FXBG Neighbors Podcast

EP #161 A Barbers License Can Change A Life

A barbershop can be more than a place to get cleaned up. It can be a pipeline to a career, a hub for mentorship, and a real engine for community change. We’re joined by Antoine Carey, owner of Faded and Company Barbershop and Faded and Company Academy in Fredericksburg, Virginia, to talk about how precision cuts and professionalism connect to something bigger: access, licensure, and second chances. Antoine breaks down why a barber license matters, what it takes to train properly, and how building his own barber academy helps develop talent that meets a high standard. We also talk about the Faded Foundation, created to help cover tuition for aspiring barbers and stylists who are blocked by cost. His story makes the mission tangible, especially when he shares how his own licensure journey began through the Department of Corrections and why that experience shaped his focus on opportunity and reentry. You’ll also hear about the shop’s commitment to free haircuts across the community, including recurring days at the Fredericksburg Branch Library, and a bold upcoming fundraiser: a 24-hour haircut marathon (June 1, 10 a.m. to June 2, 10 a.m.). Antoine’s “apples and oranges” idea is simple: come get an “apple” (a haircut) and bring an “orange” (a donation). We close with a powerful reminder that a fresh cut can change how someone walks into the world, and a standout story of a 15-year-old passing the theory exam on the path to licensure. Listen, share this with someone in Fredericksburg who loves local business, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next neighbor story. After you listen, what’s one way you’ve seen a small service create a big ripple? Antoine Carey Faded Foundation  fadedfoundation.org [http://fadedfoundation.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNGZORGU1bUFvdHdPem5oVnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5NSQo3ZSPIObIfwCcSMhU0QKMx64X-yzn8jQGChlkIsiU5u28qTztaKlRBIA_aem_wPvCzSdYNC-CXFFwoOQn9A] antoine.carey@fadedfoundation.org [antoine.carey@fadedfoundation.org]

EP #160 Life Insurance That Actually Protects Families

Most of us protect our car, our home, and our phone without thinking twice, but we hesitate when it comes to protecting the people who depend on us. That disconnect is exactly what we unpack with Britt Valentine from Valentine Financial Group, a Fredericksburg-based life insurance brokerage built around education and long-term relationships, not pressure and quick sales. We talk through the biggest misconception Britt sees at the kitchen table every week: life insurance is treated like it is optional. She explains why employer-provided coverage is helpful but rarely enough, why stay-at-home parents still need protection, and how age and health can change your options fast. If you have ever thought, “I’ll handle it later,” her real-world stories make the case for starting sooner and locking in better rates while you are healthy. Then we get practical and a little surprising. Britt breaks down “living benefits,” and how some policies can provide help during your lifetime after a serious diagnosis. We also explore how certain permanent life insurance options can build cash value and support retirement planning, major purchases, and financial flexibility. Along the way, Britt shares her own career pivot from school counseling and mental health to financial services and why work environment matters when you are choosing where to grow. If you want clear, local guidance on life insurance, financial planning, and protecting your family’s future, listen now, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and subscribe so you do not miss the next Fredericksburg business story. If you like what you hear, leave us a review and tell us what topic you want next. Britt Valentine Valentine Financial Group valentinefinancialgroup.com [https://www.valentinefinancialgroup.com/] admin@valentinefinancialgroup.com 804-944-9233

EP #159 Inside Wine And Design Fredericksburg With Michelle Flynn

A paint and sip night sounds like pure fun until you remember the two biggest fears most of us carry: “I can’t paint” and “I’m going to mess it up.” We talk with Michelle Flynn from Wine and Design Fredericksburg about why those fears are exactly what her studio is built for, and how a guided class can take you from blank canvas to something you actually want to hang up. Michelle breaks down what guests can expect the moment they walk in, from arriving early to park downtown to getting settled with two included beverages (alcohol is optional) and your own snacks. We also get into everything beyond painting, including resin projects like charcuterie boards, chunky blankets, and the growing menu of creative experiences coming to Fredericksburg. If you’re planning a celebration, we cover kids events through Art Buzz Kids, birthday parties, private party options, and the “bring five” format that lets smaller groups choose the project while still opening the room to the public. Then the conversation takes a sharp turn into real world small business ownership: a debilitating Facebook hack that led to fraudulent charges, tanked visibility, and consumed dozens of hours to fix. Michelle shares specific tips on what to watch for, how to escalate support, and why taking care of yourself outside the business matters as much as any marketing plan. If you love local Fredericksburg businesses, subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a creative night out, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the show. Michelle Flynn Wine and Design Fredericksburg wineanddesign.com [https://www.wineanddesign.com/fredericksburg-va/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQXgzYUxZTmVXMHU4TmhKQXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6LfdmIpddsuNGGVQ0JVnAsr-GKLqCcVA_q4OIcXFRnqrN48tbiaRekXJdDzQ_aem_YLnNJBrT7BAqsfj2Nc2yhQ] fredericksburg@wineanddesign.com [fredericksburg@wineanddesign.com] +1 540-809-0899 502 Sophia St, Fredericksburg, VA, United States, 22401 [https://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&pc=FACEBK&mid=8100&where1=502%20Sophia%20St%2C%20Fredericksburg%2C%20VA%2C%20United%20States%2C%2022401&FORM=FBKPL1&mkt=en-US&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQXgzYUxZTmVXMHU4TmhKQXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6LfdmIpddsuNGGVQ0JVnAsr-GKLqCcVA_q4OIcXFRnqrN48tbiaRekXJdDzQ_aem_YLnNJBrT7BAqsfj2Nc2yhQ]

EP #158 Leadership Gets Easier When You Take One Next Step

Leadership advice gets weirdly abstract the moment you actually need it. So I brought on Becky Hamm, founder of Women Lead Well, to talk about what leadership growth looks like when your calendar is packed, your responsibilities are real, and you’re trying to stay true to yourself. Becky shares how she supports women through executive coaching that focuses on the moments that matter: executive presence, clear communication, setting expectations, delegating well, and navigating promotions or career changes without spiraling into self-doubt. We also dig into a challenge that doesn’t get said out loud enough: senior leadership can be lonely, especially for women. Becky explains why she created the Women’s Executive Leadership Lab, a membership community with group coaching, office hours, and a growing on-demand content library built around practical scenarios like addressing poor performance and leading with responsibility but not authority. If you’ve ever wished for a room of peers who “get it” across industries, this conversation makes a strong case for that kind of support system. Becky’s story adds depth and credibility. She earned her PhD young, built a career in higher education and national security, and spent 15 years serving the Marine Corps as a civilian, ultimately as provost of Marine Corps University. Along the way, she noticed how many talented women failed to recognize their own impact, especially in male-dominated environments. Her key takeaway is refreshingly simple: leadership is not a stuffy title, it’s choosing the next right step, taking it, reflecting, and then taking the next one. If you want more conversations with local leaders and practical growth advice, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What’s the next step you need to take in your leadership right now? Becky Hamm Women Lead Well womenleadwell.net [https://womenleadwell.net/]

EP #157 Faith And Business Create Real Community In Fredericksburg

Most networking feels like a fast trade of names and job titles, then everyone disappears. We wanted something better, so we brought on Shari Courtney from Be The Bean to talk about how she’s building a Fredericksburg community where faith and business don’t compete, they strengthen each other. If you’ve been looking for genuine connection, leadership encouragement, and a place to belong, Shari lays out a simple, repeatable model that makes it easier to show up as your full self. We walk through what actually happens at Be The Bean gatherings: warm introductions, an encouraging mini message that can include scripture, speed networking that goes beyond surface-level prompts, and quiet personal reflection that helps ideas land. Shari also shares why the group is intentionally open to everyone. You don’t need to own a business, and you don’t need to fit into a religious box to participate. The aim is a welcoming room where neighbors can build trust, talk about purpose, and support each other through the real pressures of work and life. Shari traces the name back to John Gordon’s book The Coffee Bean and the leadership lesson behind it: when things heat up, you can soften, harden, or change the environment around you. We also talk about Be The Bean’s growth in Fredericksburg, including meeting locations at Rain downtown and Watercrest, plus a new monthly afternoon option called Second Cup with guest speakers. If you’re searching for a Fredericksburg VA networking group with a deeper focus on community, leadership, and personal growth, this conversation will give you clear next steps. Subscribe for more local stories, share this with a friend who needs community, and leave a review if the message resonates. What would it look like for you to “be the bean” where you live and work? Shari Courtney Be the Bean bethebean.org [https://bethebean.org/] hello@bethebeancommunity.com