
Hosted by Coastal Carolina Network, LLC · EN

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.The creation of the 717mkt Office Collaborative in Wilmington, NC https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankristof/ https://www.717mkt.com/

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 leader and CEO for several companies. The importance of having an abundance mindset, and how helping others is a great way to help yourself https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnemonahan/https://www.vistage.com/

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 Adam https://www.linkedin.com/in/theadamshay/

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 community; The Coalition https://genesisblockilm.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/girard-newkirk-21137b70/

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 family or organization survive without profits and positive cash flow?Who and how to qualify for WARM NC services. https://www.warmnc.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-jones-mdiv-7a70a9b/

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 a variety of services and platforms supporting entrepreneurs Be intentional, Be authentic - the Universe is listening.https://www.liveoakchannel.com/linkedin.com/in/chakema-clinton-quintana-99a8b179

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 radio showhttps://recordbarilm.com/https://www.stroudcompanycpa.com/

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 the nickname “Hoop”?!https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-d-hoop-morgan-iii-702592/ https://theforteinstitute.com/

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://wilmingtondowntown.com/

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/