Hannah Hage on Insurance, Burnout, and Faith

The Truth About Owning a Business with Tina White

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Tina White to talk about what it really takes to build a business. She laughs about thinking business ownership would mean making her own schedule and having more free time, but the reality is the exact opposite. We talk about the long hours, the pressure, and why success comes from staying committed when things get hard. Tina shares how a conversation with her insurance agent led her into the industry. We also get into the other parts of her life, including singing, leading worship, teaching fitness classes, and playing softball. For her, life is about participating instead of sitting on the sidelines. One lesson that stands out is learning not to take rejection personally. She views business as building relationships, so losing a client can feel personal. Even so, she keeps reminding herself to let it go, trust the process, and remember that people often return when they know they were treated well. We also discuss the biggest misconceptions about entrepreneurship. Business owners do not work less. They work more, manage risk, watch every dollar, and make hard decisions. Tina believes purpose is worth the sacrifice, even if it means giving up the comfort of a regular schedule. We wrap up by talking about the challenges facing independent insurance agents as more people buy coverage online without understanding what they are purchasing. Tina explains why having someone who knows your situation still matters. Her advice for entrepreneurs is simple. Manage your time, avoid spending money on marketing that cannot be measured, never give up, and always have hope. The post The Truth About Owning a Business with Tina White [https://www.joejustice.org/the-truth-about-owning-a-business-with-tina-white/] appeared first on Joe Justice Organization [https://www.joejustice.org].

Hannah Hage on Insurance, Burnout, and Faith

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Hannah Hage of First American Insurance to talk about business, insurance, burnout, and faith. Hannah got into insurance because people kept telling her she would be good at it. She did not plan on that path, but once she started, she found that helping people fit who she was. Her work centers on protecting people through home, auto, and business insurance. She helps families close on homes by finding insurance that works with their debt-to-income limits. She also helps people shop auto coverage, lower rates when possible, and protect what they own if life takes a turn. Hannah explains that many people misunderstand insurance. It is not there for home maintenance or every small issue. It is there for major losses. When someone owns a home, they also takes on the duty to maintain it. We also talk about the pressure in the insurance market. Storms and claims can cause companies to tighten up, raise rates, or stop taking certain business. That is why Hannah values having access to several insurance companies instead of relying on one option. Her biggest lesson came from trying to help everyone. Two years in, word of mouth had her working 16-hour days. Her health suffered, and she knew something had to change. She hired help, even though it meant breaking even for a time. Hannah’s best $100 purchase was candy jars for referral partners. Her biggest waste was a billboard. Her advice to other entrepreneurs is to keep going, even after bad days, weeks, or months. She is also learning to slow down, live in the moment, and count her blessings. At the center of her life is her faith. No matter what people do or say, she believes God takes care of her. People can reach Hannah at First American Insurance or call or text 304-380-9356. The post Hannah Hage on Insurance, Burnout, and Faith [https://www.joejustice.org/hannah-hage-on-insurance-burnout-and-faith/] appeared first on Joe Justice Organization [https://www.joejustice.org].

250 Years of Liberty, Risk, and Innovation

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I celebrate America’s 250th birthday by looking at what has made this country different for two and a half centuries. To me, the story is not one event or one leader. It is the system of liberty that gave people room to build, invent, risk, fail, try again, and change the world. I start with Benjamin Franklin because he shows what that spirit looks like. He wrote, printed, studied science, served as a diplomat, and helped shape the ideas behind America. The founders built a system where people could make choices, take responsibility, and benefit from their own work. That was not how much of the world worked at the time. From there, I move into the late 1800s, when Edison, Tesla, Bell, Carnegie, and Rockefeller helped build the modern world. Their work brought electricity, phones, steel, railroads, cities, and industry. That era also brought labor movements, fair wage fights, and new ways for workers to push for better treatment. Then I look at the American Century, when Henry Ford and American manufacturing changed production and raised living standards. That same drive carried into the digital age with Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and the rise of computers and global connection. I also talk about Elon Musk as a modern example of someone who came to America and used this system to build companies like Tesla, SpaceX, X, and Grok. The point is simple. America has created the conditions for people to turn ideas into reality for 250 years. That is worth celebrating, and it should remind all of us to build something of our own. The post 250 Years of Liberty, Risk, and Innovation [https://www.joejustice.org/250-years-of-liberty-risk-and-innovation/] appeared first on Joe Justice Organization [https://www.joejustice.org].

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].