Talk Local To Me

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...

Rebecca Mason, founder of Mountain Laurel Learning, shares her journey from corporate food service and café operations to becoming a solopreneur. Today, she offers food safety certifications and leadership development for businesses. She discusses the challenges of switching industries, her passion for supporting local entrepreneurs, and why Central Virginia feels like home. Rebecca also shares a...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike discuss ways to support small businesses during the summer slowdown, offering practical tips like shopping locally, dining out, and buying gift cards. They also welcome guests Melissa and Benny from Shineforth, a local foster care organization, who share insights on fostering, debunk common misconceptions, and highlight the urgent need fo...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike highlight upcoming CVABC events, including a special Coffee Talk at Campbell County Rescue Squad, before welcoming two guests making a difference in Central Virginia. James from Gleaning For The World shares details about the nonprofit’s disaster relief efforts, the Teddy Bear Brigade, pet food assistance program, and the upcoming Duck Pl...

Courtney and Sarah from Love Heals, a nonprofit dedicated to freeing people from medical bondage, one concert at a time, share their story and mission. Courtney explains how the organization began in 2018 with a benefit concert for a friend battling breast cancer and has since grown into a movement focused on treating people as human beings, not causes. Sarah shares her journey from a volunteer to...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike celebrate National Small Business Week by encouraging year-round support for local businesses. They recap a successful putt-putt tournament and the new Altavista Town Market. Guests Courtney and Sarah from Love Heals, a nonprofit eliminating medical debt through community concerts and storytelling events, share their mission. They highlig...

Mike with Joe the Home Pro shares how building a home with his father at age 15 shaped his expertise in construction and home inspections. After being laid off in 2023, he launched his Lynchburg-based home inspection and repair business. He discusses the challenge of building awareness among realtors, his relationship-driven approach to marketing, and his commitment to educating homeowners. Mike a...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike celebrate Earth Day and Professional Assistants Day while highlighting upcoming CVABC events, including a Coffee Talk, the Women in Power conference, and a Putt Putt Tournament. Fashion stylist Sherrie introduces Cabi, a women's clothing brand offering personalized styling experiences. Jennifer from Hilton Hotels shares the brand's global...

Angela Joy and Mason Dudley share the founding story of the Blue Ridge Town & Country Real Estate Team, discussing their backgrounds, the challenges they’ve faced, and their passion for helping clients build wealth through real estate. Tony Goodman of Atlantic Union Bank provides insight into home financing options and available grants. The conversation highlights the supportive local business...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike recap their successful Home and Health Expo before welcoming two guests. Amanda from The Kidd Team explains how her agency helps Central Virginians navigate Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance, debunking common enrollment myths. Courtney and Sarah from Love Heals nonprofit discuss their mission of supporting people facing medical har...

Melody Divers of Chapel Creek Farms shares how she and her husband, Johnny, transitioned from teaching and landscaping to full-time farming across 2,000 acres in Bedford County. Named after their two sons, Chapel Creek Farms offers grass-fed beef shares, seasonal cider, and agritourism events. Melody discusses the challenges of learning business skills from scratch, the value of community support,...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, host Heather Alto flies solo, covering upcoming local events including the Central Virginia Home and Garden Show, the Empower Women's Conference, and the CVABC Open putt-putt tournament. Guest Danielle introduces Hill City Picnics, her luxury picnic experience business in Lynchburg, offering curated setups for dates, proposals, and group events. Real estate age...

Sherrie McNamara, local owner of Cabi, shares her journey of joining the company during the pandemic and the challenges of building brand awareness without a traditional storefront. She discusses how Cabi empowers women through community-driven shopping experiences and personal connections. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting local businesses, the unique value Cabi brings to C...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike welcome two local business owners. Rebecca Mason of Mountain Laurel Learning discusses her professional training services, including ServSafe food safety certification courses and an upcoming DISC personality assessment program designed to improve workplace communication. Cindy Burns introduces her rebranded business, Still Living, where...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike highlight a full lineup of upcoming Central Virginia business and community events, including the Lead On Summit, Coffee Talk at Chick-fil-A, the Home and Health Expo, the Empower Women’s event, and the ABC Open Putt Putt Tournament. They’re joined by Jeremiah from Shipley’s Donuts, who shares how his business stays actively involved in t...

Jennifer Sherwood, board member of the Puzzled Foundation, shares the nonprofit’s mission to support individuals with autism and other disabilities in Central Virginia. She discusses the foundation’s origins, its all-volunteer structure, and the challenges of raising awareness while working toward nonprofit status. The episode also highlights upcoming fundraisers, community outreach efforts, and t...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike welcome guests Ryan and Jennifer of R&R Pool Care. The show highlights upcoming community events, local business updates, and the importance of networking through the Central Virginia Business Coalition. The conversation also delves into mental health awareness, with personal stories about therapy, parenting challenges, and the value...

Talya Coleman of Coleman Custom Creations shares the journey of launching and growing her family-run renovation business in Lynchburg, Virginia. She discusses the challenges of working in the industry, the importance of community support, and balancing business with family life. Talya also dispels common myths about contractors and expresses gratitude for the local business networks that have supp...