It’s finally time! 🚀 For over two years, I’ve been quietly building The Borrow Bar. With the incredible support of Launch Garner this past spring and winning my category in the Wake Tech Blueprint to Skyline pitch competition, I’ve been selected as one of the top 16 finalists in the statewide SBCN Start Up Showdown!
We’re bringing “access over ownership” to the NC Triangle, renting out high-end household and hosting goods. Think stand mixers, espresso machines, and outdoor movie projectors—convenience without the clutter.
This is where I need my amazing community. We are competing for up to $30,000 in startup funding to get us fully rolling for the Q4 holiday hosting season. The final judge is YOU—the community vote!
Voting is officially open NOW until Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Here is how you can help me win in less than 60 seconds:
2️⃣ Give the video a “Thumbs Up” (Like) on YouTube! Every single like counts as a vote.
3️⃣ Share the video with your network!
Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey so far. I’m also opening a limited beta for 50 members this month, so be sure to check out the video for a sneak peek of our inventory!
Hosted at the beautiful (and newly renovated!) Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach, NC, the 2025 Summit was an unforgettable day of storytelling, strategy, and sisterhood—designed to help ambitious, purpose-driven women from across North Carolina reconnect, refocus, and reignite what’s possible.
The Right Room
You’ve heard the saying: “If you’re the smartest woman in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” This was absolutely the right room.
The View from the “Rowdy Gals” Table in the BackMy RMG+REG Owalla Bottle Made in Raleigh by BaySixTriangle Gals Pic: Lisa Jeffries Nobling, Annie Franceschi, Dr. Sarah GlovaPlaying Paparazzi for My New Friends
From the opening remarks by Newport Town Manager Michele Querry, to New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey’s perfectly practical “Life by Design” talk (btw, she lives right here in Beaufort!), to the real talk panel featuring Ashley Harrell, April Mitchell, Ann Marie Raymond, and Zelle Wiggins, the programming was smart, intentional, and energizing from start to finish.
My Roost Retreat business partner, Stephanie Money Deans, attended the inaugural Summit last year and came back raving—and when a fellow event-industry pro gives high praise, I pay attention. After attending this year, I can say with confidence: her assessment was spot on.
Beyond the Stage
What truly elevated the day were the people and conversations.
Bonus rec: My tablemates convinced me to finally listen to Daisy Jones & The Six on audiobook — and I’m officially on board.
The Mic-Drop Moments
The programming was packed with insights, but two sessions really stuck with me.
First: The afternoon keynote from Dr. Sarah Glova, Blueprint to Innovation. Her message hit home: “Innovation is not a trait—it’s a skill. We can learn and practice.” A perfect reminder for any entrepreneur, leader, or creative.
Second: A mid-day working session led by Annie Franceschi, branding expert, author, and host of the Establish Yourself® podcast. Annie walked us through her Referral Message Creator™ — a genius framework for crafting a quick, clear, three-sentence way to make it easy for people to refer you. (Seriously, this is a game changer. Try it yourself!)
Name Dropping? Yes, And…
Sharing the names and links above of the women I connected with today isn’t about name-dropping—it’s about celebrating the incredible diversity of experience represented in the room. From authors and town managers to small business owners, brand strategists, and nonprofit leaders, every woman brought a different lens and story to the table. I left feeling deeply grateful to be among the caliber of women who call North Carolina home and made space in their crowded calendars to come together today.
Worth Every Penny
As a small business owner, I’m intentional about where I spend on professional development. I grabbed my early-bird ticket for $200, and I can honestly say I got far more than $200 in value.
For context, mid-event, an email popped into my inbox about another RTP-area event priced at $600 for a half day. As far as value, there’s no comparison—the Carolina Women’s Collective Summit delivered big on both quality and connection.
Looking Ahead
The go-getter founders—Booth Parker, Jillian Lister, and Silvana Botta—have created something truly special: an event that blends purpose and polish, where women learn, grow, and champion each other’s success.
The 2026 Carolina Women’s Collective Summit returns to Coral Bay on October 22, 2026, and I’ll be ready to grab my ticket the moment they go on sale.
Until then, I’ll be carrying forward the lessons, conversations, and momentum from a day that reminded me what happens when women show up—for themselves and for each other.
When Johnnie and I got married, we asked for no gifts. Our family and friends kindly ignored us—because love languages are stubborn like that—and gifted experiences we’ll never forget.
One of our favorites came from Johnnie’s brother Christopher and his wife Sally Jane: an Airbnb gift card. For our first anniversary, in October of 2023, we cashed it in for a two-night getaway to Uwharrie, a spot Johnnie often visits with his Jeep/off-roading buddies but where I’d never been.
Why Troy, NC?
Uwharrie isn’t exactly brimming with five-star resorts. And while Johnnie’s usual Jeep crew happily crashes on 20-year-old mattresses, he knew “we’d” (read: me) need something a touch nicer. We found a charming farmhouse on Airbnb—just the right level of “country cozy” for the trip.
The house manual set the tone immediately:
“The neighbor dogs might come greet you from next door. They’re very sweet so don’t be startled. The black one is named Blue and the brown one is Betty…”
That sealed the deal.
Our Uwharrie Highlights
Chiquita time. Because no read trip is complete without our favorite travel buddy. This is also one of the many reasons our vacation rental properties will always be pet friendly!
NC Zoo day-date. Better than we remembered from our school trips—don’t miss the elephants.
Fancy dinner in. We uncorked a bottle of Krug—another wedding gift, this one from Garrett and Shannon Miller—and cooked a meal worthy of the occasion. (Thanks, y’all!)
A Quick Escape, Big Memories
Two nights, just an hour from home, and somehow it felt like a world away from Raleigh responsibilities.
To Christopher and Sally Jane: thank you for gifting us the nudge to explore Uwharrie together. And to everyone who “ignored” our no-gifts request—we get it now. Sometimes the best gifts really are the memories we wouldn’t have made otherwise.
I love a beautiful candle, folks. Bonus points for an incredible scent. Triple score for a portion of proceeds supporting worthy local causes.
Many moons ago I was gifted a Sydney Hale Co. “Bourbon + Brown Sugar” soy candle, with a portion of proceeds supporting animal rescue, for use in our whiskey and wine lounge (more to come). I’m currently attempting to consciously use through all of our lingering “almost used up but can’t quite throw them out yet” candle supply and on this rainy work from home morning, this candle caught my eye. It also motivated a return to my “Everyday Luxe” blog series. (Yes, that one from 2016 graduate school!)
Coming in at $34, these candles aren’t your big box store variety but they’re also not an insane splurge, either, especially when you amortize over the advertised “50 burn hour” usage. ($0.68/hour is a steal! Quite worthy of the “everyday luxe” stamp of approval. IMHO.)
Based in nearby Richmond, VA, the Sydney Hale ethos is one we can all get down with: “Our objective has always been to create beautiful products of the highest quality here in the USA, to reduce the stress on landfills through our choice of packaging & fulfillment materials, and to support important causes with some of the fruits of our labor. We donate 2% of our revenue or 20% of our profits (whichever is greater) each year towards animal rescue & organizations that strengthen our Richmond community.”
Hey y’all—Lisa here! It’s been a minute since I checked in on the blog, but I’m back with a little life update, a lot of excitement, and some smoothie-powered goodness to share.
But that event ended up being more than just a gig—it was the beginning of a deeper connection with a brand I truly believe in. After seeing how their team operates and diving into the product myself, I became not just a customer, but a small investor in their most recent fundraising round… and I’ve officially joined the affiliate ambassador program!
🫐 Why I’m All In on Blender Bombs
Let me be real: I’m not a lifelong smoothie stan. In fact, for most of my life, I found smoothies to be either too chalky, too sugary, or just not filling enough to be worth the effort.
But The Bomb Co. totally changed that for me.
What drew me in—and keeps me hooked—is how their products are made from real food. There’s no health-washed nonsense here. No unpronounceable ingredients. No powders promising magical results. Just whole-food-based Blender Bombs and plant protein, created to fuel your day without the sugar crashes or supplement fog.
As a business owner, foodie, and someone who gets tired of the same ol’ routine, I’ve found that using these bombs in my smoothies adds just the right amount of nutrition and variety to my mornings. It’s been a super easy lifestyle upgrade that doesn’t require a ton of brainpower during busy weeks (yes, please 🙌).
💣 Want to Try? Here’s 20% Off
If you’ve been curious about trying The Bomb Co. products, now’s the time! When you shop through my affiliate link, you’ll get 20% off your entire order:
If you’re in the Raleigh area, head to Gateway Plaza (right off Capital Blvd!) to visit The Bomb Co.’s Bomb Bar. It’s a gorgeous space with major good vibes—and here’s the best part:
Every time you buy Blender Bombs or plant protein in-store, you get a FREE smoothie.
Yes, seriously. Buy the good stuff, and they’ll whip up a smoothie for you on the spot. What a damn deal, y’all.
🍓 Smoothie Recipes You’ll Actually Look Forward To
While I’d love to take credit for these recipes, they come straight from the brilliant team at The Bomb Co.—and they’re truly next-level. I’ve curated and shared some of my favorites on my new Pinterest board:
Whether you’re into energizing coffee blends, antioxidant-rich berry bowls, or festive fall flavors like Pumpkin Spice and Gingerbread, there’s something here to fit your mood, your cravings, and your calendar.
Every recipe includes a full ingredients list and links to grab what you need, including your 20% discount.
💌 So What’s Next?
Honestly, I’m just excited to be back to sharing things I love—from local business wins to personal wellness tools that actually make life smoother (again, pun intended). Thanks for sticking with me and cheering me on through every phase of this wild entrepreneurial adventure.
Whether you’re a smoothie skeptic or a superfood junkie, I hope you’ll check out The Bomb Co., give a recipe a try, and let me know what you think.
Now go forth, blend boldly, and don’t forget to drop a bomb in your blender. 💣 — LJN
My purpose with “Everyday Luxe” is to share ideas for living luxe without breaking the bank, so that’s why I love that one of my favorite women’s finance gals, Money with Katie, shared the following quick video this morning sharing research-based hacks for living well every day without busting your budget in the process. 👏
Two of my personal faves that made the list? Replacing and investing in the textiles you use every day (I’m looking at you, towels!) and committing to cooking and cocktailing or mocktailing with fresh ingredients and enjoying prepping those indulgences with loved ones. 🥂
Join us for a brief ceremony followed by a cocktail reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, salads, fresh pasta, a carving station, and more. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be served. Live music will be provided by DJ K Stones & Co. and Spare Change, so wear your dancing shoes! Please dress in layers as our event will be outdoors (weather permitting) or tented in case of inclement weather. Attire is festive, wear whatever makes you feel like celebrating!
Please Note: While we love all of the children in our lives, we have decided to keep our wedding and reception an adults-only event. Need a sitter? Please contact Amanda Bordeaux of Stellar Sitters for assistance as we have covered the placement fees for our guests!
We look forward to celebrating with you! Please take the time to let us know if you can join us so we can give our hosts at Mulino an accurate headcount for the festivities.
