In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff sits down with Craig and Lucy, the owners behind Brooklyn South, one of Cornelius’ most beloved local restaurants and a longtime staple of the Lake Norman food scene.

Craig and Lucy share their journey from Long Island, New York, to Lake Norman, and the story behind opening Brooklyn South in 1998—long before Cornelius became what it is today. They reflect on the early days of the restaurant, the challenges of building a business in a growing community, and the importance of consistency, community, and customer experience.

The conversation explores what’s made Brooklyn South a repeat winner of Lake Norman’s Best Pizza, the role of long-tenured staff, and why word-of-mouth has always been their most powerful form of marketing. Craig and Lucy also discuss their other local concepts, Brooklyn Boys and Novanta Pizzeria Napoletana, including the inspiration behind each and the lessons learned from expanding—and later refocusing—close to home.

They close by reflecting on nearly three decades in business, the strength of the Cornelius community, and what longevity really means as local restaurateurs.

Brooklyn South Pizzeria
19400 Jetton Rd # 201
Cornelius, NC 28031
(704) 896-2928

https://www.brooklynsouthpizzeria.com/

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
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Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

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In this episode, Jeff sits down with Kyle Cerminara, owner of Lake Norman Golf Club, and Gavin Arseneau, the club’s general manager, for a wide-ranging conversation about the rebirth of one of Lake Norman’s most talked-about golf properties.

Kyle shares his journey to Lake Norman, his background in asset management, and why preserving and elevating the course—rather than developing it—was central to his vision. Gavin brings decades of experience turning around country clubs, including Rock Barn, Trump National, and elite coastal clubs, and explains how that long-term, steady approach is shaping Lake Norman Golf Club’s future.

Together, they outline a clear philosophy for the club: affordable, casual, and elegant. The conversation covers planned course improvements, a village-style clubhouse, public dining options, membership strategy, and the broader impact the club will have on the Brawley Peninsula and surrounding communities.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful ownership, experienced leadership, and a people-first mindset can transform a local landmark into a thriving, family-friendly community asset.

Lake Norman Golf Club
185 Mallard Way
Mooresville, NC 28117
(704) 664-7031

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Jen Campbell Boles, founder of Explore More Travel Co., for a wide-ranging conversation about intentional travel, customization, and building a relationship-driven business. Based in the Lake Norman area, Jen shares how her agency designs highly personalized trips—from Europe and Asia to safaris, cruises, and luxury resorts—by truly understanding how her clients like to travel.

The conversation dives into river cruising, bucket-list destinations like Iceland and Japan, and why slowing down often leads to a better travel experience. Jen also pulls back the curtain on scaling a service business, delegating with intention, and what most people misunderstand about working in the travel industry.

The episode wraps with details on the first-ever Lake Norman Luxury Travel Expo, happening Wednesday, January 14, from 5:30–7:30 PM at the Cain Center. The free, community-focused event brings together luxury travel brands, cruise lines, and destination experts—all designed to inspire people to explore more.

Learn more and register at LKNLuxuryTravelExpo.com or visit ExploreMoreTravelCo.com to follow Jen’s work and weekly travel inspiration.

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff sits down with Dr. Henry Wilson, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Lake Norman Plastic Surgery, to talk about his journey, his new practice, and why Lake Norman felt like the right place to put down roots.

Dr. Wilson shares his path from Arkansas to Harvard and Vanderbilt, extensive surgical training along the East Coast, and leadership experience within large healthcare systems—before ultimately launching his own private practice in Huntersville. He explains why personalized care, direct physician involvement, and a patient-first experience were the driving forces behind opening Lake Norman Plastic Surgery.

The conversation covers the full scope of services offered—from facial aesthetics and body contouring to breast reconstruction, skin cancer reconstruction, and non-surgical treatments like fillers and Botox—all performed directly by Dr. Wilson. He also discusses emerging trends in plastic surgery, including more natural results, fat grafting, advanced 3D imaging, and minimally invasive options.

Dr. Wilson opens up about the realities of starting a medical practice, the unexpected administrative challenges, and the rewards of building something intentionally from the ground up. The episode wraps with a thoughtful discussion on what makes the Lake Norman region such a special place to live, work, and serve the community.

Learn more about Lake Norman Plastic Surgery:

🌐 lknplasticsurgery.com
📍 Huntersville, NC (Kinsley Ave, near Novant Huntersville Hospital)

If you’re interested in personalized, private aesthetic and reconstructive care—or simply enjoy hearing from professionals shaping the Lake Norman community—this episode is worth a listen.

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

Paper Skyscraper has been a Charlotte favorite for decades—and now it’s officially part of the Lake Norman community. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Bill Godwin, owner of Paper Skyscraper, to talk about the brand’s long history, its cult-favorite status, and what inspired the opening of the new Davidson location. Bill shares how a shop he loved growing up became the most joyful business he’s ever owned, and why Paper Skyscraper has always been about more than just gifts.

They dive into what makes the store so special—from 30,000+ thoughtfully curated products to deep partnerships with local and regional makers, including several right here in the Lake Norman area. Bill also opens up about his background in banking and finance, how that experience shaped his approach to customer service, and why “delighting the customer” is the guiding principle behind everything they do.

The conversation wraps with a look at the Davidson opening, the importance of community involvement, and why the Lake Norman lifestyle feels like such a natural fit for the Paper Skyscraper brand. If you love local businesses, unique gifts, and places that simply make people smile, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Paper Skyscraper - Davidson
610 Jetton St STE 110
Davidson, NC 28036
paperskyscraper.com

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

I sat down with Cheryl Luckett, founder and principal designer of Dwell by Cheryl Interiors, for a much-needed round two—this time in person after a tech issue cut our first conversation short. Cheryl’s story is a masterclass in the kind of disciplined pivot most people dream about but rarely execute.

She grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and built a successful corporate career as a registered dietitian at a Fortune 500 company in Charlotte. She was good at it—really good—but over time she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was “faking the passion.”

That honesty led her to explore a creative pull she’d felt for years, starting with a single design class at a community college. One class turned into a blog (launched January 1, 2012), which turned into real clients, and eventually a side business she couldn’t ignore.

What stood out most was how intentional she was about leaving corporate. Cheryl created “Project 36,” a 36-month exit strategy that gave her time to build savings, tighten her systems, level up her marketing, and mentally let go of “security” before taking the leap on December 30, 2016.

We also dug into what makes her work different: the belief that a beautiful home is the baseline—the process is the luxury. She shared her “home build trinity” approach (builder, architect, interior designer) and why designers aren’t just picking finishes—they’re protecting the end vision of how a home will actually be lived in.

And when we hit design trends, Cheryl kept it real: forget chasing what’s “in.” Choose what you love, and you’ll never be out of style.

Dwell by Cheryl Interiors
dwellbycheryl.com

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

In this episode, Jeff finally sits down with Lake Norman marketer and serial entrepreneur Ryan Webber to talk about the real work behind great content—and why most small businesses are overcomplicating it.

Ryan shares his journey from teacher and gym owner to running Webber Marketing and helping build The Real Estate Lawyer YouTube channel to nearly 100K subscribers with simple, value-first videos.

Jeff and Ryan dig into why clarity beats clever branding, how FAQs and client stories can fuel an entire content strategy, and why an iPhone and a clear message usually beat overproduced, “flashy” video.

They break down how consistent video builds awareness, trust, and easier sales conversations, plus the power of showing up on camera in the local community you serve.

Ryan also shares his philosophy of giving away all the tips and selling the implementation—and his vision for local business masterminds that help owners grow together.

@ryanwebbermarketing - Instagram

@ryanwebber - YouTube

Special mentions:

@therealestatelawyer

StoryBrand

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Support the show

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff sits down with Matt Phillips, owner of Next Horizon Homes — one of Lake Norman’s most trusted renovation and custom-home builders.

Matt shares his winding journey from Army flight medic to home-services entrepreneur, to now leading a Denver-based design-build firm known for transforming challenging lots, reimagining dated lake houses, and guiding clients through complex projects with clarity and confidence.

He also dives into his new book, “Building Your Next Horizon,” a resource written specifically to help Lake Norman families understand the real math behind renovating vs. building new, what to look for in land, and how lifestyle should always drive design.

Jeff and Matt unpack the realities of land scarcity on Lake Norman, the rise of teardown opportunities, and why truly great builders start with vision long before they talk numbers. Matt also shares his passion for community — from coaching local baseball to raising his family in Denver — and the craftsmanship, transparency, and relationship-first process that has shaped Next Horizon Homes into a local favorite for both major renovations and custom builds.

Whether you're a homeowner, a real estate agent, or just fascinated by what it takes to build on one of the hottest lakes in the Southeast, this episode is filled with insight, great stories, and plenty of Lake Norman pride.

Next Horizon Homes

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show