Episodios

  • Civil Engineer by Day Inventor by Night with Joey Crookshanks

    Civil Engineer by Day Inventor by Night with Joey Crookshanks
    Jul 3 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Joey Crookshanks at Meet Up 64 about his business, Tailgator Outdoors. He’s created a product that turns a Yeti-style cooler into a beverage dispenser, allowing people to keep mixed drinks separate from the rest of the cooler’s contents. He tells me the idea came from wanting a way for him and his wife to enjoy different drinks from the same cooler. This isn’t his first invention—he worked with Marshall and the Robert C. Byrd Institute in 2020, received grant funding, and sold a previous product to a company in Columbus before moving back to West Virginia. He explains the difference between a full patent and a patent pending, and how he’s revisiting that earlier project. Joey says he’s driven by everyday inconveniences and enjoys solving problems through engineering. He balances this creative work with a full-time job as a civil engineer and uses his Marshall connections to secure support and funding. He reminds me that building a product is about solving a real problem and knowing the right people. You can check out his product at tailgatoroutdoors.com.
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    5 m
  • Why Entrepreneurs Struggle to Ask for Help

    Why Entrepreneurs Struggle to Ask for Help
    Jun 26 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk about the discomfort many entrepreneurs feel when it comes to asking for things, like Google reviews or referrals. I’ve noticed that some business owners hesitate to ask, thinking that if they did a good job, their clients should automatically offer a review. The truth is, people are busy, and they won’t always follow through on their own. I emphasize that it’s important to ask for what you want but to not be attached to the outcome. If someone says no, it’s not personal—it’s just life. Success comes from asking more people, making small, manageable requests, and not taking rejection personally. Don’t ask for too much at once; keep it simple. Whether it’s a Google review or a referral, the worst someone can say is no, and that shouldn’t stop you from asking again in the future. Stay confident in your work, and keep asking.
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    7 m
  • Talking AI and Business Growth with Andy Morrison

    Talking AI and Business Growth with Andy Morrison
    Jun 25 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I meet Andy Morrison at Lola’s during First Tuesdays with Up Next Charlie West. Andy runs Business Up AI, a company that helps small and medium businesses use artificial intelligence to grow. He explains that AI is still new enough to give businesses an edge, but soon it will be as common as websites or spreadsheets. We talk about the many ways AI can be used, from writing to customer service, and also the risks, like deepfakes and fraud. Andy says fraud isn’t new, but AI makes it faster and harder to detect. His goal is to help people stay ahead and make smart choices. One big challenge he sees is how fast businesses respond to customer questions. If you don’t reply quickly, the customer moves on. His team builds AI tools that help businesses reply right away. I ask if people should fear AI or use it, and Andy says you can either get swept away by the wave or learn to surf it. He wants to help people surf.
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    5 m
  • Kiersten Holman on Connection and Community

    Kiersten Holman on Connection and Community
    Jun 19 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Kiersten Holman at First Tuesdays with Up Next Charlie West. She’s the member of the month and a new sales rep at Cintas, handling facility services like mats, hand sanitizers, and paper products. She’s been with the company for about a month and says the transition from a smaller company has been smooth, thanks to her network in Charleston. Kiersten moved here from Wheeling a year and a half ago and found her first connections through Up Next Charlie West. She’s now on the leadership board and was recently named the Cintas Champion for the area, which means she’ll be the community outreach face for Charleston. She shares how important it is to show the positive side of West Virginia and how young professionals are making an impact. As we wrap up, she encourages others to get involved, come to events, and explore everything Charleston has to offer.
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    4 m
  • Corey Austin Talks About Lola's Growth and South Hills Vibes

    Corey Austin Talks About Lola's Growth and South Hills Vibes
    Jun 17 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Corey Austin, the manager at Lola's, a local favorite in South Hills. Corey’s been with the restaurant for seven years, starting in various roles before becoming the manager. She shares how Lola's, known for its artisan pizzas, has grown over the years, including the addition of an outdoor bar last year. Despite the challenges of working in the food industry, Corey enjoys the positive vibe of the community. She talks about the team’s strong work ethic, especially with new employees who move up from host to server to bartender. While Lola's doesn’t cater large events due to its small kitchen, they’ve done smaller events like the Bridge Road Festival. Corey mentions the need for more kitchen staff and appreciates the influx of applications as the restaurant’s popularity continues to grow.
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    4 m
  • Why Digital Marketing Feels So Confusing

    Why Digital Marketing Feels So Confusing
    Jun 12 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk about how confusing digital marketing can be and why that’s normal. I explain how platforms like blogs, YouTube, TikTok, and podcasts have all had their moments, and success often comes from being early. I point out that most local businesses aren’t trying to make money from the platforms directly, like influencers do, but are using them to promote their real-world services. I use my own podcast as an example—I'm not paid to make it, but it helps me connect with people, stay visible, and learn what’s going on in the community. I stress that before you market to strangers, you should make sure people you already know understand what you do. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but you need to pick a platform, learn it, and stick with it long enough to build an audience. Whether it’s SEO, email, or social media, the key is focus and consistency, not trying everything at once and hoping something sticks.
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    9 m
  • Domenica Cruz Talks Community and Career Growth

    Domenica Cruz Talks Community and Career Growth
    Jun 10 2025
    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.
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    4 m