American Business Story with Taylor Walden

"Started in Our House, Grew to 210 Employees" | Building a Wireless Empire on EOS with Brandon Tate

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Brandon and Tamira Tate started a wireless company out of their house, and built it into the largest U.S. Cellular dealer in America with retail stores across 10 states with more than 200 employees.

This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Brandon Tate to talk about what it's really like to scale a retail business across multiple states using powerful processes, a pay for performance structure that never changed, and the Traction EOS system that allowed them to replicate culture and production at a rapid pace.

During the conversation, Brandon walks through why going from one location to two was the hardest thing they ever did, and why he chose to emulate McDonald's approach to building scalable systems in his company. He also shares why they built a completely virtual leadership team pre-COVID, and what happened when T-Mobile bought out US Cellular and ultimately dissolved their business, but opened the door to something new.

This episode is an honest look at building systems that scale, leading with mission, vision, and core values, and what it means to steep those values into every level of your organization so deeply that people behave like owners even when you're not in the room.

Connect with Brandon Tate:

Reach out to Brandon at brandon@atlanticwireless.com or visit AtlanticWireless.com to learn more about his consulting work with Tate Consulting Group.

About the Host: Taylor Walden is the founder of Radiate Prints and a serial entrepreneur who started her first business in her dorm room at East Carolina University. American Business Story highlights the stories of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

More American Business Story:

Thank you for your continued support of the American Business Story with Taylor Walden Podcast! Know someone who should be a guest? Nominate them! Head to the Radiate Prints website (https://radiateprints.com/radiateprints/shop/page/shoptalk) and fill out our nomination form under the "Podcast" tab.

You can find more episodes of the American Business Story with Taylor Walden Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-9mDwEvElrOVCAROBzYTw⁠), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shop-talk-business-leaders-share-their-story/id1825982148⁠), and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

“Your Business Can’t Be Your Identity” | Kristi Overton Johnson on Prison Ministry Reaching Millions

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:00:00 -0000

She held the women's world slalom ski record for 18 years. Now she's reaching 2.6 million people behind bars.

Kristi Overton Johnson, world champion water skier and founder of Victorious Living, joins Taylor on American Business Story to share how she built a nonprofit that "delivers hope" to more than 3,000 prisons nationwide.

During our conversation, Kristi opens up about what it really took to become a world champion, why she decided to start a prison ministry, what she believes every non-profit needs to do to be successful, and what happens when you build an identity around what you do — and then can't do it anymore.

From a letter written by an old friend behind bars, to walking into a federal prison for the first time with nothing but a panic button she didn't know how to use, Kristi's story is one of unlikely calling, relentless obedience, and the kind of grit that doesn't stay on the water.

Connect with Victorious Living:

Learn more about Victorious Living at VLmin.org

More American Business Story:

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Retired at 50 Without a Plan | From VP of 650 Stores to Building America's Largest C12 Franchise

Taylor Walden — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Robert Beaman retired at 50 from a 30 year career in convenience stores. He had climbed the corporate ladder from clerk to VP of operations for a 650 store company. He had a stable income, a good reputation, and no real plan for what came next. He just knew he was done. His wife asked what they were going to do. His answer? I don't know.

Then one day, while standing in line at a gas station, he ran into a friend who said he was heading to a C12 meeting. Robert had never heard of C12. But that random encounter became the launching point for what is now the largest C12 franchise in America, spanning all of coastal and eastern North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia with more than 400 Christian business owners participating in monthly business forums.

This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Robert Beaman as he shares the story of working at a convenience store while going to college, climbing the corporate ladder through multiple acquisitions, and the conversation with God on his back patio that removed every ounce of fear he had about losing his job, his home, and his reputation.

During the conversation, Robert walks through helping business owners bring faith to work in practical ways, why mission, vision, and core values are the foundation of a thriving company, and the transformation stories of real business owners who went from struggling to hitting financial targets years ahead of schedule.

This episode shows what stepping out in faith looks like when you don’t have a plan, and what it means to build great businesses for a greater purpose.

Connect with Robert Beaman and C12:

Learn more about C12 and find a group near you at https://www.c12midatlantic.com/

More American Business Story:

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

How an ER Doctor Escaped Burnout, Built a Real Estate Business, and is Revolutionizing Primary Care

Taylor Walden — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Dr. Raj Patel grew up in a motel that his family ran, and he never lived in an actual house until he left for college. There was no yard. Just a concrete parking lot, a bike, and days spent learning how to clean rooms and fix broken things with his dad. At the time, he didn't love it. Now, he credits his upbringing for his strong work ethic. He went on to become a physician and spent 15 years working in emergency medicine, watching healthcare become “corporatized” - more volume driven and less patient focused. And eventually, he walked away.

During our conversation, Raj walks through starting a short term rental company that catered exclusively to traveling healthcare workers, filing a lawsuit again someone who copied his entire real estate concept and website word for word, and why he chose to build a concierge practice without the monthly membership fee that most direct primary care offices require. He also gets real about burnout in emergency medicine, why 90% of his patients are school teachers and construction workers with insurance who choose to pay out of pocket anyway, and the revolutionary ultrasound facial mapping technique his practice uses (and teaches to other practices) to reduce the risks associated with facial injections.

This episode is an honest look at what it looks like to leave a stable career, build something from scratch twice, and create a healthcare experience people are willing to pay for even when insurance would cover it somewhere else.

Connect with Dr. Patel and Denali East Group:

Visit denalieastgroup.com or find them on Instagram @denalieastgroup and @aesthetics_training_academy

More American Business Story:

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

"Leading from the Bench" | Dr. Kaitlyn Spencer on Buying and Building a Thriving Dental Practice

Taylor Walden — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Kaitlyn bought Beacon Dental from the practice she worked at as an employee. She didn't start from scratch. She didn't have a blueprint handed to her either. She just knew she wanted to own a practice, stayed vocal about it, worked hard, and when the crossroads came, she asked. They said yes.

This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Dr. Kaitlyn Spencer, owner of Beacon Dental, to talk about what it's really like to transition from employee to owner in a growing dental practice.

During the conversation, Kaitlyn walks through outgrowing her space and deciding to build a new standalone facility, hiring her first office manager, and the constant tension between being a high achiever and wanting to be remembered as a great mom first. Before she was a dentist, she was a D1 volleyball player at UNC Chapel Hill. The mindset of consistency when no one's watching that she developed as an athlete shapes the way she runs her business today.

Connect with Beacon Dental:

Find Beacon Dental on social media or visit their location in Winterville, North Carolina

More American Business Story:

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

"I Sold My Car to Make Payroll" | Building Thriving Chiropractic Clinics with No Business Experience

Taylor Walden — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0000

In the early days of his clinic, Brian Wirth sold his car to make payroll. The IRS showed up in his waiting room. He was grinding 70 to 80 hours a week between two jobs just to keep the lights on in a small chiropractic office in Greenville, North Carolina.

How do you get from there, to a thriving business with nearly 30 employees and 3 locations?

This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Dr. Brian Wirth of Wirth Chiropractic to talk about what it's really like to start a healthcare practice from scratch, fresh out of school with no prior business experience.

During the conversation, Brian walks through the first few years of the business barely surviving - even working a second job just to float the bills. And as the business grew, hHe gets real about why he treats more desk workers than athletes, the power of muscle mass, and why asking for help is the fastest way to stop failing.

Connect with Wirth Chiropractic:

Find Wirth Chiropractic on Facebook and Instagram or visit their locations in Greenville and Kinston, North Carolina

More American Business Story:

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Why 94% of Business Owners Regret How They Sold - Dave Hunt on Planning Your Exit Strategy

Taylor Walden — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Dave Hunt sold his first steer at a 4-H fair when he was 12 years old. His dad took the money and put it into a mutual fund, and every quarter they'd sit down and look at the statements together. Dave didn't fully understand what he was looking at, but he understood one thing: the money was growing. Years later, sitting in a fraternity meeting at Western Illinois University, a guest speaker who was 10 years older said something that changed everything. He said, "What we do is change people's lives." Dave had never thought about financial advising that way before. That moment set the trajectory for the next 30 years.

This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Dave Hunt of Integrated Private Wealth East, to talk about what it's really like to help business owners navigate one of the biggest financial events of their lives: selling their business. Dave shares the story of going door to door selling aluminum siding in college to learn sales, spending 24 years at Edward Jones before going independent, and why only 6% of business owners who sell their business have no regrets about how it went down.

During the conversation, Dave walks through the core team every business owner needs before they sell, why removing yourself from day to day operations actually increases the value of your business, and the mindset shift that happens when you stop being a generalist and start serving a niche. He also gets real about the client who threatened to shoot him, why resilience might be the most underrated skill in business, and the 20 AI agents his brother built that replaced six to eight employees for $1,500 a month.

This episode covers wealth management, business exits, and why surrounding yourself with the right professionals early can save you millions in mistakes later.

Connect with Dave Hunt:

IntegratedPWEast.com or call 252.756.7005

More American Business Story:

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

"I'll Never Learn All This" - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome to Build a Thriving Construction Business

Taylor Walden — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Kathy bought a commercial building in her early 20s with big dreams of historic preservation and downtown development. The project was an epic failure. The bank loaned money to anyone back then, and she walked away with debt that took years to pay off. But that failure taught her something: she needed to learn more about construction. So she went back to ECU, got her degree in construction management, raised three kids, worked in the nonprofit world, and waited.

This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Kathy Herring, founder of KDL Construction. Kathy shares the story of working for another builder and learning what to do and what not to do, why communication is the difference between a good contractor and one you never want to call again, and the floor install that went so wrong they ripped it out and started over three times because her reputation mattered more than the cost. She also gets real about imposter syndrome, the weight of being responsible for someone's largest financial investment, and why understanding your values and your money are the two things every business owner needs to get right.

Connect with KDL Construction:

Find KDL Construction on Facebook and Instagram or visit kdlconstructionllc.com

More American Business Story:

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

How 1 Viral Video Turned into a Media Company Creating for World Class Brands | Hunter Harrison

Taylor Walden — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Hunter Harrison was sitting in a bank office doing the same thing day after day when he stumbled onto a six second video app called Vine. He had no plans to start a business. He just thought stop motion was cool. So he made a video, posted it, and the next day Vine featured it as an editor's pick. He woke up with thousands of followers. Then world class brands like Samsung started calling.

This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Hunter Harrison, serial entrepreneur and founder of Smash Waffles and Catch Creative Agency, to talk about what it's really like to accidentally build an influencer marketing business before influencer marketing even existed.

Hunter shares the story of picking up South Korean executives from the Raleigh airport with a briefcase handcuffed to their wrist, faking a studio in his garage with signs he printed the night before, and charging $10,000 for six seconds of content shot on an iPhone. He also gets real about why he started Smash Waffles out of a church kitchen, what he wishes he'd done differently when investors came knocking, and why he thinks AI characters are about to take over social media whether we like it or not.

This episode is an honest look at building businesses by accident, riding waves before anyone else sees them coming, and learning when to pause instead of just running faster.

Connect with Hunter Wells:

Find Catch Creative on Instagram @madebycatch or visit madebycatch.com

Check out Strange Maple Syrup @strangesyrups or visit strangesyrups.com

More American Business Story:

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

How a Random Mr. Beast Visit, 4,000 Disc Golf Discs, and Hacky Sacks Built a Thriving Local Business

Taylor Walden — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Vince walked into Play It Again Sports to buy a couple of disc golf discs and overheard they were hiring. Eleven years later, he's running the store and has grown the business tremendously through unique marketing efforts, finding ways to connect with the community, and staying on top of sports trends.

This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Vince Tricarico of Play It Again Sports in Greenville, to talk about what it's really like to run a new and used sporting goods store. Vince shares the story of the day Mr. Beast showed up with five U-Haul trucks and cleared the shelves, and how he turned a small disc golf section into a 4,000-disc catalog that has people lining up to shop in his store at 4 a.m. on National Disc Golf Day. He also gets real about the Bat Bros effect on baseball bat sales, designing disc golf courses across Eastern North Carolina, and why supporting youth leagues isn't just good marketing, it's what keeps local business alive.

This episode is an honest look at local brick and mortar business, what it means to connect with your local community as a business, and what happens when you're open to walking through doors you didn't expect.

Connect with Play It Again Sports:

Find Play It Again Sports Greenville on Facebook and Instagram @pisgreenvillenc

More American Business Story:

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

"There's a Plane in My House" | Responding to Disasters and Running a Business on Faith, Not Fear

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Chris Miles didn't set out to start a restoration company. He was sitting on his couch one night reading a book about ministry in the marketplace when he felt the Holy Spirit tell him to go into business for himself. He had no idea what that business would be. His wife, a schoolteacher, thought he'd lost his mind. But soon enough he found himself in the restoration business, cleaning clothes after house fires.

This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Chris Miles, founder of RevitaLife, to talk about what it's really like to walk people through the worst days of their lives. Chris shares the story of the airplane that flew into a second floor bonus room in Manteo (and yes, the pilot and his son walked away without a scratch), why most people don't understand their insurance policies until it's too late, and the moment God showed him he was carrying things he was never meant to carry.

During our conversation, Chris walks through why he shifted his business from residential to commercial work, what advice he has for business owners on developing an Emergency Response Plans so you can be proactive instead of reactive, and the two prayers God told him were the only things he needed to ask for. He also gets real about operating by faith instead of fear, why electrical fires are some of the worst he's seen, and the advice his dad gave him that still guides every decision: at the end of the day, just do the right thing.

This episode is an honest, unfiltered look at what it takes to serve people in crisis, how to build a business with humility, and why surrounding yourself with good counsel might be the most important decision you ever make.

Connect with RevitaLife:

www.revitalifeinc.com

More American Business Story:

You can find more episodes of the American Business Story with Taylor Walden Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-9mDwEvElrOVCAROBzYTw%E2%81%A0), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shop-talk-business-leaders-share-their-story/id1825982148%E2%81%A0), and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Building a Michelin Recognized Restaurant Through COVID, Doubt, and 100-Day Work Streaks | ABS #53

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Sam Jones BBQ has a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Skylight Inn is a family name that shows up in National Geographic. And the guy running it had never cooked a pig until he was in his twenties.

This week on American Business Story with Taylor Walden, Taylor sits down with Michael Letchworth, co-owner of Sam Jones BBQ. Michael started at Skylight Inn at 16 as one of his first jobs in high school, worked the counter, washed dishes, and felt like it was just another restaurant job. At the time, he didn't understand the history. He didn't know how to cook a pig.

Then one night in 2013, sitting around a burn barrel at an event in Raleigh, something clicked. He realized Skylight wasn't just another restaurant, i was something worth preserving. That realization led to a partnership with Samuel Jones, the opening of Sam Jones BBQ in 2015, and a crash course in opening a restaurant.

During our conversation, Michael walks through the 100 day work streak that nearly broke him, the moment he sat on his front porch during COVID with financials spread out wondering how long they could survive, and the consultant who told him to stop complaining and start leading. He talks about why throwing bodies at problems isn’t always the answer, and the loneliness that comes with leadership when you're trying to hold it all together.

He also opens up about Fox Hollow Outdoors, the lifestyle brand and content project he started with his eight year old son Larken, how a Yeti campaign turned into a TV show, and why he's learning that highly produced content isn't always what connects with people. Michael's story is encouraging, raw, real, and a reminder that success doesn't mean you have all the answers. It just means you kept going when everyone else quit.

Connect with Sam Jones BBQ and Fox Hollow Outdoors:

samjonesbbq.com // foxhollowoutdoors.com // @samjonesbbq and @foxhollowoutdoors on Instagram

About the Host: Taylor Walden is the founder of Radiate Prints and a serial entrepreneur who started her first business in her dorm room at East Carolina University. Shop Talk highlights the stories of leaders with ties to Eastern North Carolina.

More Shop Talk:

Thank you for your continued support of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast! Know someone who should be a guest? Nominate them! Head to the Radiate Prints website (https://radiateprints.com/radiateprints/shop/page/shoptalk) and fill out our nomination form under the "Podcast" tab.

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-9mDwEvElrOVCAROBzYTw%E2%81%A0), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shop-talk-business-leaders-share-their-story/id1825982148%E2%81%A0), and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Smashing Scales - How Carissa Turned a Franchise Nightmare into a 4-Year Success Story | ST #52

Taylor Walden — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Carissa thought she was buying a successful boxing gym franchise. Instead, she walked into a business model built on selling memberships to people the gym hoped would never show up. Within weeks of her taking over, 30% of the membership base canceled, grandparents were calling to report stolen credit cards, and she realized the entire operation was designed to choose money over people's actual health.

This week on Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor sits down with Carissa Chappell, owner of Rebel Fitness, to talk about what it's really like to take over a struggling franchise, survive COVID while being told to "stick to the playbook," and make the terrifying decision to walk away and build something completely different. Carissa shares the moment she smashed the gym scales and went weight neutral (despite being told it was "business suicide"), why she caps her membership to go deeper with fewer people instead of wider with thousands, and how her own history with eating disorders and mental health shaped the way she runs her gym today.

During our conversation, she walks through the franchise nightmare, the legal battle that left her signless for over a year, the unsolicited advice from male gym owners in town, and why she believes weight is the most evil genius metric the fitness industry ever sold us. She also gets real about cortisol, GLP-1s, the psychology of gym contracts, and why she forces her mom to lift twice a week.

This episode is an honest, unfiltered look at what it takes to rebuild a business from the ground up while everyone around you is betting against you.

Connect with Rebel Fitness:

rebelfitnessnc.com or @rebelfitnessnc on social media

More Shop Talk:

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Evolve or Die: Gus Roberson on AI, Acquisitions, and Building a $10M Insurance Agency | ST #51

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0000

This week on Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor sits down with Gus Roberson, founder of CapCo Financial, to talk about growth, AI, and the reality of what happens when businesses refuse to adapt. Gus grew up on a family farm with no succession plan, struggled in class at NC State until one personal finance course redirected his entire life, and eventually walked away from a career at an insurance company to go fully independent, a move he describes as "not fun, but you enjoy it."

Somewhere in the grind, he looked at his numbers and realized he'd quietly built a $10 million agency, brick by brick, without ever stopping to accept it. Now he's chasing the next level.

During our conversation, Gus shares how he approached a 70-year-old competitor about buying his book of his business (and exactly how that went), why "I'm ready to sell" is easier said than done, his five-tenet approach to growth, and the $20,000 filing-cabinet story that turned him into a true believer in going digital.

Connect with Gus Roberson & CapCo Financial: gocapco.com and @cap.co_financial

More Shop Talk:

Thank you for your continued support of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast! Know someone who should be a guest? Nominate them! Head to the Radiate Prints website and fill out our nomination form under the “Podcast” tab.

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

I Won $18,500 in 24 Hours at 19 Years Old - How I Started a $1M Business in My College Dorm Room with Taylor Walden | Shop Talk with RP #50

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Today marks one year of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints. I've spent twelve months asking other business owners how they built what they built, and now I’m in the hot seat.

I started Simple & Sentimental in a dorm room at ECU as an interior design major who couldn't sell a single thing on Etsy. Buying a vinyl cutter at 2 am on Black Friday run turned me into “sticker girl." Then, I won $18,500 in 24 hours at two pitch competitions.

And in 2020 when COVID hit, every product I was selling came to a screeching halt overnight. I made a major pivot that kept the lights on, then happened to create a "Happy Quarantine Birthday" box that exploded my business. In a matter of weeks I scaled from 5 to 25 people six feet apart. It's an honest look at growing too fast, the mentors who picked up the phone, and why I started this podcast in the first place.

About the Host: Taylor Walden is the founder of Radiate Prints and a serial entrepreneur who started her first business in her dorm room at East Carolina University.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

“There Has to Be a Better Way” - Turning a Pain Point into a Product Used by Pro Sports Teams with Sharon Moore and Sportscale | ST #49

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0000

We’ve all had an experience where we thought “there has to be a better way”, but today’s guest tells the story of how she built a business from it.

This week, Taylor sits down with Dr. Sharon Moore, ECU professor, athletic trainer, and founder of Sportscale. Sharon shares how a 2008 tragedy on a high school football field pushed a school system to put an athletic trainer in every school, and how that work led her to a burdensome weigh-in problem no one had solved. Sharon turned that problem into a smart scale that automatically tracks athlete hydration and flags who's lost too much weight to safely practice.

She walks through her journey as an inventor and founder: securing a patent, having an NFL team reach out before she even had a prototype, building the first version in a friend's garage, raising half a million dollars one month before the pandemic, and iterating through a decade of hardware.

Sharon’s story is an honest account of what it looks like to go from idea, to prototype, to market.

Connect with Sharon Moore:

Follow Sharon on social media at Sharon Moore on Linkedin and https://www.sportscalesystem.com/

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Modeling a City Like a Business: Mayor PJ Connelly on Greenville, Growth, and Handling the Heat | ST #48

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Mayor PJ Connelly has a simple rule for running Greenville: you don't have to run a city like a business, but it definitely helps to model it like one.

This week on Shop Talk, we pull back the curtain on how governing a city of almost 100,000 people actually works. PJ came to Greenville to play baseball at ECU, spent a few years in the LA Angels organization, and got into real estate in 2007 right before the real estate market crashed. Now, he's leading one of the fastest growing cities in Eastern NC.

So what does a mayor actually do? We dive into how the City of Greenville is structured and who is responsible for what. PJ shares what success looks like for himself as mayor and for the city as a whole, and dives into what’s next for Greenville. He shares Greenville’s position on data centers, his goal for the local airport, and the story of a local program he believes is helping to address affordable housing in the city. He’s also open about taking criticism, and why he asks for feedback from citizens on Facebook.

Connect with PJ Connelly:

Follow PJ on social media at PJ Connelly Mayor of Greenville

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

How AI Can Actually Save Your Business Money: A Practical Guide for Non-Tech Owners with Scott Johnson | ST #47

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Most business owners use AI as a chatbot and stop there. This episode shows you everything you're leaving on the table.

This week, Taylor sits down with Scott Johnson, a real estate agent and investor who taught himself to use AI to build custom tools for his business. Scott was paying $60/month for a clunky CRM. Using AI, he built his own CRM that was better, fully owned, running for about $2/month.

He breaks down exactly how AI works (what a "token" really is, why it costs money, why AI has a bad memory), how to go from chatbot to building real tools, the hiring shift coming where employers ask candidates "what agents do you have?", and the one security mistake that can run your AI bill up to $10,000 overnight.

No code. No jargon. This episode is full of AI advice that is current and practical to help you save time and money in your business.

Check out this link for more information from Scott: https://reilize.com/build/

Connect with Scott Johnson:

Follow Scott on LinkedIn, or connect with him at https://reilize.com/build/

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

What Being in a Mr Beast Video Taught Me About Content Creation and Standing Out in Sales | ST #46

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Steven Lipscomb turned a side hustle selling discount cards into a full-time business. And somewhere along the way, he ended up in not one but two Mr. Beast videos.

This week on Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, hear what it's actually like being in a Mr. Beast video, and how the same instinct for standing out shows up in the way Steven sells in his business.

During our conversation Steven shares the story of surviving down to the top 10 in "100 People vs. the World's Deadliest Traps," that time he sat on top of an 8-foot ladder outside a restaurant to sell cards (and why it worked), and his best advice for networking your way into any room.

This episode is a fun, candid conversation about content creation, sales, and what it really takes to build your network. Whether you're trying to grow your network or just want to hear what a custom airsoft and 2,000 balloons have to do with $10,000, you'll get something out of this one.

Connect with Steven and Lion’s Eye Promotions:

Follow Steven on Instagram @slipscomb15 or find Lion's Eye Promotions @lionseye_promotions

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Do You Need a Big Market to Build a Viable Business? Chris Loignon on Building and Buying Franchises | ST #45

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Chris Loignon wanted to open a new franchise location in a town that initially seemed “too small”. He joins Taylor on Shop Talk with Radiate Prints this week to share how he grew his first location, and how he leveraged his systems to acquire an existing franchise in another city hours away.

During our conversation Chris shares the story of starting a new franchise location in a town where he knew no one, what it was like to run the New York City Marathon, and that time he tried to launch multiple businesses at once (spoiler: he doesn’t recommend you do it).

This episode is a fun, candid conversation about entrepreneurship, running, and the moments in between. If you enjoy Chris’s story, be sure to check out his podcast The Running Playbook available wherever you get your podcasts.

Connect with Fleet Feet in Greenville or Virginia Beach:

FF Greenville Website // The Running Playbook Podcast // @fleetfeetgvl

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Starting a Gym During COVID: How The Foundry Barbell Beat the Odds in Eastern North Carolina | ST #44

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:05:15 -0000

This week, Taylor sits down with Skylar Woolard, owner of The Foundry Barbell, to talk about how training clients in his garage during the pandemic became a 6,000-square-foot gym with a culture all its own.

Skylar shares the saga of the neighbor who reported him to the police, parking enforcement, and the city, and the $300-a-day fine that was on the table until the mayor personally stepped in and called everyone off. He explains how a last-minute, sight-unseen equipment deal (and a client with a trucking business willing to barter) let him jump from a cramped 2,000-square-foot unit to the warehouse he's in now, why he built The Foundry as a semi-private gym for powerlifting and bodybuilding instead of trying to be everything to everyone, and how word of mouth quietly became his best marketing.

Connect with The Foundry Barbell:

https://www.thefoundrybarbell.com/ // @thefoundrybarbell

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

40% of Your Food Doesn’t Make it to the Shelf: How Will Kornegay is Disrupting the Agriculture Industry with Ripe Revival | ST #42

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Will Kornegay started a sweet potato gummy company the week COVID shut down the state. Six years later, he's running a vertically integrated food business, a nonprofit feeding 22 counties in Eastern North Carolina, and breaking ground on a 60-acre community campus. Hear how he's bridging the gap between farm excess and food access, one rescued crop at a time.

This week, Taylor sits down with Will Kornegay, founder of Ripe Revival and Ripe for Revival, to talk about how a COVID-era pivot turned into one of the most innovative food businesses in Eastern North Carolina. Will shares the 3 a.m. moment that almost ended it all, how he built a vertically integrated company that buys 100% of a farmer's crop (yes, including the "ugly" 40% that usually never makes it to market), and how a $2 million grant from the NC Department of Agriculture is helping him break ground on a campus that will include a food processing facility, an outdoor amphitheater, a farmers market, a food hall, and a vocational trade school. You'll also hear about Ripe for Revival, the nonprofit arm bringing pay-what-you-can grocery stores on wheels to 40 sites across 22 counties.

Will’s story is a textbook example of vertical integration, or what Taylor referred to as “the ripe revival universe”.

Connect with Ripe Revival:

riperevival.com or @riperevival on Social Media.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Why Your Employees Are Stressed About Money (And What To Do About It) | Money Coach Heather Davis | ST #42

Wed, 20 May 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Half of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and that stress is walking into your business every morning.

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, host Taylor Walden sits down with Heather Davis, a money coach based in Eastern North Carolina, to talk about why financial stress shows up at work and what business owners can actually do about it.

Heather shares the warning signs to watch for in your team, why offering great 401(k) benefits isn't enough if employees don't understand them, and her hot take that more income usually isn’t the answer. She also opens up about leaving a decade-long career as a speech therapist before launching her coaching business, the imposter syndrome she had to push through, and the moment in January 2025 that pushed her to stop treating her business like a hobby.

Whether you're an Eastern NC employer looking to support your team, a small business owner tangled up in mixed personal and business finances, or an entrepreneur trying to budget around irregular income, this conversation has practical advice you can use this week.

Connect with Heather and Cents with Intent:

centswithintent.com or @centswithintent on Instagram and Facebook.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

From 94 MPH Fastballs to Sports Software: Brock Hudgens on AI, Sports Tech & Building Without a Blueprint

Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 -0000

This week on Shop Talk, Taylor sits down with Brock Hudgens, founder of Play’n Sports and GoCombine, two software companies reshaping how athletes, coaches, and families connect in the sports industry.

Brock's story is anything but ordinary. A 94-MPH pitcher drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers, he was once stuck in a hotel room for 24 hours as punishment during summer ball and walked out having started a Twitter account that he'd later grow to over a million followers and $60K in revenue. From there, it was Enterprise Rent-A-Car, pharmaceutical sales, and finally a leap into software during COVID that built Play’n Sports into a platform now working with 180 college programs nationwide.

We cover what AI actually means for small business owners in 2026, why he believes hiring a co-founder developer is non-negotiable if you want to start a software company, and the unexpected reason most kids stop playing their sport at 13. Brock also opens up about the yips, why he wouldn't change a single step of his path, and the lessons that translate from the pitcher's mound to the founder's chair.

Find Brock:

🌐 PlaySports.com | GoCombine.com | BSBLR.com

🐦 Twitter/X: @BrockHudgens

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Print Isn't Dead: 70 Years of Morgan Printers with Parker Morgan

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:00:00 -0000

You've heard that "print is dead"? Parker Morgan would like a word.

This week on Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor sits down with Parker Morgan, the third-generation owner of Morgan Printers, a Pitt County print shop that's been in business since 1958. What started with Parker's grandfather quitting his job over a five-cent raise and selling logo designs door-to-door from his kitchen table has grown into a nearly 70-year-old print operation that's still very much alive and evolving.

About the Guest: Parker Morgan is a Greenville native and third generation business owner of Morgan Printers, delivering top-tier four-color printing services and comprehensive solutions across Eastern NC and beyond.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Inside HILO Sauna + Plunge: How Layden Pearce Brought Cold Plunges & Infrared Saunas to Eastern NC | Shop Talk #39

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0000

This week Layden Pearce of HILO Sauna + Plunge in Winterville, NC walks through how she opened a contrast therapy studio in a market that didn't have one. Taylor and Layden discuss what research to do before starting a new business, how to run a competitive analysis, local resources for small business mentorship, hiring tips, and how to use partnerships with other businesses to your advantage.

About the Guest: Layden Pearce is a Greenville native and professional recruiter who turned her passion for wellness into a thriving business as the founder of HILO Sauna + Plunge.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

From Blog to 50 Employees: How John Werner Disrupted Aviation with Pilot John International | Shop Talk #38

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0000

It started as a blog. No business plan, no investors, no grand vision — just a pilot posting equipment online to see what would happen. Eight years later, John Werner is running a company of nearly 50 people that ships aircraft parts across the world, with 35% of their business happening outside the U.S.

In this episode, John shares how a side hustle posting equipment on a blog turned into one of Greenville, NC’s major employers. We get into how COVID became a turning point for the company, why John hired a CEO coach (and why several of his key leaders now use one too), and how he's leaning into AI not to replace his team, but to make them better.

If you're from Greenville, in the aviation world, or love a good story about building something from the ground up, this one's for you.

About the Guest: John Werner is the founder and CEO of Pilot John International, an aviation supply and service company based in Greenville, NC. A former Piedmont Airlines pilot and Purdue University graduate, John built Pilot John from a four-person operation into a team of nearly 50 employees across three locations, serving private, commercial, and military aviation customers all over the world. He is passionate about using technology to modernize the aviation industry and creating a culture of growth and continuous learning for his team.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Is Your Website Ready for AI? 2026 SEO Tips with Alida Lee | Shop Talk with Radiate Prints #37

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Is Your Website Ready for AI? 2026 SEO Tips with Alida Lee | Shop Talk with Radiate Prints #37

Why is your website sitting on page 10 of Google, and why are potential leads "falling through the cracks" before they ever call you?

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with Alida Lee, the founder of Web Momster, to demystify the world of Web Design and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Alida isn't just a tech expert; she’s a "serial creative" who turned a hobbyist sewing blog into a thriving career helping local businesses get found online.

Taylor and Alida dive deep into the "Customer Journey". It’s the invisible path a client takes from discovering your brand online to finally walking through your front door or placing an order with your business. If you’ve ever wondered why your website isn’t converting, Alida shares the simple, common mistakes most business owners make (and how to fix them fast).

In this episode, we discuss:

The SEO Essentials: What Google actually looks for in 2026 (and how AI is changing search).
Closing the Gaps: Identifying where you are losing customers in your digital sales funnel.
DIY vs. Pro: When is the right time to stop "playing around" with builders and hire an expert?

About the Guest: Alida Lee is the founder of Web Momster and a digital strategist specializing in local, service-based businesses. Through her agency and her work with the Pause NC community, she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs master their SEO and streamline the customer journey.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Why Everyone Thinks This Local Small Business is a National Franchise | Kevin & Tiana Berryman #36

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Daycare is closed, the kids are bored, and you need to get out of the house. Sound familiar? That exact moment of parenting chaos is what led to the idea for Sprouts Playground & Studio. Discover how the Berrymans turned a 'chaotic Friday' into a business so professional people think it’s a national franchise.

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with Kevin and Tiana Berryman, the visionary founders behind Sprouts Playground & Studio in Greenville, NC. While many entrepreneurs feel they have to choose between a traditional career and owning your own business, Kevin and Tiana are showing how you can do both.

By day, they are professionals in local government and the corporate world; by night (and early morning), they are the leaders of a thriving indoor play space that has become a staple for Eastern North Carolina families.

Taylor, Kevin, and Tiana pull back the curtain on the "messy middle" of entrepreneurship. They discuss the reality of managing a business while working 9-to-5s, the legal hurdles of their high-liability industry, and why high-end branding made people mistake their "mom and pop" shop for a national franchise from day one.

In this episode, we dive into:

The 6-Month Launch: How a single text message on Good Friday turned into a grand opening just 6 months later.
The "5 to 9" Reality: Practical tips for managing a brick-and-mortar business with a full-time career and a growing family.
Branding for Growth: How Sprouts used professional design to gain instant authority and attract franchise inquiries from across the country.
Marriage & Business: Navigating the "lanes" of a husband-and-wife partnership without bumping heads.

Whether you are a "weekend warrior" looking to launch your first side hustle or a seasoned leader trying to scale, the Berrymans' story of faith, focus, and "praising in the hallway" will be an encouragement to you.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

The Real Story Behind the Sawyer’s Fun Park Expansion | TJ Sawyer #35

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0000

If you live in Pitt County and have been on social media lately, you’ve likely seen the heated debates on Facebook over the expansion of Sawyer’s Fun Park.

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with TJ Sawyer, the owner of Sawyer’s Fun Park, to move past the social media comments and get to the truth. TJ addresses the noise, the lights, and the traffic concerns head-on. And he explains the story behind this project and the family business that started out of his career coaching cheerleading.

Beyond the headlines, TJ shares the gritty store of scaling his business. From his early days as an ECU cheerleader to the terrifying moment in 2020 when he almost handed the keys of the business back to the bank, this is a raw look at what it actually takes to build something big in a growing city.

In this episode, we dive into:

The Future of Greenville Entertainment: TJ details the plans for a 28-bay driving range and a professional-grade mini-golf course. We discuss the "Three Pillars of Growth" (Hotels, Restaurants, and Entertainment) and why this project is vital to the City’s growth plans and local business talent pool issue of keeping ECU grads and young professionals from leaving Greenville for Raleigh or Charlotte.
Navigating Public Debate: Addressing the social media discourse head-on, TJ shares the reality of the "Not In My Backyard" pushback. Learn how Sawyer’s is using scientific sound studies, directional lighting, and major design concessions to balance community growth with neighborly concerns.
The $15,000 Startup to Multi-Million Dollar Empire: TJ reveals the raw entrepreneurial journey of turning a small cheerleading gym into a massive family entertainment complex. We explore the "Power of Partnership" with his wife, Jamie, and the high-stakes moment in 2020 when they nearly handed the keys back to the bank, only to come back stronger.

Whether you’re a concerned neighbor, a golf enthusiast, or a fellow entrepreneur scaling your own business, TJ’s perspective on resilience and community growth is the "real story" you haven't heard yet.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Lessons Learned from 19 Feet Under: Scaling a Service-Based Business from Scratch | Jamie Lang #34

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0000

What do you do when two years of work and your entire inventory go 19 feet underwater in one night?

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with Jamie Lang, the owner of Carolina Hardscapes and Pools. Jamie is a veteran of the Eastern North Carolina business landscape who has survived everything from the historic Floyd flood of '99 to opening a brick-and-mortar showroom just weeks before the 2020 global shutdown.

Taylor and Jamie discuss the grit required to take the leap from working in a family business with his father into entrepreneurship. Jamie’s honesty around his hardships and successes are admirable, but what is most impressive is his strong faith in Christ throughout the high and low points of his career. He’s built a business with an excellent reputation and strong emphasis on customer service in a crowded industry.

In this episode, we dive into:

Surviving Total Loss: How Jamie navigated the 1999 flood’s impacts on his sod business, and why he chose to pay back every creditor by hand rather than filing for bankruptcy.
The "Outdoor Living" Evolution: Why he transitioned from landscaping to hardscapes and pools.
Ending the "Blame Game": The strategic move to bring design, hardscaping, and pool installation under one roof to ensure customer peace of mind.
Faith in Business: What sustained him when he invested his savings into a new business model right as COVID hit.

Whether you’re a service-based entrepreneur trying to scale or a homeowner looking for the inside scoop on pool installation, Jamie’s perspective on honesty, integrity, and the "High Road" is exactly the motivation you need.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

How to Buy and Sell Businesses: What You Need to Know to Prepare from Eastern NC’s Leading Business Broker | Tony Khoury #33

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0000

What does it take to build a business worth selling?

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with Tony Khoury, the owner of Transworld Business Advisors in Greenville, NC and Wilmington, NC. Tony refers to being a business broker as his “third act”. Before helping people buy and sell businesses, Tony was a business owner himself. He was an electrical engineer, and one of the owners of The East Group with locations in Raleigh and Greenville, North Carolina before exiting in 2018.

In this episode, we dive into:

How to Buy a Business: Did you know you could buy a business that generates $1M in revenue each year with only 5% down? Tony shares real examples of how people buy businesses
How to Sell a Business: According to Tony, it takes 6-8 months to sell a good business. He tells us why, and how entrepreneurs can prepare their business to sell in the future
What Makes a Business Worth Selling: Tony has practical advice on which areas of your business to focus on so that when you want to sell, you’re ready
Pursuing Passions: Tony refers to this chapter of his life as his “third act”, a combination of his passions for business, real estate, and eastern NC, and why it’s important for people to find what they love to do

This episode is perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners who have considered selling their business soon or at retirement, or anyone who has ever considered a major career change later in life. Tony’s heart for the people of Eastern NC is evident, and he’s a great resource for entrepreneurs in our community.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

From TV News to Studio Owner: Building a Business That Scales Beyond Yourself | Josh Potter #32

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0000

How do you stop being "the talent" and start being "the owner"?

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with Josh Potter, the visionary behind 1413 Visuals. While many in Eastern North Carolina know Josh as an award-winning videographer for local news and business promos, today he shares the story of how he evolved from a freelance creator into a studio owner.

Taylor and Josh trace his journey from teenage garage bands and DIY recording studios (complete with carpeted walls!) to the world of broadcast television, and finally, his leap into full-time entrepreneurship. Josh reveals the "secret weapon" piece of gear that gave him a competitive edge during the 2020 pivot and how he is building a business model that will give him his time back.

In this episode, we dive into:

The "Hobby to Career" Transition: How Josh leveraged his experience at a local TV station to launch a successful freelance brand.
The Scalability Secret: Why Josh pursued a physical studio as part of his business model.
Learning from Mistakes: Why "messing up" is the most effective form of education for any entrepreneur.

Whether you are a freelancer feeling burnt out, a creative looking to scale, or a business leader interested in the future of digital media, Josh’s insights on "always be learning" will change the way you look at your workflow.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

How to Build a Physical Therapy Practice from Scratch: From ECU Student to Greenville Business Leader | Shondell Jones #31

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:04:55 -0000

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with Shondell Jones, the co-founder of Kinetic Physical Therapy and Monday Solutions Group. Shondell's journey began long before he reached Greenville; from selling candy out of his backpack in Charlotte to washing cars in his neighborhood, he has always had an interest in business.

Taylor and Shondell explore the evolution of Kinetic, from its humble beginnings in a shared rental space to the recent construction of "Phase 2" of their facility, equipped with a pool and indoor turf. Shondell pulls back the curtain on how he leveraged multiple revenue streams, including school contracts and home health, to sustain his practice during the notoriously slow summer months.

Why Shondell Chose a "One-on-One" Patient Model: Most physical therapy practices have one therapist seeing two patients at a time. Kinetic has doctors seeing patients one-on-one, and Shondell dives into why they made this choice and the impact it has on their business.
Diversifying Revenue: How securing government and school contracts allowed Kinetic to grow even when insurance reimbursements were delayed.
Modernizing with AI: How a PT clinic uses AI agents and knowledge databases to stay updated on ever-changing insurance regulations.
The Power of "Stepping Away": Shondell’s strategy for quarterly off-site planning and why "thinking time" is a non-negotiable for leaders.

Whether you are a healthcare professional looking to go private or a business owner trying to navigate the complexities of scaling a team, Shondell’s episode is full of insights on leadership and community-driven growth.

Shondell is a graduate of East Carolina University’s PT program and a staple of the Greenville business community. In addition to Kinetic Physical Therapy, he serves as the Executive Pastor at Koinonia Christian Center and provides leadership consulting through Monday Solutions Group. When he isn't mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, you can find him practicing his serve at the local pickleball courts.

Connect with Shondell:

Kinetic Physical Therapy: kptwellness.com | @KPTWellness
Monday Solutions Group: beginmonday.com
Koinonia Christian Center: kccfamily.com

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

In this episode, we dive into:About Shondell JonesTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

How to Build a Franchise Empire: Scaling to 60+ Locations | Corbett Harris

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0000

How do you scale from a single franchise location to a hundred locations nationwide?

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with Corbett Harris, the founder of CHC Unified. Corbett is a multi-unit franchisee who has mastered the art of scaling high-traffic brands like Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and Topper's Pizza.

Corbett pulls back the curtain on the "grind" of the franchise world, moving past the surface-level success to discuss the high-stakes logistics that make or break a business. He also discusses the rising costs of commercial real estate to the revolutionary shift toward modular building (and why it’s a game-changer for ROI).

But the most impactful part of Corbett’s story isn't just the numbers, it's his "why." He shares a vulnerable look at his career transition from a 90-hour-a-week job to building a business focused on stewardship, faith, and creating leaders within his community.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur looking for your first franchise location or a seasoned leader trying to optimize your operations, Corbett’s perspective on systems over luck is the blueprint you need.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Scaling a Solo-Business: How I Quit My Job at 23 to Start a Successful Bakery | Allison Anderson #29

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0000

Can you take your talents and use them to create a business before the age of 25?

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with Allison Anderson, the owner of Vanilla Bean Bake Shoppe. Allison’s story is the ultimate blueprint for the "solopreneur." At just 23 years old, she walked away from a steady paycheck and multiple industry jobs to go all-in on her own brand.

Today, Allison is a staple in the Eastern North Carolina wedding industry, known for her beautiful cakes and her ability to handle the high-stakes of the wedding industry as a team of one. But the road to high end wedding cakes wasn't always sweet. It involved 5:00 AM shifts, grueling all-nighters, and the steep learning curve of pricing for profit.

How Allison transitioned from working full-time to starting her own business
Why Allison chooses to remain a team of one and the honest reasons she’s hesitant to hire employees
A look at how the wedding industry has changed over 15 years and how Allison scaled her cakes from $300 to $1,500+.
Why "systems" are the most important thing Allison wishes she’d implemented sooner to reclaim her time.

Whether you’re a hobbyist wondering if you can "jump ship" to start your own business or a veteran business owner looking to refine your customer experience, Allison’s 15 years of wisdom will give you the courage to trust your gut.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

How to Transition from Corporate to Family Business: Quitting the 9-5 to Continue an 80+ Year Legacy | Steve Lovick #28

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0000

How do you keep a business alive for nearly a century?

In an era where most small businesses close within five years, Lovick’s Cafe is celebrating its 85th anniversary. In this episode, Taylor Walden talks with Steve Lovick about the weight and the wonder of carrying a family legacy that started in 1941.

Steve is a people person at heart, and it’s something he learned from his father, and his father before him. Lovick’s Cafe is a Kinston staple and has been for 85 years. Steve pulls back the curtain on the "unreplaceable" time spent working alongside his father and the grit it took for his grandparents to survive the Great Depression and World War II. We explore the transition of leadership through three generations and the pressure of keeping the "Lovick" name on the sign.

We dive deep into the 85-year history, including:

Starting with $175: How a tiny loan and four bar stools turned into a Kinston institution.
The Generation Gap: Transitioning from the 3:00 AM "factory shift" era to today’s digital-first customer.
Preserving Culture: How to keep the "community living room" feel while managing a team of 39 people.
The Succession Challenge: Steve’s honest thoughts on what comes next for the 4th generation.

If you are building a business with the hope of passing it down, or if you're currently navigating the complexities of a family-run company, this conversation is a rare look at true business longevity.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

How to Scale a Business Through People: Networking Tips, HR Basics & Outsourcing | Sharon Justice #27

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0000

What if the only thing standing between your current business and your "dream" business is a better networking strategy?

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with Sharon Justice, the founder of Justice Leadership and a veteran HR consultant whose career has spanned everything from running ice cream shops and designing apartment complexes to serving as a Senior VP in the banking world.

Sharon shares her "full circle" journey from being a 19-year-old entrepreneur furnishing 100-unit condo complexes to teaching leadership at East Carolina University and launching her own consulting business. Whether you are a "solopreneur" trying to do it all or a growing company facing your first big HR headache, Sharon provides the tactical blueprint you need to lead effectively.

"Introvert’s Guide" to Networking: Sharon’s genius "three-card" trick for making authentic connections without the awkwardness.
"Adjacency Strategy": How Sharon’s early experience in retail and real estate taught her to spot new business opportunities before they became trends.
HR Essentials for Small Business: Why you need a handbook and job descriptions as soon as you hit 5 employees.
Explosive Growth Through Outsourcing: How Sharon went from "I can do it all myself" to hiring a Virtual Assistant and watching her creativity and capacity skyrocket.
The "Step Back" Lesson: Why taking a temporary job or a "lesser" role is sometimes the strategic move required to launch your next big chapter.

Whether you're an ECU student, a side-hustler, or a seasoned business owner, Sharon’s decades of wisdom offer a new perspective on how people can make or break your business.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

From High School Dropout to Dentist | Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Dr. Brian Ward #26

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0000

What does it take to trade a 20-year career in the mobile home industry for a career as a dentist with one of the most popular dental offices in town?

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Dr. Brian Ward, a "dropout turned doctor", who is changing the face of dentistry in Eastern North Carolina shares his fascinating story.

Taylor and Brian discuss the shift from the "dirt and mud" of his first business to the world of healthcare, and how his blue-collar background became his greatest competitive advantage. They also pull back the curtain on the world of private equity and DSOs, exploring what corporate investment means for the future of local patient care.

In this episode, we dive into:

The Non-Traditional Pivot: The mental and logistical hurdles of transitioning from a blue-collar business owner to a doctor.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: A raw look at feeling like an "outsider" in your own success and finding the confidence to lead.
Doing the Hardest Job: Why the best leaders are the ones willing to do the hardest, most undesirable jobs right alongside their team.

Whether you are navigating a career change or trying to protect the culture of your growing business, Dr. Ward’s authentic and honest take on the "grind" will leave you feeling motivated for your own next chapter.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

How to Turn a Local Service Into a National E-Commerce Brand | Susan Bucci #25

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0000

How do you take a tactile, in-studio experience and ship it to doorsteps across the country? In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor sits down with Susan Bucci, the visionary behind Greenville’s The Painted Peacock and the nationwide brand Prints and Clay.

Susan’s story is a masterclass on pivoting, detailing how she spent nine months in R&D to engineer a "family-proof" 3D molding kit that allowed her to scale during a global shutdown. Beyond the pottery wheel, Taylor and Susan dive deep into the modern e-commerce landscape, discussing everything from the rise of AI in business and digital advertising to the grit required to compete in the e-commerce world.

In this episode, we dive into:

Engineering the Pivot: How Susan developed a proprietary, "family-proof" molding kit to solve the problem of distance, transforming a local service into a first-of-its-kind national e-commerce brand.
Navigating the Digital Marketplace: A deep dive into the realities of modern e-commerce, including how Susan approaches advertising and stays ahead of online competitors.
The Power of the "Angel Print": A moving look at how Susan’s innovation extends into the community, using digital scanning and 3D technology to create tangible keepsakes for families during their most difficult moments.

Whether you’re a brick-and-mortar owner looking to add an e-commerce arm or a leader trying to find the balance between "slowing down to speed up," Susan’s story is a testament to the power of confidence and innovation.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Building a National Consulting Brand from a Local Office | Kellie Brown #24

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0000

What happens when a professional fiddle player is sidelined by chronic pain and an injury that won't heal? For Kellie Brown, it wasn't the end of her career, it was the beginning of a mission to bring a revolutionary health solution to her Eastern North Carolina city.

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Kellie shares her fascinating transition from the stage to the clinic, revealing how her own recovery journey with Photobiomodulation (PBM) led her to launch a business that is now sharing light therapy protocols across the nation.

In this episode, we dive into:

The Musician’s Pivot to Innovation: How Kellie’s personal experience with chronic inflammation led her to bring cutting-edge laser technology to Greenville, transforming a "mom-preneur" goal into a thriving clinic with 13 employees.
Scaling Beyond the Brick-and-Mortar: The strategic decision that allowed her team to provide clinical protocols to providers nationwide
Building a Culture of Strength: Why Kellie leans on tools like the Working Genius and Enneagram

Kellie’s story is a perfect example of what happens when you identify and fill a need in your community, and build a thriving business in the process.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

From NFL Quarterback to the "Grind" of Entrepreneurship | Holton Ahlers #23

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0000

What happens when you trade the stadium lights for the high-stakes world of business ownership?

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Taylor Walden sits down with former ECU standout and NFL quarterback Holton Ahlers. While many are used to seeing him lead the charge on the field, Holton is now tackling a completely different playbook as a new franchise business owner in Eastern North Carolina.

Taylor and Holton discuss the parallels between leading a team in a packed stadium and leading a business in the logistics industry. From the origins of his apparel brand, Built When Broken, to the bold decision to retire from professional football to launch his Unishippers franchise, Holton shares what it’s really like to transition into a new venture.

In this episode, we dive into:

The Pivot: Why Holton walked away from a professional football contract to launch a business.
Built When Broken: The powerful story behind his first apparel brand and how it shaped his "why."
The Quarterback Mindset: Translating locker room leadership into managing a team and serving clients.

Whether you're a sports fan or someone looking for the courage to start your own next chapter, Holton’s perspective on resilience and the "grind" of the early days is the motivation you need.

More Shop Talk:

You can find more episodes of the Shop Talk with Radiate Prints Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. We release new episodes weekly on Wednesdays!

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear. If you need t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or a company store for your organization, reach out to us! Taylor and the team would love to help.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Website: https://radiateprints.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints
Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

The Best Business Advice of 2025, Taylor’s Favorite Moments, and Launch Stats - Shop Talk Recap #22

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:34:28 -0000

This is our biggest episode yet. Taylor Walden gives a candid look back at the biggest moments, lessons, and sheer growth of the podcast since its July launch. Plus, the best business advice heard from some of Eastern North Carolina's top entrepreneurs in 2025.

Taylor reveals how many people the podcast has reached since its launch, and shares her favorite moments and the uncut blooper reel!

Thank you for helping the podcast grow so quickly. Follow and subscribe so you don't miss the entrepreneurs we have lined up for 2026.

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints
Listen to more Shop Talk with Radiate Prints:

From Mascot to $10 Million: Scaling and Selling OneSource Communications with Mike Aman | Shop Talk with Radiate #21

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:14:48 -0000

Mike Aman is an Eastern NC entrepreneurial legend. In this episode, Taylor sits down with Mike to discuss his incredible 20-year journey building OneSource Communications from a startup team of four to a company with 133 employees and $10 million in annual revenue. Mike shares the wisdom he gained while successfully navigating multiple industries, from opening up the first Dunkin' Donuts franchise in Greenville to leading a massive telecom firm, all while staying connected to the Greenville community.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a leader looking for solid mentorship, or an ECU alum, Mike's story is packed with actionable advice on integrity, resilience, and knowing when it's time to sell your business.

Connect with Mike Aman

You can find Mike on LinkedIn, “Mike Aman”
Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Listen to more Shop Talk with Radiate Prints:

Pancakes, Politics, and Resilience: Matt Sculley of The Scullery | Shop Talk with Radiate #20

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Meet Matt Sculley, the man behind The Scullery, a downtown Greenville breakfast institution that has been serving the community for over 14 years.

In this episode, Matt breaks down his unconventional path from studying opera at ECU to opening a beloved local business by ECU students and Greenville natives alike. Hear the incredible story of how a $15,000 business competition win launched the restaurant and how The Scullery navigated one of the toughest times for the service industry: surviving a mandated COVID shutdown thanks to an overwhelming wave of community support.

Matt reveals the key strategies for maintaining success and resilience through major downtown construction, and shares his unique decision to run for City Council, offering an inside look at how he applies a business owner’s perspective to local government and planning. Plus, he shares the simple, powerful secret behind his successful team culture and the philosophy that keeps the stress of entrepreneurship in check.

Connect with The Scullery

You can find The Scullery in Downtown Greenville, NC. Visit their Facebook page or Instagram @_thescullery

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Bonus: Stop Moving the Goalpost - A Message on Gratitude from Taylor

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:00:00 -0000

In this special solo episode, host Taylor Walden shares a candid 5-minute message about the constant internal pressure to achieve more. Referencing a concept from previous guest Daniel Overby, Taylor dives into the "goalpost" trap. Taylor uses her own journey (from dreaming of marriage to launching Radiate Prints) to explain why we need to pause, celebrate, and practice gratitude for the success we've already achieved. Before jumping into the next big goal (or your Thanksgiving meal), take 5 minutes to appreciate how far you’ve come.

Connect with Taylor Walden

You can find Taylor Walden on LinkedIn and Instagram @taywalden

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Listen to more Shop Talk with Radiate Prints:

Paul Adkison: Raising $50M for a Startup, & Why He Said NO to Coca-Cola

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 13:08:56 -0000

Meet Paul Adkison, the serial entrepreneur whose path to success began with a harsh but essential lesson in finance from his own father.

In this episode, Paul breaks down his path from banking to becoming a leader in healthcare technology. Hear the incredible story of how he built a mobile software company and, in a shocking move, told Coca-Cola "No" to protect his intellectual property and pivot the business toward a more lucrative vertical.

Paul reveals the key factors that allowed his small company to out-maneuver Fortune 5 competitors and achieve a massive acquisition. Plus, he shares the unique strategy behind his and Scott Diggs' private equity family office success, and how their vision brought the award-winning Hilton Garden Inn to Downtown Greenville.

Connect with Paul Adkison

You can find Paul on LinkedIn.

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints
Listen to more Shop Talk with Radiate Prints:

Fake It 'Til You Make It: How Carley Summers Built a Global Interior Design Firm From a 400 Sq. Ft. Apartment | Shop Talk with Radiate #18

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:46:02 -0000

Meet Carley Summers, the designer who is the "literal poster child of fake it 'til you make it." She built a global luxury interior design firm with clients worldwide, despite being a college dropout with no formal training! Carley sits down with Taylor to share her powerful redemption story: overcoming addiction and transforming her life by creating "sacred spaces."

She reveals the bold moves she made to scale her business, the unexpected place where she got her start (a 400 sq. ft. apartment), and the systems she now uses to manage large-scale remodels and new builds. Carley also gets candid about the reality of being a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated construction world, and how she learned to fight for her clients' vision.

If you need inspiration to turn a side passion into a thriving business, or just want to hear a truly incredible second-chance story, this episode is a must-listen.

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints
Listen to more Shop Talk with Radiate Prints:

What Makes a Restaurant Franchise Successful: Scaling with Zaxby's and Building Community Tradition | Ryan Tittle - Shop Talk with Radiate #17

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:42:34 -0000

Ryan Tittle took a risk when he moved to North Carolina and opened his first two Zaxby’s locations in under one year. Today, he successfully owns four locations and is bringing a new restaurant with 5 locations to Eastern NC starting next summer.

But what does it take to truly succeed in the high-stakes, high-turnover world of fast-casual dining?

During our conversation, Ryan reveals his award-winning strategy for operating 4 successful franchise locations of Zaxby’s with more than 170 employees in Eastern NC, and how he is tackling turnover in the restaurant industry. Ryan also shares exciting news of a new restaurant he is bringing to the area in the summer of 2026.

If you're an aspiring leader looking for real-world lessons on leadership and scaling a business through exceptional team development, this episode is for you.

Connect with Zaxby’s

You can find Zaxby’s ENC on Facebook, or visit them at one of their 4 locations in Pitt and Beaufort counties.

Listen to more Shop Talk with Radiate Prints:

Daniel Overby | The 1-House-A-Year Strategy: Scaling to 50+ Rentals Through Intentional Customer Service - Shop Talk with Radiate #16

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0000

What does a plumbing disaster in high school, a missionary salary, and a low-debt mindset have in common? They're all part of Daniel Overby's unconventional path to building a real estate portfolio.

Daniel and his wife, Michelle, turned a strategic, calculated approach of buying one house a year into a full-time business with over 50 properties. But the real secret to their growth isn't in the balance sheet, it’s in how they treat their customers.

In this episode, Daniel shares the gritty start (including living without a working bathroom as newlyweds!) and the powerful leadership mentality that allowed them to grow. Find out how to start investing without high debt, and why elevating your customer service is the key to scaling any business, big or small.

Connect with EC Leases

You can find @ecleases on TikTok and @ec_leases on Instagram, or on their website at ecleases.com

Connect with Taylor and Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Bob Phillips | What Makes a Business Last a Century: Lessons Learned from 4 Generations of Furniture Making - Shop Talk with Radiate #15

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0000

What does it take for a business to survive 95 years? Bob Phillips, the fourth-generation CEO of Edgecombe Furniture, has a story filled with extraordinary risk, from his great-grandfather founding the company during the Great Depression to Bob navigating the modern marketplace.

In this episode of Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, Bob shares lessons learned from scaling the business from a local shop to a vendor for global chains like Hilton and Marriott. He reveals the unexpected outside challenge that forced him to take the biggest risk of his career—a decision that changed the business forever. Bob makes it clear that the company's success is a "God story," sharing how his faith provides the courage and clarity needed for long-term stewardship. Bob's insight into purpose-driven business will challenge every founder's definition of success.

Connect with Edgecombe Furniture

You can find Bob Phillips on LinkedIn, and you can learn more about Edgecombe Furniture at edgecombe.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Rich Balot | From Dorm Room Startup to $3 Billion Empire: The Victra Story - Shop Talk with Radiate #14

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0000

You’ve seen the stores, now meet the mind behind them. Rich Balot is the founder and CEO of the largest U.S. chain of Verizon retail stores, Victra. Today Victra has just under 1,750 locations and almost 10,000 employees, and is expected to generate $3B in revenue this year. And it all started with Rich and his brother opening one store in Wilson, North Carolina at 19 years old.

During our conversation, Rich recounts his entrepreneurial story of starting and growing Victra. He shares the realities of starting his business in college, seeking mentorship, and how he avoided “the business outgrowing me”. He also dives into a misstep that almost ended the business, and discusses how moments like that are what make the most successful entrepreneurs. Rich's story is proof that the greatest leaders aren't the ones who never stumble, but the ones who know how to ask for help and turn a misstep into a massive comeback.

Connect with Rich

You can find Rich Balot on LinkedIn, he also welcomes emails and shares his email address in the podcast.

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear.

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Listen to More Shop Talk on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

Chris West | 5th Generation General Contractor, Continuing a Family Legacy - Shop Talk with Radiate #13

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:17:45 -0000

If you live in Greenville, North Carolina, chances are you’ve been in a building built by Custom Building Company.

Chris’s family has been building in Eastern North Carolina for 5 generations. If you ask Chris, they are in the relationship business. They value their clients as more than just a customer, they’re part of the Custom Building Company family.

During our conversation, Chris shares what it was like working in the family business from when he was in middle school, to now transitioning into a leadership role. We also talk about what has made their family business successful for so many years. If you are someone working in a family business, or you aspire to see your business continue on for generations, this episode is a great listen.

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

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Jessica Albea | Fresh Vibes, The Healing Power of Food as Fuel - Shop Talk with Radiate #12

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Do you view the food you eat as fuel, and even as medicine for your body?

Jessica watched her grandfather battle cancer and was left wondering, was there something else they could have done to help? After experiencing this and her own walk with an autoimmune disease and mental health struggles, she searched for answers and found them in the food we eat. Jessica used food to heal her body and started a business helping others from her passion.

During our conversation, Jessica shares practical advice on lifestyle changes that can have a positive impact on your health, how she started a local juice shop and restaurant, and we even take shots (not the kind you’re thinking!!)

Connect with Jessica and Fresh Vibes

Follow Fresh Vibes @freshvibesgreenville and check them out online at localfreshvibes.com

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

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Josh Lewis | Greenville ENC Alliance, What’s Happening in Greenville & Pitt County - Shop Talk with Radiate #11

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Ever wondered how a Japanese solar company decided to build their first North American plant in Greenville, North Carolina? It sounds random, but Josh Lewis from the Greenville ENC Alliance shares how his team works to bring new businesses and jobs to Greenville-Pitt County. And we talk about a hot topic with many local business owners that you don’t want to miss.

During our conversation, Josh shares how he came to be the CEO of the Greenville ENC Alliance, and what exactly their organization does. “Economic development” sounds like something that only matters to a local government, but it impacts all of us. We all play a role in making our community a great place to live and work, and this episode talks about some of what’s going on behind the scenes at organizations like the Greenville ENC Alliance to help make that happen.

Connect with Josh and the Greenville ENC Alliance

Find the Greenville ENC Alliance at https://www.encalliance.com/, their Grow in Greenville initiative at https://www.growingreenvillenc.com/ and find Josh Lewis on LinkedIn

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

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Bobbi Jo and Jerry Abrams | “It’s a Zoo Life”, Reality TV Show Stars, and Abrams BBQ and Catering - Shop Talk with Radiate #10

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:21:14 -0000

Jerry’s BBQ restaurant was catering a corporate event, and the petting zoo vendor backed out at the last minute. In a pinch, Bobbi Jo threw together a petting zoo so they didn’t let their client down. From there, Bobbi Jo began to work with animals, hosting parties with different household pets from the trunk of her SUV. As Bobbi Jo brought in new animals, she spent more time caring for them, sometimes having to wear baby kangaroos in a pouch like their mother would have. She even opened a small zoo in her yard after the public expressed interest in her animals. And when TLC caught wind of Bobbi Jo walking North Carolina beaches with a baby kangaroo, they sent camera crews to her home and the reality show “Our Wild Life” began.

During our conversation, Bobbi Jo and Jerry share how the zoo started, what it was really like to be filmed daily for 18 months and to have their lives displayed on national television, and they even bring a lemur out during the show. Their heart for animals and for people is evident in everything they do. Their story is inspiring and entertaining, but most of all reflects their strong faith and desire to see people in their community thrive.

Connect with “It’s a Zoo Life” and “Abrams Bar-B-Q”

Find It’s a Zoo Life at https://www.itsazoolife.com/ and Abrams on Facebook and Instagram.

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

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Episode 9 - Ellen Brabo | “Boots to Business”, Army Captain Turned Boutique Hotel and Airbnb Owner

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 11:01:40 -0000

After transitioning from the army, serving in Europe and beyond, Ellen Brabo transitioned to working for a government contractor in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was met with challenges faced by many who transition out of the military, struggling to find purpose and community back home. She completed the “Boots to Business” program, and grew a desire for owning an airbnb after hearing stories of other soldiers’ negative experiences with airbnb owners. Today, she is the owner of several Airbnbs and “The Ell Hotel”, a boutique hotel in Washington, NC.

During our conversation, we cover topics like transitioning out of the military, starting a small business in a brand new town, hiring your first employees, and how to handle criticism as a small business owner. Ellen is resilient and has such a heart for the community she has in her friends and family, and in her small town.

Connect with Ellen and The Ell Hotel

Find Ellen Brabo on LinkedIn, and learn more about the Ell Hotel @theellhotel www.theellhotel.com

Connect with Radiate Prints:

We print apparel people love to wear.

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

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Episode 8 - Ed Naylor | From The Courtroom to C12, Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Support System

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Ed Naylor’s dad encouraged him from a young age to become a lawyer because he loved to debate everything. In his early career he practiced as a district attorney and as partner at a law firm before opening his own law practice. Throughout his career, Ed practiced a “small thing” that really wasn’t so small - people matter.

When he felt God calling him away from practicing law, he later became a C12 Chair. Ed’s experience guiding business owners and serving as part of their support system when running a successful business. During our conversation, we talk about what it was like to practice law and ultimately start his own practice, practical tips for engaging a small team of employees at a business, and how studies show that most business owners report that entrepreneurship can feel lonely, and what to do about it.

Connect with Ed

Find J. Edward Naylor on LinkedIn

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

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Episode 7 - Vin McCaffrey | Serial Entrepreneur, Founder of Game Plan, Industry Leading Software for Athletics Organizations

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Vin McCaffrey was a former college athlete who wanted to help other athletes entering the workforce find jobs. In 2008 he founded Game Plan with a goal of creating essentially “Indeed” targeted toward college athletes. Along the way, he realized there was a need for learning software for athletics organizations. That pivot led to rapid growth for Game Plan, serving college athletic departments across the US, and eventually the NFL, NBA, NHL, and other professional sports organizations.

Vin ultimately sold Game Plan and is now the Managing Director of O.Labs, a specialized technology investment platform designed to incubate and scale profitable, technology-led ventures focusing on AI. He is also the co-founder at One One Three, working with high-potential software and tech ventures from Eastern NC universities. He is also a consultant at Deloitte.

From his career in the corporate world to being a serial entrepreneur, Vin has had his hands in a variety of businesses and industries. In our conversation he shares his key takeaways from his career so far, and the potential he sees for the future of Greenville’s startup ecosystem.

Connect with Vin

Find Vin McCaffrey on LinkedIn

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

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Episode 6 - Bryan Fagundus | Ark Consulting Group, a Civil Engineering Firm That’s in the “Customer Service Business”

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:36:55 -0000

Bryan Fagundus and Scott Anderson took a leap of faith and founded Ark Consulting Group in 2013. Hence the name, “Ark”, as a nod to Noah’s faith when he built the ark in Genesis.

Bryan shares the journey of starting an engineering firm in Scott’s bonus room. Over the next 13 years, they scaled to a team of 20 employees serving their local community and surrounding states. What was the source of their success? According to Bryan, it was their focus on customer service from the start. Throughout the story of starting the company, he shares specific practices and steps that are integral to how they ensure excellent service to both their customers and their staff.

Connect with Bryan

Find Bryan Fagundus on LinkedIn, and find Ark Consulting Group @arkconsultinggroup

Connect with Radiate Prints:

@radiateprints on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Listen to More Shop Talk on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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Episode 5 - Warren Allen | Elite Truck, the #1 Online Retailer in the US for Truck Accessories Serving the Modern Tradesman

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Harrison Boyd, a former generator technician and diesel mechanic, started Elite Truck because he saw it was difficult to find everything you needed for your truck in one place. He founded the company as an online commercial vehicle equipment center, and Warren came into the picture to help Harrison in 2021 after helping run Google ads for the company during its early years. They got an office in Washington, NC, and 4 short years later, the company has nearly 50 employees and is continuing to grow as a leader in their industry.

During our conversation, Warren talks about scaling the company at the right pace to ensure they continue to take care of their customers and their staff in the midst of rapid growth. Warren also touches on his experience as a student at the Duke Executive MBA program and how what he is learning is changing the way he runs the business every day.

Connect with Warren

Add him on LinkedIn, or reach out to Elite Truck on social media to get in touch @elitetruckofficial

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

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Episode 4 - Parker Overton | Founder of Overton’s, The World's Largest Watersports and Marine Accessories Dealer

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Parker is a legend in the watersports world and in Eastern North Carolina. He started Overton’s in the back of his father’s grocery store in the 1970’s, selling competition waterskis from the meat counter. At its peak in the early 2000’s, Overton’s employed more than 500 people and sold $60 million in gear per year.

During our conversation, Parker shares his story of building Overton’s from the ground up, and ultimately selling to Gander Mountain in 2003. He doesn’t shy away from sharing the hardships of growth, and how world events like 9/11 impacted his company. He shares practical wisdom for younger generations of entrepreneurs on customer service, business relationships, and cash management in a seasonal business.

I hope you’ll enjoy listening to Parker’s story as much as I did. I’ve known him for years and have benefitted from his wisdom in my business, and now I hope you can do the same.

Connect with Parker

I usually put our guest’s social media links here. Parker isn’t a social media guy, and he shares why he doesn’t have socials in the episode.

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

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Episode 3 - Sarah Coltrain | Coltrain Hardware, a Woman-Owned Business Built on Faith and Community

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:32:10 -0000

Sarah is a go-getter who strives to glorify God in everything she does, whether it’s her business, her community, or providing a loving home for her family. She went from owning a hair salon to starting a hardware store in downtown Ayden, a town with a population just under 5,000 people. And, she and her husband became foster parents at the same time, while running a hobby farm, and serving on various town committees. We did confirm that she does in fact find time to sleep at night.

We hope you’ll enjoy this episode covering everything from running a business to running a hobby farm, and serving your community along the way.

Connect with Sarah

https://www.coltrainhardware.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ColtrainHardware

https://www.instagram.com/coltrainhardware

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: https://radiateprints.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/radiateprints

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@radiateprints

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Episode 2 - Villa Verde | “The American Dream” - Jay Bastardo Comes to the USA at 15 and Builds Business

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Welcome back to Shop Talk with Radiate Prints. We interview entrepreneurs and talk about what it’s really like to build and grow a business. In this episode, Taylor and Hannah sit down with Yordandys “Jay” Bastardo, owner of Villa Verde, Bella Green, and Harvey’s Breakfast Restaurant. Jay shares the realities of coming to the US as an immigrant, starting a business, and what happened when the weight of his responsibilities had an impact on his mental health.

Jay came to the United States at 15 years old with $5 in his pocket in pursuit of the American Dream. He went from working at McDonald’s until 3am 7 days a week in high school to climbing the corporate ladder. Eventually, he realized there was a cap on his earnings and wanted more for his family. He bought a food truck on Craiglist and started selling Dominican food to local college students. Today, he owns 4 restaurants and led his local restaurant community during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Connect with Jay

Villa Verde

Bella-Green Latin Sportsbar and Grill

Harvey's Breakfast Restaurant

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Website

Instagram

TikTok

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Episode 1 - The Wakeboard Cable and Fly High TV | David Mayo on Building Wakeboarding Businesses

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Welcome to Shop Talk with Radiate Prints, the podcast that peels back the curtain on the real journey of entrepreneurship. In this episode, Taylor and Hannah sit down with David Mayo with The Wakeboard Cable and Fly High TV. David is a serial entrepreneur whose businesses grew from his love of wakeboarding. When he isn’t working on his businesses, he’s helping other businesses through his work in higher education, with a goal of helping 10,000 businesses in his career (he’s more than halfway there).

David saw an existing product on the market and made it better and for a fraction of the cost of what the manufacturer was selling it for. And when the wakeboarding community found out, they had to have it.

Connect with The Wakeboard Cable:

Connect with Fly High TV

Connect with Radiate Prints:

Website: radiateprints.com
DTF Transfer Website: radiatedtf.com
Instagram: instagram.com/radiateprints
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