Western Mass Business Show 5.16.20

Tune in Saturday, May 16 @ 11 am to hear Ira speak with Brian Haley, of BCH ACCOUNT PROS, an accounting and payroll business in Hadley. Hear how he has been working with his clients on all the pandemic stimulus programs (Payroll Protection Plan, Economic Injury Disaster Loans) that help retain employees and survive the age of quarantine; how that’s all working; how companies are adapting; all the extensions and deductions that aim to ease the pain (charitable donations are now 100% deductible, when itemized); how we can afford all the bailout money; and how he is happy to answer your questions, in this unclear time.

Western Mass Business Show 5.9.20

Tune in Saturday, May 9 @ 11 am to hear Ira speak with
Lora Ksieniewicz, of Yoga of the Valley & Yoga of the Vine
(on Martha’s Vineyard). Hear how her business moved online,
maintaining most of the intimacy and heart of in person practice
and instruction. Hear about the benefits, physically, mentally,
emotionally, of touching base inside and using your body in this
ancient art. They discuss how yoga is different in a studio, than
at home, but you can make it work anywhere! Learn about Lora’s
retreats, internationally, that we can’t wait to happen again!

Western Mass Business Show 5.2.20

Tune in Saturday, May 2 @ 11 am to hear Ira speak with DR. YVES SALOMON-FERNANDEZ, PRESIDENT of GREENFIELD COMMUNITY COLLEGE. She discusses how GCC is supporting students and the community during this global crisis; and providing employees what they need; and some helpful perspective for high school students; and how they have adjusted to online learning; and thinking through the future of higher ed, in whatever the new normal actually turns out to be. And even and especially in this new time, how to keep it interesting, challenging, and fun, that are key to effective teaching and learning.

Western Mass Business Show 4.25.20

Tune in Saturday, April 25 @ 11 am & Sunday, April 26 @ 8 pm to hear Ira speak with ETHEL GRIFFIN & COLLEEN LOVELESS, of REVITALIZE CDC. For 28 years they have rebuilt homes and revitalized communities in Western Mass, leveraging the investments of donors, grantors and volunteers to provide resources to the elderly, veterans, families with children and people with special needs, ranging from roof repairs to mold remediation, to health and safety modifications and energy-efficiency improvements. Hear how they’ve helped neighborhoods build the community strong enough to drive out drug houses; helped children suffering from asthma, worsened by their own house; and even in the time of Covid-19, can do virtual assessments to identify hazards in your home and provide advice and supplies. And how contributions, using the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC), gives back 50% of your donation, as a tax credit that even includes nonprofits ie: kind of like the government is providing a matching grant!

Western Mass Business Show 3.28.20

Tune in Saturday, March 28 @ 11 am & Sunday, March 29 @ 8 pm to hear Ira speak with JEFF LOMMA, Marketing & Communications Manager of Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity . They discuss why and how they help people move out of substandard housing and into a Habitat home, which is more likely to improve their health, attain an education, and increase their safety and finances. Because 1 in 5 families in Mass pay ½ or more on housing, HFH builds and repairs homes in partnership with local families; and helps qualifying families obtain a home of their own with an affordable mortgage, and how they provide a “Hand up, not a handout.” Also, hear about their June 20 fundraiser, Home Runs for Habitat (wiffle ball home run derby) at Bullens Field in Westfield; and about ReStore in Westfield, a home improvement store and donation center.

Western Mass Business Show 3.14.20

3.14.20 George O’Brien from Business West guest hosts and talks with Pete Westover from Conservation Works

Western Mass Business Show 3.7.20

Western Mass Business Show 2.29.20

Tune in Saturday, February 29 @ 11 am, and Sunday, March 1 @ 8 pm to hear Ira speak with JIM YOUNG, the Centered Coach, and JESSI KIRLEY, of the Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley. Jim grabs the mike and interviews Jessi and Ira, who discuss the emotional aspects of transition; how their building friendship was like “STP” to the fuel of their hand-off plan; how trust, vulnerability, appreciation were vital ingredients; how their ongoing meeting agenda was built on tensions that needed resolving; how they utilized their chosen ‘leadership coach,” and how few transitions (including 38 in Pioneer Valley in 2019) had any overlap at all. Listen in!

Western Mass Business Show 2.22.20

Tune in Saturday, Feb 22 @ 11 am, and Sunday, Feb 23 @ 8 pm to hear Ira speak with GARY SCHAEFER & IVAN USSACH, of Common Good, a 501(c)(3) non-bank financial institution paired with a democratic system for deciding as a community how to use the Community Fund the system produces. They discuss how this method gathers people together locally; and transforms the ability of communities to improve access for food, housing, clean environment, and a resilient economy; using transparent and open source software, policies, finances, plans, and publicity materials

Western Mass Business Show 2.15.20

Tune in Saturday, February 15 @ 11 am, and Sunday, February 16 @ 8 pm to hear Ira speak with ROCHELLE CLARK, Founder and CEO of Succession Strength, a company that keeps good businesses in business. She works with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses to protect their operations with business continuity planning and prepare to pass the operations from one generation of leadership to the next. They discuss how 80% of succession failures are due to poor communication and inadequate preparation, how she provides the education, practical tools, and in-person guidance to overcome those obstacles.