Talk Local To Me

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather Alto and Mike sit down with Ashley from Sweet Indulgence Bakery to hear the inspiring story behind her business. After leaving an abusive marriage, Ashley turned her passion for baking into a business with a greater purpose. She shares how her grandmother’s legacy continues to influence her work, the creativity behind her custom cakes, and how bak...

In today’s episode of Talk Local to Me, we’re talking about family traditions, growing a business, leadership, and knowing when it’s time to refuel. Ryan and Delilah with Ry’s Pies N’ Cobblers share how Grandma Nellie Bell’s kitchen and their family legacy became the heart of their business. They talk about growing at the right pace, staying true to their roots, and some of their crowd favorites,...

A house fire revealed a gap in Adam’s smoke-alarm setup and helped lead him to start Tech Goat, where he now helps homes and businesses improve security, Wi-Fi and smart-home systems. Adam shares how cameras can miss crucial footage, why separating guest Wi-Fi matters, and how a leak sensor can shut off water before damage spreads. Then Medicare adviser Joe breaks down what to review during open e...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, host Heather Alto recaps the successful Bedford CenterFest and announces upcoming Christmas parades. She also explains the history and mission of the Central Virginia Business Coalition, which supports over 500 local businesses through networking, marketing, and community events. Heather then interviews Courtney from the Healing Home Foundation, a nonprofit sup...

In this episode of Tea Time, Maggie McCanna, owner of Maggie Takes Pix, shares how her love of photography grew from a childhood hobby into a professional portrait photography business focused on empowering women. Maggie shares how she creates a personalized, luxury photography experience for her clients, from initial consultations and wardrobe planning to professional hair and makeup. She also di...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, Heather Alto and Mike Norfield highlight the upcoming Bedford CenterFest on September 19, a free street festival in downtown Bedford from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They share what attendees can expect, including vendors, live music, kids’ activities, food, parking information, and other event-day details. Later, Allison and Dave from Independent Lifestyles join the con...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, Mike Norfield and Heather Alto welcome Meghan Cucci of Insight Bookkeeping and Consulting, who shares expert advice on managing business finances, recognizing when professional bookkeeping help is needed, and preparing for year-end. Later, Bryan Brammer discusses Forest Living Magazine and its targeted advertising opportunities for local businesses. Throughout...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike cover local community news, including the Bedford Center Fest and upcoming CVABC events. They interview Cam from Brothers That Just Do Gutters, who discusses the importance of proper gutter maintenance and his company's honest, specialized approach to home protection. Georgia then shares the inspiring work of Brooke Hill Farms, a Bedford...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather from the Central Virginia Business Coalition and Mike from Visiting Angels Lynchburg share updates on upcoming CVABC events, including a baseball networking night, Coffee Talk, and Bedford CenterFest. They’re joined by Ula and David from the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, who share more about the professional orchestra, its youth programs, and upco...

Jennifer Adamczyk, Director of Sales for the Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites in Lynchburg, shares her career journey from event planning to hospitality sales and explains why building relationships is more important than simply making a sale. In this episode, Jennifer highlights the amenities and services offered by both hotels, including meeting and event spaces, extended-stay suites, and...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike from the Central Virginia Business Coalition discuss upcoming local events, including Coffee Talk meetups, Bedford CenterFest, and Christmas parade applications. They interview Susan and Courtney from La Quinta Inn, Ridgeview Event Center, and Appomattox Inn and Suites, highlighting their accommodations and event spaces. The episode also...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike welcome Billy, owner of Lugo Mobile Services, a mobile mechanic business serving Central Virginia. Billy explains how he provides convenient on-site vehicle repairs and maintenance, from oil changes to brake work, at customers' homes or workplaces. He highlights his competitive pricing, professionalism, and honesty. The hosts also promote...

Mary Purcell of Five Rings Financial shares how a career change led her to a mission of helping middle-income Americans build financial confidence and work toward financial freedom. In this episode, Mary discusses what inspired her to join Five Rings Financial, her passion for financial education, and the impact of her women-focused programs, including Wine, Women, and Wealth and Money 101. She al...

Cindy Burns, founder of Living Forward, shares how losing her husband at the age of 54—and later realizing she hadn't fully processed her grief—inspired her to become a widow coach. In this episode, Cindy discusses the challenges of building her business, the importance of community support, and how the CVABC has helped her grow. She also offers hope to those navigating grief, reminding them that...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike welcome Kelly, owner of Media Mosaic, to discuss social media marketing for small businesses. Kelly shares practical advice on creating engaging content, choosing the right platforms, and balancing authenticity with AI-generated material. The hosts also explore how AI tools can streamline business tasks like email management and phone sys...

Pam and Kelly, co-owners of Kennedy's Miracle Carriage, a faith-based non-emergency medical transportation company in Bedford, Virginia, share how personal experiences caring for aging loved ones inspired them to launch their business and fill a critical transportation need in the community. In this episode, they discuss the challenges of navigating certifications and regulations, the rewards of h...

Joel Battige of Six33 Mortgage, a mortgage brokerage serving Central Virginia, shares his 21-year journey in the lending industry, his move from Florida to Central Virginia, and the challenges of building trust with local real estate professionals as a newcomer. In this episode, Joel debunks the common myth that homebuyers need a 20% down payment and explains why clear communication is the foundat...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Mike and Heather discuss upcoming Central Virginia Business Coalition events, including ribbon cuttings, a Back to School Bash, and Bedford Centerfest. Guest Mike from Strategic Doers Group shares insights on Integrated Leadership, emphasizing the importance of clarifying business purpose, balancing personal and professional life, and building scalable sy...

Ron Ferrin, founder of Shop Click Give, shares how his passion for supporting teachers inspired him to create an innovative e-commerce platform that gives back to local communities. Through Shop Click Give, businesses can set up free merchant accounts and donate 5–10% of each sale to a classroom, school, or nonprofit chosen by the buyer. In this episode, Ron discusses the challenges of overcoming...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, host Heather Alto of the Central Virginia Business Coalition shares upcoming events, including a Christmas in July membership drive, Bedford Centerfest, and the first annual Community Champions Back to School Bash. She then welcomes Amy and Kevin, co-owners of Love and Umami, a new Asian-inspired food business. The couple shares how their passion for bold flavo...

In this special episode of Talk Local to Me, co-hosts Heather and Mike turn the microphone on themselves. Mike shares his journey building Visiting Angels of Lynchburg, a senior home care service, discussing caregiving challenges, community involvement, and his passion for karaoke. Heather highlights her work championing small businesses through the Central Virginia Business Coalition (CVABC), emp...

Heather Alto of the Central Virginia Business Coalition (CVABC) shares the organization's history, dating back to 1906, and its evolution into a thriving business coalition serving Central Virginia. She discusses her passion for empowering local businesses, the challenges of raising awareness, and the impact of signature events like the Lynchburg and Bedford Christmas Parades, the Empower Women's...

Matt Litchford of Brown's Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical shares the story behind the company's growth over the past 20 years. He discusses how founder Brandon Brown built the business from the ground up with a small loan, as well as his own 25-year career in the electrical trade and what led him to join the Brown's team. Matt also talks about the expansion of the company's services to inc...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike welcome several local business owners who are making a positive impact throughout the Bedford community. First, Kelly and Pam from Kennedy's Miracle Carriage discuss their non-emergency medical transportation service, which serves a 100-mile radius with certified drivers and wheelchair-accessible vehicles. They also share their vision for...