#3 The Power of Persistence – Christopher Stocks
On this episode of Locally Made, Locally Owned, I sit down with Chris Stocks, a former athlete turned entrepreneur who built a thriving window cleaning business from scratch—literally by knocking on doors.
Chris shares his journey from struggling to make ends meet to launching a business that served nearly 2,000 customers in its first year. He talks about overcoming the fear of sales, learning the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, and the power of persistence in building something from the ground up.
His story is a masterclass in resilience—taking risks, investing in himself, and proving that with the right mindset and work ethic, success is possible. Whether you’re a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or just someone who needs a push to take that next step, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
#2 Leadership, Business, and Pizza – Mark Wilson Jr.
In this episode of Locally Made, Locally Owned, I sit down with Mark Wilson Jr., a guy who has literally had pizza in his blood since birth. Growing up in a family that owned Domino’s stores, Mark was making pizzas before he could even drive, and now he’s carrying on the family tradition by taking the reins himself.
We talk about his journey from watching his dad build a business to stepping into the world of entrepreneurship himself. Along the way, Mark left the pizza industry to explore new ventures, including running his own marketing and design company. But, as he explains, the business mindset and love for community that he developed ultimately led him back to Domino’s.
Mark also shares insights into what it takes to be successful in business—whether it’s leadership, work ethic, or just having a real passion for what you do. Plus, we break down why delivering pizzas is still one of the best side gigs around and tackle the age-old debate: Is pineapple a pizza topping?
#1 Church Culture, Leadership, and Ministry – T.J. Woodard
On this episode of Locally Made, Locally Owned, I sit down with TJ Woodard, the lead pastor of Bluff First in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. TJ shares his journey into ministry, from skipping seminary to stepping into full-time church leadership at a young age. Now, after nearly two decades, he’s helped shape Bluff First into a thriving, growing church with a culture centered on community, connection, and making people feel at home.
We dive into what it takes to build a church that attracts new believers, why culture matters in both churches and businesses, and how social media plays a role in reaching people. TJ also shares the challenges of ministry, from the emotional weight of losing people to the struggles of leadership, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
