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In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I visit Blenko Glass Company in Milton, West Virginia, and talk with Bryson Cutler about business development, manufacturing, and keeping a historic craft alive. Bryson’s path started in digital marketing and IT before growing into his role at Blenko. We talk about the company’s 130-year history, its move to Milton in 1921, and its shift from mostly wholesale sales to direct online sales across all 50 states. Bryson explains that Blenko’s biggest challenge is not demand. They can sell what they make. The real challenge is making more glass and training new glassblowers through a long apprenticeship process. We also talk about cash flow, digital marketing, AI, and why cameras and microphones matter even in a handmade glass business. The biggest lesson Bryson shares is that people matter. Invest in your team, invest in your community, and that work comes back around.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with David Crabtree about drones, business, and what it takes to build something new in West Virginia. David runs Appalachian UAV Academy and works to bring drone technology into industries like public safety, search and rescue, rural health care, delivery, and commercial cleaning. His passion is using drones to find missing people faster so families can get loved ones home safe. We also talk about the hard lessons of entrepreneurship. David learned not to buy equipment before the market is ready and calls those mistakes part of paying the “ignorance tax.” He makes a strong point that business is not just about big ideas. It is about doing the boring work over and over until it starts to pay off. David believes drones are not toys. They are flying robots that can collect data, reduce risk, and solve problems across West Virginia and beyond.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk about why AI may be pushing us out of

I talk with Chris Bautista, owner of Above Roofing, LLC, about how he got into roofing, what he has learned after 12 years in the trade, and what homeowners need to know before hiring a contractor. Chris helps with leaks, repairs, replacements, and roof inspections. He got started after helping install a roof and found that the work fit him. We talk about one of his biggest business lessons: underestimating a job and losing money. That experience taught him to inspect roofs with more care, ask better questions, and price the work the right way. Chris also explains why homeowners should ask about insurance, experience, and the types of roofs a contractor can handle, especially with older roofs in the Kanawha Valley. We also cover the staffing challenges facing the trades and why young people should consider building a career in skilled work. Chris believes every entrepreneur needs hustle, and he is working on patience. His faith also plays a role in how he built Above Roofing.

In this episode, I talk with Lee Jordan about Battleground Wrestling and how he built an independent wrestling promotion in West Virginia. Lee started with a love of wrestling and turned it into a live event business that runs about six shows a year. We talk about the early days, buying the first ring, running a wrestling school, and creating a place where performers can train, build their characters, and get time in front of a crowd. Lee explains that independent wrestling is where many wrestlers begin before working toward larger companies. He also makes a point that applies to any business: social media helps, but it does not replace footwork. You still have to meet people, hand out flyers, hang posters, and build interest in person. His best investment was more chairs so more people could attend in comfort. His biggest lesson is to keep going, stay different, and focus on bringing people together through a strong show.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I talk with Jannson Williams of Apex Tech about managed IT services and why technology matters for local businesses. Jannson explains that an MSP manages the digital systems a business depends on, including computers, internet, phones, and networks. He connects that work to a business problem: downtime. When systems go down, employees stop working and money gets lost. Jannson came to this region from Atlanta to play basketball at Marshall, and he sees value here that he does not want left behind as the world moves forward. We talk about change, cybersecurity, and the need for business owners to stay ready in a field that never sits still. He also shares lessons from business and life, including the value of networking, quality business cards, and not using a TV as a computer monitor. At the center of it all, Jannson points to his faith in Christ as the belief that keeps him grounded.