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In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I meet Domenica Cruz at Lola’s during the First Tuesday event hosted by Up Next Charlie West. She recently graduated from the University of Charleston with a degree in digital media design and minors in marketing and communications. She’s just started an internship with the Charleston Area Alliance and is already diving into the local networking scene. Domenica tells me she first came to Charleston on a track scholarship and ended up staying because she liked the people. Now she’s focused on building a career in public relations, improving her English, and getting more involved in the community. When I ask what West Virginians might not know about themselves, she says they’re more welcoming than they realize, especially to internationals, and that kind of kindness isn’t something you find in bigger cities.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Chris Walters from Integrity Insurance Group in Charleston. He explains how the insurance market is changing, with new carriers like Geico and Foremost Choice 360 entering West Virginia, which means more options for clients. Chris opened his agency in 2019 and stresses the importance of finding a niche and becoming an expert. He shares how specializing in areas like trucking and workers’ comp helps him offer more value and build stronger relationships. We talk about how focusing your message makes marketing more effective and how clients start coming to you for advice beyond just insurance. Chris also talks about building a positive culture in his office and supporting his employees as people, not just workers. As we wrap up, he shares his concerns about the Kanawha Valley, including issues with the Charleston mall and the need to better support downtown businesses and bring more visitors off the interstate.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I’m talking with Joellen and Mike Greenlee, the founders of JoJo’s Taco, at the South Charleston Farmers Market. They share their journey from a Super Bowl party where they tested six taco recipes to creating a winning dish with 13 spices, including the secret ingredient: ginger, which helps with indigestion. Mike talks about their farm-to-table approach, with fresh vegetables grown in their greenhouse, including tomatoes for Joellen’s homemade pico. We discuss how farmers markets impact local communities by supporting farmers, craftspeople, and small businesses. Joellen explains the dedication it takes to run a small business, especially when you’re making everything from scratch, and Mike adds that it’s all worth it when you’re passionate about what you do. They also mention how they were featured on the Food Network and voted silver medalists in West Virginia Living Magazine. For more information on their menu and to book their food truck, visit www.jojostaco.com or call 304-377-1074.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk about how to stand out in a world full of AI and low trust. Tools like Google’s Veo 3 can create entire cinematic videos with no human input, and that has people worried about their jobs and relevance. But I don’t think AI will replace real human connection. Since 2008, we’ve lived in an era of information overload, and with that comes distrust. That’s why authenticity matters more than ever. Being real, telling your own story, and showing up as yourself is what builds trust. AI-generated avatars and synthetic voices might say the right things, but they don’t feel real—and people won’t buy from something that doesn’t feel real. Authenticity doesn’t mean low quality or unpolished; it just means being honest and personal. We’ll see more from AI, and it’ll be fun, but the people who win in this next era are the ones who stay grounded and true to themselves.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I’m at the grand opening of the South Charleston Farmers Market talking with Shawn Zuniga and Amanda Ream. Shawn tells me the market has 13 vendors, including eight local farmers selling flowers, fruit, and vegetables. It’s located at 4006 MacCorkle Ave. SW and open seven days a week. He says the mayor had the vision for the market, and the Public Works department built nearly all of it. Amanda, with the South Charleston Chamber of Commerce, says this has been years in the making and ties into the city’s focus on improving quality of life. She explains the market is part of a larger movement happening across South Charleston, with growth near the riverfront and road development around Park Place. Local vendors were eager to join, and interest from the community was strong even before promotion began. She points people to the market’s Facebook page for updates. Both guests highlight the importance of supporting West Virginia farmers and how this market brings something meaningful to the community.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Frank Mullens, the mayor of South Charleston, to talk about the city’s exciting developments. Frank shares how the new South Charleston Farmers Market came to be, a project he’s had in the works for years that finally fell into place with the timing of other growth in the area. He emphasizes the importance of supporting local small businesses, which are the backbone of the community. We also discuss the ongoing transformation in South Charleston, moving away from its chemical industry roots to a more diverse economy. Frank highlights the upcoming construction of a Kroger Marketplace and several new stores and restaurants in the Park Place shopping center. He also touches on the resurgence of brick-and-mortar retail, despite the rise of online shopping, pointing out that many still prefer to shop in person. It’s clear that South Charleston is thriving, and the farmers market is just one part of the bigger picture that’s improving the quality of life for everyone in the community.