George Watkins
CEO
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George grew up in Southeastern Virginia and held various entrepreneurial positions at a young age, including landscaper, pet sitter, and lemonade stand manager. After attending Duke University, George served as a nuclear-trained naval officer and completed multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf. After his military service, he pursued an MBA at Harvard Business School, where he gravitated toward entrepreneurship. In 2010, George joined Red Ventures, a fast-growing digital marketing company in the Charlotte area, where he would hold a variety of senior roles for the next 14 years. He made a pivot to the small business world in 2025, joining Stein to work with a great team and help grow the business. When he’s not in the office, George is most likely enjoying time on the water with his wife and two teenage sons.