From tragedy to triumph, Vince and Kristina Clarkson, the husband-and-wife owners of Hudson’s Appliance Center in Paradise, California, proved that even a historically devastating wildfire couldn’t bring their business down.

Within minutes of speaking with Shorty Hayes, it’s clear that he’s not someone who’s scared of a little risk. He’s got an eye for opportunity and a willingness to seize the moment. And those traits certainly have served him well as an independent business owner — a...