Beyond Rockets

In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark Dunn sits down with Jordyn Brummett, co-owner of The Vessel, a community pottery studio in Huntsville, to reflect on how far the journey has come since her first appearance on the podcast more than three years ago.Jordyn shares the story of launching The Vessel as a brand-new concept, testing the idea at Stove House, and quickly realizing the demand for creative space and community in Huntsville. She walks through the lessons learned from outgrowing their original studio, the challenges of balancing classes, memberships, and limited space, and how those experiences shaped the vision for their next chapter.The conversation also dives into the personal side of entrepreneurship including taking calculated risks, growing a business as a family, and knowing when the timing is right for a big leap. Jordyn explains how The Vessel’s move to Lincoln Mill finally allows the studio to fully support memberships, deepen community connections, and create room for long-term growth.This episode is a candid look at building momentum, learning as you go, and taking small steps toward a vision that won’t let you go.Our 1st Podcast in 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-01L0Qn_0wThe Vesselhttps://www.thevesselstudio.org

In this episode of Beyond Rockets, host Clark Dunn sits down with Anusha Davis, Vice President of Retail at Crunkleton Commercial, for an in-depth look at the evolution of Huntsville’s retail and mixed-use real estate landscape.Born and raised in Huntsville, Anusha shares her unconventional path into commercial real estate, starting with a background in communications and journalism before finding her footing in development and brokerage. She discusses what it’s like to work on both sides of the table as a broker and former small business owner, and how that experience shapes the way she advocates for local entrepreneurs.The conversation dives into Huntsville’s explosive post-2020 growth, major mixed-use projects like Stadium Commons and Front Row, and why national retailers are now prioritizing Huntsville over traditional markets like Birmingham. Anusha also breaks down retail vacancy rates, what major announcements like Mazda Toyota and Eli Lilly mean for the city, and which submarkets to watch heading into 2026.From North Parkway and South Huntsville to Lincoln Mill, Five Points, and beyond, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Huntsville is being thoughtfully planned, brokered, and built for the future.https://www.linkedin.com/in/anushaalapati/https://www.crunkletonassociates.com

In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark Dunn sits down with Chef James Brown (The Standard), Ben Brennan (Del Chuco), and Luke Hawk (The Local)—three key leaders behind Huntsville’s Mercado Group. They share how their paths first crossed in Huntsville kitchens years ago, what it’s been like building three distinct downtown concepts in rapid succession, and why making nearly everything from scratch is non-negotiable. You’ll hear stories from opening weekend chaos, how the teams collaborate across restaurants, and what goes into evolving menus when the crowd doesn’t “get it” right away. Plus, they unpack Del Chuco’s Underground vibe, the catering arm of the group, and tease what might be coming next in 2026.https://themercadogrouphsv.com

In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark sits down with David Fernandes, Senior Vice President at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing and Group Vice President for Toyota, to go inside one of North Alabama’s most transformative projects. David shares his journey from growing up near the Indy 500 and working at GM and Rolls-Royce to leading multiple Toyota plants across the U.S., South Africa, and now the joint Mazda Toyota facility in Huntsville. He explains how the $2.3B plant was built during the pandemic, how it now produces Corolla Cross and Mazda CX-50 models at incredible volume, and why they’ve grown to a 4,000-person workforce pulled from a 60-mile radius. David also talks about culture, career paths that don’t require a four-year degree, local partnerships with schools and nonprofits, and why he believes “nothing’s impossible” when a team is aligned. If you’ve ever driven past the massive facility near Greenbriar and wondered what happens inside, this conversation pulls back the curtain.https://mazdatoyota.comhttps://www.instagram.com/mazdatoyotamanufacturing/

In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark sits down with Erica Hardesty, Founder & Executive Director of Make It Matter Collective and Owner of Noella’s Flowers, to explore how one idea, one flower truck, and one leap of faith turned into a movement changing the lives of young people aging out of foster care.Erica shares her journey from social work to launching a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring teens ages 13–19, providing stability, life skills, and real pathways to adulthood. She also opens up about building Noella’s Flowers—from a vintage truck to a thriving storefront—and how it fuels job opportunities and funding for Make It Matter.The conversation dives into:What it really looks like for teens aging out of foster care in AlabamaHow Make It Matter is partnering with Huntsville City SchoolsThe vision behind the 614 Initiative, a $7.5M housing project designed to provide safe, supportive transitional livingThe role of mentorship, community, and faith in building long-term changeWhat anyone with a dream or idea should do nextWhether you're interested in social impact, entrepreneurship, community building, or Huntsville’s growing nonprofit landscape, this episode will absolutely inspire you.https://www.makeitmattercollective.comSponsored by Yellowhammer Brewing — learn more at yellowhammerbrewery.com.