In this episode of Behind the Business, middle school students talk with Colton Henley, the owner of Semper Softwash.

Colton talks with students about what it is like to run a service-based business, what his day-to-day work actually looks like, and the kinds of problems and decisions that come with owning a small business. He also shares lessons learned through experience and how his background has shaped the way he approaches work and responsibility.

The conversation focuses on the real work behind running a business, including challenges, problem solving, and growth over time. This episode is student-led and focused on learning rather than promotion.

• (00:00:00) - Behind the Business: Simper Softwash
• (00:02:38) - Owning a Business With a Military Employee
• (00:03:23) - How many people do you have working for you?
• (00:05:29) - Starting a Business was the HardEST Thing
• (00:06:05) - How to Keep a Business Running Year-Round
• (00:07:48) - Running Your Business With One Word
• (00:09:02) - Jumping Into Business with a New Start

In this first episode of Behind the Business, middle school students sit down with Haley, one of the founders of Java Hut.

Haley talks with students about what it was like starting a coffee shop in Winchester, the challenges she did not expect, and the decisions that shaped the business early on. She also shares what changed when Java Hut expanded into Tullahoma and what she learned along the way.

This episode focuses on the real work behind running a small business, including mistakes, problem solving, and day to day responsibilities that customers usually do not see. The conversation is honest, student-led, and focused on learning rather than promotion

• (00:00:00) - Behind the Business
• (00:00:32) - Looking back on your first year
• (00:01:45) - Operating a Coffee Bar in Tullahoma
• (00:03:27) - Opening the second Coffee Shop in Tennessee
• (00:06:15) - Java Hut on Shopping Local

Behind the Business is a student-run podcast where middle school students talk with local business owners from their community.

In each episode, students sit down with one business owner to learn how their business actually works, where they started, what challenges they faced, and what they have learned along the way. These conversations are honest and focused on real experiences, not advertising or promotion.

The podcast gives students the chance to practice interviewing, listening, and storytelling while learning from the people behind local businesses.

New episodes are released regularly.

• (00:00:00) - Behind the Business