Appalachian Startup

Byzantine is an Appalachian metal band that was formed in the early 2000's when Chris Ojeda decided he wanted to be that person headbanging on stage in front of a huge crowd. The past 20 years have had many highs and lows, and we discussed the groups progress going from playing with a drum machine, to gaining thousands of fans and touring across the world. Find out more by visiting AppalachianStartup.com.

Do you love coffee AND Appalachia? This is the episode for you. Michael Cline sits down with us to discuss how he operates a coffee shop in the southern coalfields. Hot Cup Coffee has quickly grown to be a favorite of many, and is proudly located in the town of Logan, West Virginia. Grab your latte and enjoy! Find out more by visiting AppalachianStartup.com.

Caleb Francis is steadily becoming a champion of Appalachian Adult Comedy. His influencer status has risen high enough to give him a steady income stream, and ultimately allowed him to quit his "day job". Listen to our discussion of that climb, and how he approaches each video that releases through his Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube channels. Find out more by visiting AppalachianStartup.com.

Matthew Helms is a sign-making master. His love for the craft has taken him from working at a sign shop in North Carolina, to eventually taking it over and branching out to southern West Virginia with his company SignARC. They specialize in all things printing, embroidering, sign making, graphic designing and more. They also do car wraps. Matt actually breaks down the process of wrapping a Lamborghini in this episode. His experience in Appalachia has been a positive one, and we sat down to discuss the ins and outs of sign making in the hills. Enjoy.

Find out more by visiting AppalachianStartup.com.

Eddie Austin is the example of a true Appalachian spirit. "My kids get to see their grandparents. That means something to me." he said during our interview. We can relate. Listen to his journey through 20 years beginning as an apprentice, to now owning and operating Eddie Austin Woodworks; a custom furniture company out of Lincoln County, West Virginia.

Find out more by visiting AppalchianStartup.com.

Coalfield Development Corporation's key since inception has been to rebuild the Appalachian economy from the ground up. Brandon Dennison grew up in these hills, and despite normal childhood thoughts of leaving, he decided to stay and build his dream of showing the world the creativity that Appalachians have by retraining the workforce. Learn more about the show at appalchianstartup.com.

In this episode we discuss storytelling in Appalachia with Ben Barry from Mountain Craft Productions. He takes us on his journey from Full Sail University until now as he continues building his dream in Fairmont, West Virginia. Learn more about them at appalchianstartup.com and don't forget to review your listening experience!

Morgan Morrison is a rock star. Both literally and figuratively, as she is co-owner of Rock City Cake Company. This is a sweet treat business that began in Logan, West Virginia. Their following is massive and their daily operations are in Charleston, West Virginia. They even bring in some of the biggest bands in the region to play on their brand new stage for the community.

After years in Colorado witnessing the business practices of the cannabis industry, Chris Yaeger decided he could do this in his Appalachian home. He came back to West Virginia and started Appalachian Cannabis Company, a business that specializes in providing cannabis products to customers while advocating for medical cannabis in the legislature.

Pat Strader did the traditional corporate America path of going to college, getting the job, and doing the commute. It wasn't until he lived in a tent next to the New River in West Virginia that he knew what he wanted to do. His next step would be building a path to Digital Relativity, a marketing agency that has now grown to over 20 team members.