Chad Emerson, the managing director at Huntsville City Football Club (HCFC), discusses the first season of the club and the challenges they faced starting a football club in Huntsville. He also talks about the partnerships with local businesses and the efforts to integrate the local community into HCFC. Emerson highlights the versatility of Wicks Family Field as an entertainment venue and the plans for future events and collaborations. He also mentions the impact of the ongoing construction a...

In this conversation, Clark interviews Rick Holtz, the owner of Holtz Leather, Holtz Headwear, and Board and Log Company. They discuss the origins of Holtz Leather and how it grew from a small basement operation to a successful retail business. They also talk about the expansion of Holtz Headwear and the unique custom leather patch hats they offer. Rick then shares the challenges and successes of starting Board and Log Company, a lumber store and woodworking community. They touch on the impor...

Angels Island, a coffee shop in Huntsville, Alabama, has been open for 18 years. The owner, Angel, shares her journey of starting the coffee shop and the inspiration she found in Fiji. She talks about the unique coffee culture in Fiji and how she wanted to bring that concept to Huntsville. Angel discusses the challenges she faced, including the impact of the overpass construction and the resilience of the business during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also highlights the importance of community a...

Beth McCormick and Keith Roberts, owners of Vintage Karma Wine in Huntsville, discuss their journey before opening the wine shop. Beth had a background in designing children's clothes and owned a gift shop called The Cottage Collective. They started selling wine at The Cottage Collective and decided to open a separate wine shop. The build-out process took about three months, and they aimed to create a space where people would want to hang out. The wine shop offers a unique selection of wines ...

Ashanti Ortega, the founder of MASH Huntsville, discusses her journey as a content creator and social media manager. Growing up in Huntsville, she initially thought she would pursue a career in engineering but realized her passion for creativity. She was inspired by her mother, who was a YouTuber and learned about the behind-the-scenes of content creation. Ashanti saw the need for a creative community in Huntsville and decided to stay and build her career there. She talks about the changing l...

Leah Farrow, owner of Arcadia Tattoo Huntsville, shares her journey of becoming a tattoo artist and opening her studio. She got an apprenticeship in New Jersey and worked tirelessly to improve her skills. After moving back to Huntsville, she opened her private studio, Arcadia Tattoo, which quickly grew to include nine artists. She recently expanded to a larger space and continues to learn and grow as a business owner. Arcadia Tattoo Huntsville is a successful tattoo and piercing studio that f...

Neil Lamb, President of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, discusses his journey to HudsonAlpha and the growth and impact of the institute. The conversation explores the vision of HudsonAlpha and its role in the growth of Huntsville, Alabama. It also delves into the expansion of HudsonAlpha's model to other areas, such as the Wiregrass region, and the focus on research, economic development, and education. We also discuss the unique model they have with associate companies that work...

Matt Wake, an entertainment writer, shares his journey from being a musician to becoming a music journalist in Huntsville. He talks about growing up in Huntsville and his early interest in sports and music. It covers the rise and fall of music venues, the impact of Orion Amphitheater, and the growth of the music scene in recent years. Matt discusses his experience working for various publications, including Valley Planet, Clemson Life, and LA Weekly. He also talks about the challenges of the ...

What's Happening in Huntsville on May 30 - June 6!! We hope you are enjoying this series as much as we are. If you are a business owner yourself and would like me to talk about events that you are putting on just send me a message I would love to hear from you. Be sure to join our mailing list at beyondrockets.com to get early access to the events we are excited about. Our Presenting SponsorReLogic is an Engineering, Aerospace, and Technology company dedicated to solving our Nation’s to...

What's Happening in Huntsville on May 23 - 30!! We hope you are enjoying this series as much as we are. If you are a business owner yourself and would like me to talk about events that you are putting on just send me a message I would love to hear from you. Be sure to join our mailing list at beyondrockets.com to get early access to the events we are excited about. Our Presenting SponsorReLogic is an Engineering, Aerospace, and Technology company dedicated to solving our Nation’s toughe...