The Good Guide to Business

Imagine tax season as a wild rollercoaster ride through a jungle of paperwork and regulations. Now, picture having an insightful guide by your side who knows all the twists, turns, and shortcuts. That's what working with a tax professional is like! They're your fearless navigator in the jungle of taxes, helping you avoid traps, discover hidden treasures (aka deductions), and ensuring you emerge unscathed and with the maximum refund possible.

In this episode, we speak with Nisla Love, IRS Enrolled Agent and CEO of Choose Love Solutions to hear about how businesses can make the most of their finances and avoid added stress this tax season. Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill.

We all know that a positive work culture is the heartbeat of any successful organization. It's the secret sauce that fuels creativity, boosts morale, and retains top talent. But how is this work environment cultivated? Enter Human Resources, the architects of workplace harmony and champions of a positive, vibrant atmosphere where employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated.

In this episode we’re sitting down for part two of our conversation with esteemed HR professional, Erin Spencer, Founder and CEO of Edgebrook Lane Consulting, to learn more about employee retention, why businesses should care about it, and how HR can help employees and employers alike.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill.

We all know that a positive work culture is the heartbeat of any successful organization. It's the secret sauce that fuels creativity, boosts morale, and retains top talent. But how is this work environment cultivated? Enter Human Resources, the architects of workplace harmony and champions of a positive, vibrant atmosphere where employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated. In this episode, we sit down with Erin Spencer, Founder and CEO of Edgebrook Lane Consulting to learn more about the influence HR can have on employee wellbeing.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill.

Effective communication is paramount for non-profits and mission-driven businesses. It underpins their ability to inspire action, garner support, and drive positive change. In the mission-driven sector, where passion and purpose drive initiatives, effective communication is the linchpin that propels these organizations toward achieving meaningful and sustainable outcomes. In this episode, we sit down with Mark Burlinson to learn how communication coaching can help propel businesses, non-profits, and individuals.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Access to technology can be the difference in a successful student or adult's life and career. And, an old laptop sitting unused in your home could become just what that person needs. Today, we’re talking to Ronald Taylor of HUBZone Technology Initiative in Henderson, NC, a nonprofit who works to provide laptops to areas in need.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

In today’s world it feels like we’re constantly being bombarded with advertisements for products on our feeds and everywhere else we look. So how do we know where it's safe to shop? How can we learn if a business aligns with our values? And what do we need to know to avoid scams in our day-to-day lives as consumers? In this episode, Nick and Meredith discuss all those questions and provide tips to hopefully help you walk away feeling more confident in spotting scams and shopping smart.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Supporting entrepreneurs is an investment in the future success of businesses and the economy as a whole. When businesses invest in and collaborate with entrepreneurs, they foster creativity, drive job creation, and stimulate economic development. Today, we’re talking to Alida Lee- Founder and CEO of Web Momster and Catherine Honeycutt- Founder and CEO of Honeycutt Media, who are launching their own workshop aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in North Carolina.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

***Use code PODCAST for 15% off registration at the PAUSE workshop***

Tune in to part 2 of our 2 part series where we sit down with Rick Vines of Vines Restoration Plumbing HVAC to learn how his company is putting in extra effort to help members of their community.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

No matter how big your business is or what you do, anyone can make a positive impact in the community. For over a year now, we’ve been talking to organizations who are doing unique and impactful things to drive change around North Carolina. In this episode, we’re expanding our reach and talking with Rick Vines- CEO and Owner of Vines Restoration Plumbing HVAC based in Conway, SC to hear how his company is taking community involvement to the next level by putting people first

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

When thinking about sustainability and the environment, solar power is probably one of the first things that comes to your mind. But is it a realistic option for homeowners and businesses? Is it affordable? How does it work? In this episode, we speak with Gabe Amey from Cape Fear Solar Systems about how one Wilmington-based company is powering homes and businesses on the NC coast with solar energy.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Tune in to part 2 of our 2 part series as we sit down with JT and Sam from Boot Scrap to learn how their video production company is helping companies, artists, and nonprofits tell their stories all while putting sustainability first.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Special thanks to JT and Sam from Boot Scrap for providing footage and audio

Storytelling can be a powerful tool for promoting sustainability by creating a connection between people and the environment. By telling stories, we can raise awareness of the impacts of our actions on the planet, inspire people to take action, and help shift attitudes and behaviors towards more sustainable practices. In this episode, we sit down with JT and Sam from Boot Scrap to learn how their video production company is helping companies, artists, and nonprofits tell their stories all while putting sustainability first.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Special thanks to JT and Sam from Boot Scrap for providing footage and audio

Volunteering is a powerful force that transcends boundaries, bringing people from all walks of life together for a common purpose. Whether it's fighting poverty, protecting the environment, or supporting vulnerable populations, volunteers selflessly dedicate their time, skills, and energy to uplift those in need. If you’ve been listening to our podcast, it should be no surprise that the Triangle is full of businesses and organizations committed to doing good. And if you’ve been listening to our podcast for a long time, you might remember our conversation with Activate Good- a local non-profit that helps recruit and connect individuals, groups, and companies with volunteer opportunities. In this episode, we’re checking with Jenn Von Egidy of Activate Good to hear about some of their exciting new projects like the Civic 50 Survey.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

For many people, social media is the place to be for entertainment, education or just to pass the time. And for businesses, social media is only becoming more and more important to promoting their company and selling their products or services. In this episode, Meredith talks to BBB's own Nick Hill about some of the best social media practices and tips that can help businesses and organizations to spread their message.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Join Meredith and Nick as they continue their conversation with Andrew Kiley and Megan Rowe of Yaupon. Find out what other innovations this Wilmington small business is developing that are changing the ways we think about sustainability

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

It’s difficult to understate just how much of an impact food production has on the environment. With the earth’s growing population likely to accelerate this problem, companies big and small are searching for practical solution. Hear from Nick and Meredith as they speak with Andrew R. Kiley and Megan A. Rowe, founders of Yaupon Tea Co., about how their Wilmington business provides a healthy product, all while reducing waste and restoring local ecosystems.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Often, the building of infrastructure is seen as being at odds with nature or as a disruption of the natural environment. But, what happens when parts of the buildings themselves are used to bring nature back into the fold? Hear from Nick and Meredith as they speak with Kate Blatt Ancaya of Living Roofs about how her NC-based company is paving the path toward a brighter future by installing green roofs onto public and residential structures.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Great leaders often have individuals and teams advocating them, teaching them, and advising them. Hear from Nick and Meredith as they speak with Linda Sanders of Transition360 Partners about the different ways leaders and teams can grow and improve through coaching.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

We often think about being environmentally conscious in our daily lives concerning things like transportation, littering or the food we consume. But as online shopping and home delivery only becomes more common, how much thought are we putting into the packaging our goods arrive in? Hear from Nick and Meredith as they speak with Wes Carter of Atlantic Packaging about how his Wilmington-based company works to reduce waste and improve efficiency in the packaging that protects the products you order and ship every day.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Tax season is upon us. Whether you're a first-time filer or an experienced taxpayer, this episode of the Good Guide to Business podcast is designed to help you navigate the complex world of tax filing with confidence and ease. So, tune in and join us as we provide you with practical and actionable tips that can help you save time and avoid scams when filing your taxes.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

The Good Guide is back with more episodes in 2023. A lot has changed since out last episode, and our BBB has grown. At the beginning of the year, BBB of Eastern NC and BBB of Coastal Carolina merged to become BBB serving Eastern Carolinas. Hear from CEO Mallory Wojciechowski and Regional Manager Quantrell Quick about what the merger means for businesses and consumers.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 48-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

When you think marketing, products like clothing, toys or other everyday items may come to mind. But how does it work in the medical world? How do researchers and clinicians make their newest data or updated procedures appeal to the public? Join Nick and Meredith as they speak with Jeff Morrison from Medical Leverage, a communications company that focuses on the marketing aspect of the medical field.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

For school children, a lack of proper clothing can inhibit proper social and educational development. Hear from Nick and Meredith as they speak with Sarah Caldwell from Note In The Pocket about how this Raleigh nonprofit works to make sure students in their area are able to thrive in school and life through providing them with appropriate clothing.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

While marketing may seem daunting to some, for one local marketing agency- it’s the environment they thrive in. Hear from Nick and Meredith as they speak with Melissa St. John from The Department of Marketing about how smaller organizations can successfully market themselves and their social responsibility efforts.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Positive change can come from organizations of all sizes and people from all different walks of life. In this episode, Nick and Meredith speak with Isiah Davis- CEO of Transition about how his organization is making an impact. Listen in to find out how Transition is helping underserved communities across NC and how a young entrepreneur like Isiah aims to inspire others.

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

In this episode, Nick and Meredith welcome local artist Leatha Koefler into their studio to talk about her sustainable art pieces. Leatha takes a unique approach to recycling by repurposing old media into works of art. While her works are certainly stunning in appearance, Leatha uses her art to tell stories that transcend space and time.

Learn more about Leatha here: https://www.leathakoefler.com/

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Theme music: Orange Sunset by One Wave from PremiumBeat

Welcome to The Good Guide to Business! In this episode, we're in Apex, NC talking with Jenn and Jack Otepka, the owners of 621 Productions, an innovative media production and transfer service that is taking a new and unique approach to electronic recycling. Listen to learn more!

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Theme music: Orange Sunset by One Wave from PremiumBeat

Welcome to The Good Guide to Business! In this episode, we're in Durham, NC talking with Alyssa Cherry, the founder of Fillaree, an innovative small batch liquid soap company with refillable products. Fillaree is woman owned and focuses on offering a closed-loop economy to consumers. Listen to learn more!

The Good Guide to Business focuses on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Theme music: Orange Sunset by One Wave from PremiumBeat

Let us reintroduce ourselves… This is The Good Guide to Business! We’ve got a new name and a new host. Meredith Radford will be working alongside Nick Hill from now on. Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina is beyond excited about this rebrand. The Good Guide to Business will be focused on featuring conversations with local businesses, organizations and leaders spearheading social and environmental change across our 33-county service area.

Production and Editing: Meredith Radford and Nick Hill

Theme music: Orange Sunset by One Wave from PremiumBeat

In this episode, Nick and Luis speak with the Founder and CEO of Green Places, Alex Lassiter, about the importance of being a sustainable business. Find out why going green is so essential for the business of the future and what Green Places is doing to help organizations reach those goals.

In Luis's final episode of the Brunch with BBB Podcast, our hosts reminisce about their favorite podcast moments and Luis's time with BBB. Stay tuned for more episodes (and a new co-host) coming soon!

Thank you Luis for two amazing years of podcasting and four years at BBB of Eastern NC. You will be missed.

Women and minorities in STEM fields often face challenges like discrimination and lower pay. We sat down with NC State's Director of Engineering- Dr. Laura Bottomley- to hear about what the university is doing to help foster the next generation of diverse engineers and change the landscape for the future.

In this episode of the Brunch With BBB Podcast, Nick and Luis speak with Jonathan Collins from the Durham Tech. Small Business enter about the current and future culture surrounding Durham's entrepreneurs and how the community is helping them grow.

In this episode of the Brunch with BBB Podcast presented by Ultra Roofing, Nick and Luis take a journey to the past as they sit down with University of Tennessee's Dr. Brandon K. Winford to learn about the rich history and lasting impact of Durham's Black Wall Street. 

New year, new finances... and new scams! Saving money and improving credit are both common resolutions people make, however it's important not to let your personal information fall into the hands of fraudsters. In their first episode of 2022, Nick and Luis discuss some of the signs you need to look out for in order to avoid financial scams.

Find a cozy place and get some warm coffee ready for this special MEGA-Episode of the Brunch with BBB Podcast! Join Nick and Luis as they speak with the brother-sister duo of Mike and Maria Satira about the importance of good branding. You aren't going to want to miss out on these key branding tips that will take your business to the next level in 2022!

As 2021 comes to a close, Nick and Luis reflect on a phenomenal year full of amazing guests, iconic moments, touching lessons, and great food. Tune-in for a fun recap of 2021, and stick around for some exciting news about next year!

Did you know that around 40% of all charitable donations are collected during the last few weeks of the year? And while the Holidays might a popular time for giving back, they're also a popular time for charity scams. Listen in as Nick and Luis explore the thought process of these fraudsters and provide tips to help you ensure that your donations go to an actual cause, and not a scammer's pocket.

In this exciting episode of Brunch with BBB, Nick and Luis are taking the show to a new frontier. For the first time ever, our hosts are at a local restaurant having brunch on the show! Join Nuck and Luis as they venture out to Raleigh's first pay-what-you-can cafe and have an insightful conversation with the Founder and Executive Director of A Place at the Table- Maggie Kane. Tune-in to find out more about A Place at the Table and how Maggie and her team are striving to make a difference in Raleigh through great food and community.

As holiday shopping ramps up this year- so do scams targeting online shoppers. In fact, online shopping scams are the single riskiest scam affecting consumers. Nick and Luis want you to shop safe and shop smart this holiday season, so tune-in for helpful tips on how to avoid online shopping scams.

How to I safely buy cryptocurrency? And what in the world is a NFT? Find out these answers and more in this episode where Nick and Luis provide valuable insights into these online trends, as well as how to avoid scams associated with them.

As Nick and Luis continue their discussions on leadership, they welcome in Amber Smith- Founder and Executive Director of Activate Good to speak on the important link between volunteering and leadership. Tune-in to hear why more and more businesses are getting connected with volunteering opportunities, and how volunteering is an important avenue to inspire change as a leader. Also be sure to come see Amber at the 2021 Better Business Summit on October 20 and 21!

In this episode of Brunch with BBB, Nick and Luis have an insightful conversation with Dr. Holly Sullenger about leadership and negotiating partnerships. Dr. Holly is an award-winning speaker, corporate trainer, and consultant anchored in the Triangle area. She is also a presenter at the 2021 Better Business Summit taking place on the mornings of October 20 & 21. 

Register now to hear Dr. Holly and others speak on essential topics for today's leaders: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-better-business-summit-elevating-your-leadership-tickets-164504855451

In Part 2 of our special 2-part Hispanic Heritage Podcast series, hosts Nick and Luis sit down with the founder of Fortify Media, Ellizon Torres, to talk about the significance of Hispanic businesses in the community, as well as the affordances of video.

In Part 1 of our special 2-part Hispanic Heritage Podcast series, our hosts Nick and Luis sit down with BBB of Eastern NC's very own Alyssa Parker to discuss their Hispanic heritages and experiences. 

To commemorate National Black Business Month, Nick and Luis sit down with Wade Harris- owner of the Raleigh Firebirds Professional Men's Basketball team. Learn about how Wade and the Firebirds brought professional basketball to the Triangle, and how the Firebirds are involved with so much more than just basketball through their community initiatives.

The Brunch with BBB Podcast returns for a second season with some new surprises! Join Luis as he gives a warm welcome to his new co-host: Nick Hill. This season is going to be packed with amazing guests, insightful tips, and more of the content you love— so stay tuned!

Matt Sutor, of the Carolina Hurricanes, joins the Brunch with BBB podcast to share his passion for social media and how he has helped their team stand out online among the other NHL teams.

Janice Williams, owner of Williams Payment Solutions and Women in Networking, shares top networking tips to help you build meaningful relationships whether in person or virtual! Listen in to learn networking best practices, how to get connected with a networking group, and how to maintain network relationships.