In this episode of Discover Virginia, we sit down with Eric Svedberg, the force behind European Autowerks and a sought-after business coach helping service providers build companies that actually run. With more than three decades owning one of Hampton Roads’ premier European automotive shops—and a track record for transforming chaotic businesses into structured, scalable operations—Eric reveals the systems that turn small companies into sustainable, profitable machines.

This conversation uncovers:
• Personal — the hard-earned lessons from Eric’s early years, leadership journey, and why he committed to building businesses that serve the owner… not the other way around.
• Business — how he diagnoses operational bottlenecks, builds processes for finance, HR, and automation, and helps owners create predictable profit without burning out.
• Community — the ripple effect of better-run service businesses: stronger teams, higher customer standards, and a healthier local economy in Hampton Roads.

Eric breaks down the mindset shift every owner needs, the structure most shops are missing, and the systems that drive freedom, growth, and longevity.

Whether you run an auto shop, manage a service team, or simply want a business that doesn’t depend on you 24/7—this episode gives you the blueprint to build it to last.

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For the first time in Discover Virginia Podcast history, we’re taking the conversation off the ground.

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Riggs, founder of Coastal Seaplanes, while flying in a coastal seaplane — marking our first-ever interview recorded in the air. Launching directly from the water and soaring above Virginia’s coastline, this episode captures local innovation and storytelling from an entirely new perspective.

Mid-flight, we make a pit stop at The Tides Inn in Virginia, where we land on the water and take viewers along for a bonus on-location tour of one of Virginia’s most iconic waterfront destinations. It’s part aviation, part entrepreneurship, and part destination discovery — all in one experience.

Once back in the air, Sam breaks down what it really takes to operate a seaplane business, from safety and regulations to building unforgettable experiences that elevate Virginia tourism.

We explore:

How Coastal Seaplanes created a one-of-a-kind aviation experience

What makes water-based aviation uniquely challenging

The logistics behind landing at premier destinations like The Tides Inn

Why experiential businesses are redefining how people explore Virginia

How bold, local ideas can create national-level attention

This episode is more than an interview — it’s a Discover Virginia milestone, blending adventure, business, and destination storytelling in a way we’ve never done before.

If you want to see Virginia from a completely new angle, this is a flight you won’t want to miss.

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Discover Virginia Beach Fb Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/discovervirginiabeach

In this episode of the Discover Virginia Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ashlie, a Virginia-based author whose fictional I Remember trilogy has gained national recognition, including winning at the LA Film Festival. Her work is a powerful example of how storytelling, imagination, and craft can take a local voice to a global stage.

We talk not only on her book, but her award winning podcasts on sports and podcasts. For podcasts check out Pardon My Politics, "Leaning on 18+ years of government study and writing, we discuss news and issues surrounding government policies, current administration, congressional leadership, and more" and for Sports, Not Your Average Cheerleader, NFL updates, news, highlights, game recaps, interviews with players and trainers, fantasy football, and much more!

To top it all off, we’re giving away a copy of Dr. Ashlie’s I Remember fiction trilogy, with the winner announced the week of Christmas 2025.

This episode is a reminder that world-class creative work doesn’t have to come from major media hubs — sometimes it starts right here, with a story worth telling.

to learn more about Ashlie and support her work, visit: https://www.ashliegibbs.com/

Who should we interview next?

Support the show

Discover Virginia Beach Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206204

Discover Virginia Beach Fb Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/discovervirginiabeach