SBDC Presents: Studio Conversations

In this episode, Jon Escueta, owner of City Cuts Barbershop, shares how a simple vision in Kutztown, Pennsylvania grew into a movement that blends business and community impact. Jon discusses the challenges of building a family-focused barbershop, the importance of mentorship and systems, and the pride behind initiatives like Books by Kids. He also reveals City Cuts’ newest venture — a facial mois...

In this episode of Let’s Get Busy, Carly chats with Diego Muñoz, the heart and soul behind Casa De Empanadas, a vibrant family-owned eatery in Kutztown. Diego shares how his passion for food and community has created a special bond with Kutztown locals and students alike, making Casa De Empanadas more than just a restaurant—it’s a home away from home. Join us as we talk about: The unique connectio...

In Episode 31 of Let’s Get Busy, we’re diving into the delicious world of small business with Christine, the owner of The Bagel Bar Cafe, a beloved spot in downtown Kutztown. Christine shares her insights on what it takes to run a successful small business, the value of fostering community, and how great ideas can drive growth and connection. Plus, we get the inside scoop on the biggest giveaway i...

In this episode of Let's Get Busy , we sit down with the founders of Firefly Bookstore to uncover the heart and hustle behind their thriving community-centered business. They share the inspiration that sparked their journey, the early challenges they overcame, and how they’ve adapted to a constantly evolving marketplace. Tune in to hear about: The passion that inspired Firefly Bookstore's launch K...

In this part 2 episode of "Let's Get Busy," we are joined again by our bilingual business consultant, Lorena Bravo, to dive into the three P's of small business: passion, process, and people. We will continue to get to know Lorena on a personal level as she shares stories about her cats and how she balances the demands of running a small business with her personal life.

In our latest Let’s Get Busy episode, we’re joined by our very own inspiring Bilingual Business Consultant at Kutztown University SBDC, Lorena Bravo! In the first part of this two-part series, Lorena shares her journey from a successful small business owner to helping entrepreneurs across Berks County and beyond. Tune in as she discusses key challenges small businesses face, strategies for growth,...

On this special episode of the SBDC's Let's Get Busy Podcast right on down on Main Street, as we get to know Steve & Taylor the new owners of Betty's! Join Tucker as Steve and Taylor talk about accomplishing the dream, but the challenges to with acquiring the dream, and With new and old menu items everyone is sure to love! So join us on this snack of an episode of the Let's Get Busy Podcast wi...

Join Tucker getting the scoop in this episode of the Let's Get Busy podcast with guest Dennis Udicious Small business owner operator at two of Rita's Italian Ice Franchise in PA in Hamburg and Kutztown with his wife Michelle Udicious. Listen as Tucker and Dennis talk about working in a small business in the name of a big franchise, helping the communities here in PA, & about all the flavors th...

Join Tucker on this episode of the Let's Get Busy podcast with his old boss Heather Zimmerman, the Festival Director of the Kutztown Folk Festival! Heather and Tucker will talk about the Folk Festival and its traditions dating all the way back to the summer of 1950! They will also discuss the traditional events that include Food, Craftsmanship, and Quilting! So join Tucker and Heather about the ev...

Join Tucker on this episode of the Let's Get Busy podcast with his old boss Heather Zimmerman, the Festival Director of the Kutztown Folk Festival! Heather and Tucker will talk about the Folk Festival and its traditions dating all the way back to the summer of 1950! They will also discuss the traditional events that include Food, Craftsmanship, and Quilting! So join Tucker and Heather about the ev...

Join Tucker on this episode of the Let's Get Busy Podcast with Special Guest Carolyn Kerkowski head of Branding here at SBDC! Today Tucker will talk to Carolyn about not only what branding helps with small businesses but also PA Desk as a whole! She'll also tell us about her hobbies, creative ideas, and her future plans within business world. So join us today for another episode of the Let's Get b...

Join Tucker for this episode of Let's Get Busy where he get to know A.D. Moyer's Vice President, Alex Moyer and Steve Reinert, Operation's Manager. They talk about Grand Openings, Community involvement, and coming up to the 85 year of the company. So chop it up Tucker as he learns more about A.D. Moyer and their future involvement within the Kutztown community on this episode of the Let's Get busy...

Join Tucker and Aidan today on this episode of the Let's Get Busy podcast with guest Trisha the General Manager of Paisley & Company. Take a break, relax and get ready to smell what Paisley & Company are making! Listen while Trisha talks about the beginning of the business, where she began, and what Paisley and Company offer to their clients and shoppers! From making and recreating fragran...

Join Tucker and Aidan today on this episode of the Let's Get Busy podcast with guest Trisha the General Manager of Paisley & Company. Take a break, relax and get ready to smell what Paisley & Company are making! Listen while Trisha talks about the beginning of the business, where she began, and what Paisley and Company offer to their clients and shoppers! From making and recreating fragran...

Join Tucker and Joe for this episode of the Let's Get Busy podcast from SBDC with special guest Kerrie Gardi, Director of the Career Development Center at Kutztown University. Kerrie goes into what the Career Center provides for students future in their area of field, while also helping past Alumni! She explains the best ways of finding and applying for jobs, plus preparing for Job interviews them...

Join Tucker and Joe today down on Main Street at The Cottage Bakery here in Kutztown! We'll hear Joe and Tucker ask Owner Dawn Medina about what made her want to start her business, her favorite foods on the menu, and supporting local and small businesses! Sit down, have a sweet snack, and let's get busy talking to Dawn about The Cottage Bakery...

Join Aidan, Joe, and Tucker for their part 2 discussion about the future of A.I. and where they can go. In this episode they'll continue the conversation, with seriousness of the possibly futures, but with comedy mixed into the conversation as well.

Join Joe, Tucker, and Aidan today on this part 1 of 2 of the Let's Get Busy Podcast. they'll continue the discussion that Dean Carl Sheperis left them with on the programming and future of A.I. along with possible outcomes of it. Let's find out if they have the appetite for it, and for the future.

Join Tucker Monicu and Joe Parker with their first guest on the new SBDC podcast, Dr. Carl J. Sheperis, Kutztown University’s vice provost and dean of Graduate Studies. On this episode, Carl J. Sheperis talks about how life is at Kutztown, family, and the growing influence of ChatGPT everywhere in the world.

Get to know the new hosts of the SBDC Podcast Aidan and Tucker! On todays episode they will be talking about their lives leading up to Kutztown, previous occupations, and what to expect going forward with the podcast.

On this episode of Let's Get Busy , host Dakota Hirst is joined by former Kutztown Graduate Student, Ashley, to discuss various different Social Media Tips and Tricks for Small Businesses. From Instagram to Facebook, to having a brand presence and using the best hashtags! You can learn more about Social Media and many other Entrepreneur topics by tuning in to the Let's Get Busy Podcast, presented...

On this episode of Let's Get Busy , host Dakota Hirst is joined by guest speakers Jon and Jerry from City Cuts Barbershop in Kutztown, PA! The group discusses why Jon decided to open his own barbershop and how his prior experiences influenced the way he built his business. Jerry and Jon then dive into how they create unique community engagement through their Books by Kids program and by establishi...

On this episode of Let's Get Busy , host Dakota Hirst is joined by guest speaker Alex Gonzalez, owner of Mindfully Nutritious Mama! Dakota and Alex discuss the the struggles of post-pregnancy mental and physical health and the best ways to provide a nutritious lifestyle for not just her family, but her clients as well!. Alex found her passion after focusing on how eating healthy, nutritiously dens...

On this episode of Let's Get Busy , host Dakota Hirst is joined by guest speaker Arielle Thomas, Social Media Manager for ReminderMedia! Dakota and Arielle discuss the process running and producing a podcast, managing content, the initial first steps in planning the start of a podcast and much more ! *Music provided by Sound Stripe*

On this episode of Let's Get Busy , our host Oryah Brown lists popular social media platforms every business should be familiar with & how they work . Each one is unique & can be used for different goals/purposes. Which platform should your business be present on? Find out more in today's episode. Music Used In " Let's Get Busy " Is Solely Made By Oryah (@oryah.wav)