Mykah Ballard on Building a Message That Reaches the Right People

Turning a Passion Into a Profession with Akaya Robey

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Akaya Robey, founder of Kyber Kai Academy, a combat and fight choreography school based in Charleston, West Virginia. Akaya shares how a hobby that started years ago became a business that is quickly growing from a side project into a full time pursuit. What began as a passion for lightsaber choreography in New York eventually led him to build a community here in West Virginia that blends stage combat, choreography, and competitive saber combat. I learn that Kyber Kai has been operating in West Virginia for about eight years and recently made the transition into an LLC. Akaya explains that students come for different reasons. Some are interested in choreography while others want full contact combat. Over time many participants end up enjoying both. The academy hosts free weekly practices and welcomes people from a wide range of backgrounds. We also talk about the realities of entrepreneurship. Akaya admits he underestimated how quickly the business would grow and invested heavily in equipment before having enough students to support it. Later, as the academy expanded into combat sports, he found himself needing a different type of equipment altogether. Those lessons helped shape how he approaches growth today. Our conversation covers the challenges of finding space, building connections, and creating opportunities through networking. Akaya credits relationships with helping the organization expand into conventions, events, and performances across multiple states. He also stresses the importance of being able to work with all kinds of people, handling criticism without getting distracted, and staying focused on the mission. One theme stands out throughout the discussion: persistence. Akaya has been part of the saber community since 2004 and has heard every criticism imaginable. His philosophy is simple. Keep going. Whether people support you or doubt you, the work only moves forward if you do. It is a lesson that applies far beyond combat sports and into any business or passion worth pursuing. The post Turning a Passion Into a Profession with Akaya Robey [https://www.joejustice.org/turning-a-passion-into-a-profession-with-akaya-robey/] appeared first on Joe Justice Organization [https://www.joejustice.org].

Jordan Garcia on Insurance, Sales, and Learning From Mistakes

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Jordan Garcia to talk about his path into the insurance industry and the lessons he has learned along the way. Jordan shares that one of the first things he discovered in business is that most people are figuring things out as they go. He entered insurance after looking for a way out of car sales and found a career helping people protect what matters most. We discuss the role insurance plays in protecting a person’s financial future and how many people end up paying for coverage they do not need or choose policies based only on price and convenience. Jordan explains that his job is to help clients find the right coverage for their situation instead of simply chasing the lowest premium. Jordan reflects on an early mistake of giving every prospect the same presentation. Over time, he learned that people have different levels of knowledge and need information presented in a way that makes sense to them. Feedback from clients helped him improve, and he talks about the value of accepting criticism without taking it personally. Our conversation also covers common misconceptions about insurance, including the belief that the cheapest policy is always the best option. Jordan explains how coverage and claims experience often matter more than price when something goes wrong. We also talk about networking, sales, and personal growth. Jordan credits a chamber membership for helping him build relationships and warns against spending large amounts of money on courses that promise easy success. He believes every salesperson should get comfortable being wrong because growth comes from learning. He is currently working on expanding his Spanish insurance vocabulary to better serve clients. His guiding principle is simple: treat people the way they want to be treated, not the way you want to be treated. It is a perspective that shapes how he serves clients and builds trust. The post Jordan Garcia on Insurance, Sales, and Learning From Mistakes [https://www.joejustice.org/jordan-garcia-on-insurance-sales-and-learning-from-mistakes/] appeared first on Joe Justice Organization [https://www.joejustice.org].

From Transformers Fan to YouTube Star with Jason Morgan

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Jason Morgan, better known as Patriot Prime, a West Virginia YouTuber who built a following by reviewing Transformers toys. What starts as a childhood hobby grows into a channel that reaches fans across the country and turns into a business, a community, and a platform that opens doors. Jason traces his love of Transformers back to 1984 when a comic book introduced him to the robots that would become a lifelong passion. Years later, a challenge from a friend pushes him to start a YouTube channel. His experience creating video messages for family while serving in Iraq gives him the skills and confidence to begin producing content. What starts as a side project slowly gains momentum. After about a year, things begin to change. His subscriber count climbs, convention invitations start coming in, and fans begin recognizing him in public. He talks about the moment he realized people were connecting with his work and how those connections continue to fuel the channel today. From autograph requests to opening major Transformers conventions, Jason shares how a niche hobby creates opportunities he never expected. We also discuss the reality of running a YouTube channel. Jason explains that even a short video can take hours to produce and that success rarely comes from simply pressing record. He reflects on mistakes he made early on, including spending too much money chasing the latest products instead of focusing on content that truly interested him. Over time, he learned that nostalgia and authenticity connected more strongly with his audience. One of the themes that stands out is community. Jason talks about friendships he has built through conventions, collaborations, and shared interests. He believes people need outlets that bring them together, and his channel has become one of those places. Whether he is interviewing collectors, reviewing vintage toys, or hosting fellow fans for burgers and conversation, he is focused on creating connections. Jason also shares advice for anyone thinking about starting a channel. Don’t do it for the money. Do it because you enjoy it. Be good with people. Stay approachable. Most importantly, keep going. He has heard plenty of people tell him that what he was doing would never work, but he stuck with it because he enjoyed the process. That persistence helped turn a hobby into something much bigger than he ever imagined. The post From Transformers Fan to YouTube Star with Jason Morgan [https://www.joejustice.org/from-transformers-fan-to-youtube-star-with-jason-morgan/] appeared first on Joe Justice Organization [https://www.joejustice.org].

The Hidden Value of Negative Feedback

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk about something every business owner will face once they start getting attention: negative comments. The reality is that if people are seeing your content, some of them are going to criticize it. They’ll attack your appearance, your voice, your business, or your industry. That doesn’t mean your marketing is failing. Most of the time it means people are finally paying attention. I explain why attention is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today. If people don’t know who you are, what problems you solve, or why they should trust you, they can’t become customers. With more visibility comes more exposure, and exposure always brings criticism. I break down the difference between useless negativity and feedback that actually matters. Some people leave comments because they’re angry, frustrated, or looking for someone to target. Those comments should be ignored. One random insult means nothing compared to the hundreds or thousands of people who saw your content and never said a word. At the same time, I encourage business owners to pay attention when criticism reveals a real issue. Friends often won’t tell you what isn’t working. Sometimes a stranger online will point out something that affects how people perceive you or your business. When that happens, it’s worth listening and making adjustments. I also discuss comments that reflect public perceptions about an industry. If someone complains about contractors always being late, for example, that creates an opportunity. Instead of arguing, explain how your business handles that problem differently. You’re not responding for the person who left the comment. You’re responding for everyone else who will read it later. My message is simple. Don’t let online trolls control your business decisions. Ignore nonsense. Learn from valid criticism. Address misconceptions when they appear. Negative comments are not proof that you should stop. They’re proof that people are paying attention, and attention is what helps businesses grow. The post The Hidden Value of Negative Feedback [https://www.joejustice.org/the-hidden-value-of-negative-feedback/] appeared first on Joe Justice Organization [https://www.joejustice.org].

Saving What Matters with Jesse A. Lewis

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk  with Jesse A. Lewis of Blue Kangaroo Pack Outs of River Cities in Huntington, West Virginia. Jesse’s business helps people after fire, water damage, or a natural disaster. When a home or business takes damage, his team comes in to save the personal property inside. They pack out the items, document them, clean them, restore them, store them, and return them once the property is ready. What stands out to me is how much of this work comes down to care and process. This is not just moving boxes. Every item gets photographed, documented, barcoded, and tracked. That matters when people are dealing with items tied to their life, family, and memories. Jesse has been in business for about two and a half years. Before opening, he thought things would move faster. He had a good idea and saw a need in the market, but business did not grow overnight. That forced him to step back, review the plan, and find the weak spots. One lesson he learned is that relationships matter. Referral partners, insurance companies, marketing partners, customers, and team members all play a part. In his line of work, trust is everything. We also talk about the difference between a pack out company and a moving company. The answer is cleaning, restoration, documentation, and accountability. His team does not just remove items. They work to return them to pre-loss condition or better. Jesse is focused on awareness right now. He still hears people say they wish they had known about Blue Kangaroo sooner. That tells him the service is needed, but more people need to understand what it is and when to call. His advice for entrepreneurs is clear. Learn sales. You have to sell customers, partners, employees, and your own vision. He also believes in process improvement and listening to the team when a small tool or supply can make the work better. Jesse’s core belief is faith. Faith in the idea. Faith in the vision. When business tests you, your character shows. The post Saving What Matters with Jesse A. Lewis [https://www.joejustice.org/saving-what-matters-with-jesse-a-lewis/] appeared first on Joe Justice Organization [https://www.joejustice.org].