Archives: Episodes

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.

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.