On this episode of Conversation Mill, I welcome two friends of mine, Jordan Wong and Josh Wilson. Jordan, a personal trainer, and professional powerlifter, took the leap to open his own gym when the facility he was working at shut it doors in the post-pandemic gym landscape. During the Covid lockdowns, Jordan opened his garage to friends and training clients as a temporary gym. From this one action, he created a culture that those of us who took advantage of his garage wanted to return to post-lockdowns. Resulting in Jordan opening Showcase Strength & Fitness, in Port Charlotte, Florida.Josh, a personal trainer and powerlifter, followed not too far behind Jordan, opening his own private training studio, The Vault Strength & Fitness, in Sarasota, Florida. Bringing in other coaches looking for an elevated fitness environment to train their clients. Before becoming friends Jordan, Josh and I worked at the same 6-gym chain in Southwest Florida; until they were sold and I moved on.  We experienced changes in leadership (including my promotion and departure), booms in membership and droughts, the sale of the gyms, and ultimately Jordan and Josh experienced their locations closing. They took those experiences, their extensive knowledge of personal fitness, their skills, and their determination to work independently to create successful training facilities. Join us as we find out what their driving force is, and what makes their locations different than the big box gym down the street.www.conversationmill.com www.silversidecreative.com

In 2023, Real Estate Agent Stephanie Burger, had 61 transactions for a value of 25+ million. She is rated 5 stars and ranks in the .5% of over 3500 Greenville MLS agents. So it is not just my opinion that she is one of the best. Her ability to negotiate, be one step ahead, and bring her local expertise to the table gets her clients the home they are looking for or the sale they want. She joins me in conversation to discuss what home buyers are looking for here in the Greenville, SC market, but also what it takes to be successful in real estate, how important community is and more. www.conversationmill.comNeed to make changes in your business? Ready to get organized and prepared to take your business to the next level? Visit Rebecca's business coaching and consulting, Silverside Consulting + Creative.

Table Rock Tea Company, Ltd. is artisan tea grown in the United States, gorwning in the shadow of the Table Rock State Park, in Pickens, South Carolina. Founders, Steve and Jennifer Lorch, are also the founders of Hydromissions International, so their roots for charitable giving run deep here at the tea company.  10% of ALL sales goes to charity through their ConnectiviTea™ Fund.  Steve joins me in conversation and we talk much more than tea. Steve is an inventor, former surgical nurse, author and serial entrepreneur. His latest book All In (again): Unsolicited Advice From A Serial Entrepreneur is full of bit sized examples and stories to learn from small business success and failures. www.conversationmill.comNeed help getting your business organized? Have a growing business but haven't put processes in place? Silverside Consulting + Creative provides action planning services, coaching, templates, and more to get you and your business set up for long-term success.

Surgeon, Scott Porter, joins me on this first episode of season 4 to share how he founded Just Cause Apparel to replenish his surgery tank.  Now he is not only refilling his cup of hope but spreading that hope by giving back with the profits of Just Cause. Scott is the Vice Chair of Operations in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Prisma Health in Greenville, SC, and the Co-Founder of Just Cause Apparel. He attended the Yale School of Medicine and in the course of his career, has run a non-profit, Sarcoma Warriors. If you need some motivation to follow that dream you have always had or need some motivation to start that side business to replace your day job, this is your episode. Scott could make all the excuses regarding demands on his time, but he leveraged hiring a team that believes in his vision and his network to create a company whose mission is to give back. Want to start purchasing your company's/team's apparel from Just Cause? Click HERE to learn more. To support the show's mission of elevating our local economies and building up small businesses by advertising or sponsoring the show, visit conversationmill.com. Need help action planning, strategizing, organizing, building SOP's, or implementing within your small business visit silversidecreative.com for your small business resources.

Replay: I am lucky enough to call this guest a friend, so it was time to replay our conversation from Season 1! And if you live in the Greenville, SC area and are still looking for a perfect gift, True North has massage Gift Certificates available, trust me your loved ones will thank you! Johanna Davis strives to create a client-focused practice with her massage and yoga. Her True North Wellness brand is about delivering these individual experiences; where the individual can find healing for themselves. Johanna reminds us over and over again to keep it simple. A reminder that is much needed in our over-stimulated world. We talk about how even while she is creating this individualized experience, she is also creating community in where and how she offers her yoga classes. To see where Johanna is teaching follow her on Instagram.Want to book a custom massage or private yoga session? Visit: https://www.truenorthgreenville.com/The reading Johanna shares at the end of the episode is written by Daniell Koepke. Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Listen in to this episode replay from season 1 of the podcast. Looking for a unique holiday gift this season? Musgrave Pencil's online store delivers a touch of nostalgia with a modern twist. I felt so honored to be asked to interview Musgrave Pencil and feature them as a guest, and have enjoyed sharing their history and their product (they made me Conversation Mill pencils) with family and friends. 106 years in business, maintaining manufacturing during WWI & WWII, suffering near dissolution and a generation staying the course to regain full operation of the business; then pivoting to add services to continue growth, resulting in being 1 of the 4 remaining made-in-America pencil manufacturers. Musgrave Pencil located in ‘Pencil City’ Shelbyville, TN is making 72 million pencils a year with no signs of stopping. I have always appreciated the feel of a pencil in my hand, and the ability to erase and start again. And don’t we all want that ability? To erase something and find the right words?Musgrave pencil has embraced its history and is blending the historical with the modern. Bringing their brand to social media and creating brand apparel, as well as bringing their signature Tennessee Red Cedar pencil pack to their online store. Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Jon Bryson, visionary and founder of Matty App returns to update us on his entrepreneurship journey. Matty App (short for mattress) is a fintech start-up, geared toward consumer investing but also has the ability to be white-labeled for use as a B2B solution. Jon walks us through this in our conversation. Jon has taken huge strides since our first conversation and is preparing to take Matty App to the next level. He also shares some personal updates and how he manages to handle the lows of being an entrepreneur. https://matty.ai/Listen to my first conversation with Jon from Season 1.  Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Planning cheese plates for this holiday season? Better study up on some of the best, that is why we are replaying this episode from the first season of the podcast. Why is Wisconsin cheese the best? That's my first question forPhillip Van Tatenhove, Owner and 3rd generation cheese maker of Gibbsville Cheese Co. located in Gibbsville, WI.Phillip shares the history of Gibbsville Cheese and how the cheese process has been modernized. We talk about dumping milk during the pandemic, dairy farms that consider making cheese, and that time the Gibbsville Cheese milk tank was called up to service during WWII. If you are a cheesehead like me or just curious why we say Wisconsin cheese is the best, this is the episode for you.http://gibbsvillecheese.com/Become a member of Conversation Mill Podcast- Conversation Mill | Substack Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Ian and Rachel Harding are the owners and farmers of Wet Knot Farm. They have overcome the common hardships of farming and personal hardships to deliver flavorful, fresh produce to their local community. Not only do they cultivate various vegetables, but Rachel grows flowers creating unique bouquets. In this episode, Ian shares how he came to sustainable farming, advice to want to be farmers, and the possibilities created by small family farms.  Join us in conversation as we talk about where the name Wet Knot came from and so much more. Become a member at conversationmill.substack.com to receive extra content and essays from every episode.  Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Mark Mulfinger's mastery of his trade began with private art lessons at the age of seven. His incredible and natural gift led him onto a life-long obsession of capturing the created world.He holds an M.A. in Studio Art and currently freelances full-time. He also teaches painting, printmaking, drawing, and batik.I have always loved batiks and was immediately attracted to Mark Mulfinger's work. After joining friends to view a small show of Mark's almost two years ago now, I knew I would continue to intersect with his work, and from art walks to his recent show at the Grand Bohemian to this conversation I have, and it has been an immense pleasure. Enjoy this conversation with the fascinating Mark Mulfinger. You can hear more from this conversation by becoming a member of the podcast at conversationmill.substack.com. Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

From making jeans in his parent's basement to outfitting national touring bands and developing his own luxury brand, Bill Mitchell creator of Billiam Jeans has brought custom, luxury fashion to Greenville, South Carolina. In this episode, he shares his philosophy of developing a luxury brand here in the US. He shares his journey from creating clothing to fit in, to being a trendsetter. Bill is working with some of, if not the rarest denim in the world and changing the way we think of jeans- less pant, more art. Billiam as a brand is undergoing another evolution and Bill gives us a glimpse of what is to come. Your opportunity for a custom pair of jeans is running out and monthly the price is going up, but you can visit  https://billiamjeans.com/ to get your custom pair gift card now and schedule your fitting. Visit Conversationmill.substack.com to see behind-the-scenes of a fitting and learn more about the denim and process Bill uses to create these one-of-a-kind pieces.  Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Throwing back to Season 1! This was one of our first episodes and it was one of our most popular. Sherry's positivity and joy for life shines through in this conversation and I think this is why so many of our listeners connected to this conversation. Sherry Joseph reminds us about the joy that is found when we follow our passions.Her love for learning has taken her down paths that have been life-saving for those around her. Not only within her own family; but through sleep dentistry. Sherry explains the dangers of sleep apnea and what signs we are missing. https://www.josephandjosephdental.net/And don't forget to catch more from this conversation on Substack! Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

When was the last time you thought about death? When, if ever have you taken time to think about your death? There is no escaping the inevitable and dying is a condition we deal with in our communities consistently. Still, we do not always have the resources to make this time of life comfortable. This is where an end-of-life doula can be a figurative and literal godsend. In our culture where we are not accustomed to dealing with death, a doula can act as a guide, interim caregiver, and individual to sit vigil and more.Alix Davis an end-of-life doula based in Ann Arbor MI sat down with me to share her experiences so far as a doula and how she hopes to continue to evolve in this role by helping more individuals and families as they walk through the end-of-life process. Learn more about Alix and her services: Out Of BreatheTo learn more about end-of-life doula certification visit: www.thedyingyear.org/Get more from this episode and more on Conversationmill.substack.com Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

This week we take a break from our typical episode to celebrate Indigenous Peoples of the United States. Conversation Mill is about Conversations, Community, & Culture. So it is only fitting that I call attention to members of our community who are often overlooked and whose culture has been under assault since the first Europeans came to the shores of North America. Bringing attention to and honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day should not be a partisan issue; but instead, it should be a way for us all to learn from the ancient wisdom of the people who stewarded this land we call home. Please visit Conversationmill.substack.com to learn more and access links to Native American voices and culture. Conversationmill.com  Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Bob Moog was a pioneer in synthesis. Creator of the Moog Synthesizer that would be adopted by some of the biggest names in music. Sadly, Bob passed away in 2005, but his daughter Michelle Moog-Koussa, preserves his legacy and promotes creativity in music through the Bob Moog Foundation a 501 (c) (3) located in Asheville, NC.The mecca for synthesizer musicians and fans is the Moogseum. Here Michelle and the team have created a timeline of the history of synthesis and hands-on experiences.  An immersive experience for guests, visitors can engage in learning how electricity becomes sound and so much more. Join us in conversation and when you are in Asheville be sure to visit Moogseum! Follow on Instagram & FacebookDon't forget to become a subscriber on Substack for more content from each episode: Conversationmill.substack.comConversationmill.com Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Elizabeth Williams, Executive Director of Mountain Care, joins me in conversation to share the joy and sadness that comes with serving aging adults. Mountain Care first opened its doors in 1986 as "Mountain Geri-Care". Over the years the name, location, and capacity have changed, but their goal has remained the same: to provide high-quality, community-based care for older adults and their caregivers.  Mountain Care is a nonprofit, located in Buncombe and Henderson county in North Carolina. But the topic of caring for aging adults is one that will continue to impact us all, and as Elizabeth explains in this episode there is not enough support to meet demand. Consider supporting Mountain Care with a donation or by volunteering: Learn More HereContinue the conversation with me on Substack, where this week I write about the importance of hearing the stories of our elders and specifically the stories of our families. Conversationmill.com Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Malapropism: the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with an amusing effectGretchen Horn, the current owner of Malaprop's Bookstore in Asheville, North Carolina sits down with us to talk about what makes Malaprop's a lasting fixture in Asheville's downtown. Western North Carolina is the home to many contemporary authors, alongside some of the most notable names in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. But even those writers whose names you may not know have a home at Malaprop's. They continue to support local authors, taking local writers on consignment. The next time you are in Asheville, Malaprop's must be a stop on your list! Check out their extensive poetry and regional author selection. Malaprop's WebsiteFollow them on InstagramAnd follow their dogs of Malaprop's at Malapups Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Shelia Merck did not know what to expect when she joined the SC Venue Crisis fight and started raising awareness with citizens and legislators about the skyrocketing liability insurance costs, forcing small business owners to make very tough decisions about their businesses. But she quickly learned that her passion for these businesses, honky tonks, and other venues was shared by so many, not to mention the business owners themselves that have poured their dreams into these businesses. Now Shelia and the SC Venue Crisis team are holding town halls, organizing events, and being boots on the ground in the campaign to get South Carolina legislators to change the liability laws.  You can sign the petition HERE. "In 2017, South Carolina introduced a law, that drastically changed the minimum insurance coverage requirements for establishments that sell and serve alcohol. Bill 116 requires a one-million-dollar yearly policy. This rate increase is excessively high for an across-the-board requirement.As a result, in 2021, insurance companies began to pull out of South Carolina. The number of available carriers has dropped so severely that we can count the remaining options on one hand. The inability to shop for insurance coverage caused the average insurance prices for bars and venues to rise in 2021. When 2022 hit, we were shocked to see the price quoted, which we had no choice but to pay. What was a $5,000 - $6,000 policy skyrocketed to upwards of $20,000- $25,000." -SC Venue Crisis Petition I can not stress how important conversations like this are, if you want things to change you have to let your voice be heard. As you will hear us discuss, the downstream effects of knee-jerk legislation can often have dire consequences on hard-working Americans.But let’s jump into this conversation and if there is something similar happening in your state, please email me at chat@conversationmill.com; so we can talk more about grassroots movements happening at the local and state level.SC Venue Crisis InstagramSC Venue Crisis FacebookHear more from our conversation at Substack.  Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

Heidi Henry of Harvest Kitchen, located in Greer, SC joins the podcast in conversation about all things gluten-free. But we cover even more than that, digging into strategies for running a health-based restaurant, collaboration, food systems in America, and more! Harvest Kitchen serves up allergy-friendly food in a 100% gluten-free environment. If you are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, or a carnivore trying to eat healthier there is a fresh, delicious option for you at Harvest Kitchen. Take a peek at what they serve up on their website or follow them on Instagram (but I do warn you, you will get hungry!)We continue the conversation on Substack and I write about the history of celiac and its causes. Become a subscriber today and get all the extras from each episode sent right to your inbox every Monday! Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I take you along to a Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaign stop and how I got the opportunity to steal a few minutes with him. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the son of former US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy. His father was US Attorney General under John F. Kennedy and was assassinated while running for president in 1968. Robert Kennedy Jr. was raised steeped in the history of America.Mr. Kennedy has a doctorate in law from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in environmental law from Pace University. He served as the assistant district attorney of New York in 1983. He helped found Waterkeeper Alliance a global group that supports local environmental groups to protect their waters. In 2010 he was named “Hero of the Planet” by Time magazine for his work with Riverkeeper in the Hudson River.  He has fought against polluting giants and the likes of Monsanto, helping to win a $289 million judgment against them. He joined protestors and the Sioux Nation at Standing Rock to protest the Dakota Access pipeline and continues to be an advocate for clean water and protecting communal lands.To see videos, pictures, and a transcript from the interview visit: conversationmill.substack.comconversationmill.comTo learn more about the Kennedy campaign and his priorities visit:https://www.kennedy24.com/ Get full access to Conversation Mill at conversationmill.substack.com/subscribe