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In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I explain how I use battle cards to help businesses refine messaging and support sales teams. I first saw them in the IT industry, where companies gave sales reps concise sheets outlining key talking points, benefits, features, competitive comparisons, and common objections. I don’t like the term because selling isn’t about defeating someone, it’s about helping them solve problems. The process of creating these cards is where the real value is—it forces you to define the problems you solve, identify the emotional benefits for customers, and connect those to the technical features that make them possible. Once those are clear, I compare our offer to competitors, prepare responses to likely objections, and role play with the team to make sure answers sound natural and confident. I stress test messaging with tough scenarios so the team is ready for anything. I keep the cards updated as products, competition, and objections change. The goal is to communicate clearly, consistently, and effectively so prospects see why choosing us is the right solution for their needs.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I talk with Aly Mullins, an insurance agent with Morris Insurance Services, where she handles property, casualty, and life insurance, with Erie as her main carrier. Aly grew up in Milton and now lives in Hurricane, close to the office. She says recent hailstorms tested the industry, but Erie’s catastrophe teams stepped up, keeping customers from feeling most of the impact, even as she returned to work after an emergency appendectomy. Aly spends her days writing new policies, servicing existing ones, and staying connected with clients through life changes like new homes and cars. Networking is a big part of her work—she often refers clients to trusted contacts in fields like car sales, pet grooming, and accounting, people she knows personally and can vouch for. She compares it to being an in-person Google review, helping people make informed choices through real relationships. Aly says events like Up Next Charlie West are essential for meeting other professionals, learning what they do, and finding ways to connect them with the people she serves.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Linda Matheny, owner of Hagy’s Irish Pie Pub in Charleston. Linda shares how her trip to Ireland inspired her to bring authentic Irish food to West Virginia. After discovering pastie pies in Galway, she and her husband decided to open the pub, serving dishes like shepherd’s pie and pastie pies. The pub’s opening on Saint Patrick’s Day was a success, and they’ve continued celebrating Irish culture with live music, including a local dulcimer band. Linda explains how they stay true to the Irish pub tradition by avoiding typical American fare like cheesesteaks and chicken wings. Instead, they offer honest Irish dishes alongside local favorites like pepperoni rolls. Linda also opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly the paperwork required to get an ABC license. Despite the struggles, she’s managed to balance running the pub with her day job as a hairdresser. Linda’s advice to other entrepreneurs is to hire carefully and be prepared for the long hours. Hagy’s Irish Pie Pub has quickly become a local favorite, offering a taste of Ireland in downtown Charleston.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with C. Anthony Parker about his work in the short-term rental space through Revive B&B. He tells me he manages 25 properties across Charleston and nearby areas, all designed to feel like home with everything from cookware to toiletries already in place. He handles the decor himself and lets the vibe of each space guide the theme—one unit even has a beach house feel overlooking the Kanawha River. C. Anthony says guests include traveling nurses, families relocating for work, tourists, and people meeting halfway from different states. Most of his places are pet-friendly, and he always encourages visitors to support local businesses. He believes in helping others, whether that’s through employment, travel comfort, or simply showing off Charleston through a native’s eyes. You can see his work at revivebnb.info

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I visit the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center in South Charleston and talk with Mike Friel about their machinist technology program. It’s a two-year program offered with BridgeValley Community and Technical College, where students earn industry credentials and an associate degree. Mike shows me the computer-controlled machines students train on, including CNC machines, which use subtractive manufacturing to create precision parts. He explains how students learn programming, computer-aided design, and math, along with hands-on skills like blueprint reading and measuring within thousandths of an inch. The program isn’t just for recent grads—many students are adults changing careers, like a grandmother who became a machinist and opened her own shop, or a former hairdresser who now leads manufacturing at a major facility. Classes are split between BridgeValley and the Tech Park, and many students land jobs or internships before they graduate. Mike emphasizes that it’s about building real skills that lead to real work.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Scotty Stone, board secretary of the Clay County Business Development Authority. He explains that Clay County is part of the Charleston metro area, so it qualifies for many of the same grants and programs. We talk about new public transportation coming to the area thanks to a partnership with Mountain Transit Authority, helping people access food, jobs, and healthcare. Food security is a top concern, and transit gives residents access to grocery options in nearby towns. Scotty also shares updates on recreation, including new pickleball courts, improved soccer fields, and efforts to promote youth sports for better community health. We discuss the Elk River Trail and how the county supports outdoor development, but the focus is shifting toward small business growth. Clay saw the highest per-capita business startup rate in the state recently, especially with food trucks taking advantage of the central location. Looking ahead, Scotty sees more family-friendly experiences and outdoor opportunities on the way. He invites everyone to visit, ride the Rail Explorers, and try the pepperoni rolls at Legacy Foods, which he says are Facebook-famous.