The Localist with Carrie Rollwagen

What if the reason you opened a business had nothing to do with profit? In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Cierra Lober, founder of Cha House, a community hub centered around a tea house in Avondale, Birmingham. Cierra did not set out to open a tea shop. She set out to build a community center, and she chose tea as the method — specifically the traditional Chinese practice of Gong Fu Cha, where small pots of loose-leaf tea are steeped again and again, slowing you down and making you present with the people around you. Cierra talks about why she started Cha House, how five years of pop-up events led her to a brick-and-mortar space next to Beloved Community Church in Avondale, what it felt like to have four strangers volunteer to work for free because they wanted the space to survive, how she manages a seven-day-a-week event calendar, what she has learned about training staff for a community-first business, and what it actually takes to build a real third place in Birmingham. Whether you are running a traditional business, a mission-driven business or just someone who wonders what it would look like to build something around community first, this episode is warm, honest and full of ideas.  🎥 Watch the Full Episode on YouTube ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Mentioned in This Episode Cha House Birmingham: https://www.chahousebham.com Cha House event request form: https://www.chahousebham.com/events Burdock Book Collective (shares space with Cha House): https://www.instagram.com/burdockbookcollective Being Tea Chicago (Cierra's tea teachers): https://www.beingtea.com The Craft Room episode of The Localist: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/how-the-craft-room-turns-creativity-into-community-blakely-oconnor/ Beloved Community Church Avondale (Cha House landlord):http://www.belovedcommunitychurch.org/ Alabama Arise (nonprofit that held private event at Cha House: https://alarise.org/ Autism Spectrum Society of Birmingham (monthly meetup at Cha House): https://autism-alabama.org/ ______________________________________________________________________________________________  📢 Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia, a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company that helps small businesses get big results online. Contact Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is our free live marketing event series for small business owners, held on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Each session features practical strategies you can use right away, plus free tacos and coffee. See upcoming events and register

What if the reason your small business marketing isn't working has nothing to do with your budget, your platform or your posting schedule? This episode is a live recording from Localist Lab, our free monthly marketing event for small business owners in Birmingham. Marketing consultant Laine White of Uptick Marketing joined Carrie Rollwagen on stage at Saturn in Avondale to share a simple three-question framework that reveals where most small business marketing goes wrong — and exactly what to fix first. Laine walks through the three questions every piece of marketing needs to answer: Is it clear what you are selling? Is it clear why they need to buy? And is it clear what they need to do next? She works through real examples, a live Q&A with the audience, and some honest talk about Google ads, AI in marketing and what actually moves the needle for small businesses with limited budgets. If you have ever felt like your marketing is not working but you could not figure out why, this episode gives you a framework you can apply to everything — your website, your ads, your social media — starting today.  🎥 Watch the Full Episode on YouTube ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Mentioned in This Episode Uptick Marketing: https://www.uptickmarketing.com Infomedia: https://infomedia.com Tempo Websites: https://tempowebsites.com Infomedia Studios: https://infomedia.com/studios Nielsen Norman Group (10-second value proposition study): https://www.nngroup.com StoryBrand by Donald Miller: https://storybrand.com Cala Coffee: https://www.calacoffeeco.com I Clean Cars (Tucker White's mobile detailing business): https://icleancars.com Hattie O'Hara (One Week in Birmingham) — Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/how-influencer-hattie-ohara-built-the-one-week-in-birmingham-brand Matt Robinson (Google Ads expert at Uptick — add LinkedIn/link): https://uptickmarketing.com/blog/author/mattrobinson/ Laine's LinkedIn post: Three free things you can do to promote your small business: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/laine-white-735aba150_marketing-directors-its-that-time-of-year-activity-7394807835714437120-iH24?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACZJCWQBuZLTu8SfILmK-EEv2IWLz7TCBsU ______________________________________________________________________________________________  📢 Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia, a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company that helps small businesses get big results online. Contact Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is our free live marketing event series for small business owners, held on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Each session features practical strategies you can use right away, plus free tacos and coffee. See upcoming events and register

Can a small business in Birmingham actually work with a local influencer? And if so, how do you even start? In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Laine White, Marketing Consultant and Innovation Strategist at Uptick Marketing, to answer real audience questions about local influencer marketing. Laine made a semi-viral Instagram post about how small businesses are missing out by not working with local micro influencers, and a massive conversation followed in the comments. Now she is here to break it all down. They cover what makes a business a good fit for influencer marketing, how to reach out without being rude, what follower count matters actually, and what it doesn't, how to think about compensation, the difference between a paid post and an authentic partnership, and how hosting an influencer event can be one of the most cost-effective ways to get started. Plus, an audience Q&A with practical answers to real small-business scenarios. If you have ever seen a local influencer and wondered whether they could help your business, this episode gives you a clear, honest roadmap. 🎥  Watch the Full Episode on YouTube  ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Mentioned in This Episode Uptick Marketing: https://www.uptickmarketing.com Infomedia: https://infomedia.com Hattie O'Hara (One Week in Birmingham) — Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/how-influencer-hattie-ohara-built-the-one-week-in-birmingham-brand Bustle Gowns — Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/crafting-a-once-in-a-lifetime-experience-with-bustle/ Ohm Jiu Jitsu — Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/ohm-jiu-jitsu/ Cala Coffee: https://www.calacoffeeco.com Lady Bird Taco — Localist episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/the-magic-behind-ladybird-taco/ Pink Lantern: https://www.instagram.com/pinklanternbham AMA Birmingham: https://amabirmingham.org Randall Porter: https://www.instagram.com/randallporter/ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 💻 Connect with Laine White Laine White is a Marketing Consultant and Innovation Strategist at Uptick Marketing, Infomedia's sister company. She works with local businesses on social media strategy, influencer marketing and brand storytelling. Uptick Marketing: https://www.uptickmarketing.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imlaine_white LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/lainewhite Email Laine: [email protected]  ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 📲 Follow Carrie Rollwagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crollwagen Website: https://www.carrierollwagen.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/crollwagen  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crollwagen ______________________________________________________________________________________________  📢 Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia, a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company that helps small businesses get big results online. Contact Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is our free live marketing event series for small business owners, held on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Each session features practical strategies you can use right away, plus free tacos and coffee. See upcoming events and register ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to Carrie's Newsletter Get more small business insights, resources and behind-the-scenes updates from Carrie delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for the newsletter

What does it take to build a platform that actually changes the way people see their city? In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Hattie O'Hara, the creator behind One Week in Birmingham, a weekly Instagram series that tells the story of life in Birmingham through local businesses, events and community. Over 60 episodes in, Hattie has built one of the most beloved local platforms in the city, and recently launched Your Week in Birmingham, a curated weekly newsletter to help people plan their own weeks in the city. Hattie talks about what inspired the series, how she kept it going when nobody was watching, why she makes decisions based on her own values rather than best practices, how she manages the production process every Sunday entirely on her phone, and how she is beginning to build a real business around the brand she has been quietly creating for years. If you are a small business owner, a content creator or just someone who loves Birmingham, this is a really honest and energizing conversation about doing creative work your own way. 🎥  Watch the Full Episode on YouTube  ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Mentioned in This Episode One Week in Birmingham (Instagram series): https://www.instagram.com/hat_ohara Your Week in Birmingham newsletter: https://www.hattieohara.com Carrie's episode on Word of Mouth Podcast (referenced by Hattie): https://open.spotify.com/show/1icxBH4UjcZFSrtKIJ4rDi Birmingham Education Foundation (Hattie's first job): https://www.bhamef.org Breakthrough Birmingham (Hattie's current day job): https://breakthroughbham.org Railroad Park Foundation (nonprofit spotlight example): https://railroadpark.org Balance Wine Club (Hattie's brand partnership): https://www.balancewineco.com The Little Red Print Shop (newsletter sponsor example): https://www.instagram.com/thelittleredprintshop F Up Nights Birmingham (event referenced at the start of the One Week in Birmingham story):  https://en.fuckupnights.com/city/birmingham ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 💻 Connect with Hattie O'Hara Hattie O'Hara is the creator of One Week in Birmingham, a weekly Instagram series that tells the story of her week in the city, and Your Week in Birmingham, a curated weekly newsletter that helps readers plan their own week in Birmingham. Website and newsletter signup: https://www.hattieohara.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hat_ohara  ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 📲 Follow Carrie Rollwagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crollwagen Website: https://www.carrierollwagen.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/crollwagen  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crollwagen ______________________________________________________________________________________________  📢 Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia, a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company that helps small businesses get big results online. Contact Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is our free live marketing event series for small business owners, held on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Each session features practical strategies you can use right away, plus free tacos and coffee. See upcoming events and register https://infomedia.com/events ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to Carrie's Newsletter Get more small business insights, resources and behind-the-scenes updates from Carrie delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for the newsletter https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9

What if the best place to make new friends turned out to be a craft table? In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Blakely O'Connor, founder of The Craft Room, a creative reuse store in West Homewood, Birmingham. The Craft Room collects donated arts and craft supplies from the community and resells them at affordable prices, while also serving as a drop-in maker space, workshop venue and private event destination. Blakely talks about why having your hands busy actually makes conversation easier, how she manages inventory she can never predict, why she chose to run The Craft Room as a for-profit small business instead of a nonprofit, what it was like to walk away from a Harvard PhD research career to open a secondhand craft shop, and how making things together is one of the most reliable ways to build real community. Whether you are a small business owner, a crafter or someone who has ever donated a box of forgotten supplies to Goodwill, this episode is warm, honest and full of ideas. 🎥  Watch the Full Episode on YouTube  ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Mentioned in This Episode The Craft Room https://www.thecraftroom.co The Craft Room donation guide https://www.thecraftroom.co Seeds Coffee Co. (West Homewood neighbor) https://seedscoffee.com Turnip Green Creative Reuse (Nashville) https://turnipgreencreativereuse.org Scrap ATL (Atlanta) https://scrapatl.com Make and Mend (Boston area) https://makeandmend.org Seattle Recreative https://www.seattlerecreative.org Nexus Fitness (West Homewood) https://nexusfitness.com ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 💻 Connect with The Craft Room The Craft Room is a creative reuse store in West Homewood, Birmingham. They sell secondhand arts and craft supplies at thrifty prices, host drop-in crafting, workshops and private events, and operate as a creative third space for the community. Website: https://www.thecraftroom.co  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecraftroomhwd/  ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 📲 Follow Carrie Rollwagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crollwagen Website: https://www.carrierollwagen.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/crollwagen  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crollwagen ______________________________________________________________________________________________  📢 Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia, a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company that helps small businesses get big results online. Contact Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is our free live marketing event series for small business owners, held on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Each session features practical strategies you can use right away, plus free tacos and coffee. See upcoming events and register https://infomedia.com/events ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to Carrie's Newsletter Get more small business insights, resources and behind-the-scenes updates from Carrie delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for the newsletter https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Myres Allen and Stephen Peacock, the hosts of Word of Mouth Podcast, a Birmingham show dedicated to telling the stories of people doing interesting and meaningful things in the city. This is the second half of a podcast swap: Carrie appeared on Word of Mouth first, and now the tables are turned. Myres and Stephen talk about why community, not content, has always been the real mission behind the show, how they think about building connection in an increasingly isolated world, what it is like when strangers know you better than your close friends because they listen every week, how they divide the work behind the scenes, and where they hope Word of Mouth grows as a platform, a brand and maybe eventually a full business. If you are a small business owner, a content creator or just someone who loves Birmingham and wants to understand what it takes to build something from nothing, this conversation is honest, fun and full of ideas. 🎥  Watch the Full Episode on YouTube  ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 💻 Connect with Word of Mouth Podcast Word of Mouth Podcast is hosted by Myres Allen and Stephen Peacock. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, the show tells the stories of people doing cool, interesting things in the city and beyond. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1icxBH4UjcZFSrtKIJ4rDi Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ua/podcast/word-of-mouth/id1724476450 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word.of.mouth.pod/ Myres on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myresense/ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 📲 Follow Carrie Rollwagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crollwagen Website: https://www.carrierollwagen.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/crollwagen  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crollwagen ______________________________________________________________________________________________  📢 Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia, a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company that helps small businesses get big results online. Contact Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is our free live marketing event series for small business owners, held on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Each session features practical strategies you can use right away, plus free tacos and coffee. See upcoming events and register https://infomedia.com/events ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to Carrie's Newsletter Get more small business insights, resources and behind-the-scenes updates from Carrie delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for the newsletter https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9

Search has changed more in the last two years than in the previous seven combined. Is your small business still getting found? This episode is a live recording from the first ever Localist Lab event, a free live marketing series for small business owners hosted by The Localist. Our speaker is Pam Darden, Director of Account Development at Infomedia, who breaks down exactly how the rise of AI search tools like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and Perplexity is changing the way customers find local businesses, and what you can do right now to make sure you are still showing up. Pam covers why getting cited by AI is now just as important as ranking on Google, what the E-E-A-T content guidelines mean for your website, how to structure your content so AI can actually quote you, and why the fundamentals of good SEO have not changed even though the platforms delivering customers to you have. If you own a small business and you want practical, actionable steps you can take to improve your visibility in the age of AI search, this episode is exactly that. 🎥  Watch the Full Episode on YouTube:https://youtu.be/cn1bwI4t83s ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 💻 Connect with Pam Darden Website: https://infomedia.com/our-team/pamela-darden/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelasanderson/ Mentioned in This Episode: Infomedia https://infomedia.com Uptick Marketing https://www.uptickmarketing.com Infomedia Studios https://infomedia.com/studios Tempo (website design) https://www.tempoweb.com Lady Bird Taco https://www.ladybirdtaco.com ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 📲 Follow Carrie Rollwagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crollwagen Website: https://www.carrierollwagen.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/crollwagen  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crollwagen ______________________________________________________________________________________________  📢 Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia, a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company that helps small businesses get big results online. Contact Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is our free live marketing event series for small business owners, held on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Each session features practical strategies you can use right away, plus free tacos and coffee. See upcoming events and register https://infomedia.com/events ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to Carrie's Newsletter Get more small business insights, resources and behind-the-scenes updates from Carrie delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for the newsletter https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9

What if the secret to standing out in a tough industry was just treating people the way they deserve to be treated? In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Chris Palmer, founder of Green Garage, an auto repair shop in Birmingham's Automotive Historic District. Chris shares how intentionally hiring people with hospitality backgrounds transformed the customer experience at Green Garage, and why simply doing what you say you will do turns out to be better than average in the auto repair industry. Chris also talks about 13 years of building and adapting the business, from starting with hybrid vehicles to adding a licensed locksmith operation, buying his own building to protect against rising downtown rents, and how treating employees like an investment rather than a cost has driven real loyalty and growth. If you own a small business, work in the trades, or are thinking about what kind of business to start, this episode is full of practical, honest insight on customer experience, employee investment and building something that lasts. 🎥  Watch the Full Episode on YouTube ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 💻 Connect with Green Garage Green Garage is an eco-friendly, ASE Master Certified auto repair shop in Birmingham's Automotive Historic District, serving domestic, European and import vehicles. Website: https://greengaragebham.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greengaragebham/ Auto Keyco (wholesale locksmith services): https://greengaragebham.com Mentioned in This Episode: Auto Keyco (wholesale locksmith & key programming): https://autokeyco.com/ Uptick Marketing (Green Garage's marketing partner): https://www.uptickmarketing.com Thompson Architecture: https://thompsonarchitecture.com/ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 📲 Follow Carrie Rollwagen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crollwagen Website: https://www.carrierollwagen.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/crollwagen   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crollwagen   ______________________________________________________________________________________________  📢 Thanks to OurSponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia, a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company that helps small businesses get big results online. Contact Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is our free live marketing event series for small business owners, held on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Each session features practical strategies you can use right away, plus free tacos and coffee. See upcoming events and register https://infomedia.com/events ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to Carrie's Newsletter Get more small business insights, resources and behind-the-scenes updates from Carrie delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for the newsletter

What does your brand actually say about your business, and when is it time to change it? In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Caleb Chancey, Creative Director at Infomedia, to answer real branding questions submitted by the audience. They cover what branding actually means beyond fonts and colors, whether AI-generated logos are a good starting point, why simplicity can be the most expensive option, and how to know when your brand needs to grow. Caleb and Carrie also pull back the curtain on the real-world branding evolution of The Localist podcast, including the creation of Localist Lab, as a practical case study in how small business brands can adapt and expand without losing what makes them recognizable. Whether you are just starting out or years into running a business, this conversation will help you think differently about the brand you are building. 🎥  Watch the Full Episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/TEf-25iSxVU 💻 Connect with Caleb Chancey Website: https://infomedia.com/our-team/caleb-chancey/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calebchancey/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebchancey/ Mentioned in This Episode: Zag by Marty Neumeier https://bookshop.org/p/books/zag-the-1-strategy-of-high-performance-brands-marty-neumeier/b7df5b6597ad6a34?ean=9780321426772&next=t Brands That Mean Business by Blake Howard https://bookshop.org/p/books/branding-that-means-business-how-to-build-enduring-bonds-between-brands-consumers-and-markets-matt-johnson/72a19efd0bbb201f?ean=9781541701670&next=t Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull https://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Inc-Overcoming-Unseen-Inspiration/dp/0812993012 Matchstick (brand agency, Atlanta) https://matchstick.co Carrie's One Quick Coffee: Personal Branding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhwG7__vei0 The Localist Brand Guide  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AwzW6ig0wYRK2OTkiUb3lhph8qo2tCy0/view?usp=sharing 📢 Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia: The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia, a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company that helps small businesses get big results online. Contact Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact  Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is our free live marketing event series for small business owners. Each session features practical strategies you can use right away. See upcoming events and register https://infomedia.com/events

From Backyard Roasting to Birmingham Roastery | Bert Davis of DaySol Coffee What does it take to turn a backyard hobby into a thriving coffee business? In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen talks with Bert Davis, co-owner of DaySol Coffee, about growing a specialty coffee brand from roasting beans in his Colorado backyard to opening a full roastery in Birmingham's Pepper Place district. Bert shares lessons about business partnerships, scaling a small business, building systems over time, managing wholesale accounts like Piggly Wiggly, and knowing when to expand even when you don't have all the information. If you're a small business owner — or thinking about becoming one — this conversation offers practical insights on sustainable growth, delegation, and building real community through entrepreneurship. 🎥  Watch the Full Episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/I1gfR5NmSSo 💻 Connect with Daysol Coffee Lab Website: https://www.daysolcoffeelab.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daysolcoffeelab/ Mentioned in This Episode: Bluff Park Coffee Collective: https://www.instagram.com/bpcoffeecollective Good Neighbor Baking: https://www.instagram.com/goodneighborbaking/ Bandit Pâtisserie: https://www.instagram.com/banditbham/ 📢 Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact Join us at Localist Lab: https://infomedia.com/events

Alabama Twisters: When Competitors Become Teammates What happens when nine gym owners stop competing against each other — and start building something together? The Alabama Twisters are a professional jiu jitsu team competing in the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF), a submission-only league built for action. No points. Only submissions. There's even a shot clock for stalling — because in this league, you get penalized for being passive. In this episode, Carrie talks with Russell Marbut, Matt Elkins, and Flearoy Brown about: How the PGF rule set works Running a team with nine owners Why collaboration beats competition Why they prioritize authentic content over AI-heavy marketing How they're building Alabama jiu jitsu culture from the ground up Even if you don't train jiu jitsu, this episode is about entrepreneurship, structure, and building something that lasts. 🎥  Watch the Full Episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/GIfThuxG1hw   📺 Watch the Alabama Twisters Live PGF World: https://kick.com/pgfworldAlabama Twisters: https://kick.com/AlabamaTwisters Website: https://alabamatwisters.orgInstagram: https://instagram.com/alabamatwisters 📢 Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact Join us at Localist Lab: https://infomedia.com/events

Tech startup veteran Jarrod Morgan joins The Localist to share how he grew ProctorU, navigated pandemic-era challenges, and then pivoted to physical products with Tuff Dog Coatings and Morgan Muscle. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs interested in reinvention, customer-first strategies, and applying tech skills to blue-collar businesses. Mentioned in this episode: Formerly Meazure Learning (Proctor U former) Website - https://www.meazurelearning.com/ Tuff Dog Coating Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tuffdogcoatings/ Morgan Muscle Cars Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/morganmusclecars/  

Born from a pandemic pivot, The Son of a Butcher has become a local favorite in Birmingham's Pepper Place. In this episode, we talk with Brian McMillan and John Litzinger about their journey from wholesale to storefront, the art of cheesemongering, and why food and community go hand-in-hand.   Mentioned in this episode: Website: https://thesonofabutcher.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesonofabutcher_bham/ Evan's Meat & Seafood: https://www.instagram.com/evansmeatsandseafood/ Pepper Place: https://www.instagram.com/pepperplacebham/  

Accounting doesn't have to be cold or confusing. In this episode, Carrie talks with Jordan Pridemore of LUCA about how they help small businesses use financial data to grow, not just survive. Learn why advisory services, tech-forward tools, and true partnerships are the future of accounting.   Mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.lucahq.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luca_hq/ Fox Hound Bee Company: https://www.instagram.com/foxhoundbeeco/  

Janet King, founder of The Gathering Lab, joins The Localist to explore why modern friendships feel harder than ever—and what we can do about it. From her groundbreaking Circles model to the science of trust and connection, Janet offers a refreshing and hopeful roadmap for rebuilding community in a disconnected world.   Mentioned in this episode: Website: https://thegatheringlab.com/ Instagram: @thegatheringlab  Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-build-a-deeper-social-life-in-your-30s/id1842196653   

Laura Smith of The Electric joins The Localist to share her journey opening a second restaurant location. From pandemic delays to vintage decor hunts, Laura dives into the highs and challenges of expanding her business without losing its soul. This one's packed with small business insight and local flavor. Mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.theelectricbar.com/  The Electric Bluff Park: www.instagram.com/theelectricbp The Electric Avondale : www.instagram.com/theelectriceast Paramount: www.instagram.com/paramounthomewood El Barrio: www.instagram.com/elbarriobham

Michael Sellers is reviving Ghost Train, launching a new brand called Porch, and building an entire beverage collective on Birmingham's Hugh Kaul Trail. In this episode, he joins Carrie Rollwagen to talk about alcohol trends, risk, regulation—and building brands that last. Mentioned in this episode: Porch Instagram: www.instagram.com/drinkporch/  Porch Website: www.DrinkPorch.com  Good People Brewing Company Instagram: www.instagram.com/gpbrewing/  Good People Brewing Company Website: www.goodpeoplebrewing.com  Avondale Brewing: www.instagram.com/avondalebrewing  Avondale Website: www.avondalebrewing.com  Ghost Train Brewing Instagram: www.instagram.com/ghost_train_brewing/  Ghost Train Website: www.ghosttrainbrewing.com  All Good Beverage Instagram: www.instagram.com/allgoodbeverage/  All Good Beverage Website: www.AllGoodBeverage.com   

McCall Harwell of Nan Curated joins Carrie Rollwagen to talk about building Birmingham's most stylish pop-up. From sourcing vintage pieces across Alabama to turning social media buzz into real foot traffic, McCall shares her journey of turning taste into a thriving business — all while keeping the experience front and center. Mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.nancurated.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nan.curated TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mccallharwell Zephyr Barbershop: https://www.instagram.com/zephyrbarber/

Bustle Gowns isn't your typical bridal shop. Owner Meredith Carter and creative director Laine White join Carrie Rollwagen to talk about creating a luxury experience with sample gowns, training consultants to be true guides, and navigating viral fame with grace. You'll hear stories of treasure-hunt dresses, intimate appointments, and why brides keep recommending Bustle long after the big day.   Mentioned in this episode: Website Instagram Breakout Games  Asia Nicole Ashley Wilhite  

Carrie Rollwagen chats with her husband, Russell Marbut, about co-owning the Alabama Twisters, a state-based team in the Professional Grappling Federation. They explore how nine gym owners joined forces, the fast-paced PGF format, and their mission to grow Alabama's jiu jitsu community.   Mentioned in this episode: Alabama Twisters Website: https://www.alabamatwisters.org/ Alabama Twisters Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alabamatwisters Watch PGF on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PGFWorld Ohm Jiu Jitsu: https://ohmjiujitsu.com/  Russell's photo Instagram, Jiu Jitsu Still: https://www.instagram.com/jiujitsustill Ohm Jiu Jitsu on The Localist: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/ohm-jiu-jitsu/   

Carrie talks with Paul Shunnarah, co-owner of Fit Five Meals and Gauntlet Fitness, about how he turned a nutrition need at his gym into one of the Southeast's fastest-growing meal prep companies. Paul shares what makes Fit Five stand out, why they avoid subscriptions and how they've grown without sacrificing quality. Mentioned in this episode: Fit Five Meals Fit Five Meals on Instagram Gauntlet Fitness Elite Nutrition Wheelhouse Salon Infomedia Overtime Grill & Bar Church Street Coffee & Books Baba Java Paul Shunnarah on Instagram Absolute Nutrition  

Carrie Rollwagen shares her personal checklist for turning every business event into authentic, engaging social media content. Learn how to build your brand and tell better stories with simple, actionable tips you can implement at your next conference or networking event.   Mentioned in this episode: carrierollwagen.com Infomedia @crollwagen on Instagram  

On this episode of The Localist, Carrie talks with Brooke Bowles, CEO of the Levite Jewish Community Center (JCC), about what makes the JCC more than just a fitness center. Brooke shares how the J fosters connection across cultures and ages, from preschoolers to long-time legacy members, and how its Jewish values shape its inclusive, mission-driven programs. Mentioned in this episode: Levite Jewish Community Center The JCC on Instagram Infomedia The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal Morgan Johnston on the Localist Duquette Johnston on the Localist Swim School I3 Academy Girls Inc. United Way Glenwood United Ability Full Circle BHM The J'la Gala  

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie shares her simple but powerful end-of-week routine to set herself up for a calmer, more focused Monday. Inspired by Kelly Nolan's calendaring techniques, she explains why Friday planning works better than Sunday, how to catch calendar conflicts and why your agenda should include joy as well as tasks. Find out how to organize your week without losing yourself in the shuffle. Mentioned in this episode: Kelly Nolan Free course on calendaring with Kelly Nolan Kelly Nolan on Instagram  

In this episode of The Localist, Mitch and Maddie McEver share how Whammy Coffee grew from a playful weekend project — complete with toy dinosaurs and nostalgic branding — into a thriving Birmingham café. What began as a creative roasting experiment evolved through pop-ups, coffee carts and shared entrepreneurial dreams into a brick-and-mortar shop in the Denham Building. Mentioned in this episode: Whammy Coffee Whammy Coffee on Instagram Little Professor Bookshop Denham Building East Pole Coffee Church Street Coffee & Books Noble & Main Coffee Company Localist episode with June Coffee Ohm Jiu Jitsu Cala Coffee Localist episode with Cala Coffee Redeemer Community Church  

In this solo episode, Carrie Rollwagen unpacks her approach to solo retreats — why she takes them, what she brings and how they transform her work. Tune in to hear how a few days away can lead to long-term clarity and productivity.   Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Carrie's newsletter  

Kim Nguyen of House Eleven joins Carrie Rollwagen to share how she and her husband turned a remodeling project into a community-driven café and cocktail bar. From real estate to espresso to event planning, their journey in Birmingham's Woodlawn neighborhood is full of passion, pivots and purpose.   Mentioned in this episode: House Eleven House Eleven on Instagram Church Street Coffee & Books Ohm Jiu Jitsu Taylor Remodeling & Building Solutions Bigger Pockets podcast Blue House Properties Punch Love Coffee June Coffee Localist episode with June Coffee Domestique Coffee Localist episode with Nathan Pocus Red Bike Coffee Localist episode with Jesús Méndez Bygones Cocktail Bar Infomedia Studios  

In this vulnerable solo episode, Carrie explores the complex emotion of professional jealousy and how it can point us toward change. Whether it's craving attention, chasing the wrong goals or grieving a past identity, she offers practical ways to understand and act on those feelings instead of ignoring them. Plus, she shares her own personal stories about navigating envy and finding clarity.

Carrie sits down with Kaitlyn Bentley of True40 and Wellness Passport to talk about building business communities through fitness, self-care and local food. From launching a studio to acquiring the entire True40 brand, Kaitlyn walks us through the smart and strategic moves behind her growth — and how she keeps it all grounded in community.   Mentioned in this episode: Wellness Passport The Well True40 ClassPass Ohm Jiu Jitsu Cala Coffee Ignite Cycle Localist episode with Cala Coffee Edelman Southern Company Ross Bridge Mayawell  

In this solo episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares personal strategies for making time for your side hustle while balancing a full-time job. She discusses creative retreats, batching work on weekends, and using passive time for research and inspiration.  Mentioned in this episode: Camp McDowell Brandon Sanderson's free class on fantasy writing Localist episode with Ladybird Taco  

Today on The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Teasha Cable, CEO and co-founder of C-Model, a decision intelligence platform that helps small and mid-sized businesses make better decisions using a combination of AI, data and real-world expertise. Teasha shares her journey from VP roles to founder, the importance of tracking business decisions and how technology like CORA gives small businesses a competitive edge.   Mentioned in this episode: C-Model Church Street Coffee & Books Dynamic Decisions podcast Company personality test Schedule a demo with C-Model  

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares practical tips for getting better results from AI tools like ChatGPT. Learn how specificity, tone-setting and smart prompting strategies can help small business owners save time while maintaining their authentic voice.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's talk on writing with AI Infomedia  

CEO Stephanie Friedman joins The Localist to share how she's leading 128-year-old City Paper Company into a new era of tangible branding and national impact. She and host Carrie Rollwagen explore family business dynamics, intentional design and the power of merch that actually matters.   Mentioned in this episode: City Paper Company Cracker Barrel Hard Rock Cafe Spanx Kendra Scott Cafe Du Mode Infomedia Poppi The Masters Tournament Bromberg's Truckworx The Power of Moments Unreasonable Hospitality Who Moved My Cheese?  

In today's episode, Carrie Rollwagen explores a powerful but often overlooked tool for entrepreneurs — taking an actual day of rest. Sharing her experiences from bookstore ownership to life today, Carrie explores how taking an intentional day of rest can recharge your creativity, protect against burnout and set healthy boundaries in a world that demands nonstop hustle. Mentioned in this episode: Church Street Coffee & Books Follow Carrie on Instagram Infomedia

Jessica Leitch of The Little Red Print Shop joins Carrie to talk about printmaking, community and running a creative small business. From vending machines and pop-ups to linocut workshops and wedding favors, she shares how she's built a joyful, accessible art brand rooted in Birmingham.   Mentioned in this episode: The Little Red Print Shop The Little Red Print Shop on Instagram Cala Coffee Little Professor Bookshop Cala Coffee on The Localist Little Professor Bookshop on The Localist The Market at Pepper Place Cahabazaar Studio by the Tracks Local Love Pop-Up Market Houseplant Collective MAKEbhm The Chasm Co. Chasm Craft Club Cahaba Brewing Daily Edition Ladybird Taco Ladybird Taco on The Localist Canvas  

Ever feel like you're running in place at work — stuck in a loop of tasks and to-dos without knowing if you're really making progress? In this solo episode, Carrie Rollwagen digs into a simple but powerful framework from the book Designing Your Work Life, sharing how a daily spreadsheet helped her rediscover meaning, motivation and forward motion in her work. Whether you're a manager, an entrepreneur or somewhere in between, this one's for you. Mentioned in this episode: Designing Your Work Life by Dave Evans & Bill Burnett  

Restauranteur Jesús "Chuy" Méndez joins The Localist to share how he turned hustle, heart and a love for people into some of Birmingham's favorite restaurant and bar concepts, including Salud Taqueria and Adiõs Bar. From pandemic pivots to people-first partnerships, Chuy reveals the secret sauce behind his growing empire — and why he's betting big on Birmingham.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares how two short consulting sessions — one focused on branding and the other on her website — helped her gain clarity, realign her goals and simplify her strategy. She offers practical tips on preparing for advisor meetings and explains why even small business owners and personal brands can benefit from expert insight. It's a reminder that meaningful progress doesn't always require big changes — just the right perspective. Mentioned in this episode: Emily Wells Emily Wells Localist episode Pam Sanderson Infomedia

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen chats with Alex Stern, founder of the pop-up sandwich concept Deli Ole. Alex shares how design, collaboration and community have shaped his business journey, from rooftop dinners to packed-out pop-ups. They dive into the power of starting small, the value of hospitality and how creativity fuels connection. Mentioned in this episode: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deli.ole/ Helen: https://www.helenbham.com/ Juniper: https://www.juniperbham.com/ Slim's Pizzeria: https://slimspizzeria.com/ Alex Kiker, videographer: https://www.alexkikerco.com/about June Coffee: https://www.junecoffee.co/ Jimmy's Localist episode Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee/?hl=en Golden Age: https://www.goldenagewine.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopBImn8tR8Nyldpf9ILULVhS9Sc5RKKQXCCKydCjKWbjpEIY1EA Unreasonable Hospitality: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/products/unreasonable-hospitality-the-remarkable-power-of-giving-people-more-than-they-expect?_pos=1&_sid=5f78a5a24&_ss=r 

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares her strategies for public speaking as an introvert. She discusses overcoming the discomfort of speaking in public by practicing introductions, preparing backup notes, scheduling alone time before and after talks, and having a supportive presence in the audience. Carrie also emphasizes the value of public speaking for connecting with new audiences and showcasing expertise, particularly for entrepreneurs and business owners.  

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie writes about all the wonderful things about celebrating Christmas at a local bookstore. This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie writes about the fallout from her first Christmas as a business owner — including a difficult Christmas morning and a panic attack.   This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie shares a story about decorating her former bookstore, Church Street Coffee & Books, for the holiday season. With the help of her family, she redecorates the shop for the holidays in just one afternoon — and they even fit in a Thanksgiving celebration along the way.   This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie kicks off her series on small business Christmas stories. Though today's story isn't about a small business itself, it's a key moment in her journey. She reflects on attending a Starbucks rally with her then-manager, Cal — who would later become her business partner at Church Street Coffee & Books. This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.

Carrie shares 10 lessons she's learned during the 10 years since The Localist book was released. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.  

Carrie Rollwagen shares a story from her days at Jonathan Benton, Bookseller, called "Harry Potter and the Piggly Wiggly Milk." As the small bookstore prepared a release party for a new Harry Potter book, they faced an unexpected challenge. Can Carrie and her team pull off the event to keep their shop afloat, or will it turn into a fiasco? This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares the story of a screenprinting business called Sugartop Gumdrop, which she started with her friend John Yam. Full of creativity but lacking business experience, the two faced a steep learning curve as they tackled the Print Gocco machine, built their own store display, and eventually expanded into other products.    This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts.  

In this episode of "The Localist," host Carrie Rollwagen shares easy ways to support local businesses without making significant lifestyle changes. She covers three key tips: choosing specific categories to always buy local, switching recurring payments to local services and dedicating a day to shop at local businesses. The episode aims to make the process of buying local more accessible and enjoyable.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/ Shop Small blog: https://shopsmallblog-blog-blog.tumblr.com/ The Localist Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-localist-think-independent-buy-local-and-reclaim-the-american-dream-carrie-rollwagen/11535983?ean=9780692319482 Punch Love Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/punchlovecoffee?igshid=6qm4a079lw6q Order books online at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/ Local Audiobook Service Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/ NowVision Eye Care: https://nowvisioneyecare.com/index2.php#!/NOW_VISION_EYE_CARE NowVision Eye Care on The Localist Podcast: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/vision-for-the-future-dr-lori-jasper-of-nowvision-eye-care-shares-how-customer-connection-is-good-for-your-health-and-her-bottom-line/ Ohm Jiu Jitsu: https://www.ohmjiujitsu.com/ Chocolata: https://www.chocolatachocolate.com/  

In this episode of The Localist, Gina Locklear, founder of Zkano Socks, shares the journey of maintaining a small-scale, sustainable sock manufacturing business in Fort Payne, Alabama. She discusses challenges, values and the significance of consumer choices in supporting local businesses. Locklear also highlights the impact of receiving the American Made award from Martha Stewart and her commitment to quality rather than aggressive expansion.   Mentioned in this episode: Zkano Website: https://zkano.com/ Zkano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zkano_socks Sock Queen of Alabama article: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/31/fashion/sock-business-alabama.html American Flannel: https://bookshop.org/p/books/american-flannel-how-a-band-of-entrepreneurs-are-bringing-the-art-and-business-of-making-clothes-back-home-steven-kurutz/20456379?ean=9780593329610 Riverhead Books: https://www.penguin.com/riverhead-overview/ Golden Temple: https://goldentemplehealthfood.com/ Martha Stewart American Made: https://www.al.com/living/2015/11/little_river_sock_mill_fort_pa.html Mike Rowe interview with Steven Kurutz: https://mikerowe.com/2024/04/american-flannel-with-steven-kurutz-ep-380/ Liesa Cole: https://liesacole.com/ Club Duquette: https://clubduquette.co/ Wild Bird: https://birmingham.wbu.com/ Birmingham Museum of Art: https://www.artsbma.org/ Juniper: https://www.juniperbham.com/ Little Professor: https://littleprofessorbookshop.com/ Store Locator: https://zkano.com/pages/store-locator Stephen King's book 11/22/63: https://bookshop.org/p/books/11-22-63-stephen-king/7060372?ean=9781451627299  

Buy all the guides for $30 (Combo Pack): https://carrierollwagen.com/combo-pack/ Buy the main writing guide for $25: https://carrierollwagen.com/main-guide/ Buy the AI guide for $5: https://carrierollwagen.com/ai-guide/ Buy the editing guide for $5: https://carrierollwagen.com/editing-guide/   Carrie's Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen Sign up for Carrie's newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9 Carrie's Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/   Mentioned in this episode: Building a Storybrand: https://bookshop.org/p/books/building-a-storybrand-clarify-your-message-so-customers-will-listen-donald-miller/9308684?ean=9780718033323 Marketing Made Simple: https://bookshop.org/p/books/marketing-made-simple-a-step-by-step-storybrand-guide-for-any-business-donald-miller/17208959?ean=9781400217649 The Artist's Way: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-artist-s-way-30th-anniversary-edition-julia-cameron/6665657?ean=9780143129257