In this episode we talk to John Lyons, a local West Hartfordite, known to many of you for his weather reports on Neighbors & Friends of West Hartford Facebook group – but as we learn, John is SO much more than that! Among many of the things discussed, we learned how John became the local neighborhood weatherman and his thoughts on the popular Neighbors and Friends group, his passion for cars, and his thoughts on local politics.

Episode Chapters
0:00 – Intro John, the local “Weather Man”
5:00 – How John got interested in the weather

7:23 – Thoughts on Neighbors and Friends Facebook group

14:56 – WeHa Enemies and Distant Cousins

19:50 – Comedians & cars

29:10 – How the Experience We-Ha podcast started (John interviews us)

33:26 – Professional weatherman?

36:30 – Ronni Newton

38:45 – John on politics

49:27 – John’s favorite We-Ha dish

Jeff and Ryan sit down with Greg Confessore, Vice President of Cricket Press in West Hartford.  In this episode, we learn how Greg got into the family business and has kept the business alive and thriving as a staple in the West Hartford community.  See episode chapters for discussion points.

Contact Cricket Press for all your printing needs:

http://www.cricketpress.biz/

https://www.facebook.com/Cricket-Press-inc-408704511272/

Episode Chapters:

0:00 – Intro Greg/About Cricket Press

6:20 – Cricket Press in the West Hartford community

9:20 – How Cricket Press has evolved over time

11:30 – Printing technology

14:00 – Most requested jobs

15:25 – 3D printing

17:15 – Promotional products and Greg’s new venture – High Tide

27:30 – Greg’s favorite We-Ha dish

On this episode of the Experience We-Ha podcast, Jeff and Ryan chat with Cathy Davis of Bartlet Brainard Products, an exterior home remodeler who has been serving the West Hartford community for more than 82 years. Cathy talks about trends she is seeing in home building and remodeling, the Home Design District on New Park Avenue, and what homeowners should be cognizant of while maintaining their homes.

Episode Chapters

0:00 – Intro/About Cathy, Bartlett/Brainard

6:00 – About the Home Design District – New Park Avenue

10:30 – Biggest hurdles in business

12:20 – “Big box” competition

13:50 – Client “Wish Lists”/What’s trending in We-Ha?

15:05 – Home issues to watch out for (ice damming)

20:00 – Promoting the business

21:12 – What new homeowners should know

23:45 – What’s ahead for Bartlett Brainard

25:35 – Cathy’s favorite We-Ha dish

In the midst of the holiday season, what better time to talk hot chocolate!?!  In this episode of the Experience We-Ha Podcast, Jeff and Ryan chat with West Hartford resident Ali Lazowski, Founder and CEO of Bare Life/Signature A LLC.   Bare Life produces and sells hot cocoa made with 5 natural and allergen friendly ingredients and soon-to-be cookbooks and recipes. 

Ali discusses her journey through chronic illness and how she turned that into a successful startup business. Ali shares her inspirations, how she leveraged crowdfunding, her obstacles as a business owner and entrepreneur and, of course her favorite We-Ha restaurants.

To learn more about Ali’s journey and her company, Bare Life, visit her website https://www.eatbarelife.com/

You can also find and follow Ali on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Episode Chapters:

0:00 – Intro/Ali Lazowski/Bare Life

3:56 – Raising seed money via crowdfunding and ReSet

8:26 – Biggest hurdles in getting up and running and dealing with FDA

11:41 – Bare Life product and distribution

14:21 – The Bare Life Cookbook

15:51 – Hardest thing about being an entrepreneur

17:16 – Getting the word out and leveraging social media

22:19 – A business owner in the local community

24:22 – What’s ahead for Bare Life?

27:36 – Naming “Bare Life” & the lifestyle

31:46 – Ali’s favorite We-Ha dish

In this episode of the Experience We-Ha podcast, Jeff and Ryan sit down with Christiane Gehami – chef and owner of West Hartford’s hidden gem, Arugula Bistro.  We talk about how Chris got her start as a chef, her influences, and the history behind Arugula Bistro which has been a staple in West Hartford Center since 1996.

Check out Arugula Bistro’s NEW WEBSITE and make a reservation!

Episode Chapters:

0:00 – Intro

1:53 – How Christiane got started as a chef

7:20 – Cooking influences

11:15 – The Author?

12:07 – The “business owner”

14:20 – Chris’ guilty pleasure (she’s donut crazy!)

17:50 – Arugula Bistro

19:25 – Biggest struggle

20:40 – The Pianist?

23:08 – Christiane and West Hartford

27:20 – Christiane’s favorite WeHa dish