Host: Cristan Engelke
Guest: Samuel Kail
VIDEO
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DESCRIPTION
You do not need a bigger bank. You need access, clarity, and a real relationship.
In this episode of Southaven Business Beat, you meet Samuel Kail, Market President of First Choice Bank in Southaven, Mississippi. Samuel shares how he went from college football to banking leadership, and how he helped launch a new community bank branch in DeSoto County.
You will hear how Samuel built his banking career in just eight years, what he learned by working every side of the bank, and why local decision-making matters for business owners and families.
What you will learn:
•How Jennifer went from small business owner to Allstate agency owner after signing a non-compete and having to start over
•How Samuel Kail became a Market President at age 29
•Why relationship banking still matters in DeSoto County
•What a community bank can offer beyond checking accounts
•How business lending decisions actually get made
•What First Choice Bank looks for when hiring a new team
•How leadership habits from sports carry into business
•How to manage work and family with two kids under three
•Why involvement in the Southaven Chamber builds trust faster than ads
Why this matters now
Southaven and DeSoto County are growing fast. Business owners need banks that can move quickly, answer questions clearly, and understand the local market. Samuel explains what that looks like in real life, not sales talk.
If you are a business owner, professional, or family looking for a local bank in Southaven, this episode gives you a clear look behind the scenes.
Subscribe for more conversations with Southaven and DeSoto County business leaders.
Episode sponsors:
J.A. Hall Law Firm
Criminal defense, personal injury, and estate planning for Mississippi and Tennessee clients, led by attorney Jacinta Hall with nearly two decades of experience. When you need clear advice and someone in your corner, visit thejahallfirm.com or call 662-932-2973.
Wisdom Integrators
Your strategic tech partner for smarter workflows. Wisdom Integrators designs tailored solutions for automation, process improvement, and digital tools that help you get more done with less stress. Visit wisdomintegrators.com. to schedule your consultation.
Pure Focus Media
The creative team behind Southaven Business Beat. From strategy to production, Pure Focus Media helps your business tell its story with high quality video, content, and consistent branding so you can attract better leads and grow through the power of video. Visit purefocus.media to schedule your strategy call.
CHAPTERS
- Quick preview, football to banking, being coachable and flexible (00:00 – 0:40)
- Show intro and guest intro (0:40 – 2:18)
- Sponsor, First Choice Bank (2:18 – 3:06)
- How Sam got into banking (3:06 – 4:06)
- Lessons from football that show up in leadership (4:06 – 5:11)
- Sponsor, J.A. Hall Law Firm (5:11 – 6:03)
- Moving up fast, mentors, learning every side of the bank (6:03 – 11:56)
- First Choice Bank history and services, plus what is coming next (11:56 – 15:08)
- Sponsor, Pure Focus Media (15:08 – 16:00)
- Building a team from scratch (16:00 – 24:08)
- Work life balance, boundaries, burnout (24:08 – 27:13)
- What the Chamber has meant to him, relationships and trust (27:13 – 31:18)
- Outro and sponsor, Wisdom Integrators (31:18 – 32:39)
YOUTUBE URL
