Browse Episodes
How to Find the Best Local Spots When You’re Traveling
Carrie is back this week with a solo episode inspired by her recent travels. We know where and how to shop local when we’re at home, but it can be a completely different ball game when we’re traveling. Carrie breaks down her best tips for finding great local food and drink, how to sort through…
Behind the Scenes at the Localist: Meet the Team
This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes and introducing our team members! Alana, outreach manager, is the newest addition with a passion for plants and a history in retail. Brad, sound engineer from the beginning, is a musician and general local music culture enthusiast. Michelle, show runner from the start, is a book lover…
Results-Based Branding with Emily Wells Design
Emily Wells, brand identity designer and consultant, joins the podcast this week to dive into intentional branding. Emily knows through years of experience that cohesiveness in branding makes a business owner’s life so much easier. She breaks down her methods for finding your niche, clarifying your goals, and honing your brand to reach your desired…
Rapid Growth: Botanica Houseplant Shop Branches out with New Locations
Caitlin Hastings, owner of Botanica Houseplant Shop, is on the podcast this week to dive into the business of houseplants! During the pandemic, the houseplant business boomed for Caitlin, leading her to open two additional locations. Caitlin and Carrie get into how Botanica started as a pop up and consulting business, what her goals were…
How to Read Books: From Choosing the Right Title to Knowing When to Quit
Carrie is back this week with a solo episode diving into business books! And don’t let that scare you if you’re not a huge book person; Carrie takes that into account and gives practical tips even if you don’t want to sit down and read a book cover to cover! Carrie tells us how to…
Philosopher, Chemist, Entrepreneur: Soapy Jones of Left Hand Soap Co.
Soapy Jones, founder of Left Hand Soap Company, is on the Localist this week to dive into the world of natural, locally crafted soap and self care products. Soapy (yes, that’s her real legal name!) began making soap for gifts as a college grad, and it quickly turned into a business. Soapy describes moving the…
About the Localist Podcast
@crollwagen on InstagramA conversation with local makers and independent entrepreneurs.
Author and local business advocate Carrie Rollwagen invites mom-and-pops, freelancers, side hustlers, and start-up founders to talk about the ins and outs of how they got their start, the pros and cons of owning your own business, how they handle the hard stuff, and yes, even the mistakes they’ve made along the way. Carrie and her guests get into the nitty-gritty details: staffing, funding, hiring, and inspiring — and everything in between.
First-hand accounts of running a business
As a former small business owner, Carrie knows the struggles and triumphs of owning a business first-hand, and that experience helps her ask questions that are often ignored — questions about failure as well as success, and details about exactly how entrepreneurs face challenges, grow their businesses and work with their staffs.
The Localist Team
Carrie Rollwagen
Host
Carrie produces and hosts the podcast. She’s author of the Localist book, co-founder of Church Street Coffee & Books and VP of Infomedia.
Taylor Davis
Show Runner
Taylor keeps the podcast running and makes sure the rest of us stay on track. She’s also a videographer, photographer and marketing specialist.
Jen Tucker
Outreach Manager
Jen handles booking for the podcast and makes sure guests are prepped and welcomed when they visit our studio.
Alana Harmond
Promotions Manager
Alana manages our YouTube channel and handles show notes, as well as helping concept our promotions strategies.
The Localist Reviews
A Gem! I just discovered this podcast and let me tell you, I’m glad I did! The conversations are natural and easy going but you can also tell that Carrie has put a lot of thought and care in her questions. And I love that she’s also in Alabama!
A Must-Listen for Those Who Love Local! So excited to listen to Carrie’s new podcast! Whether you’re a small business owner, freelancer or just looking to get inspired — Carrie offers a wealth of information from the many skills she’s picked up throughout her diverse careers. I can’t wait to hear who she brings on The Localist!
Great Podcast! I just happened upon this podcast and It is really good. It gives really great tips and I especially liked the newest podcast about maintaining company culture in the current work from home environment.
Carrie has an obvious talent for storytelling and making an interview more of an engaging conversation. I’ve been a listener as well as a podcast guest and I’m in awe of Carrie’s ability to connect her guests’ experiences with something helpful and relevant to a wide range of listeners, whether or not they are local to Birmingham, Alabama. I also strongly suggest her book if you are into localism!
Lovely listen — I loved the “In Search Of The Perfect Storefront.” I found it entertaining, yet super informative. I even took notes, who am I?