Episode 195 features Ryan Conte from Propell Credit Union.

Rich and Ryan discussed America 250 celebrations at Propel Credit Union, which includes historical reenactments and skits highlighting significant moments in American history. Ryan shared details about recent and upcoming events, including performances of the Boston Tea Party, Washington crossing the Delaware, and the Declaration of Independence reading. They also discussed Propel's commitment to supporting small businesses and their community through financial services. The conversation concluded with Ryan expressing his inspiration from historical figures and his father, and discussing his favorite local dining spots in Delaware County.

www.PropellCU.org - Instagram

Honorable Mentions:

Delco's Original

Delco Steaks

Manbroso's

Toscana Gourmet Pizza

Pop's Pizzeria

Taff Treats

Wawa

Romano's

Nifty Fifty's

Nick's Roast Beef

Rich Shane

Episode 194 features Anne Marie Casey and Ellen Fisher of Yea!.

The podcast episode featured a discussion with Anne Marie Casey and Ellen Fisher about their organization, YAY (Young Entrepreneurs Academy), which provides a 10-month program teaching middle and high school students in the Philadelphia area how to start their own businesses. The program, now in its 12th class, accepts approximately 40 students annually through an application process and pairs them with local business mentors who help develop their business plans. The program culminates in an investor pitch event where students present their businesses to local investors, with the Philadelphia chapter being recognized as a platinum program for having the most finalists in the country. The episode also highlighted how the program emphasizes human interaction despite students' use of AI in their business development, and discussed the upcoming investor pitch event scheduled for April 22nd at Radnor Valley Country Club.

www.YEAPhiladelphia.org - Instagram

Honorable Mentions:

University of Rochester

Shark Tank

Old State Tavern

Mark Anthony Paisano's

Tony Roni's

Carlino's Market

Little Anthony's

TAFF Treats

Wawa

Ridley Creek State Park

Media, PA

Ridley Park Borough

Barry Harris Music

Rich Shane

Episode 193 features Nic and Cortney D'Orsaneo of Breaking the Barrier School of Music.

In this episode of the What's Happening Delco podcast, Rich interviewed Nick and Cortney D'Orsaneo, the owners of Breaking the Barrier School of Music, to discuss their music education business and its impact on the community. The couple, who are both educators in Philadelphia, opened their school in Aston, Pennsylvania, focusing on making music accessible for neurodivergent learners. They shared their musical backgrounds, teaching philosophies, and the variety of instruments offered at their school. The conversation also touched on their favorite music, local dining spots, and what makes Delco a special place to live and work.

5 Rosalie Ln, Aston, PA 19014 - (484) 494-7201 - www.BTBSchoolofMusic.com - Instagram

Honorable Mentions:

West Chester University

Dave Grohl

Minnie Riperton

Wicked

Cocco's Pizza

Taff Treats

Wawa

Colonial Market

Tom Jones Diner

Media, PA

Dezzi Dills

Rich Shane

Episode 192 features James Matika of Martinique Deux.

In this podcast interview, James Matica discussed his new bar and live music venue, Martinique Deux, which has been open for three and a half months in Media. James explained how the venue focuses on live music, offering performances Thursday through Saturday, karaoke on Sundays, and an open mic with School of Rock Delco every other Wednesday. He highlighted the venue's selection of Pennsylvania-produced cocktails, beer, and wine, as well as plans to offer food through a partnership with Lariele Wood Fired Square Pie. James also shared his background in the restaurant industry and his inspiration from his father, who owned the original Martinique in Wildwood. The interview covered challenges faced during the venue's opening, including construction and transitioning from bartender to owner, as well as future plans to expand hours and add more events.

115 W State St, Media, PA 19063 - www.MartiniqueDeux.com - Instagram

Honorable Mentions"

School of Rock Delco

Pop's McCann

Lariele Wood Fired Square Pie

Phoenix Contractors, Inc.

Jackson Street Steaks

Desert Rose

Taff Treats

Wawa

Media, PA

Rich Shane

Episode 191 features Kimberley Hemmings Jarrett of UnCoupled Media and Events.

Kimberley and Rich discussed Uncoupled Media and Events, a company co-owned by Kimberley and her husband Julian. They explained how the business combines Julian's DJ services and Kimberley's emceeing and hosting skills, with plans to host quarterly events in Delaware County that incorporate Caribbean culture and unique game show/date night ideas. The company also offers DJ and hosting services for various events like weddings, baby showers, and birthday parties, with Julian currently working as a software developer while managing the DJ side. Kimberley announced an upcoming kickoff event scheduled for February 14th at the Havertown Recreational Center, which will feature a "Pop or Pass" game show for singles and couples. The event will run from 6pm to 10pm and include dinner, drinks, and music, with tickets priced at $85 for show-only access and $100 for a full experience. Singles are encouraged to download a special app to help facilitate interactions, and both singles and couples can participate in game show activities with the chance to win prizes, including a vacation.

Facebook - Instagram

Honorable Mentions:

Carib Grill

Tony Roni's

Taff Treats

Wawa

Rose Tree Park

Rich Shane

Episode 190 features Philip Priolo and Alex Russo of Cuvanae.

Rich Shane interviewed Philip Priolo and Alex Russo from Cuvanae about their red light cupping therapy device. The device combines ancient cupping techniques with modern red light therapy to accelerate recovery and improve blood flow. Philip and Alex explained how the device works, its benefits for athletes and those with muscle soreness, and how it can be used at home without appointments. They also discussed the device's pricing and the option to use multiple cups simultaneously or focus on specific areas with a single device.

Alex and Philip, inspired by their shared love for sports and the need for recovery, developed Cuvanae, a product aimed at alleviating post-workout soreness. They sourced the product directly from a supplier and plan to expand their marketing efforts through a TikTok Business account to increase visibility and sales. While their parents are supportive, they have not disclosed the extent of their entrepreneurial venture to friends and teachers, hoping to demonstrate its potential as a successful business. Rich encouraged them to leverage the podcast's reach to attract a wider audience and emphasized the global potential of their business.

www.Cuvanae.com

Honorable Mentions:

Ellen Fisher

Steaks

Pizza

Del Rossi's

Taff Treats

Wawa

Marple Sports Arena

Rich Shane

Episode 189 features Christina Dezzi of DizziesDills.

Christina discussed her journey of creating Desi's Dills, a small-batch, homemade pickle business with over 12 unique flavors. She shared how her entrepreneurial spirit led her to start making pickles after helping a customer, which eventually grew into a successful business. Christina highlighted her passion for creating new flavors, such as the Philly Dilly, and her expansion into various delis and vendors. She also mentioned upcoming events and locations where her pickles will be available, emphasizing her focus on providing samples to attract customers.

Christina discussed the challenges of running Desi's Dills, including managing inventory, meeting demand, and dealing with supply chain issues. She expressed a desire to expand beyond food trucks by opening a small retail space where she could offer a variety of pickle-based products and other food options. Rich inquired about future plans for the business, and Christina shared her vision of eventually having a dedicated space to showcase and sell her products.

www.DezzisDills.com - Instagram

Honerable Mentions"

P.J. Whelihans

Colonial Market

Guy's Foods

Paganos

Anthony's Takeout

A1 Beer Barn

The Shops on Mill

The Nook

Niko's Steaks

Skinny Joey's

Angelo's Pizzeria

Italian Delight

Stogie Joes Tavern

Anthony's Ristorante

Barnaby's

Wawa

Rich Shane

Episode 188 features Paul Hewes and Zach Beaver of the Delaware County Historical Society.

The Delaware County Historical Society, celebrating its 130th anniversary, engages in preserving and promoting local history through various programs. Paul and Zach discussed their lecture series, which offers free, outdoor, BYOB-style events twice monthly from April to June and September to October, featuring historians and experts on Delaware County history. They also highlighted their location at 9 West Front Street in Media, where they are open Tuesday through Thursday, and emphasized the importance of advance notice for research requests.

The group discussed the rich history of Delaware County, highlighting key facts such as Martin Luther King Jr. attending seminary in Chester, the discovery of the FBI's domestic spying program there, and the area's significance as a shipping industry hub during World War II. They also mentioned the invention of the Slinky in Delco and the recent announcement of Norwegian Cruise Lines opening a port in Tinicum. Paul and Zach shared their passion for local history, which was sparked by their families' interest in the area's past. They emphasized the importance of preserving and learning about the region's history, noting that many significant events and structures are often overlooked by residents and visitors alike.

9 West Front Street, Media PA 19063 - 610-750-0622 - www.PADelcoHistory.org - Instagram

Honorable Mentions:

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Apollo Pizza

Trio Cold Cuts

A Cut Above

Little Anthony's

Pinocchio's Restaurant

Romano's Pizzeria

Wawa

Booth's Corner Farmers Market

Rich Shane

Episode 187 features Mona Malik of Cracked Bell Construction.

Mona explained that Cracked Belt Construction is a full-service design-build firm located in Delaware and Chester Counties, specializing in kitchen and bath remodels, as well as additions. She described her background, including her work on the Liberty on the River development project, and emphasized her commitment to transparency and availability for clients. Mona highlighted the company's one-stop-shop approach, where clients work with a single project manager throughout the entire process.

Mona discussed current trends in home remodeling, highlighting the rise of smart home technology such as smart mirrors, automated lighting, and garage door openers, which she noted are more affordable than many people expect. She also explained that one-colored bathrooms, particularly gray with white, are becoming outdated, with modern homeowners preferring spa-like features like special tiles, rainfall showerheads, and minimalist designs with hanging pots and pans. Mona expressed her passion for the work and described her collaborative team of male colleagues as a supportive family environment, acknowledging that women often make the final decision.

484-366-7563 - Facebook

Honorable Mentions:

Delco Steaks

Pica's Restaurant

Taff Treats

Wawa

Media, PA

Rich Shane

Episode 186 features Kevin Crane of Vertex Business Solutions.

Kevin Crane, co-owner of Vertex Business Solutions with his wife Phyllis, discussed how the company helps business owners increase profits through AI services, including credit card machine setups, POS systems, and AI receptionists. Kevin explained that Vertex provides free consultations to identify business pain points and offers solutions to generate additional revenue, such as finding qualified leads and implementing customer loyalty programs. He shared his entrepreneurial journey, which began at a young age and included owning a childcare center, a karate school, and now Vertex. Kevin emphasized the importance of giving back to the community and highlighted how Vertex aims to help businesses thrive in the competitive landscape by leveraging AI to improve efficiency and profitability.

www.VertexBusiness.group - 610-517-4007

Honorable Mentions:

Genoa Pizza & Grill

Leo's Steak Shop

Pat's Pizza & Pasta

Wawa

Access Granted

Rich Shane