The Positively West Virginia Podcast

Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, Brittany Fink has called Morgantown home since she graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law. Having turned in her black robes more than five years ago, today, she adorns brides in white gowns with Brittany Anne's Events.

West Virginia's garage door expert, Anthony Sellaro, was destined for West Virginia glory. With the help of his two brothers, John and James, the three of them started Sellaro Overhead Door Service in 1986. Born in Morgantown, Sellaro holds a Bachelor of Science from West Virginia University in Personnel Management and has previous working experience in the grocery industry. The company masterfull...

In 1989, Mike Lee and his family immigrated from Taiwan –– he was only eight years old at the time. Today, he is the Dealer Principal (Owner) of Freedom Kia in Granville, West Virginia. Hailing from New Jersey for most of his life, Lee obtained an undergraduate degree from West Virginia University. After graduation, he worked in the automotive industry for 21 years, 18 of which were right here in...

Facilitating a difference in the lives of many, is Eleanor Reigel, Chief Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown. Reigel has worked with the charity for more than a decade, after previous employment with the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. For Reigel, work is more than a job––it's a passion.

An architect by trade, Brendan Fenn, has been living out his 'happy retirement' owning and operating Grindstone Coffeeology. Fenn and his family are from a land "down under." They relocated from Australia to Huntington, West Virginia, in August of 2015. Although the move was part of his previous occupation, it didn't take Fenn long to begin pursuing his longtime dream of owning a coffee company.

Jerril Vance is a woodworker, educator, and owner of the Appalachian Heritage Woodshop. The purpose of the Appalachian Heritage Woodshop is to educate an audience about the form and function of utilitarian Appalachian furniture through a revisitation of the era in which they were produced.

In the heart of Appalachia is everyone's favorite brewery. Big Timber Brewing Company, located in Elkins, West Virginia, started as a dream ––but after seven years of reality, co-founder, Ashley Kwasniewski, is still as giddy as ever. After high school, Kwasniewski, a recreationist, traveled before eventually settling in Missoula, Montana. Upon her arrival in the Montana mountains, she met her hus...

Cassie Smith lives in Morgantown, West Virginia, and has been an avid mountain biker for almost three decades. As the West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League Director, her passion has become her vocation . The West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League is a 501(c)(3) and one of 31 other leagues across the country. Each league exists to develop youth (middle and high school) and build strong...

Laura Seybold is on a mission to recover what makes West Virginia "shine." In 2019, she founded Shine Consulting, LLC, which focuses on developing an organization's best asset – its people. Fascinated by Economics, Seybold obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Wright State University and an Executive MBA from West Virginia University. Equally fascinated by people, Laura spen...

In 2015, Kelsi Boyd searched for locally sourced and cleaner alternatives to traditional Big Box soap and skincare products. Living in Mason County (WV) at the time, she either had to commute to find them or get creative. Choosing the latter, the Silver Market Company was born. Through a series of video watching and trial experimentation, Boyd began to manufacture and gift to friends and family su...

Christopher Mullett has served as President and CEO of Burlington United Methodist Family Services since April of 2020. His passion is simple––to make a difference. Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Inc. was founded in October of 1913 by a dedicated physician, Dr. F.L. Baker, and his friend, Rev. Mr. F.C. Rollman, a Justice of the Peace and Postmaster. For years they worked tirelessly t...

Nicole opened Sugar Bear's Fun Shop in 2019 in her hometown of White Sulphur Springs, the first of its kind in all of Greenbrier County. After 2.5 years of steady growth, the company has expanded to a storefront in the Crossroads Mall of Beckley, West Virginia. "We're like [Build-A-Bear] on sugar," laughed Bostic.

Lifelong West Virginian, Forest 'Jack' Bowman, is the Jackson Kelly Professor of Law Emeritus at West Virginia University. Lawyer by trade, Bowman, retired from law three years ago. Today, he spends his days authoring novels and tinkering in his workshop.

Retired Air Force Colonel, Sean Frisbee, was on a mission to help the U.S. Air Force and the economic state of West Virginia. Last year, he founded Vertx Partners, a collaborative effort alongside Parallax Advanced Research , to support the development of science and technology innovation in Appalachia.

Clay Elkins is a quintessential food and wine guy who strives to deliver world-class dining and entertainment experiences. He earned a BS in Computer Information Systems from Appalachian State University but quickly learned that the cubicle life was not for him; deciding, instead, to pursue his long-time passion for food and beverage. Clay went on to earn a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson and...

Stephanie Bender is the owner and operator of S&T's Bees in downtown Elkins. S&T's Bees sells all supplies needed for beekeeping, as well as honey, lip balm, lotions, soaps and other items made from honey. Wood, country, primitive, and crocheted items are among the several other items you can find at the eccentric downtown Elkins […]

Patty Showers Ryan became President of Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, Inc. (YCF) in June 2016.  Ms. Ryan holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Colorado State University and returned home to Morgantown in 2002. Her career includes corporate and nonprofit work in Colorado, Maryland and West Virginia. Prior to joining […]

Byrd's House of Donuts was started by Issac Thomas Byrd, Sr. (Tommy) and his son, Issac Thomas Byrd, Jr (Thomas). Mr. Byrd had a longstanding career of 25 years in the woodworking industry managing dimension mills, cabinet factories, and moulding factories. His son, Thomas, had some prior experience in fast food management, however neither had […]

Married for 48 years (c. 1973), Ron and Matilda Fowler are owners of French Creek Christmas Trees. They have one son, two lovely grandchildren, and their number one farm greeter, Gus the Dog. Ron graduated from WVU with a degree in Forestry. After working for the WV Division of Forestry, and self-employment with Consulting Forester, […]

Christina Entenmann-Edwards, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Hashtag WV City Paper, has been a Lewisburg, WV resident since September of 2008. She is a first-generation American, was born and raised in Fairfield County (Connecticut) and is no stranger to hard work with an entrepreneurial spirit. In 2006, she graduated from Quinnipiac University (in Hamden, CT) Cum Laude, with […]

As CEO of CentralApp, Todd Cope strives to connect companies in need of tech talent with qualified workers from throughout the Appalachian region. A native West Virginian with a coal-miner grandfather, Todd is deeply committed to promoting equal economic opportunity through the expansion of tech jobs in rural areas. He cut his professional teeth in […]

Rene Jorge is a professional Chef and owner of Sauté by Rene'. She is the mother of two teenage boys. Born in Asbury Park, NJ and moved to NYC after high school where she attended culinary school. After moving to MN, she had her first son, moved to WV where she had her second son; […]

Ellen and Daniel Lubuguin were both born in the Philippines. Daniel's career started out working for Pepsi where he remained for 10 years, while Ellen worked as a hairdresser. The two of them decided to start Philippines Best as a food truck, dedicated to serving on Saturdays when Daniel was off. However, when Daniel hurt […]

General Manager of Sirianni's Cafe in Davis, West Virginia, Mike Goss operates the in's and out's of the Italian Cafe. Siranni's name originates from the family's ancestral journey during the mass Italian immigration. Today, the restaurant continues to flourish at two locations.  Fun fact: The unique cafe was formerly established in June of 1988 during […]

Born and raised in Calhoun County, Crystal graduated with a degree in Chemistry and was shortly after forced to leave her home state in order to find employment. Forty years later, Crystal has returned to WV in an effort to revitalize Calhoun County.  Her plan for revitalization revolves around the generosity of The 1982 Foundation […]