George Bryant set out on a new path once he saw his parents’ tax return. From then, he knew he wanted to help others by demystifying money.

In this episode, George shares what it was like growing up in the family sandwich business, stories of several odd jobs he’s held, and how he got into finance despite originally wanting to be a doctor. Plus, he shares advice for young investors and the financial mistakes he sees many people making.

George Bryant is a Co-Founder and Principal of Apogee Wealth Partners. You can learn more about George and Apogee on his website (apogeewp.com/team) and you can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/george-bryant-cfp%C2%AE-4449b11b7).

If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:

• Jay Kennamer’s Morning Cup (E15)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

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Allen Clare’s career has come full circle, from working in coal bunkers as a teenager to becoming GM of Eastern Coal and Gas for TVA. Now he’s the Senior Vice President of Power Operations, responsible for all non-nuclear power generation.

In this episode, Allen shares his “North Star” that guided many decisions, what it was like living at sea while in Navy, and the three skills he believes are essential for great leadership. We also discuss how the energy industry has evolved over the past 8 years and TVA’s focus for the future.

Allen Clare is the SVP of Power Operations for TVA. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/allen-clare-74709a62).

If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:

• Matt Rasmussen’s Morning Cup (E57)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

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Michael and Angela Ballard have used their careers as a tool to do what they love the most: travel.

In this episode, we talk about what it was like for both of them to grow up on cattle and dairy farms, why Michael moved to Saudi Arabia at the age of 12, and how Angela gave a stipulation when Michael proposed… which lit the travel flame for them. They also share stories from all around the world and explain how they now help other people travel.

Angela and Michael Ballard are the owners of We Married Adventure. You can learn more about them on their website, wemarriedadventure.com, and you can connect with them on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aesballard & linkedin.com/in/mike-ballard-2bb0587

You can also check out the websites they mentioned, nomadmania.com & secretflying.com 

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

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Charlie has made his mark supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem, not only in Chattanooga, but all across Tennessee.

In this episode, Charlie shares what it was like growing up in the Brock Candy family business, how he first got involved in the startup ecosystem as CEO of The Company Lab and then LaunchTN, and why he creates “intentional serendipitous collisions” for entrepreneurs.

We also discuss quantum computing and and how Chattanooga will benefit from the technology.

Charlie Brock is the Founder of Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/charliebrock) and learn more about the CQC on their website (chattanoogaquantum.com)

If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:

• Hal Bowling’s Morning Cup (E75)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

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Darren Hodges (AKA Mr. Coca-Cola of Chattanooga) began his career at Coca-Cola United in 1986 and has worked a variety of positions, all the way up to Division Vice President.

In this episode, Darren shares a behind-the-scenes look at Coke’s operations and positions, its important history in Chattanooga as the first franchised bottler of Coca-Cola products, and how “divine intervention” kept him from pursuing another career path.

You can connect with Darren Hodges on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/darren-hodges-724a4811) and you can learn more about Coca-Cola Bottling Company United on their website (cocacolaunited.com/locations/chattanooga).

If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:

• Roy Vaughn’s Morning Cup (E08)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

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A month-long trip to Costa Rica completely changed the trajectory of Stacy Johnson’s career.

In this episode, Stacy shares how a series of career disruptions led her to pivot from graphic design to nonprofits and why a trip to Costa Rica to learn Spanish led her to pursue new passions. Plus, we also discuss how the Latinx community in Chattanooga has changed over the past twenty years and why La Paz has shifted their focus as a result.

Stacy Johnson is the President and CEO of La Paz, an organization whose mission is to empower and engage Chattanooga’s Latino population. You can connect with Stacy on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/stacy-johnson-7bba232b) and you can learn more about La Paz on their website (lapazchattanooga.org).

If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:

• Candy Johnson’s Morning Cup (E48)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

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Tasia Malakasis’s career can be classified as a series of “happy accidents.” In this episode, she shares how she started in sales (as all CEOs should), then pursued her love of food by acquiring Belle Chevre and taking it to the next level. We also discuss how she landed at The Company Lab, and why the organization has pivoted their focus to sustainable mobility.

Tasia Malakasis is the CEO of The Company Lab, a nonprofit that accelerates early-stage startups in the sustainable mobility space. You can connect with Tasia on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/tasia-malakasis-4829a45)

If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:

• Craig Fuller’s Morning Cup (E58)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

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Joe Jacobi is an Olympic Gold Medalist, Performance Coach, and Author. After winning the gold in the 1992 canoe slalom event, he’s dedicated his life to teaching others how to perform well in their own lives.

In this episode, Joe shares what it’s *really* like to win a gold medal, how he got started canoeing at the age of 8 years old, and why he moved to La Seu d’Urgell, Spain.

We also talk about the idea of living well so you can compete well, why he believes in process over results, and how he must learn every single day in order to survive and thrive.

You can subscribe to the Thinking in Waves newsletter (joejacobi.ck.page/921d235cfe) and you can connect with Joe on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jacobijoe).

If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:

• Gail Loveland Barille’s Morning Cup (E22)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

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The military is heavily engrained in Paul Leath’s DNA. Following in his dad’s footsteps, he joined the army and served nine years active duty.

In this episode, Paul shares how veterans, nuns, and scouts have been great influences in his life, how he was stationed in Fort Bragg “for love,” what happened after getting the Red Ball Express phone call, and then switching to the private sector and loving the natural gas industry.

Paul Leath is the Regional Director of Operations at Chattanooga Gas, a subsidiary of Southern Company. You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/paul-leath-73571413).

If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:

• Chip Baker’s Morning Cup (E04)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

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Bruce Weiss is an artist. Most people know him as a sandwich artist because of his deli, but he was a visual artist first.

In this episode, Bruce shares how growing up in the melting pot of New York led to his love of food and cooking, why having chutzpah is important for success, and the events that led to him opening River Street Deli in 1998, including working in sales, owning a graphic design business, and shadowing Chef Neville Forsythe.

Bruce Weiss is the owner of River Street Deli. You can learn more about the deli at riverstreetdeli.com.

If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:

• Kenyatta Ashford’s Morning Cup (E05)

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. 

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