In this episode of Behind the Business, middle school students sit down with Terry Grammer Jr. from TKG Construction LLC.

Terry talks about how he got started in construction, what it was like turning hands-on work into his own company, and the responsibilities that come with working on someone’s home. He shares what a typical workday looks like, what people often misunderstand about roofing, and the kinds of decisions that have to be made on a job site.

The conversation focuses on the real work behind running a construction business, including lessons learned, problem solving, and the discipline required to stay consistent in a physically demanding field. This episode is student-led and centered on learning from real experience.

• (00:00:00) - Behind the Business
• (00:00:36) - TKG Construction
• (00:03:51) - How Much Responsibility Does a Worker Have For Their Jobs?
• (00:04:35) - How to Do Roofing
• (00:05:26) - What part of roofing do people usually underestimate?
• (00:07:24) - Repairs: Mistakes made by contractors
• (00:09:51) - Riding a truck on a roofing business
• (00:12:32) - Workers in Construction speak

In this special edition of Behind the Business, students step outside of the business world to interview Dr. Roger Alsup, who will officially begin serving as Director of Schools for Franklin County on July 1st.

Although schools are not a business, students wanted to better understand the leadership, responsibility, and decision making that go into running a school system. Dr. Alsup shares how his experience as an HR Director, principal, and military veteran has shaped his approach to leadership. He also talks about what the transition into this role has been like, what people often misunderstand about district leadership, and what students should know about how decisions are made behind the scenes.

This episode focuses on service, preparation, and the responsibility that comes with leading a school system. As always, the conversation is student-led and centered on learning.

• (00:00:00) - Behind the Business
• (00:00:34) - Dr. Olsup Gets Ready to Start as Director of Schools for
• (00:02:31) - A new director of schools in Franklin County
• (00:03:18) - A new HR director for Franklin County Schools
• (00:05:17) - A Principal's Last Days
• (00:06:48) - President Obama on Leading with a Military Background
• (00:09:47) - What do you think people outside of education misunderstand most about the role
• (00:12:23) - In the Elevator With Dr. Holman
• (00:12:57) - What are you most focused on listening to or learning during your first
• (00:14:00) - Decisions Made in the School System
• (00:15:49) - What advice would you give to students who might be interested in education
• (00:17:51) - Dr. Richard Allsup

In this episode of Behind the Business, middle school students talk with Myron Yoder from Wright Base Flight Training.

Myron shares what his day-to-day work looks like as a flight instructor, how he helps train new pilots, and what it means to manage a team while also working as a mechanic. He talks with students about responsibility, safety, teaching, and the kinds of decisions that come with running a flight training business.

The conversation focuses on the real work behind aviation training, including problem solving, leadership, and lessons learned through experience. This episode is student-led and centered on learning, not promotion.

• (00:00:00) - Behind the Business
• (00:09:37) - How to start a flight school business
• (00:11:01) - Approaches for the Year
• (00:11:42) - What is something about aviation that surprises people?
• (00:13:24) - What is your job?
• (00:15:09) - What excites you about the future of aviation?
• (00:17:35) - Mental Fitness in Aviation

In this episode of Behind the Business, middle school students talk with Colton Henley, the owner of Semper Softwash.

Colton talks with students about what it is like to run a service-based business, what his day-to-day work actually looks like, and the kinds of problems and decisions that come with owning a small business. He also shares lessons learned through experience and how his background has shaped the way he approaches work and responsibility.

The conversation focuses on the real work behind running a business, including challenges, problem solving, and growth over time. This episode is student-led and focused on learning rather than promotion.

• (00:00:00) - Behind the Business: Simper Softwash
• (00:02:38) - Owning a Business With a Military Employee
• (00:03:23) - How many people do you have working for you?
• (00:05:29) - Starting a Business was the HardEST Thing
• (00:06:05) - How to Keep a Business Running Year-Round
• (00:07:48) - Running Your Business With One Word
• (00:09:02) - Jumping Into Business with a New Start

In this first episode of Behind the Business, middle school students sit down with Haley, one of the founders of Java Hut.

Haley talks with students about what it was like starting a coffee shop in Winchester, the challenges she did not expect, and the decisions that shaped the business early on. She also shares what changed when Java Hut expanded into Tullahoma and what she learned along the way.

This episode focuses on the real work behind running a small business, including mistakes, problem solving, and day to day responsibilities that customers usually do not see. The conversation is honest, student-led, and focused on learning rather than promotion

• (00:00:00) - Behind the Business
• (00:00:32) - Looking back on your first year
• (00:01:45) - Operating a Coffee Bar in Tullahoma
• (00:03:27) - Opening the second Coffee Shop in Tennessee
• (00:06:15) - Java Hut on Shopping Local

Behind the Business is a student-run podcast where middle school students talk with local business owners from their community.

In each episode, students sit down with one business owner to learn how their business actually works, where they started, what challenges they faced, and what they have learned along the way. These conversations are honest and focused on real experiences, not advertising or promotion.

The podcast gives students the chance to practice interviewing, listening, and storytelling while learning from the people behind local businesses.

New episodes are released regularly.

• (00:00:00) - Behind the Business