My Morning Cup

Hal Bowling is on a mission to grow Chattanooga’s entrepreneur community one business at a time with LAUNCH, which makes intergenerational wealth possible for anyone, not just an elite few.

In this episode, Hal shares how after graduating college he went looking for adventure and ended up in Australia, how he spent the beginning of his career working for non-profits but pivoted to starting an advertising business, why he “left the blackjack table” and sold his interest to his business partners, and how all of those experiences led him to launch LAUNCH.

Hal Bowling is the Founder and Co-CEO of Launch Chattanooga. You can learn more about Launch and the Kitchen Incubator on their website (launchchattanooga.org) and you can connect with Hal on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/halkbowling).

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:

• Kenyatta Ashford’s Morning Cup (E05)
• DeJuan Jordan’s Morning Cup (E34)
• Felicia Jackson’s Morning Cup (E45)

Sheriff Austin Garrett has had a long career in law enforcement, following (somewhat) in the footsteps of his father, Austin “Cowboy” Garrett.

In this episode, Sheriff Garrett shares his three reasons for doing the job, why the HCSO uses social media to share the good and the bad, and how he maintains a work/life balance despite having to always be “on.”

Plus, he shares behind-the-scenes information on how the City and County work together, and why he’s been “working short” without a Chief Deputy for almost 2 years.

Sheriff Austin Garrett was sworn in as the 60th Sheriff of Hamilton County in 2022. You can learn more about him on the HCSO website here: hcsheriff.gov/gen_info/about_sheriff.php You can also learn more about the Forgotten Child Fund at forgottenchildfund.org

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:

• Chip Baker’s Morning Cup (E03)
• Mayor Weston Wamp’s Morning Cup (E36)
• Karen Shostak’s Morning Cup (E44)

Keith Sanford’s community involvement and love of Chattanooga makes everyone feel as though they’ve worked with him in some form or fashion, despite only working at three places during his 44-year career.

In this episode, Keith shares what it was like working his way up to Market President at First Tennessee (now First Horizon), being expected to be involved in the community (and ending up loving it), and what penguins are really like... hint: they’re not all cuddly!

Plus, we talk about what Keith will be doing once he retires later this year.

Keith Sanford is the President and CEO of the Tennessee Aquarium. You can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/keith-sanford-9718981a) and you can learn more about the aquarium on their website (tnaqua.org).

If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:

• Tom Griscom’s Morning Cup (E23)
• Jay Dale’s Morning Cup (E42)
• Virginia Anne Sharber’s Morning Cup (E59)

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My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

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Jay Shaffer has had a dynamic career path, from starting in oil rigging and pivoting to lending, then tech and startups, and now angel investing...

In this episode, Jay shares why he’s always prepared to play the cards he’s dealth, how a 4am realization changed the trajectory of his career, and how connections play a big part in finding new opportunities (but sometimes it’s a whole lot of luck too).

Plus, he shares a few tips for all startup founders, especially those who are looking for investors.

Jay Shaffer is the Market Director for Venture South, an early stage angel investor firm. You can learn more about Venture South on their website (venturesouth.vc) and you can connect with Jay on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jaydshaffer).

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:

• Josh Manning’s Morning Cup (E27)
• Cam Doody’s Morning Cup (E63)
• Barry Large’s Morning Cup (E73)

This week on the podcast, Matt Hullander and I discuss the importance of “knowing the score” in business, investing in marketing, and being involved in your community. Plus, find out why Matt believes so heavily in having a board of advisors, joining a peer group, and staying sharp.

Matt Hullander is a successful businessman, real estate investor, founder, and philanthropist. You can connect with him here.

My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by Madison McCann.