Start Local

Liam Dempsey, Erik Gudmundson, and Joe Casabona

Start Local is focused on helping businesses and non-profits in and around Chester County, Pennsylvania, connect and grow together. Our aim is to bring together the many folks that make up our wonderful community in greater Philadelphia to share and learn from each other.

  1. 5 SEPT

    Nurturing Belonging and Celebrating Community with Children Impacted by HIV/AIDS with Patty Hillkirk

    The summer camp experience affords such a meaningful experience for so many children. Camp Dreamcatcher creates a fantastic camp week specifically for children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. We sit down with Patty Hillkirk, the camp’s Founder and Executive Director, to learn about how she is spearheading efforts to organize and run the weeklong camp, held in August every year. We talk about how the camp is run, partnering with other local organizations, and supporting young people and empowering them to lead. Patty walks us through how Camp Dreamcatcher has delivered such a lasting and valuable effect on the lives of so many young people for 30 years. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of CommerceLINKS Camp Dreamcatcher Website: campdreamcatcher.orgLinkedIn: inkedin.com/company/camp-dreamcatcherInstagram: instagram.com/campdreamcatcherFacebook: facebook.com/therapeuticcampPatty Hillkirk on LinkedInOver the Edge fundraiserVolunteer with Camp Dreamcatcher: campdreamcatcher.org/get-involved/volunteerCamp Dreamcatcher Videos Video library on the Camp Dreamcatcher website: campdreamcatcher.org/about/video-picturesThe story behind the founding of Camp Dreamcatcher as shared in Patty's TEDx TalkHear about the Wish Log ceremony from two campers (jump to 1:14)HIV/AIDS Resources HIV/AIDS information on the Cleveland Clinic websiteHIV/AIDS information on the May Clinic websiteHIV and AIDS information on the John Hopkins Medicine websiteHIV/AIDS information on the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) websiteSupporting Organizations Longwood Rotary ClubLenape Nation of PennsylvaniaLincoln UniversityPhiladelphia School of Massage & BodyworkAHHAH (Arts Holding Hands and Hearts)Avon Grove High SchoolKennett Lions ClubWest Grove Fire Company (EMTs in West Grove)PayPalMorning Star FoundationChildren’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)St. Christopher’s Hospital for ChildrenPhiladelphia AvengersJohns Hopkins MedicineAdditional Organizations Pennsylvania Gestalt CenterCenter for Relational PracticesFriendship BenchFamily Promise of Southern Chester CountyDeafCAN! of PennsylvaniaKennett Area Community Service (KACS)Related Episodes Managing a Local Accountancy Firm with Kathy WileczekTRANSCRIPT A full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

    52 min

  2. 22 AUG

    Changing Careers and Building a Local Business with Jason Feller

    Entrepreneurship isn’t always glamorous, but it can be deeply fulfilling and rewarding. Jason Feller, owner of Crystal Clean Canz, joins us to discuss his journey from managing country clubs to growing a business centered on cleanliness and customer service. We talk about the surprises he encountered as a first-time business owner, how he diversified his services, refined his service area, and works to grow his recurring revenue. Jason also shares why he values his role as chair of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. Jason’s story is a candid look at the risks, rewards, and realities of building a small business. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Crystal Clean Canz Website: crystalcleancanz.comInstagram: instagram.com/crystalcleancanzFacebook: facebook.com/CrystalCleanCanzEmail: info@crystalcleancanz.comAdditional Links Southern Chester County Chamber of CommerceNew London ConsultingThis Sober VetUnivestLBDesignRelated Episodes Networking, Local Community, and Business Connections with Tony PoluchTranscript A full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

    47 min

  3. 8 AUG

    Networking, Local Community, and Business Connections with Tony Poluch

    Networking offers avenues to opportunities, collaborations, and growth, especially in business. In this episode, we sit down with Tony Poluch, Senior Vice President and Senior Business Development Officer at Univest Bank & Trust Company, to explore how meaningful conversations with local professionals can produce business success, further a career, and forge strong local connections. Tony shares his insights on cultivating authentic relationships and the value of curiosity in business. We explore Tony’s lengthy career in commercial banking and ask about the location business environment. Whether you consider yourself a networking pro, or are struggling in that area, this conversation offers spot-on guidance on making the most of business conversations. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Tony Poluch / Univest Bank Tony Poluch on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tony-poluch-a50b544/Univest website: univest.netUnivest on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/univestUnivest on Facebook: facebook.com/univestfinancialUnivest on Instagram: instagram.com/univest_financialChester County Chambers of Commerce Southern Chester County Chamber of CommerceGreater West Chester Chamber of CommerceChester County Chamber of Business and IndustryExton Chamber of CommerceWestern Chester County Chamber of CommerceAdditional Links The Gables at Chadds FordChester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC)Delaware Contractors AssociationLocal Nonprofits Home of the SparrowOpen HearthChester County Art AssociationKennett LibraryUrban Affairs CoalitionTRANSCRIPT The full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

    53 min

  4. 25 JUL

    Making Connections, Opening Doors, and Providing Access with Christopher Everett

    In a first for our show, we are are excited to feature a guest who is both a business and nonprofit leader. It was a privilege to walk a full round with Christopher Everett, Senior Vice President at Truist Bank and the Founder and Board President of the RLE Go Fore It! Foundation. Christopher guides us through his career in banking – a journey of almost 25 years. He explains what led him to create a nonprofit that empowers young people through business education, mentorship, and exposure to new possibilities – all through the game of golf. He shares some tough lessons he learned in his younger days, and what connecting people and opening doors for the next generation means to him. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Truist Website: truist.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/truistfinancialcorporationFacebook: facebook.com/truistInstagram: instagram.com/truistChristopher on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christophereverett26Careers with Truist: careers.truist.com/us/enRLE Go Fore It! Foundation Website: goforeitusa.comBook: Go Fore It!: A Family and Golf Story by Christopher EverettFacebook: facebook.com/goforeitusaInstagram: instagram.com/goforeitusaGolf/Sports Organizations and Books Carter’s Spectrum GolfBook: Swinging Beyond the Spectrum: How Autism Became My Superpower On And Off The Golf Course! by Carter BonasBook: Playing from the Rough by Jimmie JamesBook: Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You by A’Ja WilsonAdditional Links Sow Good NowChester County Community FoundationNorth Carolina Central UniversityLocal Restaurants Black Lab BistroSedona TaphouseSavannah BistroThe Naked OliveTranscript The full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

    44 min

  5. 11 JUL

    Keeping Kennett Square Welcoming and Beautiful with Daniel Embree

    What makes a town truly welcoming? We head to southern Chester County to meet with Daniel Embree, Executive Director of Kennett Collaborative, to explore how placemaking, events, and people shape a stronger, more inclusive community in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Daniel shares the organization’s mission and why collaboration is at the heart of their work. We discuss Daniel’s own journey from artist to nonprofit leader, and the value of telling personal stories in public spaces. From Kennett Brewfest, Daniel paints a beautiful picture of his corner of our community. Our PartnerSouthern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Kennett Collaborative Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennettcollaborative/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennett.collaborativeVolunteer: kennettcollaborative.org/volunteerDonate: kennettcollaborative.org/supportBrewfest Tickets: https://www.kennettbrewfest.com/Unicorn Across the Street: https://kennettcollaborative.org/stories/the-unicorn-across-the-street/Daniel Embree on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielembree/Local Shops and Organizations Great places to eat and shop (Business Directory): kennettcollaborative.org/exploreKSQ Farmers Market: https://www.ksqfarmersmarket.com/Shoppe Marché: https://www.instagram.com/shoppemarcheCamp Dreamcatcher: https://campdreamcatcher.org/Kennett Area Community Service: https://kacsimpact.orgThe Garage Community and Youth Center: https://www.garageyouthcenter.orgYoungMoms: https://www.youngmomschestercounty.orgRelated Episodes Spearheading the Organization of a Community Brewfest with Jeff NormanNote: The photo of Daniel used in the episode artwork is by Dylan Francis. Transcript The full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

    53 min

  6. 20 JUN

    Talking Music and Selling Records with Shawn Cephas

    For many, music is as much a part of life as breathing. We drop the needle on a conversation with Shawn Cephas, owner of Forever Changes, a record store in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Shawn shares how his deep love for and expansive knowledge of music has driven him to open a shop that is as much a space to learn about music as to buy records. We explore the intimate connection that Shawn’s family has with music. Through our conversation, Shawn offers a lesson in music history as we journey through genres. Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just getting into the groove, this episode strikes a chord. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Forever Changes Website: foreverchangesrecords.comInstagram: instagram.com/forever.changesForever Changes on FacebookBluesky: @foreverchangespxv.bsky.socialAdditional Links WXPNSteel City CaféPhoenixville Area Community Services (PACS)Ann’s HeartKit’s ClosetLocal Music Venues The Fenix Bar & LoungeSoulJoel’s (at SunnyBrook, Pottstown)SunnyBrook BallroomThe GemBands and Artists Mentioned We linked to the Wikipedia page for all the artists below. We invite you to check out their music wherever you listen. Hüsker DüBlack FlagMinor ThreatRites of SpringMetallicaSlayerAnthraxDeathBig StarThe ClashThe JamThe SmithsR.E.M.Talking HeadsRamonesDepeche ModeThe CureBad BrainsMy Morning JacketBelle and SebastianChappell RoanDeath Cab for CutieThe Postal ServiceCat PowerMannequin PussySoccer MommyBlondshellBullyFlorence + The MachineGreta Van FleetMadonnaDuran DuranTaylor SwiftRay CharlesLuther VandrossPocoBuffalo SpringfieldJethro TullJapanese BreakfastBlack PumasMaya DelilahAdeleLordeCulture ClubCharlie ParkerDuke EllingtonDizzy GillespieBill EvansPaul MotianScott LaFaroMac MillerSuki WaterhouseSteve LacyN.W.A.Dr. DreIce CubePrinceJimi HendrixMovie: High FidelityRecord Labels Blue Note RecordsOriginal Jazz Composers (OJC)Riverside RecordsTranscript The transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

    1h 3m

  7. 30 MAY

    Making Local Cider from Branch to Bottle with Olga and Brian Dressler

    Continuing our run of conversations with local producers, we sit down with Olga and Brian Dressler, the owners and cider makers at Dressler Estate. We learn about their branch to bottle approach to making local cider. We hear about their recently opened tasting room in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and their vision for this new home. We talk cider production, label making, and the business of a running a cidery. Pour yourself a glass of their finest and tune in for a great conversation. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Dressler Estate Website: dresslerestate.comInstagram: instagram.com/dresslerestateFacebook: facebook.com/DresslerEstateAdditional Links East Branch BrewingStation TaproomBottleroomRosie’s KettlecornDowningtown Main Street AssociationDowningtown Farmers’ MarketChestnut Hill Farmers’ MarketRittenhouse Farmers’ MarketRelated Start Local Episodes Farming Grapes and Making Local Wine with Anthony VietriSpearheading the Organization of a Community Brewfest with Jeff NormanTRANSCRIPT The transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

    57 min

  8. 16 MAY

    Farming Grapes and Making Local Wine with Anthony Vietri

    Southeastern Pennsylvania is not typically at the top of the list of renowned wine regions of the world. Yet that is exactly why we stopped into the tasting room at Va La Family Vineyard. We sat down Anthony Vietri, farmer and wine maker, to learn how his family has been farming the land in Avondale, Pennsylvania for almost one hundred years. We talk about his approach to farming grapes and crafting unique and complex wines flowing from the local terroir. If you're into wine and looking for a wonderfully different and refreshing discussion about wine and the business of wine, this is a conversation to savor. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Va La Family Vineyard Website: valavineyards.comInstagram: instagram.com/valavineyardsFacebook: facebook.com/VaLaVineyardsAdditional Links Shellbark Hallow FarmCanine Partners for LifeStroud Water Research CenterRelated Start Local Episodes Training Service and Companion Dogs with Kirstin DownieConducting World-Leading Fresh Water Research with John JacksonTranscript The transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

    41 min
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About

Start Local is focused on helping businesses and non-profits in and around Chester County, Pennsylvania, connect and grow together. Our aim is to bring together the many folks that make up our wonderful community in greater Philadelphia to share and learn from each other.

Information

  • Creator
    Liam Dempsey, Erik Gudmundson, and Joe Casabona
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Start Local
  • Show Website
    Start Local