood as a CEO and how they can offer support to those wanting to take the plunge into being a business owner.
Be sure to give Kate and the Business Meets Baby crew a follow on their social channels and check out the website www.businessmeetsbaby.com.
Listen in as we chat with Nate about his transition from professional athlete to business owner, how gusto! hopes to continue to disrupt the quick-service food industry and what the next few years hold for the restaurant.
Head to whatsyourgusto.com to find a location near you!
Atlanta Born and Brand is a production of Connext Media. Make sure and follow the show on social media @atlborn on Instagram and like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page.
Atlanta Born and Brand is a production of Connext Media. Make sure and follow the show on social media @atlborn on Instagram and like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page.
This year we have another new video series to coincide with the “Our City, Our Story” theme, which can be found on all our social media platforms. Subscribe to the Atlanta Born and Brand YouTube channel for that content and more.
Lastly, if you love the show please spread the word. Share it with your friends and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast app. Your support helps make sure that more and more people hear the stories of all those folks doing great things all over the city.
Nate Hybl, is an ex-NFL quarterback-turned CEO of gusto!, a quick serve, fresh bowls and wraps brand with 13 restaurants in the Atlanta area and counting. After hanging up his helmet, Nate started on a mission to find his new gusto and quickly became enamored with food, going through a “culinary awakening”. He eventually perfected his own concept that combined grains and greens, grilled chicken flavored a million ways, sauce and whole ingredients.
Listen in as we chat with Nate about his transition from professional athlete to business owner, how gusto! hopes to continue to disrupt the quick-service food industry and what the next few years hold for the restaurant.
Head to whatsyourgusto.com to find a location near you!
Ford Fry has cemented himself as an integral part of the Atlanta dining scene, as a chef and owner of over 20 restaurants between Atlanta, Houston, Charlotte and Nashville — like JCT, Superica, St. Cecilia, BeetleCat, The Optimist, and Little Rey to name a few.
From his childhood in Texas, to studying at the New England Culinary Institute – find out why Ford decided Atlanta was the place to put down roots and start his career as a restaurant owner.
We’re sitting down today with Ford Fry, chef and owner of several iconic Atlanta restaurants like Superica, St. Cecilia, BeetleCat, The Optimist, Little Rey. He has cemented himself as an integral part of the Atlanta dining scene, opening up over 20 restaurants between Atlanta, Houston, Charlotte and Nashville.
From his childhood in Texas, to studying at a culinary institute in New England and eventually making his way to Atlanta to work as a corporate chef – we hear why Ford decided Atlanta was the place to put down roots and start his career as a restaurant owner.
Be sure to stop by the new Superica locations in Dunwoody and West Midtown for some incredible grub. And follow Ford + the teams behind his restaurants on social media @fordfry and @rocketfarmfaces.
Our guest today is Billy Kramer, owner and founder of NFA Burger, a small but mighty burger joint located INSIDE a Chevron gas station in Dunwoody.
Billy started his career in sales & marketing, and one day decided to take up a new passion: burgers. He explored, tested, and came up with his perfect recipe, and started slinging burgers around Atlanta as a pop-up, “Billy’s Burgers.” After lots of trial and error, he found a brick-and-mortar spot and opened in the gas station in December 2019.
With a handful of accolades under their belt – being voted Best Burger in Georgia by Food and Wine is just one – NFA Burger is just getting started. Follow NFA Burger on social media @nfaburger and be sure to let us know if you stop in for a bite to eat!
Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe is a non-profit with a unique mission; keep your pets from ever becoming rescues. Our guest today is Aaron Fisher, CEO and founder of ARDC. Aaron spent many years working as an elementary school teacher and volunteering and working in animal welfare. You’ll hear in our episode today how each of these experiences led him to start, Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe. Their aim is to promote responsible pet ownership through community engagement, and keep our pets out of shelters.
Listen in to hear us chat about Aaron’s background, how the non-profit got started, some of their outreach programs and more!
Follow the ARDC team on social media @atlantarescuedogcafe or visit their website (therescuedogcafe.org) to stay up to date on the latest events and volunteer opportunities.
Ever sit in a meeting and think “I have no idea what is going on?” or look back at your notes and feel like you’re trying to decipher a secret code? Well our guest today, has got you covered.
The Sketch Effect is s visual communications business, whose goal is to make ideas understandable with the help of graphic recorders. Sketch Effect’s team of artists will come to your virtual or in-person live events and help synthesize the content by drawing out the big ideas using engaging visuals, typography, color and design elements.
Listen in today as we chat with the founder and CEO of Sketch Effect, William Warren. He shares with us his journey from loving to sketch and doodle as a kid, to studying at SCAD here in Atlanta, and conceiving the idea that would eventually turn into The Sketch Effect! We also dive into his brand new book, "The Conquering Creative" which is all about helping creative people overcome fear and build the creative business or career of their dreams.
Follow William and his team on social media @thesketcheffect and visit their website www.thesketcheffect.com to book your very own Graphic Recording Artist!
Ed Fisher opened his Big Green Egg store in Atlanta in 1974, where he began selling the domed clay cooker. He had discovered them while serving overseas in World War II and was impressed with how much better the food tasted using these kamado cookers, versus a typical charcoal or gas grill.
50 years and several iterations later, Big Green Egg has become a worldwide sensation with a loyal and dedicated fan base. When you own a Big Green Egg, you become part of the EGGHead community, a group of passionate and well-fed people who host events each year in the Atlanta area and all around the world. The product line has grown to include seven sizes of the Egg, with hundreds of accessories, to help you cook absolutely everything.
Tune in as we sit down with current CEO of Big Green Egg, Ardy Arani as he shares a bit of the Egg's history with us and how the company turned these grills into the global phenomenon we know today!
Head to their website biggreenegg.com to find a local retailer and join the EGGHead community!
Atlanta Born and Brand is a production of Connext Media. Make sure and follow the show on social media @atlborn on Instagram and like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page.
This year we have another new video series to coincide with the “Our City, Our Story” theme, which can be found on all our social media platforms. Subscribe to the Atlanta Born and Brand YouTube channel for that content and more.
Lastly, if you love the show please spread the word. Share it with your friends and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast app. Your support helps make sure that more and more people hear the stories of all those folks doing great things all over the city.
Hi y’all! It’s me, Kathryn, back on the podcast because this week I’ll be taking over the intro as well as the interview today. My first go round at this, and I got to have an incredible and enlightening conversation that I can’t wait for y’all to hear.
Over 30 years ago, 12 friends sat down and came up with an idea that would make volunteering in their community easier and more accessible, from there Hands On Atlanta was born.
Hands On has become a one-stop shop to bring together Atlanta volunteers and nonprofits. Their organization supports over 150 nonprofits in the Atlanta area and has daily opportunities for volunteers. From one time micro-volunteering, to a full year program with AmeriCorps there's something to fit everyone's schedule.
Listen in as I sit down with Jay Cranman, President and CEO, of Hands On Atlanta to hear about the good work they're doing and how we can each step up to help meet the needs of others.
Follow the Hands On team on social media @handsonatl and be sure to visit their website handsonatlanta.org to see volunteer opportunities near you!
Atlanta Born and Brand is a production of Connext Media. Make sure and follow the show on social media @atlborn on Instagram and like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page.
This year we have another new video series to coincide with the “Our City, Our Story” theme, which can be found on all our social media platforms. Subscribe to the Atlanta Born and Brand YouTube channel for that content and more.
Lastly, if you love the show please spread the word. Share it with your friends and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast app. Your support helps make sure that more and more people hear the stories of all those folks doing great things all over the city.
South Downtown, the very streets where Atlanta began! In 2016, Newport opened its Atlanta office and began investing in the future of South Downtown. Through 26 transactions, their team purchased 48 historic buildings and 4 acres of parking lots. The area's first renovations started with historic Hotel Row and 222 Mitchell.
Stay tuned for our conversation with Senior Vice President of Newport, April Stammel, to hear about their current and future projects -- including plans for two residential buildings -- and hopes to create a walkable, livable, inclusive and connected neighborhood.
Check out their account @southdwntn on Instagram for more details on these upcoming projects.
Almost exactly two years ago, we sat down with Rebekah Black, founder of the non-profit Jambos Donates. Jambos’ mission is to bring a sense of comfort through providing essential items to children in foster care, like pajamas. Since our initial conversation Rebekah has grown her team, upgraded their warehouse and expanded their distribution efforts. Today, we’re bringing you an updated conversation about the progress Jambos has made thanks to the support of those in the Atlanta community and how you can get involved and help them continue to grow.
For more information on how to get involved with this awesome cause head to jambosdonates.com. There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities at their warehouse located in Buford, GA – bring your friends, colleagues and even the kiddos! And be sure to follow Rebekah and the Jambos team on Instagram @jambosdonates.
Atlanta Born and Brand is a production of Connext Media. Make sure and follow the show on social media @atlborn on Instagram and like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page.
This year we have another new video series to coincide with the “Our City, Our Story” theme, which can be found on all our social media platforms. Subscribe to the Atlanta Born and Brand YouTube channel for that content and more.
Lastly, if you love the show please spread the word. Share it with your friends and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast app. Your support helps make sure that more and more people hear the stories of all those folks doing great things all over the city.
ServeScape is Georgia's online landscape marketplace delivered. "From inspiration to installation", ServeScape offers beautiful, resilient landscapes that are locally grown, designed just for you, and delivered to your home or job site.
Founder and CEO, Mario Cambardella sits down with us today to talk about how ServeScape is using their technology to connect under-marketed landscape designers and plant growers with homeowners. To get started on your very own dream landscape head to servescape.com, and follow them on social media @ServeScape to stay up to date!
Atlanta Born and Brand is a production of Connext Media. Make sure and follow the show on social media @atlborn on Instagram and like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page.
This year we have another new video series to coincide with the “Our City, Our Story” theme, which can be found on all our social media platforms. Subscribe to the Atlanta Born and Brand YouTube channel for that content and more.
Lastly, if you love the show please spread the word. Share it with your friends and leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast app. Your support helps make sure that more and more people hear the stories of all those folks doing great things all over the city.
If you missed part one of our special episode with Kelli and CJ be sure to go back and give it a listen. We spoke about each of their personal journeys and how CJ made the jump from private coaching, to laying the foundation to start LEAD. In this episode, we’ll dive into getting LEAD off the ground, the decline of Black players in the Major Leagues and how Kelli and CJ are supporting their boys beyond the sport of baseball.
For more information about how you can get involved visit leadcenterforyouth.org
L.E.A.D. Center for Youth is a nonprofit, sport based youth development program. Their mission is to empower an at-risk generation to lead and transform their city of Atlanta by using the sport of baseball to teach Black boys how to overcome three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty and racism.
We spoke with co-founders Kelli and CJ Stewart about LEAD's inception, their vision for the future of the organization and so much more. We want to share every nugget of wisdom these two fearless, relentless, and absolute bosses have to share so this will be the first of a two part episode. Kelli and CJ are making Atlanta a better place and leading a new generation of change makers. We hope you feel just how special their organization is. Tune in next week for the second part of our conversation!
For more information about how you can get involved visit leadcenterforyouth.org
The Fox Theater opened in 1929, originally as a movie palace. Almost 100 years later it is now a registered National Historic Landmark and hosts a variety of cultural events in Atlanta; from broadway musicals to concerts to the Atlanta Ballet.
In its long history The Fox Theater has had to close three times. This most recent being during the COVID-19 pandemic where the theater remained closed for 19 months. VP of Sales & Marketing, Jamie Vosmeier talks with us about the grand history of the Fox, how they navigated closures and how the Atlanta community has come out in full force to support the theater's reopening.
For more information and to see upcoming events visit foxtheatre.org.
Our guest today is Jashaun Lowery. Jay and his wife Lauren are the team behind Grub Truck Stop, where they are cooking up creative and delicious dishes. What started as a venture into the food truck business has grown into a brick and mortar space located in Chattahoochee Food Works, Atlanta’s newest food hall on the Westside.
Grub Truck Stop is serving up fresh and unique seafood dishes that are, in their words, “so comforting you’ll wanna take a nap after.” We talk with Jay about starting the business, taking a leap of faith from food truck to physical space and more.
Follow the Grub Truck crew on Instagram @grubtruckstop and visit them at Chattahoochee Food Works.
Biolyte was created by Dr. Rollins, an Anesthesiologist and Pain Specialist in Atlanta, GA. In 2005, Dr. Rollins’ wife, Jeannine, was diagnosed with breast cancer. During her treatment, he began to realize that IV hydration therapy, while extremely effective, is often inaccessible and too expensive to those who need it most – and more accessible options like sports drinks are not as effective for severe dehydration.
Dr. Rollins set out to create a product that would “bring the IV bag home”. It was from this need that Biolyte was born. Today we sit down with Jesslyn Rollins, CEO of Biolyte, to hear how their company has grown and is helping everyone from athletes to flu patients to new mothers.
For more information about the product or to find local retailers that carry Biolyte head to drinkbiolyte.com.
We’ve got a fun episode for you today with VP of Sales for Georgia Aquarium, Will Ramsey. Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere and houses hundreds of species in over 12 million gallons of water.
Like so many businesses, Georgia Aquarium had to close its doors at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the unique challenge of still having to care for the numerous animals that call the aquarium home. We talk with Will about how they navigated those closures, their new shark exhibit and the excitement now as they welcome back guests.
For tickets and more information about Georgia Aquarium head to georgiaaquarium.org.
To watch the full Bounce Back video feature, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuA58VR0h_w
The craft beer scene in Atlanta has exploded in recent years, yet there are few breweries in town that have the distinction of being Black-owned. Nappy Roots members Fish Scales and Skinny DeVille are hoping to shake that up. Earlier this month the duo opened Atlantucky Brewing, a brand new brewery situated in the heart of Castleberry Hill – and very aptly in a building owned by Atlanta icon Herman J. Russell’s family.
Check out our latest Bounce Back episode to hear how they’re hoping to continue the legacy of the historic neighborhood and bring craft beer to hip-hop. You can find the video feature here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0zpLInbnQw&t=123s
Be sure to follow @atlantucky on social media and let us know if you visit the brewery. They’re also allowing local artists to use the space to display and sell their work, so head down to Castleberry Hill and support local creators!
Our guest today is cultural developer, Gene Kansas. Gene Kansas leads a commercial real estate brokerage, but his business stretches so far past the norm in that industry.
With company accomplishments like preserving the Atlanta Daily World Building in Sweet Auburn and establishing the civic and socially based coworking space, Constellations; Gene Kansas — as a company — is about the development of culture through transformative ideas, knowledge, and the sharing of it.
Head over to genekansas.com to learn more about the work they’re doing in the Atlanta community.
Social media can be a double edged sword. There’s both good and bad to the instant access we have to others via these platforms. Today, we’re sitting down with someone who is using this powerful tool to make a positive impact in our community and around the globe.
Kareem Manuel started We.Society as a way to get his music out into the world. This led to selling t-shirts on Instagram, promoting a message of hope and acceptance, and in true grassroots fashion people latched on to the message and the movement grew.
Listen in as we talk through the highs and lows of growing a business via social media and how it became a full fledged apparel brand. Head to wesociety.co to purchase your We.Society gear and join the movement!
The College Football Hall of Fame was established in 1951 and officially made the move to Atlanta in 2014. Whether it’s taking the kids out for the day, entertaining friends in town or even date night -- there’s over 50 interactive and educational exhibits for everyone. The Hall also hosts the College Football awards, dozens of media days, and more!
Listen in as we chat today with College Football Hall of Fame CEO, Kimberly Beaudin, to talk more about the unique experience they’re creating for fans and how we can help as they bounce back from the pandemic shutdown.
Be sure to check out the College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta! For more information or to purchase tickets go to cfbhall.com.
In this episode, we’re sitting down with Jonathan Baker, co-founder of Monday Night Brewing. Monday Night is a local Atlanta brewery, which started back in 2006 when a couple of friends got together and decided to give homebrewing a try. Today in 2021, they’ve got multiple locations in the ATL, as well as Nashville and Birmingham. Stick around to hear us chat about where the Monday Night name and logo originated and how the Atlanta community rallied around yet another well loved business when they were down during the pandemic.
If you’re local to Atlanta be sure to check out the Monday Night locations in West Midtown and the historic West End. Or buy their beer in the grocery store! It’s seriously good. https://mondaynightbrewing.com/
Today, we’re sitting down with co-owner of Chattahoochee Food Works, Robert Montwaid. Chattahoochee Food Works is a brand new 31-vendor, 25,000 square-foot foodhall featured at the center of The Works, one of Atlanta’s newest mixed-use developments on the Upper Westside.
Opening a new business at any time is difficult, let alone in the middle of a pandemic. Robert talks us through those challenges and what it is he loves about the food culture in Atlanta.
Be sure to stop by Chattahoochee Food Works over on the Westside. A great spot for lunch with friends or dinner with the family, there’s something for everyone!
We’re sitting down today with Blake Canterbury, co-founder and CEO of Purposity. Purposity is an app, using the power of technology to connect those in need with people who want to help others, but aren’t quite sure how or where to start.
Purposity works with nonprofits and local schools to identify specific needs and facilitate help from those in the community. Blake talks with us today about how Purposity got started and their plans to expand and continue meeting needs, not just in Atlanta but all around the US.
Download Purposity today on the App Store or Google Play and start living on purpose today!
Today we’re sitting down with Kitti Murray, founder and CEO, of Refuge Coffee Co. Refuge Coffee opened up in Clarkston, GA back in 2014. Clarkston is located just outside Atlanta and is well known for its diverse and vibrant refugee community.
Refuge’s goal is to provide employment, mentorship, job training, and a livable wage to refugees who have resettled in Georgia. Listen as we talk with Kitti about Refuge Coffee’s inception, purpose and how they hope to continue growing and empowering their community.
Visit Refuge Coffee Co. at their Clarkston or Sweet Auburn locations!
Little introduction is needed for our guests this week… unless maybe you’re new to Atlanta or have been living under a rock. In 2007, twin brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox opened their first barbecue joint.
Fourteen years later, Fox Brothers BBQ and their Dekalb Ave location have become Atlanta staples. Today we talk with Jonathan and Justin about how this thing got started, creating their unique spin on Texas-style barbecue and opening a second location mid-pandemic.
Check out the new Fox Bros. location at the Works off Chattahoochee Ave! You can find some of your favorites and a few new items only available at the new location.
Today, we’re talking with Shawn Whitman, VP of Membership and Guest Experience at Zoo Atlanta. For over a century the zoo has been a mainstay in the city, but just like everyone else they faced massive challenges dealing with the CoVid-19 pandemic. Shawn tells us more on this episode of Atlanta Born and Brand.
For more information or to buy tickets to the zoo, head to zooatlanta.org.
Today we're catching up with ABB alumni, Kevin Cregan. Kevin is the founder of Atlanta Sport & Social Club, an organization that aims to connect adults in Atlanta through sports leagues and other social events. We first talked with Kevin back in February of 2020, just before our worlds were turned upside down. Tune in to hear how ASSC navigated COVID-19 and how they plan to continue finding ways to connect people and foster community in the city.
Check out the ASSC website www.atlantasportandsocialclub.com or follow them on social media @atlantassc.
Today, we’re catching up with Jesse Grossman and Jacey Lucus from Community Bucket. We first spoke back in October of 2020, while the team was still in the thick of navigating COVID-19. Now as the world begins to open up Community Bucket is ready to continue making an impact and serving the communities they’re in!
To keep up with the latest from the Community Bucket team and “Make An Impact Where You Live” head to communitybucket.com. Make sure to also give them a follow on social media @communitybucket.
Atlanta Born and Brand is a show all about businesses built right here in the capital of the South. But more importantly, it’s a show about their founders. We wanted to find some of the city’s most interesting entrepreneurs and creators, hear about their challenges, successes and how they built a brand that will last.
Today on the show, we’re catching up with Atlanta Born & Brand Alumni, Joel Byars. We’ve had our pal, Joel, on the show a few times now and know we’re always guaranteed a laugh. Tune in as we talk about life as a comedian during a pandemic and how Joel has pivoted during a time without live performances.
Follow Joel on Instagram @joelbyarscomedy or @hotbreathpod.
Today we’re sitting down with Jen Hidinger- Kendrick, co-founder of the non-profit Giving Kitchen. The story of Giving Kitchen’s beginnings is one of community, compassion and the best of humanity. When Jen’s late husband, Ryan, was diagnosed with terminal cancer back in 2012 the response and outpouring of love from friends within the restaurant community kick started something special.
Nine years later, Jen and the team at Giving Kitchen are dedicated to providing emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources. In the words of Jen, “While Giving Kitchen’s story started with the fight to save one life, now our story is the fight to serve thousands.”
To learn more about Giving Kitchen and the resources they offer or to make a donation head to thegivingkitchen.org. You can also follow the team for updates on Instagram @givingkitchen.
By now, there’s hardly anyone in Atlanta that doesn’t know what Tiny Doors ATL is. In case you’ve been living under a rock the last few years; Tiny Doors ATL is an art project bringing magic to spaces around the city.
The miniature doors are sculpted by artist Karen Anderson Singer and transform what was once just a wall into a community space of intrigue and wonder. Today we talk with Karen about why she felt inspired to start this project and how it’s bringing our city together.
Follow Karen on Instagram @tinydoorsatl and head to tinydoorsatl.com to find more information about each of the doors, their locations and even commission your very own tiny door!
In 2014, Phil Sanders founded Foster, a community space where artists, creatives and entrepreneurs could gather and support one another. From here the idea of Citizen Supply was born. Citizen Supply officially opened in Ponce City Market in 2015, as one of the first tenants on the second floor. Today the shop offers a plethora of handmade goods and serves to connect the community with local makers and artists. Listen in as we talk with Phil about making the leap from Foster to Citizen Supply and the highs and lows of growing a retail business.
You can find Citizen Supply on the second floor of Ponce City Market. Head on in and support these local Atlanta entrepreneurs and artists. Can’t make it out? No worries. You can shop on their website citizensupply.com!
In the bustling downtown of Duluth you can find a variety of restaurants and shops, among them is a modern and whimsical boutique called Personify. Today, we’re sitting down with the mother-daughter duo who founded the shop, Maddie Morden and Tammy Lopez. Listen as we talk about the process of curating their brand and unique shopping experiences for customers, as well as the challenges faced during the retail COVID-19 shut down.
If you find yourself in downtown Duluth, be sure to stop in to Personify! You can also check out their website personifyshop.com.
Atlanta is full of so many amazing creatives and as the city continues to evolve, more people flock here in hopes of fulfilling their dreams. As we’ve seen this year, community and the ability to connect with others is vital to us as human beings. Our guest today is Bhargava Chiluveru, founder of FourOFour. FourOFour’s mission is to empower artists through community engagement, partnership and entrepreneurship. Stay tuned as we chat about the future of FourOFour post-pandemic, Chil.Studios and more.
Follow Bhargava and the team on Instagram @b.chil, @chilstudioS and @fourofour.co
The journey of children in foster care can often be a stressful and sudden situation. Too many children arrive at their new foster homes with very few possessions, some with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Today, we’re sitting down with Rebekah Black founder of the non-profit Jambos Donates. Jambos’ mission is to bring a sense of comfort through providing essential items to children in foster care, like pajamas. We’re talking about the importance of heart beat versus heartbreak language and what we can each do to help bring comfort to children in need.
Follow Rebekah and the Jambos team on Instagram @jambosdonates. For more information on how to get involved with this awesome cause head to jambosdonates.com. You can also support Jambos through Amazon Smile, just follow this link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/82-4417283
Make sure to subscribe to Atlanta Born & Brand in Apple Podcasts or wherever you happen to be listening. If you like the show we’d really appreciate a review and a rating. And of course, share it with your friends. Keep up with the show on social media: we’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website atlborn.com.
Often when we learn about history, whether it’s taking a stroll around a museum or watching a documentary, the learning process can be a one sided conversation. Our guest today is hoping to change that in Atlanta and facilitate a conversation between seekers of knowledge. So much of Atlanta’s identity and history has been shaped by the Civil Rights movement, but how much do we really know about this crucial period of history?
Today we’re sitting down with Nedra Deadwhyler, founder of Civil Bikes. The mission of Civil Bikes to bring attention to unseen and unheard stories about Atlanta. Listen on to find out more about what Nedra and her team are doing to connect the city through education.
Throughout history and even still today, Atlanta’s culture has been influenced by a spirit of justice and resistance. We hope that y’all are inspired to dive deeper into the history of this amazing, resilient city. To find out more about Civil Bikes and the work they’re doing visit their website civilbikes.com or find them on Instagram @civil_bikes.
Make sure to subscribe to Atlanta Born & Brand in Apple Podcasts or wherever you happen to be listening. If you like the show we’d really appreciate a review and a rating. And of course, share it with your friends. Keep up with the show on social media: we’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website atlborn.com.
Do you know where the strawberries you just purchased from Publix were grown? Or what about those dozen eggs you picked up at Kroger? There’s nothing wrong with shopping at large grocery chains, oftentimes they’re the cheapest and most accessible option. But what if you could get fresh groceries like produce, meat, milk and more from local farmers without having to venture out to the farmer’s market? Turns out, you can!
Our guest today is Zac Harrison, founder of Fresh Harvest. Fresh Harvest is the farmer’s market you’ve been looking for online and delivered to your door. Zac and his team are creating a local food system that supports organic farms, creates jobs for refugees, and reduces food and packaging waste. Head to freshharvestga.com to get started and support local Georgia farmers!
Make sure to subscribe to Atlanta Born & Brand in Apple Podcasts or wherever you happen to be listening. If you like the show we’d really appreciate a review and a rating. Also, find additional Atlanta Born & Brand content on our new YouTube channel. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website atlborn.com.
In an Amazon driven, on-demand world shopping local isn’t always the easiest or most convenient option. And with the ongoing pandemic so many have turned to online shopping. But small and local businesses are what give life to our communities and we know supporting these entrepreneurs is as important to y’all as it is to us.
That’s why we’re so excited to introduce you to our guest today, Rhea Perkins, founder of Attyre Delivery. Attyre is an online platform that connects you with local small and ecommerce businesses, and offers you same day delivery!
Attyre is currently offering a special deal of one free delivery service, until February 16th at 4PM. Enter the code Attyre to receive this offer. You can find more information on their website attyredelivery.com or on Instagram @attyredelivery.
We found ourselves in Milton, Georgia for our episode this week. Our guest… Shaune Huysamen, founder of Whitetail Bicycles. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa Shaune moved to America after high school. In 2016, after working in real estate for many years, Shaune decided it was time to take the leap and combine his dream of opening a coffee shop with his love of cycling.
Today, we talk with Shaune about everything that goes into opening a bike store and why Milton was the perfect place to start! If you find yourself in the downtown Crabapple area, be sure to stop by Whitetail Bicycles for a cup of coffee or pint of one of their four local beers on tap!
Keep up with Shaune and the team on social media @whitetailbikes or visit whitetailbicycles.com.
Today we’re sitting down with Hollis Callaway, founder and CEO of Montane Sparkling Spring Water. Sparkling water has surged in popularity in recent years and we’re huge advocates of supporting a local alternative to big names.
What makes Montane so unique is that it comes from a spring with quartzite bedrock, which means it produces some of the purest water on the planet. We’re chatting with Hollis about the history of this unique spot in nature and how the water finds its way from the Earth into your can.
You can purchase Montane Sparkling Spring Water in grocery stores and restaurants across the South. To find out more head to their website montanespring.com.
On this show, we’re always looking to find entrepreneurs that have built new and innovative brands in the city. We’ve had guests from a multitude of fields and this week we’re diving deeper into the tech industry.
Dr. Bara Cola is a professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech and the founder and CEO of Carbice. Carbice is a materials solution company -- producing Carbice Carbon, which helps to lower temperatures within devices from space satellites to laptops. We sit down with Dr. Cola today to talk about his journey from playing Division 1 football at Vanderbilt to joining the faculty at Georgia Tech and why he felt Atlanta was the best place to grow his company!
If you’re interested in learning more about Carbice and the products they’re producing, you can find them online at www.carbice.com.
Our guest this week is Carmelle Kendall, co-founder of greeting card company Neighborly Paper. Carmelle and her business partner, Robin, were first neighbors growing up just outside Atlanta. They found themselves as neighbors again in their 20’s living in Harlem, NY and that’s where Neighborly Paper starts.
Then, in 2017 the duo decided to come home and build their business right here in the ATL. We talk with Carmelle today about why Atlanta is one of the best places to start a business and where she and Robin see Neighborly Paper going forward.
If you’re interested in carrying Neighborly Paper products in your store or are looking for the perfect greeting card, you can find Neighborly Paper online at neighborlypaper.com.
Support is a verb. This is the guiding statement behind The Village Market. A few months ago, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Key Hallmon -- visionary behind the village. She shared with us the amazing successes so many Black owned businesses have seen from the support and guidance of the The Village Market. But she also shared with us the struggle. On average Black-owned businesses have a life span of 0 to 3 years, something that has only been compounded by the ongoing COVID19 pandemic.
When we heard that The Village Market team was opening a brick and mortar space in Ponce City Market, we were intrigued and excited! Last week, we finally got to check out the new space and catch up with Dr. Key. We wanted to bring you this updated episode just before Christmas, so that The Village Market Retail was at the forefront of your minds as you do some last minute holiday shopping. Without further ado, we’re proud to bring you Dr. Key Hallmon.
You can find The Village Market team on social media @thevillagemarketretail. The new store is located on the second floor of Ponce City Market, next to Root Baking Co.
Today, we’re catching up with founder of Fire Maker Brewing, Elliot Hall. We started a series with Fire Maker back in season two called “The Brand is Born” where we planned to follow Elliot and his team from the beginning stages of construction to grand opening. Due to COVID-19 we haven’t been able to finish out the series just yet. We will one day when it’s safe for us all to gather and celebrate together again! But for now, we’re sitting down with Elliot to talk about the experience of opening a brewery just days before the city was shut down and how they’ve navigated and weathered this challenge.
Follow the Fire Maker team on Instagram @firemakerbeer! The brewery is open and you can find their weekly hours, specials and more on social media.
Encourage wisdom. That is the personal motto of our guest this week. Casey Ryals, lives in Clermont, Georgia with his wife and three daughters. For the last 11 years, he has managed an insurance agency and started a specialty dump truck business with his brother, called Ryals Bros. The man kind of does it all.
Today we’re going to talk about his latest venture, a self-management book titled “Last to Least”. So many leadership authors are fond of the phrase, “before you can lead others you must learn to lead yourself” but never go in depth on HOW to lead and manage yourself. Today, we talk with Casey about his personal journey to writing the book and how to be the most productive version of ourselves.
Follow Casey on Instagram @jcaseyryals for a daily dose of wisdom and more details on the book release! You can also find him on LinkedIn for some great business advice!
Integrity. Accountability. Transparency. Dedication. These are the core values guiding our guests this week. Lawrence Johnson, founder and owner of Helix Cleaning Services, is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and served in the United States Army for nearly 7 years. The values instilled in him through his service are present in his work and entrepreneurship today.
We sit down with Lawrence and manager of Helix, Andrew Fincham, to discuss the triumphs and challenges they have faced this year, how they plan to continue supporting the Atlanta veterans community and plans to move Helix forward.
To book an appointment with Helix, head over to helixcleaningservices.com. Find the team on social media @helixcleaningservicesllc.
Make sure to subscribe to Atlanta Born & Brand in Apple Podcasts or wherever you happen to be listening. If you like the show we’d really appreciate a review and a rating. And of course, share it with your friends. Keep up with the show on social media: we’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website atlborn.com.
It’s no secret that the hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit throughout this pandemic, and with winter approaching they’re bracing for another challenge. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael Lennox founded #ATLFamilyMeal, a non-profit with the goal of feeding, as well as providing jobs and resources for the hospitality community.
Restaurants, chefs, food service businesses, community leaders and more have come together to support those experiencing food insecurity and joblessness due to the pandemic. Today, we sit down with Michael to hear how he got his start in the restaurant business and what we all can do to support this incredible industry and “Feed the Fam” through the winter!
The hospitality industry and it’s workers are a huge part of what makes Atlanta so great. We want to do all we can to see them through this challenging time, so when this is all over we can gather and celebrate together again. To get involved and donate today, head to atlfamilymeal.org. Then head on over to social media and give them a follow @atl_familymeal to stay up to date on all their latest efforts.
Make sure to subscribe to Atlanta Born & Brand in Apple Podcasts or wherever you happen to be listening. If you like the show we’d really appreciate a review and a rating. And of course, share it with your friends. Keep up with the show on social media: we’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website atlborn.com.
In recent years, Atlanta has become home to the fourth largest tech hub in the country -- Atlanta Tech Village. We’ve been lucky enough these last few seasons to host a few founders of tech companies from ATV and today we have the awesome honor to host another.
SweatPack is an app designed to help you find group workouts and sports leagues in your area. It provides an accountability source as you set new goals to stay active and is an awesome way to stay connected with friends or even make new ones! Today, we’re sitting down with co-founder Umama Kibria to talk about how the coronavirus has impacted SweatPack and her vision for the app moving forward!
To stay up to date with Umama, give her a follow on Instagram @smallandstrong.co, then head to sweatpack.co to join a team and check out the app!
Make sure to subscribe to Atlanta Born & Brand in Apple Podcasts or wherever you happen to be listening. If you like the show we’d really appreciate a review and a rating. And of course, share it with your friends. Keep up with the show on social media: we’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website atlborn.com.
Back in 2012, Jesse Grossman was a recent college graduate looking for a way to serve his community and make a few new friends. It was with this idea that Community Bucket, a nonprofit dedicated to building community connections through social volunteering, was born.
Started right here in Atlanta, Community Bucket has now grown to Austin and Denver. Today we sit down with founder, Jesse Grossman, and President of the Board, Jacey Lucus, to hear how they’re helping these communities “Make An Impact Where You Live”.
To keep up with the latest from the Community Bucket team and “Make An Impact Where You Live” head to communitybucket.com. Make sure to also give them a follow on social media @communitybucket.
In an urban area, a food desert is defined as a community located more than one mile from a reliable source of fresh produce. There was a time when the community of South Atlanta was home to many neighborhood grocery stores. Sadly those local stores have been pushed out and replaced with large supermarkets, located miles away.
This week we’re talking with Jeff Delp, Director of Economic Development for FCS Ministries. FCS is the team behind Carver Neighborhood Market, one of the only neighborhood groceries stores in South Atlanta. We sit down to talk about how they are hoping to bring food justice to the South Atlanta community through access to fresh produce and other healthy foods.
Jeff and the team at Carver Market want to provide access to fresh and healthy foods without changing the South Atlanta community. To find more information about the work they’re doing head to fcsministries.org.
A constant theme with so many of the guests on this show, is that their businesses have been born out of a need within their communities. Who better to find a solution to a need or problem than those directly dealing with the issue themselves? Our guest this week is no different.
Candace Mitchell is the co-founder and CEO of Myavana, an app that combines technology and science to help women through their hair journey. Today we talk with Candace about how she is leading a startup revolution and how her education at Georgia Tech encouraged her to get here.
Candace and her team at Myavana are using a combination of artificial intelligence and hair experts to guide women to healthier hair. To give the app a try head to myavana.com and make sure you follow them on social media @myavanahaircare.
Make sure to subscribe to Atlanta Born & Brand in Apple Podcasts or wherever you happen to be listening. If you like the show we’d really appreciate a review and a rating. And of course, share it with your friends.
Civic engagement improves our communities. Whether it’s working to get out the vote, campaigning for officials you believe in or volunteering with advocacy groups -- being engaged in your community helps to affect real change. With the Get Empowrd app it’s never been easier to make a difference right in your own neighborhood! This app places democracy right at your fingertips by giving you access to local officials and news. Today, we sit down to talk with Horace Williams, founder and CEO of Empowrd, to hear how he hopes the app will inspire change in local communities across the country.
Empowrd’s goal is to inspire civic engagement beyond elections by giving you access to local officials, engagement events and community groups. An update of the app is launching October 12 -- head to the iOS App store or Android App store to download and get involved today.
One of the best parts about doing this show is that we get to learn something new with each guest we bring on. Today’s guest gave us a chance to learn a different side of the food industry, the ~butter~ side you could say. On a trip to France, Drew and Elizabeth McBath became enamored with the small French creameries and how they were selling their butter. The butter was all locally sourced and made, churned right on the very farm the cream came from in many cases.
Inspired by the French, upon returning home the two decided to take the plunge and start churning out their own small batches of slow-cultured butter. In the United States, most of the butter we eat has natural flavorings added to it and there are only a small amount of suppliers. The team at Banner Butter is on a mission to change that, one batch at a time.
You can find Banner Butter throughout the southeast and Texas in your local Whole Foods, Earth Fare and Central Markets. Don’t have one of those shops around? Have no fear, you can also order online at bannerbutter.com.
From the very beginning, we’ve tried to make this podcast about building community. If that’s truly the case, you don’t interview people and forget about them. We think of the people who’ve been on this show like friends, or family even. That being said, when a family member has tough times, you pick them up and when they have a major breakthrough, you celebrate -- and celebrate is what we are here to do today.
On September 18th, 2020, Netflix released The American Barbecue Showdown. It’s an 8-episode reality show pitting some of the nation’s best barbecuers against each other in a competition-style format -- and one of the eight was Atlanta's own Rasheed Philips, founder of Philips Barbeque Co. We originally met Rasheed in season two of the show, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring him back for a catchup about this incredible experience.
If you haven’t already, you have got to check out The American Barbecue Showdown on Netflix. And check out everything else Rasheed has going on at philipsbarbeque.com. Also, Rasheed is launching his own podcast as well! Search Entro Podcast on your favorite podcast app to find it.
The sad truth is, that in today's economy Black-owned businesses have a shorter lifespan and make far less money than comparable white-owned businesses that provide the exact same service. Our guest today is doing everything in her power to change that! A few weeks back we jumped on a Zoom call to chat with Dr. Key Hallmon, founder and CEO of The Village Market. The Village Market team has coined the phrase, “Support is a verb.” Through various educational and community events, Dr. Key is on a mission to empower Black entrepreneurs and unite her community.
Amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, so many small businesses have had to pivot their business plan and The Village Market is no different. To stay up to date and find out how you can get involved, head to thevillagemarketatl.com or follow @thevillagemarketatl on social media!
We are back this week to kick off season four! And what better way to start the season than sitting down to chat with one of the men behind the rainbow umbrella? Today, we’re sitting down with Steven Carse, founder of Atlanta favorite King of Pops. After being laid off from his corporate finance job back in 2009, Steven took a leap of faith and -- inspired by frozen treats he had tasted on his travels through Central America -- started King of Pops. A few months later, his brother Nick joined the team. 10 years on, the pair are still working every day to create UMoHs (Unexpected Moments of Happiness) for the community.
To keep up to date on all the latest UMoHs, follow @kingofpops on Instagram or for more information check out kingofpops.com/partners.
We're so excited to announce that season 4 of Atlanta Born & Brand will begin next week! We will continue to introduce you to the stories of the city’s top startups and small business men and women. We can’t wait to see where this new season will take us!
Make sure to subscribe to Atlanta Born & Brand in Apple Podcasts or wherever you happen to be listening. If you like the show we’d really appreciate a review and a rating. And of course, share it with your friends. Keep up with the show on social media: we’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website atlborn.com.
This week we’re catching up with Atlanta Born & Brand Alumni, David Clapper, co-founder of the camping adventure company sCAMPer Van. David was one of our very first guests on the show back in Season One. Today, we talk about the roller coaster ride that has been COVID-19 and how sCAMPer Van has started to see record breaking traffic, as folks look for a safe escape in nature.
To keep up with sCAMPer Van follow them on Instagram @scampervan or head to www.scampervan.com.
Today on the show, we’re catching up with Atlanta Born & Brand Alumni, Krystle Rodriguez. Krystle is the owner, co-founder and boss lady extraordinaire behind Hodgepodge Coffee House. We first spoke with Krystle at the very beginning of March, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was about to pick up steam. Being a traditional brick and mortar store, Hodgepodge has faced some challenges the last few months. But Krystle and her team have found a way to pivot their business and give back to the community at the same time. Without further ado, we proudly present to you, Krystle Rodriguez.
To follow Krystle and her team, follow them on Instagram @hodgepodgecoffee or head to their website www.hodgepodgecoffee.com.
Today on the show, we're catching up with Atlanta Born & Brand Alumni, Scott Fuller. Scott is owner of The Studio Temporary, where he uses his graphic design talents to help businesses build a standout brand and identity! We catch up with Scott to hear about a few of his ongoing projects and what we can expect to see from The Studio Temporary in the future. Without further ado, we proudly present to you, Scott Fuller.
Today on the show, we catch up with Atlanta Born & Brand Alumni, Rasheed Philips. Rasheed is the founder, owner and pitmaster of Philips Barbeque. In this episode, Rasheed tells us how Philips has had to pivot their business model the last few months, as we’ve seen many large catering events cancelled and delayed. We’ll hear about the challenges the pandemic has presented and the future for Philips Barbeque. Without further ado, we proudly present you Rasheed Philips.
To keep up with Rasheed, follow him on Instagram @philipsbarbequeco!
Today on the show, we catch up with Atlanta Born & Brand Alumni, Michael Chasteen. Michael teaches young entrepreneurs at Campbell High School in Smyrna. We spoke with Michael back in March of 2019 about the program, which is designed to give students practical work experience during the school day. We caught up with him to hear how these students are doing and how the program has had to adapt as schools go virtual amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today on the show, we catch up with Atlanta Born & Brand Alumni, Victoria Lemos. We first got to chat with her back in February about her stellar podcast, Archive Atlanta and all things Atlanta history. A few weeks ago, we caught up with Victoria to see how the show is doing and how coronavirus has impacted the Atlanta History Tours. Without further ado, we welcome back, Victoria Lemos.
For more information and to keep up with Victoria, follow her on Instagram @archiveatlanta and make sure to give her show a listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Today on the show, we’re going to feature Atlanta Born & Brand Alumni, Fred McGill. Fred is the co-founder of real estate startup SimpleShowing. At the time his episode aired back in November of 2018, SimpleShowing was just getting the ball rolling. A few weeks ago, we caught up with Fred to see how things have since changed with the business and how they’re moving forward amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information and to keep up with Fred and the Simple Showing team, follow them on Instagram @simpleshowing or head to their website www.simpleshowing.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Alex Radford and Lauren Tatum, co-founders of The Edge Agency. For so many small businesses, branding is a tough nut to crack and can sometimes make or break a business. That’s where our guests today come in! Edge takes on the task of putting your brand in the best position possible to succeed, whether it’s through visuals, online presence or even event management. You can help Edge, by referring them to your friends and tagging them on social media as your branding & design go-to! Follow them @theedgeagency. Edge is also offering a VERY generous special to our listeners. They are launching a “Stimulate the Economy” campaign, where Edge is offering 50% off of their services to anyone who comes to them through Atlanta Born Brand!
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
This week we’re going to spotlight a treasured Atlanta institution, The Varsity. Back in August of 2019, we sat down with Ashley Weiser, the company’s marketing director and great-granddaughter of founder Frank Gordy. For over 90 years, the Varsity has been asking guests “What’ll Ya Have?” and we hope that’ll continue for another 90 years to come! Until all restrictions are lifted the Varsity’s Athens, Gwinnett, Kennesaw, and Dawsonville locations are open for drive-thru service. The Atlanta location is currently open for drive in and take out service. As of Tuesday, June 16th, the Atlanta location has also been able to reopen the downstairs dining rooms. The Varsity appreciates all of the support they have received from the community and can’t wait until we’re able to dine together again!
Even as various shops begin to reopen, the shock of this virus is still being felt all across the small business community and they need your support more than ever. We are continuing to rerelease episodes with some of our previous guests, but make sure you check out our Instagram as we share lots of other Atlanta small businesses that could use your support too!
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
On this week’s episode, we’re going to share some of the best of Atlanta Born & Brand. There are over 60,000 black-owned businesses in Atlanta and we are committed to make sure our show accurately reflects the city we represent. Today, we’re excited to bring back three Black business leaders; Tracey Pickett from Hairbrella, Brandon Butler from Butter.ATL, and Jaquan Cummings of QuanATL.
Ladies, there’s nothing worse than spending hours in the salon only to walk outside and see the beautiful sight that is rain clouds… am I right? Well, our guest today saw just how this was affecting women. In a professional world that has deemed image and appearance is everything, she decided she would take matter into her own hands. We’re excited to introduce to you today, Tracey Pickett and have her tell you about her mission to empower women to conquer the world without worrying about the weather.
In 2020, Atlanta is a major player in national culture. Whether it’s music, film, or business, there’s a ton happening in our city. That’s where Brandon Butler and his team at Butter ATL come in. Butter is a new-media company that spawned from a local digital agency, and they describe themselves as Atlanta’s culture channel. Brandon is the team’s executive director, and as you’ll learn from hearing his story, he is uniquely suited to run this innovative startup.
Jaquan Cummings is one of Atlanta’s top photographers. If that doesn’t sound familiar, you might know him as QuanATL. At just 24 years-old, Quan has already established himself as one of the best in his craft in Atlanta. He’s caught the eye of a huge community on social media with shots of him sitting on the edge of skyscraper rooftops several hundred feet in the air. We talked to him about those signature shots, turning his hobby into a career, and dealing with the loss of the person who inspired him from the beginning.
Today we’re going to spotlight Dr. Jessica Propes, owner of Well Adjusted Buckhead. Dr. Jessica doesn’t fit the mold of your stereotypical chiropractor, living a lifestyle similar to many of the athletes and fitness minded clientele she takes care of. A few ways you can help Dr. Jessica is to firstly, follow and stay up to date with her on instagram @drjessica_welladjusted. Dr. Jessica’s office is still open! It is so important to keep our urgent care centers and ER's free, so it's essential for chiropractors to handle musculoskeletal injuries, headaches, migraines, etc. Getting adjusted also helps improve your immune system function by up to 200%.
We've launched a new component to our LIFT ATL 2020 campaign; a GoFundMe to help the businesses that have been on our show. For every $500 raised, we will donate that to a small business. Head to bit.ly/GOFUNDME-LIFTATL2020 to donate!
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Elijah Richards, founder of lifestyle and apparel brand In God We Must. John was featured in the second ever episode of Atlanta Born & Brand, so it’s been a while since we’ve caught up with him. Here’s a few way you can help In God We Must right now. Head to www.IGWM.co and sign up for their email list! You can also follow them on instagram @INGODWEMUST and share why you love them with all your friends and family.
We've launched a new component to our LIFT ATL 2020 campaign; a GoFundMe to help the businesses that have been on our show. For every $500 raised, we will donate that to a small business. Head to bit.ly/GOFUNDME-LIFTATL2020 to donate!
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Evan Walker and Rain Li, co-founders of Getta Bite App. We spoke with this duo just as season two was wrapping up. To refresh your memory, Getta Bite is an awesome app that helps you find deals on food and drink in the Atlanta area. Here’s a few updates on Getta Bite and a few ways you can help them during this time. You can now search “pickup” “curbside” and “eatlocal” on GettaBite to find takeout options and offers from local Atlanta restaurants that are still open. Atlanta restaurants need support. By ordering curbside takeout and delivery, we are helping to ensure that these local establishments and communities are still here with us when this is all over. We all benefit and we all win when we work together on this. If you are a restaurant owner, Getta Bite asks you to please reach out and let them know if you are still open and doing curbside takeout. Tell them what you’re offering and they will put it up on the app to help people find food!
We've launched a new component to our LIFT ATL 2020 campaign; a GoFundMe to help the businesses that have been on our show. For every $500 raised, we will donate that to a small business. Head to bit.ly/GOFUNDME-LIFTATL2020 to donate!
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Karen Houghton and David Lightburn from Atlanta Tech Village. We sat down to talk with Karen and David towards the end of season two. We got to hear all about the conception of this incredible community for entrepreneurs. Today, the folks at Atlanta Tech Village want to encourage you to keep learning and connecting with like minded people during this crazy time! They are offering free virtual meetups and workshops, which you can find at atlantatechvillage.com/events/upcoming/. They also want to ask you to check in with the entrepreneurs you know. There are so many amazing small business owners in this city and these are hard times for all of us.
We've launched a new component to our LIFT ATL 2020 campaign; a GoFundMe to help the businesses that have been on our show. For every $500 raised, we will donate that to a small business. Head to bit.ly/GOFUNDME-LIFTATL2020 to donate!
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Andrew Rodbell, of Post Meridiem Spirits. We spoke with Andrew pretty recently, back in January. He told us all about that fateful Yacht Rock Revue concert and how Post Meridiem came to be. Launching business just as COVID-19 swung through seems to be a trend over here, but Post Meridiem has been able to grow through this struggle. Now, they’re in need of your help to continue that growth. Post Meridiem cocktails are currently available at your local liquor retailer across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The good folks at Post Meridiem have asked us to ask y’all to please support your local liquor store. Through purchasing their products at a local store not only are you helping out PM, you’re helping another local business as well!
We've launched a new component to our LIFT ATL 2020 campaign; a GoFundMe to help the businesses that have been on our show. For every $500 raised, we will donate that to a small business. Head to gofundme.com to donate! If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Elliot Hall, owner of Fire Maker Brewery. We’ve followed Elliot and the Fire Maker team from the beginning: construction all the way to opening. Unfortunately, as they were getting ready to fully launch into business COVID-19 came through in full force. But it has been so amazing to see how each of these businesses has pivoted during this time, Fire Maker included. Here are a few ways you can help now: Fire Maker has to-go beer and seltzers currently available at their Taproom. They will be donating a portion of all proceeds to Giving Kitchen and Bottleshare, and all tips go to their hourly staff. Gift Cards and gear are also available for purchase in the Taproom, and the full Fire Maker Beer Gear store is available online at www.firemakerbeergear.com. Lastly, 100% of all online profits from Fire Maker’s “Drink Local” shirt will be donated to 1 charity of the public’s choice. You can recommend a charity for them to choose by going to Instagram and commenting on Fire Maker Brewery Update: Episode 17 post, with the name of a charity and why it’s important to you.
We've launched a new component to our LIFT ATL 2020 campaign; a GoFundMe to help the businesses that have been on our show. For every $500 raised, we will donate that to a small business. Head to gofundme.com to donate! If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Wes Jones, co-founder and CEO of Honeysuckle Gelato. Honeysuckle is one of our favorite places to visit in Ponce City Market and we can’t wait for the day we can finally go back and have a sit down and a chat. But for now, here’s a few ways you can help Honeysuckle keep the lights on! Purchasing gift cards is one of the best way you can support during this time. You get to help Honeysuckle survive and, once we're through this, you can celebrate your good deed with gelato on a visit to Ponce City Market. Curbside pick-up is also available! For the time being, pickup will be available at the Honeysuckle HQ, which is located at 1024 White Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. Pickup times are from 10AM to 6PM Monday through Friday and 2PM to 6PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Lastly, Honeysuckle merchandise is also available for purchase on their website www.honeysucklegelto.com!
We've launched a new component to our LIFT ATL 2020 campaign; a GoFundMe to help the businesses that have been on our show. For every $500 raised, we will donate that to a small business. Head to gofundme.com to donate! If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Josh Brown, owner of Wander North Georgia. It’s been a while since we spoke with Josh at the beginning of Season 1 and Wander could really use our support. Here’s how you can help now: buy gift cards! Wander is offering a generous special on gift cards for a limited time. For every gift card you purchase, you’ll receive a bonus gift card. If you purchase a $50 Gift Card you will get an extra $10 for free, a $100 Gift Card you will get an extra $20 for free, a $250 Gift Card you will get an extra $50 for free. There is no limit to these so purchase as many as you like and they never expire so can be used any time you like. You can purchase those on their website www.wandernorthgeorgia.com.
We've launched a new component to our LIFT ATL 2020 campaign. A GoFundMe to help the businesses that have been on our show. For every $500 raised, we will donate that to a small business. Head to gofundme.com to donate! If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today, we’re going to spotlight Jody Stephenson of Sitter Tree. A few ways that you can help Sitter Tree right now are: SitterTree is partnering with individuals, businesses and faith communities to support medical professionals with in-home child care. They need people to purchase gift cards to help subsidize the cost for these individuals. You can donate free sitting to Piedmont and Grady staff by visiting www.sittertree.com. SitterTree will also donate a FREE booking for every Facebook or Instagram story showing a kid, babysitter, or even mom or dad washing their hands and singing their favorite hand washing song. Be sure to use #handwashingsong and tag @sittertree to qualify your story. Stories shared on more than one platform will qualify as one entry.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Caleb Morris of Welcome to the Neighborhoods. We last spoke with Caleb back at the very beginning of Season 2. Caleb continues to bring joy to people all over the country through his illustrations. Here are a few ways that you can help Caleb now: Right now Caleb is offering free shipping for everyone with the code: FREESHIPPING. As an additional thank you to the free shipping, he will be adding weird/funny sketches in with each order. Additionally, a huge way to support Caleb is to follow his Instagram account @heycalebmorris. He'll be posting some of his favorite local businesses for other people to check out, as well as posting a new series of fake businesses he has been coming up with over the past few years to add some comedy to people's feeds. Lastly, sign up for the email list on www.heycaleb.com! It is a huge and helpful way to stay connected.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Brian Holland, owner of Phoenix Roasters. We spoke with Brian, back in December of 2019. Often times businesses are born out of necessity and that was the case with Phoenix Roasters. What started as a way to fund a church plant focused on helping those who need a second chance, has grown into so much more. Phoenix Roasters is now in need of some help themselves. Here are a few ways that you can help them continue to do good for many years to come. Shop online at phoenixroasters.coffee. You can come by the roastery Monday thru Friday from 9-2. You can call ahead to have your order ready or just shop at their location. Phoenix Roasters is taking every precaution in packing and preparing your orders so that they can assure the health and safety of their products. You can also serve your community with their fractional packages! These are pre-measured, rip and pour packages that brew one pot of coffee. At only $1.50 per pack, they are a perfect way to love your neighbor and provide a reassuring pot of coffee during weird and confusing times. Available online or via call ahead orders! 770-884-1496. Lastly, book Phoenix Roasters catering services for the future! Email: catering@phoenixroasters.coffee.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Krystle Rodriguez, owner of Hodgepodge Coffee House. We spoke with Krystle very recently, just as this virus was starting to pick up steam. Since then, a lot of things have changed for Hodgepodge and they could use our help.
Here’s what you can do right now: Hodgepodge has set up a GoFundMe to help keep their doors open. You can find the link for that on their instagram @hodgepodgecoffee or here: gf.me/u/xtqmx6. You are also able to place online orders at both of their locations through orderspoon.com. In addition to their usual coffee and baked goods, Hodgepodge is also offering pantry items that they are able to get through their vendors that have been hard to find in grocery stores right now. You can order these items through orderspoon.com as well. The East Atlanta/Ormewood location is: www.orderspoon.com/hodgepodge720, the Reynoldstown location is: www.orderspoon.com/hodgepodge1. Lastly, Hodgepodge is also available for delivery through Postmates!
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Jerry Channell of Osleeper MFG Co. It’s been a while since our chat with Jerry back in December of 2018. O’Sleeper creates gorgeous pieces of custom furniture for homes and businesses -- and they’re still doing that this time with a little twist. Osleeper is now offering birdhouse kits for you and your family to complete together! You can order online at osleeper.com or if you're local you can pick up in Gainesville, GA. A percentage of each birdhouse will be going back to families in need, who have lost their jobs during these uncertain times. If you purchase a birdhouse, use the #COVIDKINDNESS and #OSLEEPERKIDSPROJECT and tag them on social media: @osleeper_mfg_co.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Sarah Rice, owner of JJ’s Flower Shop. We spoke with this native ATLien back in August of 2019. From a brick and mortar shop in Ponce City Market to doing private events with their 1968 Volkswagen Flower truck, JJ’s Flower Shop has absolutely blossomed since then. Here are a few ways you can help right now: Due to the current shelter-in-place order, flower deliveries are currently unavailable. JJ’s is selling merch; everything from T-shirt’s, to tote bags, to coffee mugs. Purchasing merchandise will be a huge help until they are able to get back to deliveries. Head to their website jjsflowershop.com and follow them on social media @jjsflowershop.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Rasheed Philips, owner of Philips Barbeque Co. We spoke with Rasheed not too long ago, back in August of 2019. Rasheed started this business almost by accident, but now is well on his way to becoming an Atlanta staple. Here are a few ways that you can help Rasheed right now: buy some bbq, y’all! Philips BBQ is offering weekly Barbeque Box meal deliveries. Email info@philipsbarbequeco.com to order. You can check out the full menu on our instagram @atlbornbrand or head to liftatl2020.com. You can find Rasheed on social media @philipsbarbequeco or head to www.philipsbarbequeco.com.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Scott Fuller of The Studio Temporary. We first spoke with Scott back Season 1 and heard how he uses his graphic design skills, to help businesses create an identity that will take their brand to the next level. Here are a few ways you can help Scott right now: work! Most of his projects are currently on hold. If you or anyone you know is in need of some killer graphic design work reach out to him. You can also check out The Studio Temporary online shop for new merch and new typefaces. Lastly, Scott will be running some online workshops and virtual talks so stay on the lookout for those. You can follow him on social media @studiotemporary or head to the website www.thestudiotemporary.com.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
Today we’re going to spotlight Gino and Alex Teyf of Gino’s Classic Barber Shoppe. We first spoke with this father-son duo in May of 2019 to hear how they are building a network of barber shoppes -- a place you can go to slow down, even if it’s just for a moment -- and know they will go the extra mile. Here are a few ways you can help Gino’s right now: PURCHASE GIFT CERTIFICATES! Use the code "320GCB20" for a 20% discount on all gift certificates through 4/1/20, which can be used anytime within 5 years. Head our instagram @atlbornbrand or liftatl2020.com to find links to the Perimeter and Buckhead locations -- and make sure to check out their website www.ginosclassicbarbers.com.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
We understand that many of you are struggling and want to help the community of business owners that we have grown to know and love over the last 2 years. Right now we’re all in a season of uncertainty with the virus and the small businesses in our community need your support now more than ever.
This week we’re going to spotlight Todd DiMatteo and Ryan Skinner of Good Word Brewing and Public House. A few ways you can help Good Word Brewing right now are: purchase gift cards, and to-go packages or meals! Good Word is also selling crowlers of Never Sleep (It's a beer, y'all). Lastly, a GoFundMe has been set up to directly support Good Word employees. You can find the link to that on their website goodwordbrewing.com.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
We understand that many of you are struggling and want to help the community of business owners that we have grown to know and love over the last 2 years. Right now we’re all in a season of uncertainty with the virus and the small businesses in our community need your support now more than ever.
This week we’re going to spotlight Karissa Tuttle of Simply Done Donuts. A few ways that you can help Simply Done Donuts right now are: get you giftcards! For more information email eat@simplydonedonuts.com. Know folks celebrating a moment or hospital staff working overtime? Have Simply Done cater to them! You can also order online with their EZ cater link to get delivery or take-out. Visit their website simplydonedonuts.com.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
We understand that many of you are struggling and want to help the community of business owners that we have grown to know and love over the last 2 years. Right now we’re all in a season of uncertainty with the virus and the small businesses in our community need your support now more than ever.
We understand that many of you are struggling and want to help the community of business owners that we have grown to know and love over the last 2 years. Right now we’re all in a season of uncertainty with the virus and the small businesses in our community need your support now more than ever.
This week we’re going to spotlight David Clapper and Eric Van de Steeg of sCAMPer Van. A few ways that you can help sCAMPer Van during this time is: buy giftcards! sCAMPer Van will also be offering a discount to anyone who books during this crisis. You’ll receive between 20 and 30 dollars off per night and an additional 100 free miles per day -- for a total of 200 free miles per day! Visit their website www.scampervan.com.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Make sure to use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We have built a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information visit liftatl2020.com.
We understand that many of you are struggling and want to help the community of business owners that you have grown to know and love over the last 2 years. Right now we’re all in a season of uncertainty with the virus and the small businesses in our community need your support now more than ever. We've decided to start a new season of our podcast and devote all our resources to supporting the business owners in our community through this battle we are all facing.
Starting March 23, we are going to start re-releasing our old episodes, but this time with a segment at the beginning that tells our listeners exactly how they can support these small businesses during this season. We will also be releasing this information on our social media accounts.
If you know of a small business in need of help at this time, please share their story with us! Use the hashtag #LIFTATL2020. We are building a database of social media posts, graphics, and audio clips for you to download, share and use how you see fit. We hope all of you will latch on to this cause and share the needs of those in our community. For more information, visit www.liftatl2020.com.
Sometimes a new business comes along and we think, “I never knew that I needed this in my life, but I’m glad I have it now.” That’s how the community feels about Hodgepodge Coffee House. A fusion of good coffee and art, Hodgepodge has become a second home to many people here in Atlanta, that we may not imagine existing side by side elsewhere. We sat down with founder, Krystle Rodriguez, to hear how she got started and how she is planning to continue the culture of love and inclusion that Hodgepodge has created. To keep up with Krystle and the Hodgepodge team, follow them on social media @hodgepodgecoffee or visit their website hodgepodgecoffee.com.
It’s a common thought nowadays that technology -- our phone in particular -- is depriving us of quality human interaction. But what if there was an app focused on changing that? Today we sit down with Evan Walker and Rain Li, the founders of Getta Bite -- an app all about bringing our community together through good deals and great food. To keep up with all things Getta Bite, follow them on social media @gettabiteapp, visit their website www.gettabiteapp.com and most importantly download the app. You won’t regret it.
Ladies, there’s nothing worse than spending hours in the salon only to walk outside and see the beautiful sight that is rain clouds… am I right? Well, our guest today saw just how this was affecting women. In a professional world that has deemed image and appearance is everything, she decided she would take matter into her own hands. We’re excited to introduce to you today, Tracey Pickett and have her tell you about her mission to empower women to conquer the world without worrying about the weather. To keep up with Tracey and the Hairbrella crew, follow them on social media @traceypickettesq and @hairbrella, or head to www.hairbrella.com.
Midtown Bowl has seen it all, but like so many buildings in Atlanta it was almost torn down nearly 20 years ago. An Atlanta tradition since 1960, this institution has remained strong through the trials and changes this city has faced in the 60 years since its opening. Today, we sat down with Aaron Goldman and Tim Schrager -- the current owners -- to hear their plans for keeping this treasured business alive. To keep up to date with Midtown Bowl, visit their website www.midtownbowl.com, or follow them on social media @midtown_bowl.
As adults, making new friends and deep connections can be hard. Between growing families and careers it’s difficult to find time for anything else. But back in 2012, Kevin Cregan started Atlanta Sport and Social Club attacking that very problem. We sat down with Kevin to talk about how Atlanta Sport and Social is providing adults in our city those opportunities they need to make lasting connections. The Atlanta Grilled Cheese Fest will be on April 18, 2020. Head to atlantagrilledcheese.com to get your tickets! And to get involved with Atlanta Sport and Social Club, head to their website atlantasportandsocialclub.com or follow them on social media @atlantassc.
Victoria Lemos is a self-proclaimed history nerd. Her love of knowledge and the people and places that came before us has always been there. Victoria spent her childhood in New York, as well as visiting family in Spain -- two places rich in history. So how did she end up with a podcast in the capital of South? We sat down with Victoria and heard us why she decided to start telling the story of Atlanta. To keep up with Victoria and the podcast, follow her on social media @archiveatlanta.
As a comedian, honing your craft and writing jokes that an audience can relate to is a full time job. Getting that content in front of an audience is another obstacle all its own. About a year ago, we sat down with Joel Byars and talked about his journey to becoming a comedian. On February 1st, his 10 year comedy anniversary, Joel released his very first special, The Trophy Husband. So what exactly does it take to make a comedy special? We see them popping up on big name streaming services like Netflix and Amazon all the time. We sat down with Joel and he told us why he took matters into his own hands.
To see The Trophy Husband, and to keep up with Joel, head to joelbyarscomedy.com or follow him on social media @joelbyarscomedy.
Today, we catch up with local entrepreneur, Elliott Hall of Fire Make Brewing Company, for the second installation of our series The Brand is Born. When we heard what Fire Maker was doing, we couldn’t wait to witness that journey unfold in real time and wanted to bring y’all along with us. This week, we check in with Elliott as construction begins to wrap up. He shares with us the trials they’ve faced and what they are doing to prepare for their grand opening. To keep up with Elliott and the Fire Maker team, head to firemakerbeer.com or follow them on social media @firemakerbeer. Stay tuned to Atlanta Born & Brand, for the final part in this series, when we catch up with the team after the grand opening. Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full service digital media company, focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you’d like to tell the story of your business we’d love to help! You can find us at connextatl.com
It all started with a Yacht Rock Revue concert, and just a few years later Post Meridiem Spirits is a staple in Atlanta package stores. In this episode, we talked with Co-Founder Andrew Rodbell. He tells us all about that fateful day and how this premier ingredient cocktail company came to be.
For more information visit postmeridiemspirits.com
How did an 80’s style office building in the heart of Buckhead come to house the fourth largest tech hub in the US? In this episode we talked with David Lightburn and Karen Houghton of Atlanta Tech Village. We talked to them about the gamble of building ATV in a city with almost no reputation for tech start-ups and how they’ve helped transform Atlanta into one of the best places to launch in the nation.
For more information and to see their upcoming events visit atlantatechvillage.com
Hey y'all, we will resume regular episodes next week, but we wanted to catch up and let you know a little about our plans for 2020. Take a listen and hear about our mission to LIFT the city of Atlanta.
Also, make sure you get your new Atlanta Born & Brand Swag! The Our City Our Story T-Shirt is available on our site.
As always thanks so much for listening. If you could, please leave us a rating and a review, and catch previous episodes of the podcast at ATLBorn.com.
Very often, the most impactful companies around are started by necessity. That was certainly the case for Brian Holland, and Phoenix Roasters, #CoffeeThatMatters. It started as a way to fund a church plant focused on reaching those who needed a second chance. They learned along the way, and found new causes to support, and today, you can find phoenix roasters coffee all over Atlanta.
It’s our pleasure to present the story of Brian Holland and Phoenix Roasters, #CoffeeThatMatters.
For more information or to order some product for yourself, visit phoenixroasters.coffee.
For so many small businesses in this town, branding can be an achilles heel. How do go about packaging all the great elements and value propositions you have to offer, into a simple, cohesive, attractive brand?
That’s where our guests today come in. Lauren Tatum and Alexandra Radford are the co-founders of The Edge Agency. Edge takes on the task of putting your brand in the best possible position to succeed, whether that’s through visuals, online presence, or even event management.
And now with a full team of creative professionals, they are taking one brand after another to the next level.
For more information on The Edge Agency, visit www.theedgeagency.net.
For centuries, entrepreneurs and leaders have used the hand written letter as a vital tool to communicate. In the world we live in today, its an art that can easily be lost in the noise. That’s why our guests today founded Press On Paper Company. They understand how powerful the written word can be in the form of a letter or even just a thank you card. One of their mottos is “A Good Word Changes Everything”, and with their first line of unique stationary, the Press On team is encouraging leaders to use their words for good.
This is the story of Press On Paper Company with two of their founders Graham Williams & Jared Cagle.
A huge part of the growth and evolution in this city has come from its great festivals. From music, to culture, to food, almost every neighborhood in Atlanta has something to offer festival goers.
Today we are talking with Teresa Finley and Rhiannon Klee of IrishFest Atlanta. They both have a wealth of experience in the business world, but we wanted to talk with them about taking that experience and infusing it into a growing festival that can appeal to Irish-Atlantans and the city at large.
It’s our pleasure to welcome Teresa Finley and Rhiannon Klee of IrishFest Atlanta.
Check out irishfestatlanta.org for more information, and we will see you November 8th and 9th in Historic Roswell.
Wedged between Old Fourth Ward and Virginia Highlands is one of the most remarkable retail experiments this city has ever seen. Ponce City Market has revolutionized how we see shopping malls in the south, and just as powerful is the impact it has had on the businesses that call it home.
Honeysuckle Gelato opened with the market just a few short years ago, but in that time, its three co-founders have proven that a little southern hospitality can make anything just a little bit sweeter.
It’s our pleasure today to welcome Wes Jones, Co-Founder & CEO of Honeysuckle Gelato.
To learn more about Wes and the team, visit honeysucklegelato.com, and of course, next time you’re cruising down the beltline, stop in at Ponce City market and say hello, and tell them Atlanta Born & Brand sent you!
There is something pure, innocent, and even childlike about sitting down with paper and a pencil, and beginning to sketch the images in your head. It’s something thousands in our city do to as a hobby or a form of escapism. But using just a pencil and a paper as his tools of the trade, Illustrator Caleb Morris has built a thriving brand that’s spreading across the country.
Welcome to the Neighborhoods is a series of illustrations Caleb began right here in Atlanta a few years ago, but the demand has reached all four corners of the U-S, and has transformed Caleb from an illustrator to a business owner, with a number of roles in between.
To stay up to date with Caleb’s latest work, follow him @heycalebmorris on instagram. And to snag your own copy of one of his famous neighborhood prints head to heycaleb.com.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
Wander North Georgia is a retail store in the small town of Clayton, Georgia, tucked in the mountains just south of the North Carolina border. It’s tempting to call it an outdoor lifestyle shop, but that doesn’t take into account the beer selection, the ice cream parlor, or the bocce ball court that make this place truly one of a kind.
And would you believe it all started with a blog, an instagram account, and story time at the local library?
UPDATE: Since we recorded this episode, a lot has happened up at Wander. They have now opened their own Axe Throwing venue! Make sure and check out Admiral Axe next time you're in!
For more information on Wander, visit their website, and yes they still have the blog too. That’s at wandernorthgeorgia.com. Follow them on social media @wandernorthga
Karissa Tuttle, owner of Simply Done Donuts, is a native of Dallas, TX. After coming to Atlanta in her twenties, she went from corporate America, to food truck operator, to restaurant owner in nearly the blink of an eye. She did it all with a product that may fit in the palm of your hand, but packs a big flavor punch. In the process, she helped put a special Atlanta spin on a classic guilty pleasure.
We originally aired this show in episode 8 of season one, but a lot has happened since then. Simply Done has opened their second shop, this one in Tampa, FL where Karissa's husband Joey is from. The Duluth shop was also featured on HGTV's "Food Truck Nation"!
Find more about Karissa and the SDD team at https://www.simplydonedonuts.com.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
In 2019, there are no shortage of instagram influencers in our city. Five years ago, that wasn’t necessarily the case. Today we host Alyssa Fagien on the show. You may know her as the creator of the instagram account, ATL Bucket List. We talked with Alyssa about her journey from brand new Atlantan, to the go to instagram account for things to do in the city. And we also find out how she turned a fun side hustle into a thriving career helping others build their brand.
If you aren’t following @atlbucketlist on instagram, first off, don’t tell anyone, and secondly, go do that now. You can also see the great work Alyssa and her team are doing in social media at atlysmedia.com.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
Today, we’re talking about a brand that needs little introduction in this city. In fact, if there were a Mount Rushmore of great Atlanta brands, our guest today would might be one it. It also might be one of the greatest small business success stories you will ever hear.
The Varsity has been asking Patrons “What’ll Ya Have!” For over 90 years. It has persevered and grown with this city like very few restaurants have, and boasts the distinction of world’s largest drive-in restaurant.
We sat down with Ashley Weiser, the company’s marketing director, and great-granddaughter of founder Frank Gordy. We got a crash course in the The Varsity’s history, and talked about what’s next for one of our city’s most iconic brands.
Stay tuned for big news from The Varsity in the near future, and don’t forget to stop in for a naked dog, a glorified steak, an FO, a PC, a bag of rags, or an order of strings.
You can check out the Varsity online at thevarsity.com, and certainly follow them on social media @thevarsity1928.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
Today we embark on a journey with a local entrepreneur that is sure to provide incredible insight. Fire Maker Brewing Company is a brand new Atlanta business. In fact, they haven’t even opened their doors to the public yet. But after hearing a little about their story, we thought it was an amazing opportunity to follow a brand through its infancy. In the first of our multi-part series, we sat down with the company’s owner, Elliott Hall, and talked with him about the origins of the business, the brand, and what the near future holds for Fire Maker Brewing.
To keep up with Elliott, Tyler, Rachel and the whole Fire Maker team, head to firemakerbeer.com or follow them on social @firemakerbeer. And stay tuned to this season of Atlanta Born & Brand as we follow their team through the launch of Atlanta’s newest brewery.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
Today, we meet another solo entrepreneur who is making bug waves with some huge flavors. Rasheed Philips is the owner of Philips Barbeque co. His journey to a culinary lifestyle has been anything but textbook however. Is started almost completely by accident, and a few short years later, Sheed is well on his way to making a major name for himself in Atlanta.
So after we recorded this, I got the incredible opportunity to sample some freshly smoked Philips barbecue. Now, I am a self proclaimed BBQ efficianado, and I will tell you, this man is on to something. I truly believe that one day Philips BBQ will be a household name in Atlanta BBQ, and I for one can not wait top see it.
But don’t take my word for it. You have got to try it for yourself. Follow @philipsbarbeque on instagram, and check out philipsbarbequeco.com to book Rasheed for your next event, or find out where he will be delighting crowds in the very near future.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
Sarah Rice is a Metro-Atlanta native, and a little over a year ago, she was working a corporate job and punching the clock on a daily basis. Now, she’s managing a full-blown Flower Shop, with her own very cool spin. Her first retail store was a 1968 Volkswagen Bus. We recorded this interview in June, and a ton has happened since then, so stay tuned to the en d of the show to hear some really amazing updates.
To learn more about Sarah and her business, visit their website www.jjsflowershop.com or follow them on instagram @jjsflowershop
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
In season one of Atlanta Born & Brand, we talked to two entrepreneurs building physical products in and around the Atlanta area. Today, we bring back excerpts from each of their stories to provide a glimpse of what it's like to build products in the city.
Jerry Channell is a part of a growing community of makers in the region. His business, OSleeper Mfg Co, creates beautiful pieces of custom furniture for homes and businesses. We caught up with him in a coffee shop near his shop in Gainesville, Georgia. And it wasn’t long before we noticed a theme. The shop was filled with tables, barn doors, and wall art, all with the OSleeper brand etched on it proudly. But Jerry’s business goes far beyond filling spaces with furniture. OSleeper’s goal is to Awaken. Impact.
Will McQuain discovered Cigars as a teenager and became fascinated with the opportunities they created, Whether it was a celebration, or just good conversation. But like a lot of industries, the cigar world was a bit of an exclusive club, and that’s where Good Cigar co. sees a big opportunity. What if there was a brand that rejected the stuffy, exclusive nature of the old cigar guard and offered a solution that allowed everyone to enjoy the experience? That’s the story of Good Cigar Company, and its founder, Will McQuain.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
Stay tuned to the show for more stories from the city’s top startups and small business men & women. You can do that by subscribing in apple podcats, or wherever else you happen to be listening. If you like the show, we’d really appreciate a review and rating. And of course, share it with your friends! Keep up with the show on social media. We’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born & Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website, atlborn.com.
In season one of Atlanta Born & Brand, we talked to three entrepreneurs building tech companies in and around the Atlanta area. Today, we bring back excerpts from each of their stories to provide a glimpse of what it's like to build a tech platform in the city.
First, Fred McGill from Simple Showing was our guest on episode 3 of the show. His company is shaking up the real estate space by making buyers less dependent on real estate agents and more able to drive the home buying process. For more information on Simple Showing, visit SimpleShowing.com.
Next up is Jody Stephenson from SitterTree. For a lot of people, college is the time where they set the stage for their entire career. Jody was doing just that, but she didn’t necessarily know it yet. On this episode Jody tells us how she built a babysitting business in her college dorm room, and nearly 20 years later has impacted the lives of countless college students and young families all over Atlanta. For more information visit www.sittertree.com.
Last for today is Luke Beard from Exposure.co. The company’s website describes exposure as the simple way to create and share your unique photo stories. But as you’ll learn today, while certainly unique, Luke’s path to Atlanta was anything but simple.
To start telling your visual stories in an incredibly beautiful manner, check out exposure.co and do what Luke did … start building. Follow the company on social media @exposure, and keep an eye on Luke’s latest photography journey on his instagram, @lukesbeard or www.luke.exposure.co
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
Stay tuned to the show for more stories from the city’s top startups and small business men & women. You can do that by subscribing in apple podcats, or wherever else you happen to be listening. If you like the show, we’d really appreciate a review and rating. And of course, share it with your friends! Keep up with the show on social media. We’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born & Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website, atlborn.com.
Thank you so much to everybody who listened to season one of Atlanta Born & Brand. We told 25 incredible stories that hopefully introduced you to a local brand that you can latch onto, support, and encourage for years to come.
We are taking a month or so off from new episodes, but will be releasing several "Best of" compilations in the meantime, featuring snippets from our favorite season one moments, and updates on how those brands and founders are doing now.
Stay tuned this summer for some big announcements from us on some live events, and even our first drop of Atlanta Born & Brand swag. Follow us on instagram @atlbornbrand or like our Facebook page for updates.
Thank y'all again and we will be back with season two in a jiffy!
-Jonathan
This is a look behind the curtain at our company, Connext Media. We’ll tell you about its beginnings at a conference in Atlanta, the wild long-term goals we have, and all about our journey from a one-man operation to a small business supporting the families of several Atlanta natives. You’ll also get the rare opportunity to go inside the head of the spouse of an entrepreneur, which you definitely don’t want to miss. It’s all apart of our story, and hopefully at the end of the day its a story that can provide some hope and encouragement to our ATL neighbors.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
Stay tuned to the show for more stories from the city’s top startups and small business men & women. You can do that by subscribing in apple podcats, or wherever else you happen to be listening. If you like the show, we’d really appreciate a review and rating. And of course, share it with your friends! Keep up with the show on social media. We’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born & Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website, atlborn.com.
In a culture dominated by technology and constant communication, it’s easy to forget that we live in a country filled with natural beauty and adventure. In fact, there are 58 national parks all over the US, each presenting a new opportunity for exploration.
Today, we’re talking to David Yarbrough, one of the founders of ‘Merica Clothing company, whose tagline is inspired by adventure. The company is shining a light on some of the great natural wonders of the country, and building local and regional pride in those areas with the clothing they produce.
To learn more about ‘Merica Clothing co. and their mission visit mericaclothing.com or follow them on social media @mericaclothing
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
Stay tuned to the show for more stories from the city’s top startups and small business men & women. You can do that by subscribing in apple podcats, or wherever else you happen to be listening. If you like the show, we’d really appreciate a review and rating. And of course, share it with your friends! Keep up with the show on social media. We’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born & Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website, atlborn.com.
We live in a world today where we constantly look for ways to save time or speed up our lives as much as possible. There are some things in life that are just worth doing right, and taking the time it takes to go the extra mile.
Gino's Classic Barber Shoppe is an example of what can happen when you take the time to master your craft. Gino Teyf was born in the Soviet Union, but he left the country after his family endured decades of oppression based on their religion. Nearly 40 years later, Gino, his son Alex, and his nephew Greg are building a network of barber shoppes that take their time, go the extra mile, and just simply do it right.
Follow Gino’s Classic Barber Shoppe on social media @ginosbarbers or better yet, go to ginosclassicbarbers.com and book your first appointment.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
Stay tuned to the show for more stories from the city’s top startups and small business men & women. You can do that by subscribing in apple podcats, or wherever else you happen to be listening. If you like the show, we’d really appreciate a review and rating. And of course, share it with your friends! Keep up with the show on social media. We’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born & Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website, atlborn.com.
If you get on I-85 in downtown, and drive about 30 miles to the northeast, you find your way to Gwinnett County. Known for years as a family-friendly suburb with good schools, great restaurants and bars were not exactly a part of that reputation. That narrative is beginning to change with the rise of the counties’ respective towns like Suwanee, Duluth, and Lawrenceville, among others. But what started this urban revolution in the suburbs?
Today, we sit down with Ben Bailey and Chris Collin from Local Restaurant Group, based in Lawrenceville, the county seat in Gwinnett. Together, they saw an opportunity to take an in-town concept for a restaurant, and apply it to a small suburban downtown. What resulted, whether it was their doing or not, was a rebirth of downtown Lawrenceville, and an opportunity for them to try and duplicate the secret recipe.
Find Local Republic online at localrepublic.com or @localrepublicga
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
As a former EMT and personal trainer, Dr Jessica Propes does not fit the stereotypical mold of what you might expect from a chiropractor. Unless, of course when you think chiropractor you thought of Jiu-Jitsu and cross-fit. That’s right, Dr Jessica lives the life-style of the majority of the people she takes care of, and athletes, along with fitness minded clientele have flocked to the brand she’s building. But chiropractic wasn’t the original plan. In fact, it took several years for her to realize her eventual calling as a doctor and entrepreneur. This is the story of Dr Jessica Propes of Well adjusted buckhead.
Find Well Adjusted Buckhead online at www.welladjustedbuckhead.com and on instagram @drjessica_welladjusted
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at connextatl.com.
To celebrate our 20th episode we are releasing the first installment of our "Best Of" series. Occasionally, we will spotlight an earlier episode that resonated with the audience. Today, we're circling back to Michael Tavani from Switchyards. The company is growing and recently announced big plans to expand its concept all over Atlanta.
As for Tavani, he’s now been a part of building a few businesses, most notably Scoutmob, a daily-deals site that launched in 2010, and Switchyards Downtown Club, an incubator and co-working space focused on helping turn Atlanta into a hotbed for B to C startups.
You can find out more about Switchyards at their website www.switchyards.com or follow them on social media @switchyards.
In 2019, Atlanta is a major player in national culture. Whether it’s music, film, or business, there’s a ton happening in our city. That’s where Brandon Butler and his team at Butter ATL come in. Butter is a new-media company that spawned from a local digital agency, and they describe themselves as Atlanta’s culture channel. Brandon is the team’s executive director, and as you’ll learn from hearing his story, he is uniquely suited to run this innovative startup.
You’ve probably done this already, but if you haven’t head on over to Butter’s instagram page @butter.atl and enjoy the beautiful feed and exciting content they are producing. You can find their website at butteratl.com.
Will discovered Cigars as a teenager and became fascinated with the opportunities they created, Whether it was a celebration, or just good conversation. But like a lot of industries, the cigar world was a bit of an exclusive club, and that’s where Good Cigar co. sees a big opportunity. What if there was a brand that rejected the stuffy, exclusive nature of the old cigar guard and offered a solution that allowed everyone to enjoy the experience? That’s the story of Good Cigar Company, and its founder, Will McQuain.
Everybody has a story, and in 2019, a lot of those stories have incredible photography to go with them. But how do we tell those stories, how do we share them effectively with the world? Today, we’re talking to Luke Beard, founder & CEO of Exposure. The company’s website describes exposure as the simple way to create and share your unique photo stories. But as you’ll learn today, while certainly unique, Luke’s path to Atlanta was anything but simple.
To start telling your visual stories in an incredibly beautiful manner, check out exposure.co and do what Luke did … start building. Follow the company on social media @exposure, and keep an eye on Luke’s latest photography journey on his instagram, @lukesbeard or www.luke.exposure.co
Today, we’re going back to school. Literally. Several months ago we got an awesome email from Michael Chasteen in Cobb County. Michael has a background in marketing, but in his new career, he serves as a high school teacher at Campbell High School in Smyrna. But this isn’t your typical high school experience necessarily. At Campbell, Michael is part of a program called work-based learning, where the curriculum is centered around giving the students practical work experience during the school day. Currently, they’re talking about entrepreneurship and the opportunities it provides, and have even used this very podcast to learn about the ins and outs of building a successful business. But it’s a lot more than talk. As you’ll hear in today’s show, several of the students at Campbell have taken the concept, and turned it into reality.
We’ve all had that friend, you can probably picture them well. They’re the funny one of the bunch and at one point or another, you probably thought to yourself, they should do stand-up comedy, without giving it much thought. Our guest today knows that it isn’t quite that easy. Joel Byars is a Georgia native, and a rising star in Atlanta’s growing comedy scene. But overnight success is not the norm in the comedy world, and we talked to Joel about turning his passion for comedy into a thriving business and a brand that makes an impact.
you can find out more about Joel’s comedy career and the classes he offers at joelbyarscomedy.com or follow on social media @joelbyarscomedy. For more information about the Hot breath podcast, go to hotbreathpodcast.com and follow on social media @hotbreathpod.
Sports bars and chain restaurants are a dime a dozen, even in Atlanta. But today, we’re sitting down with a couple small business owners who are trying to take the corporate cookie cutter model and turn it on its head. Todd DiMatteo and Ryan Skinner are owners at Good Word Brewing and Public house in Duluth, and they want to replace the monotony of the chain with a unique look and feel, and some good ole fashioned friendly conversation.
For a lot of people, college is the time where they set the stage for their entire career. Jody Stephenson was doing just that, but she didn’t necessarily know it yet. On this episode Jody tells us how she built a babysitting business in her college dorm room, and nearly 20 years later has impacted the lives of countless college students and young families all over Atlanta. This is the story of SitterTree.
For more information visit www.sittertree.com.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at www.connextatl.com.
If you walk around the city these days, there seems to be a new-found pride in all-things Atlanta. From the music scene, to the local sports teams, and certainly local brands, ATLiens are embracing the culture of the city in a big way. What better way to show pride, than with a t-shirt? Brian Rohr grew up in Alpharetta, and despite finding his way to California after college, he saw an opportunity to pay homage to his hometown in a unique way. Almost by accident, he’s created a brand that thousands in this city can resonate with. This is the story of Coast 2 Coast Tees.
Visit Brian and C2C Tees at www.c2ctees.com.
Atlanta Born & Brand is a production of Connext Media. We’re a full-service digital media production company focused on helping small businesses tell their story in the most effective way they can. If you are looking to tell the story of your business, we’d love to help. You can find us at www.connextatl.com.
David Clapper, and Eric Van De Steeg, or Dutch as he is better known, crossed paths in the radio industry in Atlanta. They shared a love for the outdoors and teamed up to create what they say is the 1st Campervan Rental and Concierge service in the southeast. You may bump into their fleet on the road, and it’s hard to miss. The vans are bright orange, with the companies name proudly emblazoned on the side. This is the story of Scampervan.
Jason Longshore is the color analyst for our MLS Cup champion Atlanta United’s radio broadcast. He’s also the co-host of a daily soccer talk show network called Soccer Down Here. As we got to know him, one thing became clear about Jason. He is definitely a creator … and soccer in the south, is the startup he’s dedicated his life to.
Find out more about Soccer Down Here at www.soccerdownhere.net. Follow Jason on social media @longshoe.
Wander North Georgia is a retail store in the small town of Clayton, Georgia, tucked in the mountains just south of the North Carolina border. It’s tempting to call it an outdoor lifestyle shop, but that doesn’t take into account the beer selection, the ice cream parlor, or the bocce ball court that make this place truly one of a kind.
And would you believe it all started with a blog, an instagram account, and story time at the local library?
For more information on Wander, visit their website, and yes they still have the blog too. That’s at wandernorthgeorgia.com. Follow them on social media @wandernorthga
Karissa Tuttle, owner of Simply Done Donuts, is a native of Dallas, TX. After coming to Atlanta in her twenties, she went from corporate America, to food truck operator, to restaurant owner in nearly the blink of an eye. She did it all with a product that may fit in the palm of your hand, but packs a big flavor punch. In the process, she helped put a special Atlanta spin on a classic guilty pleasure.
Find more about Karissa and the SDD team at https://www.simplydonedonuts.com.
Dan Duncan is a co-founder in a top-down creative agency and startup incubator called Oust, right here in Atlanta. But his story goes so much deeper than that. Oust is actually the fifth startup Dan has helped build, and he loves launching businesses so much, he’s pretty much making a career out of it.
Jerry Channell is a part of a growing community of makers in the region. His business, OSleeper Mfg Co, creates beautiful pieces of custom furniture for homes and businesses. We caught up with him in a coffee shop near his shop in Gainesville, Georgia. And it wasn’t long before we noticed a theme. The shop was filled with tables, barn doors, and wall art, all with the OSleeper brand etched on it proudly. But Jerry’s business goes far beyond filling spaces with furniture. OSleeper’s goal is to Awaken. Impact.
One of the building blocks of a standout brand is a great logo, or better yet, a great identity. Identity is Scott Fuller’s specialty. As owner of The Studio Temporary, Fuller uses his graphic design talents to help other businesses create a look and feel that will push their brand to the next level.
www.thestudiotemporary.com
Follow him on social media @studiotemporary
Jaquan Cummings is one of Atlanta’s top photographers. If that doesn’t sound familiar, you might know him as QuanATL. At just 24 years-old, Quan has already established himself as one of the best in his craft in Atlanta. He’s caught the eye of a huge community on social media with shots of him sitting on the edge of skyscraper rooftops several hundred feet in the air. We talked to him about those signature shots, turning his hobby into a career, and dealing with the loss of the person who inspired him from the beginning.
Fred McGill is the co-founder of SimpleShowing, a real estate startup disrupting one of nation’s biggest industries by putting the consumer in the driver’s seat. The company launched in Atlanta in early 2017, and is making waves on a few fronts. With modern technology, in many cases you the consumer are doing the work of finding your next home. Using the SimpleShowing app, you can schedule a time to see the home yourself, and Fred and his team reward you with a percentage of their commission at closing.
Find out more about Fred and SimpleShowing at www.simpleshowing.com or follow them on social media @simpleshowing.
John Elijah Richards is the founder of In God We Must, a lifestyle apparel brand here in Atlanta. We talked with him about growing up around Atlanta, turning his back on the easy path to pursue a life on the road in music, and a battle with his health that was so dire, he had few options but to start a company.
On today’s episode we sit down with Michael Tavani. He’s now been a part of building a few businesses, most notably Scoutmob, a daily-deals site that launched in 2010, and Switchyards Downtown Club, an incubator and co-working space focused on helping turn Atlanta into a hotbed for B to C startups.
Atlanta is full of great small businesses and brands. We are talking to the founders and entrepreneurs that sacrificed it all to build those brands.