Archives: Episodes

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Peyton Ballard, principal consultant of Selah Directive in the New River Gorge area. Peyton starts in HR, then gets recruited by the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority to help launch West Virginia’s first angel network. That experience leads him into consulting, where he now helps nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and business owners build capacity. We talk about the challenge of balancing client work with the work of running a business. Peyton shares how saying yes to too much teaches him the value of saying no with purpose. He also explains why consulting is not just talking. His work is about stepping in as a partner, helping clients solve problems, and creating results they can use. We also cover the capacity issues facing small organizations across Appalachia, especially as the workforce ages and leadership transitions become more urgent. Peyton’s advice is clear: build resilience, use systems like a CRM, and do not waste money on marketing that is not aimed at the right audience.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I visit Blenko Glass Company in Milton, West Virginia, and talk with Bryson Cutler about business development, manufacturing, and keeping a historic craft alive. Bryson’s path started in digital marketing and IT before growing into his role at Blenko. We talk about the company’s 130-year history, its move to Milton in 1921, and its shift from mostly wholesale sales to direct online sales across all 50 states. Bryson explains that Blenko’s biggest challenge is not demand. They can sell what they make. The real challenge is making more glass and training new glassblowers through a long apprenticeship process. We also talk about cash flow, digital marketing, AI, and why cameras and microphones matter even in a handmade glass business. The biggest lesson Bryson shares is that people matter. Invest in your team, invest in your community, and that work comes back around.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with David Crabtree about drones, business, and what it takes to build something new in West Virginia. David runs Appalachian UAV Academy and works to bring drone technology into industries like public safety, search and rescue, rural health care, delivery, and commercial cleaning. His passion is using drones to find missing people faster so families can get loved ones home safe. We also talk about the hard lessons of entrepreneurship. David learned not to buy equipment before the market is ready and calls those mistakes part of paying the “ignorance tax.” He makes a strong point that business is not just about big ideas. It is about doing the boring work over and over until it starts to pay off. David believes drones are not toys. They are flying robots that can collect data, reduce risk, and solve problems across West Virginia and beyond.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk about why AI may be pushing us out of

I talk with Chris Bautista, owner of Above Roofing, LLC, about how he got into roofing, what he has learned after 12 years in the trade, and what homeowners need to know before hiring a contractor. Chris helps with leaks, repairs, replacements, and roof inspections. He got started after helping install a roof and found that the work fit him. We talk about one of his biggest business lessons: underestimating a job and losing money. That experience taught him to inspect roofs with more care, ask better questions, and price the work the right way. Chris also explains why homeowners should ask about insurance, experience, and the types of roofs a contractor can handle, especially with older roofs in the Kanawha Valley. We also cover the staffing challenges facing the trades and why young people should consider building a career in skilled work. Chris believes every entrepreneur needs hustle, and he is working on patience. His faith also plays a role in how he built Above Roofing.

In this episode, I talk with Lee Jordan about Battleground Wrestling and how he built an independent wrestling promotion in West Virginia. Lee started with a love of wrestling and turned it into a live event business that runs about six shows a year. We talk about the early days, buying the first ring, running a wrestling school, and creating a place where performers can train, build their characters, and get time in front of a crowd. Lee explains that independent wrestling is where many wrestlers begin before working toward larger companies. He also makes a point that applies to any business: social media helps, but it does not replace footwork. You still have to meet people, hand out flyers, hang posters, and build interest in person. His best investment was more chairs so more people could attend in comfort. His biggest lesson is to keep going, stay different, and focus on bringing people together through a strong show.