Cape Ann Conversations

Annie De Castro Design Group (ADDG) is a Boston-based boutique interior design firm renowned for creating bespoke living spaces that seamlessly blend comfort, functionality, and style. Led by founder and design principal Annie de Castro, the firm specializes in tailored design solutions that enhance the quality of life for its clients. Annie's diverse background in furniture retail, product de...

Atlantic Vacation Homes (AVH) is a premier vacation rental and real estate company based in Gloucester, Massachusetts, serving the Cape Ann region and Boston’s North Shore. With over 40 years of experience, AVH offers a diverse portfolio of properties, including beachfront homes, pet-friendly rentals, and accommodations suitable for large groups. The company also provides year-round and winter ren...

Need a second set of eyes on your writing? SML Proofreading, founded by the eagle-eyed Sue Lovett in Gloucester, is your secret weapon forspotless copy. Since 2019, Sue has been fixing everything from tangled sentences to pesky punctuation. With a passion for precision and a knack for storytelling, Sue tackles everything from young adult fantasy and memoirs tolocal history books, newsletters, broc...

Landi Van Alen, Director of Development The Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) is all about bringing people together to strengthen the communities of Essex County, Massachusetts. They connect donors, nonprofits, and local leaders to support everything from education and the arts to economic opportunity and social equity. Whether it's through grantmaking, special initiatives, or helping n...

Susan Zwart, Director of Thrift Operations, The Open Door & Second Glance 2024 by the Numbers 2.35 million Pounds of Food 11,893 People Served (5,320 Households) 164,859 Meals Prepared In-house 316,969 Items Sold 140+ Tons of Recycled Materials 26,260 Volunteer Hours Click to see more! The Open Door was started during the blizzard of 1978 to make sure people had food during the blizzard and ha...

Finding a house is easy. Finding a home is the real challenge. Each person’s needs and desires must be uniquely matched to the right space to create that feeling of home. Wendy has a unique ability to make those connections quickly. She has a strong knowledge of market trends and neighborhood vibes. She is passionate about leveraging the latest tools and resources to provide her clients with a sea...

In this episode of Cape Ann Conversation, Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, Executive Director and CEO of the Peabody Essex Museum, provides an overview of how the museum came into being and what is currently going on at the museum. Through its dynamic exhibitions, educational programs, and community events, the Peabody Essex Museum invites visitors to explore the interconnectedness of art, culture, and hist...

Say cheese! Meet Kendra Dott, the heart behind Sharon’s Studio of Gloucester. Kendra is a one-woman powerhouse capturing life’s best moments — from portraits and weddings to even passport photos for those tricky Australian and Canadian requirements! Originally started by her parents as Double Exposure in the late '70s, Kendra keeps the tradition alive with a fresh, creative twist. She’s all about...

Happy Tails Shoppe LLC in Gloucester, MA is a cheerful little haven for pet lovers and their furry sidekicks! Nestled right on Main Street, this vibrant boutique is packed with tail-wagging treasures—from stylish collars and fun toys to healthy treats and lots more. Owner Lauren Ashly Suchecki brings her passion for pets to life with a bright, welcoming space that celebrates all things dog and cat...

Elizabeth Green, Executive Director, Three Sisters Garden ProjectCynthia August, President & Artist, Ipswich Art Association Founded 10 years ago, Three Sisters Garden Project is a non-profit community farm with a food access mission in Ipswich, Massachusetts: they are growing produce using sustainable farming methods and working to make local food accessible to all. The Ipswich Art Associatio...

Whether you own a boat or hitch a ride on a friend’s boat, everyone loves a “Boat Day!” Kyle Jamerson, founder of Boat Day Apparel, doesn’t own a boat, but his love of a good “boat day” got him to where he is today. Boat Day started small—selling 100 blue t-shirts right off a friend's boat to see if the idea would stick. What began as a fun way to share the good vibes on the water quickly grew...

Founded in 2005, the Gloucester Education Foundation (GEF) was created by concerned community members and parents in response to budget cuts in Gloucester Public Schools, particularly affecting arts, music, theater, and STEM programs. Over the past two decades, GEF has grown from a grassroots effort into a fully staffed organization, raising $10.5 million, with most funds directly benefiting Glouc...

It has been just 3 years since Clay Kern and his wife Jen took the leap into business ownership when they purchased the long-standing Bearskin Neck kayak business, North Shore Kayak. Since then, they have been busy expanding and growing the business. Holding a Masters degree in Marine & Environmental Science, Clay has a passion for teaching and helping people connect to the natural world. In a...

Instead of a written President's Update this month, we have recorded an episode of Cape Ann Conversations in which Jim Brown, 2025 Board President, Karen Ristuben, 2024 Board President, and Sam Bevins, Interim Director, chat with host Troy Scarborough about the current status of the Chamber, upcoming events, and other points of interest. Facebook: facebook.com/capeannchamber/ Instagram: instag...

If you want to look for a silver lining from the months of being cooped up during the Covid pandemic, look no further than The Lobster Roller. During the Covid lockdown, former television news and sports reporter Jessica Moran came to realize that it was time for a change. Inspired by her husband’s career change to lobster fishing, she decided to try her hand at his idea of a lobster roll food tru...

Locally well-known as the founder of Cazeault Solar & Home, Tim Sanborn also has an extensive background in acquiring and running major companies within the contracting industry. After selling Cazeault Solar & Home, Tim is now focused on consulting with contractors to help make their business recession-resistant. During this podcast, Tim provides some great insights about how contractors c...

In 2013, Andrew Nicastro had the vision to get into the field of live streaming and videography while working full-time as a marketing director. For 6 years, he juggled his full-time job with working live streaming as a side gig. Andrew’s passion for helping people tell their stories grew as his business grew. Whether corporate, non-profit, or personal, if you have a story to tell, Andrew can help...

Did you know that Project Adventure is much more than a “ropes course?” In this episode of Cape Ann Conversations, Cailtin Small, Executive Director & CEO of Project Adventure, brings awareness to the many diverse opportunities they offer schools and organizations worldwide. Founded in 1971 at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, Project Adventure is now an international nonprofit organizatio...

GenaSis Gough, founder & owner of 4GBS Coaching and Consulting, is a Certified Erotic Blueprint™ Coach and Certified Accelerated Evolution™ Coach, who helps individuals and couples discover and embrace their unique sexual and sensual selves. She works closely with clients to identify their specific erotic "blueprints” (the ways in which they experience and express desire) and helps illumi...

Michael Reardon, CEO of Happy Valley, asks the question, “What are you looking to experience?” With the variety of products they offer, there is something that will “unlock your experience,” .whether the goal is enhanced focus, energy, or relaxation. Happy Valley is a leading vertically integrated cannabis company dedicated to providing premium, lab-tested cannabis products to consumers who value...

In this episode of Cape Ann Conversations, Cindy Hendrickson, owner of Cape Ann Foodie Tours, talks about how she came to own the business and the types of tours being offered. Cape Ann Foodie Tours are walking culinary and cultural tours of Gloucester. Along the way, their dynamic tour guides will provide the backdrop to this 400-year-old city with great stories and interesting facts about the ol...

Chris Moore, Director, Crane Estate, invites you to experience this magnificent 2,100-acre coastal estate where past meets present. Four miles of Atlantic-facing Crane Beach flank the quiet, tidal waters of Essex Bay and the Crane Wildlife Refuge. With a rich past of fishing and farming, Castle Hill was transformed into a European-style country estate in the early 1900s. Chicago industrialist Rich...

Happy 10th Anniversary to The Cabot! The Cabot Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts, has evolved into a thriving non-profit performing arts center, playing a vital role in the cultural landscape of the North Shore. The Cabot's mission is to enrich the cultural life of the entire community through a diverse calendar of live music, quality films, and events. As a non-profit organization, it focuses on...

Meet Kristin Czarnecki, Executive Director of the Rockport Art Association & Museum (RAA&M), and learn about the rich history of the RAA&M. As one of the oldest art associations in the country, the RAA&M has been a gathering place of New England artists since 1921. The RAA&M welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world with the promotion of year-round programs and exh...

In this episode of Cape Ann Conversations, host Troy Scarborough (Best Vending Solutions) chats with Marcy Plante, a Certified Life & Health Coach/CBD Wellness Advocate, who founded her business Cape Ann Compass about four years ago. Marcy Plante started Cape Ann Compass because she is passionate about helping others find their true potential. She says, "There’s nothing more rewarding to me th...