Start Here

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Episodes

114

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Featuring Vermont’s most influential business leaders, Start Here bridges the gap between entertainment and inspiration by presenting the unfiltered stories of today’s top innovators. Everybody starts somewhere - why not Start Here? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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60 recent

June 11, 202638 min

RJ Adler / WheelPad

“To be an entrepreneur, you have to be inherently lazy.” RJ Adler joins Start Here to give us the update on WheelPad, a manufacturer of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) based in Wilmington, Vermont. Aside from building ADU’s for families around the country, RJ talks about his experience coming from a large family of entrepreneurs, his early ventures as a student at Middlebury College, and why WheelPad is choosing to grow in Vermont. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 7, 202640 min

Michele Asch / Twincraft Skincare

Michele Asch is the kind of leader who builds things… and then helps others do the same. As Chief People Officer at Twincraft Skincare, she's part of the team making Vermont a legitimate hub for skincare innovation, manufacturing premium products for over 150 brands across North America. Outside of Twincraft, Michele invests in startups by putting real capital behind Vermont founders who are building something that matters. This one's for anyone who believes Vermont is a place where innovation actually happens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 16, 202629 min

Kevin LeSage / SearchLight

If there’s an entrepreneur to watch right now, it’s Kevin LeSage. He’s the founder of SearchLight, an analytics platform bringing a clear, unbiased view to return on ad spend and showing contractors which leads actually turn into booked jobs. He’s taken a different path to get here, choosing to learn inside other businesses before building his own. From marketing and corporate sales to business development and a family business foundation, Kevin brings a wide-angle view to what it takes to grow something that lasts. No matter your industry or stage, this episode is a reminder to stay close to the work, trust the data, and keep building with an expert team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 2, 202645 min

Jason Levinthal / J Skis

Jason “J” Levinthal started making skis in his parents' garage at the age of 24. After founding a company, seeing it acquired, and realizing he wasn’t built to sit still, he launched J Skis, a direct-to-skier brand creating hand-crafted, limited-edition skis. With a background in brand marketing, J’s goal is to turn heads on the mountain and beyond, from brand partnerships to collaborations with musicians. He’s been through nearly every lesson that shapes a founder. Tune in, clip in, strap in. No matter how you ride, lock in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 19, 202650 min

Jason Wilbur / WILBUR

Jason Wilbur is the founder of Wilbur, a luxury watch company. He joins the show to talk about what it really takes to break from the expected and build something entirely your own. After leading advanced design at Honda, Jason walked away to create what he calls “mechanized art”— a bold reimagining of luxury rooted in craftsmanship, rebellion, and individuality. Inspired by the counterculture of snowboarding and skateboarding, he shares a candid look at building a brand with edge, navigating the realities of high-cost hardware innovation, and embracing the “creative survival” mindset required to keep going. Don’t skip this one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 5, 202648 min

Julie Jatlow / Fuse

Julie Jatlow is truly a queen. She is one of the owners of Fuse, a teen and young adult marketing agency helping brands reach the younger generation. Julie explains everything from working with the world’s biggest brands to strategies centered on youth culture, sports, and experiential marketing. There are so many good tips and stories in here. Take notes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February 19, 202635 min

Chelsea Bardot Lewis / VBSR

We sat down with our friend Chelsea Bardot Lewis, the Executive Director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR). She’s steering VBSR into its next chapter by doubling down on in-person connection, pragmatic advocacy around housing, healthcare, workforce, and climate resilience, and building a stronger, more generous Vermont business ecosystem! We loved hearing her passion for the workforce in this state. This is one that e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e should listen to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 15, 202642 min

David Aronoff / MCJ

We sat down with our dear friend David Aronoff, managing partner at MCJ, one of the leading early-stage climate tech venture funds. David brings decades of venture experience, from building rocketship startups to investing at top firms like Greylock and Flybridge. What sets MCJ apart is its unconventional approach: no board seats, no led rounds, just relentless focus on portfolio support powered by a massive community of talent. With deep roots in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, a passion for durable companies, and a clear-eyed view on everything from AI bubbles to Vermont’s innovation ecosystem, David offers sharp insights for founders, investors, and anyone serious about climate solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December 2, 202537 min

Sam Holland / Informal

Today, we sit down with our friend Sam Holland, co-founder of Informal. Sam is a hardware builder at his core, but has a rare talent for making it feel inviting to all. He’s built everything from brain scanners to burrito holders, and brings that same creativity to the meetups he hosts. He also brings a healthy dose of humor to every conversation. If you’re exploring hardware or considering launching a hardware company…or oblivious to it all and want to give it a try, this episode is a great place to start. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

November 4, 202547 min

Phil Beauregard / Impellent Ventures

With a background that spans startups, exits, and investing, Phil Beauregard brings raw energy, humility, and a deep belief that world-changing ideas can come from anywhere. He’s an Ivy League grad, ex-investment banker, and serial entrepreneur. Now, managing partner at Impellent Ventures, Phil and his team focus on uncovering the next unicorns in emerging regions, from overlooked cities to unexpected founders. This is one you don't want to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.