Paper Trails

In the 11th episode of Season 3 of the Paper Trails podcast, Nick sits down with Samantha Ward, the owner of Wentworth and Fenn. Listen as Samantha talks about her early love for pastries, the importance of grinding and working hard, and how she started Wentworth & Fenn.

In the 10th episode of Season 3 of the Paper Trails podcast, Nick sits down with Michael Pruitt. Listen as Mike speaks on his early days playing collegiate baseball and moving to Monroe, NC, the success principles baseball taught him, and the life lessons he’s learned from business ownership.

In the 9th episode of Season 3 of the Paper Trails podcast, Nick sits down with Jasmine Macon, the owner of Beyond Amazing Donuts. Listen as Jasmine talks about how her grandmother introduced her to cooking, what pushed her more towards breads and cakes over meats, and her love of donuts and what made her start Beyond Amazing Donuts.

In the 8th episode of Season 3 of the Paper Trails podcast, Nick sits down with Carlos Abrahams, the owner of Crav’n Caribbean. Listen as Carlos talks about how his mother influenced his passion for food, his transition from the car business to the food industry, and what Crav’n Caribbean is all about.

In the 7th episode of Season 3 of the Paper Trails podcast, Nick sits down with James Yoder, the owner of Not Just Coffee. Listen as James speaks about his upbringing in Japan, moving to North Carolina, his beginnings in business ownership, and what it means to stay in your strengths.

In the sixth episode of Season 3 of the Paper Trails podcast, Nick sits down with the Executive Chef of Community Matters Cafe Chayil Johnson .Listen as Chayil speaks about his culinary influence from growing up in New Orleans and how Community Matters Cafe is impacting Charlotte.

In the fifth episode of Season 3 of the Paper Trails podcast, Nick sits down with the owners of Tokyo Express and Yummi Banh Mi, Scott and Julie Tang. Listen as Scott and Julie take us through their beginnings in Salisbury, running a family-owned restaurant, and entrepreneurship.

After working for Procter and Gamble for 33 years, Bill Bigham decided he wanted to do something more with his time than hit the links.  The new goal: Chef.  He was accepted into the Inaugural Freshman Class of Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, N.C., and at the young age of 56, he went back to school.

But golf was not off the table.  While at Johnson & Wales, he was lucky to land an internship at the exclusive Pinehurst Resort during the 2005 U.S. Open.

Bigham, now Chef Bill Bigham, earned an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts, graduating Summa Cum Laude and has since become a personal chef working everything from small dinner parties to grand openings. 

In 2007, Bill was named “Best of the Best” Personal Chef by Charlotte Magazine. 

In the third episode of Season 3 of the Paper Trails podcast, Nick sits down with Darius Amidi, Director of Operations/Co-owner of Improper Pig, and his son Cameron Amidi. Listen as Darius and Cameron take us through their journey and what led them into the restaurant industry, as well as the characteristics of running a successful restaurant. 

In the second episode of Season 3 of the Paper Trails podcast, Nick sits down with owner of Que Hospitality Manny Flores. Listen as Manny takes takes us through his journey to U.S. and what inspired him to get into the restaurant industry, the passion and inspiration for his two restaurants Que Onda and Que Fresa, and what the future holds for Que Hospitality.