Start Local

When folks think of Italian restaurants in Chester County, Pa, Limoncello pops to the top of the list for many locals. We caught up with Dina Mingrino Barbone to learn about running the two restaurants that she owns with her two brothers, Paul and Frank. Dina talks about growing up in the restaurant that her mother started, the community that has embraced the restaurant, and what it is like runnin...

We spend time in conversation with Bob Beggs, Executive Director of Good Works, Inc. Good Works is a Christian nonprofit organization working to transform lives by repairing homes for low-income families and sharing the hope that Bob, his colleagues, and teams of volunteers have found in Jesus Christ. We talk about the housing challenges that low-income families face in Chester County – and how Go...

We step into the podcast studio with Bill Ronayne, the founder and owner of Brandywine Valley Heating & Air Conditioning. Founded in 1993, BVHVAC has grown to more than 60 employees, serving both residential and commercial customers from its base in West Chester, Pennsylvania. We speak with Bill about running and growing his community-focused business for more than thirty years. OUR PARTNER So...

We sit down in the podcast studio with Christine Zaccarelli, Chief Executive Officer of The Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County to talk about how victims of sexual violence and others crimes can access the support they need. Chris walks us through the work that she and her colleagues at CVC are doing in the areas of victim advocacy, counseling, and prevention education. OUR PARTNER Southern Ch...

The focus on STEM education and STEM careers in recent decades has us meeting with Richard Roberts, III, to talk about supporting economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented youth to become the next generation of leaders. Rick is the founder and President of Young Men and Women in Charge, headquartered in West Chester, Pa. In a well-rounded conversation, we talk about how a villag...

With a growing local population and much upheaval in recent years in how and when people commute to and from work, the transportation needs and goals of Chester County are an important topic for discussion. We meet with Tim Phelps, Executive Director of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC), to talk about advocating and collaborating for sustainable transportation pra...

With so much happening in the local residential property market in recent years, we meet with David Graham and Bela Vora to discuss the topic. Based in Kennett Square, David Graham is a mortgage specialist with Rapid Mortgage. Bela Vora is a realtor in Exton, with Coldwell Banker Realty. We cover what steps to take before applying for a mortgage, how to to prepare for buying a first home or buying...

We jump into the local manufacturing sector with Doug Thompson, Manager of Manufacturing at R-V Industries, Inc.. We learn about how R-V Industries, celebrating fifty years in business this year, has grown and expanded to include facilities and operations in multiple sites in Pennsylvania, and in New Jersey and Illinois. Doug talks about building and supporting manufacturing and engineering teams...

We spend time with Chris Saello, President & CEO of the United Way of Chester County. We explore how the United Way operates and how it supports our local community generally. Chris then walks us through the many exciting and impact-focused programs that the United Way is delivering to address a range of significant local needs. We also focus on the ALICE community and the work being done to s...

We enjoy a wonderful conversation with Sue Miller, a local farmer and cheese maker. Together with her husband and their two sons, Sue owns and runs Birchrun Hills Farm in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. We dive into cheese making and running a dairy farm where the cows produce milk that goes into the cheese.  Links Birchrun Hills Farm Website: birchrunhillsfarm.com Facebook: facebook.com/BirchrunHi...

We cover a lot of ground with Laura Berry, an R&D Tax Credit Specialist with Bowers R&D Associates. We talk at length about how local-area businesses can secure tax credits for their research and development. We also talk about being the spouse of a veteran, playing and coaching rugby, creative writing, and more. If your business is currently doing R&D or you are thinking of getting in...

We spend time with Chris MacNeel, the Chief Operating Officer of Freya Systems, a local area data analytics and software development company. Having met Chris at TECH360, we go right in AI and the many ways it is shaping our lives today. We talk about company culture and explore remote vs. in-person work environments. This is a wide-ranging listen and an important listen for any leader of a busine...

We meet with with Bertram L. Lawson II, the new President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. With a long and distinguished career with the YMCA (garnered in leadership positions at several YMCA locations), Bertram shares his insight and experience of steering a large local nonprofit at a difficult and challenging time. Links YMCA of Greater Brandywine Bertram L. Lawson, II on LinkedIn: lin...

We chat with Bob Cox, Managing Partner of BHHC, a local area consultancy focused on enabling companies and nonprofits to move towards greater success. We speak at length with Bob about how to support and empower high performing employees, especially in a difficult labor market. Links BHHC website: buildandperform.com Bob Cox on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/accountabilitybob Good to Great by Jim Colli...

We chat with Eric Kuhn, Managing Partner with Pillar Real Estate Advisors, LLC, a local area commercial real estate brokerage firm. We learn about the current state of the local commercial real estate economy. Eric shares his professional experience on what entrepreneurs should consider with respect to their workspace needs as their business grows. This wide-ranging conversation is an important li...

We spend time with Laura Manion, the President and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry. We speak with Laura about her advocacy work at the CCCBI and how she and her colleagues work on behalf of businesses and organizations in and around Chester County. We also go into detail about the challenges of affordable childcare and housing, particularly as they affect local employe...

We spend time with Robert Jefferson, a private practice attorney, about his role as the City Solicitor for the City of Coatesville, Pa and his approach to serving the people of that community. We chat about the non-profit organizations that Rob supports through service on their boards. And we spent time chatting about changes to the legal sector. This was a fun, energetic conversation with an enth...

We explore how the Chester County Food Bank leads the local fight against food insecurity in a great conversation with the for impact organization's CEO, Andrea Youndt. Andrea shares how her career trajectory lead her to her current leadership position, and walks us through how the food bank partners with 150 local partners to address food insecurity and related challenges across Chester County.

We catch up again with West Chester-based marketing agency owner, Marty McDonald. The CEO and Co-Founder of Bad Rhino, Marty shares how every local business should have a podcast – and how that podcast could fill its marketing messaging needs in a easy-to-manage and compelling way.

We learn all about Camphill Village Kimberton Hills from Robert Martin, a retired academic and musician. We begin our conversation with Bob walking us through his storied life and professional trajectory, which saw him move to the Camphill Village in northern Chester County. He then goes into depth about the philosophy and purpose of the village – and its many activities and happenings.  It was su...

We explore how the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) is helping local area businesses move ahead in today'seconomy. Michael Grigalonis, recently appointed as President of the CCEDC, offers his professional goals for the non-profit organization, as well as sharing insight into his personal goals. He walks us through how the CCEDC operates as a non-profit, focused on local workforc...

We do a deep dive into how a long-time local business leader and entrepreneur came to commit herself to her local community. Susan Springsteen talks through her journey into seeing Coatesville as the place where she wanted to start and grow a new business. She walks us through getting to know the City of Coatesville, its leaders, and its local residents. She speaks with joy and pride about taking...

Start Local is back, and we have a fantastic guest! Representative Chrissy Houlahan joins us to give us an update on post-pandemic recovery for small businesses in the Pennsylvania 6th Congressional District. We also discuss the Women Owned Small Business Program Transparency Act, resources available to struggling small businesses, and Congress’ efforts to combat inflation. Join us as we explore t...

While we have focused on businesses in and around Chester County since shortly after the arrival of COVID-19, we know that non-profits in the area have suffered the same challenges and hurdles. To learn what non-profits in Chester County are experiencing, and how those non-profits are pivoting, we spoke with Stephenie D. Stevens, Grants & Outreach Officer with the Chester County Community Foun...

With winter weather fast approaching, we know that the local restaurant and hospitality sector is facing an even more precarious position because of the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. We sat down with Bill Covaleski, a Co-Founder and Brewmaster at Victory Brewing Company, and the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA). Bill shared his experience of learning from...