Paper Skyscraper has been a Charlotte favorite for decades—and now it’s officially part of the Lake Norman community. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Bill Godwin, owner of Paper Skyscraper, to talk about the brand’s long history, its cult-favorite status, and what inspired the opening of the new Davidson location. Bill shares how a shop he loved growing up became the most joyful business he’s ever owned, and why Paper Skyscraper has always been about more than just gifts.

They dive into what makes the store so special—from 30,000+ thoughtfully curated products to deep partnerships with local and regional makers, including several right here in the Lake Norman area. Bill also opens up about his background in banking and finance, how that experience shaped his approach to customer service, and why “delighting the customer” is the guiding principle behind everything they do.

The conversation wraps with a look at the Davidson opening, the importance of community involvement, and why the Lake Norman lifestyle feels like such a natural fit for the Paper Skyscraper brand. If you love local businesses, unique gifts, and places that simply make people smile, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Paper Skyscraper - Davidson
610 Jetton St STE 110
Davidson, NC 28036
paperskyscraper.com

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

I sat down with Cheryl Luckett, founder and principal designer of Dwell by Cheryl Interiors, for a much-needed round two—this time in person after a tech issue cut our first conversation short. Cheryl’s story is a masterclass in the kind of disciplined pivot most people dream about but rarely execute.

She grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and built a successful corporate career as a registered dietitian at a Fortune 500 company in Charlotte. She was good at it—really good—but over time she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was “faking the passion.”

That honesty led her to explore a creative pull she’d felt for years, starting with a single design class at a community college. One class turned into a blog (launched January 1, 2012), which turned into real clients, and eventually a side business she couldn’t ignore.

What stood out most was how intentional she was about leaving corporate. Cheryl created “Project 36,” a 36-month exit strategy that gave her time to build savings, tighten her systems, level up her marketing, and mentally let go of “security” before taking the leap on December 30, 2016.

We also dug into what makes her work different: the belief that a beautiful home is the baseline—the process is the luxury. She shared her “home build trinity” approach (builder, architect, interior designer) and why designers aren’t just picking finishes—they’re protecting the end vision of how a home will actually be lived in.

And when we hit design trends, Cheryl kept it real: forget chasing what’s “in.” Choose what you love, and you’ll never be out of style.

Dwell by Cheryl Interiors
dwellbycheryl.com

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Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show

In this episode, Jeff finally sits down with Lake Norman marketer and serial entrepreneur Ryan Webber to talk about the real work behind great content—and why most small businesses are overcomplicating it.

Ryan shares his journey from teacher and gym owner to running Webber Marketing and helping build The Real Estate Lawyer YouTube channel to nearly 100K subscribers with simple, value-first videos.

Jeff and Ryan dig into why clarity beats clever branding, how FAQs and client stories can fuel an entire content strategy, and why an iPhone and a clear message usually beat overproduced, “flashy” video.

They break down how consistent video builds awareness, trust, and easier sales conversations, plus the power of showing up on camera in the local community you serve.

Ryan also shares his philosophy of giving away all the tips and selling the implementation—and his vision for local business masterminds that help owners grow together.

@ryanwebbermarketing - Instagram

@ryanwebber - YouTube

Special mentions:

@therealestatelawyer

StoryBrand

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter

The Best of LKN
https://thebestoflkn.com/

Hosted by:

Jeff Hamm

www.lknreal.com

Thanks to Safe harbor Peninsula Yacht Club for their support!

Support the show