Claim OwnershipThe Positively West Virginia Podcast
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Can anything good come out of West Virginia? Tune in weekly to the Positively West Virginia Podcast, where we feature in-depth interviews with the business leaders and entrepreneurs making a positive impact on our state.
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Tony Figaretti is the owner of Figaretti Manufacturing and Distribution Incorporated. In the early 1940s, Tony’s grandparents and their five sons began packaging and selling their delicious pasta sauce to local grocery stores in the Wheeling area. The sauce became so popular they decided to open a restaurant. In 1949, Figaretti Brothers Restaurant opened in Wheeling. The restaurant has remained in the family ever since. Today Figaretti Manufacturing and Distribution specializes in producing one flavor of their award winning spaghetti sauce available only in their 32 once jar. It is organic, vegan and gluten-free.
Adam Stephens and Rich Ireland are the Owners of Arrowhead Bike Farm located in Fayetteville, West Virginia – in Fayette County. Arrowhead Bike Farm is a A New River Gorge gathering point for adventurers of all kinds. At Arrowhead Bike Farm, you can rent a bike, camp and enjoy Outdoor dining on their deck or in their Biergarten with a variety of fresh local and national craft beer for after your paddling, biking, hiking or climbing adventure In the New River Gorge area. Their mission is to give people an approachable way into biking and inspire them to ride through education and encouragement.
Julie Bryan is the Executive Director of SPARK! Imagination and Science Center located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. SPARK! Imagination and Science Center is a non-profit hands-on children’s museum and science center that inspires people of all ages to explore science and the arts through hands-on exhibits and programs that spark a lifelong love of learning. Spark’s museum has exhibits that encourage visitors to explore nanoscience, engineering, dinosaurs, outerspace, health and their own imaginations. Julie Bryan has been with the museum since 2011. She fell in love with museum work while working at the Arizona State Museum in Tucson, Arizona. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Classics, she worked at the Tucson Children’s Museum. In 2015, she received the Small Museum Association – Hunter-Burley award which recognizes an individual’s outstanding contributions to the advancement of public access and professional growth for an individual institution.
Anna Carrier is the Owner of The Cupcakerie located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. The Cupcakerie is the first and ONLY exclusively cupcake bakery in Morgantown. The Cupcakerie provides their customers with the best cupcakes made with the finest ingredients. As they say – it’s not just a cupcake – it’s a Cupcakerie cupcake! Anna Carrier is one of the founders of The Cupcakerie. Anna grew up in Morgantown and graduated from University High School. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree from WVU in Exercise Physiology and graduated a few years later with an MBA and a JD. While at WVU, she was on the Student Government Association Board of Governors, a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, and very active as a volunteer in the Morgantown community. She is married to Dan Carrier, who is the Dentist at the Monongalia County Health Department, and they have two children (Daniel and Lena).
Stephanie Swaim is the Owner of Hoot and Howl located in Morgantown, West Virginia – in Monongalia County. Hoot and Howl is an artisan shop in downtown Morgantown. The shop carries the works of more than 90 artisans – 75% of them hail from West Virginia, and all of the products are made in the USA, 1 Fair Trade and a little vintage. We host artists almost every month for pop-ups and workshops, are very active in downtown events and try to support our artisan and community in all ways possible. Hoot and Howl just celebrated their 1 year anniversary! In that short time have won the “Best Place to Shop in Mountaineer Country” from West Virginia Living Magazine in 2018.
Josh McGrath is a life-long resident of West Virginia and as of this month a 20 year realtor. Starting in Real Estate at just 18 years old Josh has worked tirelessly at growing a successful business. in 2005 Josh opened Real Estate Central which has grown to become the 2nd largest firm in the market. With 100+ REALTORS in 5 locations and closing in excess of $126M a year in sales. Since 2010 Josh has been a directing member of Swarthmore Capital, a real estate investment firm that employees 10+ contractors. Swarthmore Capital has renovated more than 50 homes, and owns in excess of 300 rentals in the local market. Josh is also the founder of McGrathSpeaks.com and truly enjoys teaching and motivating others to become successful as well! He is an approved instructor with the WV Real Estate Commission and has started traveling the country speaking.
Melissa Rose is the Owner of Nardelli Audiology with three locations in North-Central West Virginia. Nardelli Audiology is an established audiology practice that provides quality audiology and hearing aid services to help their patients hear better and live better. Melissa Rose, a Mannington, West Virginia native and is the owner and is a Certified Audiologist. Melissa graduated from North Marion High School, in 1999. She went on to West Virginia University where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2003. She also graduated with a minor in Communication Disorders and a Certificate in Gerontology in 2003.
Marisa Jackson is the Owner of MarisaMade located in St. Albans, West Virginia – in Kanawha County. Marisa Jackson is a mother of 3 boys – one who has special needs, she’s a wife, calligrapher, wedding and event stationery designer, watercolor artist, and owner of MarisaMade LLC. MarisaMade is a design studio specializing in calligraphy, graphic design watercolor prints, classes, gifts, and advocating for special needs children. The mission behind MarisaMade is to use art for advocacy- to create beautiful and unique products that speak to people in a creative way and with each purchase, help raise money for the International FOXG1 Foundation to research a cure for FOXG1 Syndrome.
Zac Northup is the Owner of StandWatch Academy located in Scott Depot, West Virginia – in Putnam County. StandWatch Academy’s mission is to teach young people how to conceptualize, launch, and lead their own nonprofits, social enterprises, or small businesses. Zac Northup is the founder of StandWatch.org and StandWatch Academy. Zac is a veteran, entrepreneur, reformed financial advisor, and publisher. For close to 17 years, he ran his own consulting firm where he provided advice to multi-billion dollar companies and small mom-and-pop businesses alike, helping them discover new ways to reach new customers.
Doctor Mirta Martin is the President of Fairmont State University located in Fairmont West Virginia – in Marion County. Born in Havana, Cuba, and an immigrant to the United States, Doctor Martin uses her interpersonal and cultural expertise to work diligently to promote access to affordable educational opportunities. The Board of Governors appointed Mirta M. Martin, Ph.D. the twenty-sixth president of Fairmont State University effective January 1, 2018. Dr. Martin holds a baccalaureate in psychology and political science from Duke University; a master of business administration from the University of Richmond; and a doctorate with an emphasis in strategic management and leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Aaron Rote is the Co-Owner of Short Story Brewing located in Rivesville, West Virginia – in Marion County. Short Story Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery in Rivesville, WV. They believe that all good things are the result of a lot of hard work and a little creativity. You can taste it in their beer, you can see it in their taproom and you can feel it in their surrounding community.
Dan Davis is the Co-owner of Kin Ship Goods located in Charleston West Virginia – in Kanawha County. Kin Ship Goods is a lifestyle brand, retail shop, and print studio located on Charleston’s West Side. Kin Ship Goods also serves as a community space—hosting events, music, and fundraisers for numerous social justice causes. Dan Davis has been making art for as long as he can remember and has been screen printing for over 15 years. He is self-taught and attributes any skills he has to sheer willpower and stubbornness. Dan was born in Nuremberg, Germany, spent his childhood in Idaho, and his teens and twenties in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2014, he moved to Charleston with his partner Hillary, not far from where she grew up. They live on the West Side of Charleston, with their two senior beagles, and two sleepy cats.
Sue Jennings is the Owner of Allegheny Treenware located in Thornton, West Virginia – in Preston County. Allegheny Treenware is a company focused on the production of wooden kitchen utensils. It has been proudly owned and operated by Stanley and Sue Jennings for more than 25 years. All products are MADE by hand, with quality West Virginia hardwoods. Every item is shaped by hand, and every spoon has been hand gouged. This makes every piece unique in its own way.
Lonnie Fast is the President of Fast Hay Movers located in Fairmont, West Virginia – in Marion County. Lonnie is the inventor of the famous “Hay Baby” hay transporter. Their unique, patented hay machines attach to most all ATV’s, side by side UTV’s and 3 pt hitches on compact tractors. These are used to transport round hay bales of all sizes or large rectangle hay bales. The concept was born out of necessity after buying a round hay baler. Lonnie was faced with the question of how to transport the hay bales without using a tractor that made deep ruts in the ground. His mind started to work on a new idea using his 4 wheeler. And the process began. Now there are 3 models for the many sizes and weights of hay being produced here in West Virginia and throughout the United States.
Melody Urbanic is the Owner of Cafe’ Cimino located in Sutton, West Virginia – in Braxton County. Melody Urbanic and Chef Tim Urbanic have, over the past 20 years, lovingly created one of this state’s most popular and celebrated Inns. Cafe Cimino Country Inn, named as one of the “South’s Best Inns” by Southern Living Magazine, is a full scale, full service Inn with 10 guest rooms, an award winning gourmet restaurant, a riverside cafe and bar, outside dining, ample grounds with 500 feet of uninterrupted access to the Elk River. Guests enjoy the peaceful setting of this up-scale country inn; whether for a romantic getaway, a business retreat, or just for dinner.
Andrew Goldbaugh is the Owner of Goldbaugh Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation. Andrew was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia. He is a 2007 graduate of Wheeling Park High School. Following high school, he attended West Virginia University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology. While at WVU, he was also a four year member of the Mountaineer football team. Following his time at WVU, he attended Logan University where he earned a second Bachelors degree in Life Science, a Masters degree in Sports Science and Rehabilitation, and a Doctor of Chiropractic. He now owns and operates Goldbaugh Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation in Wheeling and spends his free time with his wife, Natalie and his two daughters Emma (7) and Nora (3).
Thomas Gilson is the Owner of The Cheese Melt, a gourmet grilled cheese food truck based in Wheeling, West Virginia. Thomas started the business in 2014 with a small hot dog cart converted into a grilled cheese cart, then bumped up to a food trailer and 2 years after that built a full-blown food truck. Today, he currently runs both the trailer and the truck in the Ohio Valley for lunches, special events and catering. Thomas has been married for 6 years, they have 2 boys (4 and 1) and a new baby due in February!
Doyle Tenney is the Owner of DT Solar, based in French Creek, West Virginia – in Upshur County. DT Solar delivers solar power systems to meet the unique needs of residential or business customers. Doyle began DT Solar to bring solar technology to the people in French Creek, WV, and surrounding areas. He believes in the cost savings and environmental benefits that solar technology provides.
Dave Stone is the Owner of Stone Road Vineyard, based in Elizabeth, West Virginia – Wirt County! Stone Road Vineyard represents the union of quality grapes with traditional, natural venting techniques. Stone Road Vineyard offers a history-honored touch to their varietals and blended red and white wines. I invited Dave on the show today to talk about his company and share his story, and to give our audience some valuable insight into his business in West Virginia.
Matt Welsch is the Owner of Vagabond Kitchen, based in Wheeling, West Virginia. In 2013 Matt Welsch, the Vagabond Chef, traversed the country by motorcycle discovering and exploring the culinary renaissance in the United States. At the end of the year, he returned home to Wheeling bringing with him a wealth of restaurant and food experience, inspiration, and excitement which became the foundation of the Vagabond Kitchen.
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