084- Josh Dorfman’s Business Sits at the Intersection of Sustainability and Product Design

,

In this episode, we interview Josh Dorfman, CEO of Simbly. We talk about his time as, in our words, a media mogul and the brain behind the brand “The Lazy Environmentalist”.

“The more we can sell, the more we are doing for the planet, because you’re taking customers away from the people who don’t care about sourcing and sustainable practices.”

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • How Josh become the director of Venture Asheville, the Angel program, and The Collider
  • How Asheville and this area are the furniture capital of the country and what that means for revitalizing around craftsmanship, and economic opportunity
  • What it means for you to be in business with LOHAS (Lifestyle Of Health And Sustainability) 
  • Why if you align with the values of the organization or business, there’s no reason to shy away from opportunities
  • The process of deciding on a business name with the help of friends, peers, and professionals
  • Why Josh’s 8-year old son was one of the biggest names in NASCAR recently

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with our favorite local sustainability-focused business owner, Gillie Roberts.

Show Notes

About Josh Dorfman

Josh Dorfman is an environmental entrepreneur, author, and media personality dedicated to building and leading mission-driven ventures. He is co-founder and CEO of Simbly, a modern design, sustainable furniture company. Josh is also the founder and chief curator of Lazy Environmentalist, a sustainable lifestyle media brand. He has produced and hosted a primetime reality TV show on Sundance Channel and a national radio show on Sirius and written two books on sustainable living.

Josh was also CEO of The Collider, a nonprofit innovation and entrepreneurship center for climate change solutions. Josh currently resides in Asheville, NC, where he led Asheville’s high-growth startup community as Director of Venture Asheville and co-founded and was Managing Director of Asheville Angels, an early-stage angel investment group investing in startups across the Southeast. He is currently a member of Governor Cooper’s North Carolina Entrepreneurial Council. Oh, and his son may be the best young NASCAR predictor. 

To learn more about Simbly, The Lazy Environmentalist, and more, check out the links below:

For the Simbly website follow this link

For the Lazy Environmentalist website click here

Josh on LinkedIn

People

  • Michael Crook CEO of Patagonia – At a sustainability convention, Josh was inspired by the words, “we’re still really good, but our consumers expect more of us”.
  • Benton Crane- CEO of Harmon Brothers, a marketing/advertising company whose keynote Tony listened to. “If you’re in any business, the first objective is to see if there’s a viable economic system that you can approve of. If the answer is no, don’t continue. Don’t let passion lead you into the sandpit.”
  • Professor Dara O’Rourke is an environmental scientist and professor who is making strides in the environmental sector that Josh mentions in this episode.

Places

  • Venture Asheville is a high-growth start-up program that Josh was the director of.
  • The Waterbird is where Josh and Tony had coffee pre-covid when people still got together, sadly they’ve since closed.
  • Simbly got picked up by West Elm which is huge, yay Simbly!
  • Camp Walt Whitman is the Dorfman family business in New Hampshire. 

Books & Media

Businesses Making a Difference

  • The Kauffman Foundation looks at startups as well as supports them and found that you need city leadership to be a proponent figure of start-ups.
  • Patagonia sells clothing and outdoor gear, and yes we love them and possibly have a puffer coat on as we type this.
  • Whole Foods Market is a multinational supermarket chain that sells products free from hydrogenated fats and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
  • Seventh Generation is an American company that sells eco-friendly cleaning, paper, and personal care products. 
  • Allbirds make comfy shoes and use eco-friendly practices.

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

/by

083 – Emily Jeffords & Kylie Agee of 31 Suns Studio

In this episode, we interview 31 Suns owner, Emily Jeffords, and Chief Operating Officer, Kylie Agee. As you’ll listen you’ll see what had started as a bond over marching band stories developed into an empowering and productive partnership. This is a great episode to share with your bestie, we had all the friend-love good-vibes while chatting with the pair.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • Why creating something you love makes marketing easier
  • How authenticity and humanness shines in an Instagram flood of products
  • Why naturally-giving people shouldn’t shy away from getting compensated for knowledge and advice
  • How to overcome feelings of “not doing enough” to create a better work-life balance
  • Homing in on your best creative ideas when they may feel all over the place
  • How Emily created a new revenue stream at the start of the pandemic (teaching)

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with music artist and photographer, Jaze Uries.

Show Notes

About Emily Jeffords

Emily lives in Black Mountain, NC with her best friend and husband, Jason, and their two little boys. She started using polymer clay in June 2018 to help battle her depression and it helped her find herself again. Clay saved her life. Her main inspirations include architecture, pastels, space, sunrises, and the surreal and abstract.

She loves experimenting with new ideas, teaching her students on Patreon, fostering encouragement in her community, and challenging herself as much as she can.

About Kylie Agee.

Originally from Colorado, Kylie lives in Swannanoa, NC with her husband, Evan, and their two fur babies. The stars seemingly aligned when Kylie met Emily and a special friendship immediately formed. When the opportunity presented itself to work with Emily, the answer was an instant “yes!”

Kylie currently helps manage the business operations of the 31 Suns Studio and also assists with making earrings. A current graduate student at the University of North Carolina, Kylie enjoys the chance for continuous learning and loves exploring new ways of doing things. She’s overjoyed to be part of the 31 Suns Studio and is grateful for the love and support of Emily and her community!

To learn more about 31 Suns, check out the links below:

Website

Instagram

Patreon 

Facebook

 

Books

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

/by

082 – Jacob Ballard, of Asheville Print Shop, Talks Parallel Entrepreneurship

, ,

In this episode, we interview Jacob Ballard, owner of Nature Bound Co. and Asheville Print Shop.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • How using your personal experiences (and interests) can lead to awesome business ideas
  • How to distinguish between the different types of entrepreneurship
  • Where the inspiration for the +900 designs of Nature Bound Co. came from
  • Why time is the most important asset and the one thing you can’t get more of
  • Tips for focusing when you’re wearing multiple hats in your business

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with local graphic design artist, Alyssa Phillips.

Show Notes

About Jacob Ballard

Jacob’s story of entrepreneurship starts at age 6, knocking on doors of the apartment complex he and his family lived in. A young Jacob was motivated to raise money for a seat at the movie theater. So much so, that he began washing cars, and soon young Jacob’s piggy bank was busting at the snout. Fast forward to high school and college, where he saw the opportunity and a gap to again create businesses. These ranged from cutting grass, starting a T-shirt company big in the MMA world, and customizing Myspace pages (remember that?).  Now, Jacob Ballard has the successful business Asheville Print Shop where he and his team create a one-stop-shop for printing and all things merchandise.

While completing the TransAmerica Trail, (think Appalachian Trail for off-road vehicles), Jacob became inspired to highlight nature’s greatness. Mixing beautiful designs with a passion to discuss and preserve the land, Nature Bound Co.’s products have expanded to 900 designs, found in places like REI and national parks.

Books

Places

Quotes

  • “Life is a dance, life is a constant need for improvement” – Jacob discussing leveling up and pursuing multiple avenues in business
  • “If an idea stays in your head, you should go for it” – Jacob referring to the intrinsic itch when a new business idea starts brewing

Where to Find and Follow Asheville Print Shop & Screen Printing and Nature Bound Co.

Asheville Print Shop and Screen Printing is located at two locations in Asheville, NC.

Nature Bound Co.

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

/by

081 – Jefferson Ellison of JAWBREAKING on the YouthQuake & Being a Creative Machine

, , ,

In this episode, we interview Jefferson Ellison, the Chief Creative of Jawbreaking.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • What led to Jefferson’s decision to buy Jawbreaking in 2016 (and his creative way of making an offer)
  • Jawbreaking leaning into the term from the 1960’s “Youth Quake”
  • What Jefferson’s identity means in a city full of White people
  • What led Jefferson to create the “Don’t Ask Your Black Friend” Webinar (…we took this webinar and highly suggest it)
  • How working to create meaningful connections can change your life (or someone else’s)

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with local photographer & storyteller, Nicole McConville.

Show Notes

About Jefferson Ellison

Born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, Jefferson Ellison has been working in fashion since he was 16. After earning a degree at North Carolina State University’s College of Textiles, Ellison moved to NYC and expanded his body of work to include sales strategy, content creation and public relations. Under Ellison’s creative direction, JAWBREAKING, a digital platform offering interviews and investigative reporting, op-eds, fashion editorials and prose, became known for its irreverent sense of youth and boastful hints of Southern charm. Upon his return to Asheville, Ellison founded Jawbreaking Creative, a creative agency that offers consulting in editorial, advertising, events and influencer outreach as well as data analysis, trend forecasting, brand monitoring and more.

 

 

“I’m not a cog in the machine, I am the machine”

To learn more about Jawbreaking, check out the links below:

Website

Twitter

IG

Facebook

 

People

  • Connie from East Fork and Gillie of Ware – friends that have been on his journey and have given the advice of “stop undervaluing yourself and stop thinking there isn’t money out there”
  • Max Schneider – famous musician that Jawbreaking did project with
  • AVL today– a popular (36,000+ subscribers) newsletter that Jefferson recently did a partnership with
  • Ethan- Jeffersons favorite bartender “who knows his wine taste better than himself”

Places

  • Visit Asheville – Tony & Jefferson all participated in a class there in 2019
  • Bottle Riot is one of his favorite places to drink wine and sit outside, as Jefferson mentions “you can be in a gravel parking lot and have an exclusive bottle of wine”

Media

  • Complex Magazine– media and entertainment company based in New York City for youth culture which led to the magazine created by fashion designer Marc Milecofsky

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

/by

080 – Jael of French Broad Chocolate on Following “Your Happy” to Create a Successful Business

In this episode, we interview Jael Skeffington, one of the founders of French Broad Chocolate, a staple in Asheville for over 10 years.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • The difference between their two locations: the Lounge & the Factory
  • The defining moment when Jael knew she wanted to make chocolate for the rest of her life
  • That time when Jael & her former husband and current business partner renovated a van and drove from Minnesota to Costa Rica 
  • How chocolate is made
  • How FBC is bringing attention and transparency to the chocolate industry 
  • What to look and ask for when buying chocolate
  • Two unconventional chocolate pairings that Jael recommends

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with the founder of the delicious Taco Billy, Hunter Berry.

Show Notes

About Jael

While in grad school, Jael started making truffles and bonbons for fun. It was during this process that a light clicked. At that moment, she and her partner at the time decided to revamp an RV, pick up their life in Minnesota and move to Costa Rica. From there they opened a small restaurant. Deciding to follow the suggestions of friends who encouraged their family to check out Western NC, Jael and her family made the decision to move to Asheville. She and her business partner opened French Broad Chocolates in their home and started selling at local farmers markets in 2006.          

Fast forward and their farmers market stand has grown to 80 employees and includes a Chocolate Lounge & Boutique, as well as an experiential Chocolate Factory & Cafe. Her chocolates have been recognized in many national and international awards, and she was the recipient of the “Woman Up Best in Business” award in 2016. FBC believes in using business as a force for good.

Books

Places

Quotes

  • “You can’t quit, the world needs your chocolate.” – What a friend said to Jael when they were thinking about closing their at-home chocolate business
  • “Chocolate is the thing that makes me happy.” – The thought that Jael had when she realized she wanted to make chocolate forever
  • “Do your best, don’t be afraid of what others are doing, and that makes us all better.” – Jael
  • “We believe in what we’re doing and that there is beauty and that that’s something to offer” – Jael
  • “If you don’t fail you’re not trying hard enough.” – Jael

Where to Find and Follow French Broad Chocolate

FBC has two physical locations:

  1. French Broad Chocolate Lounge – the downtown location, cafe, decadent dessert destination
  2. French Broad Chocolate Factory – more about an experience and education

Follow FBC at:

Music by Commonwealth Choir

/by

079 – Nick Moen of The Bright Angle Combines Artistry with Technology

In this episode, we interview Nick Moen, the founder of The Bright Angle, a technology-driven porcelain design studio.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • Why being relentless in outreach efforts is so important
  • The Bright Angle’s exciting new partnership with YLighting
  • How in the 1700s Porcelain was such a hot commodity that  Europe sent ships to China full of gold in exchange
  • How hosting local events with chefs and musicians helped Nick’s visibility in the restaurant scene
  • The challenges in the life of a potter: then vs now

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with one of the owners of East Fork, Connie Matisse.

Show Notes

About Nick Moen

Nick Moen is a designer and studio artist with a focus on ceramics.  In 2016, Nick started The Bright Angle, a porcelain design studio in Asheville, NC.  The formation of The Bright Angle was a response to his passion for working in a collaborative environment with highly skilled craftspeople to produce well-designed handmade things to share and cherish.  Nick’s focus is on bridging the gap between design and craft by using technology to create home decor and lighting. Now, after landing a position as a partner for YLighting, with an exclusive ceramic brand contract, The Bright Angle’s team of four is taking functional porcelain creation to the next level.

To learn more about The Bright Angle, check out the links below:

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

Youtube

 

People

  • Josh Copus a fellow potter and artist, co-owner of Carolina Flowers, and husband to Emily Copus, who we interviewed last season.
  • Warren MacKenzie is known as “the godfather” of the studio potter movement, after having a conversation in Minnesota at his place, Nick realized this is the lifestyle he wanted.
  • The Bright Angle created a vase for East Fork Pottery last year. Check out our episode with East Fork Co-Founder, Connie Matisse.
  • Matt Kelleher is a friend and artist that Nick worked with at Penland, a nationally recognized art and design institution in the area.
  • Nick hosted an event with Chef Matt Dawes of The Bull and Beggar.

Places

  • Oddesy Clayworks is where he first started in Asheville, located in the River Arts District. 
  • The Wedge is the local watering hole where all the artists would meet after work. (Also one of Tony & Sarah’s favorite spots!)
  • New York gift show and American Craft Council host large wholesale events where artists can showcase their work.
  • Mountain BizWorks served as a huge support for Nick, including loans, and providing coaches for all different parts of the business.
  • The Bright Angle went through the Elevate Program through Venture Asheville.

Products 

  • Nick’s team works with Quickbooks.
  • Nick’s signature look came from realizing geometry can be done in pottery due to the 3D printer, Taz 6 laser printer.

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

/by

078 – Tim Gormley of Burial Beer on Using Craft Beer as an Artistic Outlet

,

In this episode, we interview Tim Gormley, one of the founders of Burial Beer, Forestry Camp, and their newest business, Visuals.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • The similarities between punk rock and craft beer
  • How the New Orleans traditional Jazz Funeral inspired the name and symbolism behind Burial Beer 
  • Why Tim and his co-founders decided to move from Seattle to Asheville to start their business
  • How Burial creates an immersive experience with each bottle
  • Why Tim and his team love Asheville 
  • The creation and history of Forestry Camp and Visuals, which is their newest venture
  • The importance of collaborating with other businesses outside of the beverage realm

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with the owners of Ginger’s Revenge, Christina and David.

Show Notes

About Tim Gormley

Tim experienced his “epiphany beer,” Samuel Smith Imperial Stout, whilst studying for his business degree at Penn State University. Shortly after graduation, he relocated to Seattle, WA where he met his current business partners, Doug and Jess Reiser. In their free time, the trio home-brewed and documented their craft beer-centric travels on their blog, beerblotter.com. Tim began brewing professionally at Lazy Boy Brewing (Everett, WA) in 2009 before seeking more experience crafting Belgian and German-style beers at Sound Brewery (Poulsbo, WA). Doug, Jess, and Tim moved to Asheville, NC in 2012 and opened Burial Beer Co. in the summer of 2013.

To learn more about Burial, Forestry Camp, and Visuals check out the links below:

Burial Beer Website and IG

Forestry Camp Website and IG

Visuals Website and IG

Businesses In Asheville Burial Has Collaborated With

People

  • Samuel Smith is a famous brewer from the UK, which has influenced Tim. Fun fact, Samual Smith is Yorkshire’s oldest brewery, established in 1758!
  • Doug & Jess Reiser are 2 of the 3 founding partners of Burial Beer 
  • David Paul Seymour is the illustrator for burial beer, creating iconic images and works of art created an immersive experience 
  • Anneliesse Gormley, Tim’s wife, inspires him in all facets of life and business

Beer That Has Inspired Tim in His Journey

  • Dogfish Head is a micro beer that’s been influential in Tim’s life
  • Tim’s Epiphany Beer was Jolly Pumpkin

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

/by

077- Jason Contreras of Sow the Land on Creating Content to Inspire Others

, ,

In this episode, we interview Jason Contreras. He’s one part of the husband and wife duo behind the homesteading project and popular YouTube Channel, Sow the Land.

Jason and his wife Lorraine run a 1.5-acre homestead just outside of Asheville. They grow their own food, which includes everything from raising chickens to preserving the fruits and vegetables that come out of their garden.

When they’re not running the farm, they each follow their own passions. Jason makes beautiful things out of wood, which he sells in their Etsy shop, as well as does all the filming and editing for their YouTube channel. Lorraine homeschools their daughter, cooks homemade meals, and creates products for her apothecary line, Plain Jane Lorraine Apothecary.

“It’s about documenting family, it just so happens we have over 100k people watching.”

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • Why Jason and his family relocated from California to Asheville
  • How Lorraine and Jason fell in love with growing their own food
  • How Jason went from recording videos for their family in California to 116,000+ YouTube subscribers
  • How Jason was the making the original IG story style video
  • What the “Bernice” T-shirt is

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with Luke McLaughlin of Holistic Survival School.

Season Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Range Urgent Care an Asheville-based clinic that offers affordable healthcare, transparent pricing, and streamlined, friendly service. Learn more about Range Urgent Care.

*Enjoy your first month free of annual membership at Range Urgent Care. Use code ‘makingitinasheville’ at checkout. Offer valid for a limited time only.

Show Notes

About Jason Contreras

In 2009 Jason was diagnosed with cancer.  He and his wife Lorraine quickly became passionate about growing their own food and knowing what exactly is in our food as use for healing.

In 2016 Jason and Lorraine sold most of their belongings and left the city in southern California to start a small homestead in the mountains of North Carolina. Jason started filming YouTube videos to show their family back home what they were up to.  There, they document their life showing viewers how a family from the city left to start a completely different life learning to grow food, start a business, and live a healthier life. Now, Sow the Land’s YouTube following is at 116,000 and counting. Sow the Land also has an online store of the products they make on their homestead as well as a podcast.

To learn more about Jason and Sow the Land, check out the pages:

Places

People

Media

Memorable Quotes

  • “If you want to do a thing, you can do it with what you have now.”
  • “Ownership of the ‘shame thing’ becomes people’s superpower.”

 

/by

Revisiting: Setting Meaningful Goals & Sticking to Them

,

Happy 2021, friends!

On the first podcast episode of the year, we thought it’d be a great time to circle back to our episode from season 3, “How to Set Goals that M.A.T.A. and Achieve Them.” We offer useful steps using the M.A.T.A  method and explain how this system can help you set more meaningful, intentional goals for the New Year – and actually stick to them.

Here’s What You’ll Learn

  • Why New Year’s Resolutions often fail and how you can prevent it from happening
  • How to decide what your goals should be
  • Tips for creating small wins and holding yourself accountable
  • A step by step guide to the M.A.T.A. framework and how to put it into action

Season Sponsor 

This episode is brought to you by Range Urgent Care an Asheville-based clinic that offers affordable healthcare, transparent pricing, and streamlined, friendly service. Learn more about Range Urgent Care.

*Enjoy your first month free of annual membership at Range Urgent Care. Use code ‘makingitinasheville’ at checkout. Offer valid for a limited time only.

Show Notes

M.A.T.A  is the acronym we use to set meaningful year-long goals and achieve them. It stands for  Meaningful, Actionable, Time-Constrained, and Accountable.

Find the rest of the show notes from this episode.

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

/by

Making Wine In Asheville with Biltmore Wines

,

In this episode of Making It In Asheville, we have the opportunity to talk grapes with three important members of the Biltmore Winery. We chat with the Winemaker and Vice President of Biltmore Winery, Sharon Fenchack; Sr. Director Wine Production Operations, Jeff Plack; and Vineyard Supervisor, Philip Oglesby.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode

Philip Oglesby shares:

  • How Appalachian soil isn’t the easiest to work with but offers great potential if you put in the work
  • What grapes they have on the Biltmore Wines vineyard and why
  • How the Appalachian mountains are the oldest mountain range in the world 
  • The timeline from planting a grapevine to getting a full harvest

Jeff Plack gives an inside look at:

  • How the wine “crush dock” looks a bit like Willy Wonka’s factory
  • How Sharon works with lab technique to create perfect blends
  • How many barrels they have (hint: it’s over 13 thousand!)
  • The wine they’re currently aging in barrels from oak harvested on the estate 
  • What fast-and-furious style wine packaging looks like at 15k bottles a day 
  • What their 125 anniversary means
  • How you haven’t experienced the full Biltmore experience until you’ve done the wine tasting (it’s free!)

Sharon discusses:

  • What the production timeline looks like from sourcing grapes to bottling.
  • How a diverse supply chain makes the process of winemaking more fun
  • The start of Biltmore wines 35 years ago
  • How the 10,000 person wine club has created a unique experience during COVID-19
  • How Biltmore has fused George Vanderbilt’s vision and legacy to what the winery is today

Make your reservation for The Biltmore to get the full experience!

Music by Commonwealth Choir

/by