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In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I talk with Eric Grandon of Sugar Bottom Farm in Clay County. He tells me they sell raw honey in about 25 West Virginia markets, ship nationwide, and are working with the state Board of Education to get honey into schools. Eric shares how after six tours in the Middle East he struggled when he came home, but working with bees gave him calm and what he calls his new normal. He started the farm business in 2013 and now offers raw honey along with unique single serving honey packets, the only ones of their kind in the country using West Virginia honey. He also talks about the Taste of Appalachia project, which brings together artisans from across the state to create holiday food boxes, and says he’s proud to be part of it. Eric explains that this effort not only connects farmers with new markets but also carries on traditions passed down through generations. He encourages people to search Sugar Bottom Farm online, where they can find his story featured in interviews and documentaries, and learn more about the work he is doing.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I meet Millie Snyder at the library and ask about her hustle. She tells me she helps people live healthier through the Mediterranean lifestyle, which focuses on fresh, natural food and has been practiced for centuries. She explains it can be harder to adopt in Appalachia, but it is possible with the right guidance. Millie shares how she leads group support meetings at Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church in Charleston, where community helps people stay committed. She opens up about her personal struggle with obesity starting at age seven, the years of failed diets, and how she reluctantly joined Weight Watchers in 1966. At first she resisted, but small results gave her hope, and she eventually became a leader and built a career helping others. Now she teaches the Mediterranean lifestyle not just as a diet but as a way of life that improves health first, with weight loss following naturally. She says people can learn more by visiting her Mediterranean Mindset Facebook page or attending her weekly sessions, where they can find the support and tools they need to take steady steps toward lasting change.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I talk about the difference between value and meaning. I share how people often ignore valuable advice because it is not meaningful to them, whether it is family, coworkers, or sales prospects. Value by itself does not lead to action. Meaning comes when the information is personal, relevant, and connected to their own situation. I explain that guiding someone with questions so they discover the answer themselves makes the lesson stick, just like doing a lab experiment instead of only hearing about it. I also point out that showing instead of telling through role play, demonstrations, or stories can create stronger connections. By tying ideas to their experiences and worldview, we make advice both valuable and meaningful. I remind listeners that if their words fall on deaf ears, it is likely because they have not created meaning, and I encourage them to focus on helping others see and feel the message in a way that matters to them.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I am at the second annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Classic in Charleston. I talk with Amy Shuler Goodwin who shares that her team with Booth, Jim Strawn, and Renee Keeley had fun in the heat and that while competition was light she held the longest drive for a while. She says the Salvation Army is vital to family focused efforts in Charleston and tells me to watch for an upcoming economic development announcement and the holiday season events she loves. I then meet Marc Beacom who retired this year after forty years in technology and says retirement is filled with golf, friends, and service. He praises the Salvation Army’s work and offers a tip on staying cool with electrolytes in the heat. Finally, I talk with Keith Lewis who says his team played as one and valued supporting the Salvation Army’s broader mission beyond the red kettles at Christmas. He says their focus was teamwork more than competition and looks forward to future events. I leave the course reminded that golf, community, and service come together to make a lasting impact.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I talk with Captain Mike and Captain Cathy Michels at the second annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Classic. Mike tells me they have nearly 20 teams on the course enjoying the day and raising money for programs across seven counties, including youth centers, rent and utility assistance, and homeless outreach. Cathy shares that last year’s tournament was hit by a hurricane but supporters still came, and she is grateful to see them return in good weather. We discuss how the golf tournament started when board members saw success in other areas and decided to bring it here, and Mike explains that while Christmas kettles are their biggest fundraiser, events like this keep the work going all year. Cathy says Charleston feels like home since both she and Mike are from West Virginia, and they understand the people they serve. Mike closes by previewing the opening of the youth center in Saint Albans, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities for kettle season, and their focus on helping families and children through the holidays while supporting programs year-round.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I talk with Zach Sandy from Job Squad Incorporated to talk about how they help people with disabilities find meaningful work. He shares how Job Squad provides training and support to overcome barriers like transportation or licensing and creates lines of business that employ people directly. One of their best known operations is mail sorting, where teams collect, organize, and deliver mail while saving customers money and creating steady jobs. We also discuss their warehouse partnership with West Virginia state parks and tourism that allows them to manage ecommerce orders, pick and pack products, and ship them to customers. At the expo where we meet, Job Squad has brought together employers, government programs, and community organizations to give families and individuals access to resources that are often hard to find. Zach tells me his hope is to raise awareness in the community and with businesses that Job Squad is not just a nonprofit but a partner that delivers real value while building skills and careers. I close by thanking him for the work he does and reminding everyone to hustle hard, hustle smart, and hustle with a smile.