Building Greenwich CT

This week we sat down with Anshu Vidyarthi, co-owner of Le Penguin (Downtown Greenwich) & Le Fat Poodle (Old Greenwich) and owner of Siren Restobar and Juju Cantina in Old Greenwich. Anshu started in the restaurant business in Los Angeles, Moved to NYC and helped open the iconic Le Colonial on 57th street. He joined L'Escale in Greenwich to help with their bar program and was moved to Director of Operations after the 1st year. Anshu grew into the managing partner role after year three and left in 2009 to pursue developing and creating his own hospitality company. Fast forward to 2013, Anshu and his partner in business opened Le Penguin, followed by Le Fat Poodle in 2014. Opened Siren RestoBar in August 2023, Juju Cantina will open Summer 2024 and Siren in Port Chester in 2025.

We sat down to talk with the dynamic local power duo, Kate Truesdell & Frank Carpenteri this week. Born and raised in Greenwich, High School Sweethearts, parents of 5 (!!) children, and owners of two thriving businesses in town (Kate, Greenwich Dance Studio - Frank, Garden Catering) you will love learning more about them! Kate shares how she started Greenwich Dance Studio in 2004 and is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year with a special performance all about Greenwich. Frank shares what it is like to take over (with his sister) and grow a family business with deep roots in our community and a fiercely loyal fan base. Together, they share their secrets for managing all of it and being engaged members of the Greenwich community.

Thank you for listening!

Kim is one of the co-founders of Mothers' Day Movement (MDM). With a whopping $35 BILLION spent on Mother’s Day each year in the US, Mothers' Day Movement asks people to rethink their giving priorities in order to make Mothers' Day more meaningful. Rather than honoring a single mother, Mothers’ Day Movement seeks to help mothers around the globe as well.  

Each year, Mothers’ Day Movement selects a 501c3 as its annual beneficiary. 100% of funds raised go directly to the beneficiary. Past beneficiaries have worked in the areas of education, maternal health, human trafficking and access to clean water. 

Kim was raised in Simsbury, Connecticut and received a BA from Lehigh University and an MBA from Fordham University. Kim began her career in marketing at MBIA in Armonk, New York and was a partner in STEPinteractive, a web development company. Kim is a member of the Connecticut Board of the Anti-Defamation League and was the recipient of their Daniel Ginsburg Humanitarian Award. Along with her husband Tom, Kim is very active with Pathways, a local organization working to stop the stigma of mental illness. She currently lives in Old Greenwich with her wonderful family, husband Tom and children Drew and Katy. 

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Our campaign is focused around Mother’s Day so the most important date is the second Sunday in May. We drive donations to our selected charity up through Mother’s Day and a few days after. The best way for people to get involved is to make a donation in honor of a special mom in their life. They can have a Mother’s Day card sent to their honoree as well. Also, spreading the word is so important. Tell friends and family to “shift their gift” and follow us on social media. 

You can find them on Instagram: @mothersdaymovementmdm

Larry Imbrogno is the Caretaker of Greenwich Point Park more affectionately known to locals as Tod's Point. Larry is a 4th (!) generation local here in Greenwich and now lives with his wife and two sons at Greenwich Point. They have been there for almost 7 years. Larry has been working for the town of Greenwich for 25 years. In his spare time he volunteers coaching youth football, and is on the board of both the Old Greenwich Association, and for the Generals youth football team, serving as the assistant treasurer.

In this episode, we chat with Dee Hernandez, the Executive Director the River House Adult Day Center in Cos Cob, CT. A native New Yorker, Dee has been in the social services field for over 25 years, working with both the City of New York, and major nonprofit service providers throughout the Tri-State area. She recently joined River House earlier this year as the Executive Director and talks with us about the services River House provides for older adults in Greenwich, CT as well as her commitment to helping those in need through love and respect.

ABOUT DEE:

Dee has a Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Psychology, and a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Human Resources, both from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in NYC. She's native New Yorker and have been in the social services field for over 25 years, working with both the City of New York, and major nonprofit service providers throughout the Tri-State area. She has dedicated her career to helping those in need and has a deep love and respect for those she serves along with her team. Through collaboration, purposeful planning, and intervention she has been able to successfully facilitate meaningful programing and robust services for those in need.

Hear from Cristin Marandino, editor of Greenwich Magazine in this episode! Lindsay, Scott, and Cristin discuss the multifaceted nature of Greenwich, CT and how it is so much more than just a wealthy town full of pretty faces. Cristin shares her journey of becoming an editor and explains the process of selecting stories and themes for the magazine. Cristin emphasizes the importance of going beyond the party pages and covering inspiring stories.

In this episode, Lindsay and Scott interview Amy Montimurro, the CEO of Abilis, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in lower Fairfield County. Amy shares her journey with Abilis and the organization's mission to provide a lifespan of support for individuals and their families. She discusses the various services offered by Abilis, including early intervention, therapy, diagnostic services for autism, and transition support. Amy also highlights the importance of community partnerships and inclusion, as well as the challenges and gaps in service provision. The episode concludes with a discussion on upcoming events and the expansion plans of Abilis. Amy discusses the involvement of local youth and the various ways people can get involved and support Abilis. She also shares her personal journey and how she got involved in this field.

Learn more at www.abilis.us

Takeaways:

Nit Noi Provisions is a bone broth and dumpling company based in Norwalk and Greenwich, Connecticut started by North Shutsharawan. Nit Noi offers a variety of bone broths, including beef, chicken, and vegetable, as well as handmade dumplings. The company sources its bones from local farms and uses traditional recipes to create flavorful and nutritious products. North shares how Nit Noi is now looking to scale its operations and expand its wholesale business, while also offering classes and exploring shipping options for its products.

Chapters:

01:18 Starting Nit Noi in Norwalk

02:24 The Inspiration and Recipe for Nit Noi

05:01 The Rise of Bone Broth

06:10 Making Bone Broth

07:35 Sourcing Bones for Broth

08:13 Different Types of Bone Broths

10:30 Working Together as a Couple

12:20 Choosing Norwalk as the Location

16:40 What is a Ghost Kitchen?

17:46 Expanding into Dumplings

23:18 Different Broth Flavors and Customization

24:30 Freezing Broth and Dumplings

27:20 Selling Broth and Dumplings to Restaurants

32:43 Expanding Wholesale and Classes

40:13 Future Plans for Nit Noi

44:31 Gold Belly and Shake Shack

45:25 Locations and Opening Hours

46:14 Summer Offerings

46:42 Conclusion

Dive into the world of skincare with Scott Elwell and Lindsay Potter in an insightful interview with Sarah Yardis, esthetician at Nicole Caroline Skincare in Greenwich, CT. Explore a spectrum of skincare topics, including men's skincare, shaving, double cleansing, and personalized skincare routines. Sarah emphasizes the power of consistency and habit-building for radiant skin, shedding light on Nicole Caroline Skincare's personalized approach.

In the second half of the episode they discuss the secrets of healthy skin. Discover the transformative effects of hydration and incorporating greens into your diet, highlighting local wellness havens in Greenwich like Green and Tonic. The conversation covers the benefits of carrot juice, the importance of self-care, and the therapeutic salt room. They also delve into the significance of sleep, proper cleansing, and provide a sneak peek into the variety of facial tools and treatments available at Nicole Caroline Skincare.

Concluding on a high note, they unravel the importance of healthy skin and discuss the anti-aging wonders of Gua Sha. Don't miss this illuminating episode that's sure to elevate your skincare game!

#SkincareTalk #WellnessJourney #GreenwichGlow #PodcastHighlights #NicoleCarolineSkincare

Nina Lindia discusses the philanthropic landscape in Greenwich, CT and Pitch Your Peers (PYP). PYP is a women's collaborative organization that provides grants to local nonprofits. The membership process involves nomination and invitation. PYP holds one meeting a year where grant champions pitch their chosen nonprofits. The grant process is streamlined and efficient, with members trusting the grant champions' choices. Nina encourages individuals to get involved in philanthropy and suggests looking for organizations with a low barrier to entry. She also advises donors to give what they won't miss and to pay attention to end-of-year appeals.

Takeaways

Greenwich has a vibrant philanthropic landscape with numerous registered nonprofits.

Pitch Your Peers (PYP) is a collaborative organization that provides grants to local nonprofits.

PYP holds one meeting a year where grant champions pitch their chosen nonprofits.

Membership in PYP is by invitation only, and members are nominated by existing members.

Donors should give what they won't miss and pay attention to end-of-year appeals.

Chapters:

01:26 Discovering Philanthropy in Greenwich

02:42 The Birth of Pitch Your Peers

04:06 The Philanthropic Landscape in Greenwich

05:26 Pitch Your Peers: One Meeting a Year

06:51 Membership and Nomination Process

09:36 Getting Involved in Philanthropy

11:01 Pitching and Grant Process

12:28 Pitching and Grant Champions

14:09 Grant Pool and Funding Allocation

19:35 Nonprofits and Grant Oversight

20:32 Engaging Nonprofits and Donors

25:35 Getting Involved in Nonprofits

26:32 Donating to Nonprofits

30:01 The Name 'Pitch Your Peers'

31:54 Getting in Touch with PYP

33:44 End-of-Year Appeals and Giving