Western Mass Business Show on 12.7.24 — Britt McGrath, Owner of My Health Matters Fitness

Join us as we hear first-hand from Britt McGrath on how she approaches her first year in business and why your health matters. Learn how and why she started the company and how she and her team approach fitness, nutrition, and body image. Britt, Tiff, and Jamie help to make clients feel comfortable and welcome in the space at 1 Mill Valley Road in Hadley. Their team of trainers are aligned to guide clients to wellness and fitness based on their own personal goals. This anti-diet culture studio (body positive/body neutral/weight inclusive) is a welcome respite from the stress of other gyms and training regimens. Follow along with us or on www.mhmfitwell.com for more information. Thanks for joining us. Happy December.

Western Mass Business Show on 11.30.24 — Mischa Roy, Founder of Spill the Tea Sis Apothecary

Join us as we chat with Mischa Roy, CEO and Founder of Spill the Tea Sis Apothecary as we learn about Holiday Trends and How to Gift Give Intentionally. The Importance of Thoughtful Gift Giving and How to Be Mindful with Your Purchases focuses on local shopping and supporting your community and neighbors. Listen in as we hear predictions for retail in 2024 and why local is the best gift of all. What are some options that you can find locally and how can you make a difference in your community and family this holiday season. From Bag Day to candles, Holiday Strolls to jingle bells, as my Grandma used to say “oh but we had fun”. Thanks for being a part of the WMBS magic.

Western Mass Business Show on 11.23.24 — Mara Levi & Nova Wehman-Brown of the Queer Joy Collaborative

Mara Levi, Executive Director, and Nova Wehman-Brown, BOD Chair of the Queer Joy Collaborative

Western Mass Business Show on 11.16.24 — Safe Passage

Join us as we hear from Safe Passage Team Members:

Marianne Winters
Natalie Ulrich
Samili Suarez
Karla T
Alec Rietz

Mark your calendars for 12/8. The Hot Chocolate Run is coming up. Greenfield Savings Bank is doing a donation match on 11/20 up to 15,000. A good reason to make those asks. Listen in as we hear about the many programs that SP has and how they are helping those affected by domestic violence. How you can get involved and why you should support their work. Thanks for listening.

Western Mass Business Show on 11.12.24 — Tiffany Chapman, Photographer

Join us as we take a snapshot of Tiffany Chapman and her journey into creating her hobby into a full-time business. While it hasn’t been easy, following your heart often isn’t. After getting laid off in 2020, Tiffany decided to take the leap and start her own photography business. The road of an entrepreneur is often paved with potholes and sacrifices but also yellow bricks and rainbows. Listen in as we hear about some of both and how you might be able to help this community treasure find her own pot of gold at the end of her entrepreneurial journey. We must support one another to make this community the place that we all want to be. Thanks for listening and being a part of the magic of the WMBS.
www.tiffanychapmanphotography.com

Western Mass Business Show on 10.26.24 — Judith Fine

Many of you know Judith Fine as the Former Owner of Gazebo on Center Street. Join us as we talk about what it means to care so deeply for a place like downtown Northampton. Judith as many know her is a true SHERO of downtown and a community crusader for many causes including the arts and small business. One of 01060’s finest ambassadors is going strong after selling her store to 2 former employees and finding that her days are busier than ever in her retirement/rewirement. One major topic during our chat is the upcoming memorial/benefit/fundraiser for Anchor House of Artists/NEVA Museum on Friday November 8th from 6-8PM. Through the passing of her love and friend, Charlie Miller, his art will be for sale during this time and the proceeds will be donated to NEVA per his wishes. Listen in as we get some gems from the Queen of Downtown on how to show up in community and use your voice for good. If you don’t stand for something you stand for nothing. Thanks for listening.

Western Mass Business Show on 10.12.24 — Robin Bialecki & Pat Brough

Join us as we hear from Robin Bialecki ED of the Easthampton Community Center about her dedicated approach to helping the community meet it’s needs. Under her leadership (since 2008) the ECC has grown to helping all four counties reach the gaps that they have in their respective needs. From food insecurity, housing, job loss, relocation, and more, the ECC has risen to the level that the clients demand (open 7 days). Robin and her team have a hard time saying no and as a result have steadily increased their capacity to serve more and more clients for over 46 years. As one of the only gluten and allergy free pantries in WMA they get many requests for food specific and sensitive care products. Robin gets this done through her over 200 volunteer staff that help throughout the year, including Pat Brough, Sales and Marketing Director for Finck & Perras Insurance. 10 years ago, he helped co-create the much beloved event Give Em the Bird 5K which is a benefit for the ECC. In 2015, they raised 10,000 and they now hope to raise more than 35,000 this year. With over 55 sponsors, I think they have a shot at having their best year ever.

Western Mass Business Show on 10.5.24 — Jon Schaefer, Head Maple Sugarer at Berkshire East

Join us as we speak with Jon Schaefer, Head Maple Sugarer at BE and beyond in Charlemont, MA. Having grown up in the outdoor recreation business Jon was a top skier in his younger days and learned from his dad how to work with the land in WMA. With ties to BC in Canada, Hermitage Club, Bosque, Middlebury, and Catamount, you will see why Jon is a go to industry name for the adventure sports industry. With so many options to choose from at BE, it’s hard to choose one. Give a listen and then head up for the BrewFest on 10/13 or perhaps the Halloween Party on 10/26. See you on the trails.
www.berkshireeast.com

Western Mass Business Show 9.21.24 — Kara McElhone, ED of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hampshire County

Join us as we hear about the state of children in Hampshire County. Kara McElhone, ED of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hampshire County discusses her experience with children who have been abused or sexually exploited in our community. We are blessed to have a CAC in HC and their partnership with DA Sullivan and many other partners in this hard work. Having been in existence for 26 years the CAC is having a recent growth spurt and recently opened an office in Belchertown and is hiring new staff to keep up with community demand. In those years, they have helped over 3,000 kids but many never report and others take a long time to ever speak up about the abuse they experience. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be abused before they turn 18. This is not done by strangers but by people they know love and trust. Protect our children by being a trusted adult and when something doesn’t feel right to you, report it. Even if you are wrong, and that is for DCF to decide, you may save a child from present or future harm. Listen in so you too can have the information that will help a child from this horrible experience that shouldn’t happen to begin with.
www.cachampshire.org

Western Mass Business Show on 9.14.24 — Provisions’s Benson Hyde and Bruce McAmis

Join us as we discover the Provisions legacy from one of the OG (original) founding owners Benson Hyde. He is joined by his partner Bruce McAmis who joined at the fortunate time of late 2019 replacing then owner Alex Feinstein. What began in 2011, with one store has grown into a 4-location operation. Listen in as we hear about the ups and downs of a small but growing business and how focusing on smaller producers, good employees, and community gets them through the tough times. Special shout out to Toni DeLuca the stores wine buyer (and Benson’s partner) and Elena the Cheese Monger for having such important roles in the business model. Tune into hear why Provisons was voted Business West’s Top Entrepreneur of 2022.