Western Mass Business Show on 4.11.26 – Irida Kakhtiranova

Join us as we speak with Irida Kakhtiranova, the Perogi Lady. Her business P’frogi has been in the 413 for the past 7 years and is a familiar face around the region. Along with her husband Brian and their three kids this business has thrived because of the amazing quality of her products and the support of the community, special shout out to Ben Clark and Monte Belmonte. P’frogi features pierogies, golumkies, and other seasonal treats depending on the week and the venue they are popping up at. Find their products in retail locations throughout Western MA by going to their website www.pfrogi.com. Also, on the farmers market and fair circuit be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Irida there as well. Hopefully with a successful season the trailer that she recently purchased will be outfitted and ready to roll in the coming year. As Irida likes to say, one step at a time.

Western Mass Business Show on 4.4.26 – Angela Park

Join us as we speak with Angela Park the Executive Director of 52 Sumner in Springfield. They are a 501(c)(3) performing arts venue. They want to bring the arts back in a more accessible way to Springfield. In their building, they have the Springfield Community Theatre of Massachusetts and can rent the venue out to a variety of places, activities, and events. From weddings to concerts to fundraisers, they are drawing from a wide geographic area and creating economic development for the region. Cofounder Dan Mckellick was also instrumental in getting this project off the ground. The attractiveness of 52 Sumner is that they are an accessible and easy venue to engage with, there is free parking and easy on and off the highway with police escorts to cross the street into the venue. Listen in as we hear of upcoming shows, and the stories of what it takes to create something new for the community that you love. www.52sumner.com

Western Mass Business Show on 3.28.26 – Good Dog Spot

www.gooddogspot.net

Sometimes people know what they are going to do with their lives in the third grade. That is exactly what Elizabeth Staples knew. Since then, she had wanted to be involved with animals and working at a kennel as a teen and in her 20s solidified her dream of having her own business one day. She opened her first location in Chicopee in 2007, shortly thereafter she met her husband Corey Staples in 2009, and they decided to make it a family affair having him join her in the business in 2013 so they could begin to build their family and business lives together more seamlessly. The Good Dog Spot opened a second location in Northampton and has been going strong on King Street since then. Listen in as we hear all the ways that TGDS provides care for your pet members of the family. Whether it’s training or boarding or daycare or grooming, your animals will be well taken care of here (cats too). Check out the webcam with the 360-degree videos on their website for a better view into the operations and care you will receive at TGDS.

Western Mass Business Show On 3.21.26

Join us as we learn from 2 powerhouse women who have local businesses and heart to back them up. Meghan has been in marketing and branding for over 20 years and the owner of Chik Media for 14+. One of her long-time clients is Ann Bronner owner of Summerlin Floors in Amherst who tells us a story of perseverance and strength. Join us as we laugh and cry over family, community, struggles in business, and what it means to survive. www.summmerlinfloors.com www.chikmedia.us

Western Mass Business Show on 3.14.26 – Kate Riley

Kate Riley grew up in WMA going in and out of houses as a foster child, did she ever think she would end up in real estate, probably not. With a background in property/causality insurance and recruiting she had the listening skills and mindset to survive and thrive, and that’s exactly what she’s done. Her husband Nick, a broker and business owner himself, gave her the push in Covid that she needed to get her license and get into real estate. Making a difference and getting involved is very important to Kate and you can see it in her volunteer work. Join us as we learn more about Kate and why you need to call her to help you find your dream home, she will go the extra marathon for you and not even break a sweat. Check out here website to learn more, www.rileyhomerealty.com

Western Mass Business Show On 3.7.26 – Bianca Walker

Join us as we speak with Bianca Walker Development Director at the Amherst Survival Center. Unfortunately, our UMASS partner, Brandy Sullivan from UMASS Dining could not join us but she was there in spirit. This event is in its 15th year and student lead which is amazing. It’s on April 25th at UMASS Amherst. Please go to www.runumass.com for more information. Did we mention that after the race you get to eat from the award-winning dining commons?!?! Did you sign up yet? If not, run to do that, ok? This event has raised more than 60,000 for the Survival Center and in conjunction with the UMASS Campus Pantry has been providing over 150,000 meals to more than 2,800 UMASS community members in this year alone. When we partner with others we can do more, tune in to hear from Bianca about just how much the Amherst Survival Center does for the community. Thank you for listening. www.amherstsurvival.org

Western Mass Business Show on 2.21.26 – Hannah Rechtschaffen

Join us as we speak to Hannah Rechtschaffen who is the Executive Director of the Greenfield Business Association. Hannah is a creative place maker and business development professional who embodies being in the work and loving what you do. While her focus is on downtown Greenfield, she has moved about the Valley her whole life and prides herself on making meaningful connections with WMA people. Tune in as we learn of upcoming events and updates from Franklin County. Greenfield is the heart of FC and Hannah knows why. Join us at the Ja’Duke show on 2/27 and 2/28 or Bee Fest in May. Listen in to hear of the partners that help make this work possible. Thank you for your support. 

Western Mass Business Show on 2.14.26 — Chantal Bernard

Join us as we meet Chantal Bernard, RN/BSN, CCM, CNE-CL, Professor at Elms College, and Owner of Chanda Care in Agawam, MA. Having over 21 years in healthcare is a commitment, a mindset, a desire to help humanity. Chantal sees the gaps in care and tries to be the caulking to fill those holes in communication, transitions, and emotion. She says, “good care isn’t just clinical, it’s relational”. There are different pieces to Chanda Care that make up the structure of the organization, they are: Chanda Care, Chanda Care Academy, Chanda’s House. These multilayers of support help not only the clients but the team work better together. Listen in as we dive deeper into her story and the way of the Monk Mind vs. the Monkey Mind. Thank you for tuning in. Www.chandacare.org

Western Mass Business Show on 2.7.26 — Maureen Scanlon

When Maureen Scanlon told me she was going to retire I immediately invited her on the show. Thinking about a life well lived and a career ending, especially for an entrepreneur is quite a thing. You basically must fire yourself, right? How hard is that to do? When to do it, what to do next, what till people say, where will I go next? I wanted to pause and ask Maureen about her career, life in the 413, and why she chose now to let go of the work part of her life. It was a great conversation filled with many stories of well known characters from the region. Thank you for coming on Maureen and for listening to the show listeners.

Western Mass Business Show on 1.31.26 — Lindsay Labonte Manager of Applied Mortgage

Tune in as we speak with a true community leader. Lindsay Labonte Manager of Applied Mortgage has taken the helm from her father Todd Barron and given the company a new look and location. Keeping with the leading with a purpose mindset, Lindsay has launched new programs like: Applied Mortgage Academy and Local Love Days to cement the business firmly in community. Listen as we discuss the regional landscape, the state of homeownership, tips, and tricks to getting in the pipeline, what it’s like to do this with children, and more.