In this episode, we take a moment to share some updates from the team at Making It in Asheville.

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

  • What to expect next from Making It in Asheville
  • Where Sarah has been hiding
  • Who else is involved in the production of this show
  • About Sarah’s new business QBCucina.com
  • And more…

 


Show Notes

The two-year anniversary of our first episode is April 24th, 2021.

We have some incredible guests lined up for Season 7 and some exciting new projects ahead. We want to tell more stories from our community and we’re going to be leaning into video. Stay tuned to the website and to our YouTube channel.

We used to say that the Making It In Asheville podcast was brought to you by Making It Creative (our marketing agency) but we’ve recently reallocated the majority of our attention to other projects.

Sarah launched QB Cucina (qbcucina.com) in September and has been doing an incredible job growing that business. QB Cucina is your destination for all things Italian food, cooking, and culture. If you want to know try an Italian pasta recipe, buy the tools to make it, and take a class to perfect it, QB Cucina is where you want to go.

And Tony took over a nearly 20-year-old technology company called 1Source International (1sourceinternational.com). 1Source is your single source for workplace solutions ranging from Conferencing and Call Center to Video and Virtual Event Solutions and more. Before you invest in new technologies for your business, no matter what they are, consider having a conversation with the team at 1Source.


People

 

 

In this episode, we interview Coco Villa, an exceptional multidisciplinary artist residing in Asheville, NC. Coco is constantly creating and during our conversation we fondly termed her a “slash creator.” She is a clothing designer/self-portrait artist/filmmaker/dancer/model/creative director and the list doesn’t stop there. She teaches us what it looks like to fluidly move (literally and mentally) through creative projects and how she is able to honor each step of the process.

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

  • How the “flywheel” of creating allows Coco to always have a steady stream of new projects
  • What having a healthy relationship and emotional connection to putting art and creative content out to the world looks like
  • Navigating the economics of an artist
  • How to transform negative thoughts artfully and stay in the present
  • How we can all benefit from using the Spoon Theory

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with local woodworker and resin artist, Anneliesse Gormley.


Show Notes

About Coco Villa

Coco Villa is an Afro-Colombian photographer and interdisciplinary artist residing in Asheville, NC. Villa was born in New York and raised throughout the United States, South America, and the Caribbean. They grew up dancing salsa, merengue, and cumbia and started sewing as a child under the influence of their grandmother, a wedding dress designer at the time, and their mother, who worked in upholstery and furniture design. In their late teens, they began to explore modern dance and performance art and experimenting with analog photography and self-portraiture.

Coco Villa attended The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University in 2012 and continued their multimedia studies through apprenticeships, residencies, and fellowships in New York, Colombia, Spain, and Germany. Coco Villa’s work integrates their exploration of identity + culture, familial history, and the pursuit of pleasure through sustainable fashion design, photography, film, and dance, often using themselves as the subject. Their works have been included in numerous exhibitions both nationally and internationally.


To learn more about Coco and all that she is doing, check out the links below:

Casa de Coco Website

Coco’s Instagram


People

Music by Commonwealth Choir

In this episode, we interview Eric Scheffer. With 21 years of hospitality experience including Asheville gems such as Vinnies and Jettie Rae’s and the former Savoy, Scheffer explains how caring about your people is one of the most important strategies to success.

 

“We’re given gifts every single day, be present and be in the moment for the people talking to you, don’t try to think ten steps ahead, be very present and the most genuine person you can be”

 

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

  • How the Senegalese term Teranga can make everyone a better person
  • How employers can try to help with recovery and the pervasive link between Alcohol/Drug use and the restaurant industry
  • Why valuing and communicating with your employees leads to success in business and life
  • How deciding if try a new career (even if you’re experiencing success in another) is a good idea
  • Why Eric was given the nickname “Hollywood” 

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with Emily Peele from High Five Coffee.


Show Notes

About Eric Scheffer

Eric Scheffer is a business owner, brand consultant, and entrepreneur that has been in the hospitality industry for 21 years. After acting as the Executive Producer for one of the world’s largest TV Commercial production companies, Harmony Pictures, Scheffer decided to switch his career path to the hospitality-food-and-wine industry. Eric relocated to Asheville, NC in the late 1990’s with his wife and daughter after they felt “a pull” looking over the Blue Ridge Parkway on a trip. (We can absolutely relate to that feeling, Eric).

With his background in advertising, Scheffer approaches and makes sure his restaurants “wrap brand and culture around the execution of product”, understanding the importance of the people and all the moving parts that lead to long-term success. Some of Scheffer’s restaurants include Vinnie’s (2nd location coming soon) and Jettie Rae’s Oyster House, which opened amidst the pandemic and were met with great success. As an entrepreneur, Eric has his feet in many puddles and is set to launch the Scheffer Group this year  –  a company that will manage all of his brands, act as a consultancy company for the Hospitality Industry, and an incubator for new brands and to create and promote new talent. Eric’s dedication to public service and philanthropy are central to his public life.


To learn more about Jettie Rae’s Oyster House, Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian, and more, check out the links below:

Jettie Rae’s:

Website

Instagram

Vinnie’s:

Website

Instagram


People

Asheville Organizations

Books & Media

  • “Setting the Table” – by Danny Meyers
  •  Pier Tim- Senegalize chef who Eric heard on NPR show Lynne Rosetta Kasper, The Splendid Table. Eric notes that the conversation changed his life. Pier Tim discussed the concept called “Teranga” which is all about hospitality- bringing all people in your home and give of yourself, bring joy and sustenance.

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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