Podcasts Episodes

This week on The Localist, Carrie is diving into all things communication. Communicating with customers and patrons has always been important, but it’s been taken to a new level with the pandemic, subsequent closings, and regulations that seem to change every day. There are a few main things every business needs to communicate, and Carrie breaks those down along with creating a system to communicate with staff, and tips for in-store signage and social media.

Courtenay Rollwagen, the stylist and designer behind AnthroStyle Interiors, joins Carrie on The Localist this week. Courtenay and Carrie dive in with the reasons a small business owner would benefit from hiring an interior designer even if they have a small budget, and they discuss practical design tips for small businesses to consider both in COVID-related times and in general. The sisters wrap up with best practices for vetting and working with your interior designer.

It’s just Carrie this week, and she discusses the why behind buying local, and how that ties in to the bigger issues going on in the world right now related to race. Big changes take time, but Carrie breaks down the ways in which buying decisions can have a positive ripple effect in your community. Carrie tells us more pros of buying local, from better policies and more ethical decisions at local businesses versus corporations, to more money going back into your community from buying local.

Mary Claire Britton of Greenhouse, the salad-forward feel-good eatery in Homewood, AL, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. Mary Claire tells us how she and her husband Bray started Greenhouse less than a year before COVID-19. Fortunately, to-go orders have always been a big part of their business, but Mary Claire describes other ways they have been impacted by the pandemic including sourcing ingredients, partnering with meal delivery apps, and having to downsize staff.

Lemar Storey, owner and CEO of Life Touch Massage, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. Pre-quarantine, Lemar was very intentional with every aspect of his business, from aesthetics to customer experience, and he tells us how he drew from his own experiences to bring his vision to life. Lemar then tells us his about the discrimination and blatant racism he’s faced as a black man, both personally and professionally, and how his mentors have helped him deal with those experiences.

Jody Beasley, owner and head trainer at HMG Fitness, joins Carrie this week to talk about how the fitness industry is adjusting to pandemic related shut downs and stringent new regulations for reopening. Jody tells us when he realized this was going to be a big deal, the “gym library” system to keep members fit at home (complete with classes and training on Zoom!), and how he’s updated the space and practices after reopening last week.

Zebbie Carney, CEO and founder of Eugene’s Hot Chicken, joins Carrie this week to discuss how Zebbie is adapting both his restaurant and food truck to deal with the pandemic. Zebbie and Carrie start off discussing how he and his crew have pivoted their food truck strategy, how their sales have been affected after losing foot traffic, and how Zebbie has prepared his staff to follow the ever-changing safety guidelines. Zebbie has worked with several nonprofits to donate meals to hospital staff and talks about the impressive creativity he’s seen from other local businesses.

Neillie Butler, founder and owner of wedding planning company Mariée Ami, tells us how she and her team jumped in to handle quarantine for their clients. Neillie gives us a glimpse into the experiences that have shaped her drive, her leadership style with her team, and her perspective in both her personal and professional life. Neillie and Carrie then chat about Ami à Vie, the new lifestyle brand recently launched under Mariée Ami, and wrap up with what they’re learning during this crisis and what they hope to continue post-pandemic.

Jonathan Robinson, new owner of Little Professor bookstore in Homewood, AL, joins Carrie this week. Jonathan has an extensive history in the online book industry through Free Textbooks, and he tells us how he is translating that experience to a brick and mortar location. Jonathan took ownership of Little Professor only a few weeks before quarantine started and chats about how it has impacted the business.

Brian Teasley, founder and owner of Saturn in Birmingham, AL, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. Saturn is celebrating its fifth year as a music venue, bar, and coffee shop, and Brian tells us how he pulled from his years of experience as both a touring musician and venue co-owner (of Birmingham’s Bottletree) to make Saturn such a success. They talk about the fire that sidelined Saturn years ago and the pandemic that has the venue shuttered today, then wrap up by discussing how to support not only Saturn, but the broader arts and business community as well.