On this episode of LKN Connect, Joe Vagnone sits down with Keli Marks, a talented pastry chef, entrepreneur, and longtime Lake Norman business owner. Known for her creativity, culinary expertise, and passion for exceptional desserts, Keli has built an impressive career in the food and hospitality industry.
Keli is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and continued her pastry education at the French Pastry School in Chicago, where she worked with renowned pastry chefs Jacquy Pfeiffer and Sébastien Canonne. Her career has included executive pastry chef roles, appearances on the Food Network, and ownership of Bakery 28, where she became well known throughout the Lake Norman community for French-inspired pastries, macarons, cakes, and other specialty desserts.
Since the Bakery 28 chapter, Keli has continued expanding her entrepreneurial journey. In 2023, she and her husband, Tony, became the owners of Harp & Crown, a popular Irish and English pub in Cornelius. They have worked to preserve the restaurant’s established traditions while bringing their own ideas and culinary creativity to the business.
One of the biggest lessons from Keli’s story is the importance of following your passion while being willing to evolve. Her journey demonstrates that success isn’t always about staying in one lane—it’s about taking the skills you’ve developed, recognizing new opportunities, and having the courage to grow.
Tune in to LKN Connect for this inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, perseverance, creativity, and building a business you love.
The Success Connection with Joe Vagnone is a weekly series on LKN Connect that takes viewers inside the journeys of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers who are making a difference in our communities and beyond. Through engaging conversations, Joe uncovers the challenges, defining moments, and lessons learned on the road to success. Each episode is designed to inspire, educate, and remind viewers that every success story begins with an idea, a dream, and the determination to keep moving forward.
Joe Vagnone is an award-winning small business broker, entrepreneur, and advisor with more than 27 years of experience helping business owners buy, sell, and grow their companies. Through Saturday Success Stories with Joe Vagnone on LKNConnect, he shares the stories, lessons, and insights of entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the Lake Norman community.
