Local Services Episodes

Guest: Chris Rackley, Owner and President of Lewis Realty Associates, and a local leader in vacation rentals and real estate on Topsail Island. Chris shares his personal journey, from working on shrimp boats as a kid to leading a full-service real estate team managing over 170 vacation homes. We talk short- and long-term rentals, home buying and selling, investment properties, community growth, and what it means to stay rooted while the world around you changes. Lewis Realty Associates, Inc. 32...

Guest: Mary Mika, owner of Mary E. Poppins the Pet Nanny, and Topsail’s most trusted pet sitter! Mary shares her personal journey from a childhood filled with love and loss to overcoming cancer while building a trusted pet service. She explains how her unique in-home pet-sitting and drop-in services bring comfort to both pets and their people, and how her regular clients—and even their dogs—supported her through one of life’s toughest battles. https://marypoppinspetnanny.com/ Facebook and Ins...

Guest: Mariah McKinney, a lawyer and partner at Garlock & McKinney. They explore crucial yet often overlooked legal matters including wills, probates, trusts, and guardianships. Mariah shares the complexities of probate administration, the importance of comprehensive estate planning, and the risks of not having a financial or healthcare power of attorney. Mariah also shares her journey from Western to Eastern North Carolina and her deep connection to Topsail Island. www.garlockandmckinney.com ...

Guest: Cathy Mails, Owner of Sea Green Natural Cleaning and #1 Best Selling Author of The Detox Dwelling: A Practical Guide to Nontoxic Cleaning, shares how growing up helping her family manage rentals in Connecticut led to a natural cleaning business in North Carolina that’s making homes healthier and safer. She discusses the surprising health hazards of conventional cleaning products and shares her passion for natural, eco-friendly solutions. Website: https://seagreennaturalcleaning.com/ Face...

Guest: Evelyn Wheeler, co-owner of Web Designs Your Way with her husband Chad, offering essential digital services, including web design, maintenance, security, and social media management. Web Designs Your Way provides flexible, interest-free payment plans and exceptional customer service, guiding clients from start to finish. UPDATE: They are no longer located in the Greater Topsail area but continue to offer services remotely. Website: webdesignsyourway.net Email: Evelyn@webdesignsyourway....

Guest: Richard Stroupe, Serial Entrepreneur and Venture Capitalist In Part 2, we discuss how and why Richard dove even deeper into the hospitality industry with his new hotel in downtown Wilmington - a luxe little haven called The Hive. It has 15 uniquely decorated suites with an artistic, urban feel that exemplifies the Wilmington vibe along the Cape Fear riverfront. And let’s get a quick lesson on investing, venture capital, and how Richard decides where to allocate Cape Fear Venture’s dol...

Guest: John Formica, the “Ex Disney Guy”, known as "America’s Customer Experience Coach," and a sought-after speaker and business coach who draws on his extensive experience with Disney to help organizations create magical customer experiences and dynamic workplace cultures. He offers insights into Disney's leadership, hiring practices, and team-building strategies to help businesses stand out, engage their staff, and build lasting customer loyalty. John's engaging and entertaining pres...

Guest: Rich Surace, Owner of Outer Sky Imaging, offering drone and hand-held photography and videography for private and commercial real estate and construction progression, as well as full commercial production for local businesses. Rich also uses Automated Visual Home Inspection using Artificial Intelligence. This allows for AI inspections and analysis of home and roof inspections and roof solar panel design in as little as 10 minutes. He also discusses the importance of hiring a commercial ...

Guest: Jeremy Shugarts, Co-Owner with his wife and children of several business in Surf City and Hampstead: The Daily Grind, UnWINEd, Thread FX, Shoreline Party Rentals, and Shugarts Family Properties. As a former Surf City Mayor Pro Tem, Jeremy talks about the balance between serving up great coffee and wine while serving the constituents of Surf City. The Daily Grind and UnWINEd Address: 114 N. Topsail Dr, Surf City, NC 28445 The Daily Grind Website, Facebook, and Instagram UnWINEd Website, ...

Guest: Tammy Proctor, Executive Director of the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, sharing the many ways the Chamber serves local businesses, nonprofits, residents, and visitors of our beautiful beach towns from Sneads Ferry down to Scotts Hill. Location: 13775 NC Hwy 50, Ste 101 Surf City, NC 28445 Chamber Office Number: (910) 329-4446 Email: info@topsailchamber.ort Tammy’s Email: director@topsailchamber.org Website: https://www.topsailchamber.org/ Topsail Chamber on Faceb...

Guest: Debbie Bruen, Professional Home Organizer who tackles decluttering, organizing, and "rightsizing" with discretion, kindness, and humor. She also discusses her missionary work in Africa and her journey into the Home Organization profession. Phone: (919) 435-7868 Website: https://www.homeorganizationbydebbie.com/ Email: homeorganizationbydebbie@gmail.com Find and Follow Organization by Debbie on Facebook Editor: Jim Mendes-Pouget | jimpouget@gmail.com Send Christa a message!...

Guest: Colin Pemberton, Owner of Dyno Digital Colin understands the challenges of being a one-person operation or managing a small team while juggling multiple responsibilities. He's here to offer a solution that could transform your business. He's developed cutting-edge software that streamlines communication, handles invoicing, manages scheduling, and helps you track your sales pipelines, all conveniently accessible from your smartphone. Dyno Digital Phone: (910) 469-1681 Email: info@dynodi...

Guest: John Puckett, owner of A Clean Water Company, discussing water filtration systems such as reverse osmosis and whole-home water filtering systems, the process of testing water hardness at home and the importance of protecting your appliances from the adverse effects of hard water, tankless water heaters, and substances in your water like PFAS and GenX. Host: Mike Schroeder Phone: (910) 358-0420 Email: hello@acleanwaterco.org You can Find and Follow A Clean Water Company on all the socia...

Guest: Jeff Wenzel, former Mayor of Holly Ridge, North Carolina, and owner of Above Topsail and JW Portrait Studio, discussing drone photography, the establishment of Above Topsail, and the launch of his portrait studio, canvas printing, and custom framing business. Location: 301 US Hwy 17 South, Ste 2 Holly Ridge, NC 28445 Phone: (910) 803-1759 Websites: AboveTopsail.com JWPortraitStudio.com Editor: Jim Mendes-Pouget | jimpouget@gmail.com Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact info...

Guest: Heather Allen, owner of High Caliber Firearms Training and Education, and a Certified Concealed Carry and NRA Handgun Instructor, discussing firearm safety and training and her new book. Phone: (562) 331-3033 Email: Heather@HighCaliberOC.com Find her also on Instagram at highcaliber_nc Editor: Jim Mendes-Pouget | jimpouget@gmail.com Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact information if you’d like a response. Turtle Shell Properties Something for every size, every style, and ...

Guest: Damian Mulcahy, the man behind the Topsail Island Bellhop Boys. Damien has transformed a modest idea into a thriving venture for his children and their friends. Elevate your vacation experience by enlisting the bellhop services of Damien's team. Whether its suitcases, coolers, groceries, or beach gear, these capable bellhop boys will transport everything from your vehicle up those stairs and directly to the designated rooms. https://www.facebook.com/topsailbellhop (919) 720-0160 Send Ch...

Guest: Nakia Vargas, Owner of Brow to Toe Waxing and Skincare Studio, discussing lash extensions, her brow transformations, waxing, and her new skin care line, Nakira Skin. Find and Follow Brow to Toe on Facebook and Instagram. Address: 15489 Hwy 17, Ste #2, Hampstead, NC 28443 Website: https://www.browtotoe.com/ Email: info@browtotoe.com Phone Number: 910-650-4273 You can also find her skin care products at https://nakiraskin.com/ And you can learn more about her business coaching and cons...

Guest: Ms. Amy Shores, Owner of Seaside Topsail Photography and one of the leading photographers in the Greater Topsail area. She does it all: beach family portraits, senior and graduation portraits, engagements and weddings, maternity and infant photography, printing, sunrises and sunsets and everything in between! She also shares some very touching stories you won’t want to miss, including how her mother left a gift for her under the Christmas tree before passing away that pushed her to foll...

Guest: Jenean LaCorte, Owner and artist behind Restorative Tattoos, discussing what led her to 3D Nipple Tattoos and Scar Camouflage, the process her patients go through and the struggles she faces getting the word out. Phone: 910-232-1117 Email: jenean@restorativetattoos.com Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact information if you’d like a response. Turtle Shell Properties Something for every size, every style, and every budget. Stay YOUR way on Topsail Island. Lewis Realty Associ...