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In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Brett White about the seventh annual Raspberry Jam, happening March 15, 2025, at the University of Charleston. Brett explains that the event is focused on the Raspberry Pi, a small, affordable computer used for learning programming, Linux, and electronics. This is the only Raspberry Jam in West Virginia, and it gives attendees a chance to network with the growing tech community. The event is open to all ages, and people can drop in at any time. Brett introduces new classes, including building a website with a Raspberry Pi and creating a game similar to Operation. He also reveals this year’s prizes, including a Raspberry Pi 500, several Raspberry Pi kits, a Makey Makey controller kit, and a Creality Ender 3 V3 3D printer, with sponsors providing accessories to make them ready to use. The event is a great opportunity for students and beginners to explore technology. I’ll share links with more details, and I encourage everyone to check it out. https://lu.ma/vd6agtgv

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Dave Lavender about the film industry in West Virginia. He runs the West Virginia Film Office, which supports productions by offering resources like crew databases and location scouting. West Virginia has diverse scenery, making it a great place to film, and has even doubled for cities like New York. The state’s film industry is growing, with over 100 productions supported in the past year, including three Super Bowl commercials. Right now, productions are gearing up across the state, with a major company scouting in the Panhandle, a movie filming near Martinsburg, and a TV show in Wayne County. Dave emphasizes that filmmaking isn’t just for directors and actors—there are opportunities for carpenters, makeup artists, accountants, and more. Groups like the West Virginia Filmmakers Guild and film festivals provide ways to get involved. Filmmakers love working here because of the welcoming environment and strong storytelling culture. Dave encourages people to support local film events, including an upcoming announcement at the West Virginia International Film Festival. There is a lot happening in the state, and I’m excited to see what’s next.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I’m talking with Ryan Mullins about economics, uncertainty, and networking. He focuses on understanding economic trends and believes long-term strategy matters more than short-term noise. We discuss how to separate real signals from distractions and his confidence in the strength of the U.S. economy. Ryan shares his approach to networking—showing up, making genuine connections, and using compliments and good questions to start conversations. We also touch on human nature, history, and how personal growth comes from stepping out of our comfort zones. Ryan believes progress comes from embracing discomfort, constantly learning, and striving to improve every day.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Mara Boggs, president and CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance. She explains how the Alliance supports local businesses through talent retention, economic development, and networking events. Before this role, she served in the Army as an engineer officer and later worked for Senator Joe Manchin. She highlights the Alliance’s incubator space, which helps small businesses grow, and the LIFT Center, a project aimed at revitalizing Charleston’s East End. Drawing from her experience as a jumpmaster in the 82nd Airborne, she emphasizes the importance of trust and adaptability in uncertain times. She encourages people to be trustworthy and build strong support networks. As we wrap up, she expresses her excitement about the future of the Kanawha Valley business community.

In this episode, I dive into the “fail-fast” mentality and why it’s essential for business success. I emphasize that failure isn’t the end—it’s a learning opportunity that helps refine strategies and improve outcomes. I share how many successful entrepreneurs embrace failure as a stepping stone, adjusting quickly rather than dwelling on mistakes. Instead of fearing failure, I encourage listeners to take calculated risks, test ideas, and adapt fast. I also highlight how this mindset applies to marketing—putting content out, analyzing results, and making improvements along the way. The key is to stay flexible, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Bob Brunner about the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. He shares that they are preparing for their 10th induction ceremony in April, with tickets available at different levels, including an exclusive event at the governor’s mansion. The Hall of Fame, founded by Michael Lipton 23 years ago, honors musicians from West Virginia, including country, classical, and even Hollywood figures. Bob explains how the museum ended up in the Charleston Town Center Mall, filling empty retail space with memorabilia donated by inductees. Visitors can see instruments, posters, and rare records while learning about the state’s musical history. He highlights this year’s inductees, including a Lincoln County songwriter with 35 number-one country hits. When I ask about his favorite West Virginia musician, Bob names Blind Alfred Reed, who wrote songs about hardship in the 1920s and 30s. Before wrapping up, he points out that a tribute album to Reed is available at the museum. I thank Bob for sharing his insights and remind listeners to hustle hard, hustle smart, and hustle with a smile.