Start Local

Joe Casabona, Erik Gudmundson, and Liam Dempsey
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
Start Local

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. SEP 27

    Enabling Economic Empowerment through Education with Javonna Wylie

    The lack of educational and employment opportunities experienced by disadvantaged folks in Chester County presents significant challenges to their well-being. To learn more, we speak with Javonna Wylie, President and CEO of Chester County OIC. Javonna explains how CCOIC works to enable access to economic empowerment through the delivery of free educational and related services. She also highlights the exciting opportunities happening in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, where CCOIC is now based. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Chester County OIC Website: ccoic.orgWork Enclave project: ccoic.org/programs/workenclaveVolunteer opportunities: ccoic.org/get-involvedCareers: ccoic.org/jobsTwitter: @ChesCoOICFacebook: facebook.com/ChescoOICInstagram: instagram.com/chestercountyoicJavonna Wylie on LinkedInRev. Leon Sullivan Rev. Leon Sullivan on WikipediaBook: Build, Brother, BuildAdditional Links Alliance for Health EquityWitmer Public Safety GroupChester County HR Association2nd Century Alliancenth Innovation CenterInvesting in your local community with Susan SpringsteenPennsylvania Department of EducationTranscript The transcript for this episode will be posted as soon as it available.

    39 min

  2. SEP 13

    Training Service and Companion Dogs with Kirstin Downie

    We spend time with Kirstin Downie, Director of Development and Communications with Canine Partners for Life (CPL), as she explains how the organization works to improve quality of life for people with disabilities or other challenges by pairing them with professionally trained service or companion dogs. Kirstin takes us for a long walk through the extensive training that service and companion dogs undergo to be able to assist their assigned companions. We learn how CPL provides these highly trained dogs to folks of all ages from across the USA. And we hear about some uniquely wonderful volunteer opportunities. Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Canine Partners for Life Website: k94life.orgFacebook: facebook.com/CaninePartnersforLifeInstagram: instagram.com/k94lifeLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/canine-partners-for-lifeFall Festival featuring Cow BingoVolunteer with Canine Partners for Life: k94life.org/volunteerKirstin Downie on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kirstindownieAdditional Links Brian’s HouseValley Forge Educational ServicesAssistance Dogs InternationalTranscript A transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.

    39 min

  3. AUG 30

    Spearheading the Organization of a Community Brewfest with Jeff Norman

    Now in its 27th year, the Kennett Brewfest is a leading beer festival held yearly in Kennett Square. Arguably the oldest beer festival in the Philadelphia region, the Brewfest provides support to the Kennett Collaborative. We speak with the founder and long-serving lead organizer of the festival, Jeff Norman. An architect by trade, Jeff has lead efforts to organize and deliver the famed Kennett Brewfest since its inception. We talk about the history of the festival, its evolution over time, and of course, all things beer. OUR PARTNERSouthern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Kennett Brewfest Website: kennettbrewfest.comInstagram: instagram.com/kennett.brewfestFacebook: facebook.com/KennettBrewfestJeff Norman on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-norman-5004382Other Kennett Square Festivals Kennett WinterfestKennett SummerfestMushroom FestivalKennett Collaborative Website: kennettcollaborative.orgInstagram: instagram.com/kennett.collaborativeFacebook: facebook.com/kennettcollaborativeAdditional Links Waywood BeverageVictory BrewingBraeloch BrewingTwo Stones BrewingJeff’s favorite beer: Avec Les Bons Vœux from Brasserie DupontDressler Estate (Ciders)Excursion CidersServPro of Kennett Square/OxfordKennett RunAles for ALSTranscript The transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.

    51 min

  4. AUG 16

    Enabling the Otherly-Abled to Grow and Contribute in the Workplace with April Ennis-Pierson

    With a unique nonprofit business model, Handi-Crafters employs, trains, and encourages people with intellectual and developmental challenges to enable them to find meaningful and engaging opportunities in the workplace. Focused on the individual skills and needs of the community it serves, Handi-Crafters has been delivering employment-centered programs for more than 60 years from its facilities in Thorndale, Pa. We speak with the Executive Director of Handi-Crafters, April Ennis-Pierson, to learn more about the organization and its innovative approach to its work. OUR PARTNERSouthern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Handi-Crafters Website: hcocenter.orgFacebook: facebook.com/HCOpportunityLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/handi-craftersApril Ennis-Pierson on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/april-ennis-pierson-32b33127/Additional Links Section 14(c) Subminimum Wage Certificate ProgramPA Office of Developmental ProgramsARC of Chester CountyHerr’sVictory BrewingCTDICrazy Aaron’s Thinking PuttyChester County Commissioner Eric RoeTranscript The transcript for this episode will be posted as soon as it is available.

    47 min

  5. AUG 9

    Producing Green Energy with Ron DiSabatino

    Green or clean energy regularly garners press coverage and is often a topic of vigorous public debate. We speak at length with Ron DiSabatino about sustainable and fossil-fueled energy to better understand the factors and considerations around the debate. Ron is the VP of Nuclear Engineering with Constellation, the largest provider of carbon-free energy in the US. We also explore employee recruitment, engagement, and retention, discussing how Constellation works to attract top talent to its nuclear power plants. OUR PARTNERSouthern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Constellation Constellation Energy website: constellationenergy.comTwitter: @ConstellationEGLinked In: linkedin.com/company/constellation-energyInstagram: @constellationenergy Facebook: facebook.com/ConstellationEnergyYouTube: Constellation – YouTubeNuclear Energy Information & Statistics US Department of Energy: Multimedia Resources | Department of EnergyNuclear Energy Institute: Nuclear Energy Institute – nei.orgYucca MountainAdditional Links Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyCybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)Tick Tock Early Learning CenterTranscript The transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.

    54 min

  6. JUL 26

    Addressing Health Needs of Underserved Communities with Ronan Gannon

    Finding and accessing quality and affordable healthcare is a concern for many. We meet with Ronan Gannon, Chief Executive Officer of LCH Health and Community Services. We speak about the medical and related needs of underserved communities and economically disadvantaged families in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Ronan shares about the structure and offerings of LCH – and how the nonprofit has continued to expand to meet the evolving needs of the community it serves. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, LCH provides a range of healthcare and related services to vulnerable individuals who are insured, under-insured, or uninsured. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS LCH Health and Community Services Website: lchcommunityhealth.orgFacebook: facebook.com/LCHcommunityhealthLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/la-comunidad-hispanaInstagram: instagram.com/lchcommunityhealthCareers with LCH: lchcommunityhealth.org/recruitmentNewsletter sign-up formAdditional Links Fighting Food Insecurity Locally with Andrea YoundtAdvocating for Sustainable Transportation with Tim PhelpsMighty WritersConstellation EnergyTRANSCRIPT The episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

    37 min

  7. JUL 12

    Local Organic Mushroom Farming with Meghan Klotzbach

    With Kennett Square celebrated as the Mushroom Capital of the World, we knew it was only a matter of time before we spoke with Meghan Klotzbach. Meghan is the Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Operations at Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms. With the family farm outside West Grove, Pennsylvania, and facilities at a number of locations in southern Chester County, Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms pioneered the organic mushroom movement in the late 1980s. We talk all things mushrooms with Meghan in this insightful and fun conversation. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms websiteFacebookInstagram: instagram.com/motherearthorganicmushroomsPinterest: pinterest.com/motherearthllcCareers with Mother Earth Organic MushroomsAdditional Links Treetops Kitty CafeTRANSCRIPT The episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

    30 min

  8. JUN 28

    Encouraging Local Tourism with Nina Kelly

    We spend time with Nina Kelly, Director of Marketing with Chester County Tourism. We chat with Nina to discover some of the many great places to visit and wonderful things to do in Chester County. We learn about a number of hidden gems in our local area and explore some of the many exciting happenings coming to the region. This conversation is a great way to find fun activities this summer, both for tourists and for locals. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Chester County Tourism Website: brandywinevalley.comMuseums & GardensOutdoors & RecreationShoppingHeritage & HistoryChester County CheersPerforming ArtsVideo: cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/video/get-away-to-chester-countys-brandywine-valley/Things to Do / Places to Visit America 250 Chester CountyWharton Ersherick MuseumAntique Ice Tool MuseumAmerican Helicopter MuseumBrandywine Museum of ArtLongwood GardensLongwood Reimagined: A New Garden ExperienceJenkins Arboretum & GardensChester County History CenterSt. Peter’s VillagePeople’s Light TheaterUptown! Knaurer Center for Performing ArtsHistoric SugartownPlaces to Eat / for Foodies White Dog Cafe in Chester SpringsPortobello’s of Kennett SquareThe Farm at Doe RunBirchrun Hills FarmCraft Distilleries Botanery BarnBluebird DistillingOther Start Local Episodes Repairing Homes and Building Relationships with Bob BeggsKeeping the Milk Moving and Making Cheese with Sue Miller

    44 min
See All (60)

Trailer

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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
    Joe Casabona, Erik Gudmundson, and Liam Dempsey
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Start Local
  • Show Website
    Start Local

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