Start Here

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 sustainability, DandyLion Designs is taking luxury to the next...

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 reached success, this is the podcast for you. We...

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 of fundraising, the importance of your team, and th...

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 journalism alive and well for nearly 30 years. Hosted o...

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 industry. A great listen if you’re thinking of starting...

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 geographies, all while navigating volatile market dynamics....

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's the kicker—aside from running these ventures, s...

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 lasting impact on the BIPOC community for generations...

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 the Burger Barn, Boyden beef will not disappoint. By...

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 ride. In this episode, Carina shares her story of ho...

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/privacy for more information.

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 a listen, you won’t regret it. Hosted on Acast. S...

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 thriving and about to launch a new Sweater Weather cider...

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 local institutions and clients throughout the United...

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 as we get a behind-the-scenes look at the year-ro...

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 moving swiftly and outlines an ambitious vision for...

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 more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.