Sarah Conrad, owner of Clean Eatz Lake Norman, returns to The Best of LKN podcast to share updates on the brand's expansion to five Charlotte-area locations — Cornelius, Mooresville, Charlotte, and Concord — and what's new on the menu, from turkey burnt ends to lobster mac & cheese and a fan-favorite ramen dish.

She also opens up about the risks of opening the Concord location post-COVID, how Clean Eatz serves the local NASCAR community through catering, and why stepping away from her phone during her daily runs has become one of her most important habits as a business owner.

The conversation centers on Sarah's newest community initiative, Women of Strength — a 26-week campaign running January 4 through July 4, 2026, in which Clean Eatz gives away 26 free meals each week to a nominator and their nominee. By the end of the campaign, Sarah will have logged 676 miles and Clean Eatz will have given away 676 free meals.

To nominate an inspiring woman in your community, email sarah@cleaneats.com or visit Clean Eatz on social media for the text submission line. The halfway point celebration lands on March 8 — International Women's Day.

https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlakenorman/

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

Jeff sits down with Joanie Baker, President of Executive Women of Lake Norman, and Kellie Grutko, the organization's Director of Communications. Together they share the story of a group that's been connecting Lake Norman's women in business since 2010 — built not around leads and referrals, but around genuine education, mentorship, and community.

With monthly socials and luncheons featuring guest speakers, a growing membership back in the 30s after COVID, and a flexible (not cutthroat) seat structure, Executive Women of Lake Norman is the kind of organization you actually look forward to showing up for.

If you're a woman entrepreneur, founder, or professional in the Lake Norman area, this episode is worth your time. The group is actively welcoming new members and offers sponsorship opportunities as well. Find them at executivewomenoflkn.com, on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or reach out directly at executivewomenoflkn@gmail.com.

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

Jeff sits down with Charlene Ferrell White, a veterinarian with Homeward Vet, to discuss the growing demand for mobile, in-home veterinary care across Lake Norman and the greater Charlotte area. Charlene shares her path from Northern Virginia to NC State Vet School, followed by experience in emergency and general practices in Colorado and California, before discovering her passion for house-call medicine.

The conversation highlights how mobile care creates a calmer, more personal experience for pets and owners alike—especially for busy professionals, work-from-home households, anxious dogs, and cats that struggle with traditional clinic visits.

They also explore what sets Homeward Vet apart, including longer appointment times, concierge-level service, and comprehensive offerings such as wellness care, vaccinations, acupuncture, hospice, and end-of-life support.

Charlene explains how pricing compares to brick-and-mortar practices, the convenience for multi-pet households, and Homeward Vet’s local partnerships, including referrals to Main Street Veterinary Hospital when advanced diagnostics or surgery are needed.

The episode wraps with upcoming community events, service areas throughout Lake Norman and Charlotte, and how listeners can easily book appointments or follow Homeward Vet on social media.

Homeward Vet

@homewardvet_charlottenc | https://www.facebook.com/HomewardVetCharlotteNC

Events mentioned:

https://humanesocietyofcharlotte.org/pet-palooza/

https://www.tawbawalk.com/

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

Logan Sandate rejoins the podcast to share what's happened since her first appearance last summer. Girl Power Carolinas Flag Football launched its inaugural season in Mooresville with over 80 girls, wrapped up an eight-week fall run complete with Super Bowl rings and weekly core value awards, and has already expanded into Fort Mill, South Carolina. A Banner Elk league is on the way this summer through a partnership with Lees-McRae College coach Mike Brown.

Logan has also taken on a new role as Director of Development at The Carolina Factory in Cornelius, where she's helping connect the facility's growing lineup of offerings including a brand-new girls AAU basketball team.

Across everything she's building, Logan's focus remains the same: creating environments where girls can fall in love with sport without the pressure and burnout that come with early-age competitive pipelines. In 2026, she's prioritizing depth over expansion — doubling down on her Lake Norman and Fort Mill families to make sure the quality of the experience stays high.

You can find Logan on Instagram at @CoachLoganSandate or through The Carolina Factory.

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.aidawerks.com

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

Garrett joins The Best of LKN podcast to talk entrepreneurship, community, and how Seemingly Overzealous Ice Cream grew from a pandemic-era experiment into one of Charlotte’s most distinctive food brands. He shares his early days in SEO and agency life, what pulled him into coworking with Hygge, and why proximity to other builders was always the secret sauce—being close enough to ask questions, share ideas, and solve problems in real time.

The conversation also digs into modern small-business marketing, especially the shift toward PR and relationships over shiny, overpromised tactics. Garrett makes the case for simple visibility: sending the email, sharing the update, and refusing to let good work quietly disappear. It’s a practical reminder that many businesses don’t struggle because they lack quality — but because they hesitate to talk about what they’re doing.

From there, the focus turns to Seemingly Overzealous Ice Cream — how a shared love of ice cream became pop-ups, then a first shop at Camp North End, followed by Plaza Midwood, and now an expansion into Lake Norman. What sets the brand apart is intention: a joyful, experience-driven shop paired with ice cream that’s dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten-free across the board, without sacrificing texture or flavor. The goal isn’t an “alternative” — it’s ice cream anyone would choose.

For Lake Norman listeners, the headline is clear: Seemingly Overzealous is coming to Davidson, with a target opening in May near Main Street. Expect the same playful energy, a neighborhood-specific mural, and a space designed to feel local from day one.

Seemingly Overzealous

@seeminglyoverzealous

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.aidawerks.com

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

Meet Mackenzie Murphy of Eternal Elegance Salon in Cornelius, NC. Learn about her personalized salon experience, entrepreneurship journey, and upcoming Lake Norman events.

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Mackenzie Murphy, owner of Eternal Elegance Salon in Cornelius, to talk about entrepreneurship, intentional beauty services, and building a client experience that goes beyond hair.

Mackenzie shares how growing up in a family of entrepreneurs shaped her work ethic and inspired her to launch her own salon in 2023. Rather than creating a rushed, high-volume environment, Eternal Elegance focuses on personalized consultations, face and color analysis, and a custom “prescription” approach designed to deliver healthy, long-lasting results.

The conversation explores:

• Mackenzie’s journey into cosmetology and early business ownership
• Why intentional client experience is the foundation of her salon
• The partnership with Groomed and the elevated salon environment
• Marketing, networking, and collaborating with local businesses
• Launching Divine Links — her luxury hair extension brand
• The importance of relationships and creating a safe, welcoming space
• Future plans to expand spa-style services and salon experiences

Mackenzie also talks about the personal side of entrepreneurship — balancing work with travel, fitness, and downtime — and why connection and care remain central to her vision.

Listeners receive a special bonus: mention this episode when booking your first appointment to receive a complimentary treatment.

And don;t miss the special event at Overflow! Thursday, 2/12 @ 4-8pm

Learn more or book a consultation:
Website: eternalelegance-salon.com
Instagram/TikTok: @eternal.elegance.salon
Phone: 704-928-7454

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

There's something special about meeting a builder who actually lives next door to his clients — and means it when he says, "We build it like we own it."

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Stephen Chuilli, founder of Lagniappe Homes, to talk about his family's stunning mountain-style residence on Schooner Drive in Cornelius, the story behind the company name (it's a New Orleans thing — and yes, everyone mispronounces it), and what's trending in custom home design heading into 2026.

What we cover:

• The story behind Stephen's personal home on Schooner Drive — built on a rare seven-acre property in Cornelius, complete with timber trusses from Blowing Rock, a wood-burning fireplace in the kitchen, and a pickleball court with a Saints logo (we'll allow it)
• How a 1928 home renovation in downtown Concord planted the seed for what's now a portfolio of nearly 200 projects over 11 years
• The gap Stephen saw in the building industry — and how his background in consulting and industrial engineering shaped Lagniappe’s client-first approach
• 2026 design trends worth watching: bold color saturation, personalized specialty spaces, walk-in residential refrigeration (yes, really), and the split between modern and cottage-style exteriors

Lagniappe Homes
19440 Zion Ave
Cornelius, NC 28031
(704) 750-0540

lagniappe-homes.com

Video tour of a Lagniappe Home last year by Jeff:
https://youtu.be/B-73UGSiyx0?si=XEupj4TTxeXWDVLa

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

Some people grow an audience.
Others grow a community.

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Cayce Blackley—the creator behind the wildly popular Instagram account Living in Lake Norman—for a warm, honest, and genuinely fun conversation about what it really means to share local life with heart, consistency, and purpose.

Cayce opens up about how the account started (spoiler: her husband secretly created it), how it grew organically to nearly 8,000 followers, and why championing small businesses has always been the heart of the page. What began as casual local sharing turned into a full-scale community platform—without losing its authenticity.

They also share the now-legendary “worlds colliding” story of how Cayce recognized Jeff’s voice while he was bartending at Hop Town, long before the two officially met. It’s one of those Lake Norman moments that perfectly captures the spirit of this region—connected, unexpected, and a little magical.

Beyond social media, Cayce talks about her full-time role in national wellness and accountability work, her passion for rescue animals, and why volunteering is a non-negotiable part of her life. From Lake Norman Humane to The Christian Mission, Rescue Ranch, and Deepwell Athletics, this episode celebrates the people and nonprofits quietly holding our community together.

They wrap with a heartfelt reflection on what makes Lake Norman special in 2026—from its growing social scene to the relationships that make this place feel like home.

This episode is about more than Instagram.
It’s about showing up, sharing stories, and choosing to invest in the place we call home.

Shout-Outs & Local Love

• Living in Lake Norman (Instagram)
• Hoptown Brewing Company
• Lake Norman Humane
• The Christian Mission (Mooresville)
• Rescue Ranch (Statesville)
• Deep Well Athletics

If you’ve ever discovered a favorite restaurant, nonprofit, or hidden gem through Living in Lake Norman—this episode will feel like home.

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show