BrandBuilders

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‘’BrandBuilders’’ podcast, hosted by Scott Dunstan and Brian Young.

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Latest Episodes

427: Jennifer Payne, Core Innov8tions

Today we’re excited to welcome Jennifer Payne, from Core Innov8tions. With a rich background as a certified Pilates instructor, nutrition coach, and wellness educator, Jennifer is dedicated to helping clients move, improve, and transform through mindful movement and holistic health practices. At Core Innov8tions, she blends Reformer Pilates, nutrition coaching, functional training, and group fitness in a studio environment designed for everyone, no matter where they’re starting from. Jennifer’s mission is to empower others to build strength, confidence, and sustainable healthy habits, supporting every client on a journey toward feeling—and living—their very best.

426: Amy George, By George Communications and LinkedIn Makeover

You know what they say about opinions; everyone’s got one, and they all stink. You might be able to say that about most people’s… LinkedIn profiles. Today’s guest can fix that. She’s Amy George, founder and CEO of By George Communications, a boutique public relations and storytelling agency here in Charlotte. Amy’s LinkedIn Makeover and Training services have helped professionals and businesses transform their presence on the world’s top business networking site. Through in-depth one-on-one makeovers and dynamic workshops, Amy and her team help clients craft compelling personal and company narratives, optimize every profile detail, and teach strategic engagement habits that turn connections into opportunities.

425: Ashley Ausman, The Essay Architect

Today we have Ashley Ausman on the program. Ashely is founder of The Essay Architect. A former AP English teacher at Charlotte Catholic with two decades of experience, Ashley specializes in helping high school seniors bring their authentic stories to life in college application essays. She launched The Essay Architect after seeing firsthand how even top students struggle to tackle the deeply personal writing required for college admission, and now she guides students and families through finding topics, building compelling narratives, and crafting essays that stand out to admissions readers. With a reputation for encouragement, insight, and results, Ashley is on a mission to raise confidence, clarify voices, and demystify every step of the essay process for the next generation of college-bound students.

424: Meg Fencil and Beth Suhr, Sustain Charlotte’s Biketoberfest

Welcome back to the award-winning BrandBuilders Podcast. Today on the program, we’ve got Meg Fencil and Beth Suhr with us from Sustain Charlotte. Meg Fencil is Director of Engagement and Impact… Beth is Operations Director at Sustain Charlotte. If you are one of the 157 people moving here every day, Sustain Charlotte is local nonprofit working to build a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable community. And one of the ways they help spread that message, and introduce Charlotteans to their own hometown is an event called Biketoberfest. This annual people-powered adventure is an opportunity for folks to experience the city by bike, foot, and transit… and Meg and Beth are here to tell us about all of that. Welcome both of you to the program!

423: Ben Brown, CS Brown Tile Marble and Stone, Charlotte, NC

Welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast. Today, we’ve got Ben Brown, the owner of CS Brown Tile Marble and Stone, joining us. With years of expertise in high-end home and commercial projects, Ben has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship, creative solutions, and standout customer service. Whether you’ve admired a stunning custom countertop or walked across a beautiful tiled floor in the Queen City, there’s a good chance Ben’s team had a hand in it. Ben—welcome to the program!

422: Liz Clasen-Kelly, CEO of Roof Above, Charlotte, NC

Welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast, where we’ve got Liz Clasen-Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Roof Above, here in the studio with us. Liz has guided Roof Above since its founding in 2019, when the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte and Urban Ministry Center merged to form the most comprehensive homeless service provider in North Carolina. Liz has led innovative initiatives—expanding shelter capacity, launching permanent supportive housing, and uniting community partners to address the crisis of homelessness one life at a time. Liz, welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast!

421: Michael Stier, Area President at FocusCFO and Active Member of XPX Charlotte

Welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast! Today, we’re excited to welcome Michael Stier, Area President of FocusCFO. Michael is a hands-on C-level executive and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience growing companies in technology and financial services. As the founder and former CEO of Adhesion Wealth, he led the company from startup to $13B in managed assets. Today, at FocusCFO, Michael empowers small and mid-sized business owners to boost financial control, plan for scalable growth, and prepare for successful life-changing transitions. In addition to his FocusCFO role, Michael is an active member of XPX Charlotte, a collaborative community of advisors dedicated to helping business owners achieve optimal exit outcomes and long-term value. We’ll get into all of that on this episode… Micheal, welcome to the program.

420: Jason Lucash & Mike Szymczak, Rupt

Welcome back to Brandbuilders Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have Jason Lucash, a true disruptor in the promotional products industry and a co-founder of Rupt. Alongside his business partner Mike Szymczak, Jason has launched a brand that goes far beyond the conventional — Rupt is a manifesto against the ordinary, merging visionary design with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability. Their products don’t just serve a function; they tell stories, create emotional connections, and turn everyday objects into chapters in a sustainable lifestyle. With a focus on recycled materials, carbon-neutral operations, and packaging that is artful and purposeful, Rupt challenges us to rethink what’s possible when creativity and sustainability unite. Jason, welcome to the Brandbuilders Podcast!

419: Courtney Swift-Copeland, Owner & Creative Director of Salt Paper Studio + Productions, Founder of Rainey Day Media

Welcome to The BrandBuilders Podcast! Today, we’re excited to have Courtney Swift-Copeland joining us— she’s the Owner and Creative Director of Salt Paper Studio + Productions, where she leads a powerhouse of a team, delivering full-service photography and video services. Known for her bold approach, collaborative leadership, and relentless pursuit of creative excellence, Courtney has built Salt Paper Studio into a destination for cutting-edge brand content and production. Courtney, welcome to the program!

Bio of BrandBuilders

BrandBuilders, presented by The Dunstan Group in partnership with well-run media + marketing, is a podcast dedicated to helping businesses build and strengthen their brands. The show is hosted by Scott Dunstan and Brian Young, who bring their extensive knowledge and expertise in branding to the forefront.

As Charlotte's premier provider of branded merchandise and logo'd apparel, The Dunstan Group is well-positioned to offer valuable insights and strategies on all aspects of branding. In collaboration with well-run media + marketing, BrandBuilders delivers practical advice and inspiration to listeners, whether they are small business owners, marketing professionals, or entrepreneurs.

Through engaging interviews with industry experts, thought leaders, and successful business owners, BrandBuilders delves into a wide range of topics, including brand strategy, marketing, design, customer experience, and more. Listeners can expect to gain actionable tips, real-world examples, and fresh perspectives that can be applied to their own branding efforts.

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