In this episode of Huntsville Hustle, I sit down with Tiara Trudeau-Gullotta, the owner of Sultry Company, one of Huntsville’s most unique and empowering businesses.

Tiara shares the story behind how Sultry Company started, the inspiration behind the brand, and what it’s been like building a business that encourages confidence, self-expression, and empowerment.

We talk about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and what it takes to stand out in a challenging market while staying true to your vision.

You’ll also hear about the realities of running a small business, how she connects with her customers, and why Huntsville has been such a great place to grow a bold and creative brand.

If you enjoy hearing the real stories behind local businesses and the people building them, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Listen now and learn more about the story behind Sultry Company and the entrepreneurial journey of Tiara Trudeau-Gullotta.

http://www.sultrycompany/aboutIG-SultryCompany

FB-Sultry Company

This episode is sponsored by Vandy’s Heating & Cooling, a trusted, veteran-owned HVAC company known for honest service and doing the job right the first time.

With over 400 5-Star Google Reviews you know you are in good hands! Call (256) 225-7311 or visit ⁠⁠http://www.vandysllc.com⁠⁠ to support a business that supports Huntsville

And make sure to stay up on our partner Homely Huntsville's Newsletter that is capturing the feeling of home in Huntsville. Subscribe here: ⁠https://homelyhuntsville.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=i3U7eMtJvD

Today on Huntsville Hustle, we’re kicking off a brand-new series exploring industries that are often misunderstood.

Our first guest is David Elkourie, owner of Family Jewelry and Loan, a longtime South Huntsville business that has quietly served the community for years. While many people hear “pawn shop” and immediately jump to conclusions, today’s conversation shows there’s much more to the story.

David takes us behind the counter to explain how the pawn process really works, what people usually misunderstand about the industry, and how pawn shops often help people through difficult financial moments.

We also dive into some of the stories that make the business fascinating—from strange items people try to pawn, to unexpected valuables that walk through the door, to the memorable negotiations and characters you only encounter in this line of work.

You’ll hear about:

• How Family Jewelry and Loan got started in Huntsville

• What people usually get wrong about pawn shops

• How the pawn process works for someone who’s never done it before

• Whether negotiating is part of the deal

• The strangest items ever brought into the shop

• Valuable treasures that people didn’t realize they had

• Moments in the shop that made David say, “I can’t believe this is happening right now”

• How pawn shops sometimes help people in tough situations

We also finish with a rapid-fire round about Huntsville favorites, small businesses worth supporting, and a few surprises about David himself.

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens inside a pawn shop—or if you just enjoy great local business stories—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

About Family Jewelry and Loan
Family Jewelry and Loan is a trusted South Huntsville business specializing in pawn loans, jewelry, collectibles, and more, serving the community for years.

Connect with Family Jewelry and Loan
11519 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35803
https://www.facebook.com/FamilyJewelryLoan/

https://www.instagram.com/familyjewelryandloan/

This episode is sponsored by Vandy’s Heating & Cooling, a trusted, veteran-owned HVAC company known for honest service and doing the job right the first time.

With over 400 5-Star Google Reviews you know you are in good hands!

Call (256) 225-7311 or visit ⁠http://www.vandysllc.com⁠ to support a business that supports Huntsville.

About Huntsville Hustle

The Huntsville Hustle Podcast, hosted by Joe Martin, highlights the small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who make Huntsville such a special place to live and work.

If you love supporting local businesses and hearing the real stories behind them, make sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review.

In this episode, we're floating into calm, clarity, and creativity with Stephanie Childers, founder of Float Huntsville, the Rocket City’s sanctuary for stress relief and recovery.We dive into: -What led Stephanie to open Float Huntsville (and what she wishes more people knew about floating) -Her very first float session and why it didn’t go the way she expected -How floating compares to yoga, meditation, and cryotherapy for recovery and mental clarity -The other wellness services Float Huntsville offers beyond the tank -How she’s grown a business around a service many people have never tried before -My personal float experience and what surprised me most -Her best tips for float first-timers, biggest wins as a business owner, and dream collabs in HuntsvillePlus: -The walk-in song for Float Huntsville -The best business advice she's ever received -Her dream celebrity floater -And the one-sentence pitch that might finally get you to floatWhether you’re a wellness enthusiast, local business supporter, or just curious about floating in the Rocket City — this episode is packed with real talk, business insight, and float-worthy inspiration. ⁠⁠Go check them out at HTTP://⁠www.floathuntsville.com⁠ They do a lot of online booking for sauna and floats as well as online gift card purchasing is available.

For booking massages, they ask that you call the Float Spa during normal business hours if you have any questions or need any assistance with booking massage appointments, or you can email them if you need to contact them after hours at ⁠hello@floathuntsville.com⁠

This episode is sponsored by Vandy’s Heating & Cooling, a trusted, veteran-owned HVAC company known for honest service and doing the job right the first time.

With over 400 5-Star Google Reviews you know you are in good hands! Call (256) 225-7311 or visit ⁠http://www.vandysllc.com⁠ to support a business that supports Huntsville.And make sure to stay up on our partner Homely Huntsville's Newsletter that is capturing the feeling of home in Huntsville. Subscribe here: https://homelyhuntsville.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=i3U7eMtJvDPlease follow Huntsville Hustle on social media:Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/huntsvillehustle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillehustle