Unscripted TN

Episode Description: Join host Jeremy Rivera as he sits down with Ryan Steva, founder of The Homestead Consultant, to explore how modern homesteading can work for everyone - from apartment dwellers to large property owners. Ryan shares his journey from a life-changing health crisis to becoming a Cookeville area home inspector and homesteading consultant, offering practical insights on sustainable living, energy independence, and building resilient systems.

Show Notes: [00:01] - Introduction to Ryan Steva and The Homestead Consultant
[00:37] - Ryan explains his approach to homesteading and working with clients
[01:17] - Discussion of modern homesteading: from urban spaces to full properties
[03:04] - Ryan shares his first gardening experience and learning from failure and challenges of being a Cookeville service area business
[04:42] - Deep dive into problems with current food systems
[07:12] - Ryan's personal health crisis and discovering food as medicine
[11:24] - Breakdown of different homesteading areas (food, energy, permaculture)
[13:36] - Detailed explanation of permaculture design principles
[14:33] - Discussion of efficient farming systems and soil management
[21:18] - Practical approaches to home energy production
[23:12] - Creative solutions for direct solar applications
[29:03] - Emergency preparedness vs. practical skills development
[31:07] - Inside look at Ryan's consultation process
[34:25] - Key skills for beginning homesteaders
[39:13] - Information about classes and how to connect with Ryan

Featured Links:

• Website: thehomesteadconsultant.com
• YouTube Channel: The Homestead Consultant

Key Topics:

• Modern homesteading approaches
• Sustainable agriculture practices
• Direct solar applications
• Permaculture design principles
• Emergency preparedness
• Skill development for beginners

Guest Contact: Ryan Steva offers free classes in the Tennessee area (including Sparta, Cookeville, Spencer, and Lebanon) and can be reached through his website thehomesteadconsultant.com

Relevant Podcasts: Jack Sherell, Cookeville's The Asphalt Team

# Episode 1: The Asphalt Team's Jackson Sherrell on Quality, Growth, and Community

On this episode of Unscripted TN, we sit down with Jackson Sherrell, a seasoned professional in asphalt maintenance and a true local success story. With over 30 years in the business, Jackson shares insights into growing a local business into a multi-state operation while maintaining small-town values and quality standards.

## Guest Information
- **Name**: Jackson Sherrell
- **Company**: The Asphalt Team
- **Website**: [theasphaltteam.com](https://theasphaltteam.com)
- **Commercial Service Area**: Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia, and Alabama
-** Driveway Service Area: Sparta, Cookeville

## Episode Highlights

The evolution of The Asphalt Team from a small seal coating operation in 1990 to managing over 5 million square feet of asphalt annually
- How proper asphalt maintenance can double the life of your pavement
- The direct correlation between parking lot appearance and business success
- The company's expansion into pickleball and tennis court specialization
- Jackson's commitment to maintaining relationships with local residential customers despite regional growth

## Key Quotes from the Episode

"People want to do business where business is being done." - Jackson shares this wisdom from "Crown Charlie," explaining how property appearance directly impacts business success.

"If you'll seal asphalt and keep it in good condition, repair any major cracks and things like that to prevent further water damage, you'll double the life of that asphalt."

"We really try to do it as if each one of those projects, regardless of the price, if it was a small driveway or a large parking lot, we do it as if it was my lot."

## Featured Q&A Segments

**On Quality Standards:**
Q: "I've seen there's a wide spectrum of quality when it comes to asphalt jobs. I'd say you're on the higher end. Is that correct?"
A: Jackson explained how they mix their own materials with specific chemicals and sand, going beyond the standard practice of simply adding water to sealer. This attention to detail is especially crucial for high-traffic commercial areas.

**On Customer Education:**
Q: "If I was looking to bid out or to look into doing a job. Is there anything that I should educate myself as a consumer to know?"
A: Jackson emphasized that not all products and processes are the same, encouraging customers to look beyond just the lowest bid and understand the value proposition of quality materials and workmanship.
We’ve worked with all kinds of different businesses, from cannabis shops, to restaurants and churches. The key thing is that there is an impact on your business when your customers can’t access your store. If it didn’t impact the bottom line, the curbside perception of your property, then it wouldn’t impact the price of the property on the market.

Maintenance is an Investment, Not Just an Expense

I recently worked with a property owner who buys and sells grocery stores. He calls me second (right after his painter) whenever he acquires a new property. Why? Because he’s found that simply by painting the building and redoing the parking lot, his business increases by 20% automatically. That added value stays with the property when he sells. This is a key fact to remember if you’re in commercial real estate!

## Contact Information
For more information about The Asphalt Team's services or to request a quote

If you live or run a small business in Cookeville, then this is a good quick episode for you!

Show Notes: Cookeville's Hidden History

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Need a quality driveway? Learn more about asphalt residential driveways from J's Driveways
• Putnam County Library
• Cookeville History Museum

Historical Timeline:

• 1854: Major Richard Cooke surveys the area
• 1890: Tennessee Central Railway arrives
• 1893: Jere Whitson develops West Side
• 1909: Tennessee Tech (University of Dixie) founded
• 1930s: Cream City Ice Cream Company operations

Featured Locations:

• Historic Downtown Square
• Tennessee Tech University
• Historic West Side District
• Broad Street Historic District