In this episode of the Huntsville Hustle Podcast, we sit down with James Vandergrift, owner of Vandy's Heating and Air Conditioning. James shares insights from his journey as a veteran-turned-entrepreneur, discussing how his military experience shaped his approach to business.

Discover the challenges and triumphs of running a small business in the Rocket City, and learn about James's commitment to exceptional customer service and community involvement.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, and the power of a positive work culture and the power of a middle school nickname.

https://vandysllc.com/

https://www.facebook.com/vandysllc/

This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors TheWrightWay360 and Huntsville Hub. TheWrightWay360: Unlock your financial future with TheWrightWay360’s expert coaching, transform your money habits today, and start building generational wealth!

⁠⁠https://www.thewrightway360.com/⁠⁠

Huntsville Hub, Huntsville’s go-to coworking space for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and small businesses. Whether you need a private office, meeting space, or just a quiet spot to get things done, Huntsville Hub has you covered. Visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book a tour!

Tune in each week as we spotlight local entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders making an impact in Huntsville, Alabama. From startup stories to marketing tips, it’s real talk with the Rocket City’s movers and shakers.

Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huntsville-hustle/id1766944729

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/56SCPfp1NgEXw09IJ2JH8V?si=e379f115772e4c7a

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

Join us on the Huntsville Hustle podcast as we chat with Brian O'Beirne, the owner of the legendary Sports Page. Discover the stories behind this beloved dive bar, its community spirit, and the unique atmosphere that keeps patrons coming back for more.

Brian's journey from bartender to bar owner The charm and character of the Sports Page, memorable stories, and regulars that define the bar The importance of community and staff in running a successful bar

#HuntsvilleHustle #DiveBar #CommunitySpirit #SportsPage

Tune in to hear more about the heart and soul of Huntsville's favorite dive

This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors TheWrightWay360 and Huntsville Hub. TheWrightWay360: Unlock your financial future with TheWrightWay360’s expert coaching, transform your money habits today, and start building generational wealth!

⁠⁠https://www.thewrightway360.com/⁠⁠

Huntsville Hub, Huntsville’s go-to coworking space for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and small businesses. Whether you need a private office, meeting space, or just a quiet spot to get things done, Huntsville Hub has you covered. Visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book a tour!

Tune in each week as we spotlight local entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders making an impact in Huntsville, Alabama. From startup stories to marketing tips, it’s real talk with the Rocket City’s movers and shakers.

Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huntsville-hustle/id1766944729

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/56SCPfp1NgEXw09IJ2JH8V?si=e379f115772e4c7a

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

Here are a few of our interviews from the early days in case you missed them!

Jenny Askins "Be the best Hardee's you can be."

The Crosby Fam from Chupper Time and their red hot hatred of chicken nuggets

Vicki Morris "The Reluctant Entrepreneur"

Clark Dunn from Beyond Rockets and Beyond The Cubicle on the most common mistakes businesses make with podcasting

Amy Bailey with some great advice for entrepreneurs

Veronica Cram with probably the best quote so far "Cheers to the haters."

It was so awesome to meet the local, small business owners and learn from them. I would encourage you to go back through the files and check out the full episodes with these great folks.

This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors TheWrightWay360 and Huntsville Hub. TheWrightWay360: Unlock your financial future with TheWrightWay360’s expert coaching, transform your money habits today, and start building generational wealth!

⁠⁠https://www.thewrightway360.com/⁠⁠

Huntsville Hub, Huntsville’s go-to coworking space for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and small businesses. Whether you need a private office, meeting space, or just a quiet spot to get things done, Huntsville Hub has you covered. Visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book a tour!

Tune in each week as we spotlight local entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders making an impact in Huntsville, Alabama. From startup stories to marketing tips, it’s real talk with the Rocket City’s movers and shakers.

Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huntsville-hustle/id1766944729

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/56SCPfp1NgEXw09IJ2JH8V?si=e379f115772e4c7a

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

Get to know the heart and hustle behind Huntsville Hustle. In this “all-about” episode, your host pulls back the curtain on the journey, the podcast’s origin story, and exactly how this platform empowers local small-business voices.

1. Host Origins & Background

2. Why Huntsville Hustle Exists

3. Podcast Philosophy

4. Who Belongs on the Mic

5. Guest FAQ

6. Episode Anatomy

7. Behind-the-Scenes Spotlight

8. Biggest Wins & Surprises So Far

9. What’s Ahead

   
   

   This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors TheWrightWay360 and Huntsville Hub.

   TheWrightWay360: Unlock your financial future with TheWrightWay360’s expert coaching, transform your money habits today, and start building generational wealth!

   ⁠⁠https://www.thewrightway360.com/⁠⁠

   Huntsville Hub, Huntsville’s go-to coworking space for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and small businesses. Whether you need a private office, meeting space, or just a quiet spot to get things done, Huntsville Hub has you covered. Visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book a tour!

   Tune in each week as we spotlight local entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders making an impact in Huntsville, Alabama. From startup stories to marketing tips, it’s real talk with the Rocket City’s movers and shakers

   Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huntsville-hustle/id1766944729

   Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/56SCPfp1NgEXw09IJ2JH8V?si=e379f115772e4c7a

   YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle
   

You’re doing all the things but how do you stay balanced, build businesses, and still find time to invest in the next generation?

In this episode of Huntsville Hustle, we sit down with J' Que Ellis: serial entrepreneur, wellness advocate, community leader, and unapologetic doer. If you’ve ever found yourself juggling too many roles and wondering if it’s sustainable you need to hear this conversation.

We talk about:

• How to answer “What do you do?” when your business card doesn’t fit in a single lane

• Whether entrepreneurship was the original plan or a pivot born from necessity

• Why Huntsville, Alabama is the underrated powerhouse for entrepreneurs

• The core problem J Que keeps solving across multiple industries

• Her wellness wake-up call and how health challenges redefined his mission

• Daily habits: From morning routines to mental resets that keep burnout at bay

• Why legacy matters and what that actually looks like in practice

• The first office, the next book, and the real story behind the hustle

• How she’s actively investing in Huntsville’s next generation of leaders

We wrap with a rapid-fire Lightning Round that includes the book every business owner in Huntsville should read, her go-to glute exercise, and the song that should play when she walks into a party.

Whether you’re a side hustler, startup founder, or scaling CEO this episode delivers the insights and motivation to level up your game without losing yourself in the grind.

-Fastest way to get in touch with J'Que is via e-mail jquenow@gmail.com-Follow her on her website: https://www.jquenow.com/

-Follow her on all the socials, just look for JQueNow

This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors TheWrightWay360 and Huntsville Hub. TheWrightWay360: Unlock your financial future with TheWrightWay360’s expert coaching, transform your money habits today, and start building generational wealth!

⁠⁠https://www.thewrightway360.com/⁠⁠

Huntsville Hub, Huntsville’s go-to coworking space for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and small businesses. Whether you need a private office, meeting space, or just a quiet spot to get things done, Huntsville Hub has you covered. Visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book a tour!

Tune in each week as we spotlight local entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders making an impact in Huntsville, Alabama. From startup stories to marketing tips, it’s real talk with the Rocket City’s movers and shakers.

Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huntsville-hustle/id1766944729

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/56SCPfp1NgEXw09IJ2JH8V?si=e379f115772e4c7a

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

On this episode of Huntsville Hustle, we welcome Andrew Smith, the founder of Huntsville Explorer, to pull back the curtain on how a passion for local discovery grew into one of Rocket City’s go-to guides.

Andrew shares the moment that sparked his vision, the first post that proved the concept, and the systems he’s honed to scout, vet, and share the best restaurants, trails, and events.

Whether you’re a lifelong Huntsvillian or new in town, you’ll learn how to turn casual browsing into meaningful community engagement, and how local businesses can partner with Huntsville Explorer for maximum impact.

What You’ll Learn:

• The origin story of Huntsville Explorer and the “aha” moment that confirmed the demand

• Andrew’s content curation checklist: from hidden gems to crowd favorites

• Turning social media followers into email subscribers, event attendees, and paying supporters

• Workflow secrets: tools, scheduling, and more

• Growth hacks to double reach on a shoestring budget

• Key metrics that show when content moves people to act locally

• The biggest early mistake and the system that finally gave Andrew relief

Stick around for our lightning round, where Andrew reveals his favorite under-$15 lunch, the best first trail for new residents, and the Huntsville event you can’t miss. Plus, learn what’s next for Huntsville Explorer, and how to connect with Andrew online.

Huntsville Explorer's website: https://hsvexplorer.com/E-mail Andrew directly: andrew@hsvexplorer.com

This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors TheWrightWay360 and Huntsville Hub. TheWrightWay360: Unlock your financial future with TheWrightWay360’s expert coaching, transform your money habits today, and start building generational wealth!

⁠⁠https://www.thewrightway360.com/⁠⁠

Huntsville Hub, Huntsville’s go-to coworking space for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and small businesses. Whether you need a private office, meeting space, or just a quiet spot to get things done, Huntsville Hub has you covered. Visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book a tour!

Tune in each week as we spotlight local entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders making an impact in Huntsville, Alabama. From startup stories to marketing tips, it’s real talk with the Rocket City’s movers and shakers.

Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huntsville-hustle/id1766944729

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/56SCPfp1NgEXw09IJ2JH8V?si=e379f115772e4c7a

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

Bad kennel stay ➜ borrowed spare bedroom ➜ multi-location, award-winning home-boarding network.

In this episode, Huntsville Hustle sat down with Michael Cox, co-founder and self-proclaimed “PAWsident” of Petz Pack. Mike pulls back the curtain on:

-The “light-bulb‐and-dog-hair” moment that launched the biz.

-Why their first name drew an unexpected letter from a certain luxury hotel chain.

-How a 24-hour cycle inside a Petz Pack home really runs

-Systems that keep every location on the same high bar

-The safety tip every parent needs to teach theur children about dogs

-Red flags during intake (for pups and humans).

-What’s next for the Pack

Board your dog or become a host yourself: https://petzpack.com/

This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors TheWrightWay360 and Huntsville Hub. TheWrightWay360: Unlock your financial future with TheWrightWay360’s expert coaching, transform your money habits today, and start building generational wealth!

⁠⁠https://www.thewrightway360.com/⁠⁠

Huntsville Hub, Huntsville’s go-to coworking space for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and small businesses. Whether you need a private office, meeting space, or just a quiet spot to get things done, Huntsville Hub has you covered. Visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book a tour!

Tune in each week as we spotlight local entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders making an impact in Huntsville, Alabama. From startup stories to marketing tips, it’s real talk with the Rocket City’s movers and shakers.

-Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huntsville-hustle/id1766944729

-Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/56SCPfp1NgEXw09IJ2JH8V?si=e379f115772e4c7a

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

In this power-packed episode of Huntsville Hustle, I share the Top 15 Books for Small Business Owners—handpicked to fuel your growth, sharpen your leadership, and turbocharge your results. Whether you’re launching your first venture or scaling an established brand, these books offer actionable strategies, timeless wisdom, and the mindset shifts you need to thrive.

In this episode you’ll discover:

• Why each book matters: From marketing classics to leadership game-changers, learn which titles will move the needle in your business and why.

• One key takeaway per book: Skip the fluff, get the single most powerful insight you can apply today, whether it’s optimizing your cash flow, mastering customer experience, or building a winning culture.

• Real-world application: Hear how you can use these concepts to solve everyday challenges and create breakthroughs in your business.

Tune in to refine your reading list, streamline your learning, and unlock the ideas that could transform your small business into a lasting success. Don’t just read more, read smarter.

This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors TheWrightWay360 and Huntsville Hub. TheWrightWay360: Unlock your financial future with TheWrightWay360’s expert coaching, transform your money habits today, and start building generational wealth!

⁠⁠https://www.thewrightway360.com/⁠⁠

Huntsville Hub, Huntsville’s go-to coworking space for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and small businesses. Whether you need a private office, meeting space, or just a quiet spot to get things done, Huntsville Hub has you covered. Visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book a tour!

Tune in each week as we spotlight local entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders making an impact in Huntsville, Alabama. From startup stories to marketing tips, it’s real talk with the Rocket City’s movers and shakers.

Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Huntsville Hustle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Huntsville Hustle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Huntsville Hustle Playlist⁠