FXBG Neighbors Podcast

A salon can be more than a service—it can be a sanctuary. We sit with stylist and founder Erica Mynar to unpack how Girl Time, her one-on-one salon suite in Fredericksburg, delivers calm energy, honest guidance, and gorgeous blonding without the noise or rush of a crowded floor. From the first hello to the final style, Erica designs every moment to feel personal, present, and pressure-free, so clients leave with great hair and real...

What if a neighborhood salon could change the way a city feels about itself? We sit down with master stylist and educator Ruby Brown from The Haven Salon and Beauty Bar to explore how craft, mentorship, and community care can live under one roof—and why that mix builds confidence that lasts longer than a haircut.

Ruby shares her path from earning a license right out of high school to becoming an educator and collective lea...

Think orthodontics starts when the last baby tooth leaves? We dig into the earlier, smarter path with Dr. Mohammed Abdulateef of One Orthodontics, revealing how a simple age-seven check can prevent extractions, shorten treatment, and even reduce the chance of jaw surgery. This is a story of a first-day dental school friendship that became a Fredericksburg practice grounded in community, clarity, and care.

We walk through w...

Money should feel calm, not confusing. We sat down with family financial coach Juliana Alcantara of Financial Health Solutions to talk about practical ways parents, couples, and newlyweds can create a plan that fits real life—without giving up joy or relying on rigid rules. From her early days as a bank teller to years in public accounting, Juliana brings a grounded view of cash flow, debt, and the human habits that make or break a...

A 16-foot trailer, hand-built shelves, and the smell of custom candles set the stage for one of the most heartwarming business stories in Fredericksburg. We sit down with English teacher and founder Katie O’Mara, who turned a spark of inspiration and a meaningful family legacy into The Book Market FXBG—a mobile bookstore that proves curation, community, and local makers can outshine any algorithm.

Katie shares how a modest...

Want a clearer path from talent to opportunity in Fredericksburg? We sit down with Marcus Toler, the driving force behind Go Local FXBG, to unpack a simple but powerful blueprint: teach teens real skills, remove cost barriers for small businesses, and connect nonprofits with new audiences so local ideas can take root. Marcus brings lived experience—from hustling DJ to self-taught marketer—to show how practical training and funded s...

A single Black Friday camera and a lot of grit—Tyrone Brown’s path with Clean Images proves you don’t need the fanciest gear to build a real photography business. We invited Tyrone to share how a college side project turned into a trusted Fredericksburg brand, why he still centers photography over video, and what it takes to capture both intimate portraits and large community events with clarity and heart.

We dig into the ...

What if your workout didn’t require childcare, guilt, or unrealistic “bounce back” pressure? We sat down with Lyndsay Woods of SLAM Quantico—Sweat Like a Mother—to explore a fitness community built for moms, with kids welcome and strength training that respects every phase of pregnancy and postpartum.

Lyndsay walks us through how SLAM runs classes outdoors by local playgrounds across Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Dale City...

What happens when a background investigator swaps case files for contour palettes and a rolling kit? We sit down with Jeet of Glam by Jeet to trace a bold career pivot that blends precision, creativity, and a deep love for people. From early days jumping into military ball season to shaping a mobile beauty brand across Fredericksburg, Stafford, Loudoun, and the greater DMV, Jeet opens up about building trust, celebrating natural fe...

Small business stories often sound glamorous from the outside, but the truth is built from grit, late nights, and a stubborn belief that service matters. We sit down with Jessica “Jessi” Ferguson of Less Messy with Jessi Detailing to explore how a woman-owned, family-run operation grew from one set of tools into a trusted mobile and garage-based service across Fredericksburg and surrounding counties. You’ll hear how she learned the...

Overwhelm has a way of hiding in plain sight—piled on the dining table, stacked by the stairs, tucked into closets we try not to open. Organizer and entrepreneur Aimey Giacinto joins us to share how Tidy Transformations helps families, teachers, and everyday neighbors turn the page on clutter and reclaim spaces that actually support their lives. Her story begins at a crossroads: a broken job promise, two kids, and a mortgage due—th...

A Marine’s grit meets science-backed wellness in a candid, practical conversation with Charlie Evans, founder of Faithfully Fit and Frugal. We dig into the moment she realized nine-mile runs and 100-calorie snacks weren’t a plan, just a fast track to burnout. That wake-up call led to strength training, smarter nutrition, and a mindset-first approach that now helps busy women over 40 feel strong, energized, and confident without res...

What happens when a playwright hears “we only do revivals” one time too many? We sit down with Malanna Henderson, founder of Somewhere in Time Productions, to trace how a single no became a stage for yes—yes to original scripts, yes to local talent, and yes to stories that pull you in close. Malanna opens the door to The History Lesson, a gripping new play set in 1860s Richmond where a lawyer secretly teaches an enslaved woman to r...

A tiny cricket with big feelings, a sleepless mouse with too much excitement, and a mission to bring books back into bustling homes—this conversation with children’s author Tammy Christian is a warm reminder that reading is one of the simplest ways to raise confident, curious kids. We dive into the heart of her stories, from Too Excited To Sleep to Eric The Colorful Cricket Starts Kindergarten, and get a sneak peek at a festive new...

A troll who loves snacks, a dragon with good intentions, and a city full of stories—this conversation lifts the curtain on how reading support can be both deeply personal and wildly fun. We welcome educator and author Jacquelene D'Amico, founder of Smart Cookies Education Services, to share how individualized tutoring turns reluctant readers into confident communicators and why local settings can spark big learning moments.

Real stories land best when they’re anchored in service, and that’s exactly why this conversation with Antoinette Tyner stands out. A former early childhood educator and veteran, Antoinette brings a teacher’s patience and a strategist’s focus to real estate, leading the Elegance Home Team with a spirit of excellence that shows up in every call, showing, and signature. We dig into what buyers and sellers actually need to know right ...

A quiet salon suite can change everything. We sat down with Kat Halstead of Kat’s Beauty Lounge to explore how a private, judgment-free space helps clients feel seen, stylists work with clarity, and the end result lasts longer than a single good-hair day. Kat’s journey—from a post-divorce restart to a purpose-led beauty studio—reveals why craft and calm belong together, and how a small room can hold big transformation.

We ...

Ready to trade comfort for purpose—without leaping blind? We sit down with Layonna Collado, the founder of Bliss Beauty Bar Aesthetics in Fredericksburg, to unpack how she left a steady 9–5 and built a two-time award-winning, all-inclusive spa during the most uncertain time in recent memory. From the earliest YouTube tutorials to opening her doors post-quarantine, Layonna shows how a clear plan, relentless education, and client-fir...

A new house with bare walls and a long to-do list doesn’t just test your patience—it can spark a business that serves a whole neighborhood. That’s how Lawrence Adams turned a personal need for TV mounting, blinds, and furniture assembly into Lyndale's Honey Do List, a trusted local service built on speed, care, and integrity. We walk through his path from helping friends in Embrey Mill to creating a repeatable, professional pr...