BusinessTalk

BusinessTalk

By BusinessWestBusiness
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BusinessTalk episodes

  • BusinessTalk with Center Square Grill 10 owner Bill Collins

    Bill Collins had worked at all levels of the restaurant business,

    amassing a wealth of experience, when he decided to open Center Square Grill 10 years ago. The decision proved to be a good one, as the East Longmeadow eatery, specializing in creative American cuisine, was an immediate success — but has still faced plenty of challenges along the way, especially during the pandemic. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Bill talks withBusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about what he’s learned over the decades, how to retain a large workforce at a time when many restaurants struggle with that, and what continues to drive his passion. It’smust listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented byBusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

    25 min
  • BusinessTalk with Mill Town Capital CEO Tim Burke

    Real-estate investment with a purpose can be rewarding in more ways than just the bottom line. Just ask the team at Mill Town Capital in Pittsfield, which has invested in a wide array of projects aimed at rejuvenating local businesses, enhancing recreational amenities, and revitalizing key infrastructure. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Mill Town Capital CEO Tim Burke talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about his passion for his corner of the Berkshires and how the firm’s purposeful work is generating new life and new opportunities for businesses and residents alike. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

    21 min
  • BusinessTalk with Hayley Dunn, 2024 president of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Road Race

    The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Road Race are traditions in the

    Paper City and across the 413. They are events, but they are much more
    than that. They bring families and communities together, and they are
    economic engines — for Holyoke, but also the entire region. On the next
    episode of BusinessTalk, contributing writer George O’Brien talks with
    Hayley Dunn, 2024 president of the parade and road race, about all this
    and much more. They discuss everything from who’s in charge of the
    weather — the grand marshal — to having the parade on St. Patrick’s Day
    itself. But mostly, they talk about all that goes into putting these
    events on, and how the suspense builds in the weeks and days leading up
    to March 17. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast
    presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

    19 min
  • BusinessTalk with Shelley Zimmerman, hospital administrator, and Kimberley Lee, chief of Creative Strategy and Development

    Mental-health awareness is on the rise — partly because more people are willing to talk about it, and that’s a healthy development. But it’s also because the needs in society are greater too, even as we move further away from an isolating pandemic. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks to MiraVista Behavioral Health Center’s Shelley Zimmerman, hospital administrator, and Kimberley Lee, chief of Creative Strategy and Development, about what the Holyoke facility is doing these days to meet those needs, from reopening its renovated adolescent unit to supporting families in crisis and, yes, continuing to fight the stigma too-often associated with mental health. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

    18 min
  • BusinessTalk with Elms College President Harry Dumay

    Colleges

    and universities have had to deal with a host of challenges in recent
    years, from demographic pressures on enrollment numbers to recovery from a pandemic that challenged the main role of colleges: delivering access to quality education. Elms College has emerged from those years on a mission: to reshape its strategic plan, launch a capital campaign to help implement it, and better prepare students for a changing work world. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks to Elms College President Harry Dumay about these developments, as well as an intriguing regional higher-ed partnership with Springfield Public Schools to improve literacy in area kids. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

    24 min
  • BusinessTalk with president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, Rick Sullivan

    These are unusual economic times for businesses, with some healthy indicators but also hurdles like persistent inflation, high interest rates, and workforce challenges. As president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, Rick Sullivan recognizes those issues but also sees plenty of potential for the region to attract new business, grow promising industries, and continue to build on its strengths in education, innovation, and collaboration. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Rick talks to BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about the current economic tides, what’s happening in the development community, and why there’s plenty of optimism out there, even amid the uncertainty. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

    23 min
  • BusinessTalk with Frank Borrelli, chair of AIC’s introduction of a new Division of Arts, Media, and Design

    Colleges are always looking to meet the evolving demands of the

    workplace, which is part of the broad strategic plan at American
    International College known as AIC Reimagined. One such evolution is
    AIC’s introduction of a new Division of Arts, Media, and Design, which
    aims to help an increasingly entrepreneurial generation of young people
    interested in these fast-moving fields to access hands-on skills and
    industry connections. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Frank
    Borrelli, who chairs the new division, talks to BusinessWest Editor
    Joe Bednar about this expanded curriculum and, more broadly, how
    academia needs to respond to rapidly changing career needs and a student
    body that increasingly prioritizes the value proposition of a college
    education. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast
    presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

    26 min
  • BusinessTalk with Meg Sanders, CEO of Canna Provisions

    The initial ‘green rush’ is over, and the cannabis industry in

    Massachusetts faces a host of new challenges, as heightened competition has suppressed prices, driven some shops out of business, and made it difficult for others to survive, let alone thrive. In the meantime, a continued disconnect between federal and state law continues to burden cannabis proprietors with onerous hurdles in the realms of banking, taxation, transportation, and more. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Canna Provisions CEO Meg Sanders talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about where the market in the Bay State is headed, and also about her involvement in a lawsuit against the U.S. government, seeking to block federal enforcement of cannabis prohibition against state-legal
    activity. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

    25 min
  • BusinessTalk with Garett DiStefano, director of Dining Services at UMass Amherst

    Garret DiStefano likes to say that he’s the CFO — that’s chief food officer — at UMass Dining, which has been named the best program in the country eight years running by the Princeton

    Review. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, contributing writer George O’Brien talks with DiStefano about the many ingredients that go into not just a successful program, but the best program in the country. And also about what it takes to not simply reach the top — something that’s hard enough given the high level of competition from schools across the country — but what it takes to stay there year after year. It’s all must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

    25 min
  • BusinessTalk with Vitek Kruta and Lori Divine-Hudson, owners of Gateway City Arts

    Since opening Gateway City Arts 12 years ago, Vitek Kruta and Lori

    Divine-Hudson have seen it blossom into a robust center for the arts, live music, and community, and a true destination in downtown Holyoke. They’ve also seen struggles, especially since the pandemic disrupted the model, with ripple effects continuing today. And now, the Race Street property is for sale. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Vitek and Lori talk with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about their experiences at Gateway City Arts, the emotional decision they’ve made, and why they hope the future owner recognizes and continues their vision. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

    24 min

About BusinessTalk

From the publisher's feed

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.