North Carolina Business Minds
The newsrooms from Triad Business Journal, Charlotte Business Journal and Triangle Business Journal bring you the top stories and exclusive interviews from across the state of North Carolina throughout the month.
Episodes
50 episodes
Truliant CEO talks growth, competition, merger scars, stablecoin
Todd Hall, President and CEO of Truliant Federal Credit Union, joins North Carolina Business Minds to discuss how the triad's largest locally headquartered financial institution has grown assets by 65% to over $5 billion and expanded membership...
Rebel With Receipts: How Cindy Eckert Built a Billion-Dollar Company and Fought for Women's Sexual Health
Meet Cindy Eckert — serial entrepreneur, pharmaceutical innovator, and self-described "rebel with receipts." In this episode, Lauren Onus of the Triangle Business Journal sits down with the woman behind the Pink Pill to trace her remarkable jou...
Meet the new boss (PGA's Adam Sperling)
In this conversation, Adam Sperling, executive director of the Truist Championship, tells Erik Spanberg about the return of Charlotte’s annual PGA Tour event after stepping aside for the PGA Championship in 2025. Sperling came to Charlotte in 2...
Lowes Foods president on navigating snow chaos, defending turf in grocery wars
Winston-Salem-based grocer returns to Charlotte with six stores, plans new Triangle locations. CEO reflects on Carolinas' snowmageddon, talks competition, mulls potential disruption from Buc-ee's.
Navigating NC's venture capital landscape
Lauren Ohnesorge sits down with Jason Caplain, general partner and co-founder of Bull City Venture Partners, to trace his journey from 80th employee at Red Hat to one of the Triangle's most established venture capitalists. Jason shares how a $5...
Leading from the start
In this conversation, former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot tells Erik Spanberg about his lifetime of leadership roles, from Eagle Scout to mayor, with an interval on Dean Smith’s UNC Chapel Hill basketball team. Vinroot, an attorney by trade,...
Why this restaurateur is opening a new concept as N.C. loses beloved dining spots
Chef Freddy Lee runs nine restaurants across two states. His newest will open this summer, not in a major metro, but in a small town made famous by Andy Griffith. He talks industry headwinds, and offers a stunning insight on chefs' own dining h...
NC entrepreneur turns love of flight into thriving jet service
In this conversation, Jim Segrave, CEO and founder of flyExclusive, shares his journey from his early days in aviation to building a successful business in the private jet industry. After selling a previous company to Delta Air Lines, Segrave's...
Inside the end of Carolina Business Review — and what comes next
In this episode, Chris William reflects on the journey of creating and sustaining the Carolina Business Review over three decades. He discusses the challenges of gaining buy-in across two states, the importance of community engagement and the e...
Housing shortage threatens momentum. Hardister talks development, density and solutions
North Carolina is facing a critical housing shortage with an estimated 800,000 units needed statewide. As major employers like Toyota, Boom Supersonic and JetZero bring tens of thousands of jobs to the state, the question becomes urgent: Where ...
The Journey of Golf Pride: Insights from CEO, Jamie Ledford
amie Ledford, president of Golf Pride, shares insights into the evolution of the brand, his career journey from a small town to leading a global golf company, and the importance of innovation and corporate culture. He discusses the challenges f...
PSA Airlines Lands in Charlotte
In this conversation, PSA Airlines CEO Dion Flannery tells Erik Spanberg about the company’s headquarters relocation to Charlotte — a move consummated during a challenging time for the airline and the industry. Flannery and his colleagues endur...
Wake Forest's president talks departure, higher ed outlook, ACC
As universities face enrollment challenges and questions about the value of a college degree, Wente discusses Wake Forest's position and strategies needed for today's higher ed challenges.
Director Valerie Hillings sees new possibilities for North Carolina Museum of Art
Seven years into leading the N.C. Museum of Art, Valerie Hillings is looking to broaden the Raleigh museum's reach. Here, she speaks with Dane Huffman of the Triangle Business Journal for the next edition of North Carolina Business Minds
The Office Market Reset: Inside North Carolina’s Rebound with Chuck McShane
North Carolina’s office market is in a new phase, one defined by strong absorption, renewed corporate expansion and rapid leasing in Charlotte’s top towers. CoStar’s Chuck McShane joins NC Business Minds to explain why 2025 became the turning p...
Elon University president talks Queens merger, new dyslexia academy and higher ed survival
From a merger to a groundbreaking dyslexia academy to a complex 130,000-square-foot wellness facility, Elon's president reveals timelines and strategies behind the university's major expansion projects in the Triad and Charlotte.
From elevators to employee rights: Commissioner Farley brings new perspective to N.C. Labor Department
The Triangle Business Journal’s Dane Huffman sits down with North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, Luke Farley. In this episode, Commissioner Farley shares the story behind his photo in every elevator, discusses the state’s booming growth, and e...
Putting the buzz back in Buzz City: Hornets’ president on big moves
Shelly Cayette-Weston, the Charlotte Hornets’ president of business operations, started her marketing career with Caesars Entertainment and then shifted to pro basketball. Now with her third NBA team, Cayette-Weston is leading a revamped front ...
Sports biz mogul Andy Kaufmann on NC's appeal
From hockey to baseball to women's basketball, learn how Zawyer Sports is bringing new pro teams to cities across North Carolina and attracting high-profile investors along the way.
From Challenges to Triumph: Leadership in Higher Education
In this conversation, Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon discusses her journey into higher education and her current role at North Carolina Central University. She highlights the challenges and successes in enrollment growth, financial stability, and t...
Home improvement: Charlotte’s Push for Affordable Housing
Host Erik Spanberg interviews historian Tom Hanchett about Charlotte’s efforts to address spiraling affordable housing needs and how those efforts offer lessons across the state and nation. Hanchett explains the myths and realities of 80 years ...
NASCAR legend Richard Childress talks racing, bull riding, wine and possibly bourbon
NASCAR legend Richard Childress shares his journey from a $20 race car to an empire spanning racing, manufacturing, vineyards, and bull riding. Could bourbon be the next frontier?
NC's AI & Energy Evolution with Kendal Bowman
Lauren Ohnesorge sits down with Kendal Bowman, North Carolina President for Duke Energy, to explore her journey from law school to leading in the energy sector. They discuss North Carolina's booming data center industry, the transformativ...
The Industrial Real Estate Landscape
In this conversation, Chris Skibinski shares his extensive experience in the industrial real estate sector, discussing the evolution of the Charlotte market, the impact of major players like Amazon and Macy's, and the trends shaping the future ...
Bobby Long reflects on Wyndham's impact, JetZero's promise, Jimmy Buffett's inspiration, and Jim Melvin's legacy
In this episode of NC Business Minds, Bobby Long, co-chairman of the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation and a key figure in the Wyndham Championship, discusses the intersection of golf, business and leadership, reflecting on the late Jim Melv...