January 21, 2025 • 33 mins
Host Christa and new co-host La Rhea Burke welcome Alexis Siebert, co-founder of the Topsail Young Professionals. Alexis takes us on her journey from Winston-Salem to Topsail, sharing her rich background in the arts and her family’s deep creative roots.
Discover how Alexis and a few friends turned the challenges of networking in a new town into an exciting opportunity by launching the Topsail Young Professionals, in collaboration with the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn how this thriving group is helping young professionals and businesses connect, grow, and make their mark.
Find and Follow Topsail Young Professionals on Facebook and Instagram!
Topsail Chamber of Commerce - 13775 NC-50, Surf City, NC
topsailchamber.org
(910) 329-4446
You can also learn more about Alexis Siebert on Instagram.
And learn more about the Topsail Yoga Collect at https://www.topsailyogacollective.com/, as well as on Facebook and Instagram.
Topsail Insider is Sponsored by Saltwater Resort & Suites - Topsail Island’s premier luxury hospitality experience! Book your beach getaway today at SaltwaterTopsail.com or call (910) 886-4818!
Co-Hosts: La Rhea Burke and Christa Schroeder
Edited by Christa
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
Welcome to Topsail Insider,where you can hear all about the
businesses and events in thebeautiful coastal towns in the
greater Topsail area of NorthCarolina.
Coming up, we're interviewingAlexis Siebert.
She moved here and found it hardto meet people and network with
(00:22):
other young professionals.
So she and a friend partneredwith the Greater Topsail Area
Chamber of Commerce and startedthe Topsail Young Professionals.
Join us today to discuss the newgroup.
Making waves in Topsail, todayon Topsail Insider.
It's time to indulge andexperience the finest coastal
(00:43):
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(01:06):
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(01:28):
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Mic 3-Christa (01:39):
Hello Insiders.
My name is Christa and I am cohosting today with Miss La Rhea
Burke, one of Topsail Insider'sbrand new hosts.
You can learn more about La Rheaand our new host by visiting
TopsailInsider.
com La Rhea owns Picnic Haven.
She's a personal trainer, akickboxing instructor, author,
and a woman's bodybuildingchampion.
She also founded a thriving tshirt brand called Loves Active.
(02:02):
I am thrilled to pass the mic toyou, La Rhea.
Welcome to being a host onTopsail
Mic 1-La Rhea (02:07):
Ah, thank you so much, to say that I'm honored to
be here is an understatement,not only because I get to unlock
a new passion, but also becauseI get to connect with such
amazing friends here in thislittle, not so little island of
ours in surrounding areas.
So today we have Alexis Siebertjoining us.
She is a co founder of TopsailYoung Professionals.
(02:29):
Welcome, Alexis, and thanks forjoining us.
Mic 2-Alexis (02:31):
you.
Mic 1-La Rhea (02:32):
So I just want to kick things off with what is the
mission behind Topsail YoungProfessionals?
Can you tell us a little bitmore about that?
Mic 2-Alexis (02:38):
Yeah, topsail Young Professionals is a group
of dynamic individuals, that areall about networking,
leadership, and impact, in andaround the Topsail area, and is
started by the Topsail Chamberof Commerce.
Mic 1-La Rhea (02:52):
So when speaking on the phone, I found your story
so relatable.
Many of us have moved here fromsomewhere else and have either
found it hard to meet people, orhave had to look for people to
connect with, not only becausewe want this, but often we need
it.
Alexis, you have quite a storybehind you and what led you to
(03:14):
what you are doing today as ayoung professional of your own
and being a co founder of theTopsail Young Professional Group
and founder of Topsail YogaCollective.
Mic 2-Alexis (03:26):
But
Mic 1-La Rhea (03:26):
it's like your web has broadened to a new way
to collect us all.
Can you start with just tellingus more about yourself?
Mic 2-Alexis (03:33):
yourself?
I grew up in Winston Salem,North Carolina, and most of my
family lives there still.
It's a very tight knitcommunity, I would say.
I was very involved in thedowntown area.
My family is very involved inthe arts in that area.
Mic 3-Christa (03:48):
area.
Mic 2-Alexis (03:49):
And it was like, walking down the street, you
would see 15 people you knew andjust say hi every day.
moving here was a littledifficult when you know no one,
and I was so used to asking afriend, for help or referrals in
Winston Salem on, hey, where'sthe coolest place to go?
(04:09):
Or does somebody want to grab adrink with me?
I'll be at this place for a fewhours today.
And I just didn't have that hereyet.
And it was very hard it seemedlike a lot of people were
feeling that way as well.
I was part of the, very largedowntown group of Winston Salem.
It's a little bit bigger than,it's like the fifth largest city
(04:29):
in North Carolina.
And downtown Winston Salem.
fell into disrepair after the80s and the tobacco industry
left.
And so a lot of the artists,musicians, and movers and
shakers decided to revitalizethe downtown.
My family felt it was very muchneeded.
important to be part of that,being in the arts industry.
(04:51):
So it was really nice, workingwith only small businesses, from
my youth up until now and reallyhelping that downtown revitalize
itself.
One of my favorite things ispeople always would text me
like, hey, you know everybody.
Do you know where, do you knowsomebody who could do this for
me?
just oh, I know a guy or I knowa gal in Winston Salem was just
my go to thing.
(05:12):
And I didn't, I was missing thathere.
Mic 1-La Rhea (05:13):
Yeah, it's interesting because when you
think of Winston Salem, I thinkof a city like with lots of
people And so for you to be ableto say that you had connections
to many different businessesPeople in the local area and you
felt that love is a largestatement to say in itself.
I'm just curious.
What would you say is the numberone way you went about finding
(05:35):
those connections or getting toknow people in the area?
Mic 2-Alexis (05:37):
so I have two older siblings that are twins,
and they're quite a bit olderthan me, actually.
They're eight years older thanme, and my older brother was
very involved in the music scenein the area, in the like, indie
music scene.
And, my sister Gretchen is anartist and very involved with
North Carolina artists and nonprofits for artists.
(05:59):
And I just decided to move tothe downtown area and make
friends.
worked at a lot of bars andrestaurants where I familiarized
myself with a lot of locals.
And it was very much aneighborhood feel even though
it's a large downtown.
my father teaches at a, atUniversity of North Carolina
(06:21):
School of the Arts.
And so he was very involved.
in the art scene there and mystepmother founded an arts based
elementary school and a lot ofmy friend's kids went there.
So it was very easy for me tojust have my hands in a lot of
different pots.
And just get to know people.
I like to say, and so do myparents, I've never met a
(06:43):
stranger, I try to be helpfuland nice and that's just where
it led me.
and I'm also, I was also veryinvolved in the music scene in
Winston Salem and so I just knewpeople from that.
Mic 1-La Rhea (06:54):
So you're mentioning art a lot here and
just knowing you and seeing youand just hearing about you.
I definitely get the sense thatthere's more behind that.
How, tell me more about yourparents and art and what exactly
did they do?
Mic 2-Alexis (07:07):
Yes, so my mom, Alicia, my dad, Glenn, and my
stepmom, Mary, and my youngersister, Veronica, are all
professional opera singers.
they are all, classicallytrained and making a living
being classically trained operasingers.
And my grandfather, Jim, was avery big singer and he was in, a
(07:29):
lot of musicals when he wasyounger in the 20s and 30s, and
then my other grandfather,Glenn, also was on Broadway in
the 40s.
And so I had a very deepconnection to the arts and I'm
probably was singing before Iwas talking kind of thing.
My brother is a musician aswell.
(07:50):
And my older sister Gretchen isa sculptor.
Actually, that's what she'strained in.
And she is a wonderful artist.
She is involved with thePiedmont Craftsman International
non profit, which bringscraftsmen and artisans of North
Carolina together and highlighttheir work.
Mic 1-La Rhea (08:07):
You come from a really great family background.
Yes.
It doesn't surprise me thatyou're doing what you're doing
now.
And they're probably very proudof you.
Mic 2-Alexis (08:15):
I Would hope so.
Yeah, they are my you know, myfamily is just we're kind people
we're willing to help anybodyand they really instilled that
in all of us and the arts is aVery big way to show that you
know my parents were alive inthe 70s and 80s right when the
AIDS pandemic was happening, andbeing in the arts they saw a
(08:35):
huge impact in that.
My stepmom had quite a fewfriends pass away from it, so I
think them noticing howimportant community is was
really instilled early on, andthey're both from big families
and they know what that means,
Mic 3-Christa (08:49):
Now you mentioned that you have an acting
background as well.
Mic 2-Alexis (08:52):
Yeah, I I'm very into musical theater.
I like to say I'm a jack of alltrades, master of none.
but I, just the love and thedreams of what my grandfather
Glenn did in the 40s, It led mewanting to do Broadway.
So starting from the time I wasa little kid, I was in 30
musicals.
I've been in so many differentshows.
I was always in a play, or amusical, or in theater, or in
(09:17):
chorus, or in some sort of
Mic 3-Christa (09:20):
acting,
Mic 1-La Rhea (09:21):
idea.
In a family full of artists andsingers and opera singers and
musicals, what was your typical,meals and dinner?
Were you guys singing?
I know this is
Mic 2-Alexis (09:32):
we were singing it actually freaked my husband out
the first time he came over toour house No, I've you know, I
didn't play sports.
I did musicals with my mom afterschool In Lewisville, North
Carolina, they have a townsquare It's a suburb of Winston
Salem great town square and theyjust really did two to four
musicals or plays a year in thetown square outside.
(09:53):
So I got these amazing Broadwayesque productions done as a kid.
So I was doing them from thetime I was nine.
And this community is still sostrong.
In fact, I'm still best friendswith a girl I met there when I
was nine.
Mic 1-La Rhea (10:08):
Wow.
Mic 2-Alexis (10:09):
30 years of friendship nearly.
And we are still friends with alot of those people in the
community.
I have, connected with thosepeople.
Mic 1-La Rhea (10:17):
connected with
Mic 2-Alexis (10:18):
entire, my entire life.
In fact, today I posted aboutthe Topsail Young Professional
group on my Facebook page and mykindergarten teacher commented
on it and she did musicals withme.
So like to have my life, bewitnessed in her eyes and just
to know like that community isstill there is so strong, It's
(10:38):
so nice and it just made meremember all the things about
her that I loved
Mic 1-La Rhea (10:43):
definitely brings it to like full circle and back
into perspective because I canthink of being that
kindergartner You don't we don'tthink of the connections we're
making at that time and whatthat might mean to us in the
future So it's really nice tohear you share that story about
meeting and connecting back withher and still having that
relationship It's it's reallycool
Mic 2-Alexis (11:01):
You know what, actually, now that I think about
it, she wasn't my kindergartenteacher.
She was my preschool teacher.
Actually, she was my preschool.
So a little year before, but
Mic 1-La Rhea (11:09):
Still see the fact that you know that.
Yeah.
I don't know if I remember mypreschool teacher,
Mic 2-Alexis (11:13):
it was crazy because she ended up doing the
community theater with us andshe was like, Oh my gosh, I
haven't seen you.
And she just stuck with ourfamily and was a good friend.
Yeah.
Mic 1-La Rhea (11:22):
That's so good.
I can just picture you guyswaking and I don't know, what's
just my thoughts when I think ofthis.
I'm like, they're just singingalong, having sing alongs,
having musicals, all thesewonderful things.
Mic 3-Christa (11:33):
Or does someone say something like, Oh my gosh,
look out the window, there's arainbow.
Somewhere
Mic 2-Alexis (11:39):
Literally.
Literally.
I will use a
Mic 1-La Rhea (11:42):
use a
Mic 2-Alexis (11:43):
example.
my office mate yesterday waslike, oh, other office mate,
your phone is blowing up, you'reso popular.
And I'm like, popular.
I'm gonna be
Mic 1-La Rhea (11:51):
you know?
And you're like, yeah,
Mic 3-Christa (11:54):
you sound so good.
Mic 1-La Rhea (11:55):
good!
Mic 2-Alexis (11:56):
But that's what it, that's my brain constantly.
I am constantly.
Constantly referring back to amusical quote, So that's how I
got very much involved in thearts with that.
Mic 3-Christa (12:06):
a musical quote, you know.
Mic 2-Alexis (12:12):
I literally do.
And then it just stays in myhead forever.
Mic 1-La Rhea (12:15):
before we move
Mic 3-Christa (12:16):
very much involved in the arts with that.
Mic 2-Alexis (12:24):
Yeah.
And there, we're trying todevelop it up here,
Mic 3-Christa (12:28):
I'm in Snoods Ferry in here in Hampstead.
Are you participating in any ofthose local theater groups?
Mic 2-Alexis (12:33):
I am not in Wilmington just because I live
in Hampstead and it's a littlebit too far for me.
I have been encouraged by a fewpeople in town, who I know do
theater with them, to come andaudition, but right now my job
just doesn't allow me to and thecommute.
I am a karaoke queen
Mic 1-La Rhea (12:51):
Okay, where's
Mic 2-Alexis (12:52):
I am a
Mic 3-Christa (12:53):
where's your joint?
Where do you go for yourkaraoke?
Mic 2-Alexis (12:55):
Right now, one of my favorite places is to go to,
Scallywags isn't open anymore,but when Scallywags was open,
that was one of my good places.
Crab
Mic 3-Christa (13:03):
Crab Pot.
Mic 2-Alexis (13:03):
yeah.
and it was fun when they did itat Buddy's Outside for a little
bit this year, that was reallyfun.
but I'm a big karaoke queen.
I've won a Jet Ski, that's myclaim to
Mic 1-La Rhea (13:13):
I have this like running joke with my friends I'm
like, I just want to karaoke andI have this sense where I think
it's like riding a rollercoaster I just want to do it.
I'm a little
Mic 2-Alexis (13:21):
I'm afraid though.
It is like riding a roller
Mic 1-La Rhea (13:23):
But I just want to do
Mic 2-Alexis (13:24):
Yes, you should.
It's really fun and worth itbecause people who go to
karaoke's also just want to singtheir hearts out so they, the
best people, are usually theones who don't sound the best,
because they're so into it.
They're like giving it their alland you're like, that was
amazing how much performance wasinto it,
Mic 1-La Rhea (13:41):
so you can't drive to Wilmington just because
of the distance for the theater.
And I know that you were a partof a Young Professionals group
in Wilmington before startingall of this.
Mic 2-Alexis (13:51):
I'm involved with BNI.
If you're familiar with those,it's Business Networking
International.
I'm also part of the WilmingtonChambers Young Professionals and
the Port City YoungProfessionals.
And, they are a bit of a drive.
It takes me about 35 minutes,sometimes more depending on the
time of day to get there.
We all know Hampstead traffic.
but it was just too difficult Ihad been living in the Topsail
(14:13):
area for a little more than ayear and
Mic 1-La Rhea (14:16):
to connect
Mic 2-Alexis (14:16):
wanted to connect with more of the people I lived
around and not people I had totravel to.
Mic 1-La Rhea (14:21):
So you were going to Wilmington for this Young
Professionals Group, but whatmade you decide to start doing
it here?
Mic 2-Alexis (14:28):
My job, I am the Exteriors and One of their
passions is being involved inthe community.
They wanted to know more of theTopsail area.
That's why they hired me.
I knew people, I was connectedwith people, and when I
mentioned to my, owner,Stephanie, that it was, a little
(14:50):
hard for me to drive sometimes,she mentioned, the Topsail
Chamber's really amazing.
Do they have one?
And that sparked theinspiration.
No, but Let me ask him aboutthat.
I'm not afraid of a challenge.
I'm not afraid of trying newthings and I really wanted some
friends.
Mic 1-La Rhea (15:07):
who did you
Mic 3-Christa (15:08):
with to get this up and off the
Mic 2-Alexis (15:12):
so I love the Topsail Chamber of Commerce
here.
They are one of the bestresources a business could have
in this area and, And knowingthat Wilmington had their own
young professional group, I wasinterested to see, they're
closer, maybe they'll have onefor me to join.
And I also had a few friendsfeeling the same frustrations
(15:34):
who were maybe even living inlike Sneeds Ferry.
So it was more, why don't wejust start one here?
Why don't we connect with thebusinesses that matter in our
area?
Mic 1-La Rhea (15:44):
Give us some details on how you went about
doing that.
what, how did it come together?
Mic 2-Alexis (15:48):
Yeah, I brought the idea initially to Tammy
Proctor of the Topsail Chamber.,she is the executive director
and she, invited me to heroffice and basically was like,
we have all the tools, createit.
I know I can trust you.
I know your company.
I know I've seen you aroundtown.
So go for it.
(16:09):
And I.
Mic 3-Christa (16:10):
ahead.
Mic 1-La Rhea (16:11):
I,
Mic 2-Alexis (16:12):
tapped into my friend group, that is pretty
much the best way to make, yournetwork grow.
And I tapped into just friendswho I knew were networking and
were very, community driven.
and the first place I looked,obviously was my Topsail yoga
collective.
which I started with MarissaMiller who is from Inlet
(16:35):
Marketing Company.
she's also new to the area andJessica Nadeau who is with
Northwestern Mutual and shelives in Sneeds Ferry.
Again, also traveling so far toWilmington.
And then Jessica Sulzmoor who isa local realtor in the area who
she knows everyone and knows theins and outs and really
(16:56):
introduced me to a lot ofpeople.
So it was the prime group ofpeople to get it started.
I wanted my friends to help mewith this because we all had a
similar goal.
We all were like minded.
We all knew what we wanted toaccomplish.
And they're just very easy towork with.
We're all on the same page.
(17:17):
We're all on the same level.
Tammy is open to all of ourideas and it's been nothing but
wonderful.
Mic 1-La Rhea (17:24):
I can't help but get this like picture of the
Olympics and, the relay wherethey're running and they pass
the baton to the next person, tothe next person.
And each person's role isextremely important, but it's a
team and they work together.
I feel like you got the batonand you ran with it.
It was like Tammy gave it to youwithin the trust that you knew
that you could run to the nextperson, pass the baton.
(17:46):
And you guys brought this alltogether as a team.
Mic 2-Alexis (17:48):
oh, yeah, definitely.
Yeah, she was the coach.
I was the first runner and thenit was just taking it off from
there, it really was.
Mic 3-Christa (18:00):
I just want to take a brief moment to talk
about Patriot Roofing.
Mic 1-La Rhea (18:03):
Yeah, so
Mic 2-Alexis (18:04):
yeah.
So Patriot Roofing is a femaleowned and mostly operated
roofing, siding, and exteriorscompany.
Stephanie Bolton is the owner.
She is, One of the best mentorsI could have asked for in a
boss.
She's really involved, like Isaid, with the community.
She really thinks professionalwomen in building is important,
(18:25):
women in construction isimportant, and she really wants
to change the perspective of thebuilding industry.
Mic 3-Christa (18:31):
industry.
Mic 2-Alexis (18:32):
Yeah, it's actually one of my favorite
things about this company islike, how much encouragement.
is put towards, revitalizing andchanging how things are done and
noticing things can be donebetter and more inclusively.
Mic 1-La Rhea (18:54):
Alright, so this group, it's clearly taken off.
when did you guys have yourfirst meeting?
How many people showed up?
what was that like?
Mic 2-Alexis (19:02):
Our first meeting was in September of this year at
Hidden Chips Distillery, and itwas our inaugural quote unquote
ribbon cutting, we would like tosay.
And we had more than 75 peopleshow up.
Mic 1-La Rhea (19:13):
show up.
Mic 2-Alexis (19:14):
it was quite an event.
shocking turnout and it was sosupportive and people who we
never knew came to it and theyfound us through the chamber,
through word of mouth, throughFacebook and Instagram.
being young, quote unquote,young professionals,
Mic 1-La Rhea (19:31):
professionals, Which
Mic 2-Alexis (19:32):
which I would like to say young professionals is
not limited to age.
It could be a young business aswell.
No, you
Mic 3-Christa (19:43):
young?
Mic 2-Alexis (19:44):
It's young businesses.
It's young businesses, so itcould be young at heart, young
in young in, how old yourbusiness is, but it's also very
much operated by Millennials andwe like social media and that is
kind of who we were trying toreach out to because a lot of
the members of the chamber, theyare business owners and we want
(20:06):
to show how this area has a boomof younger people moving to it
and how hey, you can also starta business.
You can also further your careerhere.
You can make this place what youwant it to be.
so we get a lot of our word outthrough, social media and also
through the Chamber and justnetworking and word of mouth.
Mic 3-Christa (20:26):
we do have a lot of young people moving here and
starting their own businesses.
I am glad that there is a groupnow that focuses on those
younger, millennial, younger,thirties, even in their
twenties.
Someone started their businessat 17, one at 18.
Like I see you guys coming downout of high school with an
entrepreneur mindset I reallylike that you have this group
(20:48):
for the younger people.
Mic 2-Alexis (20:48):
yeah, it, that's what spawned it.
The noticing that there were somany younger people moving to
the area, a lot of youngfamilies, a lot of people
starting their families, a lotof military deciding to stay,
Onslow County's median age is23.
Mic 1-La Rhea (21:07):
23,
Mic 2-Alexis (21:08):
Wilmington and Pender County and New Hanover,
it's 38.
So that's a huge difference.
And I'm no spring chicken, but Iwant to help people, grow and
keep within their community ifthey can.
So if, like you're saying, ifthere's 17, 18 year olds who are
in high school and they're like,I'm already making, six figures
(21:28):
straight out of high schoolbecause this group helped me
Foster this business, or I justgraduated college and moved
here.
'cause I loved the beach.
How can I start a business hereand stay living at the beach?
Mic 1-La Rhea (21:41):
So how often do you meet, and what can we
expect, so
Mic 2-Alexis (21:45):
have a once a month meeting and we rotate
between a few different formats.
We do networking, that can be anafter hours event or during the
day.
We do leadership, we recentlydid a Lunch and Learn where we
have, speakers lead everyone.
Then we also will be doingcommunity based events.
December 14th, we are going tobe at the Flotilla, volunteering
(22:08):
there, and we will have one ofour Topsail professionals
leadership being one of thejudges.
So we're doing those kind ofthings, but our events are all
about networking, leadership,and impact.
Mic 3-Christa (22:22):
leading
Mic 1-La Rhea (22:23):
impacting your
Mic 2-Alexis (22:24):
to your community, impacting your community,
leading your community.
Those are our core values, Howcan we, engage those people?
So like I said, we had anetworking event in September,
we had a pumpkin carving eventin October, and the proceeds
from that went to Western NorthCarolina hurricane victims.
we had our Lunch and Learn withAndy Schwebka from Hidden Ships
(22:47):
Distillery last month.
Then we had a Lunch and Learnwith Richard Stroop from,
Mic 1-La Rhea (22:52):
Saltwater
Mic 2-Alexis (22:53):
Resorts and Sweets.
and then in January we'll haveanother networking event.
And then maybe we'll have someother fun events like a mini
golf tournament that we havecoming up.
So that would be considered oneof our community events because
we will be donating some moneythrough that.
Mic 3-Christa (23:07):
that's great.
Mic 1-La Rhea (23:08):
of our community events because we will be
donating some money throughthat.
And I was going as a youngprofessional to just get some
information.
And he did such a great speech.
He talked about that leadershipand what it takes to be a
business owner and how to be aleader.
Mic 2-Alexis (23:26):
It was an amazing speech.
Yeah, I know I we met andimmediately you walked in and we
connected I just like I waslike, oh, you're cute.
Hello
Mic 1-La Rhea (23:35):
like your outfit.
Oh, you like mine.
Mic 3-Christa (23:37):
now
Mic 2-Alexis (23:37):
god, and then literally like 20 minutes later
I think we got an email like oh,hey, by the way, and so that was
very interesting Yeah, that'show we connected.
So That's what I mean.
I would not have known you untiltoday.
So it was really nice getting toknow you and connecting with the
community just from that becausewe offer that time to that
(23:58):
networking, that fellowship,that connection before and after
each event.
My personal phrase is meet threepeople you didn't know at these
events.
Find three business cards you'venever seen.
Reach out to somebody.
Or some group you've never heardof before and see what that
takes you to.
See what that leads you.
Can
Mic 3-Christa (24:17):
Can you tell us about the remote workers?
I work from home, obviously, butI get to meet people when you
guys come in for the interview.
My husband works from home.
I know a lot of people,especially after COVID, have
turned to remote working.
So tell me about, what you guysdid to support this group of
people.
Mic 2-Alexis (24:34):
That was, one thing we really noticed from the
get go about the Topsail YoungProfessionals is that a lot of
them were remote workers orhybrid remote workers and we,
unlike Wilmington, there's no coworking space here and sometimes
you're just, you feel a littletrapped in your house, and you
just moved here and want to meetmore people.
(24:54):
So we fostered this remoteworking group out of that need.
a lot of the, people I had metin town were at Saltmarsh Market
while they were working.
And Michelle Wilbanks alreadyhad a very, relaxed co working
friend group that she, assembledlike once a week via text.
And we had just played off ofthat.
(25:16):
She wanted to grow it.
Mic 1-La Rhea (25:17):
and asked if
Mic 2-Alexis (25:18):
Asked if we could help her with that.
So we partnered with Salt Marshfor a few of the first ones
because they have such awonderful space.
They have all of the options ofsnacks, of drinks, of being
right in the center and heart ofSurf City at the moment, and
they offered really strong WiFi, a snack board, and a lot of
it is just people sitting there,hanging out with their
(25:41):
computers, doing their work.
Or it's Hey, I know.
You are also in marketing.
I really need somebody to helpme market my real estate
business.
Or hey, I'm really sorry tobother you.
You're a financialrepresentative and I am a
photographer and I have nothingplanned.
Help me please.
Or I need a tax associate.
(26:02):
And then, you see those friendsat Salt Marsh grabbing a snack
the next day, So for the remoteworkers, we're going to be
changing venues once a month, wefocused on Saltmarsh for the
first two Starting it out,seeing how it's going.
But we're going to be doing twoevents a month at one business.
next month it will be at SurfCity Brewing Company.
They just joined the Chamber ofCommerce and they will be having
(26:25):
snacks, maybe a little bit ofswag, things like that
available.
And it is maybe a new locationto go to Meet new people.
Mic 3-Christa (26:34):
Our rotating, a month.
We're thinking
Mic 2-Alexis (26:36):
Correct.
Our rotating, forum is once amonth, but we're possibly
thinking of having always alunch and learn, always a
remote, and then a networking orcommunity.
Mic 1-La Rhea (26:47):
do not a the Chamber of
Mic 2-Alexis (26:53):
do not need to necessarily be a of the Chamber
of Commerce.
We highly encourage you to lookinto being a member because they
have so much to offer you as asmall business and even an
individual.
there's no fees to join at themoment.
all you have to do is sign upfor an event on their website
and you're automatically addedto our mailing list.
(27:14):
once you're on the mailing list,you get all the information
about what events are coming up.
You can email us.
with questions.
You can also join our Facebookand our Instagram groups and
connect with other membersthrough there.
and you'll see events throughthe Topsail Chamber's website,
newsletter, and Facebook.
(27:36):
there's multiple ways to findit, but there's no need at the
moment to have an officialmembership, MUSIC TRANSITION
Mic 1-La Rhea (27:48):
So Alexis, you're off to a great start already.
the meetings, the Lunch andLearns, they are just, such a
wealth of information and Ispeak just from myself because I
attended one, so I can say this,but, the one I went to where,
Andy from Hidden Shipspoke.
Amazing.
The fact that you guys are goingto like local businesses.
(28:09):
This one was at Coastal Blends,which is a locally owned
business here in Holly Ridge.
It's a veteran owned businessand when I went in those doors,
it was packed.
Mic 3-Christa (28:18):
it was
Mic 1-La Rhea (28:19):
There was nowhere to park.
There was nowhere to, you justhad to situate yourself.
And I just can't help but thinkabout the impact that was for
them.
I'm sure their sales went up,and I can only imagine how much
they appreciated for you guys tohave that there.
Mic 2-Alexis (28:35):
That's one of our biggest goals is highlighting
smaller businesses in the areaand helping them increase their
sales, their revenue.
I just want to say, in fact, atCoastal Blends, you jumped
behind the counter.
have you ever worked therebefore?
Mic 1-La Rhea (28:50):
Just like you're a lady of all trades.
Mic 2-Alexis (28:52):
and I didn't, I was like, she must have worked
as a barista, but it was so coolto see.
You just noticed these peoplewere getting swamped with
business and they were shockedat how busy it was and you just
offered to help, which was sosweet.
I just wanna say that.
But that's what our goal was, tohelp these people boost
awareness, their network, andshow, wow, this place is
(29:15):
amazing.
So that is one of our goals forthat, yeah.
Mic 1-La Rhea (29:18):
And I just will say this too, and I know that,
Christa has, I've spoken withTami and I've talked with Tami
briefly from the chamber andshe's got nothing but wonderful
things to say about you you'remaking such a positive impact.
Just hearing your story, hearingabout how you grew up, where
you've come from, what you'vedone, and then to have you doing
it here.
(29:38):
It just, it doesn't surprise me,but I couldn't think of a better
person to do these things.
So we're grateful for you.
Starting this and your, yourheart behind that.
We really appreciate that.
Mic 2-Alexis (29:50):
you.
That means a lot to me.
Thank you.
Mic 1-La Rhea (29:53):
So what would you like to accomplish with this
group?
let's just think next three tofive years.
what would you like to seeaccomplished?
In
Mic 2-Alexis (30:00):
the next, three to five years, I would say I would
love to see this community growexponentially.
there's so much opportunity.
I would love to see us fosteringany non profits in the
community.
I would love to see us evenpotentially starting a grant
program to help small businessesgrow.
That is a dream of mine, is howcan we help underprivileged or
(30:23):
smaller businesses grow.
take off and what resources canwe give them.
So being that go to resource foryour business and your next step
is what my goals are.
And being able to give back tothe community, give back to the
area, give back to even theground we exist on is really
important here.
so just fostering thatconnection and Hoping that the
(30:46):
Topsail area can thrive andflourish in the next three to
five years would be my dream andPotentially let that little bird
fly on its own
Mic 1-La Rhea (30:54):
That sounds amazing just to think about that
and the possibilities, to makethose connections with people
and give those, resources.
So we're gonna go ahead and wrapthings up What's one thing, and
I know there's a lot of
Mic 2-Alexis (31:07):
other things, but
Mic 1-La Rhea (31:08):
but what's one thing that listeners can take
away from this conversationtoday about you and about the
Topsail Young Professionals?
Mic 2-Alexis (31:15):
Professionals?
the one thing I want people totake away from this is that the
Topsail Young Professionals isabout networking, leadership,
and impact.
If you can network and meet aconnection that helps you
impact.
your life and someone else's,you can grow your community.
That is my favorite way to sayit.
And if you are confused onanything, reach out to us.
(31:37):
We are here to help you.
You can Contact me at any time.
If you see me out in Topsail orSurf City, say, Hey, I saw you
on Facebook and I know I don'tknow you, but can you help me
with this?
More than happy to.
I think that's the best part, iswe're more than happy to help
you in any way.
Even if it's us just liking apost on social media, that's the
(32:00):
simplest form
Mic 1-La Rhea (32:01):
I love that.
It's time to wrap things upinsiders, please go to our show
notes Where you'll find theaddress the phone number
information to the Chamber ofCommerce as well as all of the
links to Topsail YoungProfessionals website and their
Facebook and Instagram pagesthank you so much, Alexis, it
was a pleasure chatting with youand getting to know you and this
(32:21):
new group that's in our area.
Mic 2-Alexis (32:23):
Thank you so much.
I really appreciate it.
Mic 3-Christa (32:26):
Alexis, truly, thank you so much for coming on
the show.
I just want to say thank you,Larea.
You did a great job hosting andI look forward to having you
host more shows in the future.
you're hired.
Mic 1-La Rhea (32:35):
you.
Mic 2-Alexis (32:35):
cut that
Hey, if you enjoyed today'sepisode of Topsail Insider,
please show your support byclicking the follow or subscribe
button on your favorite podcastlistening platform.
You can also follow us onFacebook, Instagram, Twitter,
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Please also go toTopsailinsider.
com and join our mailing list byclicking on the make me a
(32:56):
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While you're there, you canclick the send me a voicemail
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Your message just might be on anepisode of Topsail Insider.
You can email me at Christa atTopsailInsider.
com or call or text me at 910800 0111.
(33:16):
Thank you for listening andsupporting Topsail Insider and
our local businesses andnonprofits.
These are our neighbors and ourfriends, and together we build a
mighty and a beautiful communityI'm super proud to be a part of.
I'll see you around Topsail.
Welcome to Topsail Insider,where you can hear all about the
businesses and events in thebeautiful coastal towns in the
greater Topsail area of NorthCarolina.
Coming up, we're interviewingAlexis Siebert.
She moved here and found it hardto meet people and network with
(00:22):
other young professionals.
So she and a friend partneredwith the Greater Topsail Area
Chamber of Commerce and startedthe Topsail Young Professionals.
Join us today to discuss the newgroup.
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Mic 3-Christa (01:39):
Hello Insiders.
My name is Christa and I am cohosting today with Miss La Rhea
Burke, one of Topsail Insider'sbrand new hosts.
You can learn more about La Rheaand our new host by visiting
TopsailInsider.
com La Rhea owns Picnic Haven.
She's a personal trainer, akickboxing instructor, author,
and a woman's bodybuildingchampion.
She also founded a thriving tshirt brand called Loves Active.
(02:02):
I am thrilled to pass the mic toyou, La Rhea.
Welcome to being a host onTopsail
Mic 1-La Rhea (02:07):
Ah, thank you so much, to say that I'm honored to
be here is an understatement,not only because I get to unlock
a new passion, but also becauseI get to connect with such
amazing friends here in thislittle, not so little island of
ours in surrounding areas.
So today we have Alexis Siebertjoining us.
She is a co founder of TopsailYoung Professionals.
(02:29):
Welcome, Alexis, and thanks forjoining us.
Mic 2-Alexis (02:31):
you.
Mic 1-La Rhea (02:32):
So I just want to kick things off with what is the
mission behind Topsail YoungProfessionals?
Can you tell us a little bitmore about that?
Mic 2-Alexis (02:38):
Yeah, topsail Young Professionals is a group
of dynamic individuals, that areall about networking,
leadership, and impact, in andaround the Topsail area, and is
started by the Topsail Chamberof Commerce.
Mic 1-La Rhea (02:52):
So when speaking on the phone, I found your story
so relatable.
Many of us have moved here fromsomewhere else and have either
found it hard to meet people, orhave had to look for people to
connect with, not only becausewe want this, but often we need
it.
Alexis, you have quite a storybehind you and what led you to
(03:14):
what you are doing today as ayoung professional of your own
and being a co founder of theTopsail Young Professional Group
and founder of Topsail YogaCollective.
Mic 2-Alexis (03:26):
But
Mic 1-La Rhea (03:26):
it's like your web has broadened to a new way
to collect us all.
Can you start with just tellingus more about yourself?
Mic 2-Alexis (03:33):
yourself?
I grew up in Winston Salem,North Carolina, and most of my
family lives there still.
It's a very tight knitcommunity, I would say.
I was very involved in thedowntown area.
My family is very involved inthe arts in that area.
Mic 3-Christa (03:48):
area.
Mic 2-Alexis (03:49):
And it was like, walking down the street, you
would see 15 people you knew andjust say hi every day.
moving here was a littledifficult when you know no one,
and I was so used to asking afriend, for help or referrals in
Winston Salem on, hey, where'sthe coolest place to go?
(04:09):
Or does somebody want to grab adrink with me?
I'll be at this place for a fewhours today.
And I just didn't have that hereyet.
And it was very hard it seemedlike a lot of people were
feeling that way as well.
I was part of the, very largedowntown group of Winston Salem.
It's a little bit bigger than,it's like the fifth largest city
(04:29):
in North Carolina.
And downtown Winston Salem.
fell into disrepair after the80s and the tobacco industry
left.
And so a lot of the artists,musicians, and movers and
shakers decided to revitalizethe downtown.
My family felt it was very muchneeded.
important to be part of that,being in the arts industry.
(04:51):
So it was really nice, workingwith only small businesses, from
my youth up until now and reallyhelping that downtown revitalize
itself.
One of my favorite things ispeople always would text me
like, hey, you know everybody.
Do you know where, do you knowsomebody who could do this for
me?
just oh, I know a guy or I knowa gal in Winston Salem was just
my go to thing.
(05:12):
And I didn't, I was missing thathere.
Mic 1-La Rhea (05:13):
Yeah, it's interesting because when you
think of Winston Salem, I thinkof a city like with lots of
people And so for you to be ableto say that you had connections
to many different businessesPeople in the local area and you
felt that love is a largestatement to say in itself.
I'm just curious.
What would you say is the numberone way you went about finding
(05:35):
those connections or getting toknow people in the area?
Mic 2-Alexis (05:37):
so I have two older siblings that are twins,
and they're quite a bit olderthan me, actually.
They're eight years older thanme, and my older brother was
very involved in the music scenein the area, in the like, indie
music scene.
And, my sister Gretchen is anartist and very involved with
North Carolina artists and nonprofits for artists.
(05:59):
And I just decided to move tothe downtown area and make
friends.
worked at a lot of bars andrestaurants where I familiarized
myself with a lot of locals.
And it was very much aneighborhood feel even though
it's a large downtown.
my father teaches at a, atUniversity of North Carolina
(06:21):
School of the Arts.
And so he was very involved.
in the art scene there and mystepmother founded an arts based
elementary school and a lot ofmy friend's kids went there.
So it was very easy for me tojust have my hands in a lot of
different pots.
And just get to know people.
I like to say, and so do myparents, I've never met a
(06:43):
stranger, I try to be helpfuland nice and that's just where
it led me.
and I'm also, I was also veryinvolved in the music scene in
Winston Salem and so I just knewpeople from that.
Mic 1-La Rhea (06:54):
So you're mentioning art a lot here and
just knowing you and seeing youand just hearing about you.
I definitely get the sense thatthere's more behind that.
How, tell me more about yourparents and art and what exactly
did they do?
Mic 2-Alexis (07:07):
Yes, so my mom, Alicia, my dad, Glenn, and my
stepmom, Mary, and my youngersister, Veronica, are all
professional opera singers.
they are all, classicallytrained and making a living
being classically trained operasingers.
And my grandfather, Jim, was avery big singer and he was in, a
(07:29):
lot of musicals when he wasyounger in the 20s and 30s, and
then my other grandfather,Glenn, also was on Broadway in
the 40s.
And so I had a very deepconnection to the arts and I'm
probably was singing before Iwas talking kind of thing.
My brother is a musician aswell.
(07:50):
And my older sister Gretchen isa sculptor.
Actually, that's what she'strained in.
And she is a wonderful artist.
She is involved with thePiedmont Craftsman International
non profit, which bringscraftsmen and artisans of North
Carolina together and highlighttheir work.
Mic 1-La Rhea (08:07):
You come from a really great family background.
Yes.
It doesn't surprise me thatyou're doing what you're doing
now.
And they're probably very proudof you.
Mic 2-Alexis (08:15):
I Would hope so.
Yeah, they are my you know, myfamily is just we're kind people
we're willing to help anybodyand they really instilled that
in all of us and the arts is aVery big way to show that you
know my parents were alive inthe 70s and 80s right when the
AIDS pandemic was happening, andbeing in the arts they saw a
(08:35):
huge impact in that.
My stepmom had quite a fewfriends pass away from it, so I
think them noticing howimportant community is was
really instilled early on, andthey're both from big families
and they know what that means,
Mic 3-Christa (08:49):
Now you mentioned that you have an acting
background as well.
Mic 2-Alexis (08:52):
Yeah, I I'm very into musical theater.
I like to say I'm a jack of alltrades, master of none.
but I, just the love and thedreams of what my grandfather
Glenn did in the 40s, It led mewanting to do Broadway.
So starting from the time I wasa little kid, I was in 30
musicals.
I've been in so many differentshows.
I was always in a play, or amusical, or in theater, or in
(09:17):
chorus, or in some sort of
Mic 3-Christa (09:20):
acting,
Mic 1-La Rhea (09:21):
idea.
In a family full of artists andsingers and opera singers and
musicals, what was your typical,meals and dinner?
Were you guys singing?
I know this is
Mic 2-Alexis (09:32):
we were singing it actually freaked my husband out
the first time he came over toour house No, I've you know, I
didn't play sports.
I did musicals with my mom afterschool In Lewisville, North
Carolina, they have a townsquare It's a suburb of Winston
Salem great town square and theyjust really did two to four
musicals or plays a year in thetown square outside.
(09:53):
So I got these amazing Broadwayesque productions done as a kid.
So I was doing them from thetime I was nine.
And this community is still sostrong.
In fact, I'm still best friendswith a girl I met there when I
was nine.
Mic 1-La Rhea (10:08):
Wow.
Mic 2-Alexis (10:09):
30 years of friendship nearly.
And we are still friends with alot of those people in the
community.
I have, connected with thosepeople.
Mic 1-La Rhea (10:17):
connected with
Mic 2-Alexis (10:18):
entire, my entire life.
In fact, today I posted aboutthe Topsail Young Professional
group on my Facebook page and mykindergarten teacher commented
on it and she did musicals withme.
So like to have my life, bewitnessed in her eyes and just
to know like that community isstill there is so strong, It's
(10:38):
so nice and it just made meremember all the things about
her that I loved
Mic 1-La Rhea (10:43):
definitely brings it to like full circle and back
into perspective because I canthink of being that
kindergartner You don't we don'tthink of the connections we're
making at that time and whatthat might mean to us in the
future So it's really nice tohear you share that story about
meeting and connecting back withher and still having that
relationship It's it's reallycool
Mic 2-Alexis (11:01):
You know what, actually, now that I think about
it, she wasn't my kindergartenteacher.
She was my preschool teacher.
Actually, she was my preschool.
So a little year before, but
Mic 1-La Rhea (11:09):
Still see the fact that you know that.
Yeah.
I don't know if I remember mypreschool teacher,
Mic 2-Alexis (11:13):
it was crazy because she ended up doing the
community theater with us andshe was like, Oh my gosh, I
haven't seen you.
And she just stuck with ourfamily and was a good friend.
Yeah.
Mic 1-La Rhea (11:22):
That's so good.
I can just picture you guyswaking and I don't know, what's
just my thoughts when I think ofthis.
I'm like, they're just singingalong, having sing alongs,
having musicals, all thesewonderful things.
Mic 3-Christa (11:33):
Or does someone say something like, Oh my gosh,
look out the window, there's arainbow.
Somewhere
Mic 2-Alexis (11:39):
Literally.
Literally.
I will use a
Mic 1-La Rhea (11:42):
use a
Mic 2-Alexis (11:43):
example.
my office mate yesterday waslike, oh, other office mate,
your phone is blowing up, you'reso popular.
And I'm like, popular.
I'm gonna be
Mic 1-La Rhea (11:51):
you know?
And you're like, yeah,
Mic 3-Christa (11:54):
you sound so good.
Mic 1-La Rhea (11:55):
good!
Mic 2-Alexis (11:56):
But that's what it, that's my brain constantly.
I am constantly.
Constantly referring back to amusical quote, So that's how I
got very much involved in thearts with that.
Mic 3-Christa (12:06):
a musical quote, you know.
Mic 2-Alexis (12:12):
I literally do.
And then it just stays in myhead forever.
Mic 1-La Rhea (12:15):
before we move
Mic 3-Christa (12:16):
very much involved in the arts with that.
Mic 2-Alexis (12:24):
Yeah.
And there, we're trying todevelop it up here,
Mic 3-Christa (12:28):
I'm in Snoods Ferry in here in Hampstead.
Are you participating in any ofthose local theater groups?
Mic 2-Alexis (12:33):
I am not in Wilmington just because I live
in Hampstead and it's a littlebit too far for me.
I have been encouraged by a fewpeople in town, who I know do
theater with them, to come andaudition, but right now my job
just doesn't allow me to and thecommute.
I am a karaoke queen
Mic 1-La Rhea (12:51):
Okay, where's
Mic 2-Alexis (12:52):
I am a
Mic 3-Christa (12:53):
where's your joint?
Where do you go for yourkaraoke?
Mic 2-Alexis (12:55):
Right now, one of my favorite places is to go to,
Scallywags isn't open anymore,but when Scallywags was open,
that was one of my good places.
Crab
Mic 3-Christa (13:03):
Crab Pot.
Mic 2-Alexis (13:03):
yeah.
and it was fun when they did itat Buddy's Outside for a little
bit this year, that was reallyfun.
but I'm a big karaoke queen.
I've won a Jet Ski, that's myclaim to
Mic 1-La Rhea (13:13):
I have this like running joke with my friends I'm
like, I just want to karaoke andI have this sense where I think
it's like riding a rollercoaster I just want to do it.
I'm a little
Mic 2-Alexis (13:21):
I'm afraid though.
It is like riding a roller
Mic 1-La Rhea (13:23):
But I just want to do
Mic 2-Alexis (13:24):
Yes, you should.
It's really fun and worth itbecause people who go to
karaoke's also just want to singtheir hearts out so they, the
best people, are usually theones who don't sound the best,
because they're so into it.
They're like giving it their alland you're like, that was
amazing how much performance wasinto it,
Mic 1-La Rhea (13:41):
so you can't drive to Wilmington just because
of the distance for the theater.
And I know that you were a partof a Young Professionals group
in Wilmington before startingall of this.
Mic 2-Alexis (13:51):
I'm involved with BNI.
If you're familiar with those,it's Business Networking
International.
I'm also part of the WilmingtonChambers Young Professionals and
the Port City YoungProfessionals.
And, they are a bit of a drive.
It takes me about 35 minutes,sometimes more depending on the
time of day to get there.
We all know Hampstead traffic.
but it was just too difficult Ihad been living in the Topsail
(14:13):
area for a little more than ayear and
Mic 1-La Rhea (14:16):
to connect
Mic 2-Alexis (14:16):
wanted to connect with more of the people I lived
around and not people I had totravel to.
Mic 1-La Rhea (14:21):
So you were going to Wilmington for this Young
Professionals Group, but whatmade you decide to start doing
it here?
Mic 2-Alexis (14:28):
My job, I am the Exteriors and One of their
passions is being involved inthe community.
They wanted to know more of theTopsail area.
That's why they hired me.
I knew people, I was connectedwith people, and when I
mentioned to my, owner,Stephanie, that it was, a little
(14:50):
hard for me to drive sometimes,she mentioned, the Topsail
Chamber's really amazing.
Do they have one?
And that sparked theinspiration.
No, but Let me ask him aboutthat.
I'm not afraid of a challenge.
I'm not afraid of trying newthings and I really wanted some
friends.
Mic 1-La Rhea (15:07):
who did you
Mic 3-Christa (15:08):
with to get this up and off the
Mic 2-Alexis (15:12):
so I love the Topsail Chamber of Commerce
here.
They are one of the bestresources a business could have
in this area and, And knowingthat Wilmington had their own
young professional group, I wasinterested to see, they're
closer, maybe they'll have onefor me to join.
And I also had a few friendsfeeling the same frustrations
(15:34):
who were maybe even living inlike Sneeds Ferry.
So it was more, why don't wejust start one here?
Why don't we connect with thebusinesses that matter in our
area?
Mic 1-La Rhea (15:44):
Give us some details on how you went about
doing that.
what, how did it come together?
Mic 2-Alexis (15:48):
Yeah, I brought the idea initially to Tammy
Proctor of the Topsail Chamber.,she is the executive director
and she, invited me to heroffice and basically was like,
we have all the tools, createit.
I know I can trust you.
I know your company.
I know I've seen you aroundtown.
So go for it.
(16:09):
And I.
Mic 3-Christa (16:10):
ahead.
Mic 1-La Rhea (16:11):
I,
Mic 2-Alexis (16:12):
tapped into my friend group, that is pretty
much the best way to make, yournetwork grow.
And I tapped into just friendswho I knew were networking and
were very, community driven.
and the first place I looked,obviously was my Topsail yoga
collective.
which I started with MarissaMiller who is from Inlet
(16:35):
Marketing Company.
she's also new to the area andJessica Nadeau who is with
Northwestern Mutual and shelives in Sneeds Ferry.
Again, also traveling so far toWilmington.
And then Jessica Sulzmoor who isa local realtor in the area who
she knows everyone and knows theins and outs and really
(16:56):
introduced me to a lot ofpeople.
So it was the prime group ofpeople to get it started.
I wanted my friends to help mewith this because we all had a
similar goal.
We all were like minded.
We all knew what we wanted toaccomplish.
And they're just very easy towork with.
We're all on the same page.
(17:17):
We're all on the same level.
Tammy is open to all of ourideas and it's been nothing but
wonderful.
Mic 1-La Rhea (17:24):
I can't help but get this like picture of the
Olympics and, the relay wherethey're running and they pass
the baton to the next person, tothe next person.
And each person's role isextremely important, but it's a
team and they work together.
I feel like you got the batonand you ran with it.
It was like Tammy gave it to youwithin the trust that you knew
that you could run to the nextperson, pass the baton.
(17:46):
And you guys brought this alltogether as a team.
Mic 2-Alexis (17:48):
oh, yeah, definitely.
Yeah, she was the coach.
I was the first runner and thenit was just taking it off from
there, it really was.
Mic 3-Christa (18:00):
I just want to take a brief moment to talk
about Patriot Roofing.
Mic 1-La Rhea (18:03):
Yeah, so
Mic 2-Alexis (18:04):
yeah.
So Patriot Roofing is a femaleowned and mostly operated
roofing, siding, and exteriorscompany.
Stephanie Bolton is the owner.
She is, One of the best mentorsI could have asked for in a
boss.
She's really involved, like Isaid, with the community.
She really thinks professionalwomen in building is important,
(18:25):
women in construction isimportant, and she really wants
to change the perspective of thebuilding industry.
Mic 3-Christa (18:31):
industry.
Mic 2-Alexis (18:32):
Yeah, it's actually one of my favorite
things about this company islike, how much encouragement.
is put towards, revitalizing andchanging how things are done and
noticing things can be donebetter and more inclusively.
Mic 1-La Rhea (18:54):
Alright, so this group, it's clearly taken off.
when did you guys have yourfirst meeting?
How many people showed up?
what was that like?
Mic 2-Alexis (19:02):
Our first meeting was in September of this year at
Hidden Chips Distillery, and itwas our inaugural quote unquote
ribbon cutting, we would like tosay.
And we had more than 75 peopleshow up.
Mic 1-La Rhea (19:13):
show up.
Mic 2-Alexis (19:14):
it was quite an event.
shocking turnout and it was sosupportive and people who we
never knew came to it and theyfound us through the chamber,
through word of mouth, throughFacebook and Instagram.
being young, quote unquote,young professionals,
Mic 1-La Rhea (19:31):
professionals, Which
Mic 2-Alexis (19:32):
which I would like to say young professionals is
not limited to age.
It could be a young business aswell.
No, you
Mic 3-Christa (19:43):
young?
Mic 2-Alexis (19:44):
It's young businesses.
It's young businesses, so itcould be young at heart, young
in young in, how old yourbusiness is, but it's also very
much operated by Millennials andwe like social media and that is
kind of who we were trying toreach out to because a lot of
the members of the chamber, theyare business owners and we want
(20:06):
to show how this area has a boomof younger people moving to it
and how hey, you can also starta business.
You can also further your careerhere.
You can make this place what youwant it to be.
so we get a lot of our word outthrough, social media and also
through the Chamber and justnetworking and word of mouth.
Mic 3-Christa (20:26):
we do have a lot of young people moving here and
starting their own businesses.
I am glad that there is a groupnow that focuses on those
younger, millennial, younger,thirties, even in their
twenties.
Someone started their businessat 17, one at 18.
Like I see you guys coming downout of high school with an
entrepreneur mindset I reallylike that you have this group
(20:48):
for the younger people.
Mic 2-Alexis (20:48):
yeah, it, that's what spawned it.
The noticing that there were somany younger people moving to
the area, a lot of youngfamilies, a lot of people
starting their families, a lotof military deciding to stay,
Onslow County's median age is23.
Mic 1-La Rhea (21:07):
23,
Mic 2-Alexis (21:08):
Wilmington and Pender County and New Hanover,
it's 38.
So that's a huge difference.
And I'm no spring chicken, but Iwant to help people, grow and
keep within their community ifthey can.
So if, like you're saying, ifthere's 17, 18 year olds who are
in high school and they're like,I'm already making, six figures
(21:28):
straight out of high schoolbecause this group helped me
Foster this business, or I justgraduated college and moved
here.
'cause I loved the beach.
How can I start a business hereand stay living at the beach?
Mic 1-La Rhea (21:41):
So how often do you meet, and what can we
expect, so
Mic 2-Alexis (21:45):
have a once a month meeting and we rotate
between a few different formats.
We do networking, that can be anafter hours event or during the
day.
We do leadership, we recentlydid a Lunch and Learn where we
have, speakers lead everyone.
Then we also will be doingcommunity based events.
December 14th, we are going tobe at the Flotilla, volunteering
(22:08):
there, and we will have one ofour Topsail professionals
leadership being one of thejudges.
So we're doing those kind ofthings, but our events are all
about networking, leadership,and impact.
Mic 3-Christa (22:22):
leading
Mic 1-La Rhea (22:23):
impacting your
Mic 2-Alexis (22:24):
to your community, impacting your community,
leading your community.
Those are our core values, Howcan we, engage those people?
So like I said, we had anetworking event in September,
we had a pumpkin carving eventin October, and the proceeds
from that went to Western NorthCarolina hurricane victims.
we had our Lunch and Learn withAndy Schwebka from Hidden Ships
(22:47):
Distillery last month.
Then we had a Lunch and Learnwith Richard Stroop from,
Mic 1-La Rhea (22:52):
Saltwater
Mic 2-Alexis (22:53):
Resorts and Sweets.
and then in January we'll haveanother networking event.
And then maybe we'll have someother fun events like a mini
golf tournament that we havecoming up.
So that would be considered oneof our community events because
we will be donating some moneythrough that.
Mic 3-Christa (23:07):
that's great.
Mic 1-La Rhea (23:08):
of our community events because we will be
donating some money throughthat.
And I was going as a youngprofessional to just get some
information.
And he did such a great speech.
He talked about that leadershipand what it takes to be a
business owner and how to be aleader.
Mic 2-Alexis (23:26):
It was an amazing speech.
Yeah, I know I we met andimmediately you walked in and we
connected I just like I waslike, oh, you're cute.
Hello
Mic 1-La Rhea (23:35):
like your outfit.
Oh, you like mine.
Mic 3-Christa (23:37):
now
Mic 2-Alexis (23:37):
god, and then literally like 20 minutes later
I think we got an email like oh,hey, by the way, and so that was
very interesting Yeah, that'show we connected.
So That's what I mean.
I would not have known you untiltoday.
So it was really nice getting toknow you and connecting with the
community just from that becausewe offer that time to that
(23:58):
networking, that fellowship,that connection before and after
each event.
My personal phrase is meet threepeople you didn't know at these
events.
Find three business cards you'venever seen.
Reach out to somebody.
Or some group you've never heardof before and see what that
takes you to.
See what that leads you.
Can
Mic 3-Christa (24:17):
Can you tell us about the remote workers?
I work from home, obviously, butI get to meet people when you
guys come in for the interview.
My husband works from home.
I know a lot of people,especially after COVID, have
turned to remote working.
So tell me about, what you guysdid to support this group of
people.
Mic 2-Alexis (24:34):
That was, one thing we really noticed from the
get go about the Topsail YoungProfessionals is that a lot of
them were remote workers orhybrid remote workers and we,
unlike Wilmington, there's no coworking space here and sometimes
you're just, you feel a littletrapped in your house, and you
just moved here and want to meetmore people.
(24:54):
So we fostered this remoteworking group out of that need.
a lot of the, people I had metin town were at Saltmarsh Market
while they were working.
And Michelle Wilbanks alreadyhad a very, relaxed co working
friend group that she, assembledlike once a week via text.
And we had just played off ofthat.
(25:16):
She wanted to grow it.
Mic 1-La Rhea (25:17):
and asked if
Mic 2-Alexis (25:18):
Asked if we could help her with that.
So we partnered with Salt Marshfor a few of the first ones
because they have such awonderful space.
They have all of the options ofsnacks, of drinks, of being
right in the center and heart ofSurf City at the moment, and
they offered really strong WiFi, a snack board, and a lot of
it is just people sitting there,hanging out with their
(25:41):
computers, doing their work.
Or it's Hey, I know.
You are also in marketing.
I really need somebody to helpme market my real estate
business.
Or hey, I'm really sorry tobother you.
You're a financialrepresentative and I am a
photographer and I have nothingplanned.
Help me please.
Or I need a tax associate.
(26:02):
And then, you see those friendsat Salt Marsh grabbing a snack
the next day, So for the remoteworkers, we're going to be
changing venues once a month, wefocused on Saltmarsh for the
first two Starting it out,seeing how it's going.
But we're going to be doing twoevents a month at one business.
next month it will be at SurfCity Brewing Company.
They just joined the Chamber ofCommerce and they will be having
(26:25):
snacks, maybe a little bit ofswag, things like that
available.
And it is maybe a new locationto go to Meet new people.
Mic 3-Christa (26:34):
Our rotating, a month.
We're thinking
Mic 2-Alexis (26:36):
Correct.
Our rotating, forum is once amonth, but we're possibly
thinking of having always alunch and learn, always a
remote, and then a networking orcommunity.
Mic 1-La Rhea (26:47):
do not a the Chamber of
Mic 2-Alexis (26:53):
do not need to necessarily be a of the Chamber
of Commerce.
We highly encourage you to lookinto being a member because they
have so much to offer you as asmall business and even an
individual.
there's no fees to join at themoment.
all you have to do is sign upfor an event on their website
and you're automatically addedto our mailing list.
(27:14):
once you're on the mailing list,you get all the information
about what events are coming up.
You can email us.
with questions.
You can also join our Facebookand our Instagram groups and
connect with other membersthrough there.
and you'll see events throughthe Topsail Chamber's website,
newsletter, and Facebook.
(27:36):
there's multiple ways to findit, but there's no need at the
moment to have an officialmembership, MUSIC TRANSITION
Mic 1-La Rhea (27:48):
So Alexis, you're off to a great start already.
the meetings, the Lunch andLearns, they are just, such a
wealth of information and Ispeak just from myself because I
attended one, so I can say this,but, the one I went to where,
Andy from Hidden Shipspoke.
Amazing.
The fact that you guys are goingto like local businesses.
(28:09):
This one was at Coastal Blends,which is a locally owned
business here in Holly Ridge.
It's a veteran owned businessand when I went in those doors,
it was packed.
Mic 3-Christa (28:18):
it was
Mic 1-La Rhea (28:19):
There was nowhere to park.
There was nowhere to, you justhad to situate yourself.
And I just can't help but thinkabout the impact that was for
them.
I'm sure their sales went up,and I can only imagine how much
they appreciated for you guys tohave that there.
Mic 2-Alexis (28:35):
That's one of our biggest goals is highlighting
smaller businesses in the areaand helping them increase their
sales, their revenue.
I just want to say, in fact, atCoastal Blends, you jumped
behind the counter.
have you ever worked therebefore?
Mic 1-La Rhea (28:50):
Just like you're a lady of all trades.
Mic 2-Alexis (28:52):
and I didn't, I was like, she must have worked
as a barista, but it was so coolto see.
You just noticed these peoplewere getting swamped with
business and they were shockedat how busy it was and you just
offered to help, which was sosweet.
I just wanna say that.
But that's what our goal was, tohelp these people boost
awareness, their network, andshow, wow, this place is
(29:15):
amazing.
So that is one of our goals forthat, yeah.
Mic 1-La Rhea (29:18):
And I just will say this too, and I know that,
Christa has, I've spoken withTami and I've talked with Tami
briefly from the chamber andshe's got nothing but wonderful
things to say about you you'remaking such a positive impact.
Just hearing your story, hearingabout how you grew up, where
you've come from, what you'vedone, and then to have you doing
it here.
(29:38):
It just, it doesn't surprise me,but I couldn't think of a better
person to do these things.
So we're grateful for you.
Starting this and your, yourheart behind that.
We really appreciate that.
Mic 2-Alexis (29:50):
you.
That means a lot to me.
Thank you.
Mic 1-La Rhea (29:53):
So what would you like to accomplish with this
group?
let's just think next three tofive years.
what would you like to seeaccomplished?
In
Mic 2-Alexis (30:00):
the next, three to five years, I would say I would
love to see this community growexponentially.
there's so much opportunity.
I would love to see us fosteringany non profits in the
community.
I would love to see us evenpotentially starting a grant
program to help small businessesgrow.
That is a dream of mine, is howcan we help underprivileged or
(30:23):
smaller businesses grow.
take off and what resources canwe give them.
So being that go to resource foryour business and your next step
is what my goals are.
And being able to give back tothe community, give back to the
area, give back to even theground we exist on is really
important here.
so just fostering thatconnection and Hoping that the
(30:46):
Topsail area can thrive andflourish in the next three to
five years would be my dream andPotentially let that little bird
fly on its own
Mic 1-La Rhea (30:54):
That sounds amazing just to think about that
and the possibilities, to makethose connections with people
and give those, resources.
So we're gonna go ahead and wrapthings up What's one thing, and
I know there's a lot of
Mic 2-Alexis (31:07):
other things, but
Mic 1-La Rhea (31:08):
but what's one thing that listeners can take
away from this conversationtoday about you and about the
Topsail Young Professionals?
Mic 2-Alexis (31:15):
Professionals?
the one thing I want people totake away from this is that the
Topsail Young Professionals isabout networking, leadership,
and impact.
If you can network and meet aconnection that helps you
impact.
your life and someone else's,you can grow your community.
That is my favorite way to sayit.
And if you are confused onanything, reach out to us.
(31:37):
We are here to help you.
You can Contact me at any time.
If you see me out in Topsail orSurf City, say, Hey, I saw you
on Facebook and I know I don'tknow you, but can you help me
with this?
More than happy to.
I think that's the best part, iswe're more than happy to help
you in any way.
Even if it's us just liking apost on social media, that's the
(32:00):
simplest form
Mic 1-La Rhea (32:01):
I love that.
It's time to wrap things upinsiders, please go to our show
notes Where you'll find theaddress the phone number
information to the Chamber ofCommerce as well as all of the
links to Topsail YoungProfessionals website and their
Facebook and Instagram pagesthank you so much, Alexis, it
was a pleasure chatting with youand getting to know you and this
(32:21):
new group that's in our area.
Mic 2-Alexis (32:23):
Thank you so much.
I really appreciate it.
Mic 3-Christa (32:26):
Alexis, truly, thank you so much for coming on
the show.
I just want to say thank you,Larea.
You did a great job hosting andI look forward to having you
host more shows in the future.
you're hired.
Mic 1-La Rhea (32:35):
you.
Mic 2-Alexis (32:35):
cut that
Hey, if you enjoyed today'sepisode of Topsail Insider,
please show your support byclicking the follow or subscribe
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You can also follow us onFacebook, Instagram, Twitter,
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Please also go toTopsailinsider.
com and join our mailing list byclicking on the make me a
(32:56):
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While you're there, you canclick the send me a voicemail
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Your message just might be on anepisode of Topsail Insider.
You can email me at Christa atTopsailInsider.
com or call or text me at 910800 0111.
(33:16):
Thank you for listening andsupporting Topsail Insider and
our local businesses andnonprofits.
These are our neighbors and ourfriends, and together we build a
mighty and a beautiful communityI'm super proud to be a part of.
I'll see you around Topsail.
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