Epic Entrepreneurs

What happens when disaster destroys a successful business? For Sherrye Coggiola, Hurricane Helene's devastation of her 15-year restaurant venture became an unexpected doorway to a new entrepreneurial chapter as a business broker with Transworld of Western North Carolina.

Sherrye unveils the true mechanics of business valuation, explaining why most businesses sell for 1.5 to 3.5 times earnings and how owners can dramat...

Meet Calvin Denny, the founder of Atlas Mountain Contractors, who took an unconventional path from mental health professional to successful contractor. Calvin's refreshingly candid account of his entrepreneurial journey reveals both the challenges and unexpected simplicities of launching a business in the trades.

"I wish I would have done it sooner," Calvin confesses when reflecting on his first year in busi...

Erik Fabian transforms everyday sourdough challenges into innovative kitchen solutions with Sourhouse, born from his own bread-baking frustrations during the pandemic. 

What makes this entrepreneurial story particularly compelling is Eric's thoughtful approach to business building. Rather than rushing to market during the initial COVID sourdough craze, he spent two years perfecting his product. This patience positione...

What happens when a musician's frustration transforms into a thriving video production business? Ben's transition to filmmaking began when he noticed videographers missing key musical moments during performances. Taking matters into his own hands, he started directing his own music videos, discovering that his musical background translated perfectly to visual storytelling. Beyond technical skills, Ben credits his success ...

Two Jons with a trailer, a walk-behind mower, and absolutely zero business education decided to start a landscaping company. Seven years later, they're maintaining the grounds at Amazon's Asheville facility and transforming backyards into community-building spaces. This is the refreshingly honest story of Smith & Lloyd Landscaping.

Jon Lloyd pulls back the curtain on the entrepreneurial journey with disarming...

Waska Finkelstein joins the Epic Entrepreneurs podcast to share his remarkable 40-year journey through professional video production and personal transformation. 

At the heart of our conversation is Arthur Ashe's powerful quote that guides Waska's philosophy: "From what we get, we can make a living. From what we give, however, makes a life." This perspective has shaped how Waska approaches his video pro...

Dustin from Junkernaut shares how his Asheville-based junk removal company transforms spaces and lives through compassionate cleanup and crisis management. His business philosophy centers on addressing the root causes of clutter while ensuring environmental responsibility by finding the highest purpose for removed items.

• Junkernaut specializes in hoarding situations and helping clients dealing with trauma, physical limit...

Mitch Roedel from Boxwood Homes shares how his construction company pivoted their "Our Plans Your Land" program to support hurricane victims while maintaining their core business of building pre-designed homes across Western North Carolina. He offers valuable insights on navigating the contracting business, managing customer expectations, and finding work-life balance in an industry known for demanding schedules.

What one metric could transform your business? In Continental Airlines' remarkable story, a new CEO took the company from ranking 20th in customer satisfaction to becoming a top performer by focusing exclusively on improving on-time departures. This powerful example demonstrates how finding the right measurement can completely change your business trajectory.

In this episode, Bill talks about how to incorporate four d...

Unlock the secrets to construction business growth with Greg Junge of Junge Construction, as he shares his journey and expertise in our latest episode. Discover how Greg, a second-generation general contractor, transitioned from remodeling to high-end new construction, emphasizing the importance of strong client relationships and strategic networking.

Explore effective business growth strategies by understanding the art of...

Join us as we sit down with the inspiring April Nash from the Western Women's Business Center, who shares her journey from a budding entrepreneur to a pivotal community leader in Western North Carolina. If you've ever wondered how to transform a business idea into a viable opportunity, this episode is a treasure trove of insights. April discusses the ample resources available to entrepreneurs, from business planning and m...

Shelton and Joe from the Wrong Way River Lodge share their incredible journey through adversity after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on their business. With resilience and strategic planning, they quickly restored their operations and emphasized the importance of partnerships, preparation, and community engagement.

• Outlining the origin story of Wrong Way River Lodge
• Sharing experiences of facing Hurricane Alene and...

Russ's story is one of resilience and reinvention, especially in the face of a natural disaster that devastated the business. Undeterred, Russ and his team, supported by the community's goodwill, demonstrated remarkable determination to rebuild and relocate. This episode sheds light on the realities of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the dedication, energy, and strategic planning required to overcome adversity and keep...

Discover the inspiring journey of Ben Colvin, co-owner of Devil's Foot, as he shares how dissatisfaction with overly sweet cocktails led to the birth of a craft ginger beer brand that champions quality non-alcoholic options. From the humble beginnings of homebrewing in a garage to distributing over a million cans annually, Ben opens up about the transition from his conservation nonprofit work to entrepreneurship. This episode ...

Professional photographer Carol from Asheville joins us for a conversation filled with resilience and creativity. She opens up about the daunting challenge of rebuilding her business after Hurricane Helene, turning adversity into an opportunity for rebranding in 2025. Carol’s journey from her high school photography days to a successful career in concert photography is inspiring, and her current focus on bringing out the unique per...

Tim and Leslie Grotenhuis join us for a remarkable exploration into the world of race directing and entrepreneurship. After moving to Asheville in 2005 and immersing themselves in the running community, this passionate pair transformed their volunteer work into Kick It Events, a flourishing business birthed in 2014. They reveal how Leslie's production coordination skills and Tim's web design expertise paved the way for th...

Imagine transforming your passion for craftsmanship into a thriving business. That's exactly what Houston Trim did, and today, he's sharing his inspiring journey from the workshop to founding Innovex Renovations in Asheville. We promise you'll glean priceless insights as Houston recounts his transition from working with his father in the trades to mastering the nuances of running a business. He candidly reveals how h...

Unlock the secrets to transforming your organization's visibility and credibility through the power of public relations with insights from our guest, Kyle Parks of Parks PR. From Asheville, NC to the Tampa Bay area, Kyle shares his expertise on how PR has evolved beyond traditional media, utilizing platforms like social media and e-newsletters to craft impactful strategies tailored to any budget. Whether you're navigating...

This episode centers on the innovative design agency 40 Hearts, exploring its founders' collaborative approach to overcoming challenges in the design industry. The conversation emphasizes the significance of community, work-life balance, and how their unique business model redefines success beyond traditional hustle culture.

• Overview of 40 Hearts and its founding partners 
• The importance of community engagemen...