Start Local

Hosted by Liam Dempsey, Erik Gudmundson, and Joe Casabona

Business NewsInterviews guests

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Instagram YouTube

Episodes

103

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Start Local is focused on helping businesses and non-profits in and around Chester County, Pennsylvania, connect and grow together. Our aim is to bring together the many folks that make up our wonderful community in greater Philadelphia to share and learn from each other.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 4, 2026Episode 10345 min

Advocating for Abused and Neglected Children with Leigh Anne McKelvey

Children in the midst of proceedings in Dependency Court face countless questions, fears, and uncertainties. To understand more, we speak with Leigh Anne McKelvey, Executive Director of CASA Youth Advocates, which serves Delaware and Chester Counties as part of a national nonprofit network. A social worker first, Leigh Anne guides us through the challenges confronting children who have experienced abuse and neglect – and explains how CASA’s staff and volunteers advocate for those children. She unpacks how CASA’s volunteers are screened and trained to support children navigating instability in many areas of their lives. Leigh Anne also shares her passion for teaching graduate-level social work students and reveals how she likes to unwind amidst the pressures of leading CASA, teaching courses, and raising a young family. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS CASA Youth Advocates Serving Delaware and Chester Counties Website: chescocasa.org Instagram: instagram.com/casayouthadvocates Facebook: facebook.com/CASAYouthAdvocates CASA on YouTube Careers with CASA: delcocasa.org/jobs-casa Leigh Anne McKelvey on LinkedIn Local Business Spotlight TLC Rescue (To Love a Canine) ADVERTISEMENT Need legal help? The Chester County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service connects community members with local attorneys for a $25, 30-minute consultation. Start local—and find a path forward. Get legal help

August 21, 2026Episode 10233 min

Making the Finest Chocolates with Albert Lauber

For many people, few culinary pleasures compare with fine Swiss chocolate. Indulging our own dreams, we joined Albert Lauber, Owner and Chocolatier at Neuchatel Chocolates, on his factory floor in Oxford, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by the irresistible sights and aromas of chocolate being made, we spoke with Albert about the craft and business behind it all. He explained how he transforms Swiss chocolate into delicious truffles – and how he makes his own chocolate from Philippine cocoa beans. We also explored industry trends, the challenges of managing a factory, and his approach to sourcing ingredients from local farmers and producers. If you have even a hint of a sweet tooth, this delicious episode is not to be missed. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Neuchatel Chocolates neuchatelchocolates.com swisschips.com Facebook: facebook.com/NeuchatelChocolates Instagram: instagram.com/neuchatel_swiss_chocolates ChocoEve Website: chocoeve.com Local Business Spotlight SILO Additional Links Extract and Box Maplehofe Diary The Market at Liberty Place Related Episodes Buying, Renovating, and Renting Properties with Geoff Bosley ADVERTISEMENT Need legal help? The Chester County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service connects community members with local attorneys for a $25, 30-minute consultation. Start local—and find a path forward. Get legal help

August 7, 2026Episode 10139 min

Creating Safe Places and Finding Forever Homes for Cats with Kristine Baney

Cats, cats – here, there and everywhere! Surrounded by felines, we meet with Kristine Baney, Executive Director at Treetops Kitty Cafe. More of a lounge than a cafe, Treetops Kitty Cafe is a cat rescue located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. At Treetops, the cats play, nap, and cause chaos wherever they want as they roam freely throughout the entire facility. Kristine walks us through the running of the rescue shelter, its adoption service, and caring for the cats that call the cafe home, even if only for a short while. We talk about board recruitment and strategies for raising awareness about the nonprofit, ensuring that a growing number of local residents know about and support the cafe. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Treetops Kitty Cafe Website: treetopskittycafe.com Facebook: facebook.com/TreetopsKittyCafeRescue Instagram: instagram.com/treetopskittycafe TikTok: tiktok.com/@treetopskittycafe LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/treetops-kitty-cafe-animal-rescue Kristine Baney on LinkedIn Board involvement note on the Treetops Kitty Cafe website Volunteer with Treetops Kitty Cafe Additional Links ACCT Philly Pocopson Veterinary Station Cherry Blossom Vacations Forage Books The Mushroom Festival Longwood Gardens TRANSCRIPT

July 24, 2026Episode 10058 min

Supporting and Serving Children in Under Resourced Communities with Jan Michener

Learning to read at a young age can prove so critical to how well a child flourishes as they grow. We meet with Jan Michener, Founder and Executive Director of Arts Holding Hands & Hearts (AHHAH). Based in Kennett Square, AHHAH supports young people in under resourced communities across Chester County. The organizations runs a range of arts and literacy programs in communities, schools, and the youth detention center – all focused on enabling those young people to thrive, rather than merely service. With deep commitment to helping children read at grade level from an early age, Jan walks us through several of AHHAH’s program and initiatives. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH) Website: ahhah.org Instagram: instagram.com/artsholdinghandsandhearts Facebook: facebook.com/ArtsHoldingHandsAndHeartsInc Jan Michener on LinkedIn Additional Links Chester County Futures Kennett Ability Network (KAN) Good Works Camp Dreamcatcher Kennett Library Justamere Foundation Chester County Intermediate Unit Chester County Youth Center Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library The Alliance for Health Equity Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (CCOIC) Other Interviews with Jan Michener Jan Michener on Great Dames Jan Michener on The Art of Volunteering Podcast Related Episodes Repairing Homes and Building Relationships with Bob Beggs Nurturing Belonging and Celebrating Community with Children Impacted by HIV/AIDS with Patty Hillkirk Building Community and Capacity with Chris Manna TRANSCRIPT The full transcript for this episode will be published on our website as soon as it is available.

July 10, 2026Episode 9949 min

Designing, Fabricating, and Servicing Industrial Construction with Scott Dolor

Industrial fabrication and construction underpins much of the infrastructure and manufacturing that keeps our economy moving. In this episode, we sit down with Scott Dolor, Vice President of Operations at M. Davis & Sons, to explore how the Kennett Square company designs, fabricates, installs, and maintains complex industrial systems. Scott walks us through the evolution of the family-owned business, its focus on investing on its people, and how the company attracts and develops the next generation of craftspeople. We also discuss the many facets of M. Davis’s business, fostering a strong workplace culture, and how the company is eager to engage with and supporting its local community. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS M. Davis & Sons Website: mdavisinc.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/m-davis-&-sons Facebook: facebook.com/MDavisSonsInc Scott Dolor on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-dolor-mba-62134a13 Additional Links The Garage Community & Youth Center SILO Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)

June 19, 2026Episode 981 hr 3 min

Championing Live Music and Local Arts with Michael Hahn

Live music plays an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities. We sit down with Michael Hahn, Executive Director of the Kennett Flash, to explore how the nonprofit listening room has become a home for live music, comedy, and community events in Kennett Square. Michael walks us through the realities of operating a nonprofit arts organization, from booking performers and securing sponsorships to recruiting volunteers and building audiences. We also discuss plans for a future arts and culture hub in Kennett Square. Along the way, Michael shares insights from his own career as a musician, songwriter, and arts administrator. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS The Kennett Flash Website: kennettflash.org The Kennett Flash on Bandcamp: thekennettflash.bandcamp.com Instagram: instagram.com/thekennettflash Facebook: facebook.com/TheKennettFlash Volunteer: kennettflash.org/volunteer Michael Hahn’s YouTube channel Additional Links The Hub for Arts and Culture KATS (Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society) If Not For Music Koh Show Live Rainbow Records Smalls Music Shop Live Music Society Kennett Restaurants and Businesses La Verona Lily Asian Cuisine Michoacana Grill The Mushroom Cap Philter KSQ Barber Lounge Recommended Musical Artists Strays and Misfits on Bandcamp Buffalo Nichols Related Episodes Playing, Teaching, and Building a Career in Music with Dave Mattock Focusing on Customers Relationships with Mark Avery

June 5, 2026Episode 971 hr 0 min

Protecting the Rights and Interests of Victims of Crime and Personal Injury with Basil Joy

When people suffer serious injury, abuse, or trauma – either through criminal acts or negligence – it can prove challenging to rebuild their lives. We sit down with Basil Joy, an attorney with Goldberg, Goldberg & Maloney, to discuss his work representing victims of crime and personal injury. Basil explains how attorneys help clients pursue justice, accountability, and restitution. Basil reflects on his legal career and how that shapes his work advocating for and protecting the rights of victims. Chatting about a number of nonprofits, we also discuss the value of supporting local communities through board involvement. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Goldberg, Goldberg & Maloney Website LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Basil Joy on LinkedIn Basil's commencement speech (2013) on YouTube Local Nonprofits Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County Gateway Horseworks Fox Chase Farm Safe Harbor of Chester County Chester County Fund for Women and Girls Chester County Bar Association Additional Links Pink | Marked Foundation Unite for HER Fox Rothschild Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Suitsupply Concordville Cleaners Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Related Episodes Advocating for Local Communities: Law and Volunteerism with Rob Jefferson Setting the Example and Leading from the Front with Greg Nardi Supporting Victims of Sexual Violence and Other Crimes with Christine Zaccarelli Transcript The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

May 22, 2026Episode 961 hr 0 min

Championing and Fostering the Future of Transportation with Derrick Herrmann

With transportation touching nearly every aspect of daily life, advancing technology is rapidly changing how we get around our local region. We sit down with Derrick Herrmann, Chief of Transformational Technology at PennDOT, to explore how the agency is preparing for a future that includes AI-powered traffic systems, automated vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, drones, and advanced air mobility. Derrick walks us through PennDOT’s role in regulating emerging transportation technologies, supporting first responders, and using real-time data to improve roadway safety and reduce congestion – and so much more. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Website: pa.gov/agencies/penndot Careers with PennDOT: pa.gov/agencies/employment/penndot PennDOT’s upcoming ~$100million of EV charger funding: pa.gov/evcommunity Open data platform: data-pennshare.opendata.arcgis.com GIS layers for PennDOT: gis.penndot.pa.gov/onemap PennStart: pennstart.org Additional Links AV Ride Beta Technologies Drone 814 GovernmentJobs.com Pennsylvania SPCA State Employees Combined Appeal (SECA) Transportation Organizations AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) ITS America Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) NASEO (National Association of State Energy Officials) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) PAVE (Partners for Automated Vehicle Education) Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission RIDC of Westmoreland Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) Pennsylvania Universities Bucknell University Carnegie Mellon University Safety21 at Carnegie Mellon University Larson Transportation Institute at Penn State Harrisburg University Local Bands and Artists The Menzingers – Tasker-Morris Station The Wonder Years – A Raindance in Traffic The Starting Line – Island Carly Cosgrove Tigers Jaw Balance and Composure Title Fight Bike Routes August Burns Red Modern Baseball Sweet Pill mewithoutYou Kid Dynamite Grayscale Valencia Man Overboard Handguns Related Episodes Advocating for Sustainable Transportation with Tim Phelps Transcript The full episode transcript will be posted here as soon as it is available.

May 8, 2026Episode 9546 min

Connecting Communities and Building Partnerships with Caitlin Ganley and Jennifer Bilotta

Access to high-speed internet is pivotal to enabling local communities access to the value that the internet can provide in the digital age. We sit down with Caitlin Ganley, Senior Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Comcast, and Jennifer Bilotta, VP, Communications at Comcast, to explore how one of the region’s largest employers approaches connectivity, community partnerships, and customer experience across Chester County and beyond. Caitlin and Jenn walk us through the challenges of expanding broadband infrastructure into underserved areas, Comcast’s efforts to provide low-cost internet access to those in need, and the company’s role in supporting local nonprofits. We also discuss AI, innovation, and and some exciting offerings from Comcast. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Comcast Website: xfinity.com Xfinity Internet Essentials Project Up Job opportunities with Comcast: jobs.comcast.com Caitlin Ganley and Jennifer Bilotta Caitlin Ganley on LinkedIn Jennifer Bilotta on LinkedIn Local Nonprofits LCH Health & Community Services Women’s Resource Center (WCS) Chester County Food Bank United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center Oscar Lasko YMCA and Childcare Center Additional Links Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Digital Alliance of Chester County Opa Taverna Carlino’s Related Episodes Addressing Health Needs of Underserved Communities with Ronan Gannon Transcript The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

April 17, 2026Episode 9439 min

Preparing Young People to Flourish in the Workplace with Stephanie Gambone

In classrooms across the country, students are learning to become the leaders of tomorrow. We chat with Stephanie Gambone, President and CEO, Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania, to better understand how her organization supports local young people as they prepare to enter the workplace as adults. As JASEPA celebrates its 75th anniversary, we explore the programs the JASEPA delivers in Coatesville, Downingtown, and elsewhere across the Delaware Valley. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania Website: southeasternpa.ja.org Careers with JA SEPA: southeasternpa.ja.org/about/career-opportunities Volunteer: southeasternpa.ja.org/volunteer LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-southeastern-pa Facebook: facebook.com/JASoutheasternPA Instagram: instagram.com/ja_philly Stephanie Gambone on LinkedIn Additional Links Forum of Executive Women Philadelphia 250 The Fund for Women and Girls: Empowering Change in Chester County Podcasts Crime Junkie Podcast Books Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They Are Too Much by Cynthia Erivo The Next Level Nonprofit: Build a Dream Team + Increase Lasting Impact by Chris Lambert Related Episodes Spearheading Advocacy, Programs, and Grants for Women and Girls with Cheryl Brubaker TRANSCRIPT The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.