How Shibumi Shade Became North Carolina’s Unofficial Beach Flag | 10 Years of a Homegrown Idea

Ahead of the July 4th beach rush, the episode features Dane Barnes, co-founder of Shibumi Shade, reflecting on the company’s 10-year rise from a DIY, wind-powered shade prototype made from hardware-store materials to a common sight on North Carolina beaches. Barnes explains how he, his brother Scott, and friend Alex—without sewing or product experience—built early shades for their own family trips to Emerald Isle, began taking orders in 2016, and later grew into a Raleigh-based business with defined roles across sales, operations, and marketing. He shares the meaning of “Shibumi,” discusses the Quiet Canopy and the shift from local manufacturing to overseas production, clarifies misconceptions about beach bans, and highlights new products including the Shibumi Chair and the Park Vista shade for grass.

00:00 Sponsor Messages

01:44 July 4 Beach Setup

02:53 Origin Story Prototype

05:13 From Hobby to Orders

06:15 Meaning of Shibumi

06:55 How the Shade Works

08:09 Founders and Roles

09:51 Manufacturing and Quiet Canopy

10:44 Beach Bans Explained

14:26 Becoming a Must-Have

15:23 New Colors and Editions

17:05 Why Raleigh Base

18:07 Lessons in Entrepreneurship

19:54 New Products Park and Chair

23:06 What's Next and Brand Magic

24:50 Lightning Round Favorites

26:59 Where to Buy Closing

In this episode, local storyteller, historian, and author Heather Leah shares how she began writing online more than a decade ago, grew a large following by blending deep research with engaging “hidden history,” and why preserving local stories matters as places vanish. She discusses mysteries like the Village Subway beneath Cameron Village, underwater communities beneath Jordan Lake such as Seaforth, and how towns can be erased from maps and memory. Heather explains balancing fun, shocking history with heavier subjects, her approach to ghost stories as cultural history, and why the Dorothea Dix property feels especially haunted. She also describes her research process, how followers contribute leads, and how she turned her work into her first book, “Lost Towns of North Carolina,” built through travel, photos, and interviews with people connected to lost communities.

00:00 Meet Heather Leah

03:15 How It All Started

04:56 From Community to History

06:21 Vanishing Places

09:03 Jordan Lake Ghost Towns

13:00 Towns Wiped Off Maps

14:00 Balancing Light and Heavy

16:29 Ghost Stories as Culture

18:18 Dorothy Dix Haunted History

20:11 Crybaby Lane Investigation

21:49 Paranormal Tours

24:13 Story Idea System

25:15 Follower Submitted History

27:50 From Posts to Book

31:37 Researching Lost Towns

35:19 Book Launch Emotions

37:47 Time Travel Raleigh

40:41 Where to Find Heather

41:35 Final Thanks

Melissa interviews Amber Moshakos of family-owned LM Restaurants, the group behind concepts including Carolina Ale House, Taverna Agora, Birdie’s Ballroom, Vidrio, Oceanic/Bluewater in Wrightsville Beach, and SMASH on Glenwood South. Amber shares her parents’ immigrant story, how LM began as a 48-seat Florida oyster bar, and why the family moved to Raleigh after expanding Miami Subs. She discusses growing up in the business, choosing restaurants over medical school, and the pros and cons of working with family. The conversation covers Raleigh as an emerging, diverse dining market, current industry challenges like thin margins and rising credit card fees, what makes restaurants successful, and why experience-driven venues are growing. Amber also mentions favorite menu items, spots she wants to try, and upcoming LM projects in Florida and brand updates in Raleigh.

00:00 Meet Amber Moshakos

02:42 Family Origins and First Restaurant

04:58 Greek Roots Behind Taverna Agora

05:49 Moving to Raleigh and Early Growth

07:16 Choosing Restaurants Over Medicine

07:58 Making Family Business Work

09:20 LM Expansion and Florida Return

12:00 Raleigh Food Scene Evolution

17:13 Industry Challenges and Credit Fees

19:24 Sales Tax Relief Push

20:11 Restaurant Success Formula

20:58 Experience Dining Trend

22:33 Glenwood South Safety Plan

24:44 Advice for New Restaurateurs

26:43 Favorite Dishes Rundown

28:04 Non-LM Date Night Picks

29:51 What’s Next for LM

31:36 Hiring and Career Myths

32:55 Closing Thanks and Wrap