Start Here
Business & Finance
About
Featuring Vermont’s most influential business leaders, Start Here bridges the gap between entertainment and inspiration by presenting the unfiltered stories of today’s top innovators. Everybody starts somewhere - why not Start Here? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Michele Asch / Twincraft Skincare
Michele Asch is the kind of leader who builds things… and then helps others do the same. As Chief People Officer at Twincraft Skincare, she's part of the team making Vermont a legitimate hub for skincare innovation, manufacturing premium p…
- Kevin LeSage / SearchLight
If there’s an entrepreneur to watch right now, it’s Kevin LeSage. He’s the founder of SearchLight, an analytics platform bringing a clear, unbiased view to return on ad spend and showing contractors which leads actually turn into booked jo…
- Jason Levinthal / J Skis
Jason “J” Levinthal started making skis in his parents' garage at the age of 24. After founding a company, seeing it acquired, and realizing he wasn’t built to sit still, he launched J Skis, a direct-to-skier brand creating hand-crafted, l…
- Jason Wilbur / WILBUR
Jason Wilbur is the founder of Wilbur, a luxury watch company. He joins the show to talk about what it really takes to break from the expected and build something entirely your own. After leading advanced design at Honda, Jason walked away…
- Julie Jatlow / Fuse
Julie Jatlow is truly a queen. She is one of the owners of Fuse, a teen and young adult marketing agency helping brands reach the younger generation. Julie explains everything from working with the world’s biggest brands to strategies cent…
- Chelsea Bardot Lewis / VBSR
Chelsea Bardot Lewis, Executive Director of VBSR, discusses the organization's focus on in-person connection, advocacy for housing, healthcare, workforce, and climate resilience, aiming to build a stronger business ecosystem in Vermont.
- David Aronoff / MCJ
David Aronoff, managing partner at climate tech venture fund MCJ, shares his extensive experience in venture capital and details MCJ's unconventional model focused on community support without board seats or led rounds.
- Sam Holland / Informal
Sam Holland, co-founder of Informal, shares his experiences as a hardware builder known for making the field accessible. He has built diverse devices and hosts creative, humorous meetups, making the episode a resource for those interested…
- Phil Beauregard / Impellent Ventures
Phil Beauregard, with experience in startups, exits, and investing, manages Impellent Ventures. The firm focuses on identifying potential unicorns in emerging regions and from unexpected founders.
- Adam Farmer / The Farmer Companies
Adam Farmer, CEO of The Farmer Companies, discusses scaling strategies and smart partnerships within the food industry, highlighting the journey of brands like Cabot Mac & Cheese.
- Tom Messner
This episode of Start Here features Tom Messner, known for his presence in Vermont through NBC5, the Lake Monsters, and VT Startup News. The discussion covers his passion for the local entrepreneurial landscape, his commitment to investing…
- Andrew Savage / Lime
What is the micromobility revolution? It’s the movement of trading gas pedals for handlebars to make urban transport easy and more affordable. In this episode of Start Here, we sat down with Andrew Savage, founding team member and VP of Su…
- Rylan Blowers
Rylan Blowers founded Park Software from the most fitting place possible—an RV. The idea sparked when he and his co-founder John, struggled to book a spot for the night, experiencing the pain points of campground reservations firsthand. Th…
- Sam Roach-Gerber
After nine years of co-hosting this podcast, Sam Roach-Gerber is on the other side of the mic. She’s a baller on all fronts. Known for wearing many hats, Sam started the Female Founders Speakers Series, THIS PODCAST, and advised hundreds o…
- Jane and Dave / Cannatrol
Jane and Dave Sandelman have a crazy story. After living the corporate life, they opened an inn in southern Vermont that was one of the Top 10 Culinary Inns in America, pioneering farm-to-table dining. Now, they run Cannatrol, a drying and…
- Rob Conboy / Glavel
Rob Conboy, CEO of Glavel, shares his journey from working at Burton to founding a company that transforms recycled glass into sustainable insulation. He reflects on how Vermont’s emphasis on sustainability and innovation inspired him to b…
- Sophie Rabe / Olive and Milo
In this episode, Sophie Rabe, founder of Olive and Milo Social, shares her path from growing up in Vermont’s Mad River Valley to building a career in digital marketing. After studying communications at Champlain College, Sophie worked in e…
- Jay Bellows / KORE Power
Jay Bellows, president of KORE Power, discusses his journey from Johnson State to telecom services in Boston to battery storage solutions in Vermont. First, he reflects on how his passion for Vermont’s outdoors and frustration with city li…
- Jeff Beer / Select Design
Jeff’s journey began by printing T-shirts, and now, his company works with household brands like Dunkin’, Saucony, and Pepsico. Jeff is the co-founder of Select Design, a creative agency that conquers brand chaos. At just 22, he and his co…
- Erin Fagnant / KSV Agency
In this episode, we sit down with Erin Fagnant, a powerhouse in marketing and leadership. From her days working with the Red Sox to becoming a partner at KSV, Erin’s journey is packed with insight. She shares the unfiltered truth about wha…
- Senator Patrick Leahy
You know Patrick Leahy for his 48-year run in the U.S. Senate, but there is so much more to love about Vermont’s most influential and beloved leader. He’s a changemaker, bridge builder, family man, and bipartisan hero, but it all began wit…
- Alejandro Bergad / Sunsoil
One thing most businesses don’t think to do is intentionally lower their price. For Alejandro Bergad of Sunsoil, it was a no-brainer. Join us for this month's episode of Start Here, where Alejandro discusses the CBD industry, his experienc…
- Matt Dunne / CORI
Matt Dunne, the king of rural innovation, joins the podcast to inspire us all. His deep roots in Vermont are intertwined with the community that shaped him. From being elected to the legislature at 22, to convincing Google to open an offic…
- Ashley Farland / DandyLion Designs
Who knew being a chef in New York City would inspire Ashley to start a luxury home goods business! Founder of DandyLion Designs, Ashley Farland, joins us to share her exciting journey into the realm of luxury goods, but with a unique twist…
- Brophy Tyree / Wasted*
Join Brophy Tyree, co-founder of Wasted*, on a journey through the “wild world of circular sanitation.” The Vermont startup is using the power of storytelling to sell its product that’s based on a taboo subject: human waste. Whether you ar…
- Grayson Zulauf / Resonant Link
We sat down with Dr. Grayson Zulauf, CEO of Resonant Link, creators of the world’s smallest and fastest wireless chargers. This episode is a candid conversation about what it takes to start and scale a company that crosses multiple industr…
- Paula Routly / Seven Days
This week we sat down with Paula Routly, co-founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of the legendary Seven Days. This ex-ballerina, Middlebury College alumna, and beloved Vermonter has done it all. Tune in for Paula’s compelling career adv…
- Diane & Colin / Rigorous
What’s the result of a veggie farmer and an engineer falling in love? A robotics company in Williston, Vermont. Diane and Colin co-founded Rigorous in 2020 in an old warehouse. What makes Rigorous special is their ability to make robotics…
- Sara Byers / Leonardo's Pizza
Introducing Sara Byers, President of Leonardo’s Pizza and beloved advocate for businesses across Vermont. In this episode, witness the incredible power of pizza in uniting a community for over three decades. In her own words, Sara thrives…
- Shaneall Ferron / Windsor Homecare
Meet Shaneall Ferron, a serial entrepreneur from Jamaica who made her mark in Vermont just three years ago. Impressive isn't the word—she's not only established one, not two, but three flourishing businesses from homecare, to travel, to fo…
- Tino & Weiwei / VT PoC
The BIPOC community is the fastest-growing demographic in the state, with a 112% increase over the last decade. Tino and Weiwei are actively working to build generational wealth for BIPOC-identifying individuals, but their approach is not…
- Mark Boyden / Boyden Farm
From cow to consumer, Boyden Farm does it all. Farmer/CEO, Mark Boyden, takes us through his entrepreneurial approach running the fifth-generation farm. Boyden Farm does everything from feeding their cattle with Boyden crops to selling the…
- Carina Hamel / Bivo
After many years of ski racing and cycling, Carina Hamel and her husband and co-founder, Robby Ringer, were done drinking from moldy, plastic water bottles. They set out to revolutionize the water bottle, and Bivo was born. An innovative m…
- Ellen Kahler / Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
From directing the Peace and Justice Center to directing VSJF, Ellen Kahler has been a leader in advocating for human well-being to be at the center of Vermont's economic model. Hear about how she is breaking boundaries and supporting Verm…
- Abby Portman / Poppy Cafe
Poppy Cafe is not your ordinary sandwich shop. What started as a COVID-era pop-up on Abby Portman’s front porch in the Old North End, has taken Burlington by storm. Poppy pushes the boundary of what a sandwich can be, creating combos that…
- David Dolginow / Shacksbury Cider
From Vermont roots to cider success! Meet David, the dad of three and co-founder of Shacksbury Cider. After graduating from Middlebury in 2009, David teamed up with Colin Davis to create the Vergennes-based cidery that makes dry, easy-to-d…
- Katie Babic / Katie Babic Designs
Katie Babic, a self-taught artist from Berry, VT, transitioned from being a school counselor to a tree ring artist in 2020. After creating hand-carved gifts for local students, Babic rediscovered her passion for art and repurposed her dini…
- Lindsay DesLauriers / Bolton Valley
In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay DesLauriers, president of Bolton Valley, a multigenerational ski community in Richmond, Vermont. Lindsay shares her personal connection to the resort and her father's original vision of crafting a…
- Christian Cobaugh / Vernal Biosciences
In this episode, we are joined by Christian Cobaugh, the founder and CEO of Vernal Biosciences, a groundbreaking mRNA production company located in Colchester. With Vernal recently securing an impressive $20 million capital raise, Cobaugh…
- Matt Murray / Widewail
From an Xbox handle to a cutting-edge trust-marketing platform, the word “Widewail” has played a pivotal role in shaping Matt Murray's journey. Hear Matt's inspiring story as he shares how his visionary company is revolutionizing the lands…
- Jasmine & Ryan Farrell / Zestbloom
Today we sit down with Jasmine and Ryan Farrell, the Morrisville-based husband/wife team behind Zestbloom, one of Vermont’s most exciting Web3 startups. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jed Kalkstein / GPMS International
Today we sit down with Jed Kalkstein, President and CFO of VCET portfolio company GPMS International whose hardware and software keeps high value aircraft and industrial engines operating safely and reliably. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com…
- Mike Farber / LaunchSquad
There is a special breed of part time Vermonters that give first, paying it forward to make our state a better place. One of those people is entrepreneur and lifelong storyteller Mike Farber. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…
- Tyler Sullivan / Bomb Tech Golf
Today we sit down with Tyler “Sully” Sullivan, an athlete turned entrepreneur that is single handedly changing the golf industry...one club at a time. https://www.sullytyler.com/ https://www.ecomgrowers.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/…
- Alex Daley / GBI
Today we sit down with Alex Daley, serial entrepreneur, investor, fintech enthusiast, and self-proclaimed nerd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Dave Bradbury / VCET
It’s what you’ve all been waiting for. Today, Sam interviews surfer, snowboarder, self-proclaimed recovering entrepreneur, VCET President, and Start Here co-host Dave Bradbury. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Dani Giandomenico / IXIS
Today we sit down with Dani Giandomenico, founder of IXIS, a rapidly scaling company dedicated to helping clients revolutionize their relationships with their data. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Natalie Miller / Vermont Comedy Club
Today we sit down with Natalie Miller, voice talent, actress, singer, comedian, and co-owner of Vermont Comedy Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Hannah Wood / Talent Skatepark
Today we sit down with Vermont legend Hannah Wood, founder of the beloved Talent Skatepark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jon Tota / Syntax + Motion
Today is a special day. We get to put serial entrepreneur and fellow podcaster Jon Tota in the hot seat to talk eLearning, SaaS, and so much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.