diff --git a/client/build/reducers/index.js b/client/build/reducers/index.js
index cccf793d..1602ea2e 100644
--- a/client/build/reducers/index.js
+++ b/client/build/reducers/index.js
@@ -19,15 +19,12 @@ var _channelCreate = _interopRequireDefault(require("./channelCreate"));
 
 function _interopRequireDefault(obj) { return obj && obj.__esModule ? obj : { default: obj }; }
 
-var customizedReducers = function customizedReducers(siteConfig) {
-  return (0, _redux.combineReducers)({
-    channel: _channel.default,
-    channelCreate: _channelCreate.default,
-    publish: (0, _publish.default)(siteConfig),
-    show: _show.default,
-    site: (0, _site.default)(siteConfig)
-  });
-};
+var _default = (0, _redux.combineReducers)({
+  channel: _channel.default,
+  channelCreate: _channelCreate.default,
+  publish: _publish.default,
+  show: _show.default,
+  site: _site.default
+});
 
-var _default = customizedReducers;
 exports.default = _default;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/client/build/reducers/publish.js b/client/build/reducers/publish.js
index a7ee6054..6e665be6 100644
--- a/client/build/reducers/publish.js
+++ b/client/build/reducers/publish.js
@@ -9,113 +9,115 @@ var actions = _interopRequireWildcard(require("../constants/publish_action_types
 
 var _publish_channel_select_states = require("../constants/publish_channel_select_states");
 
+var _siteConfig = _interopRequireDefault(require("@config/siteConfig"));
+
+function _interopRequireDefault(obj) { return obj && obj.__esModule ? obj : { default: obj }; }
+
 function _interopRequireWildcard(obj) { if (obj && obj.__esModule) { return obj; } else { var newObj = {}; if (obj != null) { for (var key in obj) { if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(obj, key)) { var desc = Object.defineProperty && Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor ? Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(obj, key) : {}; if (desc.get || desc.set) { Object.defineProperty(newObj, key, desc); } else { newObj[key] = obj[key]; } } } } newObj.default = obj; return newObj; } }
 
 function _defineProperty(obj, key, value) { if (key in obj) { Object.defineProperty(obj, key, { value: value, enumerable: true, configurable: true, writable: true }); } else { obj[key] = value; } return obj; }
 
-var customizedPublishReducer = function customizedPublishReducer(siteConfig) {
-  // parse inputs
-  var disabledConfig = false;
-  var disabledMessageConfig = 'none';
-  var thumbnailChannel = '';
-  var thumbnailChannelId = '';
+// parse inputs
+var disabledConfig = false;
+var disabledMessageConfig = 'none';
+var thumbnailChannel = '';
+var thumbnailChannelId = '';
 
-  if (siteConfig) {
-    if (siteConfig.publishing) {
-      disabledConfig = siteConfig.publishing.disabled;
-      disabledMessageConfig = siteConfig.publishing.disabledMessage;
-      thumbnailChannel = siteConfig.publishing.thumbnailChannel;
-      thumbnailChannelId = siteConfig.publishing.thumbnailChannelId;
-    }
-  } // create initial state
+if (_siteConfig.default) {
+  if (_siteConfig.default.publishing) {
+    disabledConfig = _siteConfig.default.publishing.disabled;
+    disabledMessageConfig = _siteConfig.default.publishing.disabledMessage;
+    thumbnailChannel = _siteConfig.default.publishing.thumbnailChannel;
+    thumbnailChannelId = _siteConfig.default.publishing.thumbnailChannelId;
+  }
+} // create initial state
 
 
-  var initialState = {
-    disabled: disabledConfig,
-    disabledMessage: disabledMessageConfig,
-    publishInChannel: false,
-    selectedChannel: _publish_channel_select_states.LOGIN,
-    showMetadataInputs: false,
-    status: {
-      status: null,
-      message: null
-    },
-    error: {
-      file: null,
-      url: null,
-      channel: null
-    },
+var initialState = {
+  disabled: disabledConfig,
+  disabledMessage: disabledMessageConfig,
+  publishInChannel: false,
+  selectedChannel: _publish_channel_select_states.LOGIN,
+  showMetadataInputs: false,
+  status: {
+    status: null,
+    message: null
+  },
+  error: {
     file: null,
-    claim: '',
-    metadata: {
-      title: '',
-      description: '',
-      license: '',
-      nsfw: false
-    },
-    thumbnail: null,
-    thumbnailChannel: thumbnailChannel,
-    thumbnailChannelId: thumbnailChannelId
-  };
-  return function () {
-    var state = arguments.length > 0 && arguments[0] !== undefined ? arguments[0] : initialState;
-    var action = arguments.length > 1 ? arguments[1] : undefined;
-
-    switch (action.type) {
-      case actions.FILE_SELECTED:
-        return Object.assign({}, initialState, {
-          // note: clears to initial state
-          file: action.data
-        });
-
-      case actions.FILE_CLEAR:
-        return initialState;
-
-      case actions.METADATA_UPDATE:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          metadata: Object.assign({}, state.metadata, _defineProperty({}, action.data.name, action.data.value))
-        });
-
-      case actions.CLAIM_UPDATE:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          claim: action.data
-        });
-
-      case actions.SET_PUBLISH_IN_CHANNEL:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          publishInChannel: action.channel
-        });
-
-      case actions.PUBLISH_STATUS_UPDATE:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          status: action.data
-        });
-
-      case actions.ERROR_UPDATE:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          error: Object.assign({}, state.error, _defineProperty({}, action.data.name, action.data.value))
-        });
-
-      case actions.SELECTED_CHANNEL_UPDATE:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          selectedChannel: action.data
-        });
-
-      case actions.TOGGLE_METADATA_INPUTS:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          showMetadataInputs: action.data
-        });
-
-      case actions.THUMBNAIL_NEW:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          thumbnail: action.data
-        });
-
-      default:
-        return state;
-    }
-  };
+    url: null,
+    channel: null
+  },
+  file: null,
+  claim: '',
+  metadata: {
+    title: '',
+    description: '',
+    license: '',
+    nsfw: false
+  },
+  thumbnail: null,
+  thumbnailChannel: thumbnailChannel,
+  thumbnailChannelId: thumbnailChannelId
+};
+
+var _default = function _default() {
+  var state = arguments.length > 0 && arguments[0] !== undefined ? arguments[0] : initialState;
+  var action = arguments.length > 1 ? arguments[1] : undefined;
+
+  switch (action.type) {
+    case actions.FILE_SELECTED:
+      return Object.assign({}, initialState, {
+        // note: clears to initial state
+        file: action.data
+      });
+
+    case actions.FILE_CLEAR:
+      return initialState;
+
+    case actions.METADATA_UPDATE:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        metadata: Object.assign({}, state.metadata, _defineProperty({}, action.data.name, action.data.value))
+      });
+
+    case actions.CLAIM_UPDATE:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        claim: action.data
+      });
+
+    case actions.SET_PUBLISH_IN_CHANNEL:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        publishInChannel: action.channel
+      });
+
+    case actions.PUBLISH_STATUS_UPDATE:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        status: action.data
+      });
+
+    case actions.ERROR_UPDATE:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        error: Object.assign({}, state.error, _defineProperty({}, action.data.name, action.data.value))
+      });
+
+    case actions.SELECTED_CHANNEL_UPDATE:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        selectedChannel: action.data
+      });
+
+    case actions.TOGGLE_METADATA_INPUTS:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        showMetadataInputs: action.data
+      });
+
+    case actions.THUMBNAIL_NEW:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        thumbnail: action.data
+      });
+
+    default:
+      return state;
+  }
 };
 
-var _default = customizedPublishReducer;
 exports.default = _default;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/client/build/reducers/site.js b/client/build/reducers/site.js
index ea6c37f1..a11f58bc 100644
--- a/client/build/reducers/site.js
+++ b/client/build/reducers/site.js
@@ -5,50 +5,49 @@ Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", {
 });
 exports.default = void 0;
 
-var customizedSiteReducer = function customizedSiteReducer(siteConfig) {
-  var initialState = {};
+var _siteConfig = _interopRequireDefault(require("@config/siteConfig"));
 
-  if (siteConfig) {
-    var googleAnalyticsId = siteConfig.analytics.googleId,
-        _siteConfig$assetDefa = siteConfig.assetDefaults,
-        defaultThumbnail = _siteConfig$assetDefa.thumbnail,
-        defaultDescription = _siteConfig$assetDefa.description,
-        _siteConfig$details = siteConfig.details,
-        description = _siteConfig$details.description,
-        host = _siteConfig$details.host,
-        title = _siteConfig$details.title,
-        twitter = _siteConfig$details.twitter;
-    initialState = {
-      description: description,
-      googleAnalyticsId: googleAnalyticsId,
-      host: host,
-      title: title,
-      twitter: twitter,
-      defaultDescription: defaultDescription,
-      defaultThumbnail: defaultThumbnail
-    };
-  } else {
-    initialState = {
-      description: 'default description',
-      googleAnalyticsId: 'default google id',
-      host: 'default host',
-      title: 'default title',
-      twitter: 'default twitter',
-      defaultDescription: 'default description',
-      defaultThumbnail: 'default thumbnail'
-    };
-  }
+function _interopRequireDefault(obj) { return obj && obj.__esModule ? obj : { default: obj }; }
 
-  return function () {
-    var state = arguments.length > 0 && arguments[0] !== undefined ? arguments[0] : initialState;
-    var action = arguments.length > 1 ? arguments[1] : undefined;
-
-    switch (action.type) {
-      default:
-        return state;
-    }
-  };
+var initialState = {
+  description: 'default description',
+  googleAnalyticsId: 'default google id',
+  host: 'default host',
+  title: 'default title',
+  twitter: 'default twitter',
+  defaultDescription: 'default description',
+  defaultThumbnail: 'default thumbnail'
+};
+
+if (_siteConfig.default) {
+  var googleAnalyticsId = _siteConfig.default.analytics.googleId,
+      _siteConfig$assetDefa = _siteConfig.default.assetDefaults,
+      defaultThumbnail = _siteConfig$assetDefa.thumbnail,
+      defaultDescription = _siteConfig$assetDefa.description,
+      _siteConfig$details = _siteConfig.default.details,
+      description = _siteConfig$details.description,
+      host = _siteConfig$details.host,
+      title = _siteConfig$details.title,
+      twitter = _siteConfig$details.twitter;
+  initialState = {
+    description: description,
+    googleAnalyticsId: googleAnalyticsId,
+    host: host,
+    title: title,
+    twitter: twitter,
+    defaultDescription: defaultDescription,
+    defaultThumbnail: defaultThumbnail
+  };
+}
+
+var _default = function _default() {
+  var state = arguments.length > 0 && arguments[0] !== undefined ? arguments[0] : initialState;
+  var action = arguments.length > 1 ? arguments[1] : undefined;
+
+  switch (action.type) {
+    default:
+      return state;
+  }
 };
 
-var _default = customizedSiteReducer;
 exports.default = _default;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/client/src/reducers/index.js b/client/src/reducers/index.js
index 794888e1..99b725df 100644
--- a/client/src/reducers/index.js
+++ b/client/src/reducers/index.js
@@ -1,18 +1,15 @@
 import { combineReducers } from 'redux';
+
 import PublishReducer from './publish';
 import ChannelReducer from './channel';
 import ShowReducer from './show';
 import SiteReducer from './site';
 import ChannelCreateReducer from './channelCreate';
 
-const customizedReducers = (siteConfig) => {
-  return combineReducers({
-    channel      : ChannelReducer,
-    channelCreate: ChannelCreateReducer,
-    publish      : PublishReducer(siteConfig),
-    show         : ShowReducer,
-    site         : SiteReducer(siteConfig),
-  })
-};
-
-export default customizedReducers;
+export default combineReducers({
+  channel      : ChannelReducer,
+  channelCreate: ChannelCreateReducer,
+  publish      : PublishReducer,
+  show         : ShowReducer,
+  site         : SiteReducer,
+});
diff --git a/client/src/reducers/publish.js b/client/src/reducers/publish.js
index 6138cbe9..ad64b3f3 100644
--- a/client/src/reducers/publish.js
+++ b/client/src/reducers/publish.js
@@ -1,96 +1,96 @@
 import * as actions from '../constants/publish_action_types';
 import { LOGIN } from '../constants/publish_channel_select_states';
 
-const customizedPublishReducer = (siteConfig) => {
-  // parse inputs
-  let disabledConfig = false;
-  let disabledMessageConfig = 'none';
-  let thumbnailChannel = '';
-  let thumbnailChannelId = '';
-  if (siteConfig) {
-    if (siteConfig.publishing) {
-      disabledConfig = siteConfig.publishing.disabled;
-      disabledMessageConfig = siteConfig.publishing.disabledMessage;
-      thumbnailChannel = siteConfig.publishing.thumbnailChannel;
-      thumbnailChannelId = siteConfig.publishing.thumbnailChannelId;
-    }
+import siteConfig from '@config/siteConfig';
+
+// parse inputs
+let disabledConfig = false;
+let disabledMessageConfig = 'none';
+let thumbnailChannel = '';
+let thumbnailChannelId = '';
+if (siteConfig) {
+  if (siteConfig.publishing) {
+    disabledConfig = siteConfig.publishing.disabled;
+    disabledMessageConfig = siteConfig.publishing.disabledMessage;
+    thumbnailChannel = siteConfig.publishing.thumbnailChannel;
+    thumbnailChannelId = siteConfig.publishing.thumbnailChannelId;
   }
-  // create initial state
-  const initialState = {
-    disabled          : disabledConfig,
-    disabledMessage   : disabledMessageConfig,
-    publishInChannel  : false,
-    selectedChannel   : LOGIN,
-    showMetadataInputs: false,
-    status            : {
-      status : null,
-      message: null,
-    },
-    error: {
-      file   : null,
-      url    : null,
-      channel: null,
-    },
-    file    : null,
-    claim   : '',
-    metadata: {
-      title      : '',
-      description: '',
-      license    : '',
-      nsfw       : false,
-    },
-    thumbnail: null,
-    thumbnailChannel,
-    thumbnailChannelId,
-  };
-  return (state = initialState, action) => {
-    switch (action.type) {
-      case actions.FILE_SELECTED:
-        return Object.assign({}, initialState, {  // note: clears to initial state
-          file: action.data,
-        });
-      case actions.FILE_CLEAR:
-        return initialState;
-      case actions.METADATA_UPDATE:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          metadata: Object.assign({}, state.metadata, {
-            [action.data.name]: action.data.value,
-          }),
-        });
-      case actions.CLAIM_UPDATE:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          claim: action.data,
-        });
-      case actions.SET_PUBLISH_IN_CHANNEL:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          publishInChannel: action.channel,
-        });
-      case actions.PUBLISH_STATUS_UPDATE:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          status: action.data,
-        });
-      case actions.ERROR_UPDATE:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          error: Object.assign({}, state.error, {
-            [action.data.name]: action.data.value,
-          }),
-        });
-      case actions.SELECTED_CHANNEL_UPDATE:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          selectedChannel: action.data,
-        });
-      case actions.TOGGLE_METADATA_INPUTS:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          showMetadataInputs: action.data,
-        });
-      case actions.THUMBNAIL_NEW:
-        return Object.assign({}, state, {
-          thumbnail: action.data,
-        });
-      default:
-        return state;
-    }
-  };
+}
+
+// create initial state
+const initialState = {
+  disabled          : disabledConfig,
+  disabledMessage   : disabledMessageConfig,
+  publishInChannel  : false,
+  selectedChannel   : LOGIN,
+  showMetadataInputs: false,
+  status            : {
+    status : null,
+    message: null,
+  },
+  error: {
+    file   : null,
+    url    : null,
+    channel: null,
+  },
+  file    : null,
+  claim   : '',
+  metadata: {
+    title      : '',
+    description: '',
+    license    : '',
+    nsfw       : false,
+  },
+  thumbnail: null,
+  thumbnailChannel,
+  thumbnailChannelId,
 };
 
-export default customizedPublishReducer;
+export default (state = initialState, action) => {
+  switch (action.type) {
+    case actions.FILE_SELECTED:
+      return Object.assign({}, initialState, {  // note: clears to initial state
+        file: action.data,
+      });
+    case actions.FILE_CLEAR:
+      return initialState;
+    case actions.METADATA_UPDATE:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        metadata: Object.assign({}, state.metadata, {
+          [action.data.name]: action.data.value,
+        }),
+      });
+    case actions.CLAIM_UPDATE:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        claim: action.data,
+      });
+    case actions.SET_PUBLISH_IN_CHANNEL:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        publishInChannel: action.channel,
+      });
+    case actions.PUBLISH_STATUS_UPDATE:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        status: action.data,
+      });
+    case actions.ERROR_UPDATE:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        error: Object.assign({}, state.error, {
+          [action.data.name]: action.data.value,
+        }),
+      });
+    case actions.SELECTED_CHANNEL_UPDATE:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        selectedChannel: action.data,
+      });
+    case actions.TOGGLE_METADATA_INPUTS:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        showMetadataInputs: action.data,
+      });
+    case actions.THUMBNAIL_NEW:
+      return Object.assign({}, state, {
+        thumbnail: action.data,
+      });
+    default:
+      return state;
+  }
+};
diff --git a/client/src/reducers/site.js b/client/src/reducers/site.js
index 5a1b1584..1c3bbbf2 100644
--- a/client/src/reducers/site.js
+++ b/client/src/reducers/site.js
@@ -1,48 +1,46 @@
-const customizedSiteReducer = (siteConfig) => {
-  let initialState = {};
-  if (siteConfig) {
-    const {
-      analytics: {
-        googleId: googleAnalyticsId,
-      },
-      assetDefaults: {
-        thumbnail: defaultThumbnail,
-        description: defaultDescription,
-      },
-      details: {
-        description,
-        host,
-        title,
-        twitter,
-      },
-    } = siteConfig;
+import siteConfig from '@config/siteConfig';
 
-    initialState = {
+let initialState = {
+  description       : 'default description',
+  googleAnalyticsId : 'default google id',
+  host              : 'default host',
+  title             : 'default title',
+  twitter           : 'default twitter',
+  defaultDescription: 'default description',
+  defaultThumbnail  : 'default thumbnail',
+};
+
+if (siteConfig) {
+  const {
+    analytics: {
+      googleId: googleAnalyticsId,
+    },
+    assetDefaults: {
+      thumbnail: defaultThumbnail,
+      description: defaultDescription,
+    },
+    details: {
       description,
-      googleAnalyticsId,
       host,
       title,
       twitter,
-      defaultDescription,
-      defaultThumbnail,
-    };
-  } else {
-    initialState = {
-      description       : 'default description',
-      googleAnalyticsId : 'default google id',
-      host              : 'default host',
-      title             : 'default title',
-      twitter           : 'default twitter',
-      defaultDescription: 'default description',
-      defaultThumbnail  : 'default thumbnail',
-    };
-  }
-  return (state = initialState, action) => {
-    switch (action.type) {
-      default:
-        return state;
-    }
-  };
-};
+    },
+  } = siteConfig;
 
-export default customizedSiteReducer;
+  initialState = {
+    description,
+    googleAnalyticsId,
+    host,
+    title,
+    twitter,
+    defaultDescription,
+    defaultThumbnail,
+  };
+}
+
+export default (state = initialState, action) => {
+  switch (action.type) {
+    default:
+      return state;
+  }
+};
diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 63a1d2b4..7910bbf2 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+// set up aliasing
+const moduleAlias = require('module-alias');
+const createModuleAliases = require('./server/utils/createModuleAliases.js');
+const customAliases = createModuleAliases();
+console.log('custom aliases', customAliases);
+moduleAlias.addAliases(customAliases);
+
 // load modules
 const express = require('express');
 const bodyParser = require('body-parser');
@@ -8,104 +15,119 @@ const cookieSession = require('cookie-session');
 const http = require('http');
 const logger = require('winston');
 const Path = require('path');
-const moduleAlias = require('module-alias');
 
 // load local modules
+const db = require('./server/models');
 const requestLogger = require('./server/middleware/requestLogger.js');
 const createDatabaseIfNotExists = require('./server/models/utils/createDatabaseIfNotExists.js');
 const { getWalletBalance } = require('./server/lbrynet');
-const db = require('./server/models');
 const configureLogging = require('./server/utils/configureLogging.js');
 const configureSlack = require('./server/utils/configureSlack.js');
 const speechPassport = require('./server/speechPassport');
-const createModuleAliases = require('./utils/createModuleAliases.js');
 
-// set up aliasing
-const customAliases = createModuleAliases();
-logger.debug('custom aliases', customAliases);
-moduleAlias.addAliases(customAliases);
-
-// load aliased modules
+// test configs
 const siteConfig = require('@config/siteConfig');
+console.log('siteConfig:', siteConfig);
+const mysqlConfig = require('@config/mysqlConfig');
+console.log('mysqlConfig:', mysqlConfig);
+const slackConfig = require('@config/slackConfig');
+console.log('slackConfig:', slackConfig);
+const loggerConfig = require('@config/loggerConfig');
+console.log('loggerConfig:', loggerConfig);
+
 const PORT = siteConfig.details.port;
 
-const startServer = () => {
-  // configure logging
-  configureLogging();
+function Server () {
+  this.initialize = () => {
+    // configure logging
+    configureLogging();
+    // configure slack logging
+    configureSlack();
+  };
+  this.createApp = () => {
+    /* create app */
+    const app = express();
 
-  // configure slack logging
-  configureSlack();
+    // trust the proxy to get ip address for us
+    app.enable('trust proxy');
 
-  /* create app */
-  const app = express();
+    // set HTTP headers to protect against well-known web vulnerabilties
+    app.use(helmet());
 
-  // trust the proxy to get ip address for us
-  app.enable('trust proxy');
+    // 'express.static' to serve static files from public directory
+    const publicPath = Path.resolve(process.cwd(), 'public');
+    app.use(express.static(publicPath));
+    logger.info(`serving static files from default static path at ${publicPath}.`);
 
-  // set HTTP headers to protect against well-known web vulnerabilties
-  app.use(helmet());
+    // 'body parser' for parsing application/json
+    app.use(bodyParser.json());
 
-  // 'express.static' to serve static files from public directory
-  const publicPath = Path.resolve(process.cwd(), 'public');
-  app.use(express.static(publicPath));
-  logger.info(`serving static files from default static path at ${publicPath}.`);
+    // 'body parser' for parsing application/x-www-form-urlencoded
+    app.use(bodyParser.urlencoded({ extended: true }));
 
-  // 'body parser' for parsing application/json
-  app.use(bodyParser.json());
+    // add custom middleware (note: build out to accept dynamically use what is in server/middleware/
+    app.use(requestLogger);
 
-  // 'body parser' for parsing application/x-www-form-urlencoded
-  app.use(bodyParser.urlencoded({ extended: true }));
+    // initialize passport
+    const sessionKey = siteConfig.auth.sessionKey;
+    app.use(cookieSession({
+      name  : 'session',
+      keys  : [sessionKey],
+    }));
+    app.use(speechPassport.initialize());
+    app.use(speechPassport.session());
 
-  // add custom middleware (note: build out to accept dynamically use what is in server/middleware/
-  app.use(requestLogger);
-
-  // initialize passport
-  const sessionKey = siteConfig.auth.sessionKey;
-  app.use(cookieSession({
-    name  : 'session',
-    keys  : [sessionKey],
-  }));
-  app.use(speechPassport.initialize());
-  app.use(speechPassport.session());
-
-  // configure handlebars & register it with express app
-  const hbs = expressHandlebars.create({
-    defaultLayout: 'embed',
-    handlebars   : Handlebars,
-  });
-  app.engine('handlebars', hbs.engine);
-  app.set('view engine', 'handlebars');
-
-  // set the routes on the app
-  require('./server/routes/auth')(app);
-  require('./server/routes/api')(app);
-  require('./server/routes/pages')(app);
-  require('./server/routes/assets')(app);
-  require('./server/routes/fallback')(app);
-
-  /* create server */
-  const server = http.Server(app);
-
-  /* start the server */
-  createDatabaseIfNotExists()
-    .then(() => {
-      return getWalletBalance();
-    })
-    .then(balance => {
-      logger.info('starting LBC balance:', balance);
-      db.sequelize.sync();
-      server.listen(PORT, () => {
-        logger.info(`Server is listening on PORT ${PORT}`);
-      });
-    })
-    .catch(error => {
-      if (error.code === 'ECONNREFUSED') {
-        return logger.error('Connection refused.  The daemon may not be running.')
-      } else if (error.message) {
-        logger.error(error.message);
-      }
-      logger.error(error);
+    // configure handlebars & register it with express app
+    const hbs = expressHandlebars.create({
+      defaultLayout: 'embed',
+      handlebars   : Handlebars,
     });
-};
+    app.engine('handlebars', hbs.engine);
+    app.set('view engine', 'handlebars');
 
-module.exports = startServer;
+    // set the routes on the app
+    require('./server/routes/auth')(app);
+    require('./server/routes/api')(app);
+    require('./server/routes/pages')(app);
+    require('./server/routes/assets')(app);
+    require('./server/routes/fallback')(app);
+
+    this.app = app;
+  };
+  this.createServer = () => {
+    /* create server */
+    this.server = http.Server(this.app);
+  };
+  this.syncDatabase = () => {
+    return createDatabaseIfNotExists()
+      .then(() => {
+        db.sequelize.sync();
+      })
+  };
+  this.start = () => {
+    this.initialize();
+    this.createApp();
+    this.createServer();
+    /* start the server */
+    Promise.all([
+      this.syncDatabase(),
+      getWalletBalance(),
+    ])
+      .then(([syncResult, walletBalance]) => {
+        logger.info('starting LBC balance:', walletBalance);
+        return this.server.listen(PORT, () => {
+          logger.info(`Server is listening on PORT ${PORT}`);
+        })
+      })
+      .catch(error => {
+        if (error.code === 'ECONNREFUSED') {
+          return logger.error('Connection refused.  The daemon may not be running.')
+        } else if (error.message) {
+          logger.error(error.message);
+        }
+        logger.error(error);
+      });
+  };
+}
+
+module.exports = Server;
diff --git a/server/models/index.js b/server/models/index.js
index 5795f782..e2011bc8 100644
--- a/server/models/index.js
+++ b/server/models/index.js
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+const Sequelize = require('sequelize');
+const logger = require('winston');
+
 const Certificate = require('./certificate.js');
 const Channel = require('./channel.js');
 const Claim = require('./claim.js');
@@ -6,10 +9,10 @@ const Request = require('./request.js');
 const User = require('./user.js');
 const Blocked = require('./blocked.js');
 
-const Sequelize = require('sequelize');
-const logger = require('winston');
-
 const {database, username, password} = require('@config/mysqlConfig');
+if (!database || !username || !password) {
+  logger.warn('missing database, user, or password from mysqlConfig');
+}
 
 // set sequelize options
 const sequelize = new Sequelize(database, username, password, {
diff --git a/server/models/utils/createDatabaseIfNotExists.js b/server/models/utils/createDatabaseIfNotExists.js
index e7ae8faa..7349b492 100644
--- a/server/models/utils/createDatabaseIfNotExists.js
+++ b/server/models/utils/createDatabaseIfNotExists.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 const Sequelize = require('sequelize');
+const {database, username, password} = require('@config/mysqlConfig');
 
 const createDatabaseIfNotExists = () => {
-  const {database, username, password} = require('@config/mysqlConfig');
   const sequelize = new Sequelize('', username, password, {
     dialect         : 'mysql',
     logging         : false,
diff --git a/server/render/build/handlePageRender.js b/server/render/build/handlePageRender.js
index ea51a1c0..0e5dd197 100644
--- a/server/render/build/handlePageRender.js
+++ b/server/render/build/handlePageRender.js
@@ -22,23 +22,17 @@ var _reactHelmet = _interopRequireDefault(require("react-helmet"));
 
 function _interopRequireDefault(obj) { return obj && obj.__esModule ? obj : { default: obj }; }
 
-var siteConfig = require('@config/siteConfig');
-
 module.exports = function (req, res) {
-  var context = {}; // customize the reducer by passing in intial state configs
+  var context = {}; // create a new Redux store instance
 
-  var MyReducers = (0, _reducers.default)(siteConfig);
-  var MyApp = _app.default;
-  var MyGAListener = (0, _GAListener.default)(siteConfig); // create a new Redux store instance
-
-  var store = (0, _redux.createStore)(MyReducers); // render component to a string
+  var store = (0, _redux.createStore)(_reducers.default); // render component to a string
 
   var html = (0, _server.renderToString)(_react.default.createElement(_reactRedux.Provider, {
     store: store
   }, _react.default.createElement(_reactRouterDom.StaticRouter, {
     location: req.url,
     context: context
-  }, _react.default.createElement(MyGAListener, null, _react.default.createElement(MyApp, null))))); // get head tags from helmet
+  }, _react.default.createElement(_GAListener.default, null, _react.default.createElement(_app.default, null))))); // get head tags from helmet
 
   var helmet = _reactHelmet.default.renderStatic(); // check for a redirect
 
diff --git a/server/render/build/handleShowRender.js b/server/render/build/handleShowRender.js
index 57327785..ac1ac7cc 100644
--- a/server/render/build/handleShowRender.js
+++ b/server/render/build/handleShowRender.js
@@ -30,8 +30,6 @@ var _reactHelmet = _interopRequireDefault(require("react-helmet"));
 
 function _interopRequireDefault(obj) { return obj && obj.__esModule ? obj : { default: obj }; }
 
-var siteConfig = require('@config/siteConfig');
-
 var returnSagaWithParams = function returnSagaWithParams(saga, params) {
   return (
     /*#__PURE__*/
@@ -54,16 +52,12 @@ var returnSagaWithParams = function returnSagaWithParams(saga, params) {
 };
 
 module.exports = function (req, res) {
-  var context = {}; // configure the reducers by passing initial state configs
-
-  var MyReducers = (0, _reducers.default)(siteConfig);
-  var MyApp = _app.default;
-  var MyGAListener = (0, _GAListener.default)(siteConfig); // create and apply middleware
+  var context = {}; // create and apply middleware
 
   var sagaMiddleware = (0, _reduxSaga.default)();
   var middleware = (0, _redux.applyMiddleware)(sagaMiddleware); // create a new Redux store instance
 
-  var store = (0, _redux.createStore)(MyReducers, middleware); // create saga
+  var store = (0, _redux.createStore)(_reducers.default, middleware); // create saga
 
   var action = _actions.default.onHandleShowPageUri(req.params);
 
@@ -76,7 +70,7 @@ module.exports = function (req, res) {
     }, _react.default.createElement(_reactRouterDom.StaticRouter, {
       location: req.url,
       context: context
-    }, _react.default.createElement(MyGAListener, null, _react.default.createElement(MyApp, null))))); // get head tags from helmet
+    }, _react.default.createElement(_GAListener.default, null, _react.default.createElement(_app.default, null))))); // get head tags from helmet
 
     var helmet = _reactHelmet.default.renderStatic(); // check for a redirect
 
diff --git a/server/render/src/handlePageRender.jsx b/server/render/src/handlePageRender.jsx
index ec9e7eb7..9f9320d6 100644
--- a/server/render/src/handlePageRender.jsx
+++ b/server/render/src/handlePageRender.jsx
@@ -9,26 +9,19 @@ import App from '@app';
 import renderFullPage from '../renderFullPage.js';
 import Helmet from 'react-helmet';
 
-const siteConfig = require('@config/siteConfig');
-
 module.exports = (req, res) => {
   let context = {};
 
-  // customize the reducer by passing in intial state configs
-  const MyReducers = Reducers(siteConfig);
-  const MyApp = App;
-  const MyGAListener = GAListener(siteConfig);
-
   // create a new Redux store instance
-  const store = createStore(MyReducers);
+  const store = createStore(Reducers);
 
   // render component to a string
   const html = renderToString(
     <Provider store={store}>
       <StaticRouter location={req.url} context={context}>
-        <MyGAListener>
-          <MyApp />
-        </MyGAListener>
+        <GAListener>
+          <App />
+        </GAListener>
       </StaticRouter>
     </Provider>
   );
diff --git a/server/render/src/handleShowRender.jsx b/server/render/src/handleShowRender.jsx
index a1ea0172..5f48afe4 100644
--- a/server/render/src/handleShowRender.jsx
+++ b/server/render/src/handleShowRender.jsx
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@ import Sagas from '@sagas';
 import Actions from '@actions';
 import Helmet from 'react-helmet';
 
-const siteConfig = require('@config/siteConfig');
-
 const returnSagaWithParams = (saga, params) => {
   return function * () {
     yield call(saga, params);
@@ -24,17 +22,12 @@ const returnSagaWithParams = (saga, params) => {
 module.exports = (req, res) => {
   let context = {};
 
-  // configure the reducers by passing initial state configs
-  const MyReducers = Reducers(siteConfig);
-  const MyApp = App;
-  const MyGAListener = GAListener(siteConfig);
-
   // create and apply middleware
   const sagaMiddleware = createSagaMiddleware();
   const middleware = applyMiddleware(sagaMiddleware);
 
   // create a new Redux store instance
-  const store = createStore(MyReducers, middleware);
+  const store = createStore(Reducers, middleware);
 
   // create saga
   const action = Actions.onHandleShowPageUri(req.params);
@@ -49,9 +42,9 @@ module.exports = (req, res) => {
       const html = renderToString(
         <Provider store={store}>
           <StaticRouter location={req.url} context={context}>
-            <MyGAListener>
-              <MyApp />
-            </MyGAListener>
+            <GAListener>
+              <App />
+            </GAListener>
           </StaticRouter>
         </Provider>
       );
diff --git a/server/utils/configureLogging.js b/server/utils/configureLogging.js
index e877d89f..49af20bb 100644
--- a/server/utils/configureLogging.js
+++ b/server/utils/configureLogging.js
@@ -1,17 +1,21 @@
 const logger = require('winston');
 
-const { logLevel } = require('@config/loggerConfig');
+const config = require('@config/loggerConfig');
+const { logLevel } = config;
 
 function configureLogging () {
-  if (!logLevel) {
-    return logger.warn('No logLevel config received.');
-  }
   logger.info('configuring winston logger...');
+  if (!config) {
+    return logger.warn('No logger config found');
+  }
+  if (!logLevel) {
+    logger.warn('No logLevel found in config.');
+  }
   // configure the winston logger
   logger.configure({
     transports: [
       new (logger.transports.Console)({
-        level                          : this.logLevel,
+        level                          : logLevel || 'debug',
         timestamp                      : false,
         colorize                       : true,
         prettyPrint                    : true,
diff --git a/server/utils/configureSlack.js b/server/utils/configureSlack.js
index 88806acc..feef1122 100644
--- a/server/utils/configureSlack.js
+++ b/server/utils/configureSlack.js
@@ -1,19 +1,17 @@
 const winstonSlackWebHook = require('winston-slack-webhook').SlackWebHook;
 const logger = require('winston');
 
-const config = require('@config/loggerConfig');
+const config = require('@config/slackConfig');
+const {slackWebHook, slackErrorChannel, slackInfoChannel} = config;
 
 function configureSlack () {
+  logger.info('configuring slack logger...');
   if (!config) {
     return logger.warn('No slack config found');
   }
-  const {slackWebHook, slackErrorChannel, slackInfoChannel} = config;
-  // update variables
-  logger.info('configuring slack logger...');
-
   // update slack webhook settings
   if (!slackWebHook) {
-    return logger.warn('Slack logging is not enabled because no slackWebHook config var provided.');
+    return logger.info('Slack logging is not enabled because no slackWebHook config var provided.');
   }
   // add a transport for errors to slack
   if (slackErrorChannel) {
@@ -25,6 +23,8 @@ function configureSlack () {
       username  : 'spee.ch',
       iconEmoji : ':face_with_head_bandage:',
     });
+  } else {
+    logger.warn('No slack error channel logging set up');
   }
   // add a transport for info in slack
   if (slackInfoChannel) {
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ function configureSlack () {
       username  : 'spee.ch',
       iconEmoji : ':nerd_face:',
     });
+  } else {
+    logger.warn('No slack info channel logging set up');
   }
   // send test messages
   logger.info('Slack logging is online.');