Start Here

In this episode, Sophie Rabe, founder of Olive and Milo Social, shares her path from growing up in Vermont’s Mad River Valley to building a career in digital marketing. After studying communications at Champlain College, Sophie worked in event marketing before freelancing led her to start her own agency. Sophie explains how Olive and Milo Social grew from a local business into a company with clients across the U.S. and Canada. She offers insights on choosing the right platforms, understanding analytics, and balancing posts. Sophie’s work highlights the value of small agencies and their scrappiness. Her story encourages anyone considering building a business to #starthere in Vermont.

Jay Bellows, president of KORE Power, discusses his journey from Johnson State to telecom services in Boston to battery storage solutions in Vermont. First, he reflects on how his passion for Vermont’s outdoors and frustration with city life drew him back to the state. Jay then explains the importance of energy storage for grid reliability, especially as the world transitions toward renewable energy and electric vehicles. He also touches on the partnership with Green Mountain Power and the company’s future plans, including a gigafactory in Arizona. Jay’s journey will encourage you to #starthere in beautiful Vermont.

Jeff’s journey began by printing T-shirts, and now, his company works with household brands like Dunkin’, Saucony, and Pepsico. Jeff is the co-founder of Select Design, a creative agency that conquers brand chaos. At just 22, he and his co-founder Kevin were hustling to sell apparel, relying on every connection they could make. His story is about having people in your corner that root for you, and how Vermont is the perfect place to find it. This is the perfect listen for someone wanting to start a business in VT but doesn’t know where to start. Jeff’s story will encourage you to #starthere.

In this episode, we sit down with Erin Fagnant, a powerhouse in marketing and leadership. From her days working with the Red Sox to becoming a partner at KSV, Erin’s journey is packed with insight. She shares the unfiltered truth about what it takes to run and sustain a thriving agency through both the highs and the lows. Erin’s story of resilience and grit will leave you inspired. Whether you’re passionate about marketing, focused on keeping your business strong, or curious about the inner workings of a nearly 50-year-old company, this conversation is for you. Tune in!

You know Patrick Leahy for his 48-year run in the U.S. Senate, but there is so much more to love about Vermont’s most influential and beloved leader. He’s a changemaker, bridge builder, family man, and bipartisan hero, but it all began with a boyhood in Montpelier. Join us for this extra special episode and learn about how the Senator was able to connect with his constituents on a deeply personal level, making a huge impact in Vermont and nationally. Oh and trust us, you don’t want to miss his story about former President Barack Obama singing him “Happy Birthday”.

One thing most businesses don’t think to do is intentionally lower their price. For Alejandro Bergad of Sunsoil, it was a no-brainer. Join us for this month's episode of Start Here, where Alejandro discusses the CBD industry, his experiences with the compound, and his combination of hard work and luck that led to Sunsoil. With a commitment to affordability and keeping a grassroots core, Sunsoil has made a name for itself in the CBD industry for never sacrificing its quality while maintaining an affordable price.

Matt Dunne, the king of rural innovation, joins the podcast to inspire us all. His deep roots in Vermont are intertwined with the community that shaped him. From being elected to the legislature at 22, to convincing Google to open an office in White River Junction, to founding the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), Matt's ability to build community is remarkable. This podcast is essentially a crash course on how to create a thriving community anywhere. We’re big fans, can you tell?

Who knew being a chef in New York City would inspire Ashley to start a luxury home goods business! Founder of DandyLion Designs, Ashley Farland, joins us to share her exciting journey into the realm of luxury goods, but with a unique twist – her creations are crafted from deadstock materials. With a commitment to premium materials and sustainability, DandyLion Designs is taking luxury to the next level. Did we mention it’s a fraction of the price?

Join Brophy Tyree, co-founder of Wasted*, on a journey through the “wild world of circular sanitation.” The Vermont startup is using the power of storytelling to sell its product that’s based on a taboo subject: human waste. Whether you are trying to run a company that is not the most aesthetically pleasing, or simply curious about how this company reached success, this is the podcast for you. We promise your time won’t be Wasted*.