You might want to have a snack within reach for this one, because On The Cusp is diving into all things barbeque. Hosts Matt and Dave sit down with Valerie and Taneia Benn, owners of The Magnolia Pit in Shreveport. Val and Benn talk about what led to their decision to buy the restaurant from Chef John Strand and what drew them into the restaurant business in the first place. They share what they wanted to do differently from other local barbeque spots, including keeping the culinary menu inclusive so guests with any diet can find something to enjoy. This conversation dives into the importance of supporting fellow women chefs in our area and highlights the rising number of women making their mark in the culinary industry. Tune in now to hear what really goes on behind the counter and in the Pit at one of Shreveport-Bossier's hottest restaurants.

This episode was recorded before Val and Benn made the decision to sell The Magnolia Pit, and we wish them the best! We're excited to see what the new owners bring to this local favorite.

In this episode of On The Cusp, Keith Payne of Payne Mechanical Services shares the story of the family business his grandfather started back in 1956, growing from residential plumbing into a powerhouse commercial plumbing and HVAC company. Keith joins hosts Matt and Dave to break the exciting news that Payne Mechanical Services has expanded from four locations to five, with a brand new location now open in Tulsa, OK. He also dives into how the company gives back by supporting the communities their employees call home, and how word of mouth and community involvement drive their marketing and growth. Keith makes the case for skilled trades as a smart career path, offering hands-on training and real opportunity without the need for a four-year college degree. Tune in now to hear how Payne Mechanical Services built a lasting legacy and why the trades might just be the career move you never considered!

On this episode of On The Cusp, hosts Matt and Dave sit down with father-son duo Mike and Dennis Etheredge to talk about Etheredge Industrial Services, a 40-year-old Shreveport business built from the ground up. Mike shares what motivated him and his wife to start the company, how he raised the capital to get it off the ground, and why he credits their employees as the true backbone of the business. Dennis opens up about growing up around the business, always knowing he'd end up working on electric motors, and the story behind Mike passing the company on to him. Together, they discuss how the father-son team has since expanded operations to other cities across the South. Tune in now to hear how a family business built on hard work turned into an industrial success story!