Voices From The Valley

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Latest episode

Feb 2024

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About the show

Voices From The Valley is a podcast where we meet the movers and shakers in and around the Merrimack Valley. Each episode, co-hosts John Bachmann and Ben Tallberg will interview business people throughout the Merrimack Valley of Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. We'll learn how they got where they are, why they love doing what they do, challenges they've faced along the way, and how we can learn from them.

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15 recent

February 1, 2024Episode 41 hr 12 min

It’s How Businesses Are Built - Melissa Gilbo

This week we meet and learn from Melissa Gilbo of Women’s Business League. Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Melissa as she tells us that networking doesn’t have to be so scary, about how we can make networking easier, how to take the leap to start a new business, and even gives us some marketing suggestions. Contact links Melissa Gilbo melissa@womensbusinessleague.com https://womensbusinessleague.com/ https://linktr.ee/Melissa_Gilbo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissagilbo/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-gilbo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womensbusinessleague/ Other links Amy Pocsik, co-founder Women’s Business League: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amypocsik/ Flatbreads - Georgetown: https://americanflatbread.com/locations/georgetown-ma/ John Bachmann https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/ Phone: 978-372-5921 Ben Tallberg https://afaautorepair.com/ Phone: 978-388-5959

January 4, 2024Episode 31 hr 27 min

I Hit Things With Sticks - Scott Winters

This week we meet and learn from Scott Winters of CNA Stores. Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Scott as he tells us about music in his life, a massive motorcycle accident that changed his life, working to not only legalize but to stand behind cannabis locally, and his life working with CNA Stores CEO and Founder Rob DiFazio. We learn about marketing and hiring at a cannabis shop and also all of the philanthropic work they do for our community. Contact links Scott Winters scott@CNAstores.com https://www.cnastores.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnastores/ Other links River Street Cafe METRC Mayor Kassandra Gove VNEOC Amesbury Industrial John Bachmann https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/ Phone: 978-372-5921 Ben Tallberg https://afaautorepair.com/ Phone: 978-388-5959

October 19, 2023Episode 21 hr 45 min

Has a Bigfoot Hugged You Recently? - Tim O’Neil

This week we meet and learn from Tim O’Neil of Bigfoot Waterproofing. Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Tim as he tells us all about their marketing plans, employee appreciation (which may or may not involve hugs), as well as the fact that it can be the smallest of things to ensure the best customer experiences. Tim may have even created a new segment, Voices After Dark, where we dug deep into Tim’s thoughts on the podcast, how he’d like to see Ben video things for him at AFA, and asked all the deep insurance questions that John loves to hear. Contact links Tim O’Neil (978) 338-4545 https://www.bigfootwaterproofing.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigfootwaterproofing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigfootConsultantsLLC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUu6X95yNssBk5nDrDmQyCg Other links 603 Basement Solutions John Bachmann https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/ Phone: 978-372-5921 Ben Tallberg https://afaautorepair.com/ Phone: 978-388-5959

October 5, 2023Episode 11 hr 16 min

Environmentally Responsible Does Not Equal Burlap Sack - Ken Michienzi

This week we meet and learn from Ken Michienzi, founder and CEO of The Merrimack Company. Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Ken as he tells us about giving up a life in major technology companies like Apple and Tesla, to found his environmentally responsible apparel company that focuses on community, nature and adventure. Not only do we talk about the highs and lows so far with his new company, but we also learn about his massive, long-term vision. World domination visions is something all of us business people should think about for our own businesses! Contact links Ken Michienzi https://themerrimackcompany.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themerrimackcompany/ Retail location: Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson St. 4th Floor, Lowell, MA. 01852 Other links 15% Discount Code: cleanfifteen The School for Field Studies Patagonia & Yvon Chouinard Frank H. Cann Drive by Daniel H. Pink John Bachmann https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/ Phone: 978-372-5921 Ben Tallberg https://afaautorepair.com/ Phone: 978-388-5959

September 7, 202354 min

Guess Who’s Back…Voices From The Valley Is Back

Although we took a bit of a hiatus, Voices From The Valley is back for Season 2. During Season 1, hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chatted with a number of business people from the Merrimack Valley and learned about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship from the people that lived them. Season 2 will have more of the same. During this preview episode, John and Ben talk all things from what they’ve learned hosting a podcast and things they are currently facing in their businesses as well as topics like haunted lakes and getting hyped up on Mountain Dew. Be sure to keep an eye out for all of the Season 2 episodes that will be dropping soon! Contact links John Bachmann https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/ Phone: 978-372-5921 Ben Tallberg https://afaautorepair.com/ Phone: 978-388-5959

May 11, 2023Episode 957 min

Is Your Chiropractor The Bright Spot In Your Day? - Dr. Allie DiSalvo

This week we meet and learn from Dr. Allison DiSalvo, owner and treating physician at The Body Remedy. Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Dr. Allie as she tells us about going out on her own as the pandemic was changing up the world of chiropractic care. Dr. Allie talks about having to lean on other people in her network to get the business up and running. Not to mention, you might be surprised as this chiropractor is not all about the popping and cracking! Contact links Dr. Allie DiSalvo https://www.thebodyremedyma.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebodyremedyma/ Phone: 978-231-9032 Email: info@thebodyremedyma.com Other links SLS Fitness - https://www.slsfitness.com/ F45 - https://f45training.com/northandover/home Salon Metta - https://www.salonmetta.com/ John Bachmann https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/ Phone: 978-372-5921 Ben Tallberg https://afaautorepair.com/ Phone: 978-388-5959

May 4, 2023Episode 844 min

Leaving a Day Job to Start a Video Business - Jon Almas

This week we meet and learn from Jon Almas, founder of Aeropex Media Creative. Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Jon as he tells us about leaving a corporate career and starting his business. He has gone from a video production company to now including marketing strategy as a core focus for his clients. We dig into why companies need to focus more on the strategy than the actual tactics. Contact links Jon Almas https://www.aeropexmediacreative.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/am_creative_marketing/ Phone: 978-464-8895 Email: info@aeropexmediacreative.com Other links Amesbury Chamber of Commerce - https://amesburychamber.com/ Newburyport Chamber of Commerce - https://www.newburyportchamber.org/ Matt Forcier - https://www.lmv-productions.com/ John Bachmann https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/ Phone: 978-372-5921 Ben Tallberg https://afaautorepair.com/ Phone: 978-388-5959

April 27, 2023Episode 71 hr 10 min

Hiring & Firing, Working Capital, Mergers & Acquisitions with…A Musician!? - Zach Field

This week we meet and learn from Zach Field, owner & instructor at Zach Field Drums & Music. Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Zach as he tells us that he’s on this planet to perform and to teach. But along the way of building this business with 30+ instructors and over 600 students, he needs to dig into the weeds like any other business person. We talk about systems, hiring & firing, mergers & acquisitions, etc. But that’s not all. We talk about his new performance space and a teaching software that he is launching. Contact links Zach Field https://zachfielddrumsandmusic.com/ https://www.thespacezfdm.com/ https://www.drumroom.io/home Phone: (978) 462-1100 Email: zach@zachfielddrumsandmusic.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachfielddrumsandmusic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zachfielddrumsandmusic Other links The Music Mill Manchester - https://manchestermusicmill.com/ Blue Man Group - https://www.blueman.com/ Percussive Arts Society International Convention - https://pasic.org/ https://www.score.org/ Dave DiCenso - https://davedicenso.com/ John Bachmann https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/ Phone: 978-372-5921 Ben Tallberg https://afaautorepair.com/ Phone: 978-388-5959

April 20, 2023Episode 645 min

Starting Another Business From Scratch Can Be Scary - Anthony Tomacchio

This week we meet and learn from Anthony Tomacchio, co-owner of Loaded. Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of Amesbury Foreign Auto chat with Anthony as he tells us about all of the ups and downs of starting a business in another state then coming back home and co-founding two restaurant concepts. But through it all, never being satisfied and always having the next idea on the horizon. Contact links Anthony Tomacchio https://loadedfoodgroup.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getloadedhaverhill/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088561870694 Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprimalfooddude/ Other links Stacks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feedmestacks/ John Bachmann https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/ Phone: 978-372-5921 Ben Tallberg https://amesburyforeignauto.com/ Phone: 978-388-5959

April 13, 2023Episode 51 hr 5 min

How’d We End Up With 60,000 Facebook Page Members? - Gerald Schiavoni

This week we meet and learn from Gerald Schiavoni of Five Point Strategies & Merrimack Valley Eats. Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of Amesbury Foreign Auto chat with Gerald as he tells us about going from contributing to local Facebook town pages, to starting one of his own with close friends, to seeing the audience grow to over 60,000 members! We learn all about the struggles related to being a restaurateur but also some avenues to seek help when starting out in this space. Contact links Gerald Schiavoni Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mveats/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungrybeyondboston/ Post about the Rusty Can in Byfield: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mveats/permalink/1926744990838542/ Haverhill Small Business Support Links: https://www.haverhillbusinessportal.com/support-programs https://www.score.org/ Alpine Butcher in Lowell TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alpinebutcher Simon Sinek Start With Why: https://simonsinek.com/books/start-with-why/ John Bachmann https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/ Phone: 978-372-5921 Ben Tallberg https://amesburyforeignauto.com/ Phone: 978-388-5959