My Morning Cup

Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and former teacher, shares her journey from a high school classroom to executive leadership. She recounts her transformative experiences overcoming shyness through 4-H speeches. Elaine discusses her pivotal 'Michael Jordan' moment and how she revived CGLA in just nine months. The conversation highlights the significance of empowering girls through education, the challenges of leading during COVID-19, and the necessity of resilience in personal and professional growth.

Cam Doody, co-founder and general partner at Brickyard and the moving company Bellhop, shares his journey from corporate constraints to entrepreneurial freedom. He discusses starting Bellhop during the financial crisis and the vital lessons learned through adversity. Cam emphasizes the importance of community support for founders and the unique entrepreneurial culture in Chattanooga. He also dives into the nuances of venture capital, urging genuine connections over hype, and highlights the value of taking risks in your twenties for long-term success.

Marj Flemming, CEO of LaunchPoint Leadership, shares her inspiring journey from a small-town Iowa upbringing to leading a successful leadership training business. She recounts her unique experiences, like 'dressing' chickens, and how motherhood propelled her career shift. Marj discusses the power of community involvement, the challenges she faced transitioning to entrepreneurship, and the importance of servant leadership. Listeners will love her insights on overcoming self-doubt, the value of networking, and empowering future generations.

Patrick Wells got an early taste of the startup world when he won a business plan competition in college. From there, he’s grown businesses in the legal, auto salvage, and stone industries.   In this episode, Patrick shares how one good idea changed his life’s path, what he learned from pole vaulting (and the adjustments former athletes must make to be successful in business), and how he’s acquired and grown several businesses.   Patrick Wells is the CEO of Majestic Stone and StoneLoads. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.   My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.   If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like: Brent Burks’s Morning Cup (E10) Shawn Whitfield’s Morning Cup (E20) Josh Manning’s Morning Cup (E27)

Growing up, Valoria Armstrong wanted to be an attorney. She never imagined that she would have a career in HR or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.   In this episode, Valoria shares how she was elected President of the NAACP board at the age of 26, how she evaluates opportunities before committing to them, and why inclusion comes before diversity at Unum.   Valoria Armstrong is the Chief Global Inclusion & Diversity Officer at Unum. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.   My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.   If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like: Wade Hinton’s Morning Cup (E09) Tom Cupo’s Morning Cup (E32) Candy Johnson’s Morning Cup (E48)

Virginia Anne’s career did not start in the art world, despite a passion for the performing arts. She originally followed in her father’s footsteps as a lawyer, but her involvement in the community grew, leading her to the Hunter Museum nine years ago.   In this episode, we discuss what it was like to be the second woman ever hired at Miller & Martin, switching her focus from litigation to commercial real estate, and why art is so important.    Stick around until the end to hear a special announcement about an upcoming exhibit at the Hunter Museum!   Virginia Anne Sharber is the Executive Director of the Hunter Museum of American Art. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.   My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.   If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like: Todd Womack’s Morning Cup (E21) Vance Travis’s Morning Cup (E40) Bob Corker’s Morning Cup (E52)

Entrepreneurship has always been in Craig Fuller’s blood. From a young age, he’s been starting and growing businesses.   In this episode, Craig shares the ups and downs of his career, starting with growing Xpress Direct to $140 million in revenue within two years, then getting fired from the family businesses (twice), and now leading FreightWaves and acquiring legacy media brands.   Craig Fuller is the Founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.   My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.   If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like: Brian Elrod’s Morning Cup (E29) Stephanie Stuckey’s Morning Cup (E33) Tiffanie Robinson’s Morning Cup (E39)

Matt Rasmussen originally wanted to be an archeologist (thanks, Indiana Jones!) or a forester, but after settling into engineering in college, he never looked back and has had a wildly successful career with the Tennessee Valley Authority.    In this episode, Matt shares his many steps up the corporate ladder and what makes someone stay at one company for 22 years. He also gives the inside scoop on nuclear power and what happens behind the scenes at TVA.   Matt Rasmussen is the SVP of Engineering and Operations Support at TVA. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.   My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.   If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like: Tom Cupo’s Morning Cup (E32) Mark McKnight’s Morning Cup (E39) Mark Reeves’s Morning Cup (E46)

Dr. Jordan is not a “pulpit pastor” - he’s active in the community. He’s the pastor of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church and some will tell you he is the pastor of Chattanooga. He founded an anti-violence program called Stop the Madness, which combatted the crack epidemic in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1992. Now, Stop the Madness is a national non-profit.   In this episode, we discuss gratitude, finding inner peace despite adversity, Stop the Madness, why he refused his life’s calling for so long, and what it was like growing up in the 70s as a black man in Chattanooga.    Dr. Ternae Jordan is the Pastor of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. You can learn more about him here and you can find his book, Crossing Jordan, here.   My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.   If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like: Wade Hinton’s Morning Cup (E09) DeJuan Jordan’s Morning Cup (E34) Father Dale Hall’s Morning Cup (E49)

Charles Wood is a self-proclaimed “class clown” turned salesman. Despite an unstable childhood, he’s built a solid career in Economic Development.    In this episode, we discuss how backpacking through Central America changed his perspective on life and his pit stops in Mobile, College Station, and Pensacola before arriving in Chattanooga 12 years ago. Plus, how he’s steering the Chamber towards Economic Development by inviting the right people to the right rooms.   Charles is the President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.   My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions. Subscribe to our new weekly newsletter here.   If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like: Leslie Gower’s Morning Cup (E02) Ron Harr’s Morning Cup (E17) Jim Kennedy’s Morning Cup (E37)