BusinessTalk

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Amy Royal, a principal with The Royal Law Firm and an employment law specialist. The two discuss the pandemic, vaccines, what employers can mandate, and what they can’t. They also discuss changes in employment law and new measures that take effect in 2021, and what employers should know as they turn the calendar. They also dive into in the matter...

On the next installment of BusinessTalk,  BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Bob Nakosteen, a professor of Economics at the UMass Isenberg School of Management. The two discuss the economy, the outlook for 2021, and the factors that will determine the shape of the recovery that most are predicting. The two also discuss the matter of pent-up demand for products and services as...

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talks with Sheila Coon, co-owner, with her husband, Dan, of Hot Oven Cookies, one of the more intriguing stories of entrepreneurship playing out in the region.  The two discuss how, in the middle of a pandemic, the company has greatly expanded its footprint and has even more ambitious plans for the future. They also talk about the constant challenges confron...

George O’Brien talks with Paul Scully, president and CEO of Country Bank. The two have a lively discussion about everything from the bank’s sponsorship of the Worcester Red Sox and what it means for both institutions, to the outlook for 2021 for small businesses in this region, to how banks, and specifically Country Bank, are coping with the many pandemic-related challenges they are now facing. It...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Nick Morin, founder  and president of Iron Duke Brewing about the intriguing turn of events  involving his brewery and landlord Westmass Development Corp. A year or  so ago, this company was brewing Eviction Notice IPA and seemingly bound  for Wilbraham. Now, it’s staying in Ludlow Mills and has plans for  expansion. Hear...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Nancy Creed,  president of the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. The two  discuss the pandemic, the recent surge in cases, its impact on the local  business community, and what might come next. They also discuss the  lingering impact of the pandemic  on area chambers of commerce as well  as the growing notion...

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talks with Eugene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition. The two discuss the pandemic and its impact not only on the Big E, but the region’s large and very important tourism and hospitality sector. They also discuss ways businesses like the Big E have pivoted and created new revenue streams, such as the Big E’s hugely successful Golden Ticke...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Tony Cignoli,  president of the A.L. Cignoli Company, a political consulting firm. The  two discuss what happened at the national election earlier this month —  and what didn’t happen. They also discuss what the country, and  specifically the business community, might expect from a Biden  administration and how the presid...

BusinessWest  Editor George O’Brien talks with Peter Rosskothen,  owner of the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House and other  hospitality-related businesses. The two discuss the state of the local  events industry, the new restrictions imposed by the state, and how this  vital sector of the economy is pivoting and looking for new and viable  sources of revenue in th...

George talks with Tom Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank. The two  discuss the state of the local economy, how the pandemic is impacting  the business community specific sectors of the economy, the short and  long-term impacts of state and federal stimulus initiatives, and what  lies ahead in 2021. They also discuss the impact of the pandemic and  falling interest r...

BusinessWest  Editor  George O’Brien talks with Nate Costa, president of the Springfield  Thunderbirds. The two discuss the fate of the upcoming season and the  factors that will determine if, when, and under what circumstances games  might again be played. They also discuss the importance of the team to  the ongoing efforts to revitalize Springfield, and how the Thun...

On the next installment of BusinessTalk,  BusinessWest  Editor  George O’Brien talks with Meredith Wise, president of the Employers  Association of the Northeast about the many issues and challenges facing  employers — and their employees — in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The two discuss everything from how businesses can bring their  employees back to the...

George O’Brien talks with Pam Victor, founder of Happier Valley Comedy,  about her unique business, which focuses on improvisation and resilience  training to help with professional development, how she’s had to pivot  during the pandemic …. and also about how to stay positive, as difficult  as that is, during these difficult times for all those in business.  It’s must lis...

Speaker Sisterhood is a growth-stage start-up providing a community to women who want to discover, awaken, and create their voice through the art of public speaking. Angela discusses the pandemic’s impact on her business-model, how she is capitalizing on opportunities brought about by COVID-19, and offers tips about participating in successful on-line communications.

In this episode of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talks with Sandra Doran, president of Bay Path University. In a wide-ranging interview, the two discuss everything from COVID and its impact on campus life, to the many challenges already facing higher education before the pandemic, to the many ways in which COVID may ultimately change the higher education ‘experience.’

Thom Fox interviews Waleska Lugo-DeJesus. Waleska Lugo-DeJesus is the  CEO of Inclusive Strategies, LLC and during COVID-19 she has been  putting her 18-years of diversity consulting to good use as many  companies tackle workplace inequities. Waleska shares why diversity and  inclusion is growing in importance, and how organizations are evolving  to include more voices in...

George O’Brien talks with James Leahy, Holyoke City Councilor, official with the Massachusetts State Lottery, and one of five finalists for the magazine’s coveted Alumni Achievement Award. The two discuss his 20-year track record of service to the community as well as recent developments in Holyoke, from the emergence of a cannabis sector in this historic mill town to efforts to bring new business...

Thom Fox Interviews Amy Allen, Partner at BlumShapiro about how Human Resources Departments are evolving into a profit-centers.  Amy also shares how businesses are navigating challenges brought about by teleworking and managing a decentralized workforce.

George interviews Carla Cosenzi, President of TommyCar Auto Group. This desire to serve the community, and to do things right all the time, is an operating mindset that has earned Cosenzi not only her 40 Under Forty plaque (class of 2012), but another BusinessWest honor as well, the Difference Makers award in 2019. Now she is one of BusinessWest’s five finalists for the Alumni Achievement Award!

George interviews Peter DePergola, Director of Clinical Ethics at Baystate Health and one of BusinessWest’s 2020 Alumni Achievement Award finalists. When he joined the other members of the 40 Under Forty class of 2015, he was a staff ethicist at Baystate and the only person to hold that title in Western Mass. Now a professor of Bioethics and Medical Humanities at Elms College, he’s still the only...

Thom Fox interviews Samalid Hogan, Regional Director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC).  The MSBDC provides free and confidential one-to-one business advice.  COVID-19 has created a tremendous amount of challenge throughout the business community, and the MSBDC have been on the forefront of lending support. Along with helping business owners navigate the Payc...

George interviews Mike Fenton, Shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz, and Fentin, and one of BusinessWest’s Alumni Achievement Award finalists. Fenton is now a multiple-year finalist for the Alumni Achievement Award, previously known as the Continued Excellence Award. He hopes that 2020 will be the year he’ll break through, but he admits to having other things on his mind right now.

Thom Fox interviews Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, Executive Director of EforAll in Holyoke.  EforAll [Entrepreneurship for All] accelerates economic and social impact in communities through inclusive entrepreneurship. Tessa discusses the organization’s Business Accelerator program, Pitch Contests, and how EforAll is supporting local entrepreneurs through the COVID-19 pandemic.

George interviews Paul Kozub, founder of V-One Vodka and one of the five finalists of the BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty Alumni Achievement Award.  Launched in 2015, and known then as the Continued Excellence honor, BusinessWest’s Alumni Achievement Award recognizes a previous 40 Under Forty honoree who has continued to build on his or resume as a rising star in this region and leader both in...

Thom Interview Bill Cole, President of Living Local.  Living Local is a grassroots movement in Western Mass that promotes and educates on how and why we need to Eat, Shop and Live Local. Bill and Thom discuss the organization’s economic development efforts, including its partnership with BusinessWest.