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.

📌 Episode Highlights:

💡 How Chris turned door-to-door sales into a six-figure business

🚪 The reality of door knocking—rejection, persistence, and success

📈 Investing in yourself—why he took out a loan to learn sales

💼 Scaling a service business and hiring a winning team

🔥 His advice for anyone looking to start their own business

Chris is also launching a franchise model for his business, so if you're interested in getting into the window cleaning industry, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

This episode is sponsored by splitscreenmedia.net!

🎧 Tune in now to hear Chris’s incredible journey and lessons on entrepreneurship.

📢 Stay Connected:

🌐 Website: lmlopodcast.com

🎥 YouTube: Locally Made, Locally Owned Podcast

📘 Facebook: LMLO Podcast

📸 Instagram: @lmlo.podcast

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🎙 Want to be on the show or advertise with us? Email us at inquiries@lmlopodcast.com

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?

📌 Episode Highlights:

🍕 Growing up in a Domino’s family and learning the business from the ground up

💼 Why Mark left the industry and what brought him back

🚗 The hidden value in being a delivery driver

📈 What makes a great leader and business owner

🔥 Mark’s go-to pizza order (and a new viral Domino’s pizza you should try!)

This episode is sponsored by The Midway in Puxico, Missouri—a must-visit spot for great food, live music, and good times.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Mark’s story, and if you’re in the pizza business (or any business), you won’t want to miss this one!

📢 Stay Connected:

🌐 Website: lmlopodcast.com

🎥 YouTube: Locally Made, Locally Owned Podcast

📘 Facebook: LMLO Podcast

📸 Instagram: @lmlo.podcast

🎵 TikTok: @lmlo.podcast

🎙 Want to be on the show or advertise with us? Email us at inquiries@lmlopodcast.com

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.

📌 Episode Highlights:

🙏 TJ’s unconventional path into full-time ministry

🏡 Why church culture is everything—and how Bluff First keeps growing

📈 The role of social media in modern ministry

🛠 The hardest parts of being a pastor (and how he handles them)

💡 What TJ would tell his 18-year-old self about leadership and life

If you’re looking for a church in the Poplar Bluff area, Bluff First is a welcoming community with open arms—and they’ve got plenty of exciting things coming up, including their Try This at Home series.

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Ozark Legacy Insurance Partners! ozarklip.com

🎧 Tune in now for a real, down-to-earth conversation about faith, leadership, and the power of community.

📢 Stay Connected:

🌐 Website: lmlopodcast.com

🎥 YouTube: Locally Made, Locally Owned Podcast

📘 Facebook: LMLO Podcast

📸 Instagram: @lmlo.podcast

🎵 TikTok: @lmlo.podcast

🎙 Want to be on the show or advertise with us? Email us at inquiries@lmlopodcast.com