TWR Listeners Lounge - Stephanie Stuckey

In this episode, hosts Alan Sanders and Walt Murray get a chance to interview the CEO of the Stuckey's Corporation, Stephanie Stuckey. After catching up on the last week since the prior show, Stephanie comes to the stage and takes us back 80+ years to the 1930's. He grandfather was carving out a life by selling pecan's to resellers. He eventually began selling them on the side of the road. Within a few years, he enlisted his wife to help bake Southern style treats, like pecan rolls to expand their offerings. As the business grew, they great to a store, added a restaurant and gas pumps.

Pretty soon, they grew to another location and then another. At their height, they had well over 350 stores across 40 different states in the U.S. But, as many family business stories go, the family sold the rights to the name and it seemed as though Stuckey's was doomed to eventual obscurity. By chance, Stephanie, the granddaughter of the Stuckey namesake, received a call. Banking her life's savings, she decided to buy back the family business.

Now, she is rebuilding the brand the way her grandfather started the business, through merchanise. Embracing online ordering and 21st century markting techniques, including social media, Stephanie is laser-focused on returning the brand to it's former glory. As the interview progresses, they talk about the future of Stuckey's and what Stephanie hopes to see in place five years from now.

After the interview, Walt moves into his horrible movie review. That's not to say he does a horrible job revieiwng a movie. Rather, our listeners have selected a horrible movie for him to watch and review. Alan and Walt then dive into their odd news segment. Finally, with Stephanie still along for the ride, they conclude with their entertainment segment.

WATCHING

Walt finished off all three seasons of Arrested Development. He also re-watched the 2009 Star Trek reboot on Netflix. Finally, he caught a documentary called, The Other One, about The Grateful Dead. Alan watched, The Outlaw Josey Wales, for the first time and really enjoyed it. He also re-watched, Captain America with his visiting Father-in-Law. Alan also did a throw-back watch of War Games from 1983. Finally, Alan wrapped up watching, Loki, on Disney+ and thoroughly enjoyed it. Stephanie suggests watching the series, Food that Built America. She also praised, Schitt's Creek!

READING

Walt and Alan are both still working through the same Star Trek book they've discussed for several weeks. Alan also re-thumbed through the book, "The Making of Tombstone," and recommends it for any fan of the film. Stephanie suggests, "The Story of Air B&B," and, "Don't Make Me Pull Over, The History of the American Road Trip."

LISTENING

Walt had three podcasts he wanted to suggest this week. The first was, The Pop Culture Show, followed by Holy Crap It's Sports and Smartless. Alan listened to the latest episodes of 60MW Podcast and Measuring the Score. He was also excited about the announcement of the 17th album by Iron Maiden, Senjutsu. Stephanie really recommended the podcast, Wind of Change. She also likes the shows, How I Built This with Guy Raz and Morbid: A True Crime Podcast.

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