Podcasts: The Western Mass. Business Show
The Western Mass. Business Show
Entrepreneurs undertake risk and responsibility, in order to solve problems, contribute their passions and talents to society, and make the world go round. Our success and survival depends on them, and they depend on you. Hear their stories, perspectives, and inspirations every week, as they reveal themselves in a conversation with Tara Brewster. Saturdays at 11AM and Sundays at 2PM on The Western Mass Business Show.
Western Mass Business Show on 8.24.24 — Taylor Haas, Executive Director of the 3 County Fair
Join us as we meet Taylor Haas the new Executive Director of the 3 County Fair in Northampton. She is a native of PA and came to the area just before Covid in 2019 with her family. She grew up in a farming community around horses and livestock and has put that to good use in her role at the fair. Her background in marketing has also helped her find early success and strong community outreach regionally. The fair runs from August 30-September 2 and is $15 for adults and free for kids 11 and under. Also, free parking is a draw along with free concerts, performances, activities, competitions, and more. Taylor can’t do it alone, with over 100 volunteers to make the fair happen it’s no wonder why it’s the longest running fair in the county. In it’s 207th year, it’s quite impressive to be able to say that they began in 1818. Other events include the Paradise City Arts Festival, the Morgan Horse Show, and All Sport Indoor Soccer Arena. Join us as we meet Taylor Haas and learn why we too should be at the fair this end of summer. Thanks for listening.
Western Mass Business Show on 8.17.24 — Mischa Roy, Owner of Spill the Tea Sis Apothecary
Join us as we hear about Mischa Roy’s journey into being the CEO and Owner at Spill the Tea Sis Apothecary in downtown Northampton. Drawing on her visual arts background she has created an intentionally curated shop that draws on the arts, creative, mystical, spiritual, beautiful, and local perspectives to make the products and space unique. Open 7 days and featuring crystals, tarot, books, jewelry, tea, and candles. Hand poured in the store the candles are a big source of pride and income for the business which is quite the family affair. Tune into hear which events you need to be at this fall, including, Full Moon and Mingle, Wheel of the Year, Harvest and Haunting, Block Parties, and more. Check out www.spilltheteasis.com while you listen in.
Western Mass Business Show on 8.10.24 — Leslie Gould-Barkman of Ladybug Body Mind Healing
Leslie Gould-Barkman is a lifelong learner. Drawing on many years of education and practice she has created a practice of soul centered somatic caretaking. With an MSW, hypnotherapy, bodywork, and arts background, Leslie has created her own approach to healing. Her work is body focused through the musculoskeletal system which helps patients with mental health, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. She addresses what’s the root cause of one’s problems and goes after what’s stuck in the body and energy field. Join us as we discuss her experience and unique approach to healing people through energy work.
www.ladybugbodymindhealing.com
Western Mass Business Show on 8.3.24 — Susan Elena, Director of the Iyengar Yoga Center of Western MA
Join us as we speak with Susan Elena who is the Director of the Iyengar Yoga Center of Western MA. Located on the Parsons Block in Florence in the former Herlihey’s women’s clothing store. As we learned, it is not an easy feat to be designated as a Center and Susan-Elena has put her time and effort into learning the practice of Iyengar. Go to IYCWM.com for more information about the practice and her studio. Susan-Elena’s training as a dancer and artist helped her find the path of studio ownership along with the help of her studio administrator Sarah LeBeouf, they create an atmosphere for learning and growth in Florence. From a beginner to Rohan Bopanna’s path to Olympic Gold, Iyengar has been helping people find their strength and path to healing. Find out about upcoming events and Open Houses, how no 2 classes are alike, and how technology plays an important role in the classes at 76 Maple Street in Florence. Listen in as we discuss health and wellbeing from an ancient Indian tradition of fitness and wellbeing.
Western Mass Business Show on 7.27.24 — Rachel Martins
Join us as we hear an update on Rachel Martins and her coaching business for parents. Bouncing off our first conversation from a year ago, Rachel helps us reimagine what a different relationship might look like with your kids. One where you are coming from a place of love vs. fear. How to talk so your kids will listen is not only the volume at which you speak but also the control and non-judgement that you show up with. How can you focus on self-care to have a full well so that you can be the best parent you can be? What do you have control over vs. what you are worrying about that you can’t control. As a Mom of 17, 13, and 11 she has real world and lived experience through her Master’s in Education and her work as a teacher in the classroom. What red flags will you hear from this episode that might make you reach out to her? How to break the cycles of overwhelm so that you can come out a better person and role model of self-care to your kids. To find out more tune in and go to www.rachelmartinscoaching.com
Western Mass Business Show on 7.20.24 — Kisha Zullo, Sonia Alvelo, Jennifer Bouquot
Kisha Zullo is a Yes person. In fact, she’s a YES, YES person. Working in event planning and seeing a need for a women’s conference is just one of the many ways that Kisha shows up with the yes when a need is seen. She is inclusive by creating space for others to join her, like for this interview: Sonia Alvelo, CEO, Latin Financial and Jennifer Bouquot, VP, Talent Development and Organizational Effectiveness, Liberty Bank. Join us as we discuss why it matters to support women and each other and why you need to join the Breaking Barriers conference in Springfield on September 13th for the Women in Business Summit’s 19th Conference. I’ll leave you with this:
Who’s Fly?
I’m Fly.
Are You Fired Up?
I’m Fired Up.
Are You Powered Up?
I’m Powered Up.
Western Mass Business Show on 7.13.24 — Laurie Millman and Steven Haguma
Laurie Millman and Steven Haguma join us to talk about why the C4NA is such an important nonprofit in our region. With offices in Northampton, Greenfield, Amherst, and Springfield they try to reach as many immigrants as possible coming to the 413. Laurie has been the Executive Director for 15+ years and has a desire to effect positive change and help others and she’s doing it according to Steven who came to our area from the the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2020 with his family. They had been trying to flee Africa for over 20 years, can you imagine? With over 30 employees, C4NA helps immigrants navigate a new land, language, systems, and world. Through events like 30 Poems in November, Citizenship/Naturalization Ceremony on 7/4, and Immigrant Voices at the Shea Theatre funds are raised to help the Center function and grow. Tune into see how you can help new immigrants feel more welcomed in a new land. Many come to WMA because of the way that we choose to show up in the world-together we can continue to make that belief a reality. Thank you to Laurie and Steven for joining the show.
Western Mass Business Show on 7.6.24 — Dr. Fadia Nordtvei
Who knows what DEIBS stands for? Most know what DEIB is but if you add the S it stands for sustainability. Join us as we speak to Dr. Fadia Nordtveit who’s work centers around communication, business equity, and sustainability. While working at NYU and Springfield College, Fadia can use her platform to teach the next generation of leaders about how to communicate inclusivity and what their leadership means for the society of the future. If that isn’t enough, Fadia also has a steady stream of workshops, including her popular Inclusive Business Canvas Model which she has given to the Amherst Chamber community. Check out her website to learn more about how she chooses to show up in the world. Thank you for all that you do Fadia.
Western Mass Business Show on 6.29.24 — Ira Bryck, a Senior Advisor for Giombetti Associates
No stranger to the WMBS Ira Bryck is back on again to update us on his life’s work of being semi-retired. Really this boils down to the fact that he gets to meditate more and not feel the pressure of doing so much all the time. Ira, we are jealous. Between being a Senior Advisor for Giombetti Associates and finding the best hires for the right roles and coaching leaders across the globe, he is probably just as busy as he ever was. If you are brave, then reach out to do a personality assessment to see where you score and where your median is. From Family Business, to Haiku, to E For All, to daytime naps, we will make sure you are all caught up on the life and times of this busy Amherst resident. Join us.
Western Mass Business Show on 6.22.24 — Miranda Maguire and Ann Walsh of Big Brothers Big Sisters & Bob Lowry, Owner of Bueno y Sano
Join us as we engage once again with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. We talk about the Daffodil Run in 01002, Bueno Day, Lunch Buddies, and Matches that Work. Miranda Maguire Program Supervisor, Ann Walsh Development and Partnerships Manager, and Bob Lowry Owner of Bueno y Sano discuss how BBBS impacts them and the greater Hampshire County community. Since 1975, BBBS HC has been impacting the lives of Littles so that they may have meaningful adult relationships in their lives but they are not the only ones to benefit. Mentoring is proven to be an important factor in the development of youth and BBBS is fulfilling that need. Bob Lowry is a 3x Big and now major supporter of BBBS. Tune in to learn how you can give of your time or talent in order to make this program even more successful than it already is.




