Shenandoah Valley Life

April Anderson sought a career in the rapidly expanding craft beer brewing industry and landed at the right place at the right time with the right people. California provided a perfect environment to learn the trade and provide her expertise to rapidly move up the ladder in the craft-brewing scene, but family and personal issues brought her back home. April has come into her own as the master brew...

Scott Asbell, SVP’s producer for the Shenandoah Valley Life Podcast series. talks about his serial entrepreneurial background and approach to life.  A humorous and talented renaissance man, Scott discusses his purchase of a bowling alley when he was a junior at JMU, his building of a tiny home, his musical talent and his YouTube videos under the moniker of Slack Scott: Not cheap, not lazy, ju...

Hannah Cooper with the Staunton Innovation Hub, an adventurist in her personal life, explains how so many of her personal traits are analogous to the Staunton Innovation Hub management philosophy and how through a circuitous early adulthood professional journey, she stayed and thrived in the Shenandoah Valley.

Aimee Roberts with Nest Realty is in charge of a very polished publication that reaches a target audience of decision makers.  Aimee and Nest have partnered with the Shenandoah Regional Airport and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to tell the story of living, working, playing and serving in the Valley.  Listen to what drew Aimee to the Valley and how she is channels her story of family,...

Greg Campbell has been at the Shenandoah Regional Airport (SHD) since 1988, worked at the airport through college at Bridgewater and has a tireless supporter of the airports growth as an asset in the region.  No less passionate about the airport, Heather Ream has the pleasure of developing the message about the airport and our ability to be one stop from most anywhere in the world.  Lear...

Andy VanHook may be the face most associated with Appeal Production, but he and his partners have become a force in video production in the Shenandoah Valley.  As stated on their website, “Welcome to the video sanctuary.”  Andy talks about Appeal Production’s humble beginnings, working for beer – and their employer was out of beer – to launching Appeal Production in the Great Recession a...

We continue the discussion with sisters Jessica Hall and Stephanie Auville about their passion for flowers, their very creative social media following, and the rapid growth of their companies, Harmony Harvest and Floral Genius. Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with them about their exponential growth during the pandemic, their winning a FedEx National Small Business Award, and the following t...

Sisters Jessica Hall and Stephanie Auville have teamed up to literally grow their companies in the Shenandoah Valley. Their mantra, better living through flowers, is contagious as you listen to their self-described flower-obsessed story of developing their two companies, Harmony Harvest and Floral Genius. Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Jessica and Stephanie about their reason for movin...

Debbie Irwin is the Executive Director of the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF), an entrepreneurial support organization that believes the most vibrant communities grow from within. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Debbie about how SCCF’s diverse services help grow businesses of all scales and backgrounds and how the Shenandoah Valley became the home she always hoped for.

With a mission to serve the greater good, Ryan Gundling cofounded Ryzing Technologies after a local business plan competition. Five years after the successful competition, Ryzing Technologies is expanding their capabilities as a designer and manufacturer of textile-based engineering solutions. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Ryan about his entrepreneurial growth and how the Shenando...

From a home-based business, to a growing up year, to taking it back to basics, Jennifer Ledford’s “Idea Factory” has progressed many times over the past two decades. One thing remains constant for this innovative entrepreneur – her passion for embracing and supporting the entrepreneurial community. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Jennifer about her initial inspiration, how she has l...

Located in an 1800s historical building, Jon Henry General Store offers local and fair-trade treats, gifts, and eats. But Jon Henry is anything but general. An entrepreneur, farmer, and artist, Jon combined his background as a curator and history of family farming to create a charming shop local experience. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Jon about how he utilizes local resources to...

Kala Dougan's enthusiasm for aviation began at a young age, and now she introduces young people to aviation through NEXTGEN Aviators. Born from a successful, multi-generational aviation company, this new program provides hands-on exploration of a broad range of aviation careers including aerospace engineering, parts fabrication and assembly, electronics and avionics, and flight. SVP Executive Dire...

Known for its rich history of maple syrup-producing sugar farms, Highland County's impressive resources and passion for supporting local is attracting startups, telecommuters and young families. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Chris Swecker, Executive Director, Highland County Chamber of Commerce, and Bruce Folks, Owner, Bruce’s Syrup & Candies, about their life in one of Virgin...

William & Moon Snyder are the inspiration and energy behind The Oliver Art House. This power couple is splashing into the creative arts scene and developing a nurturing environment for the community to explore arts in the Shenandoah Valley. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with William & Moon about how their dynamic backgrounds and passion are positively impacting the community in...

Driving technology, productivity and innovation, the Shenandoah Valley is home to a host of different manufacturing companies across multiple industries. Long-standing Shenandoah Valley company, Modine, specializes in thermal heat exchange and produces HVAC products at their growing Buena Vista facility. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Brent Secrist, Plant Superintendent, about his...

The Shenandoah Valley has strong agrarian roots where local is defined by a country drive, not a 100+ mile commute. Home to four of the top five agricultural-producing counties in Virginia, robust transportation network, and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem, agribusinesses plant roots here and grow. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Corwin Heatwole, Founder of Farmer Focus, about...

Massanutten Resort offers four-seasons of multigenerational activities in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Their 6,000 acres of mountain fun is recognized as one of the premier all-seasons resort destinations on the East Coast. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Matthias Smith, Vice President and General Manager, and Sarah Elson, Business Relations Director, about how this le...

In Spring 2018, internationally-owned Speyside Bourbon Cooperage opened their first U.S. stave mill operation in Bath County. Less than one year later the company announced additional investment to add new equipment and a second shift to the operation. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Maggie Anderson, Product Development consultant for Speyside, about the Shenandoah Valley resources...

Jamie Goodin is a creator, innovator, entrepreneur, community champion, and more. Jamie's energy and passion for creating impact stems from pure curiosity and the determination to produce an outcome that benefits Shenandoah Valley residents. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Jamie about how the Shenandoah Valley empowers residents to fuel change and create real impact in the communiti...

Launched at the onset of the pandemic as a philanthropic effort to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) for the National Guard and other First Responders, Valley Guard Supply is owned and brought to market by military and medical service veterans. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Nicky Swayne, General Manager, and Chris Ashley, Director of Operations, about how the r...

Peter Denbigh is an entrepreneur in several start-up companies and one of the catalyzing energies behind the Staunton Innovation Hub. A James Madison University graduate, one of his most successful ventures is the best-selling party game “Watch Ya’ Mouth”. SVP Executive Director Jay Langston spoke with Peter about how the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem supported his many business ventures, wha...