Browse Episodes
Using Your Business to Support What You Care about with Ace Graham
Ace Graham, founder of lifestyle brand, retail store, and community hub Alchemy, joins Carrie to talk about building an authentic social and community brand. Ace details how Alchemy came to be after he ran several other businesses and consulted for years, and how he landed in Birmingham. Alchemy is a community-focused business and nonprofit, complete…
Which Time Blocking Method Is Best? Breaking Down Theme Days, Batch Work, the Pomodoro Technique and More
This week, Carrie is back to dive deeper into time blocking and the different ways you can control your schedule! Time blocking isn’t a new concept, but there are so many ways you can go about it. Carrie breaks down theme days, batching, the pomodoro technique, the pros and cons of each method, and who…
Short Timelines, Big Results: Optimizing for 2021 with “The 12 Week Year”
This week, Carrie is diving into the first business-related book that has really resonated with her in a while, The 12 Week Year. If you’ve been struggling with motivation, burnout, or feeling aimless, this may be the book for you, too! Carrie breaks down the premise and benefits of a 12 Week Year and shares…
Diversity at Work: What Can a Small Business Do?
Susan Rollwagen, an organizational development coach, is back this week to dive into diversity. Diversity can be an intimidating topic, but it doesn’t have to be! Susan breaks down what we mean by diversity, as well as what the law says (and doesn’t say) and who it applies to. Susan and Carrie then dig into…
From Consultant to Creator: Luan Nguyen Built Wheelhouse Academy with the Lessons He Learned Helping Other Gyms
Luan Nguyen, owner and founder of Wheelhouse Academy, joins Carrie to dive into how he built a successful gym after a career in consulting with gym owners across the country. Wheelhouse isn’t your typical gym — they don’t focus on transformations as much as educating clients and building a plan for success. Luan breaks down…
Saving a Store in Crisis: Paying Creditors and Bending Rules at an Indie Bookshop
This week on The Localist, Carrie reminisces about her time managing Jonathan Benton, Bookseller. Carrie dives in with the lessons she learned through lots of trial and error, and what she took with her to her own shop. Carrie inherited a ton of debt when she became manager, but she was able to turn it…
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?