This week on Beyond the Vines, I'm joined by Marnie Blanco, Senior Vice President of Industry Relations at Pacaso, the company that's changing the way people buy and enjoy second homes. As someone who has personally been fascinated by Pacaso—and may have spent more than a little time dreaming about a place in Lake Tahoe—I couldn't wait to dive into this conversation!

Marnie explains how Pacaso's co-ownership model works, what makes it different from a traditional timeshare, and how buyers can purchase a luxury vacation home while sharing the costs and responsibilities with other owners. We also talk about financing options, building equity, what happens when you want to sell, and why this innovative approach is opening doors for so many people who thought vacation home ownership was out of reach.

Whether you've always dreamed of a cabin in Tahoe, a beach house in Florida, a snow chalet in Colorado, a getaway in Paris, or you're simply curious about one of the most innovative ideas in real estate, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

In this episode, we discuss:

If you've ever caught yourself browsing vacation homes online and wondering, "Could I actually make this happen?"—this episode is for you.

You can find Pacaso on Instagram at @pacasohomes and on the web at https://www.pacaso.com/listings?utm_medium=agent-share-link&utm_campaign=b98ae70e-54be-4a8e-89af-bf04c6f900c8&utm_content=amy_ahlers 

You can find Amy Ahlers at amyahlersrealestate.com and @amyahlers_realtor on Instagram.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests on Beyond the Vines are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Amy Ahlers, or LivXplore Real Estate & Lifestyle.

What happens when a teacher, a love for animals, and a dream of creating unforgettable childhood memories all come together?

In this episode of Beyond the Vines, I'm joined by Jennifer Crum, owner of Bale of Fun Farm in Petaluma. Jennifer shares the incredible story of how a simple idea grew into one of Sonoma County's most beloved destinations for birthday parties, summer camps and family fun.

We talk about what it's really like to care for more than 75 animals—many of them rescues—the lessons children learn through hands-on experiences with animals, and why getting kids outside and connected to nature is more important than ever. Jennifer also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the farm, hilarious animal antics, and what makes every birthday party and camp experience so special.

Whether you're a parent looking for your next family adventure, curious about life on a working farm, or simply love hearing inspiring stories about local entrepreneurs, this episode is sure to leave you smiling.

You can find Bale of Fun Farm on Instagram at @baleoffunfarm and on the web at www.baleoffunfarm.com.

You can find Amy Ahlers at amyahlersrealestate.com and @amyahlers_realtor on Instagram.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests on Beyond the Vines are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Amy Ahlers, or LivXplore Real Estate & Lifestyle.

What's the secret ingredient behind one of Petaluma's most beloved ice cream trucks? It turns out, it's not just the ice cream.

This week on Beyond the Vines, I'm joined by Dan Sager, owner of Oskey's Ice Cream, to talk about the family legacy that inspired his business, what it's really like driving an ice cream truck, and the countless moments of joy he's created throughout our community.

From carrying on his father's tradition to becoming a familiar face at events (including our annual Southgate summer kick-off!), Dan shares stories about entrepreneurship, nostalgia, and why small businesses play such an important role in bringing people together.

Whether you've chased the Oskey's truck down the street or simply love hearing the stories behind Sonoma County's local businesses, this episode is guaranteed to leave you smiling.

Tune in for a conversation that's as sweet as the treats on the truck.

You can find Oskey’s Ice Cream Truck on Instagram at @oskeys.icecream and on the web at oskeysicecream.square.site. 

You can find Amy Ahlers at amyahlersrealestate.com and @amyahlers_realtor on Instagram.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests on Beyond the Vines are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Amy Ahlers, or LivXplore Real Estate & Lifestyle.

On this episode of Beyond the Vines, I sit down with Naomi Crawford, owner of Lunchette in downtown Petaluma. Located just across the street from my office, Lunchette has become one of my favorite local spots — whether I’m grabbing my go-to chickpea salad, ordering ahead for a quick lunch, or stopping in for the brunch bowl with sweet potatoes and poached egg.

Naomi shares the story behind Lunchette, what inspired her vision for the space, and how she created a business that blends fresh food, convenience, and community. We talk about the realities of running a food business, the importance of creating an inviting customer experience, and what makes Petaluma such a special place to open a local restaurant.

If you love supporting local businesses, discovering great food spots, or hearing the stories behind Sonoma County entrepreneurs, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

You can find Lunchette at 25 4th Street in Petaluma, on Instagram at @lunchette_petaluma, and on the web at lunchettepetaluma.com. 

You can find Amy Ahlers at amyahlersrealestate.com and @amyahlers_realtor on Instagram.

In this episode of Beyond the Vines, I sit down with Elana Nelson, Director of Development & Social Enterprise for Sonoma Family Meal and Sabor Food Truck.

If you’ve ever grabbed a bite from Sabor, you might know the food is incredible—but what you may not realize is the powerful mission behind it.

We talk about how Sonoma Family Meal began, the need it was created to serve, and how it has grown into an organization that not only provides meals to those facing food insecurity, but also creates meaningful job training and opportunities within our community.

Elana shares how Sabor Food Truck came to life as a social enterprise, what that actually means, and how something as simple as a meal can create connection, nourishment, and long-term impact.

This conversation is a beautiful reminder of the good happening right here in Sonoma County—and how supporting local can truly make a difference.

You can find Sonoma Family Meal on Instagram at @sonomafamilymeal and on the web at sonomafamilymeal.org. You can find Sabor Food Truck on Instagram at @sabor_food_truck.

You can find Amy Ahlers at amyahlersrealestate.com and @amyahlers_realtor on Instagram.

For this special 100th episode of Beyond the Vines, I’m sitting down with two people who have played such an important role in my own journey—Sean Payne and Nieves DeMartini, co-founders of LivXplore Real Estate.

LivXplore is a boutique brokerage based in the heart of downtown Petaluma, serving Sonoma and Marin Counties, and built on a vision of doing real estate differently—more intentionally, more collaboratively, and with a deep connection to community.

In this episode, we talk about what inspired Sean and Nieves to create LivXplore, what was missing in the traditional brokerage model, and how they’ve built a space that truly supports both their agents and their clients. We also dive into the importance of storytelling in real estate, the role of content and connection in today’s world, and the unique addition of LivXplore’s in-house podcast studio (where this episode was recorded!).

This conversation is such a full-circle moment for me, and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate 100 episodes.

Thank you for being here, for supporting this podcast, and for continuing to show up for the incredible people and businesses that make our community so special.

You can find LivXplore Real Estate & Lifestyle on Instagram at @livxplorerealestate and on the web at www.livxplore.com.

You can find Amy Ahlers at amyahlersrealestate.com and @amyahlers_realtor on Instagram.

In this episode of Beyond the Vines, I sit down with Masara Miramontez—renowned local makeup artist and founder of Modern Luxe Lounge—to talk about her journey from building a sought-after bridal beauty business to opening a stunning, full-service beauty space in the heart of downtown Santa Rosa.

Masara shares how she’s grown her brand with intention, what inspired her to create a luxury, all-in-one beauty experience, and how she’s curated a team of talented hairstylists and aestheticians to serve her clients in a more elevated way.

We also dive into what it really looks like to evolve from solo artist to business owner, the importance of creating an experience (not just a service), and how community has played a role in her success.

Whether you’re a bride-to-be, a local looking for your new go-to beauty spot, or someone inspired by entrepreneurship, this episode is filled with insight, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of Sonoma County’s most exciting new spaces.

You can find Modern Luxe Lounge on Instagram at @modernluxelounge and you can find Masara on Instagram at @makeupbymasara

You can find Amy Ahlers at amyahlersrealestate.com and @amyahlers_realtor on Instagram.

In this episode of Beyond the Vines, I sit down with Emily Lynch, owner of Acorn Shops in Petaluma and Sebastopol—two beautifully curated spaces that have become staples in our local community.

We talk about how her East Coast and West Coast influences come together in her signature style, what it really looks like to build a brick-and-mortar business, and how she thoughtfully curates what she calls “casual classics”—timeless, well-made pieces designed for everyday life at home.

This episode is all about following your path, creating something meaningful, and building a business that reflects both your lifestyle and your community.

You can find Acorn on Instagram at @acorn.shop and on the web at www.acornshop.co

You can find Amy Ahlers at amyahlersrealestate.com and @amyahlers_realtor on Instagram.

When it comes to building wealth, it’s not about one decision—it’s about having a plan that brings everything together.

In this episode of Beyond the Vines, I sit down with Jackie Egidio, Chief Operating Officer at Sonoma Wealth Advisors, to talk about what it really means to take a holistic approach to your finances. From financial planning and tax strategy to investing, retirement, and supporting business owners, Jackie shares how all the pieces work together to create long-term success.

We also talk about common misconceptions around wealth management, what people often overlook when it comes to planning, and simple steps you can take to feel more confident and in control of your financial future.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your strategy, this episode will leave you feeling more informed and empowered.

You can find Sonoma Wealth Advisors on Instagram at @sonomawealth and on the web at sonomawealthadvisors.com. 

You can find Amy Ahlers at amyahlersrealestate.com and @amyahlers_realtor on Instagram.

What does it really take to support our local schools, and why does it matter for the entire community?

In this episode of Beyond the Vines, I’m joined by Maureen Highland of the Petaluma Educational Foundation to talk about the powerful work PEF is doing for students, teachers, and classrooms across Petaluma. We dive into the programs they fund, the gaps they help fill, and the real impact they’re making every single day.

As both a mom and a proud PEF board member, this conversation is especially meaningful to me. Whether you have kids in the school system or simply care about the future of our community, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and more connected to what’s happening right here in Petaluma.

If this conversation resonates with you, there are so many ways to support—from attending local events to getting involved or simply helping spread the word. Every little bit makes a difference for our students and our schools.

You can find PEF on Instagram at @pefproud and on the web at www.pefinfo.com. You can find Alphabet Soup on Instagram at @alphabetsoupshops.

You can find Amy Ahlers at amyahlersrealestate.com and @amyahlers_realtor on Instagram.