The Localist with Carrie Rollwagen: Recent Episodes
Carrie Rollwagen
The Localist is a conversation with local makers and independent entrepreneurs. Local business advocate Carrie Rollwagen invites mom-and-pops, freelancers, side hustlers and start up founders to talk staffing, funding, hiring, inspiring — and everything in between.
Kim Nguyen of House Eleven joins Carrie Rollwagen to share how she and her husband turned a remodeling project into a community-driven café and cocktail bar. From real estate to espresso to event planning, their journey in Birmingham’s Woodlawn neighborhood is full of passion, pivots and purpose.
Mentioned in this episode:
House Eleven
House Eleven on Instagram
Church Street Coffee & Books
Ohm Jiu Jitsu
Taylor Remodeling & Building Solutions
Bigger Pockets podcast
Blue House Properties
Punch Love Coffee
June Coffee
Localist episode with June Coffee
Domestique Coffee
Localist episode with Nathan Pocus
Red Bike Coffee
Localist episode with Jesús Méndez
Bygones Cocktail Bar
Infomedia Studios
In this vulnerable solo episode, Carrie explores the complex emotion of professional jealousy and how it can point us toward change. Whether it’s craving attention, chasing the wrong goals or grieving a past identity, she offers practical ways to understand and act on those feelings instead of ignoring them. Plus, she shares her own personal stories about navigating envy and finding clarity.
Carrie sits down with Kaitlyn Bentley of True40 and Wellness Passport to talk about building business communities through fitness, self-care and local food. From launching a studio to acquiring the entire True40 brand, Kaitlyn walks us through the smart and strategic moves behind her growth — and how she keeps it all grounded in community.
Mentioned in this episode:
Wellness Passport
The Well
True40
ClassPass
Ohm Jiu Jitsu
Cala Coffee
Ignite Cycle
Localist episode with Cala Coffee
Edelman
Southern Company
Ross Bridge
Mayawell
In this solo episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares personal strategies for making time for your side hustle while balancing a full-time job. She discusses creative retreats, batching work on weekends, and using passive time for research and inspiration.
Mentioned in this episode:
Camp McDowell
Brandon Sanderson’s free class on fantasy writing
Localist episode with Ladybird Taco
Today on The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Teasha Cable, CEO and co-founder of C-Model, a decision intelligence platform that helps small and mid-sized businesses make better decisions using a combination of AI, data and real-world expertise. Teasha shares her journey from VP roles to founder, the importance of tracking business decisions and how technology like CORA gives small businesses a competitive edge.
Mentioned in this episode:
C-Model
Church Street Coffee & Books
Dynamic Decisions podcast
Company personality test
Schedule a demo with C-Model
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares practical tips for getting better results from AI tools like ChatGPT. Learn how specificity, tone-setting and smart prompting strategies can help small business owners save time while maintaining their authentic voice.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s talk on writing with AI
Infomedia
CEO Stephanie Friedman joins The Localist to share how she’s leading 128-year-old City Paper Company into a new era of tangible branding and national impact. She and host Carrie Rollwagen explore family business dynamics, intentional design and the power of merch that actually matters.
Mentioned in this episode:
City Paper Company
Cracker Barrel
Hard Rock Cafe
Spanx
Kendra Scott
Cafe Du Mode
Infomedia
Poppi
The Masters Tournament
Bromberg’s
Truckworx
The Power of Moments
Unreasonable Hospitality
Who Moved My Cheese?
In today’s episode, Carrie Rollwagen explores a powerful but often overlooked tool for entrepreneurs — taking an actual day of rest. Sharing her experiences from bookstore ownership to life today, Carrie explores how taking an intentional day of rest can recharge your creativity, protect against burnout and set healthy boundaries in a world that demands nonstop hustle.
Mentioned in this episode:
Church Street Coffee & Books
Follow Carrie on Instagram
Infomedia
Jessica Leitch of The Little Red Print Shop joins Carrie to talk about printmaking, community and running a creative small business. From vending machines and pop-ups to linocut workshops and wedding favors, she shares how she’s built a joyful, accessible art brand rooted in Birmingham.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Little Red Print Shop
The Little Red Print Shop on Instagram
Cala Coffee
Little Professor Bookshop
Cala Coffee on The Localist
Little Professor Bookshop on The Localist
The Market at Pepper Place
Cahabazaar
Studio by the Tracks
Local Love Pop-Up Market
Houseplant Collective
MAKEbhm
The Chasm Co.
Chasm Craft Club
Cahaba Brewing
Daily Edition
Ladybird Taco
Ladybird Taco on The Localist
Canvas
Ever feel like you're running in place at work — stuck in a loop of tasks and to-dos without knowing if you're really making progress? In this solo episode, Carrie Rollwagen digs into a simple but powerful framework from the book Designing Your Work Life, sharing how a daily spreadsheet helped her rediscover meaning, motivation and forward motion in her work. Whether you're a manager, an entrepreneur or somewhere in between, this one's for you.
Mentioned in this episode: Designing Your Work Life by Dave Evans & Bill Burnett
Restauranteur Jesús “Chuy” Méndez joins The Localist to share how he turned hustle, heart and a love for people into some of Birmingham’s favorite restaurant and bar concepts, including Salud Taqueria and Adiõs Bar. From pandemic pivots to people-first partnerships, Chuy reveals the secret sauce behind his growing empire — and why he’s betting big on Birmingham.
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares how two short consulting sessions — one focused on branding and the other on her website — helped her gain clarity, realign her goals and simplify her strategy. She offers practical tips on preparing for advisor meetings and explains why even small business owners and personal brands can benefit from expert insight. It’s a reminder that meaningful progress doesn’t always require big changes — just the right perspective.
Mentioned in this episode:
Emily Wells
Emily Wells Localist episode
Pam Sanderson
Infomedia
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen chats with Alex Stern, founder of the pop-up sandwich concept Deli Ole. Alex shares how design, collaboration and community have shaped his business journey, from rooftop dinners to packed-out pop-ups. They dive into the power of starting small, the value of hospitality and how creativity fuels connection.
Mentioned in this episode:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deli.ole/
Helen: https://www.helenbham.com/
Juniper: https://www.juniperbham.com/
Slim’s Pizzeria: https://slimspizzeria.com/
Alex Kiker, videographer: https://www.alexkikerco.com/about
June Coffee: https://www.junecoffee.co/
Jimmy’s Localist episode
Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee/?hl=en
Golden Age: https://www.goldenagewine.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopBImn8tR8Nyldpf9ILULVhS9Sc5RKKQXCCKydCjKWbjpEIY1EA
Unreasonable Hospitality: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/products/unreasonable-hospitality-the-remarkable-power-of-giving-people-more-than-they-expect?_pos=1&_sid=5f78a5a24&_ss=r
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares her strategies for public speaking as an introvert. She discusses overcoming the discomfort of speaking in public by practicing introductions, preparing backup notes, scheduling alone time before and after talks, and having a supportive presence in the audience. Carrie also emphasizes the value of public speaking for connecting with new audiences and showcasing expertise, particularly for entrepreneurs and business owners.
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie writes about all the wonderful things about celebrating Christmas at a local bookstore.
This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie writes about the fallout from her first Christmas as a business owner — including a difficult Christmas morning and a panic attack.
This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie shares a story about decorating her former bookstore, Church Street Coffee & Books, for the holiday season. With the help of her family, she redecorates the shop for the holidays in just one afternoon — and they even fit in a Thanksgiving celebration along the way.
This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie kicks off her series on small business Christmas stories. Though today’s story isn’t about a small business itself, it’s a key moment in her journey. She reflects on attending a Starbucks rally with her then-manager, Cal — who would later become her business partner at Church Street Coffee & Books.
This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.
Carrie shares 10 lessons she’s learned during the 10 years since The Localist book was released. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.
Carrie Rollwagen shares a story from her days at Jonathan Benton, Bookseller, called “Harry Potter and the Piggly Wiggly Milk.” As the small bookstore prepared a release party for a new Harry Potter book, they faced an unexpected challenge. Can Carrie and her team pull off the event to keep their shop afloat, or will it turn into a fiasco?
This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares the story of a screenprinting business called Sugartop Gumdrop, which she started with her friend John Yam. Full of creativity but lacking business experience, the two faced a steep learning curve as they tackled the Print Gocco machine, built their own store display, and eventually expanded into other products.
This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.
In this episode of "The Localist," host Carrie Rollwagen shares easy ways to support local businesses without making significant lifestyle changes. She covers three key tips: choosing specific categories to always buy local, switching recurring payments to local services and dedicating a day to shop at local businesses. The episode aims to make the process of buying local more accessible and enjoyable.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
Shop Small blog: https://shopsmallblog-blog-blog.tumblr.com/
The Localist Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-localist-think-independent-buy-local-and-reclaim-the-american-dream-carrie-rollwagen/11535983?ean=9780692319482
Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee?igshid=6qm4a079lw6q
Order books online at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/
Local Audiobook Service Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/
NowVision Eye Care: https://nowvisioneyecare.com/index2.php#!/NOW_VISION_EYE_CARE
NowVision Eye Care on The Localist Podcast: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/vision-for-the-future-dr-lori-jasper-of-nowvision-eye-care-shares-how-customer-connection-is-good-for-your-health-and-her-bottom-line/
Ohm Jiu Jitsu: https://www.ohmjiujitsu.com/
Chocolata: https://www.chocolatachocolate.com/
In this episode of The Localist, Gina Locklear, founder of Zkano Socks, shares the journey of maintaining a small-scale, sustainable sock manufacturing business in Fort Payne, Alabama. She discusses challenges, values and the significance of consumer choices in supporting local businesses. Locklear also highlights the impact of receiving the American Made award from Martha Stewart and her commitment to quality rather than aggressive expansion.
Mentioned in this episode:
Zkano Website: https://zkano.com/
Zkano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zkano_socks
Sock Queen of Alabama article: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/31/fashion/sock-business-alabama.html
American Flannel: https://bookshop.org/p/books/american-flannel-how-a-band-of-entrepreneurs-are-bringing-the-art-and-business-of-making-clothes-back-home-steven-kurutz/20456379?ean=9780593329610
Riverhead Books: https://www.penguin.com/riverhead-overview/
Golden Temple: https://goldentemplehealthfood.com/
Martha Stewart American Made: https://www.al.com/living/2015/11/little_river_sock_mill_fort_pa.html
Mike Rowe interview with Steven Kurutz: https://mikerowe.com/2024/04/american-flannel-with-steven-kurutz-ep-380/
Liesa Cole: https://liesacole.com/
Club Duquette: https://clubduquette.co/
Wild Bird: https://birmingham.wbu.com/
Birmingham Museum of Art: https://www.artsbma.org/
Juniper: https://www.juniperbham.com/
Little Professor: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/
Store Locator: https://zkano.com/pages/store-locator
Stephen King’s book 11/22/63: https://bookshop.org/p/books/11-22-63-stephen-king/7060372?ean=9781451627299
Buy all the guides for $30 (Combo Pack): https://carrierollwagen.com/combo-pack/
Buy the main writing guide for $25: https://carrierollwagen.com/main-guide/
Buy the AI guide for $5: https://carrierollwagen.com/ai-guide/
Buy the editing guide for $5: https://carrierollwagen.com/editing-guide/
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
Mentioned in this episode:
Building a Storybrand: https://bookshop.org/p/books/building-a-storybrand-clarify-your-message-so-customers-will-listen-donald-miller/9308684?ean=9780718033323
Marketing Made Simple: https://bookshop.org/p/books/marketing-made-simple-a-step-by-step-storybrand-guide-for-any-business-donald-miller/17208959?ean=9781400217649
The Artist’s Way: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-artist-s-way-30th-anniversary-edition-julia-cameron/6665657?ean=9780143129257
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen talks with Jim Watkins about establishing his business, Sons Donuts, the thoughtful design and operational decisions that set it apart and how it maintains a dedicated customer base despite competition. Jim also shares insights on his previous venture, Steel City Pops, and the lessons learned from rapid business growth and eventual challenges, emphasizing the importance of quality, customer connection and sustainable business practices.
Mentioned in this episode:
Sons Donuts + Pops Website: https://www.sonsdonuts.com/
Sons Donuts + Pops Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonsdonutsandpops/
Dreamcakes Bakery: https://www.facebook.com/dreamcakesbham/
Church of Brook Hills: https://www.brookhills.org/
Southern Progress: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Progress_Corporation
Steel City Pops: https://www.instagram.com/steelcitypops
Big Spoon Creamery: https://www.bigspooncreamery.com/
Ladybird Taco on The Localist: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/the-magic-behind-ladybird-taco/
Rougaroux: https://www.rougarouxbhm.com/
John Evans: https://www.villagelivingonline.com/business/the-wait-is-over927/
Lane Parke: www.laneparke.com
Church Street Coffee & Books: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee
Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee
Infomedia: https://infomedia.com
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses the importance of nurturing new ideas by carefully choosing whom to share them with first. She outlines the concept introduced by Tara Schuster of categorizing people into "hype men," "road warriors" and "absolutely nots" to effectively protect and develop ideas before exposing them to criticism. The episode highlights the value of positive feedback and strategic advice in the early stages of idea formation.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
Tara Schuster’s Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/buy-yourself-the-f-cking-lilies-and-other-rituals-to-fix-your-life-from-someone-who-s-been-there-tara-schuster/12072763?ean=9780525509905
Duquette Johnston’s Localist Episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/beyond-the-brick-and-mortar-with-duquette-johnston/
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen interviews sustainable fashion advocate Julie Maeseele. They discuss Julie's journey from imposter syndrome to finding joy in customer interactions, the challenges and rewards of creating one-of-a-kind garments and the importance of mindful fashion practices and supporting local economies. Julie's unique business model, collaborative projects and impact on her daughter's perception of her work are also highlighted.
Mentioned in this episode:
Julie Maeseele Website: www.juliemaeseele.com
Julie Maeseele Instagram: www.instagram.com/juliemaeseele
Birmingham Emerging Designer competition: https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2024/09/magic-city-fashion-week-gears-up-for-season-5-with-events-beginning-saturday/
Basic Shop: https://abasicshop.com/collections/julie-maeseele?srsltid=AfmBOorbZDkxsSvgjA1lQqUvFppR4ujJ2rYVIVrZlyd8TkUF9J2y6FcV
Garment Revival: https://www.juliemaeseele.com/about-the-project.html#/
Winslet & Rhys: https://www.instagram.com/winsletandrhys/?hl=en
Graham Yelton: https://grahamyelton.com/
Lillis Taylor: https://www.lillistaylor.com/
Bib & Tucker: https://bibandtuckersewop.org/pages/about-our-founders
Manuel: https://countrymusichalloffame.org/exhibit/suiting-the-sound/manuel/
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses the concepts of manager time and maker time, explaining the differences in workflow for managers who thrive on scheduled meetings and makers who require uninterrupted blocks of time for creative and deep work. She offers practical advice for balancing these two types of schedules both for individuals who control their own time and those working within larger organizations.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
Next Right Thing Podcast: https://emilypfreeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/The-Next-Right-Thing-185.pdf
Paul Graham on Manager Time and Maker Time: https://paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie interviews Emile Hughes, founder of RideBHM, a downhill mountain biking park in Birmingham. Emile discusses the park's creation and development, the challenges faced in transforming the land, the benefits of e-bikes, and future plans, including expanding the shuttle system and improving infrastructure to enhance visitor experiences.
Mentioned in this episode:
RideBHM Website: https://ridebhm.com/
RideBHM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridebhm
Kanuga Bike Park: https://ridekanuga.com/
Red Mountain Park: https://redmountainpark.org/
Dialed Dirt: https://dialeddirt.myportfolio.com/
Thomson Cat: https://thompsontractor.com/
Ruffner Mountain: https://ruffnermountain.org/
Turkey Creek: https://turkeycreeknp.com/
Ohm Jiu Jitsu: https://www.ohmjiujitsu.com/
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses common misconceptions about morning routines and provides practical strategies for sticking to them. She emphasizes the importance of enjoyment, simplicity and seasonal adjustments, sharing tips from her own experience to help listeners create a sustainable morning routine.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything: https://bookshop.org/p/books/tiny-habits-the-small-changes-that-change-everything-bj-fogg/11781005?ean=9780358362777
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen interviews Crystal Salter from Sozo Trading, an upscale thrift store supporting the Sozo Children's mission in Uganda. They discuss the challenges and rewards of running a mission-driven thrift store, including maintaining cleanliness, offering significant discounts and the importance of mindful consumerism. Crystal also elaborates on Sozo's community engagement, sustainability efforts and exciting store events and promotions.
Mentioned in this episode:
Sozo Website: https://www.sozotrading.org/
Sozo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sozotradingco/
Sozo Children: https://sozochildren.org/
Sozo Fair Trade Goods: https://www.sozotrading.org/global-goods/
The Foundry: https://foundryministries.com/
SMco Thrift: https://smcothrift.com/
Pick up my donation: https://www.pickupmydonation.com/
Rage Room: https://www.birminghamrageroom.com/
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses the importance of building a personalized morning routine for success. She emphasizes focusing on elements like maintaining consistency, incorporating sensory experiences and including activities such as listening to a playlist, exercising, reflecting, and eating a good breakfast. The goal is to create a routine that suits individual needs and preferences, rather than following a strict, one-size-fits-all model.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
The Power of Habit: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-power-of-habit-why-we-do-what-we-do-in-life-and-business-charles-duhigg/7843601?ean=9780812981605
Atomic Habits: https://bookshop.org/p/books/atomic-habits-an-easy-proven-way-to-build-good-habits-break-bad-ones-james-clear/12117739?ean=9780735211292
Snoop Dogg Affirmations Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGFBxoWqOV0
Morning Pages: https://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/
The Creative ACT: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin:
https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-creative-act-a-way-of-being-rick-rubin/18543579?ean=9780593652886
The Daily Stoic: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-daily-stoic-366-meditations-on-wisdom-perseverance-and-the-art-of-living-ryan-holiday/12470416?ean=9780735211735
In this episode of The Localist, Adam Hickman of Foxhound Bee Company shares his journey from starting a beekeeping business in his garage to expanding into a full-fledged retail store with plans for further growth. He emphasizes the importance of education, content quality and a strategic approach to ecommerce and product development, avoiding rapid scaling and big financial mistakes. Carrie and Adam also discuss the value of supportive advisory relationships for business success.
Mentioned in this episode:
Foxhound Website: https://www.foxhoundbeecompany.com/
Foxhound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxhoundbeeco
Hardware Park: https://www.hardwarepark.org/
Innovation Depot: https://innovationdepot.org/
Foxhound Bee Company Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/stores/FoxhoundBeeCompany-BeekeeperSuppliesandEquipmentfromBirminghamAlabama/FoxhoundBeeCompany-BeekeeperSuppliesandEquipmentfromBirminghamAlabama/page/60FDD616-DA6F-4D81-B669-6C63C869725A
CAD: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-aided_design#:~:text=Computer%2Daided%20design%20(CAD),or%20optimization%20of%20a%20design.
Luca: https://www.lucahq.com/
People’s Bank of Alabama: https://peoplesbankal.com/
Ecom Crew: https://www.ecomcrew.com/
Sting Stopper: https://stingstopper.buzz/
Buzzbag: https://buzzbag.buzz/
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses the value of running experiments in personal and business life to test new ideas before fully committing to them. She emphasizes setting specific parameters, time limits and criteria for success to evaluate whether a new approach is worth pursuing, inspired by insights from the Noom app's psychology-based methods.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
“How to Read Books” (business book episode of the Localist): https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/how-to-read-books-from-choosing-the-right-title-to-knowing-when-to-quit/
The Noom Mindset: Learn the Science, Lose the Weight: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-noom-mindset-learn-the-science-lose-the-weight-noom/18583501?ean=9781982194291
Noom book on audio: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781797146942
“How Do I Actually Set a SMART Goal?” episode of The Localist: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/how-do-i-actually-set-a-smart-goal/
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen interviews Lee Pantazis, the owner of Gus's Hot Dogs and culinary director at the Kelly and Redmont hotels in Birmingham. Lee discusses his passion for the restaurant industry, the importance of preserving the nostalgia and community impact of Gus's and his efforts to elevate the local food scene through his work at the hotels. Throughout the conversation, Lee emphasizes the significance of supporting local businesses, maintaining strong customer relationships and fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment in the service industry.
Mentioned in this episode:
Gus’s Hot Dogs Website
Gus’s Hot Dogs Instagram
Fish Market
Little Donkey
Pihakis Restaurant Group
Saigon Noodle House
Bud and Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant
Pete’s Famous Hot Dogs
Jim N Nicks
Big Bad Breakfast
Tasty Town
Magnolia Point
Satterfield’s Restaurant
Hot-Dogopolis by Southern Foodways Alliance
Birmingham Greek Festival
Philoxenia documentary by Jessica Chriesman
Lou’s Pub and Package Store
George Sarris
Johnny’s
Demetri's
Niki’s West
Ted’s Birmingham
Thank You Books
Crestwood Pharmacy
Game Day Done Right
ServisFirst
Kingdom of Heaven
Adios
Salud
Hop City
Alabama Peanut Co.
Woodlawn Theater
Seasick Records
Mom’s Basement
Kate Gerwin
Kelly Hotel
Redmont Hotel
St. James Hotel Selma
Triangle Offense Phil Jackson
Emperor’s New Groove
Ohm Jiu Jitsu and branding company, A. Studio That Works
The Kelly Hotel Instagram
Redmont Hotel Instagram
Redmont Hotel Rooftop Instagram
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen explains how to manage an overwhelming to-do list using theme days. She shares her personal experience implementing theme days to prioritize tasks and reduce stress, offering practical advice on how to create and stick to these themed schedules for better productivity.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
Time Blocking episode of the Localist: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/which-time-blocking-method-is-best-breaking-down-theme-days-batch-work-the-pomodoro-technique-and-more/
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen chats with Kathy D'Agostino of Chocolatá about building a positive work environment and the journey of opening her own chocolate shop. Kathy shares her experiences from working in a chocolate shop as a teenager to starting her own business, detailing the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, hiring and creating unique chocolate products.
Mentioned in this episode: Chocolatá Website: https://www.chocolatachocolate.com/ Chocolatá Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chocolata_bham Chocolatá Phone Number: 205-215-0416 Innovation Depot: https://innovationdepot.org/ Brombergs: https://brombergs.com/ Phoenix Building: https://thephoenixbuilding.com/ Sidewalk Film Festival: https://sidewalkfest.com/ Magic City Organics: https://magiccityorganics.com/ Magic City Organics Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/surviving-regulations-rollercoaster-magic-city-organics/ Yellowhammer: https://yellowhammer-creative.myshopify.com/ Pepper Place: https://www.pepperplace.com/ Revival Antiques: https://revivalantiques.org/ General: https://www.facebook.com/generalbham?mibextid=ZbWKwL Saturn (Domestique): https://www.domestiquecoffee.com/ Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee?igshid=6qm4a079lw6q MAKE Birmingham: https://www.makebhm.com/ Pizza Grace: https://pizzagrace.com/ Cannella Gelato: https://cannellagelato.com/ Lifelyles: https://www.facebook.com/lifelyles/
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares practical tips on how to promote events to ensure better attendance. She discusses strategies such as charging for events, posting in multiple locations, using various content angles to promote repeatedly and sending direct or personal invitations. These methods aim to build customer loyalty, create buzz and drive revenue for small businesses.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
Workshop Local Localist Episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/hosting-great-events-with-workshop-local/
One Quick Coffee: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/build-your-local-reach-with-email-marketing-tickets-872774912257?aff=erelpanelorg
Morgan Johnston episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/building-a-creative-resource-with-morgan-jones-johnston/
In today’s episode, Carrie Rollwagen hosts Sabrina Smith and Hannah Stallings, owners of Happy Links, a jewelry company specializing in permanent jewelry. They share the challenges of balancing their full-time jobs with their business, the struggles of managing chaotic pop-up events and their excitement about opening a new salon suite location to create a more luxurious customer experience.
Mentioned in this episode:
Happy Links Website: https://www.happylinksjewelry.com
Happy Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happy_links_
Hi-Wire Brewing: https://hiwirebrewing.com/birmingham/
Image Studios Salon Suites: https://imagestudios360.com/birmingham-al/
In this episode, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses strategies for finding additional revenue streams for small businesses. She shares her own experiences from managing bookstores, offers practical tips such as leveraging employee input and unrelated talents, and suggests creative revenue-generating ideas like selling digital products, offering courses and creating memberships.
Mentioned in the episode:
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
Former bookstore in trouble Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/saving-a-store-in-crisis-paying-creditors-and-bending-rules-at-an-indie-bookshop/
Little Professor Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/little-professor-goes-off-script-with-a-little-bookish-podcast/
Localist Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1490615510/the-localist-book-a-story-of-shopping-local
Morgan Jones Johnston episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/building-a-creative-resource-with-morgan-jones-johnston/
Little Professor membership: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/pages/memberships
Ladybird Taco episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/the-magic-behind-ladybird-taco/
Infomedia Studios: https://infomedia.com
In this episode of The Localist, Duquette Johnston, founder of Club Duquette, discusses the evolution of his business from a brick-and-mortar store to an online community-focused brand, emphasizing the importance of personal connections and authentic customer engagement. He reflects on the challenges and transformations brought about by the pandemic, his vision for hyper-focusing on small businesses and the vital role of community building and trust.
Mentioned in this episode:
Club Duquette Website: https://clubduquette.co/
Club Duquette Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clubduquette
Communicating Vessels and Jeffrey Cain: https://communicatingvessels.com/communicating-vessels/
Clayton Chambers Spr.ezza newsletter: https://www.instagram.com/spr.ezza/?hl=en
Great Bear Wax: https://burnbear.com/
Beverly Hills Juice: https://beverlyhillsjuice.com/
Creative Visualization book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/creative-visualization-use-the-power-of-your-imagination-to-create-what-you-want-in-your-life-shakti-gawain/7348612?ean=9781608684649
Buy Yourself the F*ing Lilies: https://bookshop.org/p/books/buy-yourself-the-f-cking-lilies-and-other-rituals-to-fix-your-life-from-someone-who-s-been-there-tara-schuster/12072763?ean=9780525509905
Frank and Pardis Stitt: https://stittrestaurantgroup.com/
Nine Orchard Hotel: https://nineorchard.com/
Human Design: https://www.ouiwegirl.com/astrology/your-guide-to-human-design
Jungmaven: https://jungmaven.com/pages/about-us
Ursa Major: https://www.ursamajorvt.com/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=677089607905&tw_campaign=19729963162&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyW6QQG-Y0RQhfnGssCMI4U7S0j4lmYnrgQdBqD6Oj6PQW2Ei5EmZCIaAoUREALw_wcB
Stan Ray: https://www.stanray.com/
Rugged and Fancy: https://ruggedandfancy.com/
Evan Kinori: https://evankinori.com/
Today, we’re welcoming artist Morgan Jones Johnston, who discusses her intuitive approach to creativity, her new workbook "Create Anyway: The Average Person's Guide to Igniting Your Creative Spark" and the importance of fostering authentic human connections during the rise of AI. She emphasizes the value of continuous promotion, the significance of creativity beyond traditional art forms and her goal to offer high-value, sustainable content to help people explore their creativity.
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Alana Harmond, the creator of Frosted by Lane, about her journey in starting a side hustle selling decorative fake cakes. Alana shares her challenges in transitioning from product drops on Instagram to a Shopify store, the technical and logistical hurdles she has overcome and her strategies for budgeting and marketing. She also discusses the importance of developing unique products and expanding her business through social media and community events.
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with physical therapist Jimmy Dunn about his clinic, The Total Joint. Dunn emphasizes a personalized, holistic approach to physical therapy, focusing on one-on-one care, community engagement and evidence-based treatments. The conversation also highlights challenges in the industry and the importance of effective marketing and professional expertise.
This episode of The Localist features Brooks Veazy and Gabe Scott discussing the origin and evolution of Ladybird Taco, a breakfast taco concept with a focus on exceptional service. They emphasize the importance of creating a positive culture and meaningful experiences for both their staff and customers. The episode delves into their journey, from developing quality tortillas to expanding their business in Birmingham, highlighting the challenges and successes they faced along the way.
In this episode of The Localist, Carrie talks with Johnny Grimes about his journey in restoring the music venue WorkPlay and his involvement in various business ventures like Furnace Fest and Wheelhouse. They discuss the importance of fearlessness, core values and community in business, and Johnny's hands-on approach to renovation and management.
In this episode, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Katherine Thrower about her journey and expertise in organizing and hosting events through her venue, Workshop Local. Katherine shares insights on creating effective and engaging environments for various events, from small meetings to large retreats. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration, community and detailed planning.
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Josh and Mel Cosio, founders of Cala Coffee, exploring their journey fueled by coffee and community. They discuss the heart behind Cala Coffee, how they started the business and their expansion into brick-and-mortar locations, detailing the importance of branding, architecture, and their coffee cart in scaling the business.
This episode features a conversation between host Carrie Rollwagen and Michael Greene, co-owner of Faraway Theater. They discuss the origins of Faraway Theater and improv group Gladys, Michael’s journey through the improv world, the group’s approach to teaching improv and fostering a community, the business aspect of running the theater and the different courses and benefits it offers. Michael delves into how improv skills are beneficial in all walks of life. They stress the importance of keeping an audience engaged during performances and share information on how to attend shows or enroll in improv classes. For more details on classes, performances, or corporate retreats, Michael directs listeners to visit farawaybham.com or follow their social media handles.
Website and Socials
Faraway Website: https://farawaybham.com/
Faraway Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farawaybham/
Gladys Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gladysimprov/?hl=en
Mentioned in this episode:
Who’s Line Is It Anyway: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKg_ZFByYTINckLG76cjUEg
Wess Gregg of Sanctum Tattoos & Comics on Localist: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/making-a-career-from-what-you-love-with-wess-gregg-of-sanctum-tattoos-comics/
Vacant Manifesto: https://www.youtube.com/c/VacantManifesto
derrick comedy: https://www.youtube.com/derrickcomedy
Upright Citizens Brigade: https://ucbcomedy.com/
Peoples Improv Theater: https://thepit-nyc.com/
IO Chicago: https://ioimprov.com/
Groundlings: https://groundlings.com/school/online-classes?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PSvBhDjARIsAKc2cgN_LJPnW4N-A0ekQ79iHRzVePFyS1Hnop9HGBxibuUnfy-1x9acS8IaAisaEALw_wcB
Ugly Baby: https://www.instagram.com/uglybabyimprov/
Harold form: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_(improvisation)
Faraway Website: https://farawaybham.com/
Faraway Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farawaybham/
Gladys Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gladysimprov/?hl=en
Improv for corporations: info@farawaybham.com
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen chats with Meredith Robinson and McCall Hardison, who also host a podcast called A Little Bookish and work together at Little Professor Bookshop in Pepper Place. The episode opens with a discussion on podcasting — their reasons for podcasting, what it’s like to host a podcast while working in a role that allows them to connect personally with their audience and how business podcasts are different from entertainment podcasts. McCall and Meredith talk details about Little Professor’s membership program, their unique book club experience and ways they make book signings a better experience for everyone involved. Full show notes at carrierollwagen.com.
Mentioned in this episode: A Little Bookish podcast
First episode of A Little Bookish with a business owner perspective
Little Professor Membership
Parnassus
M. Judson
The Bookshelf Thomasville
Little Professor App
New York Times Book Review podcast
Infomedia’s One Quick Coffee Event
To get Carrie’s podcasting PDF, subscribe to her newsletter and request it here.
Bronze Horseman book
Wild Robot
Hope for the Flowers
The Women
Gladys Improv
Harrison Scott Key book
Olivetti book
Designing Your New Work Life book
Independent Bookstore Weekend Events at Little Professor
Power of Moments
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Daniel Drinkard, owner of Seasick Records, about owning a local music store and balancing the revival of vinyl with the practicalities of offering CDs and tapes. They delve into the community-centric events of Record Store Day, the thoughtful approach to merchandising, and the importance of fostering a welcoming atmosphere for music lovers of all kinds, from Taylor Swift fans to vinyl connoisseurs. Daniel shares insights on the evolution of his business, from the practicalities of store layout to valuing community over profit in the independent retail scene.
Mentioned in this episode: Seasick Website: https://seasickbham.com/
Seasick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasickrecords/
Record Store Day: https://recordstoreday.com/NewsItem/11083
Avondale Brewing: https://www.avondalebrewing.com/
Saturn: https://saturnbirmingham.com/
Firehouse: https://firehousecac.org/
Munchies: https://munchieson5th.net/
Cahaba Brewing: https://cahababrewing.com/
Mom’s Basement: https://www.momsbham.com/
End of All Music: https://theendofallmusic.com/
Crestwood Pharmacy: https://www.bhamrx.com/
Sub Pop: https://www.subpop.com/
Secretly Canadian: https://secretlycanadian.com/
Alliance of Independent Media Stores: https://thealliancerocks.com/
Sure Shot: https://www.instagram.com/theshureshotdjs/
Earth Libraries: https://earthlibraries.com/
Lee Shook: https://www.instagram.com/theaudiovore/
Postal Service: https://postalservicemusic.net/
The Localist is back! Tune in to this brief update episode to hear Carrie talk about the return and plans for the upcoming season.
In this episode of the Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen announces our podcast's return from an extended hiatus and shares plans for new weekly episodes every Tuesday. Highlights of the upcoming season include celebrating Record Store Day and Independent Bookstore Day, as well as features on a local coffee shop, a local theater and more.
Carrie explains that her break from the podcast was to focus on writing, which resulted in a draft of a novel and ghostwriting a book. With sponsorship from Infomedia Studios, the podcast is back! Carrie expresses excitement for the new season and invites listeners to join in the celebration of local businesses.
This week, Carrie is in conversation with her husband, Russell Marbut. Russell is the new co-owner of the jiu jitsu gym Ohm Jiu Jitsu, and today, the couple talks about how business ownership impacts family and friends of the entrepreneur. Russell and Carrie use real examples to show how opening a business can be tough on relationships. Carrie also says a bittersweet goodbye (for now). Find full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Sign up for our mailing list to get the Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham.
Ohm Jiu Jitsu: Find out more (and get a free class) at ohmjiujitsu.com
Ohm Jiu Jitsu on Instagram: @ohmjiujitsu
Goal Setting Episodes:
New Year Goals that Actually WorkHow Do I Actually Set a SMART Goal?Feeling Like You’ve Already Failed Is NormalLearn to Focus and Deal with DisruptionsThe Essential Part of Goal Setting that Most People SkipWhat to Do When Your Year Already Feels Off-Track
Paramount
Post Office Pies
Slim’s
12 Week Year
Church Street Coffee & Books Episode
A. Studio and Andrew Thomson (logo designer for Ohm)
Andrew Thomson’s episode of the Localist
This week, Carrie interviews brand new business owners DJ Wright and Russell Marbut, founders of the new Birmingham gym Ohm Jiu Jitsu. They talk about whether or not the market for jiu jitsu is saturated, how the partners found their space and navigated the world of new business ownership, and we even touch a bit on how marriage impacts business (Russell is Carrie’s husband!). Find full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Sign up for our mailing list to get the Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham.
Ohm Jiu Jitsu: Find out more (and get a free class) at ohmjiujitsu.com
Ohm Jiu Jitsu on Instagram: @ohmjiujitsu
Sanctum Tattoos and Comics on the Localist
MMA
UFC
Seasick Records
Mom’s Basement
Joe Rogan
Jocko
Studio and Andrew Thomson (logo designer for Ohm)
Andrew Thomson’s episode of the Localist
Gym Desk
On today’s episode, Carrie introduces a free game of Buy-Local Bingo — download a copy at carrierollwagen.com and make buying local this season even more fun. We also shares a year in review, complete with Carrie’s favorite Localist episodes of 2022, favorite books she’s read this year, and a few local things she’s bought that made the year better. Find full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Get the Buy-Local Bingo card
Sign up for our mailing list to get the Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham.
Join the email list to get the semi-weekly newsletter
Follow Carrie on Instagram
Goal Setting Episodes:
- New Year Goals that Actually Work
- How Do I Actually Set a SMART Goal?
- Feeling Like You’ve Already Failed Is Normal
- Learn to Focus and Deal with Disruptions
- The Essential Part of Goal Setting that Most People Skip
- What to Do When Your Year Already Feels Off-Track
Christmas Stories and Santa Podcast:
- Localist Christmas stories
- Localist Christmas Spotify Playlist
Favorite Purchases of 2022
- Hooga Book Light
- Coava instant coffee
- You Need a Budget (YNAB)
- Meal Plans
- Nourish (and the Nourish podcast)
- Mealfit
- Fit Five
Favorite Episodes of 2022
- Housing Crisis in Telluride with Megan Ossolo of Butcher and the Baker
- A Bookstore the Serves the Prison Community with Johnny Ardis
- Navigating the Resale Market with Peddling Post
- What Can Your Business Do about Climate Change with Bryn Carey of Ski Butlers
- High Standards, Low Waste: Talking Sustainability with Filter Coffee
Favorite Books of 2022
- Business
- Playing Big by Tara Mohr
-
The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath
-
Fiction/Fantasy
- The Mirror Visitor by Christelle Dabos
-
Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
-
Audio
- Wintering by Katherine May
- Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
This week, Carrie laments Black Friday and Cyber Monday and longs for the simpler (but maybe more stressful) moments at independent shops. To get us thinking local, she’s sharing a story of working retail at a bookstore and coffee shop over the Christmas season. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Get the free Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham: tinyurl.com/bhamcoffeeshop
Listen to all the Localist Christmas stories (plus an interview with Santa!), or print the Christmas stories to read, here.
Church Street Coffee and Books
The Power of Habit
Carry Me, Ohio – Sun Kil Moon
Wintering by Katherine May
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Wendell Berry
TheLocalistBham.com
This week, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving with a story perfect for getting into the holiday spirit on your road trip, or for playing while getting the stuffing and pies ready. Carrie also shares one of our favorite local shopping traditions, plus a free guide to finding the best local coffee shops in Birmingham. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Get the free Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham: tinyurl.com/bhamcoffeeshop
Annie B. Jones Instagram
The Bookshelf Instagram
Annie Jones episode of The Localist
Localist Christmas stories
Localist Christmas Spotify Playlist
Church Street Coffee and Books
Mr Willowby’s Christmas Tree
The Jolly Christmas Postman
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Sri on Instagram
Daniel on Instagram
Mountain Brook Villages
Downtown Homewood
Shoppe and General in Forest Park
Carrie Rollwagen on Instagram
This week, Carrie recounts her experience as a copywriter for Southern Progress, Church Street Coffee & Books and several small businesses. She shares how to brainstorm names, where to get inspiration, how to navigate legal issues and how to find out if other people are already using the name you want. Find full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Sign up for our mailing list to get the Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham.
Church Street Coffee & Books Episode
Hoam Candle Episode (mentions naming)
Mason Music Episode (mentions StoryBrand)
Tripp Watson Episode (mentions trademarks)
Something & Else
Namecheap (to check on website name availability)
Morgan Johnston Episode
Piper & Leaf Episode
TESS (Trademark Electronic Search System)
Other tools for product naming:
Business Name Generator
Random Word Generator
This week, we turn the tables — our host, Carrie Rollwagen, becomes the guest this week as she answers listener questions about running a coffee shop. Alana Harmond interviews Carrie about her time opening and co-managing Church Street Coffee & Books in Mountain Brook. The two discuss how to build a menu, how to make money running a coffee shop — they even get into the saga of the famous Breakup Cookie. Find full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Sign up for our mailing list to get the Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham.
Learn more about the coffee guide
Church Street Coffee & Books
Breakup Cookie
Localist interview with Filter
Localist interview with Domestique
Localist interview with June Coffee
Localist mini episode with June Coffee
Simon Sinek Golden Circle
This week, we’re welcoming Ruth Oneya of Ruth Oneya illustrations. Ruth is an artist who creates live paintings for weddings. Ruth’s business really started to grow when one of her TikTok videos went viral, but that success created the (good) problem of having too many emails (hiring an assistant has really helped). We also discuss why she doesn’t use watercolor for live paintings, and how an introvert copes with working around lots of people. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Watch Maggie Paint
Ruth Oneya TikTok
Bob Ross
Ruth’s packages
Ruth Oneya Instagram
Ruth Oneya inquiry form
Carrie’s dad, Mike Rollwagen, is a thoughtful intellectual, but he’s not into technology — like, not even a little bit. So on today’s podcast, he asks her all his questions about podcasting: Why does it seem like everyone has a podcast? How do algorithms impact a podcast? How do listeners express loyalty? And how exactly do you put a podcast together? Listen in, and find full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
WordWalk
Mike’s Blog
One Quick Question podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Beautiful Mess
I Will Teach You to Be Rich
Pop Fashion
Carrie’s dad, Mike Rollwagen, is a thoughtful intellectual, but he’s not into technology — like, not even a little bit. So on today’s podcast, he asks her all his questions about podcasting: Why does it seem like everyone has a podcast? How do algorithms impact a podcast? How do listeners express loyalty? And how exactly do you put a podcast together? Listen in, and find full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
WordWalk
Mike’s Blog
One Quick Question podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Beautiful Mess
I Will Teach You to Be Rich
Pop Fashion
This week, we’re talking with Beth Doyle, owner of The Collective, a salon in Birmingham’s Pepper Place neighborhood. Beth brings her creative passion to both her hairdressing skills and her business. She started as a teacher, and one of her salon’s main goals is to support new stylists through an associate learning program, complete with curriculum and multiple levels. Carrie and Beth talk about how the pandemic, and more recently social media, have changed the game for The Collective — and so many other businesses, too. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Collective
The Collective Instagram
Localist episode with Clay Conner
Meet Your Stylist quiz
Kizzie Warren (social media) LinkedIn
Kizzie Warren Instagram
Kizzie Warren hair Instagram
This week we’re talking with Jenny Otwell, owner of Magic City Organics, a curated market of select CBD products in Birmingham, AL. There are a lot of misunderstandings surrounding the world of CBD and hemp-derived products, but Jenny breaks down how they handle that and educate their customers on the benefits of using their wide variety of products. Jenny describes the hurdles they’ve had to overcome ranging from the ever-changing FDA regulations on marketing to being kicked off their Shopify platform. Jenny then shares the value in networking and why she so often promotes other small businesses. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
TunyURL.com/GetLocalist
Vinegar Projects
WordPress
Chocolata
Mammoth Murals
Botanica
Shoppe
Church Street Coffee and Books
Jonathan Benton Bookseller
Ross Bridge
Juniper
Gaia Florals
MagicCityOrganics.com
@MagicCityOrganics on Instagram
701 37th Street South, Suite 9
Birmingham, AL
This week we’re chatting with James Little, owner of Filter Coffee Parlor in the Five Points neighborhood in Birmingham. Filter opened in 2019, not long before the pandemic began. We learn how the business had to pivot (and pivot again!), and how they’ve landed on their sustainability-focused ethos, as well as how they relay that to their customers. Filter is also focused on providing work-life balance for every team member, and James describes the steps they’ve taken to get there and how it’s been received. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
TinyURL.com/GetLocalist
REV Birmingham
Church Street Coffee and Books
The Starbucks Experience: A Localist Christmas Story
OHenry’s Coffee
5 Points Alliance
World Centric Cups
Pink House Alchemy
Working Cows Dairy
Milkadamia
Field Culture Compost
Repurpose.org
Amavida Coffee
Alabama Environmental Council
UAB Sustainability
Ski Butlers on the Localist Podcast
Filter Coffee Parlor
Filter Coffee Parlor on Instagram
This week we’re chatting with Bryn Carey, founder and CEO of Ski Butlers. Ski Butlers has been in business since 2004 and has been known for their legendary customer service ever since. Bryn dives into the origin of Ski Butlers, how he expanded in the beginning, and how he continues to expand every year by constantly keeping their core values top of mind. Bryn is passionate about the environment and climate change and breaks down how Ski Butlers does their best to achieve a net zero carbon footprint, as well as resources for other businesses to take steps in the same direction. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
TinyURL.com/GetLocalist
Canyons Village at Park City
The Ultimate Question
Delivering Happiness
Banking on Climate Chaos
KeyBank
The Solutions Project
Project Drawdown
Simple Numbers
Atomic Habits
The One Thing
Good to Great
The 80/20 Principle
Effortless
Essentialism
The Tim Ferriss Podcast
The 4-Hour Work Week
SkiButlers.com
@SkiButlers on Instagram
This week, we’re diving into the ins and outs of business law with attorney Tripp Watson. Dealing with lawyers can be intimidating, but Tripp breaks down what to expect, what to look for when seeking legal advice and how to best utilize legal counsel. It can be tempting to use sites like LegalZoom, but it’s not right for every situation! Tripp breaks down when you can use template sites and when you need something more advanced. We also learn common mistakes Tripp sees in small businesses and the value in having a plan for the best and worst case scenarios. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
TinyURL.com/GetLocalist
LegalZoom
Squarespace
Church Street Coffee and Books
The Garage
tmsearch.uspto.gov
TrippWatson.com
This week we’re welcoming Derek Matthews, entrepreneur and creator of Hoam Candle Co. The Localist team is obsessed not only with the candles Derek creates, but also his excellent social media strategy. Derek shares his methods for creating content that resonates with other small business owners and how he manages to stay relevant and on trend. Derek has started many businesses over the years and shares nuggets of wisdom that he’s learned along the way. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
TinyURL.com/getlocalist
Hoam Candle Co.
@HoamCandleCo on Instagram
@HoamCandleCo on Tik Tok
@TheReelHoamy on Instagram
Black Candle Maker's Club on Facebook
The Localist Book
Punch Love Coffee
MakeBHM
This week we are wrapping up and reviewing the second quarter of 2022 and making plans for quarter three. Carrie shares her tried-and-true method for reviewing and assessing your goals, along with the best ways to keep yourself accountable and moving forward. We go over four different areas to consider in your review, as well as the importance of knowing your inspiration, outsourcing what you can, and reaching out for guidance when you need it. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com. Mentioned in this episode:
TinyUrl.com/getlocalist
Infomedia
EOS
The 12 Week Year
Short Timelines, Big Results: Optimizing for 2021 with “The 12 Week Year”
You Need A Budget
Working with Family Members: When It Works, Why It’s Tricky, and How to Protect Your Business and Your Relationship (Featuring Susan Rollwagen of Pepperbox Solutions)
Come Back Strong: How to Rejoin the Work Force with a Solid Resume after Maternity, Sabbatical, Extended Leave or Side Hustles
How to Lead a Team During Quarantine: Susan Rollwagen on Managing Remotely in a Time of Uncertainly and Stress
Care for Your Staff (and They’ll Help You Profit) with Susan Rollwagen
Diversity at Work: What Can a Small Business Do?
Navigating Unplanned Homeschooling with Susan Rollwagen
Pepperbox Consulting
Emily Wells Design
Emily Wells on the Localist Podcast
Canva
CarrieRollwagen.com
@CRollwagen on Instagram
This week we’re chatting with Clay Conner, Director of Business Development at Infomedia in Birmingham, AL, about the somewhat intimidating topic of sales. Clay has been in sales for over 20 years and has really fine-tuned his methods. We talk about the power of actually connecting with potential clients versus just diving in straight away with your pitch, Clay’s game plan for networking, and why you should never, ever burn bridges. Clay also shares some excellent resources and tips for improving your own sales tactics. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Rashel Post really takes the adage “reduce, reuse, recycle” to heart with Peddling Post, her small business that assesses and sells valuables that are no longer wanted or needed. Rashel is passionate about giving unwanted items a second life, whether that’s through reselling, upcycling, or donating, and she shares where Peddling Post got its start and how it’s evolved from the beginning. Reselling items yourself can be intimidating, but Rashel shares her tips – as well as how she keeps her business ready for growth and change. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
PeddlingPost.com
Marie Kondo
Poshmark
tinyurl.com/carrieconsult
CarrieRollwagen.com
@CRollwagen on Instagram
eBay
Goodwill
Community Furniture Bank
Sozo Trading
Grace Klein
Retold Recycling
King’s Home
ThredUp
The RealReal
Etsy
Gone for Good
Devote Studio
Antiques Roadshow
This week we’re welcoming Land Arnold of Letters Bookshop. Land and Carrie begin by catching up with how Letters weathered the pandemic )they moved to a new location!). We then discuss selling on Bookshop.org, how the book industry’s experiences battling Amazon can be useful to other ecommerce shops, and why brick-and-mortar stores are important. We get into the nitty gritty of selling both new and used books, how often inventory should turn over, and where to begin if you want to start a bookstore. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
This week we’re welcoming Megan Cain, owner of The Zen Succulent with locations in both Raleigh and Durham, NC. Megan got her start on Etsy while unable to land a job after graduating with a business degree and deciding to pursue what brought her peace and creativity - plants! We learn how Megan went from humble beginnings in her mom’s garage to two thriving locations, features in everything from Architecture Digest to HGTV, and how she has grown her business even during a pandemic. Megan also shares her perspective on social media, multiple revenue streams, and managing customer expectations. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com. Mentioned in this episode:
The Zen Succulent
The Zen Succulent Press
Modern Terrarium Studio
Spectrum Pay it Forward Grant
The Parlour
CarrieRollwagen.com
Church Street Coffee and Books
Jonathan Benton Bookseller
Infomedia
One Quick Question with Infomedia
Tinyurl.com/carrieconsult
This week we’re welcoming Jonathan Walls, a potential business owner who’s developing a board game concept. Carrie does her first business consultation with Jonathan, and we get to listen in! We hear what Carrie learned from her branding consultant, Emily Wells, and then we talk through Jonathan’s questions: Should he start an LLC or an S Corp? Use Legal Zoom or a lawyer? What are the pros and cons of raising money through investors versus with a Kickstarter? And how should Jonathan value the contributions of his business partner? Find full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
This week we’re talking with Maddie Roberts, realtor and cofounder of Alabama Home Girl Group, your go-to for all things real estate. Maddie tells us how she made the jump from marketing to real estate, and how she thinks outside the box when it comes to marketing her homes and services. Maddie shares her strategy for content creation, how she connects with her followers, and how she handles pushback from fellow realtors. Consulting can get a bad rap, but Maddie shares how she consults with entrepreneurs, and Carrie shares about starting her own consulting services. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
This week we’re welcoming Maria Underwood, founder of the Chrome extension Fundrage that follows along as you read the news and allows you to donate to related nonprofits in real time. Maria had virtually no tech experience after a career in nonprofits, but decided to found Fundrage in 2017. Maria shares how she got started with sourcing funding, finding developers, and getting the word out about Fundrage. We also learn how Maria is constantly updating Fundrage based on feedback and how all feedback has the potential to be helpful. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
This week we’re talking with Johnny Ardis, board member of Open Books and The Prison Book Project, a used bookstore and 501c3 nonprofit in Pensacola that sends books to inmates across Florida. We dive into the origin story of both the bookstore and the nonprofit and how it has evolved over the years, including how the pandemic affected them. Open Books is 99% donation based and volunteer-run, and Johnny shares the intricacies of depending on donations and volunteers to run a business. We also learn ways to get involved with The Prison Book Project and ways to start something similar in your area. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com
This week we’re sharing a new quarterly series where we review the highs and lows from the previous quarter. Carrie has experimented with a ton of different systems and has honed it down to a few steps that work both personally and professionally. We break down why reviewing a quarter is better than longer or shorter periods of time, Carrie’s tried and true methods, and four different categories to focus on. Carrie also shares great resources to get inspired and start your own quarterly review. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
We’re welcoming back Pam Sanderson, Director of Account Development at Infomedia, to dig into the mysteries of increasing website traffic. Pam has over a decade of experience and shares her knowledge on what you need to consider before you build or redesign your website, and tips to make Google happy (and thus send people to your website!). We then touch on a few digital services to drive web traffic, social media best practices, and when you should and shouldn’t try to do this yourself. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
You’ve probably heard more about cyber attacks and hacking in the past few days in light of the war between Russia and Ukraine. These are scary words! That’s why we brought Michael Stuckey back on to break down what this can mean for us and our small businesses. We dive into how misinformation can be perpetuated so quickly, and how to identify legit sources. Cyber attacks can take many forms and we break those down as well as ways you can protect yourself and your assets. We wrap up with the best general security practices and practical tips. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Is it just us, or has the first quarter of 2022 felt like walking through mud? Ok, we know it’s not just us, and that’s exactly what we’re diving into on this week’s episode. Carrie breaks down some of the reasons we may be feeling like this, and other factors that may be contributing to the general malaise. She then gets into what NOT to do (guilt has no place here!), and then gives easy, actionable tips and resources to break out of the slump. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Is it just us, or has the first quarter of 2022 felt like walking through mud? Ok, we know it’s not just us, and that’s exactly what we’re diving into on this week’s episode. Carrie breaks down some of the reasons we may be feeling like this, and other factors that may be contributing to the general malaise. She then gets into what NOT to do (guilt has no place here!), and then gives easy, actionable tips and resources to break out of the slump. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
“Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” That’s the motto of Courtney Matthews, tax coach and this week’s guest here to tackle all things tax-related! Taxes are intimidating to most people but Courtney gives her expert tips to help us all get ahead and prepare for 2022 taxes. We cover what you can (and can’t) deduct, whether you actually have to keep all those receipts or not, and how to avoid the mistakes she sees all the time. Courtney also shares how to find a legit tax professional, and how to handle a side hustle. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
mCoreTax.com
Tax Coach Courtney on YouTube
@TaxCoachCourtney on Instagram
Xero Accounting software
Wave Accounting Software
Bonsai Freelance Accounting
ScanGuru on Apple
ScanGuru on GooglePlay
Gusto
Systems Accelerator
CarrieRollwagen.com
@CRollwagen on Instagram
This week on the Localist, we’re talking to Eric Bennett and John Easterling, two local bartenders who are opening their own bar, Continental Drift, soon. Eric and John have both worked in the most popular bars and restaurants in Birmingham, and are putting their expertise and experience to work. They tell us how they found the perfect location, how the buildout phase is going, and how the pandemic has affected their opening schedule. We also learn the inspiration behind their menu, how they’re approaching staffing and management, and the concerns they have about working together as friends. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
This week on the Localist, we’re talking to Eric Bennett and John Easterling, two local bartenders who are opening their own bar, Continental Drift, soon. Eric and John have both worked in the most popular bars and restaurants in Birmingham, and are putting their expertise and experience to work. They tell us how they found the perfect location, how the buildout phase is going, and how the pandemic has affected their opening schedule. We also learn the inspiration behind their menu, how they’re approaching staffing and management, and the concerns they have about working together as friends. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
This week we’re bringing you an episode from Telluride, CO! Carrie talks with Megan Ossolo, owner of The Butcher & The Baker in Telluride, about tourism, housing issues, and staffing. Housing issues have ramped up everywhere in the past few years, and Telluride is no exception. However, Telluride is struggling to find a balance between its dependence on tourism and supporting locals. Megan tells us how she’s working to incentivize home owners to rent long term, how she’s dealt with the pushback, and how important it is to take care of your staff. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
The enneagram has been around for a long time, but you’ve probably noticed it’s blown up in popularity the past few years. You’ve undoubtedly seen a few memes, and may feel clueless if you haven’t dipped your toe in yet! Fear not, we’ve brought on Enneagram coach Jorja White to break down what the Enneagram really is (and isn’t), and how it can help you in your business. Jorja describes the main pros of using the Enneagram as a business owner, the value in investing in your staff, and her process when working with clients. Jorja also touches on the benefits to knowing your type even if you’re not a business owner! Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
We’re wrapping up our goal setting series with a celebration! Why? Because that’s a critical part of the goal setting process! We know it can feel silly and frivolous to celebrate your own accomplishments, but we’re breaking down why you should do exactly that. Carrie details her tried and true methods for reviewing goals and progress, how it actually helps your brain to do so, and out-of-the-box ways to measure progress even if you feel like you didn’t make any. Then we dive into all the fun ideas for celebration! Dinner, a party, even a special cup of coffee does the trick! Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
In the fourth episode of our goal setting series, we’re diving into how to handle the inevitable interruptions that come up and derail us from our goals. Carrie starts off with how to find your focus groove in the first place, and how to identify if and when you’ll allow interruptions. Believe it or not, rest is actually really important when it comes to getting focused again; Carrie breaks down how to know if you’re getting distracted or if you really just need a break. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
We’re back with the third episode of our goal setting series and this time we’re tackling the near-inevitable hopelessness that we all feel when our goals seem a little too far out of reach. This “valley of despair” is totally normal (there are even studies about it!) and we’re sharing our best tips for how to get out of the pit. Carrie dives into the difference between tactics and goals, the importance of being honest with yourself and the goals you’ve set, and the magic of measurement. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
We’re back with the second episode of our goals series and this week we’re talking about SMART goals! We’ve all undoubtedly read at least one poorly written blog post going on about SMART goals, but Carrie takes it a step further and gives real life examples of how to set goals that are actually smart and work for you. Carrie walks us through the acronym and breaks down what works for her, the benefits of following this system, and the value in rethinking failure. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
The Localist Podcast is back with a brand new series to kick off 2022! The new year is a perfect time to both reflect and set new goals, and that’s exactly what Carrie is diving into today. She breaks down what this series is (and Isn’t), her best tips for setting yourself up for success, and the best methods for honing in on your goals. Carrie then shares a ton of resources that have helped her with goal setting (and achieving!), as well as knowing when to scale back. Full Show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
CarrieRollwagen.com
@CRollwagen on Instagram
Crayola Super Tips Markers
The Secret
Emily Wells Design on the Localist Podcast
Infomedia
Good Job by Alicia Keys
I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty
You’re Welcome with Hilary Rushford
Marketing Made Simple Podcast
Second Life by Hillary Kerr Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Working Girl
Empire Records
You’ve Got Mail
The Fast and the Furious
Kelly Cummings on the Localist Podcast
12 Week Mastermind
Localist Podcast Episode About The 12 Week Year
Buy the 12 Week Year Book
WW
Year Compass
The holiday shopping season is quickly approaching (let’s be honest, it’s already here!), so we put together a guide for shopping local-ish this year! We know it’s not realistic to shop from locally owned businesses for every person on your list, so Carrie breaks down her best strategies for making a list, making (and staying on) a budget, and making shopping fun! We also get into some out-of-the-box gift ideas, and ways to support local shops even if you aren’t able to buy gifts from them. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
CarrieRollwagen.com
Leslie Johnson on the Localist Podcast
Sam Humphries and Caleb Chancey on the Localist Podcast
Janna Stevens on the Localist Podcast
The Local List Birmingham
Spotify Playlist of Localist Christmas Stories
Localist Christmas Stories PDF
Buy The Localist Book
Morgan Johnston on Strategizing for the Holiday Retail Season on the Localist Podcast
Etsy
Grommet
Birmingham Breadworks
Church Street Coffee and Books
@CRollwagen on Instagram
Trello
Piper & Leaf Tea Co
Twisting Tea Balls
Great Bear Wax Co
Soapy Jones on the Localist Podcast
Birchbox
Barkbox
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
On Writing by Stephen King
Annie B. Jones on the Localist Podcast
The Bookshelf
Emily Wells Design on the Localist Podcast
We’re wrapping up our website series this week with Janna Stevens, small business owner and Head of Project Strategy at Infomedia! Janna worked on Carrie’s website redesign, but she’s also working on her own website! We learn more about Janna’s business, The Skating Yogi, and her experience with the branding and website process. Janna and Carrie both are experienced in walking clients through this process and break down the why and how of their strategy. We also get insider tips on tackling a website project on your own! Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
CarrieRollwagen.com
Infomedia
Leslie Johnson on the Localist Podcast
Sam Humphries and Caleb Chancey on the Localist Podcast
Squarespace
Wix
One Quick Question with Infomedia
Janna Stevens on One Quick Question with Infomedia
@TheSkatingYogi on Instagram
Railroad Park
Saturn Birmingham
Church Street Coffee and Books
WordCamp
Emily Wells Design on the Localist Podcast
Morgan Johnston on Instagram
Club Duquette
Alana Harmond on Instagram
Buy Yourself the Fucking Lillies by Tara Schuster
TheLocalistBham.com
The Localist Book
We’re continuing our website/brand design series with Sam Humphries, Art Director, and Caleb Chancey, Creative Director, from Infomedia. Sam and Caleb both worked on redesigning Carrie’s website (launching soon!), and break down that process from start to finish. We get into what ideas Carrie started out with, what Sam and Caleb considered, and why branding exercises are so valuable. Sam and Caleb also share insider tips, like if it’s ever ok to be a bit cliche, how and how long users interact with a web page, and the many categories of logos. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Infomedia
Lauren Humphries of Humphries Screen Printing on the Localist podcast
CarrieRollwagen.com
One Quick Question with Infomedia
LocalistPodcast.com
@CRollwagen on Instagram
Rifle Paper Co.
Jony Ive
Mallory Webb of Daughters Baking on the Localist podcast
Daughters Baking
Emily Wells on the Localist Podcast
Fiverr
Squarespace
Caleb on One Quick Question with Infomedia
Leslie Johnson, Project Management Lead at Infomedia, is on the podcast this week to kick off our website series: For the next few episodes we’ll be talking to experts about best practices for setting up or launching a website and everything involved in that process! Leslie has a decade of experience in managing website projects and breaks down what you need to know and have to get started, how to work within your budget, and tips for staying organized. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Squarespace
Wix
WordPress
Infomedia
One Quick Question with Infomedia
Southern Progress
Church Street Coffee and Books
DNS
Shutterstock
Unsplash
Trello
SSL certificate
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
@Crollwagen on Instagram
Leslie Johnson, Project Management Lead at Infomedia, is on the podcast this week to kick off our website series: For the next few episodes we’ll be talking to experts about best practices for setting up or launching a website and everything involved in that process! Leslie has a decade of experience in managing website projects and breaks down what you need to know and have to get started, how to work within your budget, and tips for staying organized. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Squarespace
Wix
WordPress
Infomedia
One Quick Question with Infomedia
Southern Progress
Church Street Coffee and Books
DNS
Shutterstock
Unsplash
Trello
SSL certificate
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
@Crollwagen on Instagram
Elisa Munoz, Executive Director of New Orleans Food Policy Action Council, is on the podcast this week to dive into the world of nonprofits! Elisa has been working in the nonprofit space for over a decade and breaks down the difference in nonprofit organizations versus for profit businesses, including misconceptions, funding, and the nonprofit industrial complex. Elisa and Carrie then get into what you should consider if you don't know whether to start a nonprofit or a for profit business. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
New Orleans Food Policy Action Council
Kellogg Fellowship
AmeriCorps
What is a foundation?
Ford Foundation
United Way
The Investment vs Granting Gap in Philanthropy
https://acceleratecharitablegiving.org/
Bici Coop
B Corporations
Monsanto
https://nonprofitaf.com/
www.nolafoodpolicy.org
elisa@nolafoodpolicy.org
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
Carrie is back this week with a solo episode inspired by her recent travels. We know where and how to shop local when we’re at home, but it can be a completely different ball game when we’re traveling. Carrie breaks down her best tips for finding great local food and drink, how to sort through reviews, and how to avoid getting hangry on vacation. She also reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect — shopping local-ish is great, too! Carrie then drops some great recommendations for anyone in or traveling to Vancouver, WA! Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
@CRollwagen on Instagram
Behind the Scenes at the Localist: Meet the Team
Southern Living
Kafiex
Relevant Coffee
Compass Coffee
The Great North
Syrup Trap
K & M Drive-In
Parking Kitty
Duck Tales Kitchen
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes and introducing our team members! Alana, outreach manager, is the newest addition with a passion for plants and a history in retail. Brad, sound engineer from the beginning, is a musician and general local music culture enthusiast. Michelle, show runner from the start, is a book lover and stickler for finding links. And Beka, production assistant, is another incredibly helpful newer addition with a tech background. They all share their favorite episodes and local shops, and why shopping local is important to them. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
ThinkLocalist.com
@AlanaHarmond on Instagram
Morgan Johnson’s first episode on the Localist Podcast
Morgan Johnston's second episode on the Localist Podcast
Club Duquette
Botanica
Caitlin Hastings of Botanica on the Localist Podcast
Brad Davis on Instagram
Infomedia
Seasick Records
Bandcamp
Burrito Punx on the Localist Podcast
Wess Gregg from Sanctum Comics & Tattoos on the Localist Podcast
Michelle Phillips on Instagram
Michelle’s first episode on the Localist Podcast
Michelle’s second episode on the Localist Podcast
Michelle’s third episode on the Localist Podcast
O’Henry’s Coffee
Greenhouse Bham
Church Street Coffee and Books
Little Professor
The Localist’s Christmas Episode 1
The Localist’s Christmas Episode 2
The Localist’s Christmas Episode 3
The Localist’s Christmas Episode 4
Curtis Bridges on the Localist Podcast
Working with Family Members: When It Works, Why It’s Tricky, and How to Protect Your Business and Your Relationship (Featuring Susan Rollwagen of Pepperbox Solutions)
Come Back Strong: How to Rejoin the Work Force with a Solid Resume after Maternity, Sabbatical, Extended Leave or Side Hustles with Susan Rollwagen
How to Lead a Team During Quarantine: Susan Rollwagen on Managing Remotely in a Time of Uncertainty and Stress
Care for Your Staff (and They’ll Help You Profit) with Susan Rollwagen
Diversity at Work: What Can a Small Business Do? with Susan Rollwagen
Mary Claire of Greenhouse on the Localist Podcast
Michael Kierspe on the Localist Podcast
Beka Harmon on Instagram
ThinkLocalist.com
Thirsty Monk Brewery
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Emily Wells, brand identity designer and consultant, joins the podcast this week to dive into intentional branding. Emily knows through years of experience that cohesiveness in branding makes a business owner’s life so much easier. She breaks down her methods for finding your niche, clarifying your goals, and honing your brand to reach your desired client. Emily also describes how she got started, and the benefits she saw when she refined her own brand and turned down clients that didn’t align. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Emily Wells Design
Mallory Webb of Daughters Baking on the Localist podcast
Jessica Hinton of Empress Stationery on the Localist podcast
Empress Stationery
Daughters Baking
Canva
PrintsWell
Emily’s Brand Reserves
Emily’s Collateral Catalogue
WordCamp
Emily@emilywells.com
@EmilyWellsDesign on Instagram
Emily Wells Design on Pinterest
ThinkLocalist.com
@EmilyWellsDesign on Instagram
Caitlin Hastings, owner of Botanica Houseplant Shop, is on the podcast this week to dive into the business of houseplants! During the pandemic, the houseplant business boomed for Caitlin, leading her to open two additional locations. Caitlin and Carrie get into how Botanica started as a pop up and consulting business, what her goals were with opening a store, and how that has evolved over the years. Caitlin also describes her social media strategy, her genius method for hiring, and how she networks to promote the business. Full show notes at Localist Podcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Botanica
Botanica on Instagram
Botanica Huntsville on Instagram
Botanica Chattanooga on Instagram
”Unsleeving” a new plant
Church Street Coffee and Books
The Sill
Bloomscape
Shopify
Bham Now
REV Birmingham
Interior Design with Courtenay Rollwagen on the Localist podcast
Good People Brewing Company
Frothy Monkey Birmingham
Bocca Ristorante
Cayo Coco
Magic City Nutrition
ThinkLocalist.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Carrie is back this week with a solo episode diving into business books! And don’t let that scare you if you’re not a huge book person; Carrie takes that into account and gives practical tips even if you don’t want to sit down and read a book cover to cover! Carrie tells us how to actually find relevant business books, how to vet books, and how not to get swept away by an idea. It can be super helpful to take notes, and Carrie breaks down her system for that. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
ThinkLocalist.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Working with Family Members: When It Works, Why It’s Tricky, and How to Protect Your Business and Your Relationship (Featuring Susan Rollwagen of Pepperbox Solutions)
Come Back Strong: How to Rejoin the Work Force with a Solid Resume after Maternity, Sabbatical, Extended Leave or Side Hustles with Susan Rollwagen
How to Lead a Team During Quarantine: Susan Rollwagen on Managing Remotely in a Time of Uncertainly and Stress
Care for Your Staff (and They’ll Help You Profit) with Susan Rollwagen
Diversity at Work: What Can a Small Business Do? with Susan Rollwagen
Building a Storybrand
Marketing Made Simple
What is a Nurture Campaign?
Malcolm Gladwell
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
The Tim Ferriss Show
Craig Hurst of GearBox on the Localist podcast
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Buy a copy of The Localist Book
Emmet O’Neal Library
Libro.fm
Moleskines
Bullet Journal
The Great Game of Business
Infomedia
Soapy Jones, founder of Left Hand Soap Company, is on the Localist this week to dive into the world of natural, locally crafted soap and self care products. Soapy (yes, that’s her real legal name!) began making soap for gifts as a poor college grad, and it quickly turned into a business. Soapy describes moving the business during a pandemic, and how their product focus has shifted in the last year and a half. After 20+ years in the business, Soapy tells us how she stays interested, as well as how she deals with copycats. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Left Hand Soap Company
Left Hand Soap on Instagram
Pepper Place
Yellowhammer Creative
Square One Goods Co.
Birmingham Museum of Art
Alphabetizing with Burrito Punx on the Localist podcast
Filter Coffee Parlor
Church Street Coffee and Books
Red Bike Coffee
Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetics Guild
Goats Milk, Oats, and Honey soap (dry skin)
Cucumber Lemon soap (dry skin)
Rosemary Detox soap (oily skin)
Soap Making 101
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Buy Us a Coffee!
CarrieRollwagen.com
Matt Seward and Tim Frazier join the podcast this week to give us the punk rock details behind the creation of Burrito Punx, the burrito delivery company in Birmingham. Burrito Punx was a product of the pandemic — it started out as an underground operation out of Matt’s kitchen, but they both knew they wanted to make it legit. We find out how they brought the business above ground, why most of their burritos are vegan, and what their future plans are post-pandemic. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Burrito Punx
@BurritoPunx on Instagram
Birmingham Classic Cuts
Saturn Birmingham
Brian Teasley of Saturn on the Localist podcast
Red Bike Coffee
Church Street Coffee and Books
Worrell Poole CPA
Fugazi
Bottletree
TVP
Bandito Burrito Co
Seasick Records
Black Flag
Jackie Lo
Harvest Roots
Wess Gregg from Sanctum Tattoos & Comics on the Localist podcast
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Buy Us a Coffee!
CarrieRollwagen.com
This week we’re joined by Steph Whitaker, owner and creator of Engaged Wedding Library. Steph knew from personal experience how overwhelming wedding planning can be and set out to make it easier for other brides. Steph and Carrie get into how Engaged works, how Steph came up with this model, and how it has evolved over the years. Steph describes how they’ve fared the last year and a half, how she avoids burnout for herself and her team, and what you can expect working with Engaged. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Engaged Wedding Library
Engaged Wedding Library on Instagram
Diamonds Direct
Perfect Wedding Guide Magazine
The Bridal Bar
Meghan Gray Photography
Carrie’s Wedding blog
Engaged Collective Bridal Event
Taco Mama
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Buy Us a Coffee!
CarrieRollwagen.com
If you go into business for yourself, you probably know it will impact your relationships in some way, but you may not know exactly what to anticipate. Carrie breaks down what you might expect from friends, family, random people you meet at a party, and everyone in between. As a former small business owner, Carrie shares advice and lessons she learned, like how to handle friends and family who don’t “get it,” how to deal with inevitable change in some of your relationships, and why not to hire your friends. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Buy Us a Coffee!
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Jessica Hinton of Empress Stationery on the Localist podcast
Empress Stationery Mini Episode
Church Street Coffee and Books
Cary Norton
Stephanie Masters
David O’Gwynn on the Localist podcast
Jimmy Truong of June Roasters on the Localist podcast
Susan Rollwagen on Working with Family on the Localist Podcast
Infomedia
Mary Claire Britton of Greenhouse on the Localist podcast
Paramount
Trattoria Zaza
Kaitlyn and Alan Slattery of Dreamers Supply on the Localist podcast
CarrieRollwagen.com
LocalistMedia@gmail.com
Jessica Hinton of Empress Stationery is back on the Localist podcast with a mini episode! Jessica was in the wedding industry for a decade before getting married and ultimately bringing her husband on board to work with Empress. We talk about the huge life shift she experienced in the early days of Empress, and how being single impacted her work. Working with a spouse is not for everyone, but Jessica breaks down how bringing her husband into her business has helped her — and her business — thrive. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Empress Stationery
Kelly Cummings - Spindle Photography
Empress Stationery on the Localist podcast
Empress Stationery on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Jessica Hinton, creative director & founder of Empress Stationery, is on the podcast this week to dive into growing her business, social media strategy, time management, and more. Empress started out as a side hustle, but quickly became her passion. Jessica dives into how Empress became her main hustle, how her focus has evolved over the years, and how she navigated the early days of Instagram. Jessica and a fellow entrepreneur developed a hugely successful internship handbook, and she details her strategy with interns now and how that has changed over the years. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Empress Stationery
Empress Stationery on Instagram
Rotary Trail
Emily Wells Design
Mallory Webb of Daughters Baking on the Localist podcast
Cars
Empress Stationery on Pinterest
BhamNow
HoneyBook
Fetch Marketing
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Buy Us a Coffee!
We’ve got a short and sweet mini episode for you with Jimmy Truong of June Roasters! Jimmy was on the podcast last week and got into the details of the coffee world, but we didn’t get to cover pop ups. Jimmy kindly chatted with us for a few minutes about the ins and outs of pop ups: how he ran his, his process and equipment, and what he learned from doing them. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Queen’s Park
Punch Love Coffee
Automatic Seafood and Oysters
La Marzocco Linea Mini
Mahlkonig EK43S Grinder
Publix
Matty Matheson
CarrieRollwagen.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
This week Jimmy Truong, owner and founder of June Roasters, joins the podcast to dive into the world of coffee! June Roasters started out as Epilogue and mostly focused on wholesale, but Jimmy knew a change was inevitable. He describes that process as well as the meaning behind the name June and what he envisions for the future. Mistakes are also inevitable, and Carrie and Jimmy talk about the mistakes Jimmy made early on (he now encourages everyone to get a lawyer from the beginning!). Jimmy describes how he is preparing to be a boss and how he hopes to involve his staff in the business. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
June Roasters
David Baker Architects
Golden Age Wine
Golden Age Wine on the Localist podcast
Alex Joganic
Church Street Coffee and Books
La Marzocco Espresso Machine
The Great Game of Business
Piper & Leaf Tea Co.
Piper & Leaf Tea Co on the Localist podcast
Little Professor
Jonathan Robinson of Little Professor on the Localist podcast
Locke General Contractors
General
Punch Love Coffee
Mom’s Basement
Revelator Coffee (formerly Octane Coffee)
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Buy Us a Coffee!
This week, Carrie is diving into how to get back on track (and how to find a track if you didn’t have one to begin with!). Going beyond just Googling for tips, Carrie breaks down actual strategies and ways to implement them, including how to identify what you’re actually struggling with and defining your vision. Inspiration and motivation are incredibly important but can be elusive, so Carrie has tips for finding those, too! Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Buy Us a Coffee!
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
The 12 Week Year Book
Morgan Johnston’s first Localist episode
Morgan Johnston’s second Localist episode
Robin Arzon on Instagram
Eating the Frog
Eating the Elephant
Morgan Johnston on Instagram
@CRollwagen on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
Wess Gregg, co-owner of Sanctum Tattoos and Comics, is on the podcast this week to give us a peek behind the curtain of running a comic shop. Wess describes how his years of experience in the comic book world gave him an advantage when opening Sanctum, but also shares the areas where he needed some guidance. Wess and Carrie then get into how he and his business partner, Aaron, manage running two separate businesses under the same roof (and LLC), and what surprised Wess about owning a business. They wrap up with the logistics of a comic book shop and a few services Sanctum offers. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Sanctum Tattoo and Comics
Cave 9
Church Street Coffee and Books
The Plague
Ninja Turtles comic books
Diamond Comic Distributors
Saturn
Yellowhammer Creative
Tiger King
Seasick Records
Shopify
Sandman Volume 1
Lion and Unicorn
Detective Comics #1036
Dazzler #1
West Coast Avengers
Loki on Disney+
CarrieRollwagen.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Buy Us a Coffee
Michael Kierspe of Infomedia joins Carrie to dive into the world of digital marketing. We may have a love-hate relationship with digital marketing, but it’s a necessary evil. Approaching it with authenticity in your business is a gamechanger, and Michael breaks down how to do that, the dos and don’ts of getting started, and how to work with the algorithms. We also get into how to best manage your digital assets, what to expect if you want to work with an agency, and give actionable tips to improve your social presence. Full show notes at LocalistPodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Infomedia
Uptick Marketing
Church Street Coffee and Books
Facebook Business Manager
LastPass
Michael Stuckey on the Localist Podcast
Should I use a password manager? on One Quick Question
1Password
Canva
Shopify
BigCommerce
Magento
Fiverr
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
@CRollwagen on Instagram
This week Dr. Bertha Hidalgo, epidemiologist, assistant professor, associate scientist, and influencer joins Carrie to dive into influencing in the time of covid. Dr. Hidalgo breaks down how she got started in social media and how her platform started evolving, even before the pandemic. Dr. Hidalgo isn’t a stranger to imposter syndrome and describes how she moved past that and embraced her role as a science educator. Dr. Hidalgo shares how she deals with backlash, trolls, and stepping away when social media becomes too much. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Bertha Hidalgo on Instagram
ChicinAcademia.com
Karina Dresses
Ed Yong of The Atlantic
New England Journal of Medicine
Dr. Fauci on NPR’s 1A
A Pep Talk for Small Businesses During Quarantine
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
LocalistPodcast.com
With the 4th of July holiday upon us, Carrie is diving into best practices for communicating with your customers and clients around holiday hours. The more your customers understand what to expect, the more likely they are to buy from you! Carrie breaks down exactly what you can say in your social posts and gives easy and actionable tips to beef up your online presence. There’s even a free, no-strings-attached download available to make everything easier! Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Canva
Unsplash
Google My Business
CarrieRollwagen.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Buy Me a Coffee
Ace Graham, founder of lifestyle brand, retail store, and community hub Alchemy, joins Carrie to talk about building an authentic social and community brand. Ace details how Alchemy came to be after he ran several other businesses and consulted for years, and how he landed in Birmingham. Alchemy is a community-focused business and nonprofit, complete with 501c3 status, and Ace and Carrie go into the many ways Alchemy is serving the Birmingham community as well as how you can get involved. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Alchemy
Alchemy on Instagram
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Riverchase Galleria
Western Hills Mall
5 Points South
The 12 Week Year
Trattoria Zaza
The Pizitz
Eric Bennett
Forstall Art Center
Bistro 218
Filter Coffee Parlor
Church Street Coffee and Books
@AlchemyCares On Instagram
@AlchemyRunCrew On Instagram
Trak Shak
Insomnia Cookies
Surin West
Pancake House
Highlands Bar and Grill
Buy Carrie a Coffee
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
@crollwagen on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
This week, Carrie is back to dive deeper into time blocking and the different ways you can control your schedule! Time blocking isn’t a new concept, but there are so many ways you can go about it. Carrie breaks down theme days, batching, the pomodoro technique, the pros and cons of each method, and who each method might work best for. And if you’re more interested in time blocking and want to try it out with a friend, Carrie details what’s included in the 12 Week Mastermind starting July 1! More info and full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
The 12 Week Year
Pomodoro Technique
The Next Right Thing Podcast
The Next Right Thing Podcast on Theme Days
The Next Right Thing Podcast follow up on Theme Days
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
A Beautiful Mess Podcast on Batch Working
Trello
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Morgan Johnston on the Localist Podcast
Morgan Johnston on Instagram
Eat the Frog First
Join the 12 Week Mastermind!
12 Week Mastermind FAQ
CarrieRollwagen.com
@CRollwagen on Instagram
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Buy Carrie a Coffee
This week, Carrie is diving into the first business-related book that has really resonated with her in a while, The 12 Week Year. If you’ve been struggling with motivation, burnout, or feeling aimless, this may be the book for you, too! Carrie breaks down the premise and benefits of a 12 Week Year and shares a few takeaways that are applicable to everyone. If you’re intrigued by a 12 week year, we have good news! Carrie is hosting a Mastermind group and shares all the fun details. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Mentioned in this episode:
Learn more about the 12 Week Year Mastermind
Buy an invitation to the 12 Week Year Mastermind
Apply for a scholarship to the mastermind
Buy The 12 Week Year book
Libro.fm (audiobook) referral link
Connor Knapp of Piper & Leaf on The Localist Podcast
The 12 Week Year
A Beautiful Mess Podcast
Patronus
Javacia Harris Bowser of See Jane Write on The Localist Podcast
CarrieRollwagen.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
@CRollwagen on Instagram
The 12 Week Year website
Buy Carrie a Coffee
Susan Rollwagen, an organizational development coach, is back this week to dive into diversity. Diversity can be an intimidating topic, but it doesn’t have to be! Susan breaks down what we mean by diversity, as well as what the law says (and doesn’t say) and who it applies to. Susan and Carrie then dig into diversity beyond the hiring process, and how to recognize and overcome our unconscious biases. Susan gives practical tips for how to build trust and respect with staff. Show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Pepperbox Solutions
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
MasterClass
localistmedia@gmail.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
@Crollwagen on Instagram
Luan Nguyen, owner and founder of Wheelhouse Academy, joins Carrie to dive into how he built a successful gym after a career in consulting with gym owners across the country. Wheelhouse isn’t your typical gym — they don’t focus on transformations as much as educating clients and building a plan for success. Luan breaks down what he learned from his consulting days and how he’s applied that to Wheelhouse. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Wheelhouse Academy
Battle Republic
Wheelhouse Radio
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
Crestline Bagel
Wheelhouse Salon
Church Street Coffee and Books
Fiverr
Squarespace
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
This week on The Localist, Carrie reminisces about her time managing Jonathan Benton, Bookseller. Carrie dives in with the lessons she learned through lots of trial and error, and what she took with her to her own shop. Carrie inherited a ton of debt when she became manager, but she was able to turn it around and got the store in the black by the time she left! Her methods may have bent the rules a bit, but Carrie gives tips that are applicable to all businesses. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Church Street Coffee and Books
Infomedia
Birmingham Post-Herald
Jonathan Benton Bookseller
Cracker Barrel
Libro.fm
Carrie’s Kickstarter
Sri on Instagram
The Localist by Carrie Rollwagen
Co-Owners of Golden Age Wine on The Localist Podcast
Golden Age Wine
Trattoria Zaza
Print Gocco
Hermione Granger
S.P.E.W.
Brick & Tin
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
Pam Sanderson, director of account development at Infomedia, is back on the podcast by popular demand! Last time, Pam and Carrie discussed how to make your website better overall, and this time they do a deep dive into ecommerce. The pandemic has forced many businesses to pivot to online sales whether they were prepared or not, and Pam and Carrie give excellent tips to up your ecommerce game. They start out with common pitfalls in ecommerce, the value in testing your website (don’t forget mobile!), and the importance of having well defined conversion goals to measure success. Google Analytics can seem intimidating, but Pam breaks it down and tells us the most valuable metrics to look at. Pam and Carrie both have extensive experience in website development and give great guidance on product entry, product photos, and different shipping methods. They wrap up with their preferred ecommerce platforms and how you can start working with Pam at Infomedia.
Mentioned in this episode:
Pam Sanderson
Infomedia
Make Your Website Better with Pam Sanderson on The Localist Podcast
The Bookshelf
Annie B. Jones of The Bookshelf on The Localist Podcast
Connor Knapp of Piper & Leaf Tea Co. on The Localist Podcast
Piper & Leaf Tea Co.
Shopify
WordCamp
Google Dev Tools
Church Street Coffee and Books
The Owners of Golden Age Wine on The Localist Podcast
@WileyPots on Instagram
WooCommerce
BigCommerce
Infomedia Contact Form
Kameron Monet Buckner is back on The Localist this week not only as an attorney, but also as a full time influencer! Shortly after Kameron’s first episode, she took the leap to pursue being an influencer and full time content creator. Kameron describes what led her to that leap of faith, the lessons she’s learned the hard way, and how she dealt with the fears that could have held her back. Kameron and Carrie then dive into negotiating with brands and the value in honing in on your target audience. Contracts can be overwhelming for a lay person, but Kameron details what to look out for (don’t do business in the DMs!), and lists the components even the simplest contract should include. Kameron and Carrie wrap up with setting boundaries for yourself to avoid burnout, Kameron’s viral reels, and the importance of having a support group you can relate to.
Mentioned in this episode:
@KameronMonet on Instagram
Kameron’s First episode on The Localist Podcast
@CreativesLawLibrary on Instagram
Infomedia
Kameron’s YouTube Channel
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
The Legal Tea Social
Church Street Coffee and Books
Voxer
Kameron’s First Viral Video
Kameron’s Second Viral Video
Forge Coworking Space
CarrieRollwagen.com
This week on The Localist, Connor Knapp, co-founder and co-owner of Piper & Leaf Tea Co., joins Carrie once again to fill us in on how they are faring during the pandemic. Connor was on the podcast just over a year ago and describes the rollercoaster of a year, including how online sales saved the business, and how this weird transition period we’re in now is just as tough in some ways as the beginning of the pandemic. Connor and Carrie discuss how restrictions have hit the food and beverage industry particularly hard, and how their values are helping them weather the storm. They follow up on Piper & Leaf’s contingency plan and how it panned out, how they operate with an open book management style, and how Connor got a better handle on business finances. They wrap up the conversation with other covid pivots Piper & Leaf made, and how to get out of your own way to open up opportunities.
Mentioned in this episode:
Piper & Leaf Tea Co.
Conor’s First Episode on The Localist Podcast
Shopify
The Great Game of Business
Carrie’s Episode on Finance Basics for Small Business on The Localist Podcast
Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor, MI
Profit First
The Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell MasterClass
CarrieRollwagen.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
This week on The Localist, Jason Lovoy, president of both Infomedia and Uptick Marketing in Birmingham, AL, joins Carrie to talk about the history and dynamics of the two sister companies. Jason and Carrie dive in with how Jason got started at Infomedia, how Uptick came to be, and how Jason deals with the unsolicited opinions of naysayers. Jason describes the evolution of the relationship between the two companies, and Carrie has some theories behind both the harder times and the happier times (Carrie has insider info since she’s the VP at Infomedia!). Jason and Carrie then get into the different ways Infomedia and Uptick approach their operations, and the pros and cons of each. They wrap up the conversation with how the two companies have built and maintained good reputations in the business community, and how to work with Infomedia and Uptick Marketing.
Mentioned in this episode:
Infomedia.com
UptickMarketing.com
Lyric Theatre
Alabama Theatre
Electromagnetic Marketing
Church Street Coffee and Books
SquareSpace
Wix
One Quick Question with Infomedia
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
This week on The Localist, Carrie is diving into the sometimes-scary world of business finances. Money can be stressful, emotional, and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Carrie was inspired to talk about this after participating in a SharkTank-like contest at a local high school. A lot of the projects had a common theme: underestimating how much funding their ideas would need. And this common theme isn’t specific to high school students; many entrepreneurs underestimate the funding they’ll need as well. Carrie then introduces the Rollwagen Theory of Accounting (disclaimer: Carrie is not an accountant!). Carrie points out that the math is actually pretty basic, the terminology is Googleable, and there is a simple formula to figure out profit. Carrie wraps up with the value of dividing money into buckets, the importance of having a solid business plan, and how you can still pursue your dream if the numbers don’t add up.
Mentioned in this episode:
Infomedia
Banks Academy
Create Birmingham’s CO.STARTERS
The Big Pitch - REV Birmingham
Piper & Leaf Tea Co.
Bham Burger Battle
James Spann
Church Street Coffee and Books
FreshBooks
Wave
The Girl’s Guide to Starting Your Own Business
In Search of the Perfect Store Front with Jackie and Lyndsy on The Localist Podcast
Southern Living
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
This week on The Localist, Neal Sims, chef de cuisine at .bowl, is joining Carrie to tell us all about ghost kitchens, a concept new to Birmingham and spearheaded by the team behind Brick & Tin. If you’re not sure what a ghost kitchen is, don’t worry — Neal and Carrie describe exactly what that means! Before the pandemic hit, Neal was climbing the ranks of the restaurant industry in New York City. He details the big-name restaurants he worked at, what led him to move home mid-pandemic, and how he got back into the restaurant industry in Birmingham. Neal tells Carrie how he approaches the menu at .bowl, and their ethos behind local produce and sustainability. Neal and Carrie touch on issues with using services like Door Dash, and why .bowl’s in-house delivery service is far better. They wrap up with some of Neal’s favorite menu items, a preview of what to expect on the spring menu, and how to get your hands on your own bowl.
Mentioned in this episode:
Bowl.
Brick & Tin
Church Street Coffee and Books
Satterfield’s
Momofuku
Ssam Bar
Mary Claire Britton of GreenHouse on The Localist Podcast
GreenHouse
Toast
Cook Out
CarrieRollwagen.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
This week, The Localist is diving into the world of choosing a brick and mortar retail space for your small business. Carrie is joined by Lyndsy Yim and Jackie Hollingsworth, both experienced brokers in the Birmingham area and the southeast. Jackie, Lyndsy, and Carrie start off with the things you need to have prepared before engaging a broker, including a business plan and financials. Many business owners don’t know everything that goes into securing a retail space, and Jackie and Lyndsy break down the benefits of having someone on your side throughout the process. Lyndsy generally works as a tenant rep and breaks down what you should be looking for as a tenant when looking for a broker (they should obviously support local businesses!). Jackie and Lyndsy then tell Carrie how the pandemic has affected their industry, the importance of having a support system, and why they both love what they do. They wrap up with what they look for in potential clients, and how to work with them.
Lyndsy Yim: yim@retailspecialists.com, office: 205.209.4595, cell: 205.482.1004
Jackie Hollingsworth: jackie@crawfordsq.com, office: 205.578.3162, cell: 251.751.5547
Mentioned in this episode:
Retail Specialists
Lyndsy Yim
Lyndsy on Instagram
Crawford Square Real Estate Advisors
Jackie on Instagram
Hero Doughnuts
Church Street Coffee and Books
One Poke
Pizitz
Pho Pho Vietnamese
J Wings
The Standard
Nori Thai and Sushi
Purple Onion
Underground Vegan
Bayer Properties
Red or White Wine
Taco Mama
Jefferson’s Restaurant
Buffalo Wild Wings
CarrieRollwagen.com
This week on The Localist, Amanda Blake, artist, art teacher, freelancer, and co-founder of the BHM Artist Collective, joins Carrie to talk about life after owning a small business. Amanda was the owner of the popular juicery and cafe Sprout & Pour. She describes how she got that business off the ground thanks to community support and partnerships, and what she learned over the course of owning a business that stuck with her after selling the business. Amanda then shares about the BHM Artist Collective: She dives into what inspired the collective, the projects they’ve worked on, and the logistics of pulling off large murals with dozens of contributing artists. Amanda and Carrie touch on the BLM movement and its expressions through art and community. They wrap up the conversation with what’s next for the BHM Artist Collective, and how you can get involved.
Mentioned in this episode:
BHM Artist Collective
Amanda Blake on Instagram
The Pizitz
Church Street Coffee and Books
StyleBlueprint Article about the BHM Artist Collective
REV Birmingham
Shawn Fitzwater
Shawn Fitzwater on Instagram
Blank Space Bham
Blank Space Bham on Instagram
Alabama Theatre
Sean GIlder
Lyric Theatre
John Lytle Wilson
Big Communications
Wheelhouse Salon
Civil Rights Institute
InSpero
Marcus Fetch
Equal Justice Initiative
Space One Eleven Arts Center
Duquette Johnston
Merrilee Challiss
Virginia Newcomb
Mana Public Arts
This week on The Localist, Carrie is tackling the tough topic of reinventing a business, side hustle, or project. Every business owner is familiar with the excitement of starting a new adventure, but what do you do when the adventure shifts and you have to rework the idea? Carrie describes her struggles with realizing aspects of a project are no longer working and her process of getting out of that rut, sans the fresh-start-excitement. She details the steps she took, resources she consulted, and gives practical tips that are relatively easy (and mostly free). Carrie wraps up with the importance of making hard decisions, having support, and bringing in new ideas.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Localist by Carrie Rollwagen
GarageBand
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Canva
The Girls Guide to Starting Your Own Business
TheLocalistBham.com
Church Street Coffee and Books
CarrieRollwagen.com
This week on The Localist, Carrie is diving into her experience hosting Instagram giveaways. Carrie details the handful of giveaways she’s done with her new Instagram account, @ThinkLocalist, including the reasons why she chose to do giveaways, the pros and cons of giveaways, and the factors to consider before doing your own giveaway. Carrie breaks down details that might get overlooked and gives a few resources to make the process smoother. She wraps up with the good and bad of giveaways, what she would do differently, and a few key takeaways.
Mentioned in this episode:
Building a Storybrand
Marketing Made Simple
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Mae Studio
Morgan Mondy, former owner of Mae Studio, on The Localist Podcast
Trattoria Zaza
Localist Love Letters
@TheDailyDoBetter on Instagram
Kelly Cummings of The Daily Do Better on The Localist Podcast
Canva
Golden Age Wine
Chocolata
Dreamers Supply Co.
Church Street Coffee and Books
Honeycreeper Chocolate
Wild Honey Flower Truck
@crollwagen on Instagram
This week, The Localist is diving into the mental health aspects of living through a pandemic as a business owner with Vivian Smith Carter. Vivian works with Alabama Apart Together, a completely free resource that provides community support during extraordinary times. Vivian and Carrie start off with what Alabama Apart Together is and what they offer, as well as ways business owners can take care of staff without sacrificing their own wellbeing. Stress management is hugely important even in non-pandemic times, and Vivian gives excellent tips on how to cope. Vivian and Carrie then talk about the importance of connection and how we can reach out to people even in different stages of life. They wrap up with what to expect when you call Alabama Apart Together and the broad range of resources they provide.
Mentioned in this episode:
https://alabamaaparttogether.org/
Call Alabama Apart Together at 888-442-1793
CarrieRollwagen.com
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Courtenay Rollwagen is back on The Localist this week to talk about supporting essential workers during the pandemic. Courtenay and Carrie give great tips on how to be a better customer, including best practices for ordering food, what to pay attention to while out and about, and what to do when you see a customer behaving poorly. The customer is not always right during a pandemic, and Courtenay and Carrie point out reasons why some things may have changed at your favorite local spot. They wrap up with a few golden rules: tip well, have a sense of humor, and be kind!
Mentioned is this episode:
Interior Design with Courtenay Rollwagen on The Localist Podcast
Zebbie Carney of Eugene’s Hot Chicken on The Localist Podcast
Mary Claire Britton of Greenhouse on The Localist Podcast
Church Street Coffee and Books
Annie B. Jones of The Bookshelf on The Localist Podcast
The Bookshelf
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
This week on The Localist, Curtis Bridges, principal planner for the city of Charlotte, NC, and president of the Belmont Community Association, joins Carrie to dive into city planning. Curt and Carrie start off with how small businesses contribute to building communities and invigorating neighborhoods. Gentrification has been a hot topic recently, and Curt details the pros and cons, and stresses the importance of voting with your wallet. Curt then breaks down the difference between HOAs, neighborhood associations, and everything in between, and how to find (or create) an association for your neighborhood. Curt and Carrie wrap up with how Curt got started in the world of urban development planning, advice for small businesses on fitting into a neighborhood, and resources for anyone interested in urban development.
Mentioned in this episode:
Belmont Community Association
Church Street Coffee and Books
Sweet Lew’s BBQ
Belmont Community Association on Facebook
Belmont Community Association on Instagram
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time by Jeff Speck
The Localist by Carrie Rollwagen
This week on The Localist, Brandon Loper and Trent Stewart, co-owners of Golden Age Wine in Mountain Brook, AL, join Carrie to discuss adapting to the pandemic. Golden Age is a wine shop and bar that has done its fair share of pivoting both during the pandemic and before it began. Brandon and Trent tell us how they jumped on an opportunity before they opened their doors, and how they continually reinvented their business model when the pandemic hit. The pair also had to navigate website upgrades, antiquated state liquor laws, and lobbying City Council to make changes in the community. Brandon and Trent definitely miss the community aspect that drew them to the wine business in the first place, and tell us how they’re coping with that while restrictions are still in place. They wrap up the conversation with how to support Golden Age, fun services they offer, and a few key takeaways.
Mentioned in this episode:
Golden Age Wine, (205) 848-8877
Church Street Coffee and Books
Grassroots Wine
Bottega
Chez Fonfon
Automatic Seafood
David Baker Architects
Evolutia: Reclaimed Wood
The Atomic Lounge
Civil Stoneware
Shopify
Daniel George
Brick & Tin
Davenport’s Pizza
Trattoria Zaza
Golden Age Wine on Instagram
Golden Age Wine on Facebook
@ThinkLocalist on instagram
This week on the Localist, Carrie is joined by friend and fellow entrepreneur Kelly Cummings. They dive into Kelly’s newest project, @TheDailyDoBetter, and decide to create Localist Love Letters to encourage positive Google Reviews for local businesses. They give listeners a head start on Localist Love Letters and give excellent tips for what to consider when leaving a review, tell us why reviews are so important to local businesses, and detail their own personal strategies for reviews.
Mentioned in this episode:
@SpindlePhoto on Instagram
@TheDailyDoBetter on Instagram
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Carrigan’s Pub
Trattoria Zaza
Taco Casa
Satterfield’s
Church Street Coffee and Books
TheLocalistBham.com
Little Hardware
Chocolata
Honeycreeper Chocolate
The creation of the new @ThinkLocalist Instagram account (go give it a follow!) inspired Carrie to look back at how The Localist got started, how it’s evolved, and where it’s going. Carrie examines how success is measured, how we all seem to struggle with imposter syndrome, and what’s kept her going these past 10 years. 2011 was a very different time: Carrie compares how the delivery of her message has changed, and explores her long-lasting complicated relationship with Target. Carrie wraps up with some habit changes, letting go of perfectionism, and goals for The Localist.
Mentioned in this episode:
@ThinkLocalist on Instagram
Shop Small on Tumblr
Shop Small post dealing with racial profiling
Over Easy
Good People Brewing
Brick & Tin
Urban Standard
Zoe’s in Forest Park
Little Professor
Jonathan Robinson, owner of Little Professor, on The Localist Podcast
Charm on 2nd
Church Street Coffee and Books
Bottletree
Brian Teasley on The Localist Podcast
Aaron Lane on The Localist Podcast
Morgan Trinker
Kelly Cummings
Great Bear Wax Candles
Piper & Leaf Tea Company
TheLocalistBham.com
This week on The Localist, Carrie is back to discuss one of 2020’s most common business strategies: the pivot. No one was spared from having to pivot, whether it was a small business, side hustler, or freelancer, and Carrie gives a few tips for how to reevaluate in 2021. Carrie dives into revisiting your business model with The Localist as an example for tailoring your model to fit a change in context, giving a few resources for updating (or creating!) a marketing plan, creating a minimum viable product, and letting go of perfectionism. Carrie wraps up with the importance of figuring out what brings you joy, how to decrease stress, and using that knowledge to determine the direction to take with your business.
Mentioned in this episode:
ThinkLocalist on Instagram
TheLocalistBham.com
Patreon
Church Street Coffee and Books
Marketing Made Simple
StoryBrand
Business Made Simple Podcast episode with Rory Vaden
Marie Kondo
Michael Dollins on The Localist Podcast
Quarantine changed the context of convenience for small businesses, and Carrie wonders if that change is permanent, and what the ramifications of that may be. Carrie believes customers are going to expect businesses to stand for something more than just profits, and addresses how business owners can respond amidst decision fatigue and uncertainty. Carrie wraps up by encouraging listeners to tap into their creativity, and examine what you may need to leave behind to move forward.
Mentioned in this episode:
General Magic
Wintering by Katherine May
Libro.fm
CarrieRollwagen.com
This week on The Localist, Carrie is back to regularly scheduled programming with guest Michael Dollins! Michael is a CPA and Carrie’s personal accountant, and he’s here to help demystify (and help everyone be less afraid of!) taxes. January is the best time to prep your finances for the year ahead, and Michael gives us his best tips for making your taxes easier. Michael and Carrie discuss if you really need to hang on to your receipts, what you can actually write off, and how to handle income from apps like Venmo. Michael and Carrie wrap up with how to avoid audits, quarterly taxes versus annual taxes, and how to handle your stimulus check.
Mentioned in this episode:
Church Street Coffee and Books
Carrie’s Spreadsheet Download
Infomedia
NAICS Codes
michael@dollinscpa.com
(205) 822-1332
This week on The Localist, Carrie is diving into resolutions. Everyone has had their fair share of resolutions that didn’t stick, but Carrie shares ideas for business resolutions that are approachable, not overwhelming. As a former business owner and current entrepreneur, Carrie has tested out these tips, including building an email list, honing her brand, and asking for help. Carrie also offers excellent resources that have helped her on her entrepreneurial journey, and she has ideas for podcast-lovers as well as bookworms. Carrie wraps up with the idea of less is more, touching on what you can cut back and the idea that quitting isn’t always a bad thing.
Mentioned in this episode:
Localist Book Kickstarter Campaign
Mailchimp
Marketing Made Simple book
TheLocalistBham.com
Javacia Harris Bowser on The Localist
One Quick Question with Infomedia
Building a StoryBrand Podcast episode with Rory Vaden
Infomedia
Trello
Second Life Podcast
Building a StoryBrand Podcast
Mastermind Groups
Church Street Coffee and Books
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Carrie’s blog post about quitting as a resolution
Sunk cost fallacy
CarrieRollwagen.com
Carrie on Instagram
Carrie is back this week with the final installment of the small business holiday stories. The old adage “what goes up must come down” is especially true for a small business owner in their first year after the adrenaline of the holiday rush wears off. Carrie describes the immense joy she felt when she realized the shop had met its holiday goals before she left town for Christmas. What follows are a few bad decisions, a bad Christmas gift, absent traditions, a panic attack, and, ultimately, gratitude.
Mentioned in this episode:
TheLocalistBham.com
Church Street Coffee and Books
Sri on Instagram
Carrie on Instagram
Courtenay on Instagram
Wreck This Journal
This week, Carrie is back with another tale of navigating the holidays as a small business owner. Working in retail can be a tough experience on the best day, but it’s a special kind of challenge at the holidays. Carrie shares her fear about preserving her love of Christmas while owning a small business, as well as the things she misses not being in that role now. Small shops work hard to invoke the magic of Christmas, and Carrie gives us some ideas on how we can return the favor this year.
Mentioned in this episode:
Church Street Coffee and Books
The Power of Habit
Carry Me, Ohio - Sun Kil Moon
Wintering by Katherine May
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Wendell Berry
TheLocalistBham.com
This week, Carrie is back with another story from her experience owning a small business during the holiday season. We all love the magical feeling that Christmas decorations bring, and local shops are no exception. However, that magic doesn’t happen all on its own! Carrie tells the story of her first Christmas decorating the shop with the help of her family. The Rollwagens know how to tackle a project, and things go well until Cal finds a way to inject a little chaos into the situation. Fortunately, the Christmas spirit prevails, the crisis is averted, and Carrie is reminded of the importance of family.
Mentioned in this episode:
Church Street Coffee and Books
Mr Willowby's Christmas Tree
The Jolly Christmas Postman
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Sri on Instagram
Daniel on Instagram
TheLocalistBham.com
Infomedia
CarrieRollwagen.com
Carrie on Instagram
The Localist Podcast is mixing it up for the month of December! Carrie is going solo and bringing you stories from the front lines of small businesses during the holidays. This week, Carrie describes her first experience at a Starbucks corporate event with her then-manager and future business partner, Cal. Carrie was a bit shell-shocked by the cult-like enthusiasm, and discovered that sarcasm is not always the answer. Hilarity ensues as the event devolves into chants, and Cal saves the day with his ridiculous antics.
Mentioned in this episode:
Church Street Coffee and Books
Sri on Instagram
TheLocalistBham.com
CarrieRollwagen.com
Carrie on Instagram
Infomedia
This week on The Localist, Carrie is joined by Rick Rosenthal, professional Santa and owner of the Northern Lights Santa Academy and the National Santa Agency. Rick is an unsurprisingly jolly and charismatic guy, but he’s also a savvy businessman. Rick starts off telling us the difference between a professional Santa and a hobbyist Santa, and how being a professional Santa impacts your life as a whole. Rick then tells us a bit about what they teach at the Santa Academy, like the business of being Santa, ethics, and even hair care (it's more complicated than you think!). Rick and Carrie then talk about how Santa is adjusting to life in a pandemic, including the protocol they have put in place, and Zoom meetings with Santa (they didn’t have that during the 1918 pandemic!). They wrap up the conversation with the financial investment of being a professional Santa, and Carrie shares the solid business advice that Rick gave.
Mentioned in this episode:
Northern Lights Santa Academy
National Santa Agency
TheLocalistBham.com
Annie B. Jones, owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA and host of From the Front Porch, joins Carrie on The Localist this week to dive into how they are reacting to the pandemic, and how they’re handling the upcoming holiday season. Annie was fortunate that The Bookshelf already had a strong online presence before the pandemic hit, but she describes how they completely pivoted to virtual events, and how those events have evolved based on logistics. Annie and Carrie talk about juggling different aspects of owning a business, showing up on social media in an authentic way, and how you really need to know your own limits (and those of your staff!). Annie then tells us all about the subscription boxes they offer, and the journey it took to figure out shipping and branding. Annie and Carrie wrap up with the value in over-communicating, the seasonal offerings from The Bookshelf, and how you can support The Bookshelf — even through audiobooks.
Mentioned is this episode:
The Bookshelf
The Bookshelf on Instagram
Annie B. Jones on Instagram
From the Front Porch Podcast
From the Front Porch Ep. 281
Church Street Coffee and Books
Enneagram Information
Myers Briggs Information
Politics and Prose
Libro.fm
Kobo eReaders
Polar Express Storytime
New York Times Article on Independent Bookstore Owners
Morgan Johnston, artist and small shop owner in Birmingham, AL, joins Carrie on The Localist this week to talk about going into the holiday season as a small business owner during a pandemic. Morgan catches us up on what’s going on with her business, and how her art career has expanded the past few months. Morgan and Carrie touch on the elusive concept of balance that we all strive for, and how you have to know yourself (and your limits!) to even attempt balance. Morgan describes their strategy for helping people shop this season, and Carrie shares an idea for making a wishlist using Instagram. Community is an important part of Morgan’s shop’s mission, and she tells us how they’re maintaining community when gathering is difficult. Morgan and Carrie wrap up with reasons to shop local-ish, some projections for gifting this year, and how you can get your hands on some of Morgan’s art.
Mentioned in this episode:
Club Duquette
@ClubDuquette on Instagram
Morgan Johnston’s first episode on The Localist
Javacia Harris Bowser on The Localist
Susan Rollwagen on Homeschooling on The Localist
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler
The Boxcar Children
Charm on 2nd
The Velveteen Rabbit
When I Was Small by Sarah O’Leary
@RuggedandFancy on Instagram
Great Bear Wax Company
Seasick Records
Perry Computer
The Cartiers
Birmingham Museum of Art
@crollwagen on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
The Local List Google Form
This week on The Localist, Carrie discusses the state of local businesses as we approach the holiday season (aka shopping season). Carrie dives in discussing You’ve Got Mail — just like the save-the-shop campaign wasn’t successful in the movie, Carrie believes they don’t work in real life either. But where does that leave us in 2020 when small businesses likely do need the utmost support we can give? Well, Carrie has an idea, and she wants your help to make it happen! Find details at thelocalistbham.com.
How to help:
Details about the project
Google Form to submit a business
Email template to use to contact a business
Spreadsheet to claim businesses
Sign up for updates when the list is ready!
Mentioned in this episode:
You’ve Got Mail
The Bookshelf In Thomasville, GA
Little Hardware
CarrieRollwagen.com
localistmedia@gmail.com
@crollwagen on Instagram
Susan Rollwagen, owner of Pepperbox Solutions (and also Carrie’s mom and secret weapon in business), is back on the podcast this week to dive into how business owners and managers can add value to the lives of their staff members. Susan and Carrie kick off the conversation by breaking down why business owners and managers should care if their staff are happy, and the aspects they can control to contribute to a positive work experience. Trust is a huge component, and Susan details the many aspects of building trust and the ripple effect that can have in a company’s culture. Susan and Carrie then discuss setting expectations for both a group and an individual, and how to enable employees to feel confident both in their current role and in future roles. Susan also touches on how personal self awareness and boundaries can contribute to employees feeling valued. They wrap up with the importance of soliciting feedback, encouraging autonomy, and celebrating wins with staff.
Mentioned in this episode:
Pepperbox Solutions
Speed of Trust
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Infomedia
Myers Briggs
Enneagram
Turn the Ship Around!
Development Dimensions International
Partners in Leadership
BlessingWhite with GP Strategies
This week on the Localist, Pam Sanderson, Director of Account Development at Infomedia, joins Carrie to talk about everything you need to know about websites. Pam and Carrie dive in with where you should start when evaluating your website, and how to assess your goals. One of Pam’s best tips is to focus on your customers and your content first, and she gives you a road map to follow from there. Pam and Carrie then discuss the best ways to strike a balance between your users, good design, and Google’s algorithm (hint: consistent, quality content is a good place to start!). Content is truly king in the world of websites, and Pam and Carrie give great tips on how to create, utilize, and get the most out of your content. They wrap up the conversation with when to seek help with your website, and what you can expect if you work with a web developer.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Ecommerce Webinar Signup
Pam Sanderson
Infomedia
WordPress
Drupal
Wix
SquareSpace
Church Street Coffee and Books
One Quick Question Podcast
Pam on One Quick Question
Infomedia’s Contact Form
This week on The Localist, Javacia Harris Bowser, creator of writing collective See Jane Write, joins Carrie to talk about writing in the time of COVID, a membership opportunity with See Jane Write, and some major obstacles Javacia has faced this year. Javacia tells us more about the perks of membership, and how she took See Jane Write from a local brand to an online international community. Javacia and Carrie break down the business of being a writer: how to get paid, how to market yourself, how to gain supporters rather than just followers, and how the pandemic has affected Javacia’s workload (you might be surprised by her answer!). Javacia tells us about her cancer diagnosis earlier this year and how that has affected her writing, her business, and how she decides what to share about her journey. Javacia and Carrie wrap up with what you can expect out of the Collective membership, and a few key takeaways.
Mentioned in this episode:
See Jane Write
See Jane Write Collective
CarrieRollwagen.com
This week on the Localist, Carrie is wrapping up season one and giving listeners a teaser of what to expect in season two. Carrie shares the origin story of the podcast, her hesitation about continuing during quarantine, and why she ultimately decided to persevere and continue sharing the stories of local businesses. Nearly everything has changed due to the pandemic, and The Localist is not immune to that. Carrie describes how the podcast shifted as a result, and how valuable it is to reflect on what you’ve accomplished as well as your goals. Carrie shares some interesting details she learned from interviewing listeners and how that information will shape the format of the podcast moving forward. Carrie wraps up with a few resources for entrepreneurs (or the entrepreneurial!), and shares The Localist’s brand script.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Localist
Infomedia
Piper & Leaf Tea Company
Connor Knapp of Piper & Leaf on The Localist
Susan Rollwagen on The Localist: Working with Family Members
Susan Rollwagen on The Localist: How to Rejoin the Workforce
Susan Rollwagen on The Localist: How to Lead a Team During Quarantine
How to Buy from Black Owned Businesses on The Localist
Church Street Coffee and Books
One Quick Question Podcast
StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller
This week on The Localist, Carrie is joined by the inimitable Mike Rollwagen — her dad. Mike guest hosts to ask Carrie some thought provoking questions about Season One, the evolution of the Localist brand, and much more. Mike and Carrie dive in with the original intent of the podcast and how that has shifted not only in response to the pandemic but as a holistic evolution of growth. Carrie elaborates on the Localist brand’s focus on community, and discusses all aspects of podcast guests, from reaching out, to scheduling, to the actual interview. Mike and Carrie then break down the hard work that goes into creating each episode, and Carrie gives a shout out to the people behind the scenes. Mike and Carrie wrap up with Carrie’s dream guest and some teasers for season two.
Mentioned in this episode:
Mike Rollwagen on The Localist: The Localist Live
Susan Rollwagen on The Localist: Working with Family Members
Susan Rollwagen on The Localist: How to Rejoin the Workforce
Susan Rollwagen on The Localist: How to Lead a Team During Quarantine
Courtenay Rollwagen on The Localist: Why Pay for Interior Design?
Russell Marbut on The Localist: When Your Spouse is Your Coworker
Church Street Coffee and Books
The Tim Ferriss Show
Kathleen Varner, florist, graphic designer, and prop stylist in Birmingham, AL joins Carrie this week on The Localist. Kathleen and Carrie have been friends for years after working together at a publishing company, Southern Progress. Kathleen tells us what drew her to styling and what being on set is really like (not as glamorous as you might think!). Kathleen breaks down her journey from intern to freelancer, and how every job she’s had along the way has prepared her for what she’s doing now. Kathleen and Carrie talk about their experiences as assistants, how to hire someone for your wedding or other creative endeavor, and how to work with a creative to really bring your vision to life. Kathleen tells us how she prepared to go out on her own as a freelancer, and how she deals with the business side of things as a type A creative. Kathleen and Carrie wrap up with how the pandemic has affected Kathleen’s business, how she has pivoted, and a few key takeaways.
Mentioned in this episode:
@kathleen_varner on Instagram
Edna K. Design
Southern Living
Southern Progress
Mariee Ami
Neillie Butler of Mariie Ami on The Localist Podcast
Hoffman Media
Irrelephant
Carrigan’s Beer Garden
Kameron Monet Buckner, influencer and Associate Attorney practicing employment litigation in Birmingham, AL, joins Carrie on The Localist this week to discuss laws related to remote working. Kameron and Carrie start off with the pros and cons of using Zoom in a legal setting, the differences between FMLA and the CARES Act, and what is and isn’t legal when you’ve been furloughed. Kameron discusses being laid off without cause and gives tips for how to protect yourself in the workplace and how to set yourself up for success in the future. Kameron knows this can be overwhelming, and gives great advice for seeking and finding legit legal counsel. Kameron and Carrie switch gears to influencing: how Kameron grew her social media presence to influencer level, how she integrated her love of beauty and fashion with law, and how her account is inspiring for any young professional. Kameron and Carrie wrap up with some phenomenal courses Kameron is creating, and she gives us a preview of what she’s offering next!
Mentioned in this episode:
Kameron’s Website
@KameronMonet on Instagram
Kameron’s YouTube Channel
Sierra Gray at Ogletree Deakins
Alabama Bar Association
Infomedia
@Chic_in_academia on Instagram
Deb Miller, managing principal at organizational development consulting firm Ken Chapman & Associates, joins Carrie this week to tackle managing remote teams. Many workforces are still partly remote, and Deb details some of the challenges she’s seen, including technology and equipment and the eternal struggles of effective communication. Deb then gives tips for facilitating Zoom calls, creating remote work policies, and setting and enforcing expectations for staff. Deb and Carrie wrap up with hybrid meetings, what “normal” may look like moving forward, and some key takeaways.
Mentioned in this episode:
Ken Chapman & Associates
Remote Working Tools with Michael Stuckey on The Localist
Homeschooling Tips with Susan Rollwagen on The Localist
Virtual Meetings and Virtual Conferences with Brooke Fleming on The Localist
Infomedia
This week on The Localist, Carrie dives into maintaining company culture while much of the workforce is still working remotely, and who better to join her for that conversation than two of her coworkers! Josh Brown, Customer Support Lead and introvert, and Bo Billingsley, Sales Specialist and extrovert, share their reactions to virtual team building ideas. Some of the suggestions include coworker chat-roulette (possibly an introvert’s worst nightmare) and Zoom yoga classes. Carrie, Bo and Josh also discuss how to celebrate birthdays remotely, their feelings about new hire intro videos, and ways to recover the small talk that some of us (ahem, the extroverts) miss. They wrap up the conversation contemplating how quarantine might affect future business ideas, and how a hybrid workforce might function.
Mentioned in this episode:
Infomedia
Infomedia Team
HotJar's ideas for virtual team building
Donut Slack app
Domestique Coffee
Saturn
Health Bingo at Infomedia
Automattic
Kudoboard
Goat-2-Meeting
One Quick Question with Infomedia
Susan Rollwagen, Carrie’s mom and owner and founder of performance consultant company Pepperbox Solutions, is back on the podcast this week for a deep dive into homeschooling. Susan and her husband, Mike, homeschooled Carrie and her sister for a year to navigate a time with a lot of changes for their family, and while that’s not exactly the same situation many are facing today, there are a lot of parallels between the two. Susan tells us what led to them deciding to homeschool, how they balanced a full curriculum and busy schedules, and how they provided structure while still giving some flexibility. Susan was working part time from home at the time (sound familiar?) and tells us how she negotiated a more flexible work schedule with her supervisor. Susan and Carrie touch on learning styles and how their homeschooling routine had to evolve after a cross country move. Susan tells us if she had any concerns about the long term effects of homeschooling, and Carrie reflects on her experience. Susan and Carrie wrap up the conversation by encouraging parents to do the best they can with what they have and to not be so hard on themselves.
Mentioned in this episode:
Pepperbox Solutions
Google Classroom
Michael Stuckey, Head of Support Development at Infomedia, joins Carrie this week to talk about working remotely and the systems that can help remote work run smoothly. Stuckey and Carrie discuss why they chose the products they currently use at Infomedia, and why Slack is superior to all (Stuckey really, really loves Slack!). Stuckey describes Slack’s user experience, the many ways it boosts a team’s morale, and the differences between the paid and free version. Stuckey and Carrie then move on to Gmail and how the Google Suite can easily replace Microsoft products, the many options available for video calls, and the fun bulletin board-like interface of Trello. They wrap up with best security practices, including what a VPN actually is and who needs it, why everyone should use a password manager (yes, even you!), and a few tips for creating strong passwords.
Mentioned in this episode:
Infomedia
Trello
Asana
Slack
Google Drive
Zoom
Google Meet
GoTo Webinar
Matt Mullwenweg on Sam Harris’ podcast
Outline VPN
1Password
LastPass
@funk_master_stuck on Instagram
@crollwagen on Instagram
CarrieRollwagen.com
Brooke Fleming, Chief Revenue Officer of the tech focused event services and AV company Digital Motion, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. As an event focused company, Digital Motion had to pivot early — and fast — at the beginning of the pandemic, while also helping their clients do the same. Brooke tells us about a new tool, The Presenter, that helped them accomplish that, and how they work to deliver a tailored solution to each of their clients. Brooke and Carrie discuss how Digital Motion actually pulls off virtual and hybrid events, including partnerships, sponsorships, breakout sessions, and even marketing. At this point, we’re all tired of poorly run Zoom meetings and bad webinars, and Brooke convinces us that now is the time to step up our game. They wrap up the conversation with a few takeaways, and Carrie gives an update on The Localist newsletter.
Mentioned in this episode:
Digital Motion Event Services
Digital Motion’s services
Infomedia
WordCamp
CarrieRollwagen.com
Newsletter signup
The Localist’s showrunner Michelle Phillips joins Carrie again this week for part two of Carrie’s journey from employee to business owner, and back to corporate life. Michelle and Carrie dive in with how a side business for Church Street led to Carrie writing a book and ultimately realizing she needed to move on. Carrie describes building up her freelance work again, and how she landed a steady job that gave her both stability and freedom to continue freelancing and pursuing creative projects. Carrie stresses the importance of knowing how you work best (critical during quarantine!), and gives us some insight into her Enneagram number and Myers Briggs type. Running a business opens your eyes to so many possibilities, and Carrie tells us how everything she learned while owning a business has gotten her where she is today. Michelle and Carrie wrap up the conversation with perfectionism, imposter syndrome and some key takeaways.
Mentioned in this episode:
Tanesha Sims-Summers on The Localist
Part 1: Carrie Transitions from Employee to Owner
The Localist book
BookExpo America
Church Street Coffee and Books
NaNoWriMo
Kelly Cummings -- Spindle Photography
Infomedia
Jonathan Benton Bookseller
Doris Kearns Goodwin on MasterClass
The Localist’s showrunner Michelle Phillips joins Carrie on the podcast this week to dive into Carrie’s transition from corporate life to being a small business owner. Carrie describes the process of opening Church Street Coffee and Books, from merely being part of an idea to being fully on board. Both Carrie and her business partner had a lot of experience in their respective fields before opening the shop, and they crafted a business plan to reflect that and gain the confidence of potential investors. Carrie tells us more about how they got funding for the shop and how important it is to have good documentation for any business partnership. Carrie and Michelle then talk personal finances: They discuss Carrie’s financial situation when opening the store, the impact on her personal spending habits, and the boundaries she already had in place involving money. They wrap up the conversation with what Carrie loved about being her own boss, and reminisce about the early days of Church Street.
Mentioned in this episode:
Infomedia
Church Street Coffee and Books
Southern Living
Southern Progress
Jonathan Benton, Bookseller
The Girl’s Guide to Starting Your Own Business
Seguro Insurance Johnny Creel
Tanesha Sims-Summers, owner of Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. Tanesha always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur, but had no idea kettle corn would be involved until her aunt gave her the idea in 2014. Tanesha tells us the ultimate goal behind her business, the fears she felt in the beginning, and how Naughty But Nice became a family business after a dissolved partnership. Tanesha and Carrie discuss how the business has been affected by the pandemic and how they’ve adapted to meet ever-changing demands. Tanesha takes us through the process of getting their food truck up and running, and how they’ve maintained their philanthropic goals even through quarantine. Tanesha and Carrie wrap up with the lessons Tanesha learned in the corporate world and how she applies them to Naughty But Nice, and how to get your hands on the mind-blowing flavors of kettle corn that Naughty But Nice offers.
Mentioned in this episode:
Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn
Irondale Whistle Stop Festival
Pepper Place Market
Golden Flake
Church Street Coffee and Books
Eugene’s Hot Chicken
Zebbie’s episode on The Localist
Laurin Humphries, owner and founder of Humphries Screen Printing, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. Humphries provides screen printing and promotional products for events, which have obviously been impacted by the COVID shut downs. She tells us when she realized the pandemic was going to be a big deal, how they pivoted to meet new demands (masks are the new koozies), and how they have weathered the COVID storm. Masks and signage have been the bulk of pandemic-related requests they’ve received, and Laurin lists some great options for businesses to both communicate and make their customers feel safe. Laurin takes us back to her humble beginnings screen printing in a basement, tells us her networking strategy to grow the business, and explains how she capitalized on both her art degree and feedback from clients to gain a competitive edge. Laurin and Carrie wrap up with creative solutions Laurin has seen from businesses during quarantine, how to work with Laurin, and some key takeaways.
Mentioned in this episode:
Humphries Screen Printing
Humphries Screen Printing on Instagram
Hothouse Design Studio
Bella Canvas
Telegraph Creative
Bham Strong
We Are Magic - Telegraph Creative
Infomedia
Over Easy
Andrew Thomson, the freelance graphic designer behind A Studio, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. Andrew began freelancing a little over two years ago and tells us what freelance life is like and gets honest with some of his struggles (it turns out time management is hard for everyone!). Andrew and Carrie share their worst quarantine Zoom calls and discuss how the pandemic has affected their work loads. Andrew tells us more about what he does in a day and gives us the inside scoop on the branding of a few local businesses. Andrew and Carrie talk about the pros and cons of freelancing, the need for a creative outlet that’s not also billable hours, and the elusive state of work-life balance. Andrew and Carrie wrap up with the value of investing in professional branding for your business and how that saves money in the long run, and tips for how to make the most of working with a graphic designer.
Mentioned in this episode:
A Studio
Good People Brewing
Avondale Brewing
Trattoria Zaza
Nabeel’s Cafe and Market
Carrigan’s
Carrigan’s Beer Garden (formerly Brat Brot)
Hero Doughnuts
Church Street Coffee and Books
Lewis Communications
Infomedia
Creature
Jonathan Benton Bookseller
Cary Norton on Instagram
Courtenay Rollwagen, Interior Designer, on The Localist
This week on The Localist, Carrie is diving into all things communication. Communicating with customers and patrons has always been important, but it’s been taken to a new level with the pandemic, subsequent closings, and regulations that seem to change every day. Carrie describes her social media strategy when opening Church Street Coffee & Books and how that can translate into putting customers at ease when re-opening your business. There are a few main things every business needs to communicate, and Carrie breaks those down along with creating a system to communicate with staff, and tips for in-store signage. Carrie then gets into one of the best communication tools: social media. She discusses best practices for posting, responding to comments and DMs, and when to use emojis. Carrie wraps up with tips for going the extra mile with communication.
Mentioned in this episode:
Church Street Coffee and Books
Sri on Instagram
Linktree
Link in Profile
Canva
Carrierollwagen.com
Carrie on Instagram
Courtenay Rollwagen, the stylist and designer behind AnthroStyle Interiors (and Carrie’s sister!), joins Carrie on The Localist this week. Courtenay and Carrie dive in with the reasons a small business owner would benefit from hiring an interior designer even if they have a small budget, and Courtenay tells what differentiates a decorator from an interior designer. Courtenay tells us the dos and don’ts of using Pinterest for designing your space, and what kind of pricing to expect when working with an interior designer. Courtenay and Carrie discuss practical design tips for small businesses to consider both COVID-related and in general, and Courtenay coins a new term for commercial seating and tells us how she really feels about reclaimed wood. Courtenay and Carrie wrap up with best practices for vetting and working with your interior designer, a lightning round of design elements certain businesses should focus on, and the customized services Courtenay offers.
Mentioned in this episode:
AnthroStyle Interiors
AnthroStyle Interiors on Instagram
Church Street Coffee and Books
Flourish and Blotts
Glas on Instagram
Cha Cha Matcha
Chez Lulu
Trattoria ZaZa
Andrew Thomson design
Zebbie Carney on The Localist (shower curtain dividers)
Brian Teasley’s episode on The Localist (flooring showing through)
Bottletree
Mae Studio
Morgan from Mae Studio on The Localist podcast (hair salon)
This week’s episode of the Localist Podcast is a little different. It’s just Carrie this week, and she discusses the why behind buying local, and how that ties in to the bigger issues going on in the world right now related to race. Big changes take time, but Carrie breaks down the ways in which it’s easier to buy local and how that decision has a positive ripple effect in your community. Carrie tells us more pros of buying local, from better policies and more ethical decisions at local businesses versus corporations, to more money going back into your community from buying local. Our individual purchases have an impact, and Carrie wraps up with ways we can support the issues we care about and build wealth in communities.
Mentioned in this episode:
Contact Carrie at localistmedia@gmail.com
Piper and Leaf on The Localist Podcast
Morgan Johnston on The Localist Podcast
Birmingham Business Journal
Church Street Coffee and Books
Konmari
Localist Podcast Archives
Mary Claire Britton of Greenhouse, the salad-forward feel-good eatery in Homewood, AL, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. Mary Claire tells us how she and her husband Bray got started in the restaurant industry, and how their dream of eventually opening their own restaurant has always been part of their relationship. Mary Claire describes how the evolution of their personal eating habits inspired the concept behind Greenhouse: bright, colorful, from-scratch meals made with organic and locally sourced ingredients, balanced with ridiculously good cookies. Fortunately, to-go orders have always been a big part of their business, but Mary Claire describes other ways they have been impacted by the pandemic including sourcing ingredients, partnering with meal delivery apps, and having to downsize staff. Mary Claire and Carrie talk about handling difficult customers and their “constructive criticism.” They wrap up the conversation with how Mary Claire balances parenting three children with a chaotic schedule, and what we can do to support Greenhouse.
Mentioned in this episode:
Greenhouse
Greenhouse on Instagram
Bottega
Highlands Bar and Grill
Dyron’s Low Country
Union Square Cafe
Bacchanalia
Abattoir
Uber Eats
Church Street Coffee and Books
Paramount
Susan Rollwagen’s recent episode on The Localist
Lemar Storey, owner and CEO of Life Touch Massage, joins Carrie this week on The Localist to discuss how the pandemic has affected Lemar’s business, and how he has adapted during the past few weeks. Lemar and Carrie dive in with the importance of a support system, and Lemar tells us what his business looked like pre-quarantine. Lemar was very intentional with every aspect of his business, from the aesthetics to the customer experience, and tells us how he drew from his own experiences to bring his vision to life. Lemar then tells us his about the discrimination and blatant racism he’s faced as a black man, both personally and professionally, and how his mentors have helped him deal with those experiences. Lemar and Carrie then talk about the mistakes Lemar learned from in the beginning, the value in networking, and the moment Lemar realized quarantine was going to be a big deal. Lemar and Carrie wrap up with the steps Lemar is taking to keep both clients and staff safe for reopening, and the new offerings Lemar is planning.
Mentioned in this episode:
Life Touch Massage
Dr. Lori Jasper’s episode on The Localist
REV Birmingham
REV Birmingham - The Big Pitch
Church Street Coffee and Books
Bessemer Flea Market
The Spa at Ross Bridge
Create Birmingham’s Co.Starters
Living the Stressed Life Podcast
Jody Beasley, owner and head trainer at HMG Fitness, joins Carrie this week to talk about how the fitness industry is adjusting to pandemic related shut downs and stringent new regulations for reopening. Jody tells us what got him into fitness in the first place, and how the service industry is amazing for networking. Jody describes his humble beginnings training clients out of his one-car garage while working two bartending jobs, and how he eventually doubled his space and tackled three buildouts over the past 8 years. Jody and Carrie then switch gears to talk about the quarantine. Jody tells us when he realized this was going to be a big deal, the “gym library” system to keep members fit at home (complete with classes and training on Zoom!), and how he’s updated the space and practices after reopening last week. Jody and Carrie wrap up with how important social media is for connecting with your audience, the practices Jody believes will stick around post-pandemic, and what HMG actually stands for.
Mentioned in this episode:
HMG Fitness
Lou’s Pub
Village Tavern
Bamboo on 2nd
Blue Monkey
Church Street Coffee and Books
Seasick Records
TrueCoach
Jody Beasley on Instagram
HMG Fitness on Instagram
Zebbie Carney, CEO and founder of Eugene’s Hot Chicken, joins Carrie this week on The Localist to discuss how Zebbie is adapting both his restaurant and food truck to deal with the pandemic. Zebbie and Carrie start off discussing how he and his crew have pivoted their food truck strategy, how their sales have been affected after losing a huge portion of foot traffic, and how Zebbie has prepared his staff to follow the ever-changing safety guidelines. Zebbie has worked with several nonprofits to donate meals to hospital staff, and tells us how that process works. Zebbie and Carrie discuss staffing during these crazy times, working in a kitchen while wearing a mask, and how they’ve changed the menu offerings at Eugene’s. Zebbie talks about the impressive creativity he’s seen from other local businesses, and the value of the barter system. Zebbie and Carrie wrap up with the lessons they’ve learned so far during this pandemic, and Zebbie settles the debate on whether or not he actually brought hot chicken to Birmingham.
Mentioned in this episode:
Eugene’s Hot Chicken
Eugene’s Hot Chicken on Instagram
Rev Birmingham
Rev Birmingham - The Big Pitch
Church Street Coffee and Books
Uptown Birmingham
BJCC
BHM Cares
Care Health Community
Frontline Foods
Pardis and Frank Stitt
Ghost Train Brewing
Dread River Distillery
Waitr
Yellowhammer Local series tshirts
Neillie Butler, founder and owner of wedding planning company Mariée Ami, joins Carrie on this week’s episode of The Localist. The wedding industry is one of the hardest hit during this pandemic, and Neillie tells us how she and her team jumped in to handle this crisis for their clients. Neillie and Carrie chat about the pricing structure at Mariée Ami and how they are having to adapt and shift during this time. COVID isn’t the only thing that can derail weddings, and Neillie tells us some of the wild circumstances they’ve had to deal with pre-pandemic. Neillie gives us a glimpse into her past and the experiences that have shaped her drive, her leadership style with her team, and her perspective in both her personal and professional life. Neillie and Carrie then chat about Ami à Vie, the new lifestyle brand recently launched under Mariée Ami that celebrates all of life’s memorable moments. Neillie and Carrie wrap up with what they’re learning during this crisis and what they hope to continue post-pandemic.
Mentioned in this episode:
Mariée Ami
Mariée Ami on Instagram
Ami à Vie
Ami à Vie on Instagram
Spindle Photography
Mountain Brook Country Club
Church Street Coffee and Books
Jonathan Robinson, new owner of Little Professor bookstore in Homewood, AL, joins Carrie on The Localist this week. Jonathan has an extensive history in the online book industry and tells us how he is translating that experience to a brick and mortar location. Jonathan took ownership of Little Professor only a few weeks before quarantine started, but had a little bit of time to implement some changes. Jonathan and Carrie talk about what he changed pre-quarantine, what he changed during quarantine, and what changes will become permanent post-quarantine. Jonathan gets real with how Little Professor is staying competitive with big-box stores by focusing on providing a great customer experience and visit frequency. Jonathan and Carrie then chat about staffing and how that has been affected pre-quarantine and during quarantine. They wrap up the conversation with the importance of community, and take a deep dive into technology and how it’s bringing us closer to some parts of our social circle, but distancing us from others.
Mentioned in this episode:
Little Professor
Little Professor on Instagram
FreeTextbooks.com
Church Street Coffee and Books
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Can Reading Make You Happier? The New Yorker
Goodreads
Palaces for the People by Eric Klinenberg
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
The Vanishing Neighbor by Marc J. Dunkelman
Birmingham Barons
Good People Brewing
Brian Teasley, founder and owner of Saturn in Birmingham, AL, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. Saturn is coming up on its fifth year as a music venue, bar, and coffee shop, and Brian tells us how he pulled from his years of experience as both a touring musician and venue co-owner (of Birmingham’s Bottletree) to make Saturn such a success. Brian and Carrie agree that you have to think beyond numbers when measuring the success of your business, and discuss boundaries and saying no to opportunities. Brian then tells us how Saturn got started, and how the venue recovered from a fire that broke out three years into being open. Brian and Carrie then pivot to the topic on everyone’s mind: the pandemic. Brian tells us how they handled closing their doors and having to let staff go. Brian and Carrie then dive into the hospitality that Saturn extends to both performers and patrons, and what they do differently to ensure everyone has a great experience. They wrap up by discussing how to support not only Saturn, but the arts community and local businesses in Birmingham as a whole.
Mentioned in this episode:
Saturn Birmingham
Man or Astro-man?
Bottletree
Church Street Coffee and Books
Howard Finster
Sidewalk Film Festival
They Might be Giants
Iron City
Zero Mile
Terminal West
Variety Playhouse
Georgia Theater
Cave 9
The Nick
Seasick Records
Domestique
Post Office Pies
Crestwood Coffee
Shu Shop
Sanctum Tattoos and Comics
Piper & Leaf Tea Company
Beach House
TV On The Radio
Animal Collective
David O’Gwynn, chair of the computer science department at a university and freelance security professional, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. David and Carrie dive in with how much harder it is to teach remotely, and how none of the video conferencing apps are really cutting it at this point. We’re all on the verge of an existential crisis and missing human contact, and David points out that now is the time for tech companies to build something better for humanity than what’s currently out there. David tells us what classes look like now and discusses the long term impacts this pandemic could have on both students and universities. David tells us what it’s like being a parent during quarantine, and how it’s incredibly difficult to constantly context switch during the day. David and Carrie wrap up discussing webinars and educational videos, and how now is the best time to take risks with your creative content.
Mentioned in this episode:
Belhaven University
Joe Rogan podcast
Discord
Canvas
7 Minute Security podcast
Infomedia
dogwynn@gmail.com