At Home With Roby

Colin Garner, co-founder and CEO of Wolf Line Construction, joins Trent and Patrick to talk entrepreneurship, bringing broadband to rural America, leadership, family, and the importance of being present wherever you are. Originally from British Columbia and now based in Charleston, Colin also shares more about his passion project in Revelstoke.

Tim Gustafson, Vistage Chair and President of Applied Leadership Coaching, shares how his career—including time at Capital One—led him to a deeper calling rooted in love, service, and helping others grow. An avid biker, Tim brings a unique perspective on leadership and purpose.

Todd Ehrlich, former Navy SEAL and founder of Kill Cliff and Rule 1 Ventures, shares how losing a teammate in the line of duty after 9/11 shaped his mission to give back through the Navy SEAL Foundation. Now building and investing in early-stage defense and startups, he looks for one thing: a clear path to real-world success.

After an early career pivot into entrepreneurship, Jeff Thompson took the reins at Charter Elevator—and hasn’t looked back. Now leading the company across the Carolinas, he’s focused on delivering high-quality elevator maintenance, repairs, and modernization while building long-term relationships with customers who value great service. At the core of it all is a simple principle: live a life of service.

From Germany to Charlotte, Alex Klaus shares how a book about Martin Luther King Jr. led him to study in the U.S. at Coastal Carolina University—and ultimately into entrepreneurship. From an unexpected start at Chanticleer Holdings to owning 18 locations with The Joint Chiropractic, he shares lessons on growth, culture, and mentorship through his company, Addisco Value.

17-year-old Rowan Haston is stepping into leadership as fundraising chair for her school’s Chick-fil-A Leadership Club. She’s leading “Pitchin’ for Chicken,” a student-run cornhole tournament supporting Strong Like AK, which supports families battling pediatric cancer—already raising $12,800. Rowan shares what she’s learning about leadership, follow-through, and the power of simply picking up the phone, all while staying grounded in her belief to be kind to everyone.

After his twin granddaughters were diagnosed with Batten disease in 2017, Stan Kahn and his family took action. From launching the ForeBatten Foundation to helping develop a life-extending treatment, their journey is one of resilience, innovation, and hope--culminating in a milestone 16th birthday.

Jef Pearce, owner of Salem Sales Group, joins Trent and Patrick to share insights from the front lines of the luxury kitchen and bath industry. From the growing outdoor cabinetry market to navigating tariffs, Jef breaks down what's shaping the space while emphasizing a simple principle that's guided his career - doing the right thing always wins. 

From small-town New Jersey to Charlotte real estate, Dan Irvin turned a recession-era pivot into opportunity. Now a partner at Nu Partners, he’s acquiring and revitalizing underperforming apartment communities to better serve middle-income families. With 10 deals down and a 471-unit Raleigh property under contract, Dan’s building more than investments—he’s building community.

Engineer turned entrepreneur, James Wyler went from Georgia Tech to helping scale Skookum to leading Trusted Security Solutions — a global software company serving banks across nearly every continent. Now he’s building a Charlotte-based holding company and preparing for EO leadership.

Jeanna Holmes, owner of Charlotte In-Vironments, joins Trent and Patrick to share her journey from growing up in Charlotte to buying her mother's design firm. She talks about carrying on her mom’s legacy, leading the business today, and collaborating on many Roby projects along the way. 

This week on At Home With Roby, John Forgan shares his journey from navigating the financial crisis at Wachovia to leading markets at PNC and First Horizon—now serving as President of Integrated Insurance Solutions. Writing in 43 states and focused on construction risk and bonding, John believes insurance should be an asset, not a commodity.

This week, Trent and guest host David McGuire, sit down with Aaron Bock, Managing Partner of Opkalla. Aaron dives into his unexpected leap from working at PWC to later leading a vender-neutral tech advisory firm and shares hard-earned lessons on networking, trust, and why doing what you say you'll do is the real competitive edge.

Boat captain, entrepreneur, and longtime friend of the late Doug Lebda, Seth Laws joins Trent and Patrick for a reflective conversation about life on the water, pivotal T-Zero moments, and lessons learned from loss, risk, and reinvention. From sport fishing to regenerative farming, Seth shares why time is the one thing you can never get back.

On this week’s episode, Saxby Morehead, CFO of the Roby Family of Companies, joins the podcast to talk about his journey from auditor to CFO, what he’s learning in his new role at Roby, and the importance on discipline. 

This week, Walt Steele, CEO of Pine Hall Brick, joins At Home with Roby to talk leadership, legacy, and paying your dues in a fourth-generation business. From the yard to the C-suite, Walt shares how Pine Hall is growing, evolving, and thinking about what comes next.

Ben Collins of Morrison Millwork joins the show to talk about rebuilding during the recession, learning from early mistakes, and shifting the business toward windows and engineered wood products. He shares insights on working with contractors, serving builders at every price point, and leading with love, even when it’s hard.

Buddy Persons, owner of Persons Services Corp., joins Trent and Patrick to share the story behind the company’s growth—from its beginnings as a plumbing business founded in Mobile, Alabama in 1978 to a global operation spanning construction, infrastructure, industrial work, and disaster recovery. Buddy also discusses their current disaster relief efforts in North Carolina and the people-first mindset driving everything they do.

This week on At Home With Roby, Michael Van Wingerden joins Trent and Patrick to share how Metrolina Greenhouses—started by his father—grew from a family operation in Huntersville to supplying annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees to over 1,400 retail garden centers along the East Coast. From you grow when your clients grow to building the business alongside his siblings, Michael talks hard work, family, and honoring his father’s American dream.

On this week’s episode of At Home With Roby, Chad Martin of Martin Management Group shares how he stepped into the family business during a recession and carried his family’s 40-year automotive dream forward—right when the industry was at its toughest.

This week, Trent and Patrick sit down with Chad Abernethy—CEO of Abernethy Contracting and YPO member—to unpack nearly a century of family grit. From a 1926 lumber village in NoDa to rebuilding the business from the ground up, Chad shares the work ethic, leadership lessons, and tough decisions that shaped his path. They talk legacy, the next generation in construction, and what leading differently looks like today.

This week, Trent and Patrick meet with Will Jones, President & CEO of Thompson Child & Family Focus—a not-for-profit changing lives through early childhood, family stability, and mental health support. Will shares his passion for helping families and the power of community and timely support.

This week Trent and Patrick are joined by Charlotte native Jon Brady whose family has been in the entertainment game for nearly a century. From his grandfather’s 1920s coin-operated game and jukebox business to supplying spots like Dave & Buster’s through Brady Distributing Company, Jon shares how the evolution of gaming led to his next venture—Sports Connection in Ballantyne—and even a small-world tie to Andrew Roby.

This week, Trent and Patrick chat with Josh Russom, CEO and President of Momentum Holdings — a company overseeing 16 successful businesses across automotive, construction, marine, real estate, and finance. From humble beginnings to building a powerhouse portfolio, Josh shares how grit and smart pivots shaped his entrepreneurial journey.

This week on At Home With Roby, Trent and Patrick are joined by Laura VanSickle of Closets by Design Charlotte. From launching her franchise on a back porch in North Carolina to serving families across the Carolinas, Laura shares how she’s built lasting trust through quality work — designing for clients, their kids, and even their grandkids.

This week on At Home With Roby, Eric Vargosko joins Trent and Patrick fresh off Diamond Creek to talk about his journey from owning hair salons during the recession to flying planes and building a successful career in real estate and development.

This week, Trent and Patrick chat with Riley Shaw from Crete Solutions — a young professional who runs 14 concrete plants and still finds time for other business ventures. Riley talks about how he got started, the logistics of the concrete business, and how he loves getting his hands dirty.

This week on At Home with Roby, Irishman Brian Boland of HTL Freight joins Trent and Patrick to share how his parents’ values, Irish heritage, and love of math led him to entrepreneurship. Brian discovered his passion during a class at Emory and never looked back.

This week on At Home with Roby, Trent and Patrick sit down with Steve Scalia, President of Tanner Pharma Group. Steve shares his journey from running a motorcycle shop to leading a global company dedicated to improving access to lifesaving medicine.

On this week’s episode of At Home With Roby, Trent and Patrick are joined by Mario Mendigana. Mario shares his incredible journey — moving from Ecuador to North Carolina in his 20s, working two jobs with little sleep, and climbing the ranks in the building cleaning industry before launching his own company, Elite Touch Cleaning Services. Tune in for a story of perseverance, entrepreneurship, and the power of chasing your dreams!

In Part 3 of Trent’s story, he shares how the recession nearly took Roby under—and how grit, vertical integration, and a focus on people pulled them through. From launching new divisions to adopting EOS for accountability, Trent and Patrick reflect on hard choices, lasting partnerships, and living by the golden rule.

This week on At Home With Roby, Trent and Patrick sit down with Colin Sullivan of Renewal by Andersen. From installing windows in Charlotte to leading expanded operations across the Carolinas, Colin shares his family’s journey and what it’s like taking the reins after his dad “rewired.”

This week on At Home With Roby, we welcome Cienna Casillas, the newest Bridge Foundation scholarship recipient. Hear how she found her calling in forensic pathology and the path she’s charting at High Point University—alongside insights from Ross Kirwan, volunteer leader of The Bridge Foundation.

In part 2 of this solo episode, Trent Haston dives into the recession years and the challenges that tested both him and the company—proving that growing pains can lead to lasting strength.

Trent Haston joins Patrick MacIsaac on this solo episode of At Home with Roby to share how working Saturdays for his dad at Andrew Roby—helping a brick mason and picking up life lessons—laid the foundation for leading The Roby Family of Companies.

Chris Moxley, co-founder of 704 Shop, joins Trent and Patrick on At Home with Roby. Chris shares how a love of music, Charlotte pride, and creative hustle led to building one of the city’s most iconic brands. Hear how 704 grew through pop-ups and collabs, and how they’re now expanding their B2B presence while giving back to the community that built them.

Growing up in Florida and attending the University of Florida set him on a path to radio. He explored all kinds of jobs and careers before landing where he is now producing a radio show, running social media, and launching his own podcast. Check out his podcast, Los Yappers, where he chats about everyday life, laughs, and everything in between.

David Kostmayer, Partner at GBK Advisors, joins Trent and Patrick on “At Home with Roby”. From small-town Mississippi to starting a business with almost nothing during the recession, he’s all about community and connection. Hosting EO events like Global Dinner Day is his favorite where good food and even better conversations come to life.

Patrick​ ​Stack,​ ​president​ ​of​ ​Anthem​ ​Rugby​ ​Carolina,​ ​joins​ ​Trent​ ​and​ ​Patrick​ ​on​ ​“At​ ​Home​ ​with​ ​Roby”.​ ​Patrick​ ​relocated​ ​to​ ​pursue​ ​a​ ​career​ ​in​ ​sports​ ​and​ ​found​ ​his​ ​way​ ​into​ ​rugby.​ ​Now,​ ​he​ ​shares​ ​his​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​the​ ​game​ ​with​ ​others​ ​and​ ​highlights​ ​that​ ​Charlotte​ ​ranks​ ​as​ ​the​ ​third-largest​ ​youth​ ​rugby​ ​market​ ​in​ ​the​ ​nation.

Brandon Stewart, with Hydra Live Therapy, joins Trent and Patrick on “At Home with Roby”. Brandon shares his unique entrepreneurial journey — from growing up in Georgia and attending UGA, to diving into private equity, launching a Jimmy John’s, and then finding his passion in the wellness space.

Brian Pace, with Pace Development Group, joins Trent and Patrick on "At Home with Roby". Brian shares how he built a family business, overcame recession challenges, and got involved with the HBA—eventually recruiting Trent. Hear personal stories and insights from his journey.

Ben Murphy, President of Hospitality Logistics International, Joins Trent and Patrick on “At Home with Roby”. Ben discusses how he grew Hospitality Logistics International, what led him to relocate the business to Charlotte, and offers valuable insights into the ever-evolving hospitality industry. Tune in as Ben, Trent, and Patrick dive into the realities of building a business, the importance of perseverance, and the lessons learned along the way.

Bristol Coon joins Trent and Patrick on “At Home with Roby”. Originally from Newport Beach, CA, Bristol shares how a lifelong love for writing and storytelling progressed into a career in country music. Today, you can find Bristol in Nashville, TN where he is busy writing, performing and living out his dream.

Russell Nash, CEO of Legacy Lighting, joins Trent and Patrick on “At Home with Roby”. Russell talks about how he moved from the banking to the lighting industry and the founding of Legacy Lighting in 2013. He also shares details about the company’s growth over the years which he attributes to its exceptional team and their core values of honesty, integrity, and mutual respect. 

Jack Ossa, Founder and Principal of Ossa Studio, returns to “At Home with Roby”. The guys discuss the process of building a brand, storytelling through branding and the impact of podcasting. His own podcast, The Power of Design, is nearing its 100th episode and centers on commercial real estate, design, and construction.

Trey Mauck, Agency Principal of Integrated Insurance Solutions, joins Trent and Patrick on “At Home with Roby”. Founded in September 2001 in Ashburn, VA, Integrated Insurance Solutions has 8 locations in the mid-Atlantic and over 80 employees. Trey shares details about the company’s steady growth over the years, his passion for the insurance industry and insights into what drives his commitment to the business and his clients.

Nick Mayes joins Trent and Patrick on “At Home with Roby”. Tune in to learn about the start of Trent and Nick’s friendship that dates back 34 years, the job fair Nick attended that changed the trajectory of his career, and how asking questions and learning from others guided him into both healthcare and commercial real estate.

Jack Salzman, founder of Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, joins Trent and Patrick on “At Home with Roby”. Tune in to hear about Jack’s education and time as a competitive swimmer, how a cell phone business led him to a career in the automotive industry, how he and his wife give back to the community through their charity, Giving with Grace, and his latest business venture, The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen. Slated to open this September, The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen is a unique indoor/outdoor sports and entertainment complex offering pickleball, Topgolf, dining and bar experiences.  

Longtime Roby client and friend, Peter Hollett, joins Trent and Patrick on “At Home with Roby”. In 2024, Peter sold his business, celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary and welcomed his first grandchild into the world. Tune in to hear how Peter and his wife celebrated their anniversary by embarking on 40 impactful experiences throughout the year and about his new role spearheading a capital campaign for local non-profit, Furnish for Good. 

Dan Bailey with Four Corners Foundation joins Trent and Patrick on “At Home with Roby”. Four Corners Foundation is an organization dedicated to transforming struggling high school athletic departments into thriving programs through equipment support, booster club development,community engagement, and financial coaching. The group aims to bridge the gap between well-funded and underfunded schools by providing immediate resources and long-term solutions that ensure sustainable and high-quality athletic programs for ALL students. Tune in to hear about Four Corner Foundation’s inaugural golf tournament happening Monday, May 12 to raise funds for the organization and Dan’s new position as Head Coach of the men’s varsity soccer team at Harding University High School.