The Localist with Carrie Rollwagen

Kim Nguyen of House Eleven joins Carrie Rollwagen to share how she and her husband turned a remodeling project into a community-driven café and cocktail bar. From real estate to espresso to event planning, their journey in Birmingham's Woodlawn neighborhood is full of passion, pivots and purpose.   Mentioned in this episode: House Eleven House Eleven on Instagram Church Street Coffee & Books Ohm Jiu Jitsu Taylor Remodeling & Building Solutions Bigger Pockets podcast Blue House Properties Punch Love Coffee June Coffee Localist episode with June Coffee Domestique Coffee Localist episode with Nathan Pocus Red Bike Coffee Localist episode with Jesús Méndez Bygones Cocktail Bar Infomedia Studios  

In this vulnerable solo episode, Carrie explores the complex emotion of professional jealousy and how it can point us toward change. Whether it's craving attention, chasing the wrong goals or grieving a past identity, she offers practical ways to understand and act on those feelings instead of ignoring them. Plus, she shares her own personal stories about navigating envy and finding clarity.

Carrie sits down with Kaitlyn Bentley of True40 and Wellness Passport to talk about building business communities through fitness, self-care and local food. From launching a studio to acquiring the entire True40 brand, Kaitlyn walks us through the smart and strategic moves behind her growth — and how she keeps it all grounded in community.   Mentioned in this episode: Wellness Passport The Well True40 ClassPass Ohm Jiu Jitsu Cala Coffee Ignite Cycle Localist episode with Cala Coffee Edelman Southern Company Ross Bridge Mayawell  

In this solo episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares personal strategies for making time for your side hustle while balancing a full-time job. She discusses creative retreats, batching work on weekends, and using passive time for research and inspiration.  Mentioned in this episode: Camp McDowell Brandon Sanderson's free class on fantasy writing Localist episode with Ladybird Taco  

Today on The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Teasha Cable, CEO and co-founder of C-Model, a decision intelligence platform that helps small and mid-sized businesses make better decisions using a combination of AI, data and real-world expertise. Teasha shares her journey from VP roles to founder, the importance of tracking business decisions and how technology like CORA gives small businesses a competitive edge.   Mentioned in this episode: C-Model Church Street Coffee & Books Dynamic Decisions podcast Company personality test Schedule a demo with C-Model  

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares practical tips for getting better results from AI tools like ChatGPT. Learn how specificity, tone-setting and smart prompting strategies can help small business owners save time while maintaining their authentic voice.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's talk on writing with AI Infomedia  

CEO Stephanie Friedman joins The Localist to share how she's leading 128-year-old City Paper Company into a new era of tangible branding and national impact. She and host Carrie Rollwagen explore family business dynamics, intentional design and the power of merch that actually matters.   Mentioned in this episode: City Paper Company Cracker Barrel Hard Rock Cafe Spanx Kendra Scott Cafe Du Mode Infomedia Poppi The Masters Tournament Bromberg's Truckworx The Power of Moments Unreasonable Hospitality Who Moved My Cheese?  

In today's episode, Carrie Rollwagen explores a powerful but often overlooked tool for entrepreneurs — taking an actual day of rest. Sharing her experiences from bookstore ownership to life today, Carrie explores how taking an intentional day of rest can recharge your creativity, protect against burnout and set healthy boundaries in a world that demands nonstop hustle. Mentioned in this episode: Church Street Coffee & Books Follow Carrie on Instagram Infomedia

Jessica Leitch of The Little Red Print Shop joins Carrie to talk about printmaking, community and running a creative small business. From vending machines and pop-ups to linocut workshops and wedding favors, she shares how she's built a joyful, accessible art brand rooted in Birmingham.   Mentioned in this episode: The Little Red Print Shop The Little Red Print Shop on Instagram Cala Coffee Little Professor Bookshop Cala Coffee on The Localist Little Professor Bookshop on The Localist The Market at Pepper Place Cahabazaar Studio by the Tracks Local Love Pop-Up Market Houseplant Collective MAKEbhm The Chasm Co. Chasm Craft Club Cahaba Brewing Daily Edition Ladybird Taco Ladybird Taco on The Localist Canvas  

Ever feel like you're running in place at work — stuck in a loop of tasks and to-dos without knowing if you're really making progress? In this solo episode, Carrie Rollwagen digs into a simple but powerful framework from the book Designing Your Work Life, sharing how a daily spreadsheet helped her rediscover meaning, motivation and forward motion in her work. Whether you're a manager, an entrepreneur or somewhere in between, this one's for you. Mentioned in this episode: Designing Your Work Life by Dave Evans & Bill Burnett  

Restauranteur Jesús “Chuy” Méndez joins The Localist to share how he turned hustle, heart and a love for people into some of Birmingham's favorite restaurant and bar concepts, including Salud Taqueria and Adiõs Bar. From pandemic pivots to people-first partnerships, Chuy reveals the secret sauce behind his growing empire — and why he's betting big on Birmingham.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares how two short consulting sessions — one focused on branding and the other on her website — helped her gain clarity, realign her goals and simplify her strategy. She offers practical tips on preparing for advisor meetings and explains why even small business owners and personal brands can benefit from expert insight. It's a reminder that meaningful progress doesn't always require big changes — just the right perspective. Mentioned in this episode: Emily Wells Emily Wells Localist episode Pam Sanderson Infomedia

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen chats with Alex Stern, founder of the pop-up sandwich concept Deli Ole. Alex shares how design, collaboration and community have shaped his business journey, from rooftop dinners to packed-out pop-ups. They dive into the power of starting small, the value of hospitality and how creativity fuels connection. Mentioned in this episode: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deli.ole/ Helen: https://www.helenbham.com/ Juniper: https://www.juniperbham.com/ Slim's Pizzeria: https://slimspizzeria.com/ Alex Kiker, videographer: https://www.alexkikerco.com/about June Coffee: https://www.junecoffee.co/ Jimmy's Localist episode Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee/?hl=en Golden Age: https://www.goldenagewine.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopBImn8tR8Nyldpf9ILULVhS9Sc5RKKQXCCKydCjKWbjpEIY1EA Unreasonable Hospitality: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/products/unreasonable-hospitality-the-remarkable-power-of-giving-people-more-than-they-expect?_pos=1&_sid=5f78a5a24&_ss=r 

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares her strategies for public speaking as an introvert. She discusses overcoming the discomfort of speaking in public by practicing introductions, preparing backup notes, scheduling alone time before and after talks, and having a supportive presence in the audience. Carrie also emphasizes the value of public speaking for connecting with new audiences and showcasing expertise, particularly for entrepreneurs and business owners.  

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie writes about all the wonderful things about celebrating Christmas at a local bookstore. This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie writes about the fallout from her first Christmas as a business owner — including a difficult Christmas morning and a panic attack.   This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie shares a story about decorating her former bookstore, Church Street Coffee & Books, for the holiday season. With the help of her family, she redecorates the shop for the holidays in just one afternoon — and they even fit in a Thanksgiving celebration along the way.   This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie kicks off her series on small business Christmas stories. Though today's story isn't about a small business itself, it's a key moment in her journey. She reflects on attending a Starbucks rally with her then-manager, Cal — who would later become her business partner at Church Street Coffee & Books. This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.

Carrie shares 10 lessons she's learned during the 10 years since The Localist book was released. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.  

Carrie Rollwagen shares a story from her days at Jonathan Benton, Bookseller, called “Harry Potter and the Piggly Wiggly Milk.” As the small bookstore prepared a release party for a new Harry Potter book, they faced an unexpected challenge. Can Carrie and her team pull off the event to keep their shop afloat, or will it turn into a fiasco? This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares the story of a screenprinting business called Sugartop Gumdrop, which she started with her friend John Yam. Full of creativity but lacking business experience, the two faced a steep learning curve as they tackled the Print Gocco machine, built their own store display, and eventually expanded into other products.    This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.  

In this episode of "The Localist," host Carrie Rollwagen shares easy ways to support local businesses without making significant lifestyle changes. She covers three key tips: choosing specific categories to always buy local, switching recurring payments to local services and dedicating a day to shop at local businesses. The episode aims to make the process of buying local more accessible and enjoyable.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/ Shop Small blog: https://shopsmallblog-blog-blog.tumblr.com/ The Localist Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-localist-think-independent-buy-local-and-reclaim-the-american-dream-carrie-rollwagen/11535983?ean=9780692319482 Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee?igshid=6qm4a079lw6q Order books online at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/ Local Audiobook Service Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/ NowVision Eye Care: https://nowvisioneyecare.com/index2.php#!/NOW_VISION_EYE_CARE NowVision Eye Care on The Localist Podcast: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/vision-for-the-future-dr-lori-jasper-of-nowvision-eye-care-shares-how-customer-connection-is-good-for-your-health-and-her-bottom-line/ Ohm Jiu Jitsu: https://www.ohmjiujitsu.com/ Chocolata: https://www.chocolatachocolate.com/  

In this episode of The Localist, Gina Locklear, founder of Zkano Socks, shares the journey of maintaining a small-scale, sustainable sock manufacturing business in Fort Payne, Alabama. She discusses challenges, values and the significance of consumer choices in supporting local businesses. Locklear also highlights the impact of receiving the American Made award from Martha Stewart and her commitment to quality rather than aggressive expansion.   Mentioned in this episode: Zkano Website: https://zkano.com/ Zkano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zkano_socks Sock Queen of Alabama article: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/31/fashion/sock-business-alabama.html American Flannel: https://bookshop.org/p/books/american-flannel-how-a-band-of-entrepreneurs-are-bringing-the-art-and-business-of-making-clothes-back-home-steven-kurutz/20456379?ean=9780593329610 Riverhead Books: https://www.penguin.com/riverhead-overview/ Golden Temple: https://goldentemplehealthfood.com/ Martha Stewart American Made: https://www.al.com/living/2015/11/little_river_sock_mill_fort_pa.html Mike Rowe interview with Steven Kurutz: https://mikerowe.com/2024/04/american-flannel-with-steven-kurutz-ep-380/ Liesa Cole: https://liesacole.com/ Club Duquette: https://clubduquette.co/ Wild Bird: https://birmingham.wbu.com/ Birmingham Museum of Art: https://www.artsbma.org/ Juniper: https://www.juniperbham.com/ Little Professor: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/ Store Locator: https://zkano.com/pages/store-locator Stephen King's book 11/22/63: https://bookshop.org/p/books/11-22-63-stephen-king/7060372?ean=9781451627299  

Buy all the guides for $30 (Combo Pack): https://carrierollwagen.com/combo-pack/ Buy the main writing guide for $25: https://carrierollwagen.com/main-guide/ Buy the AI guide for $5: https://carrierollwagen.com/ai-guide/ Buy the editing guide for $5: https://carrierollwagen.com/editing-guide/   Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/   Mentioned in this episode: Building a Storybrand: https://bookshop.org/p/books/building-a-storybrand-clarify-your-message-so-customers-will-listen-donald-miller/9308684?ean=9780718033323 Marketing Made Simple: https://bookshop.org/p/books/marketing-made-simple-a-step-by-step-storybrand-guide-for-any-business-donald-miller/17208959?ean=9781400217649 The Artist's Way: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-artist-s-way-30th-anniversary-edition-julia-cameron/6665657?ean=9780143129257  

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen talks with Jim Watkins about establishing his business, Sons Donuts, the thoughtful design and operational decisions that set it apart and how it maintains a dedicated customer base despite competition. Jim also shares insights on his previous venture, Steel City Pops, and the lessons learned from rapid business growth and eventual challenges, emphasizing the importance of quality, customer connection and sustainable business practices.   Mentioned in this episode: Sons Donuts + Pops Website: https://www.sonsdonuts.com/ Sons Donuts + Pops Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonsdonutsandpops/ Dreamcakes Bakery: https://www.facebook.com/dreamcakesbham/ Church of Brook Hills: https://www.brookhills.org/ Southern Progress: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Progress_Corporation Steel City Pops: https://www.instagram.com/steelcitypops Big Spoon Creamery: https://www.bigspooncreamery.com/ Ladybird Taco on The Localist: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/the-magic-behind-ladybird-taco/ Rougaroux: https://www.rougarouxbhm.com/ John Evans: https://www.villagelivingonline.com/business/the-wait-is-over927/ Lane Parke: www.laneparke.com Church Street Coffee & Books: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee Infomedia: https://infomedia.com

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses the importance of nurturing new ideas by carefully choosing whom to share them with first. She outlines the concept introduced by Tara Schuster of categorizing people into "hype men," "road warriors" and "absolutely nots" to effectively protect and develop ideas before exposing them to criticism. The episode highlights the value of positive feedback and strategic advice in the early stages of idea formation.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/ Tara Schuster's Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/buy-yourself-the-f-cking-lilies-and-other-rituals-to-fix-your-life-from-someone-who-s-been-there-tara-schuster/12072763?ean=9780525509905  Duquette Johnston's Localist Episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/beyond-the-brick-and-mortar-with-duquette-johnston/  

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen interviews sustainable fashion advocate Julie Maeseele. They discuss Julie's journey from imposter syndrome to finding joy in customer interactions, the challenges and rewards of creating one-of-a-kind garments and the importance of mindful fashion practices and supporting local economies. Julie's unique business model, collaborative projects and impact on her daughter's perception of her work are also highlighted.   Mentioned in this episode: Julie Maeseele Website: www.juliemaeseele.com Julie Maeseele Instagram: www.instagram.com/juliemaeseele Birmingham Emerging Designer competition: https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2024/09/magic-city-fashion-week-gears-up-for-season-5-with-events-beginning-saturday/ Basic Shop: https://abasicshop.com/collections/julie-maeseele?srsltid=AfmBOorbZDkxsSvgjA1lQqUvFppR4ujJ2rYVIVrZlyd8TkUF9J2y6FcV Garment Revival: https://www.juliemaeseele.com/about-the-project.html#/ Winslet & Rhys: https://www.instagram.com/winsletandrhys/?hl=en Graham Yelton: https://grahamyelton.com/ Lillis Taylor: https://www.lillistaylor.com/ Bib & Tucker: https://bibandtuckersewop.org/pages/about-our-founders Manuel: https://countrymusichalloffame.org/exhibit/suiting-the-sound/manuel/

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses the concepts of manager time and maker time, explaining the differences in workflow for managers who thrive on scheduled meetings and makers who require uninterrupted blocks of time for creative and deep work. She offers practical advice for balancing these two types of schedules both for individuals who control their own time and those working within larger organizations.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/ Next Right Thing Podcast: https://emilypfreeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/The-Next-Right-Thing-185.pdf Paul Graham on Manager Time and Maker Time: https://paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html  

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie interviews Emile Hughes, founder of RideBHM, a downhill mountain biking park in Birmingham. Emile discusses the park's creation and development, the challenges faced in transforming the land, the benefits of e-bikes, and future plans, including expanding the shuttle system and improving infrastructure to enhance visitor experiences.   Mentioned in this episode: RideBHM Website: https://ridebhm.com/ RideBHM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridebhm Kanuga Bike Park: https://ridekanuga.com/ Red Mountain Park: https://redmountainpark.org/ Dialed Dirt: https://dialeddirt.myportfolio.com/  Thomson Cat: https://thompsontractor.com/ Ruffner Mountain: https://ruffnermountain.org/ Turkey Creek: https://turkeycreeknp.com/ Ohm Jiu Jitsu: https://www.ohmjiujitsu.com/

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses common misconceptions about morning routines and provides practical strategies for sticking to them. She emphasizes the importance of enjoyment, simplicity and seasonal adjustments, sharing tips from her own experience to help listeners create a sustainable morning routine. Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/ Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything: https://bookshop.org/p/books/tiny-habits-the-small-changes-that-change-everything-bj-fogg/11781005?ean=9780358362777

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen interviews Crystal Salter from Sozo Trading, an upscale thrift store supporting the Sozo Children's mission in Uganda. They discuss the challenges and rewards of running a mission-driven thrift store, including maintaining cleanliness, offering significant discounts and the importance of mindful consumerism. Crystal also elaborates on Sozo's community engagement, sustainability efforts and exciting store events and promotions.   Mentioned in this episode: Sozo Website: https://www.sozotrading.org/ Sozo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sozotradingco/ Sozo Children: https://sozochildren.org/ Sozo Fair Trade Goods: https://www.sozotrading.org/global-goods/ The Foundry: https://foundryministries.com/ SMco Thrift: https://smcothrift.com/ Pick up my donation: https://www.pickupmydonation.com/ Rage Room: https://www.birminghamrageroom.com/  

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses the importance of building a personalized morning routine for success. She emphasizes focusing on elements like maintaining consistency, incorporating sensory experiences and including activities such as listening to a playlist, exercising, reflecting, and eating a good breakfast. The goal is to create a routine that suits individual needs and preferences, rather than following a strict, one-size-fits-all model.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/ The Power of Habit: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-power-of-habit-why-we-do-what-we-do-in-life-and-business-charles-duhigg/7843601?ean=9780812981605 Atomic Habits: https://bookshop.org/p/books/atomic-habits-an-easy-proven-way-to-build-good-habits-break-bad-ones-james-clear/12117739?ean=9780735211292 Snoop Dogg Affirmations Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGFBxoWqOV0 Morning Pages: https://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/ The Creative ACT: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin:  https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-creative-act-a-way-of-being-rick-rubin/18543579?ean=9780593652886 The Daily Stoic: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-daily-stoic-366-meditations-on-wisdom-perseverance-and-the-art-of-living-ryan-holiday/12470416?ean=9780735211735

In this episode of The Localist, Adam Hickman of Foxhound Bee Company shares his journey from starting a beekeeping business in his garage to expanding into a full-fledged retail store with plans for further growth. He emphasizes the importance of education, content quality and a strategic approach to ecommerce and product development, avoiding rapid scaling and big financial mistakes. Carrie and Adam also discuss the value of supportive advisory relationships for business success.   Mentioned in this episode: Foxhound Website: https://www.foxhoundbeecompany.com/ Foxhound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxhoundbeeco Hardware Park: https://www.hardwarepark.org/ Innovation Depot: https://innovationdepot.org/ Foxhound Bee Company Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/stores/FoxhoundBeeCompany-BeekeeperSuppliesandEquipmentfromBirminghamAlabama/FoxhoundBeeCompany-BeekeeperSuppliesandEquipmentfromBirminghamAlabama/page/60FDD616-DA6F-4D81-B669-6C63C869725A CAD: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-aided_design#:~:text=Computer%2Daided%20design%20(CAD),or%20optimization%20of%20a%20design. Luca: https://www.lucahq.com/ People's Bank of Alabama: https://peoplesbankal.com/ Ecom Crew: https://www.ecomcrew.com/ Sting Stopper: https://stingstopper.buzz/ Buzzbag: https://buzzbag.buzz/

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses the value of running experiments in personal and business life to test new ideas before fully committing to them. She emphasizes setting specific parameters, time limits and criteria for success to evaluate whether a new approach is worth pursuing, inspired by insights from the Noom app's psychology-based methods.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/ “How to Read Books” (business book episode of the Localist): https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/how-to-read-books-from-choosing-the-right-title-to-knowing-when-to-quit/ The Noom Mindset: Learn the Science, Lose the Weight: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-noom-mindset-learn-the-science-lose-the-weight-noom/18583501?ean=9781982194291 Noom book on audio: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781797146942 “How Do I Actually Set a SMART Goal?” episode of The Localist: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/how-do-i-actually-set-a-smart-goal/  

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen interviews Lee Pantazis, the owner of Gus's Hot Dogs and culinary director at the Kelly and Redmont hotels in Birmingham. Lee discusses his passion for the restaurant industry, the importance of preserving the nostalgia and community impact of Gus's and his efforts to elevate the local food scene through his work at the hotels. Throughout the conversation, Lee emphasizes the significance of supporting local businesses, maintaining strong customer relationships and fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment in the service industry.   Mentioned in this episode: Gus's Hot Dogs Website Gus's Hot Dogs Instagram Fish Market Little Donkey Pihakis Restaurant Group Saigon Noodle House Bud and Alley's Waterfront Restaurant  Pete's Famous Hot Dogs Jim N Nicks Big Bad Breakfast Tasty Town Magnolia Point Satterfield's Restaurant Hot-Dogopolis by Southern Foodways Alliance Birmingham Greek Festival  Philoxenia documentary by Jessica Chriesman Lou's Pub and Package Store George Sarris Johnny's Demetri's Niki's West Ted's Birmingham Thank You Books Crestwood Pharmacy Game Day Done Right ServisFirst Kingdom of Heaven  Adios Salud Hop City Alabama Peanut Co. Woodlawn Theater Seasick Records Mom's Basement Kate Gerwin Kelly Hotel Redmont Hotel St. James Hotel Selma Triangle Offense Phil Jackson Emperor's New Groove Ohm Jiu Jitsu and branding company, A. Studio That Works The Kelly Hotel Instagram Redmont Hotel Instagram Redmont Hotel Rooftop Instagram  

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen explains how to manage an overwhelming to-do list using theme days. She shares her personal experience implementing theme days to prioritize tasks and reduce stress, offering practical advice on how to create and stick to these themed schedules for better productivity.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/ Time Blocking episode of the Localist: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/which-time-blocking-method-is-best-breaking-down-theme-days-batch-work-the-pomodoro-technique-and-more/   

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen chats with Kathy D'Agostino of Chocolatá about building a positive work environment and the journey of opening her own chocolate shop. Kathy shares her experiences from working in a chocolate shop as a teenager to starting her own business, detailing the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, hiring and creating unique chocolate products. Mentioned in this episode: Chocolatá Website: https://www.chocolatachocolate.com/  Chocolatá Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chocolata_bham  Chocolatá Phone Number: 205-215-0416 Innovation Depot: https://innovationdepot.org/  Brombergs: https://brombergs.com/  Phoenix Building: https://thephoenixbuilding.com/  Sidewalk Film Festival: https://sidewalkfest.com/  Magic City Organics: https://magiccityorganics.com/  Magic City Organics Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/surviving-regulations-rollercoaster-magic-city-organics/  Yellowhammer: https://yellowhammer-creative.myshopify.com/  Pepper Place: https://www.pepperplace.com/  Revival Antiques: https://revivalantiques.org/  General: https://www.facebook.com/generalbham?mibextid=ZbWKwL   Saturn (Domestique): https://www.domestiquecoffee.com/ Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee?igshid=6qm4a079lw6q  MAKE Birmingham: https://www.makebhm.com/  Pizza Grace: https://pizzagrace.com/  Cannella Gelato: https://cannellagelato.com/  Lifelyles: https://www.facebook.com/lifelyles/ 

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares practical tips on how to promote events to ensure better attendance. She discusses strategies such as charging for events, posting in multiple locations, using various content angles to promote repeatedly and sending direct or personal invitations. These methods aim to build customer loyalty, create buzz and drive revenue for small businesses.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/ Workshop Local Localist Episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/hosting-great-events-with-workshop-local/ One Quick Coffee: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/build-your-local-reach-with-email-marketing-tickets-872774912257?aff=erelpanelorg Morgan Johnston episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/building-a-creative-resource-with-morgan-jones-johnston/  

In today's episode, Carrie Rollwagen hosts Sabrina Smith and Hannah Stallings, owners of Happy Links, a jewelry company specializing in permanent jewelry. They share the challenges of balancing their full-time jobs with their business, the struggles of managing chaotic pop-up events and their excitement about opening a new salon suite location to create a more luxurious customer experience.   Mentioned in this episode: Happy Links Website: https://www.happylinksjewelry.com Happy Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happy_links_ Hi-Wire Brewing: https://hiwirebrewing.com/birmingham/ Image Studios Salon Suites: https://imagestudios360.com/birmingham-al/  

In this episode, host Carrie Rollwagen discusses strategies for finding additional revenue streams for small businesses. She shares her own experiences from managing bookstores, offers practical tips such as leveraging employee input and unrelated talents, and suggests creative revenue-generating ideas like selling digital products, offering courses and creating memberships.   Mentioned in the episode: Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/ Former bookstore in trouble Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/saving-a-store-in-crisis-paying-creditors-and-bending-rules-at-an-indie-bookshop/ Little Professor Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/little-professor-goes-off-script-with-a-little-bookish-podcast/ Localist Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1490615510/the-localist-book-a-story-of-shopping-local Morgan Jones Johnston episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/building-a-creative-resource-with-morgan-jones-johnston/ Little Professor membership: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/pages/memberships Ladybird Taco episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/the-magic-behind-ladybird-taco/ Infomedia Studios: https://infomedia.com   

In this episode of The Localist, Duquette Johnston, founder of Club Duquette, discusses the evolution of his business from a brick-and-mortar store to an online community-focused brand, emphasizing the importance of personal connections and authentic customer engagement. He reflects on the challenges and transformations brought about by the pandemic, his vision for hyper-focusing on small businesses and the vital role of community building and trust.   Mentioned in this episode: Club Duquette Website: https://clubduquette.co/ Club Duquette Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clubduquette Communicating Vessels and Jeffrey Cain: https://communicatingvessels.com/communicating-vessels/ Clayton Chambers Spr.ezza newsletter: https://www.instagram.com/spr.ezza/?hl=en Great Bear Wax: https://burnbear.com/ Beverly Hills Juice: https://beverlyhillsjuice.com/ Creative Visualization book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/creative-visualization-use-the-power-of-your-imagination-to-create-what-you-want-in-your-life-shakti-gawain/7348612?ean=9781608684649 Buy Yourself the F*ing Lilies: https://bookshop.org/p/books/buy-yourself-the-f-cking-lilies-and-other-rituals-to-fix-your-life-from-someone-who-s-been-there-tara-schuster/12072763?ean=9780525509905 Frank and Pardis Stitt: https://stittrestaurantgroup.com/ Nine Orchard Hotel: https://nineorchard.com/ Human Design: https://www.ouiwegirl.com/astrology/your-guide-to-human-design Jungmaven: https://jungmaven.com/pages/about-us Ursa Major: https://www.ursamajorvt.com/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=677089607905&tw_campaign=19729963162&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyW6QQG-Y0RQhfnGssCMI4U7S0j4lmYnrgQdBqD6Oj6PQW2Ei5EmZCIaAoUREALw_wcB Stan Ray: https://www.stanray.com/ Rugged and Fancy: https://ruggedandfancy.com/ Evan Kinori: https://evankinori.com/  

Today, we're welcoming artist Morgan Jones Johnston, who discusses her intuitive approach to creativity, her new workbook "Create Anyway: The Average Person's Guide to Igniting Your Creative Spark" and the importance of fostering authentic human connections during the rise of AI. She emphasizes the value of continuous promotion, the significance of creativity beyond traditional art forms and her goal to offer high-value, sustainable content to help people explore their creativity. Rugged and Fancy Website: https://ruggedandfancy.com/ Rugged and Fancy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruggedandfancy Buy the workbook, Create Anyway: https://ruggedandfancy.com/products/create-anyway-the-average-person-s-guide-to-igniting-your-creative-spark-volume-1

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Alana Harmond, the creator of Frosted by Lane, about her journey in starting a side hustle selling decorative fake cakes. Alana shares her challenges in transitioning from product drops on Instagram to a Shopify store, the technical and logistical hurdles she has overcome and her strategies for budgeting and marketing. She also discusses the importance of developing unique products and expanding her business through social media and community events.  

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with physical therapist Jimmy Dunn about his clinic, The Total Joint. Dunn emphasizes a personalized, holistic approach to physical therapy, focusing on one-on-one care, community engagement and evidence-based treatments. The conversation also highlights challenges in the industry and the importance of effective marketing and professional expertise.  

This episode of The Localist features Brooks Veazy and Gabe Scott discussing the origin and evolution of Ladybird Taco, a breakfast taco concept with a focus on exceptional service. They emphasize the importance of creating a positive culture and meaningful experiences for both their staff and customers. The episode delves into their journey, from developing quality tortillas to expanding their business in Birmingham, highlighting the challenges and successes they faced along the way.  

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie talks with Johnny Grimes about his journey in restoring the music venue WorkPlay and his involvement in various business ventures like Furnace Fest and Wheelhouse. They discuss the importance of fearlessness, core values and community in business, and Johnny's hands-on approach to renovation and management.  

In this episode, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Katherine Thrower about her journey and expertise in organizing and hosting events through her venue, Workshop Local. Katherine shares insights on creating effective and engaging environments for various events, from small meetings to large retreats. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration, community and detailed planning.

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Josh and Mel Cosio, founders of Cala Coffee, exploring their journey fueled by coffee and community. They discuss the heart behind Cala Coffee, how they started the business and their expansion into brick-and-mortar locations, detailing the importance of branding, architecture, and their coffee cart in scaling the business.

This episode features a conversation between host Carrie Rollwagen and Michael Greene, co-owner of Faraway Theater. They discuss the origins of Faraway Theater and improv group Gladys, Michael's journey through the improv world, the group's approach to teaching improv and fostering a community, the business aspect of running the theater and the different courses and benefits it offers. Michael delves into how improv skills are beneficial in all walks of life. They stress the importance of keeping an audience engaged during performances and share information on how to attend shows or enroll in improv classes. For more details on classes, performances, or corporate retreats, Michael directs listeners to visit farawaybham.com or follow their social media handles.   Website and Socials Faraway Website: https://farawaybham.com/ Faraway Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farawaybham/ Gladys Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gladysimprov/?hl=en   Mentioned in this episode: Who's Line Is It Anyway: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKg_ZFByYTINckLG76cjUEg Wess Gregg of Sanctum Tattoos & Comics on Localist: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/making-a-career-from-what-you-love-with-wess-gregg-of-sanctum-tattoos-comics/ Vacant Manifesto: https://www.youtube.com/c/VacantManifesto derrick comedy: https://www.youtube.com/derrickcomedy Upright Citizens Brigade: https://ucbcomedy.com/ Peoples Improv Theater: https://thepit-nyc.com/ IO Chicago: https://ioimprov.com/ Groundlings: https://groundlings.com/school/online-classes?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PSvBhDjARIsAKc2cgN_LJPnW4N-A0ekQ79iHRzVePFyS1Hnop9HGBxibuUnfy-1x9acS8IaAisaEALw_wcB Ugly Baby: https://www.instagram.com/uglybabyimprov/ Harold form: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_(improvisation) Faraway Website: https://farawaybham.com/ Faraway Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farawaybham/ Gladys Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gladysimprov/?hl=en Improv for corporations:  info@farawaybham.com

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen chats with Meredith Robinson and McCall Hardison, who also host a podcast called A Little Bookish and work together at Little Professor Bookshop in Pepper Place. The episode opens with a discussion on podcasting — their reasons for podcasting, what it's like to host a podcast while working in a role that allows them to connect personally with their audience and how business podcasts are different from entertainment podcasts. McCall and Meredith talk details about Little Professor's membership program, their unique book club experience and ways they make book signings a better experience for everyone involved. Full show notes at carrierollwagen.com.  Mentioned in this episode: A Little Bookish podcast First episode of A Little Bookish with a business owner perspective Little Professor Membership Parnassus M. Judson The Bookshelf Thomasville Little Professor App New York Times Book Review podcast Infomedia's One Quick Coffee Event To get Carrie's podcasting PDF, subscribe to her newsletter and request it here. Bronze Horseman book Wild Robot Hope for the Flowers The Women Gladys Improv Harrison Scott Key book Olivetti book Designing Your New Work Life book Independent Bookstore Weekend Events at Little Professor Power of Moments  

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Daniel Drinkard, owner of Seasick Records, about owning a local music store and balancing the revival of vinyl with the practicalities of offering CDs and tapes. They delve into the community-centric events of Record Store Day, the thoughtful approach to merchandising, and the importance of fostering a welcoming atmosphere for music lovers of all kinds, from Taylor Swift fans to vinyl connoisseurs. Daniel shares insights on the evolution of his business, from the practicalities of store layout to valuing community over profit in the independent retail scene.   Mentioned in this episode: Seasick Website: https://seasickbham.com/ Seasick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasickrecords/ Record Store Day: https://recordstoreday.com/NewsItem/11083 Avondale Brewing: https://www.avondalebrewing.com/ Saturn: https://saturnbirmingham.com/ Firehouse: https://firehousecac.org/ Munchies: https://munchieson5th.net/ Cahaba Brewing: https://cahababrewing.com/ Mom's Basement: https://www.momsbham.com/ End of All Music: https://theendofallmusic.com/ Crestwood Pharmacy: https://www.bhamrx.com/ Sub Pop: https://www.subpop.com/ Secretly Canadian: https://secretlycanadian.com/ Alliance of Independent Media Stores: https://thealliancerocks.com/ Sure Shot: https://www.instagram.com/theshureshotdjs/ Earth Libraries: https://earthlibraries.com/ Lee Shook: https://www.instagram.com/theaudiovore/ Postal Service: https://postalservicemusic.net/