Chris Berrier joins Charlie for this episode of Stories from the River. Currently an Area Manager, Chris recounts his years at Broad River, starting in Sales, working with Renee Bradley, and advancing his career through ups and downs.

In part two of this two-part episode, Charlie continues his conversation with Janet Leimkuhler, Director of Visual Impact at Broad River Retail. Janet reveals some of her favorite moments, where she thinks Broad River is going in the future and what she likes to do in her free time. We also get to see Janet react to some of her team members’ and coworkers’ stories.

In part one of this two-part episode, Charlie welcomes Janet Leimkuhler, Director of Visual Impact at Broad River Retail. Janet joined the company before its evolution, and was there for the 2015 STORIS conversions. She recounts her experience, emphasizing she always believed that adversity would be conquered. Janet talks about the difficulties her team had during the pandemic, and how they adjusted when 85 percent of the team elected to furlough. Janet shares her favorite memories at the company, and where she gets inspired to be her best self, both at work and at home.

Charlie welcomes Cherrie Rivera, the Associate Director of Operational Excellence at Broad River Retail. A woman of many trades, Cherrie spent much of her Broad River career wearing various hats, solving problems as they arise, and adapting to dynamic situations.

Dwayne Baker, Home Furnishings Expert and Sales Manager joins Charlie for another inspiring episode of Stories from the River podcast. Dwayne shares some of his history prior to coming to the River as he spent 20 years in the retail banking industry and opens up about his initial struggles during his first year in sales.

Charlie welcomes Jamar Wray, a Sales Manager, Sleep and Home Furnishings expert, and a five-time million-dollar Memory Maker.  During the conversation, Jamar shares valuable sales strategies, what motivates and inspires him to keep getting better, how to get a mentor, his all-star teammate, and his goal for this year (two million dollars, here he comes!).

If you’ve been listening to Stories from the River, you’ve heard the name Renee Bradley many times. Highly admired by her fellow Memory Makers, Renee joins us for this episode of the podcast to discuss her life and career at Broad River. Renee shares her memories of the difficulties the team had in 2015 with the original STORIS transition, as well as being involved in the first big remodel of the Pineville store. Renee then remembers 2018 as a magical year of purpose and amazing memories, filled with team building, striving for greatness, and success. 

Charlie welcomes Hope Stocker, Broad River’s Manager of Retail Accounting, and together they take a trip down memory lane. Hope has been with the company since 2006 and has had a front-row seat to its growth as well as its transformation into the purpose-driven organization it is today.  And she’s also survived three major storms with the Company – the Great Recession in 2009; the original failed STORIS conversion in 2015; and the COVID pandemic in 2020.

Charlie welcomes Tim Clouse, Senior Director of Operations and one of the newest members of the Broad River Leadership. Tim discusses the Company’s culture, how he helps to keep it fun and focused in Ops, and shares the practice life advice and wisdom that he has received over the years that has served him well and that he has applied in his own life.

On this special bonus episode, Charlie is joined by his longtime friend and industry veteran, sleep specialist, and an honorary Memory Maker, Alan Vonder Haar (a/k/a “”Dr. V””). 

Dr. V. gives insights on how he started in this business in his early 20s in the waterbed business, falling in love with the waterbeds, and learning everything he could about flotation sleep. (Even since the beginning of his career, he has always been a student of the science of sleep!)  

Jordan Reilly, a Program Manager of Systems Training with Broad River Retail, sits down across from Charlie to discuss his career, his drive, his favorite memories at the River, and the day-to-day situations of his work. Jordan recalls the first big project that he was responsible for when he was hired (implementing Salesforce.com across the enterprise) and how we jumped in and helped get the project back on the rails.  He explains the impact that this system has had on the Company and how this accomplishment is something he is deeply proud of.

Charlie welcomes Joseph Alcantara, a Home Furnishings Expert, and a four-time Million Dollar Memory Maker to the podcast. Joseph recalls his years of experience with the Company, from overcoming difficulties and adversities, to celebratory moments and achieving incredible success.  Joseph shares his perspective that his specific circumstances of adversity actually worked to be the best thing that ever happened to him. 

Kellie Jones, Manager of Retail Operations at Broad River Retail, joins Charlie for a conversation. Kellie discusses her favorite memories with her team, including her most memorable year (2018) when her store became known as “The Lake,” formed a book club, bonded like family, achieved an upgraded store designation (going from Silver to Gold status), having seven Million Dollar Writers, and having both the GM of the Year as well as the REM of the Year.

Michael and Charlie continue their conversation in the second part of this two-part episode. Michael talks about the feeling of belonging at Broad River, and how, with someone who experienced impostor syndrome for the first few years, that feeling of belonging is extremely powerful. 

In part one of this two-part episode, Charlie sits down with Michael Childers, a Broad River Retail Legend and first-ballot Hall of Famer to discuss his memorable stories from his over 12 years at the River.  Michael gets raw, real, and vulnerable here as he discusses what he felt like when he first joined the Company, the valleys and adversity he’s overcome during his time with the Company, and the sequence of successes that he’s experienced along the way.

Danielle Lassiter, a supervisor of Supply Chain Solutions at Broad River Retail sits down with Charlie to discuss the ins and outs of her role; the challenges with Supply Chain during the pandemic; and how problem-solving creatively has become one of her number one skills. As a member of Broad River Retail’s Anti-Racism Committee (the ARC), Danielle also discusses her role on the ARC and how she is bringing awareness to the DEI space within the company.

In a record-setting, pandemic year, Leah Hayes, a Sales Manager and Home Furnishings Expert, set the pace all year for the Retail salesforce. She sprinted to her first $1 Million in written sales in just five months, achieving $1 Million on Memorial Day, May 31st, 2021, which was the fastest time anyone had achieved this feat in Company history…..

Tim Sobkowiak makes sure Broad River Retail runs smoothly by providing exceptional Retail Technology and ERP software management within the company. In this conversation with Charlie, he talks about the personal growth he has experienced, from Customer Care, to Supply Chain, and now in the IT department. Tim puts emphasis on his team, the importance of being a facilitator, and having a sense of humor for any situation.

Tim Sobkowiak makes sure Broad River Retail runs smoothly by providing exceptional Retail Technology and ERP software management within the company. In this conversation with Charlie, he talks about the personal growth he has experienced, from Customer Care, to Supply Chain, and now in the IT department. Tim puts emphasis on his team, the importance of being a facilitator, and having a sense of humor for any situation.

Cherelle Maness, a Customer Solutions Manager at Broad River Retail, sits down with Charlie and discusses what drives her forward. Cherelle shares tips on how to ensure customers are happy, even during a global pandemic.

Charlie sits down across the table from Mo Sutter, the Magic Man. Mo shares the secrets to his successes during his decade long journey at Broad River Retail.

Stories from the River Podcast explores the personal journeys of our very own Memory Makers. Whether it’s interviews or standalone narratives, Stories from the River will bring you closer to what it’s like to thrive together, wherever in the company you may be.