Are We Here Yet Podcast Scott M. Graves

Nattie Hussey is Director of Business Acceleration for the Brattleboro (VT) Development Credit Corporation.  The organization has participated has recently worked with the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) to develop its programming targeting the development of rural Windham county’s business ecosystem. 
Nattie is no stranger to small business development as both his parents and his grandfather owned a multiplicity of small businesses over the decades. 
Nattie shares the idea with our host that creating regional relationships between our local rural locations will play a significant role in the future success of economies like rural Vermont.  
Our conversation reviewed the ways the BDCC is focusing on supporting existing, small business and how that work will play into the greater goal of providing a bedrock of well-paying jobs that further support more small business; for a community without enough people with the time and funds to support their neighbors is a community in distress.  
We further discussed technology’s role in developing our region through the efforts of StartUp Rutland being implemented in our home base, The Hub CoWorks in downtown Rutland, VT.  
About Nattie: Natty has worked with distressed businesses across the country, assisting them in strategic turn around and distressed sale scenarios. Prior to that he worked in public education where he found the entrepreneurial type creativity exuded by his students. During a 3-year stint in Macedonia, as a Peace Corps volunteer, Natty worked in the Community Development sector as well as taught English as a foreign language.
 

We talk with drummer William Hooker. 
He came to visit us at Studio 952 in NYC for one of our Kitchen Table Chats. 
Not your typical drummer he describes his presentations as an installation and experimental. 
Listen to his vision for performing drums and be amazed. Learn more by clicking here. 
 

Evolve Rutland is focused on an effort to recognize exceptional business leadership with across the gender spectrum. 
The organization, now re-energizing following the global health crisis, was formed when women in the Rutland (VT) regional business community saw a need to recognize women in leadership while also encouraging more entrepreneurship and leadership of organizations by women. 
We spoke with Kiki McShane, founder of FarVision Consulting regarding Evolve Rutland’s current efforts and why this work is key to the continued momentum building in the Rutland region. 
We place a spotlight on the organization's interest in ensuring that all stakeholders are brought to the table.  Only when everyone is part of the conversation and resulting solutions can a new path forward be forged to benefit all genders who are represented in the Rutland region’s business community.
 

Meet vocalist, Jackie Lennon who is president of the non-profit organization International Women in Jazz. Jackie and I talk about IWJ, it’s purpose and various projects they plan for members and those who love Jazz. Learn about IWJ at www.internationalwomeninjazz.org. 
 

The Entrepreneurial Legal Lab is a new resource that, when coupled with other offerings unique to the Green Mountain state, makes Vermont ever friendlier to those who wish to deliver innovation to the economic ecosystem from the great state of Vermont.
Learn more about VLS's Entrepreneurial Legal Lab or schedule a referral
We discussed the program within a greater discussion regarding the challenges of small businesspeople in determining when and how to engage an attorney or navigate a legal relationship.  For those in the innovation sector we discovered at length the unique focus areas for founders. 
The Legal Lab is a powerful resource providing seminars, referrals and legal education for business owners from competent attorneys affiliated with the program.  
StartUp Rutland is partnered with the Entrepreneurial Legal Lab beginning March 2023.  Inclusive of this new relationship is the first of a series of seminars taking place March 23, 2023.

We talk with Todd Bryant Weeks. We had a conversation about his best selling Biography about Trumpet player "Hot Lips" Page titled “ Luck’s in My Corner” You may find Todd's book at Amazon.com.