In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff Hamm sits down with Carl Steinmann, owner of Varsity Zone HVAC - Mooresville, to talk about entrepreneurship, innovation, and serving the Lake Norman community.

Carl shares how his 20+ years in corporate operations and real estate investing led him to take the leap into business ownership — trading boardrooms for attics and spreadsheets for service calls. After partnering with the national Horsepower Brands franchise group, he launched Varsity Zone HVAC in Mooresville and quickly built one of the top-performing locations in the country.

The conversation covers everything from the challenges of growing a service business to the importance of trust in home maintenance. Carl explains how he built a team centered on craftsmanship and integrity, and why educating customers matters just as much as fixing their systems.

Varsity Zone HVAC - Mooresville

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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

Produced by:
www.epicjourneymedia.com

Support the show

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Lisa Sherman, Sales Representative for Empire Homes, to explore one of Mooresville’s most exciting new communities - Harris Farms.

With over 30 years of homebuilding experience, Empire Homes has become a trusted name in high-quality, thoughtfully designed communities across the U.S. and Canada.

Harris Farms brings that legacy to the Lake Norman area with a mix of single-family homes and future townhomes starting in the high $400s - all in a location that offers both convenience and small-town charm.

Lisa shares what makes Harris Farms special, from spacious floor plans and flexible single-level living options to the design studio experience that allows homeowners to fully personalize their space.

She also discusses community amenities already under construction - including a pool, clubhouse, playground, and walking areas - plus generous incentives available for buyers, including up to $25,000 toward closing costs or rate buy-downs on select move-in-ready homes.

If you’re exploring new construction options in the Lake Norman or Mooresville area, this episode is a must-listen.

Learn more about Empire Homes and Harris Farms at Empire Homes | Mooresville.

Stay tuned for walkthrough tours of Harris Farms model homes on The Best of LKN YouTube channel.

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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

Produced by:
www.epicjourneymedia.com

Support the show

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

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

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Produced by:
www.epicjourneymedia.com

Support the show

Jeff sits down with Derek Ciraulo, owner of Royal Home Inspections, for a practical, no-nonsense look at home inspections around Lake Norman / Charlotte, NC.

Derek shares his path from Long Island to Troutman, why communication matters as much as technical skill, and the most common issues he finds in this market—think crawl spaces, moisture, HVAC, radon, and “organic growth.”

He also gives clear, money-saving tips for homeowners, sellers, and real estate agents.

Royal Home Inspections | @royal_home_inspections

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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

Produced by:
www.epicjourneymedia.com

Support the show

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

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

Support the show

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff sits down with Mike Terrell, Senior Managing Director at Per Scholas North Carolina, a nonprofit delivering cost-free technology training that’s changing lives across the state.

Mike shares how his journey - from the Marine Corps to federal intelligence work to nonprofit leadership - led him to launch Per Scholas in Charlotte during 2020. Since then, the organization has helped more than 1,000 North Carolinians transition into tech careers, generating $29 million in new wages statewide.

They discuss the growing demand for skilled tech workers, Per Scholas’ professional development programs, and its mission to create economic mobility through education. Mike also touches on new initiatives in Western North Carolina and the importance of rural access to opportunity.

Listeners will learn how Per Scholas partners with community colleges, local employers, and volunteers to equip students for jobs in cybersecurity, cloud computing, software engineering, and more - all at no cost to participants.

Per Scholas - North Carolina

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

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

Support the show

Jodi Vose is the owner of Jodi Vose Refined Style, a boutique styling service for busy professionals.

Jodi has spent her entire career in the creative industry. She began as a hairstylist and later added wardrobe consulting, combining both to help clients achieve a polished, confident look.

Her experience includes backstage runway work in New York City and Boston, where she collaborated with international stylists like Ralph Lauren. Those experiences strengthened her love for fashion and design.

Jodi enjoys creating fresh looks that express each person’s personality. Her specialty is offering clients “the Total Look.” She provides expert advice on hairstyles, makeup tips, and wardrobe selections that match each client’s lifestyle and goals.

She loves helping clients refresh their style as the seasons change. This is a fun episode!

Jodi Vose Refined Style

Special mentions:
Executive Women of Lake Norman
Lake Norman WINS - Women in Networking

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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

Produced by:
www.epicjourneymedia.com

Support the show

They discuss Brett's journey into real estate, the transition from coastal properties to Lake Norman, current market trends, and the challenges faced by investors today.

Brett shares insights on managing vacation rentals, the importance of research, and offers advice for aspiring investors.

The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of real estate investment and the need for strategic planning in a changing market.

Brett’s Lake Norman properties:

Lakeshore Adrift:
https://www.staylakenorman.com/rentals/lakeshore-adrift/

Blue Haven:

https://www.staylakenorman.com/rentals/blue-haven/

Watch Jeff’s video tour of Blue Haven:
https://youtu.be/Ik8Mjb_KUlI?si=8lUIJKADWSq0sFRv

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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

Produced by:
www.epicjourneymedia.com

Support the show