Archives: Episodes

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with photographer and filmmaker Frank Miller about how his business has changed since he started. Frank expected to work mainly with families and weddings, but he moved into commercial and business-to-business work, where long-term client relationships became a bigger part of his business. We discuss lessons he learned from spending too much money on equipment, comparing himself to competitors, and trying marketing methods that did not fit him. Networking became a major part of how he built relationships and found clients. We also talk about what separates a professional photographer from someone using a phone, including experience, understanding light, and knowing what moments to capture. Frank shares his thoughts on AI, why he believes real moments and authenticity will continue to matter, and how hiring and training people has helped him stop trying to do everything himself. He also explains why self-discipline matters for entrepreneurs and why he tries to strive for perfection, knowing that the effort can still lead to excellence.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Terrell Ellis of Advantage Valley about the second year of Taste of Appalachia, a program created to support small food producers across the region. We discuss what the organization learned during its first year, especially the challenges of packing, shipping, and managing the details involved in fulfillment. Terrell explains that the program exceeded its original goal by selling 1,145 gift boxes, representing about 8,200 individual products from participating vendors. This year, Advantage Valley plans to grow the program with 18 vendors featured across six gift boxes and a goal of selling 1,500 boxes. We also talk about the October 18 event at Capitol Market, where people can sample products, meet vendors, and purchase boxes. Terrell also explains Advantage Valley’s plans to explore a certified commercial kitchen that could help small food producers scale their businesses, along with the organization’s broader work supporting entrepreneurs and business growth throughout the Charleston and Huntington region.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Mary Beth Smith, co-owner and co-founder of Tipsy Roo’s Barbecue Sauce, about what it takes to build a product-based business. Mary Beth shares how she learned that having a good product is not enough. You have to get in front of people, attend events, offer samples, talk with customers, and keep promoting what you sell. We discuss Tipsy Roo’s veteran-owned brand, its alcohol-infused barbecue sauces, and the company’s growth since launching in 2020. Mary Beth also explains how participating in Taste of Appalachia created a major sales opportunity, accounting for about half of the company’s sales for the year. We talk about the value of events, communication, public speaking, and building confidence as an entrepreneur. Her experience shows that business growth comes from staying visible, standing behind the quality of your product, and continuing to put it in front of the people who may want to buy it.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I break down how I plan an ideal week so I can stay focused on the work that matters instead of letting every phone call, email, meeting, and problem control my schedule. I start by putting fixed commitments on the calendar, then I leave margin around them so I have room for travel, delays, and unexpected issues. I also block out time for important work and treat that time as protected, even if that means working before or after normal business hours. From there, I divide my remaining time into three areas: business development, fulfillment, and building. Business development creates new opportunities, fulfillment serves current clients, and building prepares the business for future growth. Over time, parts of fulfillment and business development can be delegated, allowing me to spend more time building the business. The goal is not to control every minute. It is to plan the week before the week starts so I can make progress even when the schedule changes.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Richard Emery of Tom James Company to talk about his 31 years in the clothing business. We discuss how he got started, the challenges of building a client base, and how men’s fashion has changed from pleated pants and broad shoulders to slimmer styles and more casual workplaces. Richard explains why fit matters more than anything else when it comes to looking professional and shares the four suits he believes form the foundation of a man’s wardrobe. We also talk about Tom James’ approach of meeting clients at their office or home, taking measurements, and building clothing around the individual. Richard shares lessons from decades in business, including the importance of doing the uncomfortable work that others avoid, staying productive, and continuing to learn. We also discuss how technology has changed his sales process and why making a strong first impression still matters.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I chat with Chima Imoh, founder and CEO of MíMíroír Technologies, a Charleston-based company developing modular wearable technology. Chima explains how his system places sensors on specific parts of the body to collect data where the movement is actually happening, rather than relying on one wearable location to measure everything. We talk about how the company has moved from an idea to working hardware and an app, along with new partnerships, an accelerator program, and the start of a pre-seed fundraising round. Chima also shares his path into entrepreneurship after spending ten years incarcerated and how that experience shaped his approach to business and life. We discuss the importance of investing in yourself, building relationships, understanding technology, learning new skills, and earning trust from customers and investors. Chima also explains how faith and family continue to guide the way he builds his company and plans for the future.