Chill Pretty is more than a boutique. It is a one-stop salon, boutique, and community space built around style, connection, and making women feel welcomed. On this episode of the Whiskey and Wisdom Podcast, Chris Kellum and Tyler Yaw are on location in Surf City, North Carolina with Amber and Michelle, the owners of Chill Pretty Boutique. Chill Pretty is more than a boutique. It is a one-stop salon, boutique, and community space built around style, connection, and making women feel welcomed. Amber shares how her longtime hair career led her to open a small two-chair salon with a boutique attached, and how rapid growth pushed the business into a larger space. Michelle shares how their partnership formed organically as neighbors and turned into a thriving local brand. In this conversation, we talk about building a salon and boutique business, creating a strong community culture, weekly yoga, supporting military families, buying trips to the Vegas market, boutique inventory strategy, Surf City business growth, loyal customers, Black Friday events, and what success really looks like when you are leading a team and serving your community. Whether you love small business stories, boutique fashion, salon culture, Surf City, Topsail Island, or local entrepreneurship, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Chill Pretty Boutique is growing with intention. Follow Chill Pretty Boutique online and visit them in Surf City, NC. Subscribe to Whiskey and Wisdom Podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, business owners, and community builders. Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Podcast On Location 01:00 Meet Chill Pretty Owners 01:10 Amber’s Salon Journey 02:17 Finding a Business Partner 04:24 Why Add a Boutique 05:49 Brand Name and Loyal Clients 07:41 Community Vibe and Yoga 09:30 Growing Online the Right Way 11:26 Staying Local Not Franchising 12:27 Surf City Shop Strip Culture 13:59 Buying Strategy and Vegas Market 15:30 Style Aesthetic and Quality 17:19 Merchandising and New Inventory 19:12 Sizing and Future In-House Line 20:44 What Excites Them Daily 21:21 Why Mondays Rock 22:33 Favorite Colors and Neutrals 23:09 Color Theory and Workwear 24:06 Next Growth Ideas 25:30 Manifesting New Businesses 27:30 Kids as Motivation 30:28 Going Viral on Instagram 32:27 Advice to Younger Self 34:10 Black Friday Beach Party 35:41 Defining Success and Team 36:42 Where to Find Chill Pretty 38:11 Wrap Up and Thanks

Kingdom Athlete Founder Kellie Schiller joins Tyler Yaw and Chris Kellum on the Whiskey & Wisdom Podcast to share how a simple faith-based clothing brand evolved into a thriving community movement centered around fitness, faith, and purpose.

Kellie discusses launching Kingdom Athlete during her husband's military deployment, overcoming repeated rejection from local gyms, hosting her first fitness and devotional events, and growing a brand focused on helping people strengthen both their bodies and their faith.

The conversation covers entrepreneurship, event planning, apparel manufacturing, Christian business ownership, handling setbacks, and redefining success through impact rather than income.

Along the way, the crew samples Tapped Maple whiskey and dives into lessons on resilience, marriage, community building, and staying faithful when the path isn't clear.

In this episode:

• The origin story of Kingdom Athlete

• How rejection helped grow the brand

• Building sold-out fitness events

• Faith and entrepreneurship

• The future of Kingdom Athlete apparel

• Marriage, military life, and perseverance

• Why success isn't what most people think

Connect with Kellie Schiller and Kingdom Athlete:

Website: KingdomAthlete.com

Instagram: @kingdomathleteco

Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, business owners, and community leaders.

#KingdomAthlete #ChristianEntrepreneur #FaithAndFitness #WhiskeyAndWisdom #ChristianBusiness #FitnessCommunity #Entrepreneurship

Chris Kellum and Tyler Yaw welcome back wedding photographer Leigh Roberts for a candid conversation covering sobriety, wedding industry trends, photography hot takes, and what happens when a wedding professional plans her own wedding. Leigh shares her journey of being sober for one year and seven months after a major health scare, discussing the lifestyle changes, nutrition adjustments, supplements, and daily habits that helped her regain her health. She also reflects on her decision to elope after spending nearly 14 years photographing weddings, explaining why she and her husband chose a small, intimate celebration that cost roughly $6,000.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of modern weddings, including rising costs, vendor pricing, wedding-industry politics, and the trends Leigh believes should disappear. She discusses everything from polka-dot wedding aesthetics and intentionally crooked photos to preferred-vendor cliques, DJ choices, and the pressure couples face when planning their big day. Leigh also shares practical advice for couples navigating family dynamics, vendor relationships, and wedding-day expectations.

On the photography side, Leigh offers strong opinions on delivering RAW images, the importance of editing, flash photography, second shooters, drone coverage, venue lighting, and the ongoing Canon versus Sony debate. The episode wraps with memorable wedding horror stories, discussions on AI's impact on photography, and valuable insights for anyone planning a wedding or working in the wedding industry.

00:00 Meet the Guest Leigh

00:53 Sober and Holistic Reset

02:04 Vaccine Injury Recovery

04:37 Lifestyle Changes and Food

05:45 Backyard Gym and Cooking

07:15 Eloping After 14 Years

09:33 Wedding Trends Pet Peeves

12:26 Wedding Costs and Pricing

15:19 Gen Z Vendors and Identity

20:45 Music Choices and DJs

25:03 Preferred Vendor Cliques

28:46 Shot List Hot Takes

28:58 Dress Shot Debate

29:55 Venue Lighting Matters

32:46 Second Shooters Strategy

35:00 Wedding Horror Stories

41:14 Trends, Flowers, and Cake

43:42 Flash, Film, and Gear

47:25 Canon vs Sony Switch

53:58 Pricing RAWs and AI

01:00:53 Family Dynamics Checklist

01:02:27 Wrap Up and Goodbye

• Why Leigh chose to elope after nearly 14 years of photographing weddings.
• The wedding trends she believes are overrated and ready to disappear.
• How sobriety and lifestyle changes transformed her health and daily life.
• The truth about wedding photography pricing and vendor costs.
• Why professional editing is a critical part of photography.
• Her thoughts on second shooters, drones, flash photography, and venue selection.
• Canon vs Sony: which system she prefers and why.
• Real wedding-day horror stories and lessons learned from years in the industry.
• How AI may change the future of photography and creative work.
• Practical advice for couples planning a wedding without unnecessary stress.

What does it take to build one of Wilmington's most talked-about coffee brands?

On this episode of Whiskey & Wisdom, Tyler Yaw and Chris Kellum sit down with Caitlyn Goff, owner of Grounds of Grace Coffee Truck. From canned lattes and coffee flights to seasonal flavors and faith-driven branding, Caitlyn shares how she built a growing business that has become a community favorite.

We discuss sourcing local coffee beans, learning the craft of espresso, creating unique menu items, leveraging social media, building strategic partnerships, and staying true to your values while growing a business.

Whether you're a coffee lover, entrepreneur, or someone pursuing a dream of your own, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.

🥤 In this episode:

• How Grounds of Grace got started

• The rise of canned lattes and coffee flights

• Creating seasonal coffee flavors

• Building a faith-based brand

• Social media growth strategies

• Lessons from entrepreneurship

• Future plans for expansion

Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and community leaders.

00:00 Why Everyone Loves Grounds of Grace

01:12 The Canned Latte Craze

02:42 Why Start a Coffee Truck?

03:57 Learning Espresso From Scratch

05:50 Seasonal Flavors That Keep Customers Coming Back

07:32 Why Coffee Flights Work

08:54 Funding the Dream

09:57 How Their Canned Lattes Are Made

12:22 Clean Ingredients and Better Syrups

14:04 The Faith Behind Grounds of Grace

18:40 Building Community Through Partnerships

22:21 Branding the Truck

23:30 Coffee Preferences and Favorites

24:52 What Europe Gets Right About Coffee

28:30 New Summer Flavor Launches

29:38 Where to Find Grounds of Grace

31:07 Defining Success and Future Growth

35:47 Advice to Her Younger Self

37:03 What's Next for Grounds of Grace

39:09 Final Thoughts and Wrap Up

What started as a few moms getting together for movement and connection has grown into one of Wilmington’s fastest-growing postpartum fitness communities.

On this episode of Whiskey & Wisdom, Chris Kellum and Tyler Yaw sit down with Brooke Pereira, founder of The Mamalates Group, to talk about motherhood, postpartum fitness, community building, and helping moms feel less alone after having kids.

Brooke shares how mommy-and-me Pilates classes, stroller workouts, and weekly walks turned into a movement bringing together dozens of moms across Wilmington — including a recent event with nearly 90 attendees.

The conversation dives into:

• Postpartum fitness struggles
• Building community after motherhood
• Making gyms less intimidating for moms
• “Babes and Barbells” at Lakeside
• Starting imperfectly
• Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship
• Brooke’s vision for coaching and online programs

Whether you’re a parent, fitness enthusiast, entrepreneur, or someone trying to build meaningful community, this episode delivers practical insight and honest conversation.

Nom Nom Nom’s Rob Stang on Gnomes, New York-Style Deli Life, and Building Community in Wilmington On the Whiskey and Wisdom podcast, Chris Kellum and Tyler Yaw welcome guest Rob Stang of Nom Nom Nom, tasting Penelope Havana whiskey and discussing drink preferences. Rob shares his background from upstate New York, years in retail management, and his shift to entrepreneurship with his wife, leading to three gnome-inspired Wilmington businesses: Nom Nom Nom deli in the Cotton Exchange, Gnome Garden ILM (gnomes, mushrooms, houseplants), and Cape Fear Gnomies Dispensary focused on education and quality. He explains the origin of the gnome/“nom nom” concept, the deli’s New York-style emphasis on fresh-sliced ingredients, Apple Annie’s bread, Jess Bagels from the Bronx, breakfast all day, and empanadas tied to his Puerto Rican heritage. They cover community support, seasonal traffic, new desserts, social handles, and Rob’s views on success and advice to his younger self.

00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro

00:44 Penelope Havana Tasting

02:40 Mixers And Whiskey Habits

03:25 Rob Origin Story Retail To Owner

04:38 Gnome Obsession Explained

08:48 Nom Nom Nom Brand Origin

10:01 Three Gnome Businesses Tour

11:21 Dispensary Education And Market

13:47 What Makes A Real Deli

18:32 Cotton Exchange Community Buzz

20:21 Growth Plans Empanadas Hours

21:55 All Day Breakfast NY Bagels

23:50 Bagels Bread Debates

24:24 Travel Food Mixups

25:19 Too Tired To Cook

25:56 Chicken Coop Chronicles

28:15 Egg Brand And Side Hustle

29:00 Finding Nom Nom Nom

29:50 Empanada Flavor Lab

30:34 Hotdog Cart Upgrade

32:38 Store Collabs And Merch

34:40 Dessert Drops And Specials

37:08 Schmear Vs Cream Cheese

39:12 Defining Success And Advice

42:16 Wrap Up And Where To Go

Most people see wrestling as just a sport.

They’re missing the point.

In this episode of Whiskey & Wisdom, we sit down with John Mills, Southeast NC Wrestling Rep for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), to break down what’s really happening on the mats—and why it matters far beyond competition.

From the rapid rise of girls wrestling to the deeper impact of mentorship, discipline, and faith, this conversation goes beyond sports and into formation.

We cover:

• Why wrestling is one of the toughest—and most transformative—sports
• The explosive growth of girls wrestling across North Carolina
• How FCA is reaching students through its “E3” model (Engage, Equip, Empower)
• The challenge of leading, mentoring, and building real relationships with young athletes
• What today’s kids actually need—and why most systems are missing it

If you care about faith, discipline, leadership, or the next generation, this episode hits.

No whiskey this time—just real conversation.

Subscribe for more conversations that blend life, leadership, and perspective.

Abbye is back—and this episode doesn’t hold back.

After just a year, Abbye made the decision to sell Ibis. But that was only part of the story. Between running two businesses, navigating a major life transition, and facing a cease-and-desist that’s forcing The Starling to change its name, this might be her most pivotal season yet.

We break down:

• Why she sold Ibis (and what most people don’t understand about bar ownership)
• The reality of running a 7-day-a-week hospitality business
• How Salt and Charm is scaling into its biggest wedding season ever
• The cease-and-desist that’s forcing a full rebrand of The Starling
• Feast Weekend events, food experiences from Napa to Spain, and what great hospitality actually looks like
• The shift from chef to CEO mindset

This is a raw look at entrepreneurship, pressure, and making hard decisions when everything is on the line.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome Back Abbye

01:04 Winter Wins and Feast Plans

02:36 Project X Whiskey Tasting

03:48 Napa Wine Birthday Trip

05:36 Spain Michelin and Food Travel

06:59 Carry On Travel Hacks

08:52 Chicken Tenders Debate

11:23 Building Catering Menus

13:21 Wedding Showcase and Tastings

17:21 Selling Ibis Explained

21:04 Backyard Gym and 75 Hard

24:41 Cornbread Debate

26:23 Cease and Desist Shock

27:42 Picking a New Name

30:04 Too Many Bars Now

33:07 Hospitality That Matters

37:03 Business From Scratch Podcast

42:08 Life as a Business

48:06 Where to Find Them

Follow Abby:

• The Starling (Queen & Co)
• Salt and Charm Catering
• Business From Scratch Podcast