In this episode of the Huntsville Hustle Podcast, we’re joined by Melissa Chavez, the award-winning founder of MAC Promotions, the top resource for branded merchandise and promotional products that actually make an impact.

Melissa shares how she went from the corporate world to starting her own business, helping Huntsville businesses elevate their visibility, define their brand voice, and stand out in a crowded market. From one-of-a-kind swag items to large-scale community event sponsorships, MAC Promotions is more than a merch company, it’s a strategic branding partner.

Whether you're a small business owner, nonprofit leader, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with real-world advice on brand identity, entrepreneurship, community impact, and making marketing that sticks.

In This Episode, Melissa Shares:

• What led her to start MAC Promotions

• How she helps businesses clarify their brand identity using promotional products

• The most creative swag she’s ever created (and the amazing response it got!)

• Key lessons and mistakes that shaped her entrepreneurial journey

• How she balances client work, creativity, and leadership

• Why giving back to local nonprofits is a core part of her brand

• Her proudest moment as a business owner, and what still fuels her daily

This episode is brought to you by Huntsville Hub, Huntsville’s go-to coworking space for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and small businesses. Whether you need a private office, meeting space, or just a quiet spot to get things done, Huntsville Hub has you covered. Visit https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/ to book a tour!

About MAC Promotions:
Based in Huntsville, Alabama, MAC Promotions helps businesses create memorable brand moments through custom-branded merchandise and strategic promotional products. Whether it’s swag bags, apparel, event branding, or marketing campaigns, Melissa and her team make your brand unforgettable.

🌐 Website: https://www.macglobalpromotions.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macglobalpromotions/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MACGlobalPromotions

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mac-global-promotions

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MACGlobalPromotionsLLC

🎧 Subscribe to the Huntsville Hustle Podcast:
Tune in each week as we spotlight local entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders making an impact in Huntsville, Alabama. From startup stories to marketing tips, it’s real talk with the Rocket City’s movers and shakers.

🔹 Apple Podcasts: Huntsville Hustle
🔹 Spotify: Huntsville Hustle
🔹 YouTube: Huntsville Hustle Playlist

#HuntsvilleHustle #MACPromotions #MelissaChavez #PromotionalProducts #BrandStrategy #SupportLocalHSV #SmallBusinessSpotlight #HuntsvilleAlabama #BrandedMerch #MarketingTips #EntrepreneurPodcast #WomenInBusiness #HuntsvillePodcast

In this episode of Huntsville Hustle, we sit down with Lori King-Taylor, founder of Trinity Performance Solutions and a nationally recognized expert in leadership development, team culture, and effective communication. Lori doesn’t just help companies operate better—she helps people lead better.

With years of hands-on experience coaching executives and small business owners, Lori shares what it really takes to build high-performing teams, overcome leadership challenges, and create workplaces people want to be part of.

We dive into:

• The inspiration behind Trinity Performance Solutions

• The most common leadership struggles small business owners face

• The mindset and systems that set great leaders apart

• How to build a resilient team and lasting company culture

• Her new book—and why it’s a must-read for business leaders

• The personal lessons that shaped her journey as an entrepreneur

Whether you're running a small business, managing a team, or working on your own leadership skills, this episode is full of practical strategies, inspiration, and wisdom you can use right away.

📚 Learn more about Lori, her coaching, and her new book at

Her website is https://trinityperformancesolutions.com/

Email: lori@trinityperformancesolutions.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/TrinityPerformance

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorikingtaylor/

Looking for the perfect workspace in Huntsville? Whether you’re an entrepreneur, remote worker, or small business owner, Huntsville Hub offers private offices, coworking spaces, and meeting rooms to help you stay productive and connected.

Book your tour today: ⁠⁠ https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/⁠

📍 Follow Huntsville Hustle for more interviews with the people shaping the Rocket City’s business scene!

Subscribe to the Huntsville Hustle Podcast for more stories from the movers and shakers of Huntsville!

Please follow Huntsville Hustle on social media:

Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/huntsvillehustle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillehustle

YouTube-⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

#HuntsvilleHustle #LoriKingTaylor #TrinityPerformanceSolutions #LeadershipDevelopment #SmallBusinessHuntsville #TeamCulture #EffectiveCommunication #EntrepreneurTips #RocketCityLeaders

What if shopping local farmers' markets was as easy as ordering from your phone, while still supporting real, local farmers and producers? (Make sure to scroll down to get your coupon code)
This week on the Huntsville Hustle Podcast, we're joined by Amy and Mat Mauldin, the passionate founders of The Market Mule, Huntsville’s premier online farmers market!

We dive deep into:

• How Amy and Mat describe The Market Mule’s mission in their own words

• The “aha moment” that inspired them to create this one-of-a-kind marketplace

• Surprising facts about their business most people don't know

• The real challenges of launching and growing a small, niche business in Huntsville

• What it’s like working together as a married couple and business partners and how they find work-life balance

• Their secrets to growing a loyal customer base and spreading the word locally

• How they choose which local farms, artisans, and producers to partner with

• The future of The Market Mule and their vision for expanding impact

• The biggest myths about entrepreneurship they want to debunk

• Their best personal and business advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

• One Huntsville business they dream of collaborating with next

If you love local business, supporting farmers markets, and hearing the real stories behind Huntsville’s coolest startups, you don't want to miss this inspiring and down-to-earth conversation.

Check out their website: Market Mule
Use HUSTLE5 to get $5 off your order

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.marketmule/

Please follow Huntsville Hustle on social media:

Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/huntsvillehustle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillehustleYouTube-⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

About the Huntsville Hustle Podcast: The Huntsville Hustle Podcast showcases the real stories behind Huntsville, Alabama’s small business owners, creatives, and community leaders. From fitness studios to coffee shops, tech startups to tattoo artists, we dive deep into what makes Rocket City run.

If you’re all about supporting local, learning from entrepreneurs, and finding out what fuels the people behind the business, Huntsville Hustle is for you

In this episode of the Huntsville Hustle Podcast, we sit down with dynamic husband-and-wife duo Heidi and Deven Dehnel, founders of Core Strength & Performance and 5 Minds Martial Arts in Huntsville, Alabama. These two are redefining what it means to blend fitness, martial arts, mindset, and community and doing it all while building an inclusive, empowering space for people of all ages and abilities.

Whether you're a small business owner, a fitness entrepreneur, or someone passionate about supporting local businesses in Huntsville, this episode is packed with valuable insights on:

-Building a brand rooted in purpose and passion

-Creating a culture of resilience through strength and martial arts

-The challenges and triumphs of running a family-owned business

-How mental strength plays into physical performance

-Why community is the foundation of sustainable business growth

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, wellness, martial arts, and small business success stories in the Rocket City and beyond.

Connect with Core Strength & Performance + 5 Minds Martial Arts:

Website:https://www.core256.com and https://5mindsmartialarts.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coresandp and https://www.instagram.com/5mindsmartialarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coresandp and https://www.facebook.com/people/5-Minds-Martial-Arts/61569346226068

Subscribe to the Huntsville Hustle Podcast for more stories from the movers and shakers of Huntsville!

Please follow Huntsville Hustle on social media:

Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/huntsvillehustle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillehustleYouTube-⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

About the Huntsville Hustle Podcast: The Huntsville Hustle Podcast showcases the real stories behind Huntsville, Alabama’s small business owners, creatives, and community leaders. From fitness studios to coffee shops, tech startups to tattoo artists, we dive deep into what makes Rocket City run.

If you’re all about supporting local, learning from entrepreneurs, and finding out what fuels the people behind the business, Huntsville Hustle is for you.#HuntsvilleHustle #CoreStrengthAndPerformance #5MindsMartialArts #HeidiDehnel #DevenDehnel #HuntsvilleAlabama #SupportLocalHSV #SmallBusinessStories #MartialArtsHuntsville #HuntsvillePodcast #FitnessEntrepreneur #EntrepreneurPodcast #RocketCityBusiness #StrengthAndMindset #LocalBusinessSpotlight

Tiffany Crenshaw shares her journey from early childhood education to founding Animal House Photography a business built on capturing authentic, unscripted moments. She opens up about launching during the pandemic, building trust with clients (even newborns!), and the inspiration behind her unique photography style.

We also dive into her experience as one of the few Black lifestyle photographers in Huntsville, the importance of mentorship, and how she’s giving back to aspiring creatives through her photographer mentorship program.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why Tiffany chose lifestyle/documentary photography

• Starting a business in a new city during COVID

• Behind-the-scenes of photographing families and newborns

• The story behind the name Animal House Photography

• Building a business rooted in trust, authenticity, and purpose

• Her mentorship program for up-and-coming photographers

Work with Tiffany:📸 animalhouse-photography.com
📱 Instagram: @animalhousephotography
📍 Facebook: Animal House Photography

Subscribe to the Huntsville Hustle Podcast for more stories from the movers and shakers of Huntsville!

Please follow Huntsville Hustle on social media:

Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/huntsvillehustle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillehustleYouTube-⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

Today’s guest is a true powerhouse in the Huntsville real estate scene—Meekel Buchannon. Known for his relentless drive, sharp mind for wealth-building, and deep involvement in the community, Meekel is more than just a real estate pro—he’s a connector, a mentor, and a man on a mission.

In this episode, we dig into what fuels his unstoppable work ethic, his journey from mentee to mentor, and how he’s helping others get into the game of wealth accumulation—regardless of their starting point.

Whether you’re already in the real estate world or just thinking about your first investment, Meekel’s insights will change the way you think about money, networking, and success in Huntsville.

What You’ll Learn:

The origin of Meekel’s hustle and how he stays motivated

The biggest mistake rookie investors make—and how to avoid it

A creative strategy that helped him grow his real estate empire

Why real estate isn’t just for the wealthy

The #1 networking tip Meekel swears by

What he’d change about doing business in Huntsville

Local community initiatives he’s excited about

A curated night-out guide from one of Huntsville’s insiders

The resource that most shifted his mindset on wealth

What success looks like beyond the dollar signs

Meekel's Hidden Gems: A Night Out in Huntsville

(Tune in to hear his full local lineup—you'll want to take notes!)

Connect with Meekel Buchannon:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meekel.buchannon

🚀 Subscribe to the Huntsville Hustle Podcast for more stories from the movers and shakers of Huntsville!

Please follow Huntsville Hustle on social media:

Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/huntsvillehustle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillehustle

YouTube-⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

In this episode, we're floating into calm, clarity, and creativity with Stephanie Childers, founder of Float Huntsville — the Rocket City’s sanctuary for stress relief and recovery.

We dive into:

-What led Stephanie to open Float Huntsville (and what she wishes more people knew about floating)
-Her very first float session — and why it didn’t go the way she expected
-How floating compares to yoga, meditation, and cryotherapy for recovery and mental clarity
-The other wellness services Float Huntsville offers beyond the tank
-How she’s grown a business around a service many people have never tried before
-My personal float experience and what surprised me most
-Her best tips for float first-timers, biggest wins as a business owner, and dream collabs in Huntsville

Plus:
-The walk-in song for Float Huntsville
-The best business advice she's ever received
-Her dream celebrity floater
-And the one-sentence pitch that might finally get you to float

Whether you’re a wellness enthusiast, local business supporter, or just curious about floating in the Rocket City — this episode is packed with real talk, business insight, and float-worthy inspiration.

⁠Go check them out at http://⁠www.floathuntsville.com⁠ They do a lot of online booking for sauna and floats as well as online gift card purchasing is available. For booking massages, they ask that you call the Float Spa during normal business hours if you have any questions or need any assistance with booking massage appointments, or you can email them if you need to contact them after hours at ⁠hello@floathuntsville.com⁠ 🚀 Subscribe to the Huntsville Hustle Podcast for more stories from the movers and shakers of Huntsville!Please follow Huntsville Hustle on social media:Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/huntsvillehustle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillehustle

In this episode of the Huntsville Hustle Podcast, we welcome back Vicki Morris, the powerhouse behind Face to Face Marketing! You may remember her from Episode 6, where she introduced us to the Black Business Expo—but today, she’s back to share more about her journey, branding secrets, and marketing strategies that help businesses thrive.

Vicki has built a well-known brand in Huntsville by mastering authentic connections, storytelling, and strategic marketing. We’ll discuss:

✔️ What inspired her to launch Face to Face Marketing
✔️ The biggest branding mistakes small businesses make—and how to fix them
✔️ The power of networking and how to build meaningful business relationships
✔️ How businesses can stand out in a competitive market
✔️ The future of marketing: AI, automation, and emerging trends
✔️ Her #1 branding tip for businesses trying to differentiate themselves

Plus, we’ll uncover her favorite networking spots, top business advice, and even her company’s “walk-up song”! 🎶

If you’re looking to elevate your brand and connect with customers in a more meaningful way, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

📲 Connect with Vicki & Face to Face Marketing:

https://www.facetoface-marketing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FTFwithvicki

https://www.linkedin.com/company/face-to-face-marketing-llc/

RISE Networking Group: https://www.therisegrouphsv.com/

Black Business Expo: https://www.blackbusinessexpohsv.com/

Looking for the perfect workspace in Huntsville? Whether you’re an entrepreneur, remote worker, or small business owner, Huntsville Hub offers private offices, coworking spaces, and meeting rooms to help you stay productive and connected.

Book your tour today: ⁠ https://huntsvillehub.com/take-a-tour/⁠

🚀 Subscribe to the Huntsville Hustle Podcast for more stories from the movers and shakers of Huntsville!

Please follow Huntsville Hustle on social media:

Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/huntsvillehustle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillehustleYouTube-⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@HuntsvilleHustle

#HuntsvilleHustle #Branding #MarketingStrategy #Networking #Storytelling #Entrepreneurship