If you've ever stepped into a backyard and thought, this is the best room in the house, you already understand what Wes Priddy is going for. Wes is the owner of Higher Ground Outdoor Living and a founding member of our Best of LKN Business Network, and he took a winding road to get here – from a plumbing, heating, and electrical background up in Boone, to HVAC and interior remodeling around Charlotte, to a stint as a Mecklenburg County building inspector, before landing on the thing he loves most: building backyards. He started the company during the height of the pandemic with just himself and a helper, and four years later he's grown a crew he trusts to turn a plain concrete pad into a place people never want to leave.

In this episode we get into what actually makes an outdoor space work around here – why turf keeps winning out over red-clay sod, how premium composite and PVC decks are framed completely differently than a house floor, and why outdoor kitchens, motorized louvered pergolas, and a good fire pit can add serious value (and square footage you don't have to build). Wes also shares the story behind his backyard tailgate tradition, the case for a solid sound system, and a little hard-won humility about letting clients' design ideas surprise him. Stick around for a plug for his own podcast, Outdoor Living Lounge, and the best ways to get in touch.

https://lakenorman.highergroundoutdoorliving.com/

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https://lknreal.com/

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In this episode, recorded on the veranda at Safe Harbor Peninsula Yacht Club, Jeff sits down with interior designer Sara Brennan of Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors and builder Connor Ruckman of CTR Custom Homes to talk about a spectacular new construction home on Tinker Place in Troutman.

Connor shares CTR's story, from its 2015 father-and-son start in Grand Junction, Colorado to its move to Lake Norman, and what drew the company to the area's lifestyle, climate, and waterfront living. A mutual introduction from broker Nicole Leininger of Ivester Jackson Distinctive Properties helped bring the partnership together.

The conversation digs into what makes this home special: roughly 500 feet of shoreline, a private beach, wide-open water views from nearly every room, and a modern transitional design in soft white stucco oriented so the sunset lands between the dining room windows.

Sara walks through the interior, natural-stone countertops, a scullery, unexpected architectural details, and family-first touches like a true drop zone and a bottle-fill station, while Connor covers the outdoor kitchen, lake bath, pool, and a new covered dock with a lift and subtle lighting.

Both reflect on the trust and craftsmanship behind the build and tease what's next for CTR on Lake Norman.

CTR Custom Homes
https://www.ctrcustomhomes.com/

Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors
https://saralynnbrennan.com/

Special thanks to:

Nicole Leininger
https://nicoleleininger.com/

Safe Harbor Peninsula Yacht Club
https://www.peninsulayacht.com/

The Best of LKN
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Jeff Hamm

https://lknreal.com/

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John Finney joins the podcast to talk about the Lake Norman Fondo, now heading into its eighth year. What started as a community ride of fewer than 100 cyclists on the Town Green in Davidson has grown into a 500-plus rider event drawing participants from 14 - 15 states and ranging in age from 12 to 80-something. John shares the history behind the fondo, why all proceeds go back to local charities (including a couple of "secret" charities revealed at the finish), and what riders can expect from the three route options of 35, 50, and 75 miles.

This year's event rolls out from downtown Davidson on Sunday, August 16, 2026, with the first route launching at 7:30 a.m. John offers advice for first-timers (it's not a race – pick a comfortable distance, hit the rest stops, and finish safe), talks about the local breweries and sponsors that make it special, and explains why the cycling community is such a loyal, local-minded group worth connecting with.

Registration stays open right up to the morning of the event. Learn more at LakeNormanFondo.com.

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In this episode, Jeff sits down with Jessica, a sales manager at Classica Homes, at the Napa model in Stevens Farm, Huntersville. They talk about what sets Classica apart as a locally owned, design-based builder: a custom-home experience and quality without the typical custom-home drama or cost. With 850 homes built to date but only around 40 a year, the small team gives each home and each buyer a level of care, customization, and attention that's hard to find. Jessica also shares the leadership update with Brian Hall now at the helm as owner and CEO, continuing the company's original principles since 2010.

The conversation covers Classica's newest community, Davidson Retreat — six one-acre home sites just seven minutes from Davidson College, with the first home (the ~4,400 sq ft Solana plan) completing in May. Jessica breaks down the Build on Your Lot program (with $150,000 toward site development already built into the starting price), fixed-price contracts, a fast 7–8 month build time, and elevated ranch-style options like the Santa Fe Ranch. She also highlights projects across Greater Charlotte — Belmont, Lake Wylie waterfront, Plaza Midwood, Piper Glen, and the Weddington/Waxhaw area — plus why Classica values its real estate broker partnerships. Learn more at classicahomes.com.

Meet the co-founder of Classica Homes, Bill Saint, in episode 260!

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Elisa Gillespie returns to the Best of LKN for the first time since November 2022 — and a lot has changed. After years operating as Gillespie Physical Therapy and then Movement Matters, Elisa launched Proactive Motion Physical Therapy in July 2025. With 17 years as a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist and 11 years of dry needling experience, she's built a practice focused on catching aches, pains, and injuries before they become chronic. She's also grown the team, welcoming Dr. Lauren Craig to lead a new pelvic floor and women's health service line.

In this conversation, Elisa shares what Proactive treats beyond the usual post-surgical cases — including neck pain, tension headaches and migraines, jaw pain, and a recent wave of pickleball-related tennis elbow. She talks about her community involvement with Fit for Mom Lake Norman, her plans to expand pelvic floor therapy through 2026, and why reaching out to a trusted PT early can save you weeks of pain. Proactive Motion is located just off North Cross Drive near Birkdale Village.

Proactive Motion Physical Therapy
15905 Brookway Dr #4206
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 794-8012
proactivemotionpt.com

The Best of LKN
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Jeff Hamm

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In this episode of the Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff Hamm sits down with Jon House, a real estate broker with Allen Tate covering the North Charlotte-to-Statesville corridor. Jon shares his remarkable journey from chasing a childhood NASCAR dream as a pit crew jackman, to battling stage four cancer, to a career-ending pit road accident in 2016 that led him to real estate — a career he's now thrived in for nine years.

The heart of the conversation is Jon's work with Purple Heart Homes, a nonprofit that retrofits and builds homes for veterans in need. Three years ago, Jon turned his passion for competitive kayak bass fishing into the Reel Heroes tournament on Lake Norman — an event that started with a $1,500 goal and has since generated over $200,000 in donations and products. This year's tournament takes place July 11th, with registration open to anglers of all skill levels at https://tourneyx.com/app/ (search "Reel Heroes"). Sponsorship opportunities are also available for local businesses.

Jon House | Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate
https://jonhouse.allentate.com/

The Best of LKN
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Jeff Hamm

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In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff sits down with Audrey Pennell and Tim Hyde, co-founders of Surf Wake Ski, a new Lake Norman business launching for summer 2026. Both North Carolina natives who met working at a Mooresville boat dealership and bonded over years spent at a Pennsylvania summer camp, Audrey and Tim share how they turned a shared love of the water into a venture aimed at getting more people on the lake.

They walk through their full lineup of offerings – kids' summer camps with flexible morning, midday, and afternoon sessions; private lessons and charters on Fridays and Saturdays; after-work evening events and game nights; and boat driving lessons rooted in a strong emphasis on safety.

The conversation also covers their partnership with Race City and their boat slip at Holiday Marina near Hello Sailor, their plans for orientation cruises for newcomers to the area, a Bible study night on the water with proceeds benefiting a kids' summer camp, and their commitment to staying closed on Sundays.

Don't miss their launch event at The Boatyard on Saturday, June 6th. Connect with the team on Instagram and Facebook @SurfWakeSkiSchool or learn more at surfwakeski.com.

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In this episode, Jeff sits down with Dr. Jonathan Leake, board-certified emergency medicine physician and co-founder of Hydrate Medical, an IV hydration and wellness practice with eight locations across the Carolinas, including Mooresville and Huntersville.

Dr. Leake shares how his ER background and a memorable stomach-bug outbreak inspired him and business partner Keith to create a physician-owned alternative to pricey hospital visits – delivering safe, evidence-based IV treatments in a comfortable, relaxing setting.

The conversation covers what really drives clients to Hydrate Medical (hint: it's mostly wellness, not hangovers), the science behind hydration and vitamin infusions, common misconceptions about IV therapy, how to choose a reputable provider, and the practice's new Performance & Longevity program featuring NAD+, ALA, and NAC.

Whether you're battling fatigue and burnout or chasing peak athletic recovery, this episode is a thoughtful primer on how strategic hydration can become part of your health routine.

Hydrate Medical

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Jeff Hamm

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