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In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I sit down with Bob Theuring, a business coach from Huntington who runs Tandem Innovations. We talk about how marketing is often misunderstood by business owners who expect quick results from a single ad or campaign. Bob and I agree that real marketing is about consistency and understanding your audience. I explain that every marketing method—radio, billboards, digital—can work if used the right way in the right market. We draw a line between farming and hunting, with marketing as farming and sales as hunting, though I don’t like the predatory language often used in sales. Bob talks about referral marketing and how success comes from relationship-building, not quick wins. We both stress the importance of asking better questions to uncover what clients really need and how they define success. I remind listeners that there’s no magic ad that will solve all their problems—it takes planning, testing, and ongoing effort.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Bryan Shaw right after our Advantage Valley board meeting. Bryan leads the FASTER WV program, which supports early-stage entrepreneurs with coaching, funding, and training. He explains how many people they help are just starting out with side hustles and want to grow without quitting their day jobs. For those ready to expand, they offer help navigating hiring and finances. Bryan also shares details about a new partnership with the Marshall Skills Exchange to launch free online training for FASTER WV clients. The first module, focused on the Business Model Canvas, helps people map out their ideas and build a plan. More short courses are on the way, with badges for LinkedIn and plans for micro-credentials. Bryan stresses the value of writing ideas down, making a plan, and being prepared to invest time and money if you want to grow. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, you can connect with FASTER WV through advantagevalley.com to access resources and workshops, both in-person and online.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I catch up with Marjorie Cooke right after the Advantage Valley board meeting at Area 34 in Putnam County. She tells me about her work promoting economic growth across a nine-county region along the I-64 corridor. Advantage Valley focuses on business attraction, retention, and entrepreneurship, targeting industries like metals, auto parts, chemicals, and aerospace. Marjorie shares how they’re addressing workforce challenges by supporting housing and childcare access, including a workshop series for childcare providers. We talk about the Faster West Virginia program, which helps entrepreneurs with coaching, training, capital, and grants. With seven events across seven counties in just a couple of months, their team is busy helping build the region’s economy. She encourages anyone interested in starting a business or getting involved to reach out by phone, visit the website, sign up for newsletters, or follow Advantage Valley on social media.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Barbie Wood, a business coach with the FASTER WV program at Advantage Valley. She helps entrepreneurs in their first three years by offering free business coaching and support, then connects them to expansion programs. We meet right after the Advantage Valley board meeting, where there’s a lot of energy around projects like the Appalachian Outlaw Trails, a 100,000-acre ATV and UTV resort coming to Kanawha County in 2026. Barbie is part of the development team helping bring that project to life. She also works closely with small business owners, guiding them from idea to launch. When I ask what advice she gives to new entrepreneurs, she says to start with research and build a strong team—business coach, CPA, lawyer, and mentor. She encourages people to reach out to others already doing what they want to do, even if the answer is no. We talk about staying persistent, being prepared, and keeping the right mindset. If someone wants to connect with Barbie, she says just give her a call.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I visit Tonya Perry at Tickers and Timbers on Capitol Street to talk about her newest addition—a piano bar opening on Thursday, May 8th at 7 p.m., right after the Charleston Area Alliance Business After Hours. Tonya shares that she studied music and wants to bring more live, interactive entertainment to downtown. Guests can request songs, sing along, enjoy drinks, and win prizes during giveaways every 30 minutes. She’s partnering with local businesses like Fruit Distributing and Rock City Bakery for the event. Tonya walks me through everything else Tickers and Timbers offers, from axe throwing and rage rooms to escape rooms and a full restaurant. She explains it’s a place where you can spend the whole evening, whether for date nights, family outings, or corporate team building. She’s excited to bring music into the mix and hopes the community will come out to support something new and locally owned.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with my friend Bob Theuring to talk about burnout. We set a ten-minute timer and dive into what burnout looks like, how to spot it, and what to do about it. Bob describes it as a feeling of exhaustion and dissatisfaction, even when you’re doing something meaningful. I share how I’ve noticed burnout in myself when tasks I normally enjoy feel impossible, like writing a simple email. We talk about how journaling can help spot patterns and how important it is to take a step back when things start to feel heavy. Bob says sometimes burnout comes from losing sight of your mission, and shifting focus back to that can help. We agree that everyone experiences burnout differently, so it’s important to pay attention to your own signs. I find that yard work with a good podcast helps me reset. We close by encouraging listeners to unplug for a while and figure out what helps them recharge.