He pours his life's passions into his businesses
Plus: Top news of the week — Panthers hire first-ever QB as head coach — State auditor apologizes for hit-and-run — Catholic church pastor fights removal — Billy Packer remembered
Good morning! Today is Saturday, January 28, 2023. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger’s Weekend Edition.
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Today’s Charlotte Ledger is sponsored by the new book “Kenny Riley and Black Union Labor Power in the Port of Charleston” by Charlotte writer Ted Reed — now available at Park Road Books:
Q&A: Todd Buelow, principal of Dualboots Partners, has spent the past 25 years as an entrepreneur and servant leader. He’s learned that ‘your network is your net worth.’
It was 1980-something, and Todd Buelow was just a 5-foot-2, 110-pound teenager looking for a way to make more money in half the time compared to his friends who worked at McDonald’s for $5 an hour.
Buelow noticed a lack of landscaping businesses around town in Allendale, N.J., so he started one with a friend and discovered the key to a lucrative career was working smarter, not harder.
He has since hit a growth spurt (he’s now 6-foot-3, 230 pounds and over the age of 40) but still carries the lessons and empathy he learned when he was younger to connect and help others today through his entrepreneurial endeavors.
Buelow is the founder and principal of Dualboots Partners, a business and software development company, and co-founder of Bella Tunno, a silicone baby product company, with his wife, Michelle. He’s also a founding member of Elogex, Cloud Logistics and Castle Digital Partners, and serves on the boards of Speedway Children’s Charity, American Football Without Barriers, SIM Charlotte and Bounce Out the Stigma.
He received the Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2021 for his entrepreneurial work and commitment to helping children and those less fortunate.
He recently sat down with Ledger podcast host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration to talk about his definition of servant leadership, how being a late bloomer shaped his outlook on life, why Charlotte needs to incorporate technology education into its high schools and what advice he would give to aspiring entrepreneurs.
You can listen to the full conversation on The Charlotte Ledger Podcast.
The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Q: You wear many hats, but you describe yourself as a servant leader above everything else. What is servant leadership?
I think for me servant leadership is, I walk into a room and say, “how can I help you,” not “how can I sell you?” I think one of the hardest things about being a servant leader is you don’t see the immediate rewards of what you’re doing. For me, it’s been a 25-year process.
I’ll tell you though, I’ve been able to reap the rewards dramatically. Now, having approached that through these 25 years of my life — the connections, the networks I’ve made, the lives I’ve changed that I didn’t realize that I’ve changed — now I have this network that I can go back and help people. I’m a true believer that your network is your net worth, and servant leadership automatically becomes amazing.
Q: How do you determine which cause to get involved with?
That’s been a struggle, to tell you the truth, because I’m very passionate about many things.
If it’s something that I’ve had a personal connection or tie with, is usually where I kind of jump full feet into. Drugs and alcohol; my brother-in-law passed away from it. Mental health; in our immediate family, we’ve had suicide, so that’s something that’s near and dear to my heart. I think when it’s something personal like that, it doesn’t feel like a job. And that’s where I jump in full force.
Q: What do you see as Charlotte’s essential nature, and where do you see it projecting into the future?
I feel like Charlotte’s DNA is all about helping people in whatever part of their lives [they’re in] because they know what it’s like to be new to a place. I love that about the city of Charlotte. The other thing I appreciate is the airport. We can connect to anywhere, anytime.
The other thing is I think there are a lot of great programs happening here, but as the wealth increases here, it gets hard for people that are the basic operations — the bus drivers, the restaurant workers — to live in this city.
I’m a big proponent on the technology side. Right now in the state of North Carolina, there are 38,000 open IT positions. We talk about upward mobility here in Charlotte constantly. You want a quick way to upward mobility? Our education system is still struggling on teaching technology into the group. Not to beat down CMS [Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools], but it’s a little frustrating to me sometimes. I tried to pilot a program at a local CMS high school, and they told me we weren’t allowed to do it because it wasn’t fair to the other high schools in CMS.
Q: What have you learned in the first 40 years of your life?
You have to learn how to communicate with people and how they like to be received. For example, some people are texters, some people are emailers. Some people like voicemail. Everyone tries to email. I get probably a thousand emails a day. I can’t get through everything. It’s gonna take me time. But you know what no one does anymore? Calls. No one calls, so I actually find better success now calling into places.
The other thing — and my wife calls me a stalker for this, but that’s OK — is if you get someone’s cell phone number, they can’t hide from you. I’ll be at an event, and let’s say you’re with the mayor, and I take a picture of the two of you, and I’ll say, “Do you want me to text you this picture? I’ve got this great picture on my phone.” So, I text you. I text the mayor. What do I have now? I’ve got your cell phone.
– Compiled by Lindsey Banks
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➡️ Is there a deserving over-40 in your life?
The Ledger is accepting nominations for this year’s 40 Over 40 Awards, Presented by U.S. Bank. If you know a deserving someone aged 40+ — someone who is making Charlotte better in the nonprofit, business, arts, education or other realms — nominate that person today by filling out a short form! Deadline is Feb. 7.
This week in Charlotte: Charlotte FC celebrates a life cut short; A glimpse inside the jury room of CMS trial; Pro pickleball tour to play in Charlotte; E-scooter ridership down more than 30%
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
CMS superintendent search price tag: (Axios Charlotte) The search for a new Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools superintendent will likely cost upward of $50,000. The district, which is on its second interim superintendent since firing former superintendent Earnest Winston last spring, is contracting with a search firm to make the hire.
CMS seniors aren’t meeting state goals, but why? (WFAE) Only 39% of high school seniors in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are expected to receive state recognition that they have gone beyond the minimum graduation requirements to demonstrate readiness for college/career. But district leaders are questioning whether ACT scores are an accurate determinant for these state endorsements.
Union County school board will not start early: (Observer) The Union County school board’s original 2023-24 school calendar, which had students starting the school year on Aug. 9, was in violation of state law, so now Union County schools will start Aug. 28. Most board members are not happy and called it a “heartbreaking” decision.
Politics
Auditor apologizes for leaving accident: (WFAE) N.C. State Auditor Beth Wood apologized Monday for leaving the scene of an accident last month in which she hit a parked car in her state-owned vehicle, calling it a “serious mistake.”
State lawmakers propose power grid protections: (WBTV) Republican state Rep. Ben Moss is urging his fellow lawmakers to prioritize new legislation to increase security at substations following the December attacks on the power grid in Moore County and an overall surge in attacks across the nation.
Local news
Atrium Health’s women’s care bus: (Ledger) Atrium Health’s new medical “Drive to Thrive” bus offers pregnancy tests, early prenatal care, access to same-day contraception and other reproductive care services. You can find it parked in some of Charlotte’s most diverse neighborhoods.
Close to passenger record at airport: About 47.8 million passengers passed through Charlotte’s airport last year, which is 10% more than in 2021 but 5% less than in 2019, the airport said in a press release.
Charlotte Christian football coach resigns: (Observer) Charlotte Christian football coach Jason Estep stepped down from his role as coach and assistant athletic director on Tuesday, and Chris James, a Charlotte Christian alumnus, will take over as head coach.
Business
Office tower planned in South End: (Axios Charlotte) Developer Cousins Properties is planning a “smaller scale boutique office building” of about 200,000 s.f. with ground-level retail space at 205 E. Bland St., which is adjacent to the light rail and across the street from All American Pub, Slate and Hot Taco.
Downsizing Birkdale plans: (Cornelius Today) The owner of Birkdale Village in Huntersville has eliminated plans to add a hotel and 350 apartments, following neighborhood opposition. It’s still planning to go forward with 150,000 s.f. of office and 25,000 s.f. of commercial space as part of a rezoning.
Sports
Panthers hire their first-ever QB as new coach: (Ledger, Observer) The Carolina Panthers’ new head coach will be former Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich, who was also the first-ever starting quarterback for the Panthers in 1995.
Celebrating the life of Charlotte FC player: (Ledger) Charlotte FC players, staff and friends gathered Tuesday for an emotional celebration of life for Anton Walkes, the 25-year-old defender who lost his life in a boating accident last week, including Walkes’ young daughter, Ayla.
Good reads
Who’s in charge in Charlotte? (Charlotte Magazine) Four decades ago, Charlotte’s leaders were a group of wealthy, white men — Hugh McColl Jr., Ed Crutchfield, Rolfe Neill, Bill Lee and John Belk referred to as “The Group” — who woke up a sleepy downtown and built a financial capital but hardly represented the demographics of the city. Who leads Charlotte now?
Remembering Billy Packer: (News & Observer) Billy Packer, who died this week at age 82 of kidney failure, was the voice of ACC basketball for decades, and he broadcast 34 Final Fours in a remarkable career in which he was known for his curmudgeonly and often critical opinions. “He was a contrarian and iconoclast in a broadcasting world that’s turned increasingly sycophantic,” writes columnist Luke DeCock, and he liked to say he was “often wrong, but never in doubt.”
Inside the jury room of CMS trial: (Ledger 🔒) The Ledger spoke to jurors of the Jane Doe v. the Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education federal trial last week to get a glimpse of what was discussed in the jury room for three hours on Friday afternoon and how they came to a verdict.
He saved N.C. from nuclear disaster: (NC Rabbit Hole) Writer Jeremy Markovich revisits the remarkable story of Dr. Jack ReVelle, a U.S. Air Force lieutenant who disarmed two hydrogen bombs that accidentally fell near Goldsboro during the Cold War.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Accused Catholic church pastor fights his removal: Fr. Patrick Hoare, the former pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Ballantyne, is appealing his removal to church authorities in Rome after allegations of inappropriate conduct with minors in the summer of 2020.
American adds 3rd flight to London: American Airlines announced a third daily flight from Charlotte to London starting this summer, which will be its seventh flight from Charlotte to Europe.
Charlotte Water to raise rates and delay projects: Charlotte Water will charge an additional 72 cents on customers’ annual bills and will delay projects to help cover the costs of a $106M settlement from two lawsuits over fees charged to developers for new water lines.
Pro pickleball tour coming to Charlotte: The Professional Pickleball Association announced that Charlotte will host the North Carolina Open for the 2023 Carvana PPA Tour on May 4-7 at Life Time fitness club in south Charlotte.
Wednesday (🔒)
Ballantyne Reimagined update: Developer Northwood Office shared updates on the massive Ballantyne Reimagined project, including an update on the construction of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s Ballantyne Reimagined location, a plan for 13 restaurants or bars and seven retail or service businesses and an amphitheater.
Fact-check on mayor’s airport greeting: Mayor Vi Lyles’ greeting played at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a little out-of-date. The Ledger spotted three errors that need a refresh.
Friday (special press release edition!)
Picasso and Bearden exhibit at Mint Museum: “Bearden/Picasso: Rhythms and Reverberations,” a new exhibition at the Mint Museum Uptown that focuses on the connection between late artists Pablo Picasso and Romare Bearden, will run from Feb. 11 to May 2 and will include three works by Picasso and 17 by Bearden, according to a press release.
Charlotte CEO pioneers eco-friendly tooth-brushing: Florida-based Poppits LLC, who is led by CEO Alan Daly of Charlotte, says it offers the “world’s first and only 100% non-plastic toothpaste tubes,” according to a press release.
Local non-profit offers educational services to Latinos: Camino, a bilingual and multicultural nonprofit organization located in Charlotte, is offering educational services and opportunities to equip Latino immigrants for the competitive job market through its Arriba program, according to a press release.
Study reveals most popular sex positions in N.C: Sex website delicto.com analyzed Google Trends on the most searched-for 17 sexual positions in each state, and issued a press release revealing the three most popular positions searched for in North Carolina.
New Charlotte fintech company: Foro, a new fintech company in Charlotte backed by former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl Jr., is launching a digital commercial lending platform to help small businesses secure access to capital, according to a press release.
Cyber-attack paranoia: TechShielder looked at the number of Google searches in each state for security-related phrases and found that North Carolina ranked No. 17 in the U.S. with 222.95 searches for security-related phrases per 100,000 people, according to a press release.
Ways of Life (🔒)
Bennett Lentczner, the founder of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Winthrop University, left his mark as a musician, marching band director and visionary leader in college arts programs. He died in November in Charlotte at 84 after complications from a heart procedure.
Scooter apocalypse on the horizon? Charlotte’s e-scooter ridership was down more than 30% in each of the past two years compared to the first full year of scooters in Charlotte in 2019, and scooter companies are losing money.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Contributing photographer/videographer: Kevin Young, The 5 and 2 Project