Fractional with Chris Capone and Associates
Meaghan Denisson - The Forward Fund
Meaghan Dennison is the Founder and CEO of The Forward Fund, a Non-Profit organization that creates upward economic mobility opportunities by providing interest free loans and financing for short term training and education programs. Meaghan shares the story of how the Forward Fund was created and lots of details on the process and financing programs.
The first loans originated in January 2025, as of this drop date, over $1M in funding and 100 loans has been deployed!The loan program helps upskill our workforce, and also helps the candidates build their credit score and other financial skills to support financial p...Sophie Dagenais - The Endowment (New Hanover Community Endowment)
Sophie Dagenais is the interim CEO of The Endowment, a now $1.7 Billion fund that was created upon the sale of New Hanover County Regional Medical Center to Novant health in 2020. Sophie shares insights on the history, mission, vision as well as impacts of The Endowment since its inception.
Understanding the technical nomenclature and the shift from being a Public Charity vs. a Private Foundation, and what that means for The Endowment and New Hanover County going forward. Hint: it’s a good thing.What types of initiatives, organizations and causes does The Endowment support with their grants?In 2025, a str...Mike Breitfeller - Vision, Purpose and Alignment
Mike Breitfeller is the owner of the Breit Group, a Wilmington, NC based financial planning platform, serving both individuals and businesses. Mike is a UNCW Alumni, and shares the story of how he built his business over the past 15 years.
How Mike founded The Breit group and the driving forces behind taking the leap to start his own firmThe importance of having a Vision, Purpose and Alignment in all facets of lifeHow AI can be deployed in different aspects of business, and the importance of human interaction and connectionlinkedin.com/in/michael-breitfeller-cfp-®-62ba5522
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Robert Preville - Approve: how I built a Fintech company in Wilmington, NC
Robert “RB” Preville is the Founder and CEO of Approve, a Wilmington, NC - based Fintech company that provides an embedded financing platform for equipment sellers. Robert has an incredible track record of building business from scratch, and shares his story and lessons learned throughout his career.
The role of AI in software development and how it is changing the way companies create and plan for obsolescence. Lessons learned from raising investor money, the importance of raising the right amount and discussion about capital efficiency.The art of pricing and sales to get from Zero to One, and then onwa...Tommy Taylor & Tony McEwen - Port City Jerry Day to benefit the United Way
Tommy Taylor is the CEO of the United Way Cape Fear Area and Tony McEwen is a long standing Board Member for the United Way and the Creator of Jerry Day to benefit the United Way. Tommy and Tony discuss the history, mission and vision of the United Way, and the story behind creating Port City Jerry Day.
The United Way of the Cape Fear Area is a locally “owned” and operated non-profit organization, it is not a chapter. It is a local group that operates independently to serve our local community. The United Way raises funds through workpla...Kevin Blackburn – Kids Making It
Kevin Blackburn is the Executive Director of Kids Making It, a Non-Profit Organization with a mission of supporting at-risk youth in graduating high school, using woodworking as the primary vehicle to learn important life and entrepreneurial skills. Based on Castle St. in Downtown Wilmington, Kids Making It has served over 20,000 Kids since 1996.
Kids Making it was founded in 1996 by Jimmy Pierce, an attorney who had a passion for woodworking and supporting at-risk youth.The Kids get to build their own products using a full-scale woodworking shop, and sell them in the retail store on Castle St. 100% of the pr...David Joyner - Assistant DA & Wilmington City Councilmember
David Joyner is an Assistant District Attorney and Wilmington City Council Member. David discusses roles and responsibilities of his Law and Public Service occupations, as well as a deeper dive into how the City Council works.
How David got involved in local politics. The governance structure of our City Council, its roles and responsibilities.Having a law degree and background has helped David in many ways, but by no means a requirement for local politics.https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbjoyner/
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Government/City-Mayor-Council/David-Joyner
Steve McRossan - NourishNC, Feeding Hungry Kids in New Hanover County
Steve McRossan is the Executive Director of NourishNC, an organization that is committed to feeding hungry kids and families in New Hanover County through several different programs. Steve shares the history, mission and vision for the organization.
Did you know that 1 out of every 6 kids in New Hanover County struggle with food insecurity?NourishNC Purchases about 75% of the food, with 25% of the food donated. The majority of funding comes from people and businesses in New Hanover county. We again discussed the struggles and overhead needed to apply and manage grants.https://nourishnc.org/
https://facebook...
Mike Brown - Cape Fear Commercial
Mike Brown is a Partner with Cape Fear Commercial, and also very involved in community leadership in Wilmington, NC, holding roles as past Chairmen of the Board for Cape Fear Public Utility (CFPUA) and various roles on the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board. We talked about all things growth, community and development. Check out the show!
Did you know that Mike Brown was Chairman of the Board for CFPUA right when the PFAS / GenX issues came to light?Discussing Project Grace. Low-key, undercover historian…https://capefearcommercial.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-brown-0722622b/
Sabrina Davis - Port City Signs & Graphics
Sabrina Davis is the owner of Port City Signs & Graphics, a full service sign and graphics company based in Wilmington, NC. She comes from a family of entrepreneurs and small business owners, and tells her story of how they came to be owners of Port City Signs & Graphics, navigating their journey of business ownership and entrepreneurship.
Did you know that Sabrina started her career in radio and television? In New Mexico.Port City Signs was started in 1948 and had a location on Castle street. Sabrina purchased the business in 2007 and has experienced significant and sustainable growth over the year...Jerry Coleman - One of Wilmington’s Best Kept Secrets
Jerry Coleman is the Director of CFCC’s Small Business Center, which provides free consultation and support services for entrepreneurs in the Greater Wilmington NC small biz ecosystem. Jerry has decades of experience as a small business owner, entrepreneur and consultant, making him extremely knowledgeable and proficient in advising entrepreneurs as they plan and execute their start-ups.
Overview of CFCC’s Small Business Center offerings. And, oh by the way, its free!Jerry’s experience owning his own consumer products manufacturing business in Wilmington, and how he became the Director of CFCC SBC. Pitfalls and best practices for entrepren...AJ Stanaland - Northwest Land and Cattle, Farming the “New Old-Fashioned” Way
AJ Stanaland is a 5th generation farmer and rancher in South Eastern North Carolina. Her family farm, Northwest Land and Cattle, provides a variety of “direct from the farm” produce and meats that are sold directly through her retail shop called “The Pack House,” which is on the family farm in Northwest, North Carolina. Check out the episode to learn more about:
The evolution of her family farm from 1898 to today, and bringing the “New Old Fashioned Way” into her farming and business practices. Understanding the supply chain and sourcing of our food, and the philosophy of supporting the land and wh...Mike Kozlosky - The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Mike Kozlosky is the Executive Director of the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, also known as the The Wilmington MPO, which is a federally mandated and funded organization that plans regional transportation and manages federal transportation funds for the Wilmington area. Mike discusses the history, workings, partners and members of the organization and significant projects in the works for our area.
What is the Wilmington MPO, what are its responsibilities and how did it come to be in 1973? Examples of significant completed projects and future projects in the works. Specifically the newly renovated MPO office and Cape Fe...Robert Cooley, Jr. - Army Veteran, Entrepreneur, Business Leader, Baker
Robert Cooley, Jr. is a retired Army General Officer, Entrepreneur, Investor and an all around Pay-It-Forward type of guy. He owns Apple Annie’s Bakery - a Wilmington, NC Staple - and is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuream, a Nuero data science company. He is involved in several other businesses and ventures as well. Check out Rob’s story of connecting the dots of his life, his career and his impact on our community.
How his experiences in active duty military and as an Army General officer play into his leadership and vision for his businesses. How Rob becam...Celine Adair - Education Without Walls
Celine Adair is the Founder and Executive Director of Education Without Walls (EWOW), a local non-profit committed to supporting teens in overcoming hardships through mentorship and outdoor adventures. Each year, EWOW taps a team of 24 leaders to help raise a total of $3,000 each, to sponsor a teen for the year-long program. Check out the story!
How outdoor adventures and education build skills and a confidence that teens can use to overcome hardships in life. What is it about being outside and in nature that unlocks our human potential?Actual life stories of how EWOW has positively influenced the liv...Andy Basinger - Taking The Leap, How We Founded Live Oak Private Wealth
Andy Basinger is a Managing Partner and Head of Live Oak Private Wealth. He was part of the founding team in 2018, and shares his story of entrepreneurship and building a business within the Live Oak Bank ecosystem. The story goes well beyond the technical aspects of Financial Planning, and more specifically on the importance of relationships and culture.
How an “off-hand” comment at a fundraiser spurred the creation of Live Oak Private Wealth.How the Live Oak Private Wealth team built their business plan and service model.Creating a culture and the importance of a team.https...
Bryan Kristof - A Pioneer of CoWorking Spaces in Wilmington, NC
Bryan Kristof created the first Co-Working space in Wilmington, NC, called CoWorx. Since the creation in 2011, Bryan had several iterations of the space and model, with its final and current location of CoWorx in the Cargo District. Bryan sold the business in 2020, and has moved on to other business ventures, but found his way back to the shared workspace idea with the 717mkt Office Collaborative project.
Bryan was the owner of a Branding and Marketing Agency while he created CoWorx, which was located in Lumina Station in 2011.How CoWorking fads and technology have evolved over the past 15 years.Th...John Monahan - How I Built a CEO Advisory Group in Wilmington, NC
John Monahan is an experienced CEO and business leader who has built a Peer Advisory Group for CEOs in Wilmington, NC, as part of the Vistage platform. Vistage is the world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. John shares personal experiences of building and running businesses, and then paying it forward through his advisory group.
How John built a CEO group from zero to 16, and the similarities in building a well congealed team in businessJohn’s career started in operations, then to sales, then to HR and then to becoming a lead...Adam Shay - How I Built and Sold My CPA Firm
Adam Shay founded an accounting firm in 2010, which quickly became one of the go-to CPA shops for entrepreneurs and business owners in the Greater Wilmington, NC area. Adam shares the real life story of how he built his business, and ultimately, the road to selling the firm and some of the contributing factors to that decision.
The ‘How’ and the ‘Why’ behind starting Adam Shay, CPA The different skillsets needed to build a business, and the need for personal development and adaptation as the business grows What’s next for Adamhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/theadamshay/
Girard Newkirk - Building Entrepreneurship Block by Block
Girard Newkirk is the cofounder and CEO of Genesis Block, an organization dedicated to building entrepreneurship and innovation in our community. He was born and raised in Burgaw, NC, a rural farming community, and went on to spend time in Silicon Valley, before coming back to Wilmington, NC. A writer, a thought leader and a visionary in our community!
Bringing “country boy” and small community values to Silicon Valley, bringing Start-Up and Entrepreneurial skills and leadership back to Wilmington, NCThe importance of entrepreneurship in creating sustainability for our communities Leadership through alignment and collaboration of different organizations in our comm...Andy Jones (WARM)
Andy Jones is the CEO of WARM NC, a Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing low-income homeowners a safe and healthy home to live in, through free repairs and upgrades for qualified projects. Andy talks about the history of WARM NC, as well as his journey from a volunteer coordinator to the CEO of the organization, and the different facets of leadership required as a CEO.
Leadership comes in many forms and variations, especially how Nonprofits can be a leader in the community.There is a GIANT misnomer that Nonprofts can’t make profits - but how can any fa...Chakema Clinton-Quintana - The Universe is Listening…
Chakema Clinton-Quintana is the Director of Channel - Powered by Live Oak Bank, an organization committed to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners through the journey and process of building and legitimizing their businesses. Chakema shares her story of how she became the Director of Channel, as well as WHY Channel was founded. The title of this episode will make sense after listening… so give it a listen.
Chakema has a professional background with a variety of experiences, ultimately finding her niche in banking compliance, before taking over the helm of Channel. Channel is a free resource, and provides...Tony Stroud, CPA - Accountants can be funny and “cool” ???
Tony Stroud is the founding Partner of Stroud & Co, a full service CPA firm located in Wilmington, NC. Tony is also the owner of the Record Bar, a music shop that specializes in sales of new and used records, and the host of a local radio show “The Vinyl Revival” on The Penguin. Hang out with Tony and Chris for an hour for some knowledge share and plenty of laughs.
Why Tony started a record shop and the resurgence of vinyl in our culture. How Tony built his CPA practice from scratchHow Tony became the host of a local radi...Hoop Morgan - Communication Intelligence
Claude D’val “Hoop” Morgan III is the founder of The Forté Institute, a strengths-based communication style process. Hoop founded the business in the 1970s after a marketing client asked him to create an assessment and communication tool. Hoop realized there was no strengths-based tool available, and set out to create one. The Forté Institute has served thousands of clients all over the world.
Hoop brings together the study of Business, Statistics/Quantitative Analysis, Psychology, Software Engineering and Language to create The Forté Institute. How he built a Software Company in the 1970s, and the evolution over 50 years.How did Claude get...Christina Haley - Wilmington Downtown iNC
Summary: Christina Haley is the President and CEO of Wilmington Downtown iNC, an organization that is committed to promoting the economic growth and development of downtown Wilmington. Christina shares the history of WDI and the growth and revitalization of downtown Wilmington over the past 50 years.
More than $650 Million has been invested into Wilmington’s central business district in the past 6 years. Did you know WDI has a Micro-Loan program to support small businesses?! How can you participate in the economic growth and development of Wilmington, NC?https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-haley-b88a8574/
https://wilming...
Craig Snow - How to sell a Ketchup Popsicle to a Woman in White Gloves
Summary: Mr. Craig Snow is an Senior Account Executive for Wilmington Media & Marketing - most popularly known as the Wilmington Business Journal. Craig Snow grew up on a farm in Arkansas, and found his way to Wilmington, NC through a somewhat random chain of events - best described as life. Check out Craig’s story.
The art of a sale.Relationships and doing right by your clients.Just because you’re a great salesman, doesn’t mean you can be a great sales manager.https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigevansnow/
Dr. Morris Nguyen, MD - AI powered Med-Tech Start-up in Wilmington, NC
Dr. Morris Nguyen, MD is the founder and CEO of Predicate HPG, a Medical Technology company powered by an AI platform, OpenDX. Dr. Nguyen shares the story of how he founded the business, and how AI can be used to increase the quality of our diagnoses and improve treatments. Predicate HPG won the Coastal Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Wilmington, NC!
How did you pick Wilmington, NC as the place to start a Medical Technology business?How can AI be deployed to improve diagnoses and treatments of patients?What does a founder and CEO spend their time d...John Grinnell - Leadership and Organizational Development Sensai
Summary: Dr. John Grinnell is the founder and CEO of Grinnell Leadership & Organizational Development. He has 37 years of practical experience in the business world, and has become a true expert in helping leaders develop their potential and applying that potential toward the achievement of organizational goals and team success. Dr. Grinnell resides in Wilmington, NC.
Most financial issues in companies are a result of poor leadership. How can I get my organization to change? You likely need to start with yourself first.Leadership comes in many shapes and sizes and needs to be tailored to the group and li...Heather McWhorter - The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at UNCW
Heather McWhorter is the Executive Director of UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). The CIE is an organization built around supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups in the greater Wilmington, NC region. Listen to Heather’s story and her vision for supporting the small business ecosystem.
1. The story of how the UNCW CIE was started. Not many towns have the CIE and it is a great resource for the small biz community.
2. Entrepreneurship can be the great equalizer in solving many issues faced in our communities.
3. The rise of entrepreneurship in Wilmington, NC.
https...
Jim Roberts - The Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW)
Jim Roberts has dedicated his career to supporting entrepreneurs and business communities find success. Most notably, Jim founded The Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington (NEW), leveraging his own capital and personal network to make Wilmington, NC a place where start-ups and entrepreneurs can flourish! In June 2024, Wilmington, NC was ranked the #1 start-up ecosystem in the world for cities under 300,000 people, as a result of Jim’s hard work!
1. Did you know that Jim Roberts was the first Executive Director of UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship?
2. Jim explains what an entrepreneurial ecosystem is and what th...
Wayne Hippo - Made in America! Software Solutions for American Businesses
Wayne Hippo is Co-Owner and Managing Partner of PS Solutions, a US-based Software Engineering and Solutions agency. Wayne started his career as a lawyer, then moved into politics and found his way to starting a Software Solutions Agency. Listen to Wayne’s story as he highlights:
Being the first person in his family to go to college from 5 generations of railroad workers How delivering good work and taking care of your customers is the ultimate marketing strategyThe importance of understanding business needs and goals in designing the right software solutionhttps://pssolutions.net/
Instagram: @pssoluti...
Tony Silvagni - Professional Surfing and Entrepreneurship
Tony Silvagni is an entrepreneur, world class surfer and an all around great dude. Tony shares his story of balancing the lifestyle of being a professional surfer and business owner, and the similarities of the mental game that go along with both.
Nicolas Montoya - The Economic and Social Impact of the Hospitality Industry in WIlmington, NC.
Nicolas Montoya is the General Manager of the Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Nicolas is originally from the country of Colombia, went to high school in the UK, and made his way to Wilmington, NC through a career path in the Hospitality industry. Nicolas has been a mentor and leader for thousands of people over the years, that have gone on to do great things in our local and extended communities.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-montoya-b9b15020/
Website: https://blockade-runner.com/
Grant Grinnell - Medicinal Mushrooms & Entrepreneurship
Grant Grinnell is the founder and owner of Fresh Alternatives, a Wilmington, NC business focused on providing the most potent and fresh medicinal mushrooms. In this episode, Grant explains:
The Science behind legal, medicinal mushroomsThe benefits medicinal mushrooms have for entrepreneurs and others with high-demanding livesHow to Market a product that people are generally unfamiliar withwww.freshalternatives.com
Instagram: @fresh.alternatives
Facebook: @Fresh Alternatives
Andy Jones - Leadership and Lawyering
Andy Jones is a Wilmington, NC based - lawyer and business enthusiast. He is the Managing Partner for Michael Best in North Carolina, a law firm that offers a full range of legal services. Andy tells his story of balancing leadership, life and practicing law through, and his journey to becoming a Managing Partner at a very young age.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjones10/
Website: https://www.michaelbest.com/
Jason Wheeler - Who is Jason Wheeler and what is a Wealth Manager?
Jason Wheeler is the CEO, Partner and Wealth Consultant of Wilmington, NC based Pathfinder Wealth Consulting. Pathfinder Wealth Consulting was formed in 2005 by Robert Penn and Jason Wheeler, after leaving a large Wall Street firm so they could focus on their clients’ needs and not corporate shareholders. We learn about what a financial planner is and questions we should ask ourselves as we plan for the future.
Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi - what is economics? and how can I use this info to make good business decisions?
Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi is an Associate Professor of Economics at University of North Carolina Wilmington. His recently published research can be found in some of the leading economic journals such as the Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, and the Journal of Regional Science. In addition to his academic work, serves a the regional economist and regularly produces economic forecasts and analytics to support economic small biz development.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mouhcine-guettabi-93797720/
Tyler Newman - What is BASE and who is Tyler Newman?
Tyler Newman is the President & CEO of BASE (Business Alliance for a Sound Economy) a non-profit advocacy organization that acts as a responsible “voice” and advocate for business and industry in southeastern North Carolina. Tyler shares his personal story, and how that aligns with the tremendous opportunities that Wilmington, NC has to offer.
Instagram: @tylernewman
Website: https://ncbase.org/
Dallas Romanowski - How to Maximize Value In Your Business
Dallas Romanowski is the owner of Cornerstone Business Advisors, and a successful entrepreneur who has built, grown and sold his own companies, as well as supported many other entrepreneurs in doing the same. He shares his story of transformation from Corporate America to Entrepreneur.
Website: https://www.launchgrowexit.com/
E10: Dane Scalise - New Hanover County Commissioner, Lawyer and Entrepreneur
Dane Scalise is the newest elected County Commissioner for New Hanover County. He shares his story and highlights the incredible opportunities that Wilmington, NC offers from a personal, family life and professional perspective.
Instagram: @danescalise
Website: Electdane.com
