The Community, Connections & Commerce Podcast, presented by OUE & St. Clairsville Chamber - Community, Connections, & Commerce Episode 24 (Season 1 Finale)

Episode Date: March 28, 2025

Music Welcome to Community Connections and Commerce, which has been, I think, a really good thing that has done well for a period of time now. I'm Drake Watson, along with, as always, Wendy Anderson. We're also joined by somebody who's also always with us, and we couldn't thank her enough for doing kind of the behind-the-scenes work and pressing record and pressing stop and also cutting out some things that we wish we hadn't said.

They keep me behind the curtain. Yes, we do. Hi, Sam. Good morning. behind the curtain. Yes we do. Hi Sam. Good morning. Well hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. And as we wrap up season one I guess, we figured it would be a good time to sort of sit back and reflect on the things we've learned, the things that we thought were positive and were you know really making an impact and doing well for the listener, the community, the connections that have been made.

I mean, it's in our name. And even the commerce connections that may have been made just a few moments ago, but we'll leave that to ourselves. So we have the list of folks that we've had on throughout this experience and experience it was. And we, first of all, could not thank them enough for dedicating time and yeah, they came in and gave their time and talked about them themselves. Yeah, and their businesses, which sometimes that's hard to do for people.

That's hard to do and to sort of break the fourth wall. I guess, you know, we get in here around nine o'clock on a Friday morning and it's not easy for somebody who's involved in business to take a morning out of a weekday and come and talk to, you know, I mean, they probably know you, but to come talk to somebody like me that they've never heard of.

No, I get it, I do. So yeah, we are beyond appreciative of the time that we've been given. And first of all, we had somebody who you know quite well. We had Matt Welsh from the Vagabond Kitchen. Yes, my my son-in-law. And I was really impressed with what he said and how he's going through and how he went through the the cityscape here in Wheeler and you know the difference of what he did versus now because it's as the street has been opened up again for him and he's got a bigger sidewalk so he can put tables out and have out you know outside

you know seating yeah and just all those things that he does for the West Virginia parks. But besides that, Matt, we've had Kirk Porterfield, TJ Stewart, we've had Jason Wilson on, Audrey from Geosynthes and Audrey Zav. So listening to their stories, they were pretty- I really appreciated her insight on how those came to be. Yeah. And really just her dedication. And I thought I could be getting this mixed up,

but there's a third one mixed in there somewhere as well. Correct? Yeah, the Bear Necessities. Yeah. It's a high valley mall. And how she's just always attacking. And she, as have much of our guests, many of them, she's not so much focused on

how much money can I make with this, how much can I benefit from this. I mean, sure, you gotta pay the bills, but the community-centric aspect of I wanna make a positive impact on the community and I wanna do something where I really think she's creative and I love that about her and she's constantly thinking of I love that about her.

And she's constantly thinking of how can this be unique? How can this be different? And what can this provide to a place like that, that section of St. Clairsville? Right. And she now leading into that, it's Spencer, we had Spencer Porter. So she does, why don't you stay a while? And excuse me, she's the owner of the St. Clairsville living in Wheeling neighborhood magazines now She had such an amazing story

I thought the thing that I kind of took with me because not only is this a potential learning Opportunity for the listener, but for you and I yeah the things I learned from her and how traveling around the world Enabled her to develop an open mind and how that then propelled her into what she's doing now, I think is one of the more impactful stories we've heard in terms of not just the what and how, but the why. And really that behind the scenes aspect of what she had to go through to get to where she is now.

Absolutely. And then we had TJ Stort, part owner of Nolestown Diner, with, remember we had the Lumberjacks, Ralph Fordy Lumberjacks, we had Stacey and Doug Langeannette. Now that was really interesting, because that's the first time we've done three people. Yeah. You know, but to get their,

they get their opinion on how things work statewide to get a new business started. Yeah, and kind of the hurdles they had to jump through to capitalize off of what they wanted to do. And we don't have to mention it again, but we know what TJ said about what was beneficial to that part of St. Clairsville and getting that started and how they shared that commonality

of going through that together and kind of doing whatever it took to benefit their community. And I can't recall if they knew each other before, not even if they did, just you've got a diner in St. Clairsville and then you've got this activity place and this spot for adults out in Morristown

that you wouldn't think would have much to do with one another. But the way they were able to come in here and have such good chemistry and bounce off of each other, I thought was really good and I thought it provided a ton of insight for the listener. Yeah, I did too. You know, we had nonprofit.

We had Anne Marie O'Grady with the special wish. I think that was huge, especially early on, to show that just the capital and the commerce part of it sometimes isn't what it's all about. And I guess the philanthropy that she does for the area is something that we don't ever want to go unnoticed or underappreciated. I thought it was... We want to constantly push her in the push her information in the stories that Not only she told us but the stories that have been told to her about the impacts that she's making on lives I think it's just incredible and one of the more touching things that we've that we've heard on the the entire experience Yeah, I agree. You know, we forgot I did I did pass over Kirk Porterfield

So I just I absolutely love the Porterfields. The neat thing about that is he talked about his ice cream store how he got started and all that but what I love is that his son Mark is taking over that ice cream store. Mark is doing a fantastic job. Yeah I am just so impressed with that small business it's turned into a large business. So we've got some great people in the Valley. Yeah. I think we learned a lot about obviously community and what that means. I think everybody did an incredible job of touching on what the community means to them. They also shared this feeling that the community, and we talk about this all the time, it seems like a main

theme of ours is it's not the individual towns competing against each other. It's the Ohio Valley as a whole and working together. And Brandon Ludwig said, with the events that we do in CAT, look, we have respect for the things that have been going on for many years or decades. And so we're not trying to pull people away from that. One, it's going to be tough to do to it's it's kind of, you know, we want to work with them and see them succeed so that we can also succeed. And, you know, it's a better valley if everybody or if more people,

more businesses, more organizations in the valley are doing well. And they have to understand that mentality. You know, we also had Jason Wilson on. Mm-hmm. Was very interesting. I did not realize that he also had Ashley Furniture. Again, another business in the Ohio Valley. Yeah, and I actually, it was so odd when we had him on,

I believe it was the, it was just a couple nights before, I was up at the Highlands, and it was late so everything was closed, but I'm passing by there, and I'm like, just a couple nights before I was up at the Highlands and it was late so everything was closed, but I'm passing by there and I'm like, wow, there looks like some decent things in there. And I was interested, I'd never heard of it, I could tell it had recently opened. And so to hear his insight on that

and then the story of their place in Bridgeport and all that stuff. And the fire and how the community rallied around them and help them out. And I just love that. Quite a resilient story. And then we have Valley Logistics, who is that transport company that takes people

to and from doctor's appointments, I guess hospital and other things. But that again is a small business in the Ohio Valley. And it's one of those ones that you look at and you don't do it for the money, you don't do it for, you do it strictly for the community and it's a service that people need. And the way that they spoke,

I thought was beyond impressive of how, and I don't think it's just the way they spoke, I think it's the way they truly think about what they do and it's strictly about what can they do to help people they mentioned how you know other? Places that are in you know a similar field as us they might do it this way We might consider that cutting corners. We do this this way because we know it helps people exactly You know we also had one of my favorite leaf green. Oh, yeah, I just love leaf I think talk about his acting yeah, and his his life here and You know, we also had one of my favorite, Leaf Green. Oh yeah. I just love Leaf.

You know, talk about his acting. And his life here in the Wheeling area and Green's Donuts. I mean, those of us. That was an interesting microphone day to keep the mic levels because the laughter throughout this studio that day was contagious. I mean, the sound waves that I have to watch for volume

led me like, oh my gosh, and I'm jumping back and forth. So that was my busiest day sitting here. Yeah. You didn't have to do too much on this one. I know that because I kind of took a back seat and let you guys handle that one. I just love him. And he was also a judge at Lip Sync.

Yep. So I know he got to do that and I know that was exciting for him too. So that made me happy. Todd Kover. What can we say about Todd? I am just, I just love that man. I don't know, my bank accounts there so I'm gonna be careful. Yeah, my bank account's there too. But he is such a great human being and Belmont Savings Bank is lucky to have him and he has actually increased the vision of Belmont Savings Bank. And I just love Todd. I think he's a great community liaison and, I can't say enough about him. Not to sound like a broken record,

but we've noticed this trend developing of, and first of all, you would think a bank, there's not much you can, it's kind of one of those things where the way we've come to understand it is it's kind of like this big thing that might be separated or out of touch with everyday people that would be potentially going in there.

And Todd mentioned how he doesn't want it to feel like that. He wants you to be able to go in there and speak with somebody and really learn because you may not be fully educated on certain things. I know I'm not. And you can feel confident that you can walk into Belmont Savings Bank and have somebody there that that you can walk into Belmont Savings Bank and and

Have somebody there that'll kind of walk you through the process of whatever you really need to do. Yeah, don't be scared We've got you well and I will say as a customer they have created that atmosphere Because when I walked in to sign my car loan documents My husband had to go with me and as soon as I walked through the door they were like Sam Sam like four or five people. And Mr. Sam, which he didn't care for that, but it was like Norm from Cheers. You know, he was like, they all know your name. And I'm like, yeah, but that is, you were exactly right

in saying that that's the atmosphere that they've created there. Yep, you're right. You know, and were you, we did the shell crescent. that they've created there. You're right. We did the Shell Crescent. I think Sam and I did that one. That was us, yeah. That was- I believe I had class that morning.

Yes, you did. Don't know, appreciate that. Yeah, that was really interesting. Yes, yeah, what they're doing- What they're doing. To bring business to the Ohio Valley, upper and lower, Ohio Valley, and they're reaching out to business

outside of the United States. Oh yeah. Yeah, so what they're doing. Turkey and Italy. Yeah, and the places they've gotten to travel. Yeah, that's kinda cool. But you said Dan Millison, who owns the waterfront, has been on fire.

Everybody's going to the Waterfront for something or other. And the idea that they have Avenue Eats and Woodfired Pizza downstairs. And that's what I, on the weekends, that's what I see. People taking pictures there. So what he's done is amazing. And then his uncle, Jim. Yeah, that was really important to understand kind of the role that energy plays

and resources play in this area. And I think that was a really insightful episode that explained to people how important that industry is, particularly for this area. And I thought that was, you was, there was nothing better than, you don't wanna say, I'm gonna educate you on this, but you're about to learn something. And I thought that was a really good example of that.

Yeah, he's good. Pastor Chris Figuredi from the New Bridge Church. Yeah, which we see every day. Every step. With pass walk, excuse me, not every day, I'm not in Wheeling every day. Maybe I should be. But every time we come in here, you walk right by it.

Now you've had coffee there or you've had? I have had their freshly baked, warm chocolate chip cookies at 5.30 in the morning. Nom nom nom nom nom nom. Look at your face. Nom nom nom nom nom.. Look at your face. Nom nom nom nom nom. Yeah. Okay.

So my husband and I, we do go to church, the Newbridge Church here at the Capitol. And we walked across afterwards and we got our coffee and it was amazing. But the community that they are creating here in downtown Zinkler or Wheeling is amazing. And to see all these people from young, old, it doesn't matter, they're all going in there sitting down either on their computer or they're having conversation

and that's what this valley needs and they have provided it. I think also one of the things that we really wanted to make an emphasis of when we sat down and started talking about kicking this off is I think a lot of these have shown to students that would potentially listen, like college students, that no matter what you go into,

or if you think you have everything planned out and set, you might stumble across something completely different that'll work out for you, and that's okay. And there's been, you know, there have been many people that have been successful, that have come on and shared a similar story. And I think what's so crucial is you do have that experience to help you out, and you have a college education, and I think it's so crucial is you do have that experience to help you out.

And you have a college education. And I think it's so important for a place like Ohio Eastern to be so nearby in this area, kind of in the middle of the Ohio Valley, where people come from all over the valley to get an education and figure out or at least begin to figure out what they want to get into. And the amount of opportunities that are there that could lead to a career such as the ones we've heard of on this show. Yes. I forget what the phrase is exactly, but I know it's something along the lines of,

you don't have to go far to go far, I guess, in your career or whatever. And so I think that was really important to show a potential student that there are opportunities around here and there is a way to use your education and allow that to take you to places that you might not have thought you would go. Exactly. You know, and the other thing that I'm excited about listening to was WVU, the aspiring nurses program. I had no idea that that even was a thing. I will agree with you.

You know, maybe I should have, but I've never wanted to be a nurse. But I think that's so important because that's one of the, one of the first times I've ever heard of such a expedited process of going to school, getting experience and getting into the industry and getting in the field and getting a job. And I think what they're doing is so important

because not only does it help themselves because they need people to work there, they need nurses, but students need jobs. And it helps out both sides, I think perfectly. I think they've struck a good balance. And look, they're taking care of the students. Exactly, yeah. Before and after.

Yeah. And I love that. And I think it's so important for a student to be able to, let's say you do think you have things figured out, and that's not a bad thing if you wanna go into that, I guess financially. And for you to say, you could literally be a junior in high school,

this is what I think is so cool about that, and you're passionate about going into the medical field or being a nurse or being whatever. And you can say, I want to work at WVU medicine or anything, you know, around here. I want to go to Ohio Eastern or any of the other schools that, that they work with. And you could say that at 17 years old and by 23, 24, that will have taken place. And they do such a good job of, again, expediting that process and making it so seamless

and simple for a student. And I think it's a big incentive aspect. It is. Because they need the people. And we need the nurses here in the Valley. We need them to be trained and to stay here. Yeah. Because we need them and that is such a necessity.

And I hope they some of these young kids, you know, growing up right now will understand and who's thinking about a career in nursing. So also Stephanie Hockenberry. Oh, yeah. Remember, she's a growth and retention manager at High County Development Authorities. She, I was really impressed with what they're doing here in Ohio County. Yeah, and it's one of those things where she's not particularly involved in any specific thing except growth of the community and retention and making sure people are coming here

and making sure people are staying here, which I think is important, because with more people being in the area, you have more people working and you have more capital flowing. And it's a good thing for all, I guess. And last but not least, our wonderful Sam, you were one of our guests.

I was. And you are right now. And you still are. I guess. And you are right now. And you still are. Yes. And you will be in season two. Okay. All right. Yes.

You'll be here anyway. We're actually your guests. Yeah. Thank you for the ask. Yes. But you know, did I listen to your story? I know your story. Not everybody knows your story.

And I just think it is just amazing because where you came from and where you are now and The future is absolutely bright for you. And look you're a celebrity. It's what happened last night You know you get people excited that oh my god, that's Sam So, you know, I think that is your call. This is your calling. It's very odd how, you know, sometimes you have a fork in the road and something happens that completely changes your personality or your outlook on things. I mean, if anybody knew me prior to this, I was a wall mouth. Like, I was the person on the side of the, at the wall, you know, very quiet, very backwards. I remember.

Look at me now. Yeah, you can't shut me up. I know. I think, well, we glad we couldn't that one day because I thought your story really touched on the importance of connections. And I know I made it a point to ask other folks who came on the show what it really means to make a connection, because it's also another big part of our show, and that's a big part of what you do

with the chamber. And I remember asking a gentleman, we know everybody's gonna come in here and say, it's important to develop connections and make connections and whatnot. And I thought it was good to ask him, well, how do you know what room to walk in? How do you know who's hand to develop connections and make connections and whatnot. And I thought it was good to ask him, well, how do you know what room to walk in? How do you know who's hand to shake?

How do you know who to talk to? And he gave a very insightful answer on that. And I think Sam's story speaks to how valuable that can be. Oh, absolutely. Oh, yeah. You don't know. But that's the fun in it. That is it's like a game.

You know, it's like chess, You just gotta figure out where you are. And if you're in one room and it doesn't fit you, doesn't fit your personality, move. Go to the next room. You know, there's people out there that'll fit each of our personalities. Well, and I think that's a good way of describing this entire first season.

I mean, I've been kind of sitting back watching everything since the beginning, the first meeting. And what I have taken away from the podcast number one is we got a lot of work done in like five months, a lot of episodes. A lot of information that we shared. Variety. Yeah. I think that's the biggest way to describe this first season. It went you know, we had ice cream bank Right ice cream bank small business small business restaurants all a multitude of industries So anything from like top-level executives at a bank to churning ice cream

And I think that's a great example of the Ohio Valley we're such a great melting pot of all different types of entrepreneurs and leaders. And I think that's valuable to the students at Ohio University Eastern, where like you said, Drake, you may have a plan, but you might hit that fork in the road. Yeah. And it might take you on the plan that you're meant to follow. Yeah. And it'll help you prepare for that moment as well. It will, it does. And I think to your point,

one of the important things about the Valley that I've always expressed is, and why I feel so fondly of it is the diversity of the people, maybe not demographically, but the kinds of people that you're gonna meet and the different ways that certain people are creative and they wanna go about doing a business

or doing a nonprofit or being involved in one of these things. But then, you know, look at also some of these other fields, business, communications, of course, medical. That's something that's literally for me in my backyard at Ohio Eastern. Right. And you can go and get that degree and get started in your career then.

And because you're at school locally, and you may wanna leave and go elsewhere, and that's fine, but I think I find a lot of times people end up becoming attached to the community such as I have. And you stay in the area, you stay involved in the community. Kind of what Brandon Ludwig said, he was working for the state.

And then at a certain point, he felt he wanted to be closer to his community, went right back to where he graduated from high school. And he's been working there ever since, and he's been quite successful at it. I know for me I love the community and I love what I've seen in the seven and a half years I've been with the Chamber. The difference that we have made in our communities and our businesses, you know, they've been

successful, we've marketed them, we've worked with other chambers, other areas of the Ohio Valley. And it's the river is our nucleus. And we have to all, we circle around it and we just all have to be willing to listen and to be able to take the best out of what we have, what we can give, and run with it. Yeah, and remember, there's nothing to do in the Ohio Valley. That's right. There's nothing to do in the Ohio Valley. That's for those who aren't aware. That's a joke. That's sarcasm. I just wanted to get Wendy fired up for these last few moments.

Yeah, when people tell me there's nothing to do in the Ohio Valley, oh heavens. Boy, you found the button. Yeah. You found the button. And I found that day one. There's everything to do. And all you have to do is look. All you have to do is ask. All you have to do is get on Facebook.

Call your local chambers. Call your local businesses. Call your tourism. OK, I'm done. Anyways, Drake. We are done. It has been a pleasure this season. I look forward to next season. I do as well

I can't wait to get back and I guess the meeting room and kind of map it out and see how we're gonna go about it I can't imagine it would be Completely the same as this but I also can't see it being too different No, so it'll be exciting to see where we go next and when we come back to the to the airwaves And I gotta thank Ohio University Eastern. Oh yeah. Seriously, for doing all this. Danielle's been amazing.

Dr. Rohal, Dean Rohal's been amazing. Well, and then for those that have listened, we thank you. Oh yeah, our listeners. For subscribing and listening to the podcast. True. Without them, we're just a couple weirdos talking to nobody. Talking in a microphone. But also, if you've listed and you're an entrepreneur or a business person here in the Ohio Valley,

or not even that, maybe you're a family farmer. That type of thing. I would love to have. We would love to have you on. Yeah. Absolutely. Because even though we think we know everybody, we don't know everybody. So we want to hear your story too.

Yep. Yeah. All right, Drake. Wendy. Sign us off. Sign us off. Well, this has been Community Connections in Commerce. We appreciate you for listening.

We hope you've had just as much of an experience as we have. Thanks for listening and have a great day. you