Backstory & Beyond
Retail expert Ward Kampf sits down with trailblazing business leaders and disruptive founders to swap industry insights and uncover the real deal about some of the greatest cities in the world. With over thirty years of industry experience, Ward Kampf has developed some of the most impressive mixed-use assets in the country. Over the course of his career, he's identified and worked with business owners and entrepreneurs who are changing the game in their respective industries. Now, in Backstory & Beyond, Ward sits down with these change makers to share their stories and uncover the best practices that set them apart from their industry peers.
Episodes
June 11, 2025 • 24 mins
This week, Ward is back in San Diego to check in with Andrea Van De Vort, founder of a collection of multi-branded boutiques with locations across North County California. They'll discuss the dominant trends in women's fashion, the evolution of Andrea's own label, and how the business has harnessed the power of social selling to become a destination for both visitors and locals alike—all that and more on this episode of Backstory &...
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May 28, 2025 • 29 mins
This week, Ward returns to Charlotte to meet with Andy Phipps, co-founder of Arrow, a collection of barbershops that deliver quality cuts across North Carolina. They'll dive into how Andy and his brother uncovered a new niche in an established industry, the must-haves for any successful business, and the playbook Arrow has used to "bootstrap" its way to 11 locations — all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
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May 14, 2025 • 26 mins
This week, Ward makes his way to California to chat with Michael Palmer, owner of McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, a Santa Barbara institution for over 75 years. They'll discuss how Michael became a part of the McConnell's legacy, why being a dairy farmer has become a quality differentiator for the brand, and what Michael looks for in a celebrity partnership—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
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April 30, 2025 • 30 mins
This week, Ward drives down to Austin to see Paul Hedrick, founder of Tecovas, the world’s fastest-growing Western wear brand. They'll discuss Paul's approach to radical hospitality, Tecovas's evolution from DTC to brick-and-mortar, and what the award-winning television show Yellowstone has done for the brand—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
Learn more about Tecovas on their website.
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April 16, 2025 • 30 mins
This week, Ward is in San Diego with father-daughter duo Kevin Murray and Kelli Murray Larson, founders of Rylee + Cru—artistic and imaginative clothing for the modern child. They'll break down how Kelli leveraged an existing social media following to successfully launch a debut collection, why philanthropy was built into the business model from the start, and when Kevin and Kelli knew it was time to expand into the world of brick-...
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April 2, 2025 • 26 mins
This week, Ward meets up with Jim Noble, restaurateur behind three of The Bowl at Ballantyne's concepts: Bossy Beulah's, Rooster's, and Copain. They'll explore Jim's childhood on a Southern farm, how he helped turn Charlotte into a culinary city, and his commitment to using his talents to make good food accessible to everyone—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
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March 19, 2025 • 26 mins
This week, Ward returns to LA to meet with Sarah Davis, founder and president of the ultra-luxury re-commerce brand FASHIONPHILE. They'll dive into Sarah's early days as a law student with an entrepreneurial mind, what luxury resellers can learn from heritage brands, and how authentication is more science than art. All that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
Check out FASHIONPHILE on their website and Instagram.
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March 5, 2025 • 24 mins
This week, Ward travels to New York to chat with Nate Checketts, founder of Rhone, a performance lifestyle brand dedicated to championing fitness in all its forms. They'll break down the importance of focusing on mental health in the world of athletics, the power of in-person interactions in brick-and-mortar stores, and how technology is innovating custom-made clothing — all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
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February 19, 2025 • 30 mins
This week, Ward heads to Austin to meet with Khalil Rafati, author, motivational speaker, and founder of SunLife Organics, a juice bar brand with a celebrity following on a mission to love, heal, and inspire. They'll dive into Khalil's journey from addiction to entrepreneurship, the power of a single act of kindness, and how far Khalil will go to source the perfect ingredient — all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyon...
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February 5, 2025 • 28 mins
This week, Ward sits down with Jacqueline Fitch-Little, Senior Vice President of Retail Leasing at Northwood Retail and Principal of Merch. They'll introduce Jac's new affiliate retail leasing consulting business, share the keys to building long-lasting retail relationships, and predict the retail trends that will dominate 2025—all that and more on this episode of Backstory and Beyond.
Check out Merch on their website and Instagra...
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January 22, 2025 • 30 mins
This week, Ward sits down with Nicole Trunfio, founder of BUMPSUIT, a fashion maternity brand that's disrupting the marketplace. They'll discuss the origins of the namesake garment, BUMPSUIT's entry into the world of brick-and-mortar, and the healing power of community — all that and more on this episode of Backstory and Beyond.
Check out BUMPSUIT on their website and Instagram.
Follow Nicole on Instagram.
Learn more about Northwo...
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August 7, 2024 • 29 mins
This week, Ward is back in Charlotte visiting Joe Haubenhofer, co-founder of Harriet's Hamburgers and the branding agency The Plaid Penguin. They'll discuss nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit, the value of using an emotional connection to differentiate in a crowded market, and the unique origins of America's favorite sandwich—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
Check out Harriet's Hamburgers on their website ...
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August 7, 2024 • 25 mins
This week, Ward heads to Charlotte to meet with European-Star-Award-winning brewer John Marrino, founder of The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. They'll discuss how four simple ingredients can create an incredible array of German-style beers, why competition shouldn't phase entrepreneurs, and how choosing the right tree can make or break a guest's experience—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
Check out The Olde Meck...
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November 22, 2023 • 27 mins
This week, Ward is in San Diego with Carol Roizen, co-founder of Parakeet Cafe, an eatery and juice bar with over a dozen locations across California. They'll discuss how a life-changing event started the journey to understand the intersection of food and health, why embracing change is essential for entrepreneurs, and what a cup of hot cocoa can teach us about business. All that and more on this episode of Backstory and Beyond.
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November 1, 2023 • 36 mins
This week, Ward sits down with Charlotte-based stylist Erica Hanks, founder of SHOWROOM, a business dedicated to curating fashion collections for the working woman. They'll discuss how recognizing a gap in the market is the key to early success, why retail owners need to be working the store floor, and Erica's strategies for building a sustainable wardrobe—all that and more on this episode of Backstory and Beyond.
Check out all tha...
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October 11, 2023 • 32 mins
This week, Ward is in Dallas with restaurateur, food hall creator, and Front Burner Society founder Randy DeWitt. They'll discuss the necessity of pivoting with market changes, how innovation requires exploration, and how entertainment, experiences, and great food can combine to create a destination venue —all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
Learn more about Randy's concepts.
Learn more about Northwood Retail.
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September 20, 2023 • 31 mins
This week, Ward is in Manhattan with Alex Faherty, co-founder of the family-led clothing brand Faherty. They'll discuss how a childhood dream became a global fashion brand, where to draw the line between inspiration and appropriation, and why a great retail experience starts with the front line—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
Learn more about Faherty on Instagram or the website.
Learn more about Northwood R...
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August 30, 2023 • 32 mins
This week, Ward heads to Phoenix to chat with Lauren Bailey and Craig DeMarco, founders of Upward Projects, a restaurant group united around one simple mission — to make people feel good. They'll discuss how honest feedback can revolutionize a business and why unique is worth the extra effort. Plus, a surprise guest appearance from one of Ward's nearest and dearest — all that and more on this episode of Backstory and Beyond.
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August 9, 2023 • 32 mins
This week, Ward heads to Laguna Beach to check in with Gorjana and Jason Reidel, the power couple behind the jewelry brand gorjana. They'll discuss the unique challenges that come with being both business and life partners, making the move from online to brick and mortar, and using retail to build community and connections—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
Find gorjana on Instagram or the website.
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July 19, 2023 • 31 mins
This week, Ward is in Dallas with Kerri Davis, owner of Ellis Hill, one of the country’s most unique stores for luxury paper goods, personalized gifts, and custom home decor. They'll discuss treasure hunting for exceptional goods around the globe, how an intentional approach to growth can ensure success, and the importance of brick and mortar—all that and more on this episode of Backstory & Beyond.
Find Ellis Hill on Instagram or t...
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