The Lee County Listener

Connecting People to People (Eloise Stewart)

Eloise Stewart, of Eloise Design Co, joins the show for a special bonus episode. Through her company, Eloise and team help companies discover, develop and communicate their brand to their audiences. On the show, we discuss design, the need for local relations, and some of Eloise's most recent projects. One of those project is Beingwell, an open conversation about many of the common workplace issues (like fatigue and burnout) that we can all face. Eloise shares some of her own tips for time management and the need to rest.
To learn more about Eloise Design Co & Beingwell:
https://www.eloisedesignco.com/
https://www.beingwellmindset.com/
To learn more about the local community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners:
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=CGCI9JQUTdGH7dPAeZe9Fw

The Pursuit of Excellence (Matt Poirier)

Matt Poirier, owner of The Hound, The Depot, and Sneak & Dawdle, joins the show this week. Originally from California, Matt and his wife Jana first opened the now iconic Hound in downtown Auburn in 2012. With two more ventures under his belt, and more to come, Matt shares about how he came to enter the restaurant industry and how each restaurant strives for excellence unmatched in customer service. 
To learn more about these restaurants:
https://www.thehound-auburn.com/
https://sneakanddawdle.com/
https://www.allaboardauburn.com/
To keep up with the community and local events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/
Thank you to our Community Partners:
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
https://www.colabopelika.com/
 

Growing Local (Sean Forbes & Jessi Riel)

Sean Forbes and Jessi Riel of O Grows join the show this week to share about the incredible work being done by the community at the gardens. Started in 2012, O Grows has transformed from an educational program through school gardens in Opelika to a community gardening and education initiative that seeks to address food insecurity in our area. The word localism comes to describe the way in which the gardens provide work, food, and gathering places for local people. It has become its own sort of ecosystem, bringing life and joy to downtown Opelika!
To learn more and connect with O Grows:
https://www.facebook.com/opelikagrows/
To connect more with community and local news:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/
Thank you to our Community Partners:
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=oqp1soA9TjGrLhyKDb8Ssg
 

Here to Save the Day (Aaron Blackmon)

Aaron Blackmon, the founder and CEO of Red Cape Agency, joins the show this week to share about his new business and upcoming grand opening. The conversation ranges from comic books to design to Aaron's love for coffee shops, but throughout our conversation with Aaron is this idea of helping people. A core principal of Aaron's new venture is that of helping people without the expectation that they will even end up paying something back. The grand opening of Red Cape puts this value on display as the full community is invited to take place in a networking event that Aaron hopes can help connect guests with people to help their dreams take shape.
Red Cape Agency's Grand Opening will be June 22nd from 3-6pm at 218 S 8th Street. RSVP here:
https://www.redcapeagency.com/grand-opening
To learn more about Red Cape Agency:
https://www.redcapeagency.com/
Keep up with community news and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners:
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
https://www.colabopelika.com/
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=-c2iTRnXRsiCpWc3HH7qtw
 
 

The Wonders of Nature (Michael Buckman)

Michael Buckman, Manager of Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, joins the show. Modern life does not prioritize interaction with nature, but at the KPNC, nature is all around. Located just north of Auburn, the KPNC is a wilderness space full of trails, educational programs, and even a preschool. Through the Woodland Wonders preschool, KPNC teaches kids not only about the natural world, but how to learn from it. Michael shares why we still need nature in a modern world and how we can work to preserve and grow our natural world in our daily lives. 
Learn more about the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center:
https://wp.auburn.edu/preserve/
Learn more about the community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/
Thank you to our Community Partners:
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
https://www.colabopelika.com/
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=QROW8iMIRFGGmogeIeP0HA
 

Auburn, Opelika, and Buc-ees Corn Nuggets (Robyn Bridges)

Robyn Bridges, President and CEO of Auburn-Opelika Tourism joins the show this week. This conversation bounces all around, from Buc-ees corn nuggets to how Opelika became home to one of the biggest pickle-ball tournaments in the States. While we may not think of our home town as the get away destination, Robyn shares what brings people to the Auburn-Opelika area, and what keeps them coming back. Whether it is football games, award-winning food, or the music scene, Auburn-Opelika Tourism works to showcase all our county has to offer, which is only the best around. 
Learn more about AO Tourism and what is going on in the community:
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Learn more about the community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
Thank you to our Community Partners:
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=PRKtLxSzS4-tzpU-PARpUQ

The Entrepreneur Mindset (Chloé Covin)

Chloé Covin, owner of Cultivate Media and starter of a number of other local business joins the show to conclude our small business series. After growing up in Texas, Chloé found her way to Lee County because of the community and business scene. Here, she found entrepreneurial minded people that aided her as she began her own ventures. Many successful business adventures later, Chloé has become a staple of the Auburn-Opelika community. She shares about the importance of digital marketing, the opportunities of being your own boss, and what work-life balance can look like. 
Connect with Cultivate Media:
https://cultivatemediaauburn.com/
Keep up with Community Events and News:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners:
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
https://www.colabopelika.com/
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=0JYN_2dFT7OGWX1ai02x0Q

Healing the Whole Self

Cassie Allen, of Allen Therapy, joins the show this week. Through her counseling practice, Cassie is able to help people to build effective practices to change their narratives on trauma. She does this using EMDR, a practice which incorporates mental, as well as physical, techniques. Trauma does not live just in our mind, but also in our body. So, treatment should follow. Cassie graduated from Auburn University and lived in Panama City before returning to Lee County. 
To learn more about Allen Therapy:
https://www.allentherapy.com/
To keep up with community events and news:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/
Thank you to our Community Partners:
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=Rtpm3FVuRMOlQ68oy1L1iA

The Ross House

Toni Holt, the owner and founder of Ross House, joins the show this week to share of the stories of owning a coffee shop. The Ross House building has been an iconic landmark of the downtown Auburn area for a number of years, and playing host to a coffee shop is its latest service to the community. Toni tells stories of how the community meets at Ross house, whether it is to nourish faith, do a bit of homework, or even find a date! It is a house with history that still plays host to the present. 
To find our more about Ross House:
https://www.rosshousecoffee.com/
To learn more about the community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/
Thank you to our Community Partners:
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak
https://www.colabopelika.com/
Listen to Make Sure:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKM8dCpDEhjG0v75zqBcL?si=C344MU1RQAqC0CPngMv2Qg

The New Coffee Shop

Josh Dairen, owner of The Coffee Shop and the personality behind Alabama Urban Legends, joins the show this week to share about his recent step into the world of Coffee. A veteran to the show, Josh, Sam and Garrett talk about hospitality in the service industry, crazy drink orders, and how there is always room for more spaces. Josh shares how he and his wife hope to shape The Coffee Shop into a gathering place in the heart of downtown Opelika.
Find out more about Josh's adventures:
https://www.facebook.com/thecoffeeshop.al/
https://www.tiktok.com/@joshuadairen?lang=en
To learn more about the community and events:
https://opelikaobserver.com/
https://www.aotourism.com/Calendar/
Thank you to our Community Partners:
https://www.colabopelika.com/
https://www.statefarm.com/agent/us/al/opelika/christie-hill-lylv161jvak