My Morning Cup

Stephen Culp is one of Chattanooga’s most prodigious and low-key entrepreneurs.  In this episode, Stephen shares why curiosity is the driving force behind most of his decisions, what it was like being in Europe when the Berlin Wall fell (and participating in it), and how going to Stanford forced him to be entrepreneurial, which ultimately led him to start Smart Furniture and Delegator, as well as to come back to Chattanooga. Stephen Culp founded Smart Furniture and co-founded Delegator. You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/stephenculp). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Cam Doody’s Morning Cup (E63) Christian Höferle’s Morning Cup (E76) Dave Kinzler’s Morning Cup (E102) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!

Zach Wamp didn’t just serve eight terms in Congress, he also helped spark a legacy of leadership in his own family. In this episode, he shares how overcoming addiction in his 20s shaped his faith, leadership style, and belief that people will forgive you if you’re honest. He also reflects on what it meant to represent Tennessee during some of the country’s most defining moments, and how both of his children have since stepped into public leadership in their own way. Zach Wamp served as the U.S. Representative for Tennessee’s 3rd District from 1995 to 2011 and is now the founder of Zach Wamp Consulting. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/zach-wamp-30ab3351). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Weston Wamp’s Morning Cup (E36) Bob Corker’s Morning Cup (E52) Gerald McCormick’s Morning Cup (E85) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!

For nearly 20 years, Tom Satkowiak helped shape the stories coming out of Tennessee Athletics, but behind the press conferences and player profiles was a personal journey most people never saw. In this episode, Tom shares how he found his calling at a very young age, how a life-threatening liver disease reshaped his faith and career, and why he eventually stepped away from college sports to join TVA and focus on doing “the next right thing.” Tom Satkowiak is the Senior Strategic Communicator (East Region) for TVA. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/thomas-satkowiak). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Roy Vaughn’s Morning Cup (E08) Dalya Qualls White’s Morning Cup (E14) Mark Reeves’s Morning Cup (E46) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!

From flying C130s into conflict zones to commanding global military operations, Kevin Hyde’s story might seem more like an action movie than real life. In this episode, Kevin shares how his time at the Air Force Academy was “sink or swim,” why sometimes the fastest way to get results is by breaking bread, and how he’s now guiding a nonprofit that provides support, stability, and hope to our community. Kevin Hyde is the CEO of Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ckhyde) and you can learn more about Partnership FCA on their website (partnershipfca.com). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Mickey McCamish’s Morning Cup (E25) Jay Shaffer’s Morning Cup (E78) Allen Clare’s Morning Cup (E97) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!

Jason Provonsha has never been a fan of “winging it.” Maybe it’s because he spent part of his childhood keeping his dad’s FBI job a secret, or because of the critical lessons a mentor taught him… In this episode, Jason shares his journey from healthcare marketing to logistics, why he once thought he’d have to leave Chattanooga to grow his career, and what it’s taken to scale Steam without losing focus on what matters most. Jason Provonsha is the CEO of Steam Logistics, one of the fastest-growing third-party logistics companies in the country. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jasonprovonsha). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Cam Doody’s Morning Cup (E63) Ted and Kelly Alling’s Morning Cups (E69) Barry Large’s Morning Cup (E73) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!

George Mullinax was raised to take risks and trust that he could rise to the challenge. That mindset carried him through the highs and lows of corporate life, and eventually led him to leave it behind entirely to start something of his own. In this episode, George reflects on the unexpected turns that shaped his path, from family business losses and early morning side jobs to years of night classes while working full time. He also shares why he walked away from a VP-level role rather than uproot his family, and how he built a thriving media company with zero background in publishing. George Mullinax is the owner of CMC Media & Marketing Group, the company behind CityScope, HealthScope, and several other Chattanooga-based publications. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/george-mullinix-aa628ba).  If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Shawn Whitfield’s Morning Cup (E20) Charlie Brock’s Morning Cup (E95) Andy Wood’s Morning Cup (E124) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!

Sheila and Dane Boyington have chemistry, literally and figuratively. They met in a college chemistry class, and decades later they’re still building things together as spouses and business partners. In this episode, Sheila and Dane reflect on their journey from Gainesville to Berkeley to Chattanooga, how they grew a national multi-million dollar business without losing sight of what mattered most, and the lessons learned through two company exits. Sheila and Dane Boyington were the co-founders of Thinking Media, the company behind workforce development tools KeyTrain and Learning Blade. Now, they focus their time on mentoring and giving back to the organizations that matter most to them. If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Kris and Mandy Simmons' Morning Cups (E41) Ted and Kelly Alling’s Morning Cups (E69) Angela and Michael Ballard's Morning Cups (E96) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!

How does a person with a philosophy and religion degree become the Dean of the College of Business? No straight path, that’s for sure.  In this episode, Dr. Robert Dooley shares how he crossed the divide from business to academia… and how he’s now bridging that divide for students. Plus, the evolving role of higher education in Chattanooga, and what he’s learned from serving as Interim Chancellor of UTC. Dr. Robert Dooley is the Dean of the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, as well as the Interim Chancellor, at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Jay Dale’s Morning Cup (E42) Dr. Claudia Kramer’s Morning Cup (E115) Kim White’s Morning Cup (E119) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!

In many ways, Bert Robinson is still doing what he did as a kid: building relationships and connecting with his community. Except now, his path stretches beyond Athens across all of East Tennessee (and he’s no longer on a bike). In this episode, Bert shares how his curiosity and outgoing nature as an 8-year-old unknowingly laid the groundwork for his career, how doors open when you’re willing to ask, and why unexpected turns can lead to something even better. Bert Robinson is the Regional Executive for TVA’s East Region. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/bert-robinson-b0a5ab53). If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Matt Rasmussen’s Morning Cup (E57) Allen Clare’s Morning Cup (E97) Carol Eimers’s Morning Cup (E109) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!

Tom Glenn is a second generation business owner who has grown the family business from a small local operation to one with a multi-state presence. Through it all, Tom has never lost sight of his father’s mission of serving people well and leading with integrity. In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week, Tom shares lessons for entrepreneurs who want to grow without losing what makes their business special. We also discuss how he didn’t originally plan to join the family business, why he changed his mind and pushed for expansion, and why leadership means owning the outcome… especially when things go wrong. Tom Glenn is the President of Elder’s Ace Hardware, which has grown to 37 stores with more than 1,000 employees. You can learn more about him on the Elder’s website: eldershardware.com/our-team If you like this episode, we think you’ll also like: Craig Fuller’s Morning Cup (E58) Barry Large’s Morning Cup (E73) Bill Crawford’s Morning Cup (E99) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here and be the first to know who upcoming guests are!