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.
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VCET Podcasts
Today, we sit down with our friend Sam Holland, co-founder of Informal. Sam is a hardware builder at his core, but has a rare talent for making it feel inviting to all. He’s built everything from brain scanners to burrito holders, and brings that same creativity to the meetups he hosts. He also brings a healthy dose of humor to every conversation. …
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With a background that spans startups, exits, and investing, Phil Beauregard brings raw energy, humility, and a deep belief that world-changing ideas can come from anywhere. He’s an Ivy League grad, ex-investment banker, and serial entrepreneur. Now, managing partner at Impellent Ventures, Phil and his team focus on uncovering the next unicorns in …
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Adam Farmer is the CEO of The Farmer Companies. Also known as the team behind Cabot Mac & Cheese, Nathan’s Beef Sticks, and Guinness Pretzel Pieces. He joins Start Here to talk about scaling in the food space, striking smart partnerships, and what it really takes to get snacks on shelves everywhere. If CPG is your thing, you gotta tune in. Hosted o…
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You probably know him well. Whether from NBC5, the Lake Monsters field, or VT Startup News, Tom Messner is (smiling) everywhere. In this episode of Start Here, we explore his passion for Vermont’s entrepreneurial scene, his commitment to investing locally, and even unravel the mystery of weather balloons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for …
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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 Sustainability at Lime, the world’s largest shared electric vehicle company and the force behind the e-scooters a…
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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. The result: a campground management software made simple. Rylan's story is not one to miss. In this episode, we c…
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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 of entrepreneurs over the years. How did she get from a bottle redemption girl to one of VT’s best startup advis…
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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 curing system for cannabis. It all started at a cheese conference when Dave discovered that the physics of agi…
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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 bring foam glass technology from Europe to the U.S. Rob explains how Glavel’s products reduce embodied carbon in…
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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 event marketing before freelancing led her to start her own agency. Sophie explains how Olive and Milo Social gr…
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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 life drew him back to the state. Jay then explains the importance of energy storage for grid reliability, especia…
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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-founder Kevin were hustling to sell apparel, relying on every connection they could make. His story is about h…
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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 what it takes to run and sustain a thriving agency through both the highs and the lows. Erin’s story of resilience…
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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 with a boyhood in Montpelier. Join us for this extra special episode and learn about how the Senator was able to c…
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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 experiences with the compound, and his combination of hard work and luck that led to Sunsoil. With a commitment to affor…
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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 office in White River Junction, to founding the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), Matt's ability to build community…
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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 – her creations are crafted from deadstock materials. With a commitment to premium materials and sustainabilit…
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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 are trying to run a company that is not the most aesthetically pleasing, or simply curious about how this company…
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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 industries, revolutionizing how some of the world’s most important technologies power up. Grayson covers the reality o…
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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 advice for young writers, thoughts on succession planning, and invaluable insights on how she has kept local journ…
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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 simple. So sit back, relax, and learn about how this young company is changing the industrial automation indust…
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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 on the challenge of 'connecting the dots,' be it deciphering new consumer trends or scaling into new geographie…
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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 food industries. Join us on this episode of Start Here to uncover Shaneall's secrets to managing it all. And here…
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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 financial—it's social. They are opening doors, sharing resources, and nurturing a network that will leave a las…
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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 their grass-fed beef at local stores and restaurants. Whether you want to grill at home or enjoy a night out at th…
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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 metal cycling bottle with a high-flow nozzle, Bivo makes it efficient, easy, and fun to stay hydrated on your ri…
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Ellen Kahler / Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
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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 Vermont employees/employers. Not to mention, this episode is PACKED with resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/…
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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 you’ve definitely never had before, but will definitely blow your mind. Grab yourself a Poppy sammy and give it…
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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-drink beverages. Their journey started with a handshake over beers and now, 10 years later, Shacksbury is thrivi…
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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 dining room into a personal office. Now, Katie Babic Designs sells one-of-a-kind Vermont prints to a variety of loc…
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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 working-class ski area. She also discusses her own mission of revitalization since taking over in 2018. Join us…
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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 shares the company's remarkable achievements and their unique features. Cobaugh delves into the importance of m…
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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 landscape of customer reviews, creating a new era of impactful feedback. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for …
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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.
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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/privacy for more information.
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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 information.
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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/privacy for more information.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Today, we sit down with Thomas Dickerson, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Geopipe, a company that creates immersive digital twins and rich 3D data about real cities, right here in Vermont. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Today we sit down with co-founder of employee owned Chroma Technology in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Chroma is a leading manufacturer of specialized optical filters, coatings, and mirrors, and leading firms in life sciences, agriculture, security, and aerospace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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Today we sit down with Nora Ganley-Roper, co-founder of Lost Lantern Whiskey, who turned a dream road trip into a truly unique and forward thinking business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Today we sit down with Vermonter, Paul Ralston, who after the sale of his beloved Vermont Coffee Company is by no means ready to wrap up his tenure as an entrepreneur. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Today we sit down with Jeff Frolik, Co-Founder of Packetized Energy, a company making electricity flexible so distributed energy can be clean, affordable, and easy to use. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Today we sit down with Peggy Farabaugh, founder of Vermont Woods Studios, a hand-crafted wood furniture company passionate about preserving wildlife habitat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Today, we sit down with Eric Sorkin, Co-owner and CEO of Runamok Maple, the company that has taken Vermont’s most beloved export in limitless new directions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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