Start Here Podcast

In December 2016, VCET launched the Start Here Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of active, aspiring, and accidental entrepreneurs.

Start Here features Vermont’s most influential business leaders — bridging the gap between entertainment and inspiration by presenting the unfiltered stories of today’s top innovator leaders. VCET’s David Bradbury and Sam Roach-Gerber co-host this entertaining and informative podcast to tell the stories of Vermont’s startup, scaling, and pillar companies.

Everybody starts somewhere – why not #StartHere?

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Episode #79
Abby Portman / Poppy Cafe

Abby Portman / Poppy Cafe

Co-founder of Poppy Cafe talks about how they're pushing the boundary of what a sandwich can be.

Episode #77
Katie Babic / Katie Babic Designs

Katie Babic / Katie Babic Designs

Katie Babic, a former school counselor, became a self-taught tree ring artist in 2020, selling unique Vermont prints nationwide.

Episode #76
Lindsay DesLauriers / Bolton Valley

Lindsay DesLauriers / Bolton Valley

Lindsay DesLauriers, president of Bolton Valley Resort, details her personal connection to the resort and her father’s original vision of crafting a working-class ski area.

Episode #74
Matt Murray / Widewail

Matt Murray / Widewail

From an Xbox handle to a cutting-edge trust-marketing platform, the word “Widewail” has played a pivotal role in shaping Matt Murray's journey. Hear Matt's inspiring story as he shares how his visionary company is revolutionizing the landscape of customer reviews, creating a new era of impactful feedback.

Episode #73
Jasmine & Ryan Farrell / Zestbloom

Jasmine & Ryan Farrell / Zestbloom

Today we sit down with Jasmine and Ryan Farrell, the Morrisville-based husband/wife team behind Zestbloom, one of Vermont’s most exciting Web3 startups.

Episode #72
Jed Kalkstein / GPMS International

Jed Kalkstein / GPMS International

Today we sit down with Jed Kalkstein, President and CFO of VCET portfolio company GPMS International whose hardware and software keeps high value aircraft and industrial engines operating safely and reliably.

Episode #71
Mike Farber / LaunchSquad

Mike Farber / LaunchSquad

There is a special breed of part time Vermonters that give first, paying it forward to make our state a better place. One of those people is entrepreneur and lifelong storyteller Mike Farber.

Episode #70
Tyler Sullivan / BombTech Golf

Tyler Sullivan / BombTech Golf

Today we sit down with Tyler “Sully” Sullivan, an athlete turned entrepreneur that is single handedly changing the golf industry...one club at a time.

Episode #69
Alex Daley / GBI

Alex Daley / GBI

Today we sit down with Alex Daley, serial entrepreneur, investor, fintech enthusiast, and self-proclaimed nerd.

Episode #68
Dave Bradbury / VCET

Dave Bradbury / VCET

It’s what you’ve all been waiting for. Today, Sam interviews surfer, snowboarder, self-proclaimed recovering entrepreneur, VCET President, and Start Here co-host Dave Bradbury.

Episode #67
Dani Giandomenico / IXIS

Dani Giandomenico / IXIS

Today we sit down with Dani Giandomenico, founder of IXIS, a rapidly scaling company dedicated to helping clients revolutionize their relationships with their data.

Episode #65
Hannah Wood / Talent Skatepark

Hannah Wood / Talent Skatepark

Today we sit down with Vermont legend Hannah Wood, founder of the beloved Talent Skatepark. Few Vermonters have had a larger impact on our youth.

Episode #64
Jon Tota / Syntax + Motion

Jon Tota / Syntax + Motion

Today is a special day. We get to put serial entrepreneur and fellow podcaster Jon Tota in the hot seat to talk eLearning, SaaS, and so much more.

Episode #63
Thomas Dickerson / Geopipe

Thomas Dickerson / Geopipe

Today, we sit down with Thomas Dickerson, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Geopipe, a company that creates immersive digital twins and rich 3D data about real cities, right here in Vermont.

Episode #62
Paul Millman / Chroma Technology

Paul Millman / Chroma Technology

Today we sit down with co-founder of employee owned Chroma Technology in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Chroma is a leading manufacturer of specialized optical filters, coatings, and mirrors, and leading firms in life sciences, agriculture, security, and aerospace.

Episode #61
Nora Ganley-Roper / Lost Lantern Whiskey

Nora Ganley-Roper / Lost Lantern Whiskey

Today we sit down with Nora Ganley-Roper, co-founder of Lost Lantern Whiskey, who turned a dream road trip into a truly unique and forward thinking business.

Episode #60
Paul Ralston / Vermont Coffee Company

Paul Ralston / Vermont Coffee Company

Today we sit down with Vermonter, Paul Ralston, who after the sale of his beloved Vermont Coffee Company is by no means ready to wrap up his tenure as an entrepreneur.

Episode #59
Jeff Frolik/Packetized Energy

Jeff Frolik/Packetized Energy

Today we sit down with Jeff Frolik, Co-Founder of Packetized Energy, a Vermont company that is making distributed energy clean, affordable, and easy to use.

Episode #58
Peggy Farabaugh / Vermont Woods Studios

Peggy Farabaugh / Vermont Woods Studios

Today we sit down with Peggy Farabaugh, founder of Vermont Woods Studios, a hand-crafted wood furniture company passionate about preserving wildlife habitat.

Episode #57
Eric Sorkin / Runamok Maple

Eric Sorkin / Runamok Maple

Today, we sit down with Eric Sorkin, Co-owner and CEO of Runamok Maple, the company that has taken Vermont’s most beloved export in limitless new directions.

Episode #56
Andy Rossmeissl / Faraday

Andy Rossmeissl / Faraday

Today, we sit down with Andy Rossmeissl, co-founder of VCET portfolio company, Faraday, a pioneer in AI based consumer behavior solutions for Direct to Consumer businesses.

Episode #55
Cyrus Schenck / Renoun

Cyrus Schenck / Renoun

Today Sam sits down with friend of VCET Cyrus Schenck, founder and CEO of Renoun, the best all mountain and powder skis on planet earth.

Episode #54
Caitlin Pascucci / Sangha Studio

Caitlin Pascucci / Sangha Studio

Today, we sit down with Caitlin Pascucci, the founder of Sangha Studio, Vermont’s only nonprofit, donation-based yoga studio.

Episode #53
Adriana Teresa Letorney / Visura

Adriana Teresa Letorney / Visura

Today we sit down with Adriana Teresa Letorney, Founder of Visura: a curated marketplace that connects image buyers, media publications, and organizations with professional, local visual storytellers worldwide.

Episode #52
Coumba Meyerson / Coumba Win Design

Coumba Meyerson / Coumba Win Design

Today, we sit down with Coumba Meyerson, a longtime friend of VCET that has fused her passion for design and entrepreneurial savvy to pave her own way.

Episode #40
Michael Ly / Reconciled

Michael Ly / Reconciled

Today we sit down with Michael Ly, CEO of Reconciled online bookkeeping and 2018 recipient of Intuit's US Firm of the Future.

Episode #39
Jessica Nordhaus/Toad&Co

Jessica Nordhaus/Toad&Co

Today we sit down with Jessica Nordhaus, founder of Toad&Co (formerly Horny Toad).

Episode #38
Andrew Savage/Lime

Andrew Savage/Lime

Today we sit down with Andrew Savage, Vice President, Head of Sustainability & Founding Team Member at Lime. (Photo credit: University of San Francisco)

Episode #33
Kel Bachus/Rad Magpie

Kel Bachus/Rad Magpie

Today we sit down with Kel Bachus, Founder and CEO of Rad Magpie.

Episode #29
Duane Peterson/SunCommon

Duane Peterson/SunCommon

Today we sit down with the Duane Peterson, Co-President & Founder of SunCommon.

Episode #28
Ric Cabot/Darn Tough

Ric Cabot/Darn Tough

Today we sit down with Ric Cabot, President & CEO of Darn Tough Vermont.

Episode #27
Sam Hooper/Green Mountain Glove

Sam Hooper/Green Mountain Glove

Sam Hooper is a lifelong Vermonter, newcomer to entrepreneurship, and latest owner of the nearly 100 year old Green Mountain Glove.

Episode #26
Emily Doyle/Ursa Major

Emily Doyle/Ursa Major

We sit down with Emily Doyle, co-founder of the thriving natural skincare company Ursa Major.

Episode #24
Magic Wand (Compilation)

Magic Wand (Compilation)

On this special episode of Start Here, we recap the best answers from each of our superstar guests.

Episode #22
Briar Alpert/BioTek

Briar Alpert/BioTek

We sit down with Briar Alpert, President & CEO of BioTek Instruments and VCET board member.

Episode #21
Tyler McNaney/Filabot

Tyler McNaney/Filabot

What does the future of sustainable 3D printing look like and why is it so important to the various ecosystems of earth? We sit down with Tyler McNaney, Founder of Filabot and recipient of the Forbes 30 under 30 award for 2018.

Episode #20
Corinne Prevot/Skida Headwear & Accessories

Corinne Prevot/Skida Headwear & Accessories

How can higher education and ambition help strengthen our entrepreneurial fires? We sit down with Corinne Prevot, Founder of Skida Headwear & Accessories and recipient of the Forbes 30 under 30 award for 2018.

Episode #19
Sarah Kaeck/Bee's Wrap

Sarah Kaeck/Bee's Wrap

How can we combine beeswax and a great plan to help revolutionize home food storage? We sit down with Sarah Kaeck, Founder of Bee's Wrap.

Episode #18
Lisa Groeneveld/Logic Supply

Lisa Groeneveld/Logic Supply

Entrepreneurialism runs in the family. Find out how Lisa Groeneveld got inspired to co-found Logic Supply.

Episode #17
John Replogle/Seventh Generation

John Replogle/Seventh Generation

How can we use environmental consciousness to create profitable business cultures that solve problems... sustainably? We sit down with John Replogle, CEO of Seventh Generation.

Episode #16
Ben Kinnaman/Greensea Systems

Ben Kinnaman/Greensea Systems

How can we use STEM to create reliable software that bridges the gap between land-dwelling humans and deep-sea robots? We sit down with Ben Kinnaman, President & CEO of Greensea Systems.

Episode #15
Michael Jager/JDK Design & Solidarity of Unbridled Labor

Michael Jager/JDK Design & Solidarity of Unbridled Labor

How can we use intention, imagination, and technology to promote cultural growth and help solve inherent human obstacles? We sit down with Michael Jager, CEO & cofounder of JDK Design and Solidarity of Unbridled Labor.

Episode #14
Donna Carpenter/Burton Snowboards

Donna Carpenter/Burton Snowboards

How do you change the entire paradigm of winter sport? Today we sit down with Donna Carpenter, CEO and cofounder of Burton Snowboards.

Episode #12
Michael Knapp/Green River

Michael Knapp/Green River

How do you create software and analytics for a better world? We sit down with Michael Knapp, founder of Green River, to discuss sustainable technology, environmental protection, and school improvement.

Episode #11
Julie Lineberger/WheelPad

Julie Lineberger/WheelPad

How do you make every home wheelchair accessible? We sit down with Julie Lineberger, founder of Wheelpad, to discuss startups with a cause.

Episode #10
Governor Phil Scott

Governor Phil Scott

How can we make our state better? We sit down with Phil Scott, 82nd Governor of Vermont, to discuss community outreach, business sustainability, and economic development.

Episode #9
Allison Hooper/Vermont Creamery

Allison Hooper/Vermont Creamery

How do you start one of the nation's biggest dairy suppliers from scratch? We sit down with Allison Hooper, Co-Founder of Vermont Creamery, to discuss expansion, traveling, and creating sustainable growth.

Episode #8
Rob Foregger/NextCapital

Rob Foregger/NextCapital

How do you continually drive innovation in FinTech? We sit down with Rob Foregger, co-founder of NextCapital, to discuss wealth management in the digital domain.

Episode #7
Howard Pierce/Sharecare

Howard Pierce/Sharecare

How do you transition from architecture to healthcare? We sit down with Howard Pierce, CEO of Sharecare, to discuss scaling, solutions technology, and meeting Dr. Oz.

Episode #6
Rich Tarrant/IDX

Rich Tarrant/IDX

We sit down with Rich Tarrant, former CEO and co-founder of IDX, who began creating and selling healthcare software technology in 1972.

Episode #5
Mike Lane/Dealer.com

Mike Lane/Dealer.com

We sit down with co-founder and former Dealer.com Chief Operations Officer Mike Lane to discuss the early internet economy, business expansion, and setting yourself up for success in today's economic climate.

Episode #4
Marguerite Dibble/GameTheory

Marguerite Dibble/GameTheory

We sit down with Marguerite Dibble of GameTheory to discuss how understanding games can help us improve our day-to-day lives.

Episode #3
Ethan Bechtel/OhMD

Ethan Bechtel/OhMD

OhMD: a mobile app that connects over 1,000 organizations, and puts patient needs first.

Episode #2
Jen Kimmich/The Alchemist

Jen Kimmich/The Alchemist

We sit down with Jen Kimmich of The Alchemist to discuss how a small Vermont brewery took America by storm.

Episode #1
Liz Robert/Terry Bicycles

Liz Robert/Terry Bicycles

We sit down with Liz Robert of Terry Bicycles to discuss strategy, team building, and how to generate value in the modern economic climate.