I Love VB Podcast

The unimaginable has rocked our world this month and I wanted to share a glimpse into our story with all of you. Among the very long list of things I am grieving the loss of, participating in this podcast is high up there. I believe it is only for a moment in time but regardless of how long our recovery will take would you join us in praying for healing and for a beautiful redemption story to be brought out of our trials? I love you all - Megan. 

Episode 9 - Josh Adler is the owner and founder of Adler Therapy Group - a practice specializing in physical, occupational and speech therapy. Growing up, Josh observed both his mother and father serving others in their professions and was inspired to choose a career path where he, too, could help people in need. Josh has been practicing occupational therapy for over 20 years and has expanded Adler Therapy Group to 6 different locations across Hampton Roads.   Website Instagram Facebook

Episode 8 - In the heart of Great Neck, Polish Boutique opened it's doors for business in 2022 and hit the ground running. More than a beautiful clothing boutique, Polish is a hub for community, a place to experience friendship while shopping, and a vessel for women to encourage one another. The heartbeat of Polish exists in co-owners Ashley Knox and Sarah Winstead who have both spent over a decade pouring into the community around them through schools, volunteer organizations, sports and neighborhoods - it's no wonder that they've taken their investment into our city and the trust they've earned and turned it into a thriving, life-giving business.   Website Instagram Facebook

Episode 7 - This episode is a story of what once was a young girl's dream being made into a reality. Pinup Coffee Co. was founded in Virginia Beach by Steph and Bryce Wein. With roots in the pacific northwest, Steph knew a thing or two about amazing coffee and set out to discover just what makes the perfect cup of coffee. Pinup Coffee Co. is a specialty coffee roaster in Virginia Beach with a devoted following of coffee lovers and plans to do really great things in the near future.   Website  Instagram

Community Spotlight: Mike Provost founded VDRF in 2021 in an effort to help our Virginia waterways achieve sustainable health. Most locals have seen or noticed an abandoned or derelict vessel at some point in our waterways but have you ever considered what or who actually cleans them up? Check out this episode as an introduction to Mike Provost and learn about what he is doing to make change for the better.    Website Instagram Get your tickets here for the Sunk Ship Gala on January 6, 2023!

Episode 6 - Kaizen Athletics is a functional fitness gym located in the heart of The Vibe District. It's a gym known for its community centric atmosphere and its most compassionate and inspirational founder. Emily Kramer Throckmorton started this business with a deep knowing in her soul that her purpose was to make a difference in the health and fitness realm. Her genuine desire to help change peoples lives is the core of Kaizen Athletics and is motivating the growth and future of her entrepreneurial journey.   Website Instagram Kaizen Adaptive Training

Episode 5 - Lolly's Creamery was the very first business we interviewed for the podast back in 2019. Founders Joey and Jacklyn Launi sat down with us four years ago to share the story of their beloved ice cream shop but so much growth has happened to Lolly's since that day - we had to bring them back on to tell all! The Launis share some fun insiders details on what we can look forward to from one of Virginia Beach's very favorite ice cream shops.    Lolly's website Instagram Facebook

Episode 4 - Bob Roberts is the owner and founder of Redwood Smoke Shack, a Texas inspired BBQ joint in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Bob takes us through life growing up on a farm where hard work runs through his veins, to his unexpected job out of college, to brew clubs and front yard BBQs and a food truck the blew all expectations out of the water. Redwood Smoke Shack was born out of a series of meant-to-be circumstances and is a thriving, community oriented business today.   Redwood Smoke Shack  Instagram  Facebook

Episode 3 - Tony DiSilvestro opened his first restaurant, Ynot Italian, in Virginia Beach in 1993. Ynot is a beloved neighborhood restaurant with delicious, homemade food yet Tony's influence has spread much wider than just in the food service industry.  As of today, he has pioneered 33 different businesses and calls himself a serial entrepreneur. Tony is a Forbes author and released his first book The Business Scaling Blueprint earlier this year.    Ynot Italian Tony DiSilvestro

Episode 2 - Chesapean Outdoors represents a quintessential part of life in Virginia Beach - the ability to explore nature, experience dolphins, kayak on the ocean, go hiking, fishing - all in your own backyard. 27 years ago, Matt Redford had a vision for turning one of his passions into a business that everyone could enjoy. Chesapean Outdoors began as kayak dolphin tours but over the decades has expanded services to much more than that. Matt's love of marine life and exploration have paved the way for his incredible business to grow and offers the ability for locals and tourists alike to experience the very best of Virginia Beach.   Wesbite: www.chesapean.com Instagram Adventure Camp

April 24th-26th the Business Scaling Experience will be at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach. 3 Days of learning from some of the top minds in the business world - Magic Johnson, David Meltzer, VB's own Tony DiSilvestro and many more!    Grab your tickets at: www.bsevirginia.com A standard ticket is only $97 for all three days or you can use the promo code "ilovevbpodcast" for 50% off any Select, Premier, or VIP Ticket!    For more info, check out: www.tonydisilvestro.com 

Episode 1 - Thirteenwinks was created by Carla Ryan turning her love of art into a full time business. As an elementary school teacher turned digital creator, Carla is recognized for making skyline art in the form of stickers, paper goods, and gifts of all kinds. Thirteenwinks is in retail stores all over the US and you can check out her designs on her website: www.thirteenwinks.com Instagram Facebook

Community Spotlight: The YMCA of South Hampton Roads' President and CEO, Anthony Walters, shares with us the incredible role that our region's YMCA plays in our local community. They serve over 250,000 people in our area and provide countless programs for youths and adults all while creating a sense of belonging for every individual.  Website: www.ymcashr.org Instagram Facebook YouTube

Episode 7 - Ace and Ariana Foster are the founders of Foster Beauty Fashion Show. The Foster Beauty Fashion Show is a platform for local talent and creatives such as models, designers, artists, and many more. This event was created in 2020 and has already seen massive growth in the beginning stages. In this episode, the Fosters share their story of how it all began and give us a glimpse into how they are each using their skillsets to grow the fashion and beauty industry in Hampton Roads. www.fosterbeautyfashionshow.com Instagram Facebook   Check out the music video Ace made while on the MightyIKE during their 2020 deployment: IKE Cypher

Episode 6 - Victoria DiSilvestro is a young and driven business owner who has grown her brand - Airotciv by Victoria - to a national level. As a second generation entrepreneur, Victoria grew up learning from the best. She allowed her parents' wisdom to guide her business building decisions and, mixed in with her own courage and creativity, it has proven to be a recipe for success.   www.airotcivbyvictoria.com Instagram

Community Spotlight: Virginia Beach Friends School was established in 1955 and has faithfully served as our areas only private Quaker school. Head of School, Mike Barclay, shares the school's history, core values and goals with us in this community spotlight.  www.vbfschool.org Instagram

Episode 5 - First Landing Seafood Company was brought to life by three brothers coming together to revive a decades old family business. Raised on the Lynnhaven River, the McLaughlin Family grew up loving and caring for the oysters that are native to our region. America's First Oysters™ are arguably the best oysters in the world and this company's mission to ensure that everyone in Virginia Beach -whether resident or visitor - has access to the most delicious, fresh and clean Lynnhaven oyster anytime they want it.   www.FancyOysters.com Instagram Facebook

Community Spotlight: Lauren Kiger, Director of Philanthropy at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, and Matt Fanghella, who sits on the Future Generations Board, share with us the history and mission of CHKD. They share their experiences with us as well as highlight the ways in which our community helps meet the needs of the Children's Hospital. www.CHKD.org www.CHKD.org/donate Instagram

Episode 4 - Chris Hall is a full time musician and recording artist known as Chris Keys. His incredible talent is highlighted in his piano playing and flawless vocals. Chris has been singing and performing since he was a child and is clearly living out his life's passion today. You can catch his solo act or his duo, LittKeys, in popular restaurants and stages around town. In 2021, Chris Keys released his first album and it's available for download on all music platforms. www.chriskeysofficial.com  Instagram: Chris Keys Music

Community Spotlight: We check in with past guest, Antwain Britt, to get an update on his gourmet cookie business and hear about his latest venture with business partner, Brittany Augustine. Hiit House is a one of kind workout with a unique twist.  Check it out at: www.hiithouse.com Juggernaut Cookie Co. Find the full Juggernaut Cookie story in Season 2 Episode 9 of the I Love VB Podcast! 

Episode 3 - Owen Van Syckle takes us though his journey of over 21 years in the consulting business as the founder of Van Syckle Group. The Van Syckle Group is a sales results organization that founded the Sales Acceleration Academy. They work with companies all over the country and have seen tremendous success with their clients.  The growth of the company led naturally to the next step of creating the Van Syckle Financial Group. Sales Acceleration Academy www.OwenVanSyckle.com

Episode 2 - VB Rescue is the nation's largest volunteer-based emergency medical services system and has been serving our city for over 80 years. In this episode, the Executive Director of the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation, Gina Benefiel, shares about the mission of VB Rescue and what makes our local rescue squads so unique. Visit their website: www.VBRescue.org  

Episode 1 - Krystal Henry is the owner of the The Key Salon - a hair salon focused on bringing you the highest quality products, service and style while pampering you and making you feel like part of her family. After twelve years in the industry, Krystal opened her own business in 2020 and has continued to grow and expand. Her story is full of determination, courage, and success as she persevered through challenges big and small. You can find her at: www.thekeysalon.com IG: @thekeysalon

Episode 14 - Steff Speirs is the owner of Sunshine and Sweet Pea's Coastal Decor - a bright and colorful shop filled with art, decor, jewelry and all things coastal inspired. In 2018 Steff took her passion and knack for business and opened a retail space where art is center stage. Steff's story includes lessons from operating previous businesses and overcoming unexpected life challenges time and time again. Her drive and determination to cultivate a place for community has allowed Sunshine and Sweet Pea's to blossom into what it is today.   www.sunshinesweetpeas.com

Episode 13 - Ross and Hannah Byrd own and operate Surf Hatteras - an overnight, destination surf camp on Hatteras Island. For the past 16 years, the Byrd family has picked up their life in Virginia Beach and spent their summers in the Outer Banks working around the clock running a premier surf camp for teenagers from all over the country. The idea for this camp came at an opportune time in the Byrd's life and it has grown into something wildly fulfilling.   www.surfhatteras.com

Episode 12 - Tactical Distributors is an e-commerce company that sells high end tactical gear to elite groups of people. Ten years ago, Todd Askins was given the opportunity to take Tactical Distributors from a wholesale branch to being a boutique international retailer. Todd has pioneered tremendous growth for the company and seen it through many ups and downs. He shares how his journey has been filled with challenges of its own but the opportunity for second chances has taught him many valuable life lessons.

Episode 11 - Bees Nees is a company curating boutique vacation homes in Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks. Katie Denton's gifts of hospitality and attention to detail are beautifully captured in the Bees Nees Getaways. Katie shares that her mission is to create spaces where families can come together in a place where everything has been thought of so that lifetime memories can be made during their vacation. Her inspiration for the business comes from her own childhood memories and she hopes to pass them along to all her Bees Nees guests. Visit www.beesnees.com for all the info!

Episode 10 - ROX (Rapid Overland Xpress) is a luxury motor coach service taking you directly from Virginia Beach to your destination and back. Whether it's for business or leisure, you truly get to experience “Travel Reimagined.” ROX motor coaches are gorgeous, spacious and every detail has been considered so that the guest experiences the best way to travel. In this episode, the Founder of ROX, Jeff McWaters, takes us through his entire career leading up to this point. Jeff is a leader and champion for bettering our community and the lives around him. He is packed full of wisdom and has well-respected business advice for any entrepreneur.

Episode 9 - Antwain Britt is the creator of Juggernaut Cookie Co. - a local cookie company that makes gigantic, delicious cookies and ships nationwide. But the cookie company is neither the beginning nor the end of his story. From a factory worker, to a professional MMA fighter to a gym owner,  Antwain is a picture of hard work and dedication to pursuing excellence in his craft. We hope his story brings new inspiration to wherever you are in life and go get yourself a delicious Juggernaut Cookie.

Episode 8 -Doctors Stephen McKenzie and Jake McCrowell took a leap of faith and ventured into small business owning when they opened Direct Performance Physical Therapy.  Both Stephen and Jake love the relational based aspect of physical therapy care and focus largely in the sports medicine realm. Opening their own practice has allowed them to spend the time they want with each patient, to better problem solve, and to have the ability to see patients truly get better. You'll hear how their handwork mixed with passion is paying off and allowing them, their patients and their business to thrive. 

Episode 7 - Tatiana Hill founded The Teal Eagle Boutique in 2017 out of her home but it quickly grew into an established retail shop. The Teal Eagle is a local ladies fashion boutique with a nationwide following of her online retail shop. As a young and motivated entrepreneur, Tatiana is has wildly grown her business and continues to dream big and chase after her goals.  Visit her at www.tealeagleboutique.com

Episode 6 - Ironclad Media is a production company that creates digital content and has partnered with some of the most elite brands in the world. They produce films, series, and podcasts that are some of the best out there. Founder and director, Jeremy Carey, shares with us the story of how he began, how entrepreneurship was engrained in him from the beginning, and how Ironclad Media came to be. You definitely want to check out their website and portfolio at thisisironclad.com! 

We sat down with our own little humans and chatted about things they love to do in Virginia Beach during the summer. Apparently they make great little marketers for local businesses - any takers? We hope this brings a smile to your face because children's voices are really cute! 

Episode 5 - WE ARE VB is a local non profit whose goal is to help every high school student in Virginia Beach who is considered homeless or at risk. They work to help these students meet their basic needs, knock down barriers in their education, and provide hope for their future. In this episode, we interview Jennifer Dye, the founder of WE ARE VB, as she shares with us the mission, history and impact of the organization. Incredible things are happening through WE ARE VB and this episode is absolutely one we should all hear.

Episode 4 - PaperDolls Design is a custom stationary and digital design company. Designer, April Foster started her business 10 years ago and has since created thousands of designs for clients and businesses. She has a degree in Industrial Design and worked as a textile designer before taking her skills to the next level and launching her own business. In this episode, April shares about the start up of her business and lessons learned along the way as she continues to see where this career takes her.

Episode 3 - Wes and Shina Madison own DJ West Entertainment and A Party Booth by Shina. As an entertainment company, they offer DJ services and the photo booth rental to weddings, parties, and special events. Wes and Shina share how hard things were in the early years of business and how walking through a tragedy together ended up propelling their business to the next level. They have a story of hope and perseverance and are actively living out a life a dream chasing.

Episode 2 - Dr. David Werwath owns The Doctor’s In - a medical clinic that provides primary and urgent care as well as many other medical services. We follow Dr. Dave’s journey through med school to opening up a medical business of his own. He shares some deeply personal challenges that he has overcome and continues to press on to lead and grow his business. 

This episode shares the story of how a food truck turned into a brick and mortar storefront. Jacob Harver is the creator/owner of the wildly popular restaurant, Bros Fish Tacos. This business was born out of a crossroads moment in Jacob’s career and he hasn’t looked back since. Both Jacob and his wife have poured their lives into this business and are a great example of how to harness the momentum of your business and take it up a level.

Episode 20 - Wave Riding Vehicles is your hometown surf shop and the largest builder of boards on the east coast. Established in 1967, WRV has grown it’s brand world wide in the last 50 years and its global head quarters is located right here, in Virginia Beach. In this episode, we sit down with LG Shaw, a second generation of the WRV family, and hear stories of the early years of the business. LG shares his perspective of what it was like growing up around the surf culture and watching his father turn a passion into his career. The Shaw family are big contributors to bringing life to The Vibe District and allowing many other entrepreneurs to grow their own passions into successful businesses.

Episode 19 - Patrick Ryan discovered his talent for creative handiwork as a young boy in early elementary school. He was a self taught carpenter and painter and was challenged by his internal desire to grow in his learning. Patrick has been able to follow his passion and create his own business of solid-wood, hand crafted furniture. Benevolent Design Company creates gorgeous custom pieces and you can even find Patrick’s work in many of our local restaurants and breweries. In this episode, Patrick shares his journey with us and talks about how his business is about something much bigger than simply building furniture.

Episode 18 - Emily Weddings + Events is a full service event planning company that guarantees that your special day will be memorable for all the right reasons. Emily Petersen shares with us how she started her business and how her previous jobs were setting her up for success as she launched out on her own. She shares how her intentional growth strategies proved extremely worthwhile when unexpected life events took her attention off of the business. Emily is a wise and gifted business owner and has lots of great stories to share with us in today’s episode.

Episode 17 - Jars of Dust is a handcrafted line of functional ceramics designed and created by Mallorie Terranova. Her designs are beautiful, timeless & inspire an appreciation for quality goods made by hand. In this episode, we follow Mallorie’s journey as a studio art major in college as she dug into the one medium that pushed her outside of her comfort zone and eventually allowed her to make Jars of Dust into a full time business. There’s so much to learn from her story and it’s truly only the beginning for Mallorie. Join us as we listen and become big fans of Jars of Dust. 

Episode 16 - Joash Schulman owns and operates Town Center Office Suites - a professional office space providing businesses with a postal address and all the amenities a thriving business center has to offer. While continuing to practice law, Joash has taken over the day to day operations of running Town Center Office Suites and continues to actively serve the city through different boards and committees. In this episode, Joash shares his story of how he landed in Virginia Beach and how one coffee shop conversation shifted his career path in a new direction.

Episode 15 - Local artist Troy Summerell is the creator of the brand OnieTonie. From vibrant murals on building walls to CHKD ambulances to basketball backboards to elementary schools, OnieTonie Designs can be found all over the city. Troy’s signature black outline art is filled with bright colors and smiling faces of sea creatures. In this episode, Troy shares how he got his start as an artist, what inspires him and what some of his hopes and dreams for the future are. OnieTonie Designs adds so much value to our city by projecting positivity and refreshing old things to make them new.

Episode 14 - OnPoint Building Services is a full service commercial janitorial company run by local entrepreneurs Blake Dozier and Cory Jessee. They clean multi-tenant office buildings, medical spaces, industrial facilities, and much more. OnPoint Building Services strives to be the best in the industry by creating great customer service and bringing a positive attitude to problem solving. The lessons Blake and Cory share with us in this episode are a great example of what it takes to build a thriving business.

Episode 13 - Jackson Andrews Building and Design is a residential building and remodeling company located in Virginia Beach, VA. Jackson Andrews shares the story of how he created this company from the ground up. They create incredible homes that are uniquely tailored to each of their clients’ design preference and desired function. Jackson shares how joy and satisfaction come from doing things the right way and that some of the most rewarding parts of this job are the relationships he gets to build with his clients throughout the entire building process.

Episode 12 - Back Bay Brewing Co. is a local brewery that began in 2011. In this episode, we sit down with the founder Josh Canada and hear several inspiring stories of how Josh has been moving and shaking in the craft brewing industry. From growing his distribution to several other states, to breaking into the cider industry, to co-founding a local distillery, and even collaborating with Pharrell Williams at the Something In The Water festival - there is always something new on the horizon at Back Bay Brewing. Josh lets us in on some of the future ideas for the company and shares what he loves about Virginia Beach. 

Episode 11 - Wareing’s Gym was founded in Virginia Beach in 1960. It is recognized as America’s oldest gym that is still open and running today. Wareing’s gym is well known for many programs including the Parisi Speed School and Training for Warriors. In this episode we hear from Jesse, a fourth generation Wareing. Jesse shares some of the history of the gym and we hear how his unique story fits into the philosophy of what Wareing’s Gym is all about.

Episode 10 - Philly Cold Cuts is a locally owned and operated deli specializing in award-wining cheesesteaks, hoagies, sandwiches and more. The Fuller family has been operating this business for the last forty years and it has become a well loved classic among the locals. The history of this restaurant begins long before they opened their doors for business and in this episode we hear the story shared by three of the brothers - Jeff, Stephon and Todd Fuller.

Episode 9, Part 2 - The Bagel Baker is an authentic New York style bagel shop that serves bagels, breakfast and deli sandwiches along with other made from scratch delicacies. In part 2 of this episode, we continue our interview with owner  George Stepanovich. We hear how he’s successfully navigated challenges over the years and how his entrepreneurial strength keeps him focused on keeping The Bagel Baker the best of the best.

Episode 9, Part 1 - The Bagel Baker is an authentic New York style bagel shop that serves bagels, breakfast and deli sandwiches along with other made from scratch delicacies. Everything they serve is absolutely delicious and gets a true New Yorker’s stamp of approval. In this episode, owner George Stepanovich shares some of the history of his family and how they inspired him to create a business of his own. George is full of great stories and paints a fantastic picture of what it takes to build a business from the ground up.